FUTURE RETRO VECTRA onto a Micro SD Card User Guide

: September 9, 2024
: FUTURE RETRO

Table of Contents

FUTURE RETRO VECTRA onto a Micro SD Card
How to load instrument files
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

FUTURE RETRO VECTRA onto a Micro SD Card

Specifications:

Compatible with FUTURERETRO VECTRA
Supports microSD cards formatted as FAT, FAT16, or FAT32

How to Load Instrument Files onto a microSD Card:

Backing Up and Loading Existing Files:

Format your microSD card on a computer using FAT, FAT16, or FAT32.
Eject or unmount the microSD card after formatting.
Turn OFF the Vectra and insert the microSD card, ensuring alignment and a secure fit.
Remove the microSD card and copy instrument files from the computer to the card’s INSTR folder.
Eject or unmount the microSD card on the computer.
Reinsert the microSD card into the Vectra, ensuring proper alignment.
Turn ON the Vectra to load the sounds properly.

Loading New Soundpacks:

Download desired files and unzip them on your computer.
Open the unzipped folder containing the new instrument files.
Select all files and drag them into the Vectra microSD card’s INSTR folder.
Eject the microSD card from the computer and insert it back into the Vectra with proper alignment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What should I do if my microSD card becomes corrupted?
If your microSD card becomes corrupted, reformat the card on a computer and follow the steps mentioned above to reload the files onto the card.
How can I resolve issues with a malfunctioning microSD card?
If problems persist with a microSD card, it is advisable to replace it with a new one, format it, and reload the necessary files as instructed.

How to load instrument files

How to load instrument files for the FUTURERETRO VECTRA onto a microSD card
Please follow the instructions below.

Note:
Transferring this zipped file onto a microSD card should be done only on a PC, and not a MAC. MACs will fork the files, creating two files for each original file. You will not see these additional files on the card, but they are there and the Vectra will try to load them. Should you ignore these warnings and try it for yourself, you will find that once you select one of these secondary forked files in the Vectra, it will cause the unit to hang up due to the incompatible file format MACs create.

It is possible to back up your work existing on the microSD card to a PC or MAC, and then transfer them back to the card at a later time.

First format your microSD card using a computer. You will need to select FAT, FAT16, or FAT32 as the format type for the card.
After formatting the microSD card is complete, be sure to properly Eject or unmount the microSD card before removing it from the computer.
With the Vectra turned OFF, install the microSD card in the Vectra.
Be sure to look at the card holder slot in the Vectra while installing the card, to make sure it is aligned with the card socket, and press it in until fully seated in place.
Once the card is in place, turn the Vectra’s power ON.
- If Vectra’s display indicates that the card is not detected at power-up, turn the power OFF and try reseating the microSD card in the socket.
- If the card is detected, the Vectra will boot up normally, and you should see that NEW_INST is the file currently loaded in the Vectra.
- At this point, Vectra has automatically created a folder on the card called INSTR and has generated the default NEW_INSTR patch within this folder.
- Two other text files called LASTUSED and MASTER have also been written to the root of the microSD card.
Turn the Vectra’s power OFF, and then remove the microSD card.
Place the microSD card back into your computer, and copy all the instrument files within the “FutureRetroVectraFactoryInstruments” folder on your computer, to the INSTR folder on the microSD card where the NEW_INST file already exists.
Once data transfer to the card is complete, Eject or unmount the microSD card on the computer before removing the card from the computer.
With the Vectra’s power turned OFF, place the microSD card into the Vectra’s microSD card socket.
Be sure to LOOK at the cardholder slot in the Vectra while installing the card, to make sure it is aligned with the interior card socket, and press it in until fully seated in place.
Once the card is in place, turn the Vectra’s power ON. All sounds have now been loaded properly onto the card and are ready for you to use.

The reason for this procedure is, that the Vectra will automatically create default files and folders in the root of a freshly formatted card. This prevents any files being misspelled by the user, or placed in a directory that is not correct.
Instrument files will appear in the Vectra’s Load menu in the order they are placed on the card. Therefore it is important to have the NEW_INST file created in the INSTR folder first so that it is always the first instrument file in the menu and therefore easier to find when creating instruments from scratch.
If you ever load an instrument file in the Vectra, and it either does not load properly or selecting the file causes the Vectra to hang up, there is a good chance that the instrument file has become corrupted.
At that point, it is recommended to turn the Vectra OFF, remove the card, install the card in your computer’s card reader, and explore the files on the card.
Look at the file size of each instrument file, if you notice any files of a much larger size than the rest, this may indicate that this file is corrupt and should be deleted from the card. Delete the file, then copy the rest of the good files to a backup folder on your computer, reformat the microSD card, and then transfer your backup folder files back onto the card.
In general, any time your microSD card becomes corrupted, it is recommended to reformat the card and follow the procedure above to get the files back on the card.
If you continue to experience problems with a microSD card, we recommend you replace the card with a new one, and then format, and reinstall these files on the new card.

If you are loading new DS, JS, or MS sound packs onto an existing micro SD card, follow these directions:

Download the desired files from our SUPPORT page.
Unzip the files and save them to the desired location.
Open the unzipped file folder. You should see all the new instrument files
Click “Select all” to highlight all instrument files.
Place your microSD card into the computer.
Drag all selected files into the Vectra microSD card’s “INSTR” folder
Eject the microSD card from the computer and place it back into the Vectra.

Be sure to LOOK at the cardholder slot in the Vectra while installing the card, to make sure it is aligned with the interior card socket, and press it in until fully seated in place.