Viscount RD800

Derek Johnson takes a look at a new MIDI disk drive that will store and retrieve your files in a flash...

Exactly 12 months ago, we reviewed the RD70 MIDI disk drive from Italian company Viscount. Coincidentally, we have another drive from Viscount — the souped‑up RD800 — in February 1995. Looking back at the RD70, we found that it had a lot to offer: direct to floppy disk recording of any MIDI data, whether sequence or System Exclusive, compatibility with MS‑DOS format double‑ or high‑density floppy disks, and ease of use — not to mention instant access to commercially available songs in MIDI File Format.

Though it has a higher price, the RD800 is physically and operationally similar to the earlier machine, with the same number of buttons as the RD70, and the same 3‑character LED display — prepare to get used to cryptic 3‑character abbreviations. MIDI connections include a Thru socket, and the MIDI Out can also be set for soft Thru operation; a start/stop footswitch socket is provided, and power comes from an external supply.

The RD800's basic features include the ability to read Standard MIDI Files in Format 0 and 1; it records in Format 0. Although data can't be edited to anywhere near the extent of a software or hardware sequencer, you can temporarily or permanently transpose sequences, loop songs or sections of a song, and mute individual tracks — useful, for example, if you want to mute individual parts or a lead line, as well as for 'music minus one' educational operation. Songs can be chained, and the data relating to chains can be stored to disk; up to 99 chains are available, which should be more than enough for anybody. On the MIDI side, individual songs can be selected with program changes, and MIDI clock is sent and recognised. SysEx, control Change and Program Change data can also be filtered from the MIDI stream.

Virtual Disk

The most exciting feature of the RD800 is the so‑called Virtual Disk. This consists of 1Mb of Flash RAM, expandable to a very useful 4Mb; songs stored here remain permanently in RAM, without needing battery backup. Virtual Disk is a fast, convenient and robust method of storing songs, and is ideal for gigging musos. I'd keep backup floppies on hand just in case, but there is nothing easier than simply turning on the RD800 and pressing play — no disk required. While 1Mb is a healthy amount of RAM (more than a double‑density floppy), the full 4Mb should offer enough storage for several gigs worth of songs.

One side‑effect of using Flash RAM is that data can become fragmented, just like floppy or hard disks, after repeated recording/deleting routines. Note that erasing a song doesn't free up RAM until you compress (defragment) the data. Another significant point is that once the RAM gets to a certain state of fragmentation, the compression routine happens automatically, which can take a couple of minutes. To avoid this possibility, the manual wisely suggests that you do all your recording to disk, transferring files to Virtual Disk only when you're happy with the result. This has the dual benefit of providing you with a floppy backup by default and using the Flash RAM efficiently. Compression can, of course, be initiated at any time by the user.

Conclusion

In use, the RD800's only operational quirks are the same as those of the RD70: the 3‑digit display can be unintuitive and the buttons are a bit fiddly. Editing and parameter access involves a variety of multiple button pushes, which can initially be a little confusing. The manual, while sometimes obviously translated, is actually very good at explaining these points, so keep it handy — especially the brilliant quick reference guide at the back. I spotted a couple of mistakes in the text, however — if a particular function doesn't work, double check its operation in the quick reference guide.

MIDI‑equipped disk drives are still a good idea in 1995, because even now not everybody wants the trouble or expense of a computer — and the RD800 is ideal for onstage operation, especially since it even offers disk‑free operation, courtesy of Flash RAM. If you use MIDI equipment of any kind, a MIDI data filer such as the RD800 offers many computer‑like facilities at reasonable cost — for example, easy access to commercial MIDI Files and convenient storage of SysEx dumps (saving on RAM cards). And if you use a MIDI hardware sequencer, whether stand‑alone or as part of a workstation, an RD800 could also add 16 extra sequence tracks — simply synchronise your workstation or sequencer to the RD800.

At £459, Viscount's RD800 is perhaps a little — but not much — more expensive than its competition, but refinements such as the Flash RAM capability make the unit worth it. If you want a powerful data filer suitable for any purpose, the RD800 has to be a front runner.