I have numerous midi files created with the sequencer on My Ensoniq EPS 16plus, and would like to get them into Sonar LE on my Windows Vista desktop computer. I also have many projects recorded as audio files in Sonar LE on that computer. Because the EPS is getting pretty old now (maybe 15 years! and still working!) I am worried that I don't have backups of the midi files that are saved to disk on the EPS. I am not even sure if the disks are obtainable anymore, but having backups on disks will do me no good if the EPS dies. So, I want to get the midi files into Sonar LE. I have a Midiman sport midi interface that I have installed the software driver for onto the computer, but can't figure out how to setup Sonar to import or record the midi files as they are played on the EPS. The Midisport interface connects to the midi in and out on the EPS and into the computer via USB and has a little led indicator to show midi data passing through, which does illuminate as I play a midi file on the EPS sequencer. However, I think Sonar needs to be setup to see and record the midi data coming into the USB port on the computer. Does anyone on the forum know how I setup Sonar to do this? Thanks for any suggestions, Larry Robertson, Parker, CO falcondoctor@msn.com
 

Under Preferences > Project > Clock, enable MIDI sync. Try making the EPS the master and slave SONAR to it. If that doesn't work, trying synching the EPS to SONAR. I'm afraid you'll have to do real time transfers.
 
IIRC there was a utility mentioned in the Transoniq Hacker that could pull the sequence files off the EPS. Maybe google can help...but I think you needed  a 3.5" drive to connect to your computer. Or maybe I imagined it...

If MIDI is indeed coming out of the EPS, then just create a MIDI track, point the Input to the MIDISport.
Select the proper channel, enable record on the track. Start recording in Sonar, start playback on the EPS.
You will need to tweak the BPM and start time, but that should do it.

Craig wrote: "IIRC there was a utility mentioned in the Transoniq Hacker that could pull the sequence files off the EPS..."
 
Here are some results from a quick Google search.  Note:  I have no direct experience with any of these products.
 
It looks like at least one company is still selling software tools for Ensoniq products.
According to this link, Ensoniq Disk Manager, by Giebler  should be able to import sequence files from an ESP 16 disk to an SMF file on a Windows machine.
The Ensoniq Disk Manager seems to be available from Giebler Enterprises.  It even seems to be available for immediate download from this link.  Cost is about $56. 
Whoops!  The webpage says it requires an internal 3.5" drive, and won't work with an external USB floppy drive (such as I use).  If you can find an old PC around with a working 3.5" drive, you might be able to make it work.  You could also contact Giebler and see if they have other suggestions.
 
Good luck!
Jim

Here is a video that can walk you through it, if you haven't tried it, yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2UI1daUNvU
and a basic set up one to get ready
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eANcCaogTc
 
I did it Craig's way, when I sold my EPS and plan to do it again, with my Kurz K2500 (which is still working great, by the way! 16 years later!). You can record the audio or not, though it might help you remember the patches. You can set up as many midi channels as you want or take all of them in one "Omni" pass, to divvy up later or not.
 
When you set it up in the sync mode as Craig described, starting the EPS sequence will make Sonar start, so enable the record button before hand, and Sonar will record the midi while it plays.
 
Michael

Thanks for all the ideas folks. I'll try them as soon as I can. Today I got involved in wiping and restoring this computer and I have to just about rebuild it. So far I've got the internet & mail working, but I've got a lot, including Sonar LE, Midisport driver, my EMU 0202 audio interface, and lots of other stuff, to reload, but I'll try to get back here in a day or two and let you folks know what works. Thanks again for the tips & links. Larry Robertson.