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Just been looking through the manual for Power Sampler and the expansion plate. To use 32 I / O there is something in the manual about connecting the floppy disk power connector from the expansion plate to a the PC's internal power supply.

Can someone please expalin a little about this? - Is it a connection to the floppy disk power supply directly from the expansion plate?

If this is the case does it mean that the floppy disk drive can't be used or this there some other way? - Please say...

It has to be said that the Power Sampler the way it is with the expansion plate isn't the most ideal way to gain more I / O...as it uses up precious space inside the computer...

the z-link cable carries power for the luna box. the connector is for that power.

Hi Garyb,

I won't be using the Luna box (the 8 I / O box...that is what you were referring to wasn't it?)

2 x A16u, or thats the idea. I think I'm more clued up on this than before, but just checking the finer points before getting kitted out.

Ok, imagine I have my 2 x A16u and expansion plate. I connect the expansion plate onto the Power Sampler and put them in the PC.



A16u # 1- Z-link connection to Power Sampler Z-link connection. Z-link connection on expansion plate into A16u # 1. One of the two A16u's is now connected via two wires. Is this correct???

A16u # 2 ADAT connectors of which there are four connect to the four ADAT connectors on the expansion plate. Both are now connected and there are now 32 hypothetical I/O but this leaves the question mark over the power connector on the expansion plate....please bear with me on this and maintain patience.... ...I'm not far off understanding how this will work.

Thanks so far,

garyb wrote:the z-link cable carries power for the luna box. the connector is for that power.

For the Luna box only? - Not for the A16u?

As usual correct me if I'm wrong....

The A16u has it's own power supply and does not need the floppy power connector in any way...

The floppy power connector on the ADAT expansion is for the Luna box ONLY....

Sorry if I've confused the situation but I just wish to be absolutely clear in my own mind before I purchase the A16u x 2 and the expansion card, that is when Sonic Core are up and running...

Learning the different aspects of the cards etc... has taken a while and sometmes confusion sets in a little.... ....

fraz, basically all your assumptions are correct. 1 a16 via 2x z-link, 2nd a16 via adat. the ac power is not needed for the a16s as they have their own power.

the floppy power connector should not be required if hooking z-link to an A16U. try it and then tell us . should you experience difficulties, you can still connect it, though. there are adapters available in every electronic shop that converts the bigger power connectors (for 5.25" drives) to the smaller floppy power connectors (they are probably named like that since nowadays there isn't any other common gear that uses it, apart from the luna expansion ).

about precious space... if you are running a modern setup with pci-e x1 already, you probably can use that slot for the expansion, provided you don't have the need for the pci-e card slots

-greetings, markus-

actually fwiw, the power connector is a standard ide-style power connector...

garyb wrote:actually fwiw, the power connector is a standard ide-style power connector...

on the luna expansion? no. it has a "floppy disk drive power connector", as shown (and named) in the manual.

-greetings, markus-

that's right, ide connector on project and professional z-link. man, you're doing a good job keeping me honest, thanks!

Thanks Kylie / Garyb,

Ok, all I need to do is get the necessary hardware and hook it up and all may be well without connecting the floppy power....but it's there if need be.

I can get the expansion plate online, I found somewhere that sells it. When I get the A16u will the necessary cables come with it?

no, you'll need a pair of good quality firewire cables.

garyb wrote:that's right, ide connector on project and professional z-link. man, you're doing a good job keeping me honest, thanks!

hum... have to correct you again...
and I even referred to the wrong picture without being wrong.
yes, when I checked to confirm what type of connector it is I looked at the Z-Link I/O expansion blade for the project/professional boards. it is, still, a floppy connector. and to my great relief, there is also a floppy connector on the real luna expansion (just had to flip to the next page). phew!

btw, the manual mentions the need for the addinitional power plug if you connect a luna expansion to both the main card and the expansion (meaning two of them, because the pci bus has to supply the power for the units, and the power level would not be sufficient for both). that could lead to the conclusion that you can plug a luna box to either the luna or the expansion without need for additional power, as long as it just one unit.

-greetings, markus-

actually, the project and professional cards come with an adaptor. they have an ide style power connector.

garyb wrote:actually, the project and professional cards come with an adaptor. they have an ide style power connector.

never bought one new. have 2 plates (one from you ), but I've got plenty of them adaptor cables anyway, and since I don't use more than a single luna box at a time I don't even need it. and the A16U doesn't need it either...

-greetings, markus-

ps. and now, come up with a final grin, the question is answered long ago

one more smilie...

you did not reach 8700+ posts by suppressing your grin

garyb wrote:no, you'll need a pair of good quality firewire cables.

Please could you name some, like a short list of what's good, manufacturer etc...

I got some of those:

http://www.lindy.co.uk/cables/firewire/6-pin-to-6-pin/

(well, ok, I used the german site ). I'm sure there are more... right, gary?

-greetings, markus-

yeah, the main thing is to just buy the "good" cables not the absolute cheapest "bargain" cables.