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How does The Functionality Of The 8X Editor Compare To The PC Editor?

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John M

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I have the PC Editor and some time ago, it stopped working. The Editor Software is working. As soon as I turn on the 8X, I get this message:
Capture1.JPG
When I start the PC editor, the In/Out boxes on the Editor do not display the "arranger" as they used to. The PC can't "see" the 8X.
I removed the 8X cover and traced out the PC cable. I get continuity from all 4 connections on the USB plug at the end of the cable all the way through to the 4 solder connections on the Printed Circuit board inside the 8X. I suppose there is a hardware problem somewhere on the circuit board. I have done a full Factory Reset and reloaded all the "Sets" and "UPG's". The problem is still there. The 8X works fine.
I have lived with this for some time and have learned to use the "on screen" menus on the 8X.

My question is:
Is there any function that can be done with the PC software editor, that I can not do with the "on board" 8X editor?
 
Make sure your 8X USB settings are setproperly... there are 2 settings (page 107 menu 14.9) if I recall correctly:

Generic, Original
Default: Generic

Try using ORIGINAL and reconnect to the PC/Roland FR-8X Editor downloaded from the Roland website. Also make sure you are using the most recent firmware update.

Now if that doesn't work, that could mean your PC needs an update or could be a USB hardware issue.
 
Make sure your 8X USB settings are setproperly... there are 2 settings (page 107 menu 14.9) if I recall correctly:

Generic, Original
Default: Generic

Try using ORIGINAL and reconnect to the PC/Roland FR-8X Editor downloaded from the Roland website. Also make sure you are using the most recent firmware update.

Now if that doesn't work, that could mean your PC needs an update or could be a USB hardware issue.
I tried both the Generic, Original & Default: Generic.
Each time, I did a System Save and turned off the 8X. When did an 8X "Start Up" that "USB" Device Not Recognized" message came up immediately, even before the first Roland graphic, (the 8X screen said: "Starting Up" and that message came up.
My firmware is: 2.52.108.
As far as my PC update. I was using the PC Editor and it was working fine in the morning. I turned off my 8X and in the afternoon, when I started my 8X, the editor wouldn't work. Additional note: The PC editor was working on both my desktop PC and my notebook portable PC. I really believe I have a hardware problem on the board in the 8X. I like the 8X so much, I think, I will look for an 8X in good working condition and buy it -- just to have an 8X for spare parts. I am in no rush for the purchase. I have patience and will look for one to buy in the future.

Jerry -- Since I have become comfortable using the 8X editor, do you know if there is any function that can be done with the PC software editor, that I can not do with the "on board" 8X editor?
I can live with the 8X editor. I just want to know if I am losing any capability with the 8X editor that I can do with the PC editor. I know I am losing the faster, easier use of the PC editor. Other than that, I can work with the 8X editor until I can try out a new 8X hardware board.
John
 
Well I've not looked at EVERY option, but, so far I've seen the same options in both, just that the 8X editor, at least for me takes anywhere from 2 to 10 times longer to create a registration on the 8X directly vs the editor on the PC, the convenience and time savings are staggering, and if you do a lot of programming is massive time lost that could be better spent doing something else.

Perhaps before blaming the 8X, try another cable or clean out the USB connector with a quality contact cleaner?
 
You are certainly right about the speed and convenience of the PC editor. I can't imagine how Richard Noel created all the UPG's before the PC editor was available. As I use the 8X editor more, I get "relatively" faster. Most of what I do is to modify existing UPG's that I got from Richard Noel. I wouldn't know where to begin to create a "new" UPG from scratch. I think you start with Sets. I haven't worked at all with Sets.

I have tried the USB cable from my HP printer. It has the same USB connectors as the 8X cable. I have also cleaned the connectors with DeoxIT D5, which is a good contact cleaner.

Thanks for your replies Jerry. I appreciate it.
 
You are certainly right about the speed and convenience of the PC editor. I can't imagine how Richard Noel created all the UPG's before the PC editor was available. As I use the 8X editor more, I get "relatively" faster. Most of what I do is to modify existing UPG's that I got from Richard Noel. I wouldn't know where to begin to create a "new" UPG from scratch. I think you start with Sets. I haven't worked at all with Sets.

I have tried the USB cable from my HP printer. It has the same USB connectors as the 8X cable. I have also cleaned the connectors with DeoxIT D5, which is a good contact cleaner.

Thanks for your replies Jerry. I appreciate it.
That's not a good contact cleaner, that's pretty much the king of all electrical contact cleaners! :)

Hmm... we've pretty much covered all the easy possibilities.

And yes, Richard and I spoke about that a few years back... it was crazy time consuming, but he had a plan at the time and I think he accomplished it. I often say that the Noels sets are how the 8X should have come from the factory, they are great as a base for really showing how one can program the 8x and bring out it's capabilities over the factory setup.
 
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