First post, by CrossBow777
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Recently picked up a used Edirol SD-20 to add to my small midi module collection. It does work near as I can tell but there are a few things about it that I can't quite find direct info about in the users manual nor online and was hoping maybe another user here might have more experience with this particular module?
first issue was that I wasn't able to get hardly and sound from the front headphone jack or output RCAs. The volume knob would make a difference but I literally had to turn all volume to max on my PC to barely hear anything coming from the SD-20. I then connected it up via the optical output to my PC and that works just fine and sounds really good. But it is still about 10db lower in volume compared to my other modules so I still have to turn up the volume a little more when listening to it. I looked and didn't see any reason why the output from the RCAs and front line out would be so low?
This module can also be powered from the computer USB bus via a type a to type b cable. I tried this out yesterday and while it does work, it isn't without some oddness that could be normal for this module but again I can't find anything in the manual to confirm.
1st oddness is that I found out the module will NOT power on at all if you have the USB cable plugged in and also have a Midi input cable plugged into the midi in port. Unless you change the interface switch on the back to USB in which case the module will power one from the USB. Seems to use the Midi in or any of the serial interface connections, it will only power one and work with the use of a DC adapter.
2nd oddness is that even with the interface set to USB and it powered and running from USB, the module doesn't appear as a dedicated sound device in windows at all. Windows detects it is there and I'm able to select the SD-20 port A or B within Midi software, but it seems odd there aren't any other software volume levels to play with etc...
3rd oddness was in USB connected mode, the USB connection will just shut off after playing a game in Dosbox? The module is still powered up and windows still sees it is there, but the USB indicator on the module isn't lit and no sound is produced without power cycling the module?
And to add more questions than answers about this particular module. Remember when I said the volume on the RCA and line out jacks was pretty much nothing? Well, they actually did start to work when it was plugged in via USB power? But even then the RCA output was still about 20db lower than the optical and about 30db lower than the rest of the system as a whole. Stranger still, the RCAs are still putting out this amount of volume now even with the module set back to DC and using my Midi in to interface with it. Originally the RCA outputs basically didn't work.
I've looked to see if there is a way to sort of factory reset this thing and have found nothing. I did try and hold down the MODE button as I powered it on just to see but that doesn't seem to do anything either.
So are these issues above normal for the SD-20 or does mine seem to have some internal issues that it shouldn't be having? It works fine for my needs via DC power and using the Midi IN and the optical audio output but still..just strange.