Author Topic: Firmware - song programming modes  (Read 8569 times)

preposteros

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Firmware - song programming modes
« on: September 06, 2017, 03:45:57 AM »
Enjoying the Gecho but awaiting an update for the song writing modes... can't seem to get the captured chord sequence to start once entry is complete. Looks like these modes are still work-in-progress, any ETA for an update? Thanks and cheers!

mario

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2017, 10:53:49 AM »
Welcome to the forum! :) Yes the firmware in the first batch of units (v0.192/0.193) has a few known bugs, which I hope to get fixed soon after everything is shipped (already started working on it).

Looks like you have a board with serial number < 270 as you can somewhat run these programming modes? In later version they were disabled altogether (as they may cause harm to your ears due to a noise or clicking emitted occasionally). The whole related code must be refactored a lot, and this would have delayed shipping unnecessarily so left it for later.

Also things like persisting of generated/programmed songs in memory (even during power off, as long as batteries are not removed), and persisting of your settings (volumes, delay parameters etc.) will be in the next update. It is hard to give an ETA at the moment but probably in early October (and perhaps sooner if you can flash the binary "manually" from the command line, before I have chance to update the GUI app to do it).

insektgod

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2017, 06:38:08 PM »
Congratulations on finishing the final shipping of the Kickstarter units. Can't wait to try out the new firmware. Already experimenting with the Gecho and various other devices. so far Gecho, BASTL MicroGranny, and Korg Monotron Delay is my favorite combo... using the Line In method... since the mics are very hot and feedback prone if you're using any kind of amplifier and speaker setup, (The mics are super awesome for Headphone zone outs and recording... especially with the very convenient dual headphone outputs.)

Anyone wanting to use the Gecho in a Live amplified setting will likely already know that you need watch the volume levels. Having the Gecho memorize the last settings for mic levels, volume, input source and such, will be a major help. Then again some of us might be just as happy setting them each time a channel is launched.

I'd love to see a Low Pass Filter for the line in/mics with proximity control for cut off and resonance, coupled with proximity control of delay time and feedback. Even just adding a selection for line/mic input into the Noise and Filter Channels 21-24 would be really cool.

mario

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2017, 10:43:26 AM »
Thank you for your support all along the way and very valuable comments. I'm flattered to hear that in your studio, my little invention is in a such a good company!  8)

Yes in the new firmware these settings will be remembered, working on it. And there will be a combination to reset them to defaults, in case user messes something up and not sure how to return to operational combination.

Remembering user-generated songs already works fine, survives reset and power off, as long as you don't remove 2 batteries in larger holder (by the way a workaround when you need to replace batteries would be to keep it powered from USB during that time, to not lose contents of the memory).

Also, the switching between mics and line-in will in future cycle through 3 stages: mics -> line-in -> off. At the moment, if you want to disable it completely, and nothing is plugged in, the ungrounded connector and traces on PCB may pick up interference which leaks into the signal...

Interesting suggestion about driving LPF parameters by four sensors, it would be similar to current channel #32 (which is quantized though). Adding mic/line-in to 21-24 is great idea and easily achievable - it can simply have the external inputs "off" by default and waiting for pressing of button 4 to cycle through them, just like any other basic channel.

I hope to have firmware ready in a good shape by end of the month, at least known bugs fixed, settings preserved and maybe one or two new features too to make it worthwhile downloading/flashing.

mario

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2017, 05:22:01 PM »
Update:

Good news, in recent binary (v0.207) all known bugs were fixed. Improvements (since KS beta 0.193) are:

  • Generated/uploaded/programmed songs and melodies now preserved in backup SRAM, so they persist during reset and power off as long as batteries are not removed
  • Also dynamically changed settings (volumes, echo, input select) are preserved during reset/power off
  • These settings can be reset to default by dialing #43214321, if something looks messed up
  • Low battery indicator added (red LEDs blink after power on, their number represents remaining power)
  • Song programming modes #41-44 fixed
  • Channel #1111 allows editing of song currently stored in memory, works exactly like #41
  • Fixed LEDs behaviour - keyboard was not always showing chords, also second and third white LED sometimes stayed off
  • Microphones (or "pickups" input) can now be active in noise channels (#21-24), as suggested by @insektgod
  • Both inputs (pickups and microphones) can be muted altogether by pressing button #4 (input select rotates among mic/pickups/off)
  • Fixed generated channels (#222,314) which sometimes stopped playing after a while

By the way, if you install the recent app (v0.49 and newer), it will automatically download latest firmware, even if it has not been published on the website yet.

The app can also upload/download songs and melodies, save them to a file on your PC or load again, so you can program something manually in Gecho and then back it up into a text file, or use editor within the app to write more complex and longer progressions quicker.

All new functionality will be documented soon / manual updated etc..
« Last Edit: September 28, 2017, 05:48:53 PM by mario »

InactiveX

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2017, 05:50:08 PM »
Is the app available to download?

I can't seem to find it. :P

InactiveX

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2017, 10:03:33 PM »
Ugh, just seen the "Software" section of this board.

Ignore me please.

InactiveX

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2017, 10:07:33 PM »
Maybe it's because it's Sunday, but I can't find the Gecho app anywhere.

mario

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2017, 09:27:24 AM »
Hi InactiveX, everything is here: http://gechologic.com/gechologists/

also direct link for your convenience: http://gechologic.com/gechologists/download/gecho_app_v050b.zip

Cheers :)

InactiveX

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2017, 12:02:19 AM »
It seems as though, although the installer was complaining, the driver did in fact install correctly. I should have checked that was the case!

Thanks. I'm updated now.

mario

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2017, 11:10:36 AM »
That's interesting - good to know this can happen (on Windows 10 I assume, as per your comment in the other thread). Happy to hear it worked in the end.

InactiveX

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Re: Firmware - song programming modes
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2017, 02:47:23 PM »
Yep, Windows 10 64-bit.