Glen Trew Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 The PATA drives that this industry's nonlinear recorder began with (Deva, and the rest) are obsolete and are now difficult to find at attractive prices. Some recorders have adapted to the more current technology of SATA drive, but the Devas were developed to early to adapt. While cleaning out my office I came across a box of PATA to CF Card adapters that I tested with the Deva recorders a while back. They have always worked fine for me with any CF card over 5gb. Several customers have also used them. I started the project a few years ago for extreme cold environments (no moving parts to freeze in CF cards). But now it makes sense to have a couple of these adapters to possibly extend the life of your recorder and keep as an option for backup media that you can buy nearly anywhere that sells AA batteries. The adapter can be used in the Zaxcom drive box or in the handy Remote Audio drive board. I have 12 left, and they've all been tested with a Deva. $15 each should cover it. Contact me directly if you'd like one or two. Let's see if I can get these pics posted from my phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Thanks Glen. I'll take 2 unless that's to greedy and one will be fine. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 As mentioned in other threads, I've used CF cards for the main drive in my Deva V for quite some time with great success -- approaching two years now. They can be used with either an original Deva carrier or with the Remote Audio Drive Mounter System. I prefer using the RADMS because the architecture makes swapping cards quick and easy. The CF to IDE (PATA) adapter I use has the form factor of a hard drive and can be attached via screws exactly the same way as a hard drive. I've also tried adapters similar to the ones that Glen shows above and they work fine, but it might be a good idea to see if there is an easy way to fasten them to the Drive Mounter board so that over time, vibrating loose isn't an issue. It probably wouldn't be, but I'd feel more confident knowing that it's secure. The CF card will stay in firmly, so I don't see any pending issues there. I typically use a Transcend 64gb card as the Deva's main drive so that's sufficient space for over twelve hours of recording a full ten tracks (48kHz, 24bits). When recording fewer tracks, it would, obviously, give you proportionately more time. Swapping a card is quick and easy -- especially if you've pre-formatted the new card as a Deva Main Drive. You have the added advantage that the card can be swapped into a Nomad for an easy way to go more portable for situations such as insert car work, etc. You can just log onto the same folder and continue recording into the same job -- right from where you left off -- really slick. Likewise, with a Fusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 As mentioned in other threads, I've used CF cards for the main drive in my Deva V for quite some time with great success -- approaching two years now. They can be used with either an original Deva carrier or with the Remote Audio Drive Mounter System. I prefer using the RADMS because the architecture makes swapping cards quick and easy. The CF to IDE (PATA) adapter I use has the form factor of a hard drive and can be attached via screws exactly the same way as a hard drive. CFtoIDE.jpg I've also tried adapters similar to the ones that Glen shows above and they work fine, but it might be a good idea to see if there is an easy way to fasten them to the Drive Mounter board so that over time, vibrating loose isn't an issue. It probably wouldn't be, but I'd feel more confident knowing that it's secure. The CF card will stay in firmly, so I don't see any pending issues there. I typically use a Transcend 64gb card as the Deva's main drive so that's sufficient space for over twelve hours of recording a full ten tracks (48kHz, 24bits). When recording fewer tracks, it would, obviously, give you proportionately more time. Swapping a card is quick and easy -- especially if you've pre-formatted the new card as a Deva Main Drive. You have the added advantage that the card can be swapped into a Nomad for an easy way to go more portable for situations such as insert car work, etc. You can just log onto the same folder and continue recording into the same job -- right from where you left off -- really slick. Likewise, with a Fusion. I really, really like this approach --- I wish I had done the same as you for my Devas which would have greatly simplified using 2 different recorders, having one set up for mobile work, etc. Thank you, John, for reminding us of your successful use of CF and the way you have set it all up with the CF card adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefilosa Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Glen - I'll happily go for two of these as well.... and thanks for the opportunity to explore this. I'll try to track you down early on Monday or Tuesday... MF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom williams Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Glen, That's a great fix, I'll take one if there are any left. I'll call toorrow. Tom Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nysounds Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 I've been using this setup in my Deva for almost a year now and it has worked great. I got my adaptor on Amazon. I believe they can still be found there but have not done a recent search for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicBoomPole Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Could this also be used in an Alesis HD24 or any other application that requires PATA? Or is it Zaxcom specific? Reason I ask is I have a great 24 channel hard drive recorder (for studio) that uses PATA drives. I still have a couple drives that spin up but was looking for something exactly like this. I also have a few older Mac G4 systems that run PATA drives. It would be nice to boot from a CF card... You can put me down for 1 if they will work for my application, Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Well, unless Glen volunteers to come to your house and test it for you, you would need to be the one to try it out. I found this to be a viable Deva alternative by buying an adapter and trying it. I didn't consider twelve bucks and a compact flash card to be an outlandish expense. I'm guessing Glen may be too busy for such silliness, but then... Tennessee is the volunteer state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 "The CF to IDE (PATA) adapter I use has the form factor of a hard drive and can be attached via screws exactly the same way as a hard drive." Hey, John, did you ever post a link to the specific CF adapter you are using (and is pictured in your post)? Are they still available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Jeff, I think I posted a link to the one below in a previous thread. I got mine off eBay three or four years ago, but this appears to be the same thing, available on Amazon for $12.99: http://tinyurl.com/mhxb33c They will take two CF cards, in an ide master and slave configuration, but I've never used two in the Deva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nysounds Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SY-IDE2CF-NB25-Compact-Adapter-2-5-Inch/dp/B001B19HGA This is one I'm using from Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicBoomPole Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Thanks for the links. It looks like these are available elsewhere for about the same cost. Now I have options for the future which is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted November 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 OK... so far I've got: Tommy Williams - 1 Crew - 2 Mike Filosa - 2 Moe Chamberlain - 2 (and another for 2 via email) I'll turn these over to the Trew Audio Nashville sales department. I have 3 more for whoever wants them. I was trying to stay on the safe side of the non-commercial use of this forum (and still am), and the offer was really just a way to keep these cool parts out of the dumpster (a fate that pains me when it often does happen). But it will be a lot easier and more reliable to run them through the Trew Audio store in Nashville. So for anyone else wanting these cards, please call sales at 800-241-8994 or 615-256-3542. The only advantage I know of these compared to any others is that they have all been tested with a Deva (5 & 5.. Best, Glen Trew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamTimmer Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Ok I've called the 800 # and asked for two. Thanks for this Glen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted November 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 As mentioned in other threads, I've used CF cards for the main drive in my Deva V for quite some time with great success -- approaching two years now. They can be used with either an original Deva carrier or with the Remote Audio Drive Mounter System. I prefer using the RADMS because the architecture makes swapping cards quick and easy. The CF to IDE (PATA) adapter I use has the form factor of a hard drive and can be attached via screws exactly the same way as a hard drive. CFtoIDE.jpg I've also tried adapters similar to the ones that Glen shows above and they work fine, but it might be a good idea to see if there is an easy way to fasten them to the Drive Mounter board so that over time, vibrating loose isn't an issue. It probably wouldn't be, but I'd feel more confident knowing that it's secure. The CF card will stay in firmly, so I don't see any pending issues there. I typically use a Transcend 64gb card as the Deva's main drive so that's sufficient space for over twelve hours of recording a full ten tracks (48kHz, 24bits). When recording fewer tracks, it would, obviously, give you proportionately more time. Swapping a card is quick and easy -- especially if you've pre-formatted the new card as a Deva Main Drive. You have the added advantage that the card can be swapped into a Nomad for an easy way to go more portable for situations such as insert car work, etc. You can just log onto the same folder and continue recording into the same job -- right from where you left off -- really slick. Likewise, with a Fusion. Very nice John. I had not seen this piece before, and it had not occurred to me that the CF card could be interchangeable between the Deva and Fusion, which also makes it interchangeable with the Nomad MARF card, too. But for a quick change, it would be a must to use the Remote Audio drive mounter system. With that I'll say that the RADMS (thanks for the acronym, John) has been extremely reliable from its beginning around 2003, until a couple of year ago when there were few boards sold with a flawed design, which has since been corrected. The good boards are clearly marked with either the date "2003" or with no date at all (those with no date were made in 2012). Those marked with the date 2011 should be returned for exchange. With the move to SATA drives and CF cards, Deva users have still use the Zaxcom drive box may want to switch to the RADMS. Glen Trew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 I wouldn't call the RADMS a "must," but in my case, it certainly makes swapping drives quicker and easier. I have limited space to the left of my Deva and would need to pull the machine each time I swapped cards if I used one of my original caddies, but I have just enough room to be able to retrieve the RA carrier without any problem. The RADMS has an extraction lever that also helps in this regard. If you wish to use an original Zaxcom carrier, that works also. In this application it would probably make sense to leave the top off for easier access to the CF card. I don't have any long term use to report on when using the Zaxcom carrier, but doubt there would be any issues. The adapter and card would nestle in the foam just like a hard drive does. That said, the RADMS does rock in this application -- especially in combination with the CF to IDE adapter that has the same form factor as a hard drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Just ordered mine from Chris. Thanks. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nysounds Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 I use mine with the original Zax carrier with no issues but I think the RADMS makes more practical sense for swapping cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjh Posted June 29, 2023 Report Share Posted June 29, 2023 reviving an old thread! I'm still running the mighty Deva 16, have a few pata drives for it but I'm on the hunt for a CF adapter to run it on CF cards. Any leads out there to chase one or two of them down would be much appreciated. Will pay good $ for them. Cheers and hope all well out there, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted July 4, 2023 Report Share Posted July 4, 2023 Chris, All your answers are already in this thread. The link I posted for Amazon still works but the price has gone up three dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisT Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Chris, I bought some of these back in 2012 for my Deva V's , worked great with a 128G card. They shipped quickly from Switzerland. https://www.pcengines.ch/cf2g.htm Looks like they have a distributor in Australia . I still have one I can send you if you come up empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izen Ears Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Hey can these older Devas use these adaptors with 128GB, 256GB, or even 512GB CF cards? I think it's time I upgraded. I have one of these adaptors lying around that I could test with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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