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Quick Disk

Keir Fraser edited this page Aug 23, 2024 · 10 revisions

FlashFloppy features an alternative firmware emulating the 2.8-inch "Quick Disk" drive, used in a wide range of 80s synthesizers by companies such as Akai, Korg and Roland.

Tested Systems

  • Akai: X70001
  • Roland: MKS-1002, MT-1002, PR-1002, S-102, S-202
  • Sharp: MZ-8002
  1. Pin order is reversed from order below (ie pin 1 is GND)
  2. Requires jumper at JC in addition to MO

Programming the Quick Disk Firmware

Follow steps for Firmware Update but use the update file contained in the alt/quickdisk subfolder of the FlashFloppy distribution.

On successful update, when USB stick is ejected you should see q-d on the Gotek display (this replaces F-F on the standard 3-digit LED display). On an LCD or OLED display [QD] is shown.

Jumper Configuration

The Quick Disk firmware requires a jumper at location MO. The usual drive-select positions S0 and S1 are unused and should not be jumpered.

Roland hosts (eg. MKS-100, MT-100, S-10) additionally require a jumper at JC. An alternative to strapping JC is to set interface=ibmpc in FF.CFG; particularly useful on Gotek models missing that jumper location.

Connecting to the Quick Disk Host

Wiring depends on whether the host has a 10-pin or 12-pin interface. All unmentioned Gotek pins can be left unconnected.

10-pin Interface: Note the conventional pin numbering and wire colours. This may vary on some hosts; for example, Akai and Korg may number the pins in the opposite order, or use monochrome cabling.

QD Pin Wire Colour QD Interface Gotek Pin
1 Brown /Write Protect 28
2 Red /Write Data 22
3 Orange Write Gate 24
4 Yellow /Motor On 16
5 Green Read Data 30
6 Blue /Ready 34
7 Violet /Media Sw 2
8 Grey /Reset 20
9 White +5v (Power) +5v
10 Black Ground (GND) GND

12-pin Interface: This alternative 12-pin Mitsumi arrangement is sometimes used. Some systems have these pins numbered in reverse (eg. Roland MT-100 and PR-100).

QD Pin QD Interface Gotek Pin
1 Ground (GND) GND
2 +5v (Motor) +5v
3 /Media Sw 2
4 Read Data 30
5 /Write Protect 28
6 /Reset 20
7 /Ready 34
8 /Write Data 22
9 Write Gate 24
10 /Motor On 16
11 +5v (Power) +5v
12 Ground (GND) GND

Using the Quick Disk Firmware

Usage is straightforward and very similar to the regular firmware.

  • QD firmware supports only QD images (.QD file extension)
  • A blank QD image is provided in alt/quickdisk
  • FF.CFG is processed as usual, but do not modify drive-related options