[A6] A6 memory

[Michael E. Caloroso]

> Just wondering,
> 
> Why has the A6 only in the userbank the possibility to freely switch 
> around sounds, while you can only copy a whole bank to the preset 1 and 
> 2 banks?
> 
> Is there a difference in memory hardware (read cheaper)? Or was it a 
> real Alesis policy at that time to have "preset" banks? Personally I 
> would have liked three userbanks :-))

User banks are static RAM.  Preset banks are flash RAM.

Pros/cons of static RAM: infinite R/W cycles, but loses its contents when power goes off, requiring battery backup.  The PC memory card that fits the A6 has a battery for this very reason.

Pros/cons of flash RAM: does not lose contents when power goes off, but limited write cycles (writing to the same memory address excessive times actually "wears out" the cell at that address, rendering the flash IC useless).  Read cycles do not damage flash RAM.

By limiting flash RAM to entire banks of sounds, Alesis extended the life of the flash RAM ICs.  The OS is also contained in flash RAM, standard convention for synths with system upgrade capabilities.

FYI, SmartMedia and CompactFlash are flash RAM - no batteries but they wear out the more you write to them.  Something to think about.

"I'm David Evans and I approve this message",
MC ;)