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Question

Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 11:07 pm
by goatghost
UPDATE:

KMI has an updated firmware version for the 12 Step (version A2) and the 12 Step (with MIDI Expander) now ***RESPONDS*** to program change messages over MIDI.

Major props to KMI!!!!! Thanks for correcting the issue. You guys ROCK!!!!!

Re: Question

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 12:07 am
by ramuji
Hello, goatghost.

I've been following your posts on this subject for several months, but just registered today so haven't responded previously.

After reading a couple of your initial inquiries here about the 12 Step not responding to MIDI PCs via the Expander, I contacted KMI Support directly for information. Even after including excerpts from (and links to) your posts here, a tech representative responded and told me that the 12 Step would respond to MIDI on CH16 via the Expander. I decided to rely on the word of an official KMI representative rather than a disgruntled user. (mea culpa)

Feeling assured, I purchased the 12 Step and Expander. Result: same as you.

After going a few rounds with KMI Support (who have always been courteous, I'll give them that), today I unexpectedly received an email response with Ver. 2 firmware file attached and instructions about how to load it into my 12 Step. I was told that this firmware update "corrects the program change bug".

Well, it doesn't. Or at least, I can't get it to.
The MIDI controller I use (GORDIUS Little Giant) has a built-in MIDI monitor, so I can easily see and confirm what MIDI messages are being sent. The LED on the Expander flashes red every time MIDI messages are sent, so I know they are getting to the Expander. I don't know how to confirm that these messages "should be" getting from the Expander to the 12 Step other than the fact that the 12 Step is powered by the USB connection from the Expander (i.e. it is not a faulty USB cable).

I've even tried rearranging the messages in the MIDI stream (moving the CH16 PCs to first or last in the stream) just in case there was interference with other MIDI messages. Result: no change.

Have you (or anyone else) received this firmware update from KMI? If so, what are your results?

I'm not adverse to admitting that I could be doing something wrong, and am open to suggestions. I just want the 12 Step/Expander combination to work like I was directly told they would BEFORE purchasing.

Re: Question

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 12:18 am
by ramuji
OK ... well ... here's an immediate update.

I just ran the Ver. 2 firmware update "one last time" before shutting down my computer ... and this time it seems to be working.

The Note Editor software that comes with 12 Step is still on Ver. 1. (I only received a Ver. 2 file for the firmware, not the Note Editor.) So, if Note Editor is running while updating the firmware, it will immediately prompt you to "update the 12 Step" (essentially, rolling back to Ver. 1) because the versions don't match.

Now, I was aware of this after my first attempt at the update, so on later attempts (at least 3 times) I was sure to keep Note Editor closed when updating to Ver. 2, and every time the 12 step would not respond to MIDI on CH16. Now, for whatever reason (I overlooked something?) and after only about 30 seconds of brief testing it seems to be working.

All's well that end's well, right?

Except ... I can't use Note Editor to make any changes to my 12 Step. As soon as I open Note Editor, it will want to "update" the 12 Step to Ver. 1. We need an updated Note Editor!

Re: Question

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 1:24 am
by goatghost
Hey ramuji...thanks for following up on this. :-)

I received an email from KMI, yesterday, along with the A2 firmware update. I installed it and it does indeed work, even though it will only receive program changes on channel 16 (which is fine by me).

This is a MAJOR DEAL. KMI came through and I give them major props for that!!!

As far as not being able to use the latest software to program the 12 Step with the new A2 firmware...there might be a workaround...although, it is a bit of a hassle, for now.

As you have noticed (and, I found out the hard way, as well) you can go back and forth between firmware versions (I accidentally reverted back to A1 when I opened up the 12 Step programming utility and opted to "update" the firmware).

So, I would suggest performing any editing while the device has firmware A1 installed. Once you have it set the way you want it, then update to firmware A2 (using the SysEx send utility), open up the 12 Step programming utility, CANCEL out of the firmware upgrade window, and hit the "update" button. This will send your current settings to the 12 Step, even though it has the A2 firmware installed.

I would strongly suggest backing up your settings by making a copy of the 12 Step programming utility directory.

Hopefully, KMI will make the changes needed to the 12 Step programming utility soon. The addition of patch changing capability is HUGE, though. :-)

Re: Question

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:39 am
by ramuji
Hi, goatghost.

Yes, it is a major deal. I had actually given up hope that they would address the problem, but they came through. Receiving program changes on CH16 only is not a problem for me, either.

Thanks for the info regarding the workaround. I wondered if it would be possible to cancel out of the upgrade window and then just use Note Editor as normally, but honestly was too scared to give it a try once I had the thing working as expected.

I should point out that the initial problem I was having after installing firmware A2 was 100% user error on my part. (It had nothing to do with running the firmware update "one last time".) Back in April in preparation for a performance, I had changed the settings on my MIDI controller to compensate for the fact that I wasn't going to be able to use the 12 Step as I had originally planned. Today while working on the firmware upgrade, I had forgotten about those settings I had made 2 months ago. Once I got that straightened out, everything is now working exactly as expected.

In a follow-up email, I told KMI support about the mismatched version numbers, and that we really need an updated Note Editor - no updated functionality, necessarily, just an editor that is on the same version as the new firmware.

Re: Question

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 12:20 pm
by TheSupport@KMI
Hello,

I'm definitely glad we finally got this fix in.

Just so everyone knows, if you use this firmware and open up the editor it will prompt you to "update" your firmware. Don't do this, it will just revert you to the old firmware. All you have to do is click Cancel and you can use the editor like normal — everything should still work fine.

Re: Question

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:35 pm
by DenisLM
TheSupport@KMI wrote:Hello,

I'm definitely glad we finally got this fix in.

Just so everyone knows, if you use this firmware and open up the editor it will prompt you to "update" your firmware. Don't do this, it will just revert you to the old firmware. All you have to do is click Cancel and you can use the editor like normal — everything should still work fine.
I did the update and my 12 step is now A1. :?
how do I get the A2 firmware update?

Re: Question

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:44 pm
by TheSupport@KMI
Firmware file is attached to this reply.

You can find instructions on how to manually update firmware here: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/f ... y-firmware

It's written for SoftStep, but the instructions are exactly the same for 12 Step.

Re: Question

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:47 pm
by DenisLM
wow, that was a very quick answer! thanks!
I'll update tonight. looks very easy. :)