Greetings from California U.S

[Prodigy-54321]

Hey everyone!!! I'm going to become a new owner of the Fusion 8HD. I originally wanted a Yamaha DX7ii but another buyer bought it right under my nose. Than I've discovered this keyboard through youtube comments as being the best bang for the buck in terms of a workstation. I heard various patches made by keyboard players and I was automatically hooked!!! Than I discovered the various other features like a 40 GB hard drive, a powerful customizable arpeggiator, drum machine, 4 engines including FM Synthesises and it's all under $1000!!! I've managed to find one through Music Go Round, ordered it, and now I'm awaiting it's arival! I'm very excited!!! I'm willing to learn the ins and outs of this instrument. This is why I joined this forum Thanks for having me

[parametric]

Welcome to the Forums Prodigy,

The Fusion is indeed an amazing instrument as the existence of this Forum and the FusionClub suggests.

Its not without its "strangenesses", but then no board is . . . .

The trick is to use and enjoy its strengths and work around its idiosyncrasies.

You don't say if you Gig - or are largely studio-based -

At around 25Kg + a flight case, you need to be built like two separate gorillas to move it with ease

Fact of the matter is that it WAS a giant killer in its day and we are mostly confounded as to why Alesis dropped it . . . .

The factory Voices (Programs - in Fusion-speak) were rubbished by the media (unfairly in my view) who completely failed to appreciate the EASE with which you could either Sample your own - OR - convert SoundFonts (how many are there of THOSE out there?) and many other formats besides, with the "Fusion Convertor" SW - a free download . . . .

Songs can be devised easily - and its possible to get MIDI and/or Audio IN and OUT of the Fusion easily.

If you are a PIANO player - then the 8HD has one of the Finest keybeds out there - and thats from someone who has a REAL baby Grand Piano . . . .

I think you are in for a treat.

User <Jesse> basically runs the Forum and is Stateside . . . .

There will be be many questions. The BIG Manual sadly is mostly a list of menu items with little explanation of WHY you would want to use them . . . .

Look for <Psionic>'s Fusion Pages - which are very hands-on, but various in what they cover.

The Thin Manual will get you started.

Spend as much time as you can just playing it - as you get more familiar with it, then delving deeper will probably surprise you. It still does me - four years down the line . . . .

Questions? - That's where we come in . . . . ask away . . .

Best Regards

parametric

[Prodigy-54321]

Thanks for the warm welcome Parametric

I've noticed that you have a Yamaha SY85 within your inventory. Very nice!!! I was looking into the Yamaha SY77 at one time. I'm a Synthesizer enthusiast; how could I not notice XD!!! Yamaha instruments are beautifully engineered.

25 kg? Oh my... That's about 55Lbs!!! That's just more keyboard for me to love!!! I'm going to do some gigs with this keyboard but it will mainly be used for composing.

I'm not really a fan of how this workstation was treated by reviewers, the press, and musicians. Sure, I've seen workstations that are three times it's price that are also beautifully engineered. I also heard that the firmware was buggy but Alesis fixed that issue towards the very end but by the time this happened, it was already too late. I think that musicians should have given this model another chance and it would be nice if Alesis made a second generation Fusion; I think they would have everything pretty much perfected with more ram, touch screen capabilities, and a built in SSD. That's just my opinion anyhow.

I'm very saddened that Alesis doesn't make synthesizers anymore; they do make really good midi controllers at affordable prices. In terms of legacy equipment, they really had stuff to really be proud like for instance, the Andromeda A6.

My only concerns about the Fusion 8HD are various things like the lifespan of it's components; especially the hard drive. I've read through life hacker that mechanical Hard Drives usually last around 4-6 years. I'm also in the prospects of looking for what I believe to be a discontinued ram upgrade.

I will be looking into more threads as well.

But once again. Thanks for giving me such a warm welcome into this forum.

Thank you
-Prodigy

[parametric]

You're most welcome - Sir . . . .

Re; The HD situation . . .

I devised an upgrade to SSD . . .

It's in MOST of the forums, but here http://www.yamahaforums.co.uk/forum/vie ... =7520&sd=a if you search down the thread - you'll find my .pdf on how to do it on the 8HD, Where to get the drive I used etc etc

This is probably best done SOON - as I have no idea how long PATA SSDs will be available for.

The bonus is that it ups the Fusion to its maximum capacity (128Gb SSD formats out at 120Gb - which is the MAX the Fusion can address).

Speed is pretty much the same, but HEAT and Noise IS reduced.

Fortunately, the Akai MPC5000 uses some Fusion parts, notable the PSU and the display and illuminator, although Akai have just declared IT legacy too . . .

Part Nos are mentioned elsewhere in the Forum, from InstrumentalParts - though you have to look under MPC5000 to find them (I think).

Best Regards

parametric

[Jesse]

Welcome prodigy

The E3 RAM expansion memory is still available, but pricey, originally $100 per module, you need toe E3 modules. Best buy is selling it for the Akai MPC5000 at $150 for each module
You will probably want to buy a spare PSU for the Fusion if they are still available

If you are gigging the PATA SSD drive is the way to go, if your Fusion remains in your music room, like mine does the WD1600SB 160GB IDE/PATA HD is the way to go, this drive can be found on ebay - look for a new one they are available.

Fusion load times
[quote source="/post/17777/thread" timestamp="1400635568" author="@parametric"][quote source="/post/17772/thread" timestamp="1400549039" author="@jesse"]I have that I will run it and a few of the piano's from the Ultimate Piano Collection, which I believe you have also

Ultimate Piano Collection - &nbsp;&nbsp; FAZ.DYN.32-11 Samples 37.2 MB Time to load Maxtor 40GB IDE/PATA HD 18.4 seconds (parametric Kingspec 128GB PATA SSD 23.58) (WD1600SB 160GB IDE/PATA HD 16.3 seconds)

Ultimate Piano Collection - STWD.DYN 32-11 Samples 35.3 MB Time to load Maxtor 40GB IDE/PATA HD 18.0 seconds (parametric Kingspec 128GB PATA SSD 18.32) (WD1600SB 160GB IDE/PATA HD 15.9 seconds)

Ultimate Piano Collection - &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; BOES.LD HI1 Samples 37.0 MB Time to load Maxtor 40GB IDE/PATA HD 18.2 seconds (parametric Kingspec 128GB PATA SSD 18.61) (WD1600SB 160GB IDE/PATA HD 16.0 seconds)
[/quote]

My Working Fusion - Open Fusion - PSU(old version)Primary Heat Sink Temp(the short one)
Note: Temperatures shown below are the Peak Temperatures observed.
The Heat Sink Temperatures cycled between 118.7°F and 123.3°F with no activity on the Fusion, The Fusion was simply Idle.
HD Storage Device Primary Heat Sink Peak Temp Measured
Maxtor 40GB IDE/PATA HD 123.3°F
Kingspec 64GB PATA SSD 123.3°F
WD 160GB IDE/PATA HD 122.5°F

Fusion Parts http://www.promusicproducts.com/forum/p ... f=2&t=5554

[Prodigy-54321]

Thanks Jesse and Parametric for the helpful information.
Best Buy still sells old parts as well? That's cool!
I checked the tracking number and my Fusion is coming in tomorrow XD
I'm definitively going to invest into a 120 GB SSD I heard Kingspec does the job (I think I've seen this used in one of the guides). It's also a 2.5 inch so I think it may work. I've looked up some guides on upgrades including some from Parametric (Thanks very much by the way)
The only thing I'm nervous about is breaking components. I've built a PC before but I've had some help. I think I could score me a psu for this beast as well.
I have another question.
Even with all replacement parts, What is the expected lifespan of the Fusion?

Much appreciated.
-Prodigy

P.S
I tried looking for a new PSU but no success yet. Are there any alternatives? I assume there's none. They are pretty hard to find.
If you guys know where I could find one, please let me know.
Thanks.

[Jesse]

I called Inmusic (a combined parts place for Alesis, Akia, Numark, etc.) waiting for call back

New PSU # SPSHA33R4-058 -058N PCB, Power Assembly MPC 5000 - $ 106.00 as of 5-27-2014 the PSU was still available.

Ask for tech or parts

The fusion is a solid well built workstation, the main problems are
1. The old PSU
2. LCD display sometimes, but mainly the CCFL backlight for the LCD display, both of which can be replaced for $20 http://www.promusicproducts.com/forum/p ... f=2&t=6563

[Prodigy-54321]

I just got the keyboard!!!

This thing is built like a tank! By far the heaviest keyboard I've ever lifted!

The black keys on the middle range of the keyboard are a bit clicky but other than that, all the keys feel really nice. I mean really nice.

Are clicky keys normal? Could it be easily fixed?

-Prodigy

[parametric]

I just got the keyboard!!!

This thing is built like a tank! By far the heaviest keyboard I've ever lifted!

Just wait 'til you add a FlightCase . . . .

Mine has only ONE handle in the middle (like a suitcase). These NEED one at each end - SERIOUSLY . . .

The black keys on the middle range of the keyboard are a bit clicky but other than that, all the keys feel really nice. I mean really nice.

Are clicky keys normal? Could it be easily fixed?

-Prodigy

"Clicky" is a difficult concept to grasp without actually playing it - unfortunately my arms just aren't long enough to reach California.

Has it ever been opened? . . .

When replacing the top, it has to go back "just so".

I COULD be that all you have to do is loosen and raise the top - and reposition it slightly.

Here's the official "how-to" on opening it. Give that a try . . . .

Fusion 6_8HD-S80 E3 UPGRADE.pdf

(1.37 MiB) Downloaded 654 times

parametric

[Prodigy-54321]

Another question.

Do you guys know a good remedy for dead keys? They are dead on the lowest register (for the most part).

-Prodigy.

[Jesse]

What do you mean by dead?

Is there sound when you press them?

Do the keys rebound back to their original position after being played?

[Prodigy-54321]

On the lower registers, I'd have to press really hard in order to get sound out of them. The lowest C is the worst one. I assume it's due to dust build up; I hope it's not because I screwed it the keyboard wrong.

-Prodigy

[parametric]

I would personally doubt that it's dust - as the Fusion is fairly well "sealed" when closed. I always cover the keyboard when not in use - to minimise any airbourne stuff . . . .

Perhaps the previous owner didn't . . . ?

I suppose I've opened mine as many as 10 times, with Memory upgrades and various experiments with drives etc... It gets less harrowing as you get familiar with doing it - ESPECIALLY closing it.

Do you think its been opened before you got it?

Look for bits of glue that hold bits of wiring loom in place - that are no longer stuck down . . . Screw heads or hole-surrounds showing "wear".

These need not be cause for concern per se - more trying to build up a "history".

Has the memory been upgraded? To my knowledge, Fusions were always unexpanded when new . . .

With CAREFUL propping of the "lid" it should be possible to power the Fusion up with the lid opened and moved to the rear slightly. (Scatter-cushions" or towels are good for this - they are mouldable AND non-conductive )

This HAS TO BE at your own risk . . . . There is MAINS in the vicinity of the PSU and possibly elsewhere . . . . DO be careful - or enlist some "informed" help.

Try the keys in this state. Has the problem disappeared? If YES, then the problem is most likely to do with the precise replacement of the lid . . . .

If NO, then you could try using a Dustoff® Aerosol on the contacts and see if that helps.

Take a CRITICAL look at the contacts/springs etc in the area of the problem . . . are there any that look "different" to the majority. The Keybed is a respected "make" and I'm sure spares CAN be had if required . . .

Check the innermost ends of the keys (i.e. the contact end) to see if any tiny pieces are broken off.
New keys are easy to source, I believe, if required.

I think the Keybed has TWO feeds to the mobo, one for upper keys, one for lower keys . . . .

Identify the lower one and try unplugging and replugging one (or both) ends, if you can access them.

I THINK there is a diagnostic routine that can be run, that goes through ALL the keys/buttons/switches - but be careful to avoid the disk related ones - they CAN erase the HD . . . .

If any of these give you an error code in the display - then that code might point to the problem AREA.

There is a list of "known" codes somewhere in here - and what they mean (in plain terms). I think <Jesse> looks after it.

Hopefully it won't get to that.

parametric