Waldorf Q/XT Voice Expansion clone project (Complete)

depsilon · Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 29 Location: USA

Status Update:

Thanks for all of the support and encouragement - After three Years this project is now complete!!!

We are shipping the XT and Q expansion now - They are tested and working $399 plus shipping, Limited QTY so act fast before we run out!!!

Here is the link -

http://www.encoreelectronics.com/cont_product.html

Phase 4 of the XT and Q expansions complete Smile

Shipping now!!!

I have found photos of rev1 and rev2 XT boards that are NOT expandable. Rev1 and Rev2 XTs are NOT expandable and do NOT have 2-rows of pins on the top side of the mainboard - Photos below. When XT owners originally sent their XTs in for voice upgrade service at Waldorf or an authorized service center, if your XT mainboard was Rev1 or Rev2, they upgraded your mainboard to Rev3 and added a Rev 1 expansion module. Then they migrated your old EEPROM with serial number to the upgraded XT mainboard.

The version of XT mainboard is shown after you finish booting the XT/XTk by pressing the Global (Utility) button (six clicks in) until you get to the system sub-menu. If the lower left of the display reads "Board #3" you can upgrade your XT. If it says "Board 1" or "Board 2" then the XT is not expandable. I hope people looking to upgrade their XT/XTk perform this basic check to avoid any disappointment. Also your XT/XTk must be updated to OS 2.29 (Or Newer) before connecting the expansion.

Unfortunately, there is no system menu that will display the verion of Mainboard/DSP contained in your Q. You will need to open your Q and read the DSP version off the parts on the mainboard of your Q to confirm if your Q will work with the Encore expansion.

Current Build Progress (Available now!!!) -

1- Confirmed 50-100 or more buyers (Completed)

2- A Q and XT synthesizer with expansion module to reverse engineer. (Provided)

3- Development lead time of about 3-4 months. (Shipping (XT) Shipping (Q))

4- Module price is $399 for XT and Q expansions. (Price is set)

You may provide your First Name, last initial and location to confirm if you are interested.

Also, if you know a Q or XT owner interested in a voice expansion, send them over to this post to throw in their 2 cents.

If anybody knows some other forums for Q users to get the word out on this please let me know where else to post - any suggestions are welcome.

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Here is a prototype XT expansion.

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Here is a Prototype Q expansion.

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depsilon · Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 29 Location: USA

In talking with the Waldorf Tech, the compatability chart is below:

The XT series (including XTk) all use Motorola 56303 voice DSP (But V1 and V2 XTs are NOT expandable).
The Q series is more complicated, the first run of Yellow Qs used a Motorola 56303 also.
This means only the oldest Q expansion modules with Motorola 56303 DSP and 24-bit wide memory footprint (6-chip DRAM) are compatible with V3 XT series and Early Q (56303) Mainboards.

The Motorola DSP was changed in later Yellow Qs to 56362. This is why the newer expansion (Q) will not work and will damage the 56303 mainboard of a Q or any XT/XTk (V3) mainboard.

The (Motorola 56362) expansion version will work in all 2.x and 3.x Q mainboards (including the micro Q).

Looks like we are forced to only have the option to provide expansion for the 56362 Q (Later models) only similar to the V3 (latest model) constraint on the XT. Sad

Encore Expansion Ver__XT_____Q
XT/XTk (V3)_________Yes____No
Q (Yellow V1-56303)___No____No
Q (Yellow V2-56362)___No____Yes
Q (Blue 56362)________No____Yes
Q (Halloween 56362)___No____Yes
Q (Phoenix 56362)_____No____Yes
Micro Q (56362)_______No____Yes*
*Hardware modification required

Don't worry about the Request and Donor lists being removed - they became un-necessary when we moved to phase 3.

Below are service notes we found for the micro Q expansion installation procedure. We are primarily focused on the Q and XT synthesizers for the expansion, but if you want to use the proposed Rev2 Expansion in a micro Q, it will require additional parts not included with the expansion we plan to make. We offer these notes as a courtesy but I imagine since soldering is involved, you may be on your own concerning warranty matters using this expansion in a micro Q. The prototype module does work with a microQ - more details about the parts need to be figured out.

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This is an example of a V2.2 (Motorola 56362) Voice Expansion Module

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This is an example of an older V1 (Motorola 56303) Voice Expansion Module

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Page 1 of supplemental documentation for micro Q installation

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Page 2 of supplemental documentation for micro Q installation

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Page 3 of supplemental documentation for micro Q installation

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cappy2112

matmat · Joined: Apr 25, 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Paris

Hi,

I am interested in voice expansion for Microwave XT (rev. 3 board).

All the best,

THE_ASKII · Joined: Apr 26, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: London

+1 for MWXT (#3 board)

namnibor · Joined: Apr 26, 2012 Posts: 59 Location: Ohio, USA

I am interested as per request to notify, for a voice expansion board for my Microwave XT, revision 2 with Delay and dull "fuzzy" orange finish, NOT the Nextel glossy and bright. Would like to know if this would be a "plug and play" board or require soldering? I ALSO have a MicroQ, the bright screaming yellow rack unit, which I think would require soldering (not sure) if the 75 voice expansion ever really existed and could be cloned as well.
FYI--my XT serial # 920727192. My email is rinman4@columbus.rr.com to contact me directly. Just recently retired/disabled USAF Veteran, getting back to home studio set-up and because of my obvious "disconnect" from the real world for years, just came across the great forum and registered today. Thank you very much.
Robert

Dougster · Joined: Sep 20, 2005 Posts: 272 Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Welcome to the forum Robert!

Regards,
Doug

(Former USAF...)

selgart · Joined: Apr 28, 2012 Posts: 2 Location: New York City

I have a Q that's been expanded to 32 voices. I also have an XTk for which I'd like to get an expansion board. I'll have to check the board versions of all of those, but if needed I'm open to (temporarily) donating my Q to the project as long as I could get some assurances that it won't be blown to smithereens. :-)

Seth E
New York City

depsilon · Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 29 Location: USA

Way to step up Seth!!

- Thank You for volunteering.
Couple questions for you:

1- What color is your expanded Q? (pics?)

2- Your XTk did not come with the voice expansion?

3- What is the revision on your Q expansion module?

If all goes well, you should not need to worry - I am proceeding very cautiously on the beta testing side of things - the design engineers at Encore know what they are doing - they have done this kind of thing before for Clavia users.

If you change your mind, let us know. We can flip the switch once we have another 42+ user commits and Waldorf and Encore approval. Keep posted here for updates - and spread the word to our fellow Q and XT users Smile

selgart · Joined: Apr 28, 2012 Posts: 2 Location: New York City

jojjelito · Joined: Jun 27, 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Stockholm, Sweden

I have a 10-voice matt orange XT (most likely rev 2) so I'd be very interested in a voice expansion. I'll have to check the version in the menu when I get back in town after the weekend to be sure.

Cheers!

Dougster · Joined: Sep 20, 2005 Posts: 272 Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

I've been doing a lot of traveling for work, but at some point in the future when things settle down, I may be able to help. I have an expanded blue Q, and an expanded Nextel orange XT. The Q came expanded, and I bought the last XT expansion card that was available here in the US at the time and installed it myself. Made me laugh how originally they wanted 100 bucks to install the XT expansion card. They told me it was a very complicated process. As I remember, I put in four standoffs and plugged it in. Heehee...! Rolling Eyes

Regards,
Doug

ditabeardmemo · Joined: Apr 24, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Brooklyn, NY

I am interested in the voice expansion for the Microwave XT rack, revision 3 board. I'm located in Brooklyn, NY.

ugufru · Joined: Apr 25, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Pissburgh

I have a XT and XTk and would buy cards for either or both.

- Paul Cunningham, Pittsburgh

dukino · Joined: Feb 24, 2012 Posts: 3 Location: NL

i am also very interested

i have one of the latest Q blue 16 voices

Andrea

namnibor · Joined: Apr 26, 2012 Posts: 59 Location: Ohio, USA

Just wanted share that I just scored a Micro Q with yes, 75 VOICE Expansion, version 2.18!!!!!!!!!!! Did not consider this off-topic due to the very nature and rarity of these things coming-up on ebay! FYI-same seller NOW has Microwave XT Rack in pristine, never rack mounted condition. What has been happening in last year, perhaps because of Waldorf's resurrection, is the prices of our "legacy hardware" are going nowhere but UP!
I would think that a savy investment venture would be for someone to purchase several of these proposed expansion boards for Q/XT because providing all goes through and all work as expected; these expansions would be money in the bank, akin to numbered prints if only say, 50 are produced...hint hint to venture capitalists! Smile

Doing Ren and Stimpy "happy Happy Joy Joy Dance this evening! I just hope my bumble bee yellow Micro Q plays nice with Big Blue MicroQ...yep, already named him! Anyone else do that? Always named my cars...

depsilon · Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 29 Location: USA

Sweet deal namnibor!!!,

Can you post some pics of the expansion for the micro you got when you get some time? I could not find any on the internets. A look at the front and back could be very informative as to the differences in expansion across our legacy hardware. Still no word from Waldorf. I will ping them again.

namnibor · Joined: Apr 26, 2012 Posts: 59 Location: Ohio, USA

Well, it has to ARRIVE via FEDEX next week yet...so will be a bit before I even take pics let alone open BIG BLUE up...but will indeed eventually. I am still keeping my bumble bee yellow MicroQ because actually, I now have 100 voices, technically!! Plus that bright yellow and blue face is one of the sexiest rack units above the XT and Supernova 1 above it...cannot WAIT to hear MULTI's with the 75 voice expansion!
Do not become impatient with Waldorf regarding reply about anything other than Blofeld because being still attentive to detail, am sure they are eventually going to give a thorough reply when they do. After all, it's their legacy and am SURE they are excited that there's such avid interest. Think about the FACT the new pulse 2 is advertised on their website as being BACKWARDS compatible with Pulse and Pulse Plus....telling me they still own the very "intellectual property" still and who KNOWS what they may have up their sleeves? Would LOVE to take a peek in the Waldorf R&D Dungeon to see what's ALIVE on their slabs for future release! Smile

Seller is having a manual printed and bound for me, he also recently sold an XT and three Pulse's...another whom has gone the studio in the closet downsizing to only vsti...and I am happy to be a bottom-feeder in this dire economy.

modulator_esp · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 2:29 am Post subject:

Will the expansion be compatible with a Microwave II?

depsilon · Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 29 Location: USA

Check with Waldorf to be sure, but I think the DSP implementation on the Microwave II and the XT are different enough that there would need to be serious rework to make that happen. Plus I don't know if Waldorf ever sold any expansion Modules for the Microwave II or if the OS is designed for expansion.

inaheartbeat · Joined: Apr 09, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: United States

I have an XTk that I would love to get an expansion board for. It was my understanding that the Q and XT expansion boards were the same. Not sure what my board rev is cause the XTk is still in transit to me Wink

Note that I have a Q with a voice expansion already.

splitpoint · Joined: May 27, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: usa

I have a blue Q and would be interested in a voice expansion if they become available.

izzio · Joined: Jun 06, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Italy

Hi all, i'm new here...
I'm searching for a Microwave XT (board rev 3) voice expansion!

shinichiroh · Joined: Jun 19, 2012 Posts: 1 Location: tokyo

Hi,
what a exciting project this is... I want to get this board both for my Q&XT strongly!!
Do you plan to ship to Japan?

Oli · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:55 am Post subject:

I would like an expansion board.

I have an XT rack rev 2.

Oliver F, Australia