Avalon
OS v1.07a
(Sept 8 2019)
v1.07a 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)
Avalon
OS v1.06c
(Sept 12 2016)
v1.06c Updates
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
Avalon
OS v1.05
(Dec 24 2015)
v1.05 Updates
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
Avalon
OS v1.03
(Sept 13 2015)
v1.03 Updates
- 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:
www.midiox.com
www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian
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 1x1
- M-Audio MIDISport 2x2
- M-Audio MIDISPORT 4x4
- 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 1x1
- M-Audio MIDISport 2x2
- M-Audio MIDISPORT 4x4
- MOTU Fast Lane
- MOTU Micro Lite
- MOTU MIDI Express XT USB Interface
- Steinberg UR22
- Steinberg UR242
- Steinberg UR44
- Steinberg MIDEX8
- Yamaha UX16