Introduction:
Back in the mid-90’s Roland launched a series of modules called the Sound Expansion (M) series.
These 1-unit rack modules were closely based on the sounds that were available in the SR-JV80 Expansion Cards at that time.
Sound-On-Sound did a review of these modules shortly after they were released. You can read this article on their website HERE.
Most of the modules in the range had a directy associated SR-JV80 card so they were basically a module containing the SR-JV card waveforms.
The M-SE1 didn’t have an associated SR-JV card. Instead its Waveforms were a compilation of waves from SR-JV cards and JV1080 waveforms.
I sourced this module on eBay with the intention of reading out the waveform data and trying to create an image that would load into the SR-JV Romulator. Upon opening the unit I discovered it had 10MB of Waverom rather than the expected 8MB that SR-JV cards have.
I was able to read the Waverom by removing each chip from the CPU board in turn, mounting it to my Techno card, then using the Romulator Programmer to save the chip contents to a BIN file. I ended up with 5x 2MB BIN files. I tried loading the first 8MB of the Waverom to a Romulator card but my JV2080 did not play ball and would not play it.
I got in touch with Python Blue and he took a look at the full 10MB and found that it was a valid format for a SR-JV image. As the Romulator memory is 8MB loading it completely into a card was off the table. He was able to extract the uncompressed samples from the file using a custom version of his scripts.
You can hear all the extracted samples and the five onboard demo tracks on my Soundcloud page:
M-SE1 Extracted Samples
M-SE1 Onboard Demo Tracks
Opening the Box
This unit was heavier that what I thought it would be. It appears to be a well made construction.
At the back of the unit we have the AC Inlet, Midi Thru / Out / In, 2x Audio Input, 2x Audio Output.
The top cover is held in place by 8 screws. Once removed we are greeted by the internal workings:
From Left to Right we have:
1. CPU & Waveform Board
2. Audio Board (Under CPU Board)
3. Power Transformer
4. Power Region Config Board with Switch and Filter Circuit
The CPU Board is held by 4 screws. Once these are removed the board can be flipped over to show the board components:
CPU Board removed from Connector Ribbons:
Removing the Audio Board reveals the metalwork date and paint overspray through the MIDI and Audio Jacks:
Transformer, Power Input Socket, and Power Region Selection PCB:
This particular M-SE1 was made for the UK so the Power Input has been configured for 230/240VAC
When I looked at the underside of the PCB it was a little strange because two of the spade terminal connections did not connect anywhere. The 230/240V Brown T302 and the 110/117V Yellow T301 spade terminals are not connected to anything on the PCB.
The HOT T303 and COLD T304 spade terminals connect to the Power Input Connector after going through the switch and the filter circuit comprised of L301 and C301.
What appears to be happening here is that the transformer has two input windings – one for 230/240V and another for 110/117V
For 230/240V configuration the Brown Wire is connected to the HOT T303 terminal.
The spare Yellow Wire is connected to the 110/117V T301 terminal. In this configuration the Yellow Wire is redundant so it is placed on that terminal to hold it in a safe place. The terminal itself does not connect anywhere.
For 110/117V configuration the Yellow Wire is connected to the HOT T303 terminal.
The spare Brown Wire is connected to the 230/240V T302 terminal. In this configuration the Brown Wire is redundant so it is placed on that terminal to hold it in a safe place. The terminal itself does not connect anywhere.
In either configuration the White Wire is always connected to the COLD T304 terminal.
Front Panel Metalwork:
Front Panel PCB Components:
The editing facilities on the M-Series modules are quite sparse and this is reflected in the front panel.
A simple 3-Digit LED, 11 Buttons, and 11 LEDs make up the interface.
Front Panel PCB – Bottom Side:
Analogue Audio Board – Top Side:
This board does the following jobs:
1. Digital to Analog Conversion
2. Volume & Headphone Amplification
3. Mix the Input Source with the Output Signal
4. Amplification for Audio Outputs
5. MIDI Transmit / Receive / Thru
6. Power Supply Regulation for +5V, +12V, -12V Rails
Analogue Audio Board – Bottom Side:
The one component on the bottom side is the NEC UPD63200 18 Bit D/A Converter.
Most of the PCBs in this unit use a single-sided copper PCB. I am not a fan of these PCBs as the solder only sits on the copper side and does not wick up through the hole.
This creates a weak joint because the solder wave process only puts a small amount of solder on the connection during the soldering process. Eventually cracks appear in areas that are subject to mechanical and heat stress. This unit is 30 years old so this can be expected.
When I was disassembling the unit one of the disc capacitors on this PCB broke one of its solder connections when I touched it. Also there were noticable cracks in the ribbon connectors. To help with longevity all the solder joints on the single-sided PCBs in this unit were reflowed. It took about an hour, but will keep the unit functioning for years to come.
Main CPU & WaveRom PCB – Top Side:
This PCB is the brains of the unit. This PCB contains:
1. 10MB WaveRom. This is contained in 5x 2MB Chips: IC16, IC15, IC14, IC13, IC4. Equivalent to Hitachi HN624316FB
2. Hitachi H8/510 CPU. IC6. 20Mhz clock speed.
3. Operating System Firmware. IC10. Equivalent to Hitachi HN62444BP. Less than half of this memory area had code in it.
4. Two 32KB SRAM. IC19, IC20. Used for H8 CPU workspace and unit configuration setup.
5. Roland ASIC ( Toshiba TC6116AF). 24Mhz Clock speed. Decodes WaveRom data to bitstream for DAC and processes Reverb & Chorus effects.
6. 32KB PSRAM. IC24. Workspace for ASIC and effects processing.
7. Battery Holder. BT1. Used to retain data in IC19, IC20 when power is off. Original battery still has 3.1v after 30 years.
It appears that the maximum Waverom that can be installed on this board is 14MB considering that each chip is 2MB and there are two spare locations IC1 and IC2. I have seen other photos of this PCB where 4MB chips are fitted instead of the 2MB chips shown here. In that configuration the chips were only fitted in locations IC16, IC14 and IC4.
Main CPU & WaveRom PCB – Bottom Side:
When this PCB is being assembled they first glue the little surface-mount components on to the underside of the board using ChipBonder. You can see this as little red dots on either side of the component.
It then goes through a curing oven to harden the glue and this holds them in place. After the top side components are fitted the whole PCB goes through the solder wave and this is where the surface-mount components, Firmware IC, and connectors all get soldered at the same time.
They also used the ChipBonder glue to indicate what M module the CPU board belongs to. It is also used to indicate the date of manufacture.
Note the two dots in the Main Total Assy table in the M-SE1 70670512 00 location to indicate this assembly is for the M-SE1.
In the date code box they have indicated Y4 & Y1 / M8 & M1 / D16, D4 and D1
To translate this to the date you add each selected item to calculate the Year / Month / Day: Y4 + Y1 = Y5 / M8 + M1 = M9 / D16 + D4 + D1 = D21
This translates to Assembly Date: 21st September 1995
// Document End
