Subject description: XT and Q voice expansion shipping Now!!!
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!!!
Phase 4 of the XT and Q expansions complete Shipping now!!!
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.
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.
Here is a prototype XT expansion.
Here is a Prototype Q expansion.
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.
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.
Encore made/makes clone expansion boards for the Nord Modular G1 & G2 synths- and they work quite well.
I am interested in voice expansion for Microwave XT (rev. 3 board).
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.
Way to step up Seth!!
- Thank You for volunteering.
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.
2. No, the XTk is "only" a 10-voice model. I also have a 10-voice Shadow XT as well.
3. Well, I don't know. I struck out on both finding a way through the menus to tell me what the version is (of the expansion board, not the Q itself) and on figuring out how to open the synth to take a look. There's a video on how to open a blue Q but it's not for the one I have. Mine has the wooden ends and the video is for the "new old" Qs. I'd be more than happy for a hint on either method of finding out the expansion revision number.
The video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXDrluQ9QsE) shows the guy taking the ends off and then taking out a number of screws on the bottom of the Q. I have the same screws on the bottom but while taking them out loosened the top panel a little it was still locked down. The wood ends look to be attached with screws from the inside so I'm guessing you'd have to open the synth first before taking them off. Anyone know how to do it?
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.
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...!
I am interested in the voice expansion for the Microwave XT rack, revision 3 board. I'm located in Brooklyn, NY.
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:56 pm Post subject: Interested.
Subject description: Something that I am regarding the XT expansion clone.
I have a XT and XTk and would buy cards for either or both.
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Interested.
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject: SCORED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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!
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:38 pm Post subject: SCORED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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! 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.
Will the expansion be compatible with a Microwave II?
Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 3:56 am Post subject: compatible with a Microwave II?
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.
Note that I have a Q with a voice expansion already.
I have a blue Q and would be interested in a voice expansion if they become available.
I'm searching for a Microwave XT (board rev 3) voice expansion!
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?
I would like an expansion board.
I have an XT rack rev 2.