Read S-50 / S-550 / S-330 / W-30 Disk Image Files - RELEASE NOTES - This utility reads Roland S-550 / S-50 / S-330 / W-30 Disk Image files from a computer hard drive, USB flash drive or microSD card. It will display Patch Names, Tone Names, Disk Label, System Version and other parameters contained on the disk

While testing, I have noticed that some disk image files have inconsistent data and contain sample information errors. These errors usually involve data for the Wave Bank Locations A/B and contain a bogus frequency rate. These will display on the screen as;

     TOTAL SAMPLE SPACE INCORRECT
     The total sample space used in the Wave Banks does not add up
     RECOMMENDED ACTION:
     Check the file integrity or try re‑saving this sample set to a new file

These errors are not bugs within this program but instead could originate from one of three possible sources:
- 1) Corrupt sample data disks as a result from *.OUT files being uploaded decade after decade to BBS's and the Internet. Unfortunately, some original sample disks in the Roland RSB Library have not remained true over time
- 2) Possible bugs within the different operating systems. Several iterations have been introduced for all four samplers... about 19 different O/S releases in all
- 3) Converting formats from one sampler to the other could add or remove data depending on which way the conversion is going. For example, when converting an S‑550 or S‑330 disk over to the S‑50 format, all of the Output Jack assignments will disappear

Some examples of these inconsistencies from the S‑50 RSB and S‑330 RSB Sound Libraries are RSB_504‑4.OUT and Steinway_Grand_Piano.s33. RSB_504‑4.OUT reports a total sample time of 14.8 seconds which is impossible since these samplers will only hold 14.4 seconds total. Steinway_Grand_Piano.s33 is another bogus file which reports a whopping 115.2 seconds of sample time on one disk. I wish!

If a Tone on the disk contains no sample data and the only thing assigned to that Tone slot is a name label, the Tone name will not appear in the Tone Name list. One possible reason for the inconsistency would be if a Tone was initially created but saving the sample data was abandoned. This would leave an empty Tone slot with only the Tone name label remaining

Whenever possible, suggestions will appear below the listing if an error is encountered or if the disk is a System O/S boot disk. Some examples are:

Q: Is there any way to run this utility offline without being connected to the Internet?
A: Absolutely! It's quite easy. Simply right‑click on the HTML links S‑550_disk_info.html and S‑550_Reader_Release_Notes.html then use the "Download Linked File As..." option within your browser and save these two files to a folder on your hard drive. Everything will work exactly the same. To make it look identical with all the original images, right‑click and use the "Save Image As..." option for rsb_magnified.jpg, ssampzone_inverse.jpg, PRG_icon.jpg, computer_bug.gif, text_icon.jpg and paypal_donate_smaller.jpg in the same folder as the HTML files

I designed this as an online utility for three reasons:
        1) No software to install
        2) It's easier to distribute this way as a simple webpage
        3) The most current version will always available online

Q: Can you add a feature which allows the ability to edit and write the Patch, Tone, and Disk Label names?
A: No way, José! Apple, Mozilla and Google go out of their way to make sure that browsers can't write data directly onto the hard drive because of hackers. The only way to write to the hard drive would be to make a stand‑alone program which doesn't use a browser. I don't code anything other than HTML so no plans for a stand‑alone program are in the works. It's really too bad because a program would be quite simple as far as design goes. There are only a couple of sections within the 3.5" floppy disk image *.OUT file which would need editing;

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