VS-880EX and VSR-880 SD Card Conversion

My 3D printed designs for the replacement IDE-to-SD card conversion of the Roland VS-880EX and VSR-880 hard disk recorders, which I shared to the VS Planet forums. I went with the “Versatile Plastic” material from Shapeways when I got these pieces fabricated.

These parts are specific to my needs, but can easily be modified in CAD.  

The SD Card to IDE readers that are now available no longer work with the Roland VS series. My SD to IDE reader was purchased off eBay in 2010. I used an SD card extension cable with mounting holes, with the designation KZ-B19 in the description.

It is however possible to use a Compact Flash to IDE reader, and a SD to Compact Flash converter to use SD media with the Roland VS series. I bought my parts off eBay: a Digigear SDHC/SDXC to CF Type II converter, a  Syba SD-ADA45006 44-Pin CF to 44-Pin IDE adapter enclosure, a SD card extension cable.

• I only have 1 working SD Card to IDE reader that I keep in my Roland VSR-880. 
• I have implemented the SD -> CF -> IDE conversion on my Roland VS-880EX.

I initially kept the SD card internal to the VS-880EX, but the removing the caddy was a hassle with 4 screws.

3D Printed Slotted Cover for VS-880EX (Exposed Card Reader)

CAD File

Drive cover for external SD card on VS-880EX.

SD card extension outside of VS-880EX.

CF-IDE Converter and CF-SD Converter in caddy.

3D Printed Hard Drive Caddy Retrofit on my VSR-880

CAD File

3D Printed Caddy with SD Card Conversion.

VSR-880 with slotted drive cover.

VSR-880 with cover off.

Impulse Responses

I started playing around with Voxengo Convolver to make impulse responses of my guitar amp speakers through my home recording setup. 3 sec sine sweeps with 3 sec tails of silence.

I’m starting with the Celestion Greenback and Mojotone BV-30H speakers in my Jet City Vertical 2x12. I’m using a Crate Powerblock as the power amp for now. I’ve recorded sweeps with the Shure SM48 and SM57 into a Stam SA-73, and will go through my mic collection.

Below is a test using Scuffham S-Gear with the IRs used. Tube power amp simulation in S-Gear used.

Uploads of IRs to come.

First Post: 5F1/5F2A-inspired Amp Head

This blog is a way for me to document my projects, as well as to share my thoughts with whoever may stumble upon these posts.

5F1/5F2A-inspired amp internal wiring.

My first amp head build:

• 3 way V1A Cathode Bypass Capacitor switch between 1uF, none, and 25uF. 
• 3 way switchable tone options: 5F2A tone knob, tone bypass (5F1 spec), bright caps.
• Bright caps switchable between 100pF and 470pF.
• 3 way switchable NFB: fixed 22k, none, 50k linear pot.
• ClassicTone 40-18030 5W Output Transformer.
• ClassicTone 40-18085 Upright Power Transformer.
• 22uF, 16uF, 8uF filtering.
• Metal film resistors throughout.

B+ measurements: 380V, 331V, 281V at 3 Filter Capacitors. This is at the upper edge of expected values for the Tweed Champ circuit. The 630V CT @ 100mA secondary on the 40-18085 Power Transformer was used.

The amp doesn't quite get to 5F2A specs, since it has 1 less filter cap ala the 5F1 circuit.

YouTube videos of switchable options: