Korg Forums

Hi,

I'm the happy user of a Korg IS40, never had any problem with it at all and I love the machine.

However the floppy drive just died yesterday and I'm trying to find a replacement.

I've found so far (thanks to this forum) that the Teac FD-235HF floppy drive family should work just fine.

But I'm wondering if I should buy one of those cool Floppy devices that allow one to use a USB memory stick as if it were a floppy drive.

For that so far I read that the device will work fine as long as the drive to replace is a standard one.

Does anybody know if the floppy drive is standard? the Teac FD-235 will work on a standard PC, but I do not know if it is a completely standard floppy drive, or if it has something that makes it special for the IS40.

Can anyone please help me? or direct me to some info?

Many thanks in advance.

Hi

Just wanted to at least get a response to you.

But I'm wondering if I should buy one of those cool Floppy devices that allow one to use a USB memory stick as if it were a floppy drive.

For that so far I read that the device will work fine as long as the drive to replace is a standard one.

I am not sure if this USB-style device is good, bad or indifferent but I think the floppy is standard - the best thing to do is take it out or get your Korg service engineer to do it for you - shouldn't cost much - at least you will know the answer.

Sorry if this seems a bit of a useless answer...

Pete

@karmathanever (Pete)

Sorry if this seems a bit of a useless answer...

Hi, do not worry, any little info is good.

Problem is that everywhere I've been they try to charge me a little fortune.

Once I get some spare time next week I'll open the keyboard and see what can be done, I have a couple of Floppy drives lying around.

I will post here the results.

Also if it turns to be a standard drive, I'll attempt the USB thingy.

I'm pretty sure that most keyboards that use a floppy drive (certainly KORG ones), use a standard floppy.

The Karma certainly does.


However, sometimes different floppy models take the floppy ribbon cable the other side up - apparently. Hence why many floppy ribbon cables don't have an aligning/locking groove like IDE and SCSI cables do...

jpfsanders wrote:Hi,

But I'm wondering if I should buy one of those cool Floppy devices that allow one to use a USB memory stick as if it were a floppy drive.

That's interesting. I haven't heard of such a device, but I could see that being of great use. Could you point us to a source of such a device?

Good luck with your project.

Cheers, Giner

Hi,

I have some solution for your problems.


FLOPPY DRIVE EMULATOR (This version can emulate up to 100 Floppies in 1 USB Pen drive) CAN REPLACE 3.5" FLOPPY DISK DRIVES, FOR EXAMPLE :

31/2'' DRIVES : ALPS (AL FD 7xx), PANASONIC (JU-25xxx), SONY (MPF-520xx, MPF-920xx), YE DATA : YD-702D...







Compatible keyboards & sequencers

YAMAHA

PSR-340, PSR-450, PSR-540, PSR-550, PSR-630, PSR-730, PSR-640, PSR-740,
PSR-1000, PSR-1100, PSR-2000, PSR-2100, PSR-9000
TYROS 1, MDF-3, CVP-92
DGX-300


ROLAND

E-50, E-60
E-66 , E-68 , E-86 , E-96
E-500, E-600
EXR-E2, EXR-5, EXR-7,
VA-3, VA-5, VA-7, VA-76
G-600, G-800, G-1000
RA-800
EM-25, EM-50, EM-55, EM-2000
XP-50, XP-60, XP-80
SD-35

KORG

iS35, iS40, iS45, iS50
PA-50, PA-60
i5s, i5m, ix300
i4s, X2, X3, X3R
i2, i3, 01/W

TECHNICS

KN901, KN920, KN930
KN3000, KN6000

SOLTON

MS-50, MS-60, MS-80, MS-100

CASIO

CTK-731, CTK-811, MZ-2000

CHARLIE LAB

MEGABEAT RACK

Also, this verison is Standard IBM-AT Interface and Standard Shugart Interface jumper selectable.

YOUR COMPLETELY SAFELY DATA...

Use USB PEN DIRVE. The risks of drive failure are almost non-existent, because the DRIVE has no mechanical parts moving. A preventive detection system is incorporated to deal with an eventual failure.

EASY INSTALLATION

The USB FLOPPY DRIVE EMULATOR uses as much space as a 31/2'' floppy disk drive.

RELIABILITY

You can work with dust environment and vibrations without any trouble.


The USB FLOPPY DRIVE EMULATOR has a one year warranty with workshop return, whilst the floppy disk drives are no longer repaired.

Specifications:
USB socket to insert USB pen drive
4-pin floppy socket for voltage supply
34-pin socket for standard floppy drive cable
Diagnostics RED LED: Busy
Switch LOAD
Voltage supply: 5 V DC, 4-pin-voltage supply socket for 3.5 inch drive

Standard price is 100EUR - for models with 34 pin connector

The others models with 26 or 24 pin connector cost 120EUR

You can ask me via forum or send an email darq82@tlen.pl

Best regards,
Darek

Hi if i get a usb replacement for my i4S will the disc mode recognise this?

also will this device fit in the space where the floppy disc should go?

Hi John,

the emulator is exactly same size like floppy drive. Emulator dedicated to i4s has 24pin flat connector. I can send the manual if you want.
You don't have to change anything in your keyboard's software and hardware, just replace the FDD to USB emulator.


Regards,

Darek

I have one of the older pa50 keyboards which I don’t use now, but I have been thinking of modifying the floppy disc drive to accept a flash card or an sd memory card. However, on the pa50, the floppy drive is also used as a direct HD, which allows you to play styles on floppy discs without loading them into the keyboard, which of course is much faster. If a modification was carried out and the floppy drive was changed, surely this direct HD facility would be lost. I don’t know if the IS40 keyboard has this HD facility but if it does, that might be a consideration. Also, I’ve seen adverts for floppy disc drive modification hardware as low as 30 euros (or maybe GB POUNDS) so you would need to have a look around the internet for prices and specifications.