AVALON SYNTHESIZER
vintage sound. modern design.
OS UPDATES
New Features
– Extended Note Range to C5 (Note #95)
– Modulation Envelope can be triggered on all note events
– Can now filter (enable/disable) Accent & Slide MIDI Input
– MIDI Accent Input threshold change to Velocity 100+ instead of 65+
– MIDI Program change is now only received on the Avalon’s MIDI channel
Bug Fixes
– Pattern Chaining in Banks 5-7 fixed
– USB-MIDI Filter control now working, was not working in v1.06c
– Bank transistions between Banks 5-7 could cause sequener to stop (very rare)
New Features
– Track mode fully implemented
– Dynamic MIDI input merging
– Support for MIDI continue
– Support for MIDI Program Change
– Edit any Pattern within Pattern Chain
– Machine State SysEx dumps
Bug Fixes
– Clock issues with MIDI and DINSync fixed
– System lock-up (I2C) issues fixed
– Filter CV offsets for pattern sections 2-4 working
– Pattern chaining LED status fixed
– Track Sysex Dumps working properly.
New Features
– Calibration Mode
– Filter CV Offset per Step
– Copy Pattern Sections
– Trigger Modulation Envelope via MIDI
– Pattern Bank Sysex Dumps
– Screensaver Mode
– Hardware version tracking
– Removed splash screen for faster bootup
Bug Fixes
– D# key now works in Record Mode
– Filter Control via MIDI now works
– Notes immediately audible when recorded in Record Mode (before sequence had to loop once)
– Arpeggiator directions correspond correctly to manual and panel graphic
– Arpeggiator ‘black’ notes now recognized and played properly under all conditions
– Fixed issues with Octave UP/DOWN LED’s displaying incorrectly in certain situations
– Fixed Octave UP/DOWN settings getting ‘lost’ out of range when using pattern randomizer
– More precise realtime recording of Accent/Slide/Mod Env’s
– Optimized Step Button LED PWM behavior for lower noise
– Pattern Sysex Dumps (receive) now work
– Pattern Group A/B indicators dislayed incorrectly in some instances after changing banks or performing certain functions
– Patterns could become corrupt if unit powered on with different bank selected than when last powered off
New Features
– Can enter configuration mode from all primary modes (previously could only enter from Pattern Write Mode).
– Modulation envelope LED now initializes to ‘off’ (not lit) in all modes.
– Pattern Number display (LED) now indicates the current pattern selection correctly when changing pattern banks in realtime.
– Pattern Randomize now also randomizes accents and modulation envelope triggers.
– Improved LED Dimming.
– Din Sync In setting is now saved when synth is powered down.
– Din Sync Out setting changed to be always enabled.
– Fixed bug related to the selction of SECTION 3 of a pattern.
– Updated USB Device name
OS UPDATE PROCEDURE
The Avalon operating system is updated via MIDI SysEx. MIDI SysEx is used for its robustness and lack of dependency on the operating system and usb drivers. The SysEx bootlader is based on open source code from Mutable Instruments. You’ll need a MIDI utility such as MIDI-OX for PC or SysEx Librarian for Mac to update your OS. Both are free downloads:
To check the current OS version enter congifiguration mode by pressing [FUNCTION] + [HOME]. Next, press and hold the SECTION button. While the button is held the OS version is shown on the STEP BUTTON INDICATORS. The major versions is shown by a bright indicator, the minor version is shown by a dim indicator. For example, v1.03 would be indicated as shown below:
Note: The intial release version 1.00 does not have version feedback via the step buttons indicators. If you do not see a version number it is v1.00 and should be updated.
After updating the OS it is receommended to take the time to use the new Pattern Bank Dump feature to backup any Pattern Banks that are in use. For details see Section 10.1.7 (pg.32) in the Reference Manual.
Updating via PC using MIDI-OX
1. Open MIDI-OX and select your MIDI Output under Options > MIDI Devices:
In our example we are using Output 1 of the Steinberg Midex8.
2. Go to View > SysEx to open the SysEx View and Scratchpad window:
3. Go to SysEx > Configure and enter the setting as shown below:
4. After entering the settings above press OK to return to the SysEx View and Scratchpad window.
5. Extract the OS SysEx file to the desired location on your computer.
6. Make sure the MIDI Output of the MIDI Interface connected to the MIDI Input on the Avalon synth.
7. To enter bootload mode on the Avalon press and hold [COPY] + [PASTE] while powering on:
8. Go to File > Send SysEx File and browse to the OS SysEx file. Once selected it will start uploading and progress will be shown on the File Progress indicator:
While the OS is uploading some of the pattern number LED’s will blink to indicate the upload is in progress.
9. When the upload is complete the Avalon will reboot automatically.
If the SysEx transmission is interrupted and/or the update fails repeat the update process. The bootloader application is stored and protected in it’s own section of system memory and will not become corrupt if an update fails.
Below is a list of MIDI interfaces that have been tested on Mac OSX 10.6 & above and Windows XP, Win7, Win8, & Win10:
– iConnectivity iConnectMIDI2+
– iConnectivity Mio
– M-Audio USB Midisport Uno
– M-Audio MIDISPORT 1×1
– M-Audio MIDISport 2×2
– M-Audio MIDISPORT 4×4
– MOTU Fast Lane
– MOTU Micro Lite
– MOTU MIDI Express XT USB Interface
– Steinberg UR22
– Steinberg UR242
– Steinberg UR44
– Steinberg MIDEX8
– Yamaha UX16
Updating via Mac using SysEx Librarian
1. Open SysEx Librarian and select your MIDI Device from the selection window:
In our example we are using Port 1 of the Steinberg UR22.
2. Go to SysEx Librarian > Preferences > General from the main menu and enter 150msec for Pause between played messages as shown below:
3. Next select the Transmit Speed tab and enter 25% for the speed of the correponding MIDI Port:
4. Close the preferences window to return to the main screen.
5. Extract the OS SysEx file to the desired location on your computer.
6. Click Add…and browse to select the OS SysEx file and load it into the SysEx Librarian main window.
7. Make sure the MIDI Output of the MIDI Interface connected to the MIDI Input on the Avalon synth.
8. To enter bootload mode on the Avalon press and hold [COPY] + [PASTE] while powering on:
9. Press Play in SysEx Librarian to initiate the SysEx dump. The progress indicator will show the progress of the SysEx dump:
While the OS is uploading some of the pattern number LED’s will blink to indicate the upload is in progress.
10. When the upload is complete the Avalon will reboot automatically.
If the SysEx transmission is interrupted and/or the update fails repeat the update process. The bootloader application is stored and protected in it’s own section of system memory and will not become corrupt if an update fails.
Below is a list of MIDI interfaces that have been tested on Mac OSX 10.6 & above and Windows XP, Win7, Win8, & Win10:
– iConnectivity iConnectMIDI2+
– iConnectivity Mio
– M-Audio USB Midisport Uno
– M-Audio MIDISPORT 1×1
– M-Audio MIDISport 2×2
– M-Audio MIDISPORT 4×4
– MOTU Fast Lane
– MOTU Micro Lite
– MOTU MIDI Express XT USB Interface
– Steinberg UR22
– Steinberg UR242
– Steinberg UR44
– Steinberg MIDEX8
– Yamaha UX16