Knoppix is a CD-based Linux distribution. I figured I'd give it a try to see if the Oasys would boot it, and sure enough it did! It even recognized a USB keyboard, USB mouse, and USB Ethernet adapter! The only problem is it doesn't recognize the display correctly by default, so it would require some customizing of the Knoppix CD. As it is, the screen is off-center and "blurry" due to the wrong resolution.
Tomorrow I'll try WinPE, a Windows boot disk. I'll have to wait since my only copy is at work.
The challenge for the Linux community is to make a linux distribution that leverages some of the Oasys controllers, like the joystick for a mouse. I could imagine using the Oasys between gigs to check you're email, only having to connect a small USB keyboard and Ethernet adapter. ;-)
Wow, what a synth - but still there's a PC under the hood.
I knew that at some stage someone would try what you tried, this was just a matter of time to happen.... - MEGAGRIN! -
Interesting!
Quote:
Originally posted by MFenkner Knoppix is a CD-based Linux distribution. I figured I'd give it a try to see if the Oasys would boot it, and sure enough it did! It even recognized a USB keyboard, USB mouse, and USB Ethernet adapter! The only problem is it doesn't recognize the display correctly by default, so it would require some customizing of the Knoppix CD. As it is, the screen is off-center and "blurry" due to the wrong resolution.
Tomorrow I'll try WinPE, a Windows boot disk. I'll have to wait since my only copy is at work.
The challenge for the Linux community is to make a linux distribution that leverages some of the Oasys controllers, like the joystick for a mouse. I could imagine using the Oasys between gigs to check you're email, only having to connect a small USB keyboard and Ethernet adapter. ;-)
Wow, what a synth - but still there's a PC under the hood.
Mark
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"I gave a talk once at NASA on evolutionary biology," he recalls. "The last slide of my talk was a picture of the universe: super clusters of galaxies. Next to it was a one of capillary cells in a dish, formed into networks. The two pictures looked identical." - Donal Ingbar - Harvard medical school
Originally posted by Martin Hines When you say the OASYS "recognised" those USB devices, doe that mean you plugged these separate items into the OASYS USB Port?
When you say "USB keyboard", did you mean computer keyboard?
Ya betcha
I would not be astonished if he get's the monitor problem sorted as well.
So the keyboarder will appear always busy with his system, whereby in fact he surfs the net....
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"I gave a talk once at NASA on evolutionary biology," he recalls. "The last slide of my talk was a picture of the universe: super clusters of galaxies. Next to it was a one of capillary cells in a dish, formed into networks. The two pictures looked identical." - Donal Ingbar - Harvard medical school
Is this for real? I thought the Oasys OS was a closed system to anybody outside of Korg. Just regarding the monitor why dont you plug in a USB monitor ( if there is such a thing lol )
I dont think Korg are going to be happy about this. Mmmmm
No, this is not a joke. Yes, it was a USB computer keyboard and mouse that were working. One interesting thing to note though is initial tests imply that they are not recognized by the BIOS (like most new computers) but the OS loads the necessary drivers. It's obvious Korg has a customized BIOS, and they likely disabled certain functionality.
Yes, I do think getting around the video problem is probably trivial - just a matter of time of making a custom Knoppix CD, which the distribution provides the capabilities to do. One interesting thing is I found Linux touch screen drivers designed for a 10.4" touch screen display ;-) I wonder if they are sourced from the same manufacturer. This would enable a person to use the touchscreen instead of a mouse.
I've done some other minor analysis of the Linux code on the Oasys. It's interesting how Korg uses loop-AES to load all of their proprietary software, which implies it is encrypted. It'll require more research to understand the mechanism exactly, but it seems Korg has made a smart move in encrypting their Intellectual Property so no one can de-compile it.
Another interesting thing to look at are the boot scripts. You can see how Korg loads everything behind the scenes. Some parts of the code is commented "This is only temporary", or something to that effect. As time allows, I'm interested in looking at the Linux underpinnings in more detail.
Yes, I figure there is a chance Korg might not like the fact, but I mean them no harm. I was the kind of kid that they first thing I did with a new Christmas present was take it apart ;-) Nowadays, I resist the urge to physically take something apart until the warranty expires. Trying alternate OS's (without damaging the Oasys OS) or looking at the Oasys' Linux is just me wanting to understand how it works. Hopefully Korg doesn't nip this in the butt with some "upgrade". I see the alternate potentials of this as an attractive feature to many potenial buyers. The "hacker" (in the old, good sense of the word) community loves products that they can tweak.
And to the comment regarding Korg's limitations on "Open Architecture", yes the current OS is limited in many ways, not allowing someone to easily write unauthorized add-ons - but under the hood it is still a PC, with which you can do most things a PC can do. Interfacing with the custom Korg hardware withing the synth would probably be a challenge, but basic PC functionality wouldn't. Linux developers might be able to some amazing things, possibly even adding functionality, but I'm not much of a programmer so I'll leave it to other adventurous souls.
PLEASE - DON'T GO MUCKING WITH YOUR SYNTH UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I've work professionaly in various areas of the computer field for the past 10+ years, so at least I half-know what I'm doing ;-)
I did a few final "experiments" tonight and wanted to share the results before calling it quits for a while (I spend my days working with computers... I'd rather spend my nights playing the Oasys).
WinPE boots fine - it's a shock seeing the Windows XP logo on the Oasys display! What an insult to the Oasys ;-) WinPE also loaded the necessary drivers for the mouse, keyboard, and an external USB drive. There were not the same problems with the display as there were in Knoppix.
Another thing worth noting: anyone who has installed a generic motherboard would guess what is between the two USB headers on a standard motherboard (beneath the black metal housing on the Oasys). Two Serial ports and a Parallel port, wired into the Oasys' innards maybe? ;-) I'd guess there are also PS2 ports behind the chassis, though I'm too lazy to pop the lid and peak in with a flashlight. We all know about the PCI and AGP slots, but who wants to void their warranty and mess with that?!
I'm done playing for now, and this might not be the appropriate forum anyway. But I've confirmed my curiosity that the Oasys can operate as a normal PC.
Back to enjoying this masterpiece of Korg's! I can't wait to see what expansions they come out with.
Mark
with your 10years knowledge - what type of expansions do you believe Korg can come out with- or, what type of expansions are capable with this type of Motherboard - if i can ask?
One day I think there will be way a to run dual boot on oasys to provide using control surface of BIG O same as Neko.
Couse it's the same platform, Pentium 4 with classic motherboard. I have Comp. for that And I bought O becouse it's great sounding synth with great possiblities, but, that will be nice to see on it.
Mesagge to KORG. It's better that YOU provide that kind of expansion and keep the OASYS soft. to run only ---- LINUX. One question. Is there 1 Gb ram Module or 512 Mb?
In terms of hardware upgrades, it's theoretically possible to upgrade the CPU or entire motherboard since it’s form-factor is standard – but I don’t know if Korg would plan on every doing that. For example, if future software upgrades exceeded the processing power of the current CPU and/or memory, Korg could offer a replacement of the motherboard with a new CPU and more memory – but in terms of making money, I don’t know if that’s in their best interest. Would they rather sell a customer a new $8000 synth or sell them a new motherboard? A motherboard with CPU and RAM is CHEAP!
Another thing to consider is it wouldn’t be a user upgrade for 99% of people. It would require a service center to do the upgrade.
In terms of other hardware upgrades, I see them as trivial and unnecessary. Most of the possible upgrades that come to mind seem more like proving something is possible rather than adding needed functionality. If you were planning on making it a full-fledged computer, you could put a second video-card in it for an external monitor, etc.
It would be great if Korg continued to support the platform for a long time with both software and hardware upgrades, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
No need for USB Ethernet (which isn't supported), there's an internal ethernet port on the back of the keyboard next to the bump. Don't get your hopes up, though, that isn't supported either running the Oasys software, although I'm sure it would work if you wanted to install your own OS.
On that - I understand the whole open source thing a little, and the desire to dismantle for educational purposes, but why on earth would you want to turn an $8000 dream keyboard into a common $350 PC? I don't know about you, but I already have a couple of those.
The whole attractiveness of the Oasys in comparison to other computer-based synths like the neko is the integration and seamless operation of the hardware and software. That would be totally lost if Korg opened it up to whatever.
Just a note on the ethernet port: Korg has apparently made the decision to not permanently kill the ethernet port, because the metal casing has the cutout for the ethernet port. It's just covered by a snap-in cover that could be removed by the end user at some point in the future if Korg ever supports it.
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I knew that at some stage someone would try what you tried, this was just a matter of time to happen.... - MEGAGRIN! -
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