Choosing DTXtreme III RAM very carefully

[CaTaPulT]

Copied from a post I did on DTXpereince......

Hi all.
As you have possibly read in some of the message threads here, the DTXtreme III module is VERY fussy about the Sampling RAM you feed it.
You have to stay within the specs for the memory, but not only that, you have to get a MATCHED set of DIMMs (memory modules).
I strongly suggest to get your memory from a local computer shop if they still carry this older memory since you can see the memory before paying for it.
Here's what you need and what to look for, I'm using the brand I bought as an example since I know it works and is readily available.

I'm using 2 x Kingston Value Ram DIMMs.
Model number KVR133X64C3/256
8 memory chips
JEDEC compliant.
Non-ECC.
Speed = 133
Latency = CL3
Make sure you get two identical DIMMs, some are assembled in different parts of the world, mine are both from China, some are from the USA and others from Taiwan, make sure they are from the same assembly place and use the same brand of memory chips on both.
Tom Knipe ordered some of these from a online source, he got one DIMM assembled in the USA and the other was assembled in Taiwan, both used different brand of memory chips but had the same model number and it did NOT work, he finally managed to get a matching set and it worked, proving the DTXtreme III module is VERY fussy about the sampling memory you feed it.

So if you are buying another brand of memory, make sure they meet the specs listed above, they are IDENTICAL, place of assembly, memory chips on both DIMMs are the same.
Follow all the guidelines listed above and you shouldn't have any problems.
The other alternative is to buy the DTXtreme III approved memory from a Yamaha dealer if they have any.
Good Luck and enjoy sampling on the DTXtreme III.
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[XXL66]

hi,

i have 2 different DIMM's and the module seems to except it without any problems, loading WAV's etc is no problem. BUT, i have difficulties with triggered sounds, sounds get cut-off when layered samples in STACK mode are loaded, wierd thing however is that it's not the USER VOICES that are cut off but the INTERNAL voices are. Do you think this could this have to do with the RAM ?

thx

[CaTaPulT]

Hi XXL66.
Try removing the RAM (unplug module first) and then see if the internal voices and sounds work properly then.
I know Tom's module was doing all sorts of weird stuff when he had incompatible ram installed.
This module is very fussy about the ram you put in it.
It may appear to work but doesn't work very well by messing up other parts of the module.
Kind of like putting incompatible ram in a old computer, it seems like it worked, but as soon as a certain memory address was called for, you'd get the famous Windows Blue Screen of Death (system crash), most of the time, it was cheap and incompatible RAM that caused those.
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<