|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Doing some spring cleaning in my studio. I found a cache of a couple of hundred 3.5" floppy disks. Some brand new, some with data and labels on them (I can erase them with a USB floppy drive and an eraser that will write random zeros and ones 35 times over). I also have over a dozen cases of brand new floppy disk labels on tractor feed paper. Of course, I could throw them out, but that seems like a waste. Soooooooo... 1) Does anybody know where I could donate them where they would be re-used as floppies? (probably not a chance) 2) Any place to re-cycle them so as not to end up with more toxic junk in the landfill? The floppy disk disappeared in a hurry many years ago, and they got tucked into a corner of the studio. I'm re-doing my office/studio, and I'd like to use the space for some other useless items.  Notes PS, I suspect that I'll hear from my friend Mac on this sooner or later
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
musicians using keyboard modules & expanders still use them Bob. I've got a pile of them I use for midi files. Not ready for scrapheap yet methinks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Furry beat me to it.
Notes, depending on the type of floppy, there are keyboardists with the older sequencing/storage keyboards who value the clean floppy.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,624
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,624 |
Right, we have a Yamaha Clavinova that still works fine. It takes the low density 3.5" diskettes, 720 Kb if I recall correctly. These were used after 5.25" floppies but before the 3.5 size went to 1.2 Mb.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,988
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,988 |
OK so consider this for a moment....
If they are not useful to you, they are not useful to anyone else either.
Many new computers don't even come with floppy drives anymore. New computers don't come with serial ports either. It's old technology.
A few years back I went to Argentina and thought I'd carry a bunch of cassette tapes that were new in the wrapper since I had switched to CD's. A few dozen.... but the musicians I worked with there were not interested in the tapes...old technology.... they were working with CD's just like me. Lesson learned.
Either stick them in a box so that one day you can show your great-great grand kids the ancient artifacts, or burn them, bury them, scrub them with a magnet, or simply throw them in the trash and move on.
BTW: I have a nice collection of cassette tapes.... some are brand new still in the wrappers....
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Yes I've got lots of old cassettes. Mostly ones I bought to learn songs with and also a number of tapes I bought as souvenirs when I traveled to foreign countries. I have a couple of hundred LPs too. I've digitized my favorites, and plan to get to the rest. My Korg i3 keyboard takes 720k disks, but I don't use the sequencer or the auto-accompaniment anymore - just the built in sounds (some of which are still excellent). I checked ebay and the floppies are selling but not for enough money to retire in the south of France or anything - but I suppose at least it will pay for my gas to get them to the post office and is better than having them end up in the dump. I used to have zip and jaz drives and disks too. I managed to give those away when the technology was first becoming obsolete. I remember the limitations of the old storage systems. I never liked cassettes but had to deal with them. The HD Floppy seemed big in it's day, and the jaz drive held a whopping 2G of data - all that the Win95 computers could access. And my first 40M drive for my old Atari computer was as big as a 2 space full depth PA amplifier. I like progress, but it does leave some debris in its path Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
In more demand than the actual floppies at this point in time are the drives and drive mechanisms that can read and write to them.
Those old sequencing keyboards that are loved by many are often sent to repair centers because the thing won't work with the floppies anymore. Many folks have scads of sequences, their time and energy, stored only on the floppies and are often rather desperate to be able to load the files into the keyboard and at least get it to play the sequence back long enough to transfer to PC, Mac or whatever.
The fix usually involves having to replace the old style floppy drive in the keyboard.
And there isn't any mfr still making these, so the cure is for the technician to try to find a used one of the right type, format, power needs, interface, etc. to replace the old drive.
Don't toss the old floppy drive, its internals may be worth a bit to someone else...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
The only floppies I have around are for my Ensoniq VFX-SD, the 'SD' being 'storage drive' IIRC. Now, that keyboard itself gave up at least one ghost about a year and a half ago, temporarily. I've already had the 'bridge the middle edge connector with soldered wires' fix done on this axe, which was a very common repair. The last time I 'sequenced' on it was probably mid 1990's, right before I bought PTPA. Once I started composing with PTPA, I never looked back to doing it on the machine itself. I sort of agree with guitarhacker on this one - the floppy media itself is probably not of much value to anyone without some fairly dedicated searching. Mac is on the money that the drives are potentially more valuable for folks that have their own floppies they want to read again. There may be a smaller market for folks wanting to archive to that type of media with another copy, but there is likely a modern version of an ability to archive that is superior. For example, here's a PC editor/librarian that works with the VFX-SD that eliminates the need for the drive/floppies once you have the information in the PC: http://www.squest.com/Windows/Instruments/EnsoniqVFX-SD/I'm guessing this kind of thing exists for most popular music gear that had integrated floppy drives. Not cheap, but it unchains the need for that built-in drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
The 5 1/4 inch floppy seems to be alive. :-) There are even laptops with a built in drive for this proven technology -- well at least one of them: http://www.ted.com/talks/mikko_hypponen_fighting_viruses_defending_the_net.htmlSee at about 1:16. Guido
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,079
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,079 |
Bob:
Many Goodwill locations take outdated computer equipment. You'll find many computer techs in my area visit the local Goodwill store to acquire parts no longer available from their normal suppliers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689 |
I have a usb floppy drive for my 3.5 disk. I seldom use it but when needed, the 15 buck investment is well worth the while.
Don S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
I have a usb floppy drive for my 3.5 disk. I seldom use it but when needed, the 15 buck investment is well worth the while.
Don S. Ditto. I paid a little more for one some time back, but the point is the same. I have some documents that I really should transfer from floppies to more modern media. I think I even have a box of NOS (new old stock) 3.5" floppy drives somewhere. There are some good ideas here. R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Goodwill sounds like a great idea. It's much closer than the Post Office, and if people are looking for old gear there, they can pick them up for a good price, and the profit helps to keep a few local people employed.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
Even some of the newer sound modules still use floppys, so yep, if you don't want 'em somebody sure a shell does
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 108
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 108 |
They are useless toss them you don't have to worry about them degrading the enviroment if you stick them in the recycling bin they are plastic and the innards are made from the same material that cassette tapes used. One thing you could do if you have data on them you wish to keep is get a memory stick 1 gig should do, and transfer all the data to it. You could get almost 900 floppies on 1 gig stick
Biab 2019 ultra pack
Dell laptop I7 running windows 2010
Midi keyboard
Roland BR600 8 track recorder
Sonar X3 producer
flstudio 20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
If you do decide to have them depart.
Destroy them. They could easily have personal data
that you may not want distributed.
I still have 3.5 inch backups with IRS info on them.
Just a thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
I have an app called Eraser that will randomly write zeros and ones over them 35 times or more, which is the government standard for sensitive CIA erasure. That should do any of the 'live' ones, I also have some brand new disks. I downloaded open-source (and free) Eraser to wipe a hard drive before donating a computer. I've found it useful when upgrading to bigger had drives too. http://eraser.heidi.ie/related article about erasing magnetic data http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/secure_del.htmlNotes
Last edited by Notes Norton; 10/23/13 05:49 AM.
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The good old-fashioned Bulk Tape Eraser, the big block that creates the bgg AC Magnetic Field, can be used to totally wipe Floppy disks clean in bulk.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
The good old-fashioned Bulk Tape Eraser, the big block that creates the bgg AC Magnetic Field, can be used to totally wipe Floppy disks clean in bulk.
--Mac Absolutely. Much less work.
Last edited by rockstar_not; 10/23/13 10:08 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
The good old-fashioned Bulk Tape Eraser, the big block that creates the bgg AC Magnetic Field, can be used to totally wipe Floppy disks clean in bulk.
--Mac Thanks Mac - great idea. I have one of those somewhere, and during the "spring cleaning" I may just find it. Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,486
Posts805,613
Members40,130
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean