CHAPTER 8. BACKING UP YOUR SYSTEM

Any instrument that lets you make changes to its parameters and retain them contains memory. The memory takes the form of a chip called a "RAM" (Random Access Memory.) Your synth may include an external "plug-in" card that contains additional voices. This card is also a RAM chip.

Retention of this RAM-type memory requires a power source, usually a small battery that is installed somewhere in the equipment. Any external card or remote control contains its own battery. Your owner's manual tells you what the recommended life of the battery is and whether or not it can be replaced by the user. In some equipment the battery is soldered in place, a procedure best done by someone at an authorized service center. The battery in an external card, however, is easily replaced by the user. Do this while the card is in the instrument and the instrument is turned on.

Keep a written record of the purchase date of any instrument that contains memory. If you postpone the battery's replacement too long you will lose all the data that constitutes the instrument's voices.

Many instruments provide a way of transferring all such data to computer files. Such files are not only a good safety net, but they allow you to store many complete network configurations that can be loaded quickly.

Back up every disk for your computer and for any other equipment that saves data to a disk. Unlike analog systems, digital systems are extremely intolerant of errors. Just one erroneous bit in a program or a file can prevent it from running or produce results far different than those you expect.

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