At 10:03 AM 8/18/2005, Antonio Tuzzi wrote:

>I have a problem with my CP: when I try to load patches (using
>computer) the synth hangs...
>
>precisely:
>
>I start the load mode
>start the audio file
>the synth react and the led walk, but suddenly stops on "F4" led, and
>synth need a restart
>
>what do you think ? I suspect a ram chip, am I correct? What procedure
>I have to do to check the memory ?

Hello Antonio,

It's entirely possible that your Polaris is not broken. Have you had it
long? Have you ever tried to load patches into it before?

The Polaris is notorious for being VERY PICKY about the exact level of
audio signal you feed into it for the patch loading procedure.

Also, the signal source needs to be able to drive a low impedance load,
such as a small speaker. If your signal source is only designed to drive
line-level audio inputs, you can have lots of problems. The original patch
loading procedure was to load the programs from cassette tape. The manuals
made a point to recommend using the headphone jack of cheap portable
cassette player, because the headphone output would be capable of driving a
lower impedance load than the typical line-out jack of a high-quality
stereo tape deck.

I have my computer connected to my home stereo. The last time I loaded
patches into my Polaris, I connected a "guitar patch cord" between the 1/4"
headphone jack of my stereo, and the 1/4" input on the Polaris. I then
played the WAV file on my computer, letting the signal play through my
stereo, out the headphone jack, and into the Polaris. I had to experiment a
couple times to get the proper volume level on the stereo, but it worked
fine otherwise.


take care,
McLilith