• From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Topic: Firmware Beta Test

Hi all,

As you know, I've been talking about how we've been working on new firmware update for a while. It's probably seemed like hot air sometimes, but true to my word, it really exists... and I'd love for you to help us test it!

I lobbied the powers-that-be to open up our firmware development process to forum members here, since you represent some of the most experienced and passionate users of our products. Guess what? They let me do it smile

So, here's the deal: BACK UP YOUR PRESETS!

1. It's a Beta test. We won't offer any support via official channels. Everything will be done via this thread.
2. There's no need to provide any personal info, but we would like as much detail about how you use the gear as possible. What type of setup do you use? What is the physical environment you play in? etc. etc.
3. You must actually test the fixes outlined below and give feedback on whether they are working or not.
4. There can't be any feature requests or other off topic posts, they'll all be deleted so this remains a clean list of feedback.
5. We're not responsible for...anything bad.

These are the bugs/features we have fixed and need tested:

1. Mic-Control/300BPM Tap Tempo craziness should no longer occur
2. Key defaulting to Bmaj2 when key/scale is manually entered via press/hold Harmony should no longer occur.

The new behavior is: Any key/scale saved to the preset should be recalled properly when entering set key/scale. IF a chord via guitar or MIDI is received shortly before entering set key/scale, that chord will over-ride the saved key/scale. This allows saved key/scale to be retained, but natural play to take precedence when you want it to. NaturalPlay must be set to SCALE for this to occur. (either globally or within the preset)

3. Screen should no longer flicker when changing presets
4. Fixed and issue where guitar would appear on both sides of a mono loop output
5. Delay/Reverb tails should now properly stop when entering BYPASS/TUNER mode
6. Set Delay Trails default to ON (trails means that delay taps and reverb decay completes when changing presets or turning the effect on/off)
7. Added MIX HEADROOM parameter. This is a new gain applied throughout the output mixer to give more headroom for mixing. It's in Setup/System.
8. Looper should now properly output via USB
9. Aux level should no longer increase when entering BYPASS/TUNER mode
10. When a preset is saved into a new location, the USER tag is automatically assigned in the Wizard.
11. Added STEP and BYPASS to Mic-Control options. Yay!

Ok, so i know that's a lot and we don't expect everyone to test everything, but try to test what's most relevant to you and then move on to other stuff if you have time.

I really, really appreciate you guys/gals being so patient with the long wait, but I'm sure you can see by the number of updates that this is a pretty large project.


Interested? You can get the new firmware here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40864719/VoiceL … ild134.syx

EDIT: You have to right click and "Save link as" with some browsers, otherwise you'll see a screen full of gobbledygook.

You'll need to download the file to a convenient location on your computer and then "Load a sysex file to your device manually" within VoiceSupport and point to the beta file.

I will remove the download link on Monday March 19th (unless we make tweaks between now and then) and we'll collect info for a couple of weeks, so you get some real time with the release.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • Registered: 2011-02-22
  • Posts: 9

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Download it right now thanks but I will try this tommrow in bar if it is work coz I will try to sound check my wireless shure if it's working or not..that's my main concern..anyway thanks Craig..TC Helicon Rocks....

Bryan

  • Registered: 2010-09-09
  • Posts: 37

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Tested the "1. Mic-Control/300BPM Tap Tempo craziness should no longer occur", with a "one, two" sound-check style, with only headphones connected, and a shure wireless microphone (pgx4/pgx2 SM58).
The issue is gone. Everything working like a charm! smile

Will test this fix at rehearsal with a small sized PA system to see if it keeps performing.

Will test  some other fix in the next days, as soon as i have some spare time with the VL2.

That was my main issue. Thank you guys!

  • adargy
  • VC New Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-03-12
  • Posts: 3

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Hi
i have load the sysex message, and by voice support, send to the voice live rack 2. My machine is out of order.... voice support can't reconize my voice live 2, and i don't kwow how to come back before the beta firmware.
can you help me please?
sorry for my english language, i'm french and very bad with the shakespeare language...
can i by sonar producer send the old sysex firmware?
thank you very much for your help

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Heya adargy,

This beta firmware is for VoiceLive 2. Did you try to install it on your VoiceLive Rack?

-Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • adargy
  • VC New Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-03-12
  • Posts: 3

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Yes, sorry i haven't understand that the firmware was only for voice live 2, and for the rack, the beta firmware blocked all the function. the led blink all the time, the screen is empty... desaster.... can you help me?

  • Registered: 2009-08-03
  • Posts: 36

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Thank you for this opportunity to evaluate the beta testing. I have installed the new software on both my VL 2s, and so far, so good. (at home)I work Wed. and Thurs. doing my single, so the proof of the pudding will come this weekend, as both units will be up live. I will be able to better answer the success of the update next week.
thanks again, Steve

  • Registered: 2012-03-15
  • Posts: 2

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Is this just for VoiceLive 2 Or Extreme as well?

  • Registered: 2012-03-15
  • Posts: 2

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Well Craig looking good so far. Though the first time I rebooted the VL2 after the installation of the BETA it did display the dreaded Bmaj2. But upon booting it the subsequent times it is now displaying correct Harmony Key. AWESOME! I’m glad I didn’t give up on the device. Screen display looks much more stable now when navigating no flickering at all. The loading of individual sysex files seems to bee working wonderfully too so far. Since it is 11:40 here local time in evening I can’t try it out in earnest on a PA or with in my recording environment,  just got home from my gig (I didn’t take it with me tonight, I‘ll send you a message about some of the new weirdness I experienced the past couple of gigs). But all systems seem to be GO, and I’m very excited about the prospect of this working as well or better than it initially did pre firmware updating. Thanks for all your help it’s been truly easier to get through this experience thanks to you Craig.
Cheers Mate,
Matthew

PS: should I poke around with it and see if I can get those original sysex files to load that had some lost patches on them that I originally created that wouldn’t load with the firmware updated that I have lost? Or is this a situation of let’s not mess with a good thing ? Thanks again for the E-Mail.

  • Registered: 2012-03-15
  • Posts: 2

Re: Firmware Beta Test

OK well Please allow me to amend my post a little. It is still displaying the Bmaj2 most of the time when rebooting , but when navigating away from the last patch used/ the fist patch displayed, the Bmaj2 disappears and correct key is then displayed so that’s great still! don’t have to go through the whole reinitializing process and putting all settings back in Set Up Mode. Thanks again. So glad this is getting sorted.

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Thanks for the feedback Matt. I'll check with the dev. to see what goes on at boot time to determine key and why you'd get the Bmaj2 one time.

I'd try to load the other presets too, just to see if they work. It's great info for us to have if you've got the time to try it.

I'll also get back to you about Extreme Edition, Closingthyme.

Thanks again for all the testing folks!

-Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Matt: There's a "window of opportunity" built into the system to look for guitar/keyboard natural play info. It basically looks and says "Have I recieved any chord info from NaturalPlay in the past 4 seconds? If yes: Use that key/scale. If no: Use the key/scale that's saved in the preset.

How soon after booting are you going into set key/scale with the footswitch?

I'm wondering if you wait, say, 30 secs before trying it the first time if you still get Bmaj2 or if the key is correctly recalled.

Just a thought...

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Closingthyme, we checked the firmware on our Extreme and confirmed that it loads and works the same as a VL2, which is the intent of all the updates from now on.

Obviously, take the same care with backing up your presets etc. as I described above, but if you're willing to give it a shot, we'd love the feedback smile

-Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • Registered: 2010-07-09
  • Posts: 205

Re: Firmware Beta Test

thanks Craig...we'll try it out:)

  • Registered: 2009-08-03
  • Posts: 36

Re: Firmware Beta Test

The new software solved the 300 bpm problem in both my units, they worked almost flawlessly for 5 sets Friday and Saturday. My newer VL2 (by about a year) went into some sort of feedback loop, or possibly the chopper mode, once during the night. It started softly and then became overpowering. It took me several moments to figure out where the sound was coming from, but a shutdown and reboot solved the problem, and it has not reoccurred.
My screens have never flickered, and still don't.
The guitar output is not used.
My trails are trailing.
Thank you for the update, I assume we will update again once the Beta testing is over?

Steve

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the feedback! It's great to hear that things were solid for your shows. smile

The feedback loop is a little concerning. Did you happen to start a loop by accident or something? I've had a tiny loop sound like a chopper effect and I didn't realize I had even made the loop. haha

Yep, after Beta, which I'm going to leave up for another week or so, we'll take any info we've gathered and then do a bit more internal verification before putting it out for public consumption.

-Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Thanks all for your input. I've taken the Beta file down. We'll work on the release candidate, based on your feedback.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • Registered: 2012-04-09
  • Posts: 1

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Craig @ TC-Helicon wrote:

Thanks all for your input. I've taken the Beta file down. We'll work on the release candidate, based on your feedback.

Cheers,
Craig

Hello, I've just joined the forum and was happy to read that the issues of delay tempo were solved. I prompted to download the beta firmware but it was gone... Any possibility of having it back? I imagine the official release will still take some time. I play recorder and other winds and used the VL2 until I experienced the 300 bpm problem.

Thanks for your help!

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Hi openmusic,

Unfortunately the beta process has concluded and we're in the process of incorporating the feedback into a new build.

I'll send you the beta to try though, with the same caveat as everyone else that we can't provide support on it.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • ZuZuMu
  • VC New Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-04-10
  • Posts: 1

Re: Firmware Beta Test

PLEASE KEEP THE BETA FIX AVAILABLE!!!  I'm a multi windist, flute, sax and EWI.  The voicelive 2 has become an integral part of my set up.  I use a 4 channel mixer to mix my mic and midi instrument outputs with the VL2 and a multi-FX pedal in the FX loop respectively.  I leave the VL2 with the global scale setting and the loop option on.  Last October I ran into the "Key of B maj 2" problem and sent it back to the California factory.  They almost missed it, found the problem and sent it back...  ...a month later (I was crazed...)  April 1st 2012 (April fools??)(dis ain't no joke...), I was using the unit only; no mixer, no other FX.  I had a sure SM98 mic with the pre-amp on the Low Z input and the Low Z output/mono going to the board with the ground lifted.  Someone stepped on the power cord and it pulled out of the unit.  A loud low end buzz went through the entire system (church service...  ...nice...) I plugged it back in, still buzzed.  Panicked, I pulled the Low Z cord out of the output.  The display was lit but blank, all of the footswitch lights were lit but unresponsive.  I tried resetting everything but nothing worked.  I contacted Shawn at TC Group and took it in for repairs.

My concern is that Lifetime Service Center will repair the hardware and install the available firmware witch will leave me with the original B maj2 default problem.

Please, your machine unfortunately has become like crack to a junky for me.  Gotta have it and I don't want to go through withdraw every 4-6 months!!  PLEASE, c'mon mahng!!  Hook me up!!

Thank you,

Most Sincerely,

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Heya ZuZuMu,

We're working on the update based on our beta findings. We'll post it in VoiceSupport as soon as it's ready.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • From: Wuerzburg, Germany
  • Registered: 2012-04-20
  • Posts: 3

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Craig @ TC-Helicon wrote:

Hi all,

As you know, I've been talking about how we've been working on new firmware update for a while. It's probably seemed like hot air sometimes, but true to my word, it really exists... and I'd love for you to help us test it!

I lobbied the powers-that-be to open up our firmware development process to forum members here, since you represent some of the most experienced and passionate users of our products. Guess what? They let me do it smile

So, here's the deal: BACK UP YOUR PRESETS!

1. It's a Beta test. We won't offer any support via official channels. Everything will be done via this thread.
2. There's no need to provide any personal info, but we would like as much detail about how you use the gear as possible. What type of setup do you use? What is the physical environment you play in? etc. etc.
3. You must actually test the fixes outlined below and give feedback on whether they are working or not.
4. There can't be any feature requests or other off topic posts, they'll all be deleted so this remains a clean list of feedback.
5. We're not responsible for...anything bad.

These are the bugs/features we have fixed and need tested:

1. Mic-Control/300BPM Tap Tempo craziness should no longer occur
2. Key defaulting to Bmaj2 when key/scale is manually entered via press/hold Harmony should no longer occur.

The new behavior is: Any key/scale saved to the preset should be recalled properly when entering set key/scale. IF a chord via guitar or MIDI is received shortly before entering set key/scale, that chord will over-ride the saved key/scale. This allows saved key/scale to be retained, but natural play to take precedence when you want it to. NaturalPlay must be set to SCALE for this to occur. (either globally or within the preset)

3. Screen should no longer flicker when changing presets
4. Fixed and issue where guitar would appear on both sides of a mono loop output
5. Delay/Reverb tails should now properly stop when entering BYPASS/TUNER mode
6. Set Delay Trails default to ON (trails means that delay taps and reverb decay completes when changing presets or turning the effect on/off)
7. Added MIX HEADROOM parameter. This is a new gain applied throughout the output mixer to give more headroom for mixing. It's in Setup/System.
8. Looper should now properly output via USB
9. Aux level should no longer increase when entering BYPASS/TUNER mode
10. When a preset is saved into a new location, the USER tag is automatically assigned in the Wizard.
11. Added STEP and BYPASS to Mic-Control options. Yay!

Ok, so i know that's a lot and we don't expect everyone to test everything, but try to test what's most relevant to you and then move on to other stuff if you have time.

I really, really appreciate you guys/gals being so patient with the long wait, but I'm sure you can see by the number of updates that this is a pretty large project.


Interested? You can get the new firmware here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40864719/VoiceL … ild134.syx

EDIT: You have to right click and "Save link as" with some browsers, otherwise you'll see a screen full of gobbledygook.

You'll need to download the file to a convenient location on your computer and then "Load a sysex file to your device manually" within VoiceSupport and point to the beta file.

I will remove the download link on Monday March 19th (unless we make tweaks between now and then) and we'll collect info for a couple of weeks, so you get some real time with the release.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig,

I almost went mad because of a well-known problem (well known, if you know where you have to search...)!
I bought a VL2 last month at my distributor in Germany (Thomann) - and sent it back three times to get a replacement device, because I really thought that I was pursued by bad luck...
So the point is, that I got now the fourth replacement device. If I had known, that my problem is well known here, I could have spare this efforts and spare the nerves of the employees of Thomann and  the nerves of myself. :-)
By the way: all devices (as well as my actual one) are running on the newest firmware 1.4.02 BUILT 127

I am speaking about the 300bpm TapTempo Shortcut problem!

My gear is a Neumann KMS 105 Condensator-Mic with Phantom Power - which is a very nice (and not cheap at all) Microphone and the VL2.
I really love your products (before the VL2 I used the following device cobination: Voicetone Correct - Voicetone Double - Voicetone Create) and I never (and I mean NEVER) had any problems, neither in our rehearsal room nor live on stage.
...but I really nearly went mad because of this Shortcut TapTempo problem, because I really thought every device I had been sent has a defect....
Anyway I know now that this is a bug (using the device with a dynamic SM 58 is no problem - I just tried this out and voilà: The device kept the Tap Tempo on the Shortcut Button)
But my problem is, that the KMS 105  should really replace my old SM 58. I waited so long to get my "Dream-Microphone" that I don't want to make a compromise - and I really want to use the VL2 too. But only  in combination with the KMS105! :-)
Okay - I know now, that I can "fix" that with the "solution" to use the Shortcut Button with "Choir" and set this Parameter to "0" so it does not affect my Tap Delay Tempo. But I think a gear which is about 1.300- € (800,- for the VL2 and 500,- for the KMS 105) should work properly and without any "compromises"
I think everyone will agree to my opinion....

To come back to my concern: So I just landed here and read, that a Beta version which fixes the problem was able to be downloaded via dropbox.
Unfortunately the link is down now.

So my question is:  Is the release date for the release of the official next firmware meanwhile fixed, or - if this is not so - could you be so kind to provide me with the Beta-Version via e-mail?

I would be very grateful for your help.

Cheers,
Michael

  • From: Wuerzburg, Germany
  • Registered: 2012-04-20
  • Posts: 3

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Heya Craig,

I would be grateful for a short feedback to my post which I wrote here before
Thank you in advance.

Cheers,
Michael

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Heya Mike,

I sent you an email yesterday. smile

-Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • From: Wuerzburg, Germany
  • Registered: 2012-04-20
  • Posts: 3

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Ooops - I should check my mailbox every now and then.... wink

Thanks a lot!!!

Best wishes,

Michael

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Hey all,

We've got another update for you. This fix is aimed squarely at the "random MIDI freezing" issue we've had affecting some users for quite some time.

If you've experienced the issue, please give this new Beta a shot.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40864719/VoiceL … ild138.syx

As always, back up everything before testing!

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • BDG36
  • VC Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-04-06
  • Posts: 22

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Craig @ TC-Helicon wrote:

Hey all,

We've got another update for you. This fix is aimed squarely at the "random MIDI freezing" issue we've had affecting some users for quite some time.

If you've experienced the issue, please give this new Beta a shot.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40864719/VoiceL … ild138.syx

As always, back up everything before testing!

Cheers,
Craig

Hi Craig

is this also for the Extreme ed ? I didn't have it when you posted the first beta.
Is there any major advantage with this or should I stay with the one that came with the unit ?

thx

BRUNO

Last edited by BDG36 (2012-05-01 00:01:54)

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Heya Bruno,

If you're not having any issues currently, and/or don't plan on doing testing, I'd skip the beta and wait for it to come out via VoiceSupport as a final release.

That said, if you're interesting in testing/reporting, it should work fine for Extreme Edition.

-Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • Registered: 2012-05-08
  • Posts: 19

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Hi Craig,

Any news about the final release of this firmware?

Thank you!

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,060

Re: Firmware Beta Test

Heya Martinh,

Shouldn't be long now. We're back to internal testing/updating, so I'll keep you posted on an official release date.

I think the idea is to do Touch and VL2 at the same time, so we'll finish up the Touch beta before releasing them both.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website