First outing with the GX-2, band practice last night, actually the first time I have plugged in a GK cable to it.
(https://i.imgur.com/VhTr8GG.jpg)
first time a GK has been used in it, but the USB has been busy though...
(https://i.imgur.com/fHq6HgJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/pZdFLtZ.png)
Holy sh*t! That looks like a first incarnation of a multiplatform Floorboard for the GX-2. Wow!!!
You are amasing Gumtown!
Codesmart and Gumtown well done and keep up the good work. :D
Rolloq
Quote from: gumtown on October 21, 2021, 05:15:17 PM
First outing with the GX-2, band practice last night, actually the first time I have plugged in a GK cable to it.
(https://i.imgur.com/VhTr8GG.jpg)
first time a GK has been used in it, but the USB has been busy though...
(https://i.imgur.com/fHq6HgJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/pZdFLtZ.png)
That's bloody amazing! I'll get donating if there's a Mac version of this 🙏 please say yes 👍
Quote from: Nobulusprime on October 23, 2021, 08:10:10 AM
That's bloody amazing! I'll get donating if there's a Mac version of this 🙏 please say yes 👍
Ditto.
Quote from: Frank on October 23, 2021, 11:46:23 AM
Ditto.
He's using the QT dev tools, so if his other Floorboards work with your computer, this will also work if/when released (unless there's something essential I've missed). The only difference is that this time he's using a serial COM port USB connection instead of a MIDI USB connection.
Using QT for free means that the source code will have to be available for download on the Internet.
The GX-2 is using the MCP2221A chip which gave me a easy legal way out from a hefty yearly $6000 USB organization device vendor ID fee (thank you Microchip corp).
https://www.usb.org/getting-vendor-id (https://www.usb.org/getting-vendor-id)
https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/MCP2221A (https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/MCP2221A)
Yea but you get a vender ID number for that $6000 per year fee. :)
Quote from: Nobulusprime on October 23, 2021, 08:10:10 AM
That's bloody amazing! I'll get donating if there's a Mac version of this 🙏 please say yes 👍
Ohh... alright then.... Yes.
I do have working versions for Windows and Mac, although incomplete, slightly buggy, and very ugly looking GUI graphics at this stage.
Quote from: gumtown on October 25, 2021, 02:21:34 PM
Ohh... alright then.... Yes.
I do have working versions for Windows and Mac, although incomplete, slightly buggy, and very ugly looking GUI graphics at this stage.
Super cool will donate later today 👍
*Done via the GR floorboard link
Quote from: Nobulusprime on October 26, 2021, 12:42:43 AM
Super cool will donate later today 👍
*Done via the GR floorboard link
This is fantastic. I donated via the link as well.
Same here
Thanx a lot !!!
Here is a link to the editor site
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/
but the editor is still in "progress" and in its infancy, so don't use the patch write button yet.
It has most of the patch controls, only a handful of the system controls, it looks coyote ugly at the moment,
the GUI makeover will come once all the control parameters are in place.
And as it is "under construction" it is a bit unstable and can crash at times.
You can select GX-2 patches with a "single click" , and a "double click" will load the selected patch data into the GUI, and the controls will change to reflect the patch settings.
You can load and save single patches, save bulk patch bundles.
The patch clipboard is not working yet,
I think I have covered all the current quirks, the editor will be updated every few days.
The Windows version is just a zipped portable, so it can be unzipped and run from anywhere you place it.
The Mac version requires saved settings to be read from a specific folder, so uses an installer.
So go forth and enjoy !!
any suggestions will also be considered too.
I came up with the "Gear Grinder" name as a play on the words for "Gear Shifter",
back in old days of youth when you were learning to drive a car,
I was using to a manual stick shift with a non-syncromesh gearbox. 8)
Ans as always, it is an opensource project, so if you are feeling lucky (while slinging my 6 shooter) or adventurous,
you can download the source code and run it in "Qt Creator".
Quote from: gumtown on October 26, 2021, 11:36:49 AM
Here is a link to the editor site
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/
but the editor is still in "progress" and in its infancy, so don't use the patch write button yet.
It has most of the patch controls, only a handful of the system controls, it looks coyote ugly at the moment,
the GUI makeover will come once all the control parameters are in place.
And as it is "under construction" it is a bit unstable and can crash at times.
You can select GX-2 patches with a "single click" , and a "double click" will load the selected patch data into the GUI, and the controls will change to reflect the patch settings.
You can load and save single patches, save bulk patch bundles.
The patch clipboard is not working yet,
I think I have covered all the current quirks, the editor will be updated every few days.
The Windows version is just a zipped portable, so it can be unzipped and run from anywhere you place it.
The Mac version requires saved settings to be read from a specific folder, so uses an installer.
So go forth and enjoy !!
any suggestions will also be considered too.
I came up with the "Gear Grinder" name as a play on the words for "Gear Shifter",
back in old days of youth when you were learning to drive a car,
I was using to a manual stick shift with a non-syncromesh gearbox. 8)
Ans as always, it is an opensource project, so if you are feeling lucky (while slinging my 6 shooter) or adventurous,
you can download the source code and run it in "Qt Creator".
Seems to work for me on an older iMac and a new m1 MacBook. I did however have to go in and out of the preferences before the connection would establish.
Should be very useful, thanks Gumtown. Where do I send the donation of gratitude?
Quote from: paganskins on October 27, 2021, 06:29:47 AM
Seems to work for me on an older iMac and a new m1 MacBook. I did however have to go in and out of the preferences before the connection would establish.
Should be very useful, thanks Gumtown. Where do I send the donation of gratitude?
Good to here it works on the M1 Mac too.
The donate link is found in the editor top menu bar, for Windows in the "Help" sub menu.
Here is a direct link.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9B7Z6AQLF86WW
(https://i.imgur.com/EpFpaQh.png)
Quote from: gumtown on October 27, 2021, 12:05:33 PM
Good to here it works on the M1 Mac too.
The donate link is found in the editor top menu bar, for Windows in the "Help" sub menu.
Here is a direct link.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9B7Z6AQLF86WW
(https://i.imgur.com/EpFpaQh.png)
Done :)
Working on my 2011 MacPro > 10.14.6
Here too , had to go to preferences first before contact was made.
First time user on Windows 10. Even though buggy and incomplete it's cool to see how it actually modifies the GX-2.
The GX-2 communication commands were developed without having a PC Editor to try with. Just surprised it actually works.
I must have been lucky that day ;D
Thinking maybe in the future we should add notifications so any modification to the GX-2 will notify the GearGrinder Software to display the changes on-the-fly. But that's another day.
A late night update, running much smoother, can write patches to user patch areas, a few more system parameters to do,
progressing a bit further down the track !!
latest download from here 8)
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/files/GX-2%20Gear%20Shifter/
Gumtown and I are working together to get the GearGrinder interact better with the GX-2,
for example if you do something to the GX-2 the GearGrinder will update the screens to reflect the changes in real-time.
So there'll soon be a new GX-2 V1.2 firmware released that is required to get all new fancy communication things working.
I noticed a few things with the Gear Grinder editor last night on a Mac (Catalina).
Writing works displays the name but doesn't save the name
In the Arps, I'm a bit confused between the difference between 'Rate Division' and 'Steps'. I thought 'Steps' was how many individual Arpeggiator steps there are e.g. 8, 16 or 32 but changing that seems to affect the speed as does the rate. I thought 'Rate' covered the subdivisions.
So that a Rate of 16 and a Steps of 32 would be a 16th note phrase(s) played over 2 bars?
Quote from: Nobulusprime on November 07, 2021, 01:22:49 PM
I noticed a few things with the Gear Grinder editor last night on a Mac (Catalina).
Writing works displays the name but doesn't save the name
In the Arps, I'm a bit confused between the difference between 'Rate Division' and 'Steps'. I thought 'Steps' was how many individual Arpeggiator steps there are e.g. 8, 16 or 32 but changing that seems to affect the speed as does the rate. I thought 'Rate' covered the subdivisions.
So that a Rate of 16 and a Steps of 32 would be a 16th note phrase(s) played over 2 bars?
Talking GX-2 internal menu options (as stated in the manual):
"BPM Frame":
ALL=All Arp steps will be executed within one BPM frame - DEFAULT
1 = Only one Arp step will be executed in each BPM frame.
Use this if you are using many steps to avoid the Arp to be too fast.
So if "ALL" then the engine will squeeze(subdivide) all your steps within each BPM beat and then restart at the next BPM beat.
(It's up to you to put in a number of steps that matches the beat)
If "1" each BPM tick beat will take (advance) you to the next arp step until done (and then it will restart again).
So if you set 4 steps:
If "ALL" there will be 4 arps steps within each BPM beat.
If "1" it will require 4 BPM beats to complete the cycle (of 4 steps).
I hope you understand what I'm trying to explain.
If the Gear Grinder allow you to set something else than "ALL" or "1" it's not doing the right thing.
/Robert
Thanks, - I got that from the 1 and ALL settings. 1 slows things down to one arpeggiated step per beat which works fine.
So essentially, if you have rate division of a quarter ('QUATER' in the gear grinder app) and set to one you will get 4 steps per bar if you set it to ALL you'd end up with 16 beats in a bar.
The issue I had was more to do with rate division and the amount of steps in the arpeggiator but I'm guessing it's because I had it set to ALL which would force all steps to played in the space of one beat so the more steps the faster the result.
I'll have a bit more of a play tonight it is great fun!
Quote from: Nobulusprime on November 08, 2021, 04:01:44 AM
I'll have a bit more of a play tonight it is great fun!
I had some fun tonight got the arpeggiator, working a treat. The sustainer can really keep arpeggiator going too though it can get a bit noisy. I'll try it using with 2 units (VG99 and GX2) tomorrow and see how that works.
The Gear Grinder did save the name this time but I did use Catalina on my Macbook Air. The Gear Grinder doesn't show which effect is (in blue) on when it loads a GX2 patch up but that's not a big issue.
Quote from: Nobulusprime on November 08, 2021, 12:56:42 PM
I had some fun tonight got the arpeggiator, working a treat. The sustainer can really keep arpeggiator going too though it can get a bit noisy. I'll try it using with 2 units (VG99 and GX2) tomorrow and see how that works.
The Gear Grinder did save the name this time but I did use Catalina on my Macbook Air. The Gear Grinder doesn't show which effect is (in blue) on when it loads a GX2 patch up but that's not a big issue.
To get even more confusing you can have ARP1 to VG99 and ARP2 to GX2 at same time with different patterns :P ;D
Or one steady and the other on ARP...
Quote from: CodeSmart on November 09, 2021, 12:15:53 AM
To get even more confusing you can have ARP1 to VG99 and ARP2 to GX2 at same time with different patterns :P ;D
Or one steady and the other on ARP...
That's the plan tonight - If I get on well I'll post some results!
Here's 2 arpeggiated patterns played simultaneously using the GX2
Arpeggio 1 - Boss SY1000 - Holdsworth Synth patch triggering D, G and B strings in an arpeggio
Arpeggio 2 - Boss VG99 - Nearly Drums triggering E, A and D drum pattern
The Sustainer was pretty much up to full -
This GX2 is super flexible and the Gear Grinder makes it a doddle to edit.
Been a little while since I posted here, am still working on this.
Had noted a heavy CPU use in the code, (for an Intel i5 11500 running at 15% load is an awful lot),
so it was stripped right back and found the source of the problem in a few places.
After startup the CPU load is now 0.2%
The down side is the Serial interface is no longer working, the previous balance must have included CPU load as a factor in port timing,
so this is the current state.
Also now have a working copy of graphical editor software, so I can now do the graphics beyond what MS Paint offered. ::)
My new computer setup is taking longer than expected, installing the latest in Qt5.15.2 development framework required so source code be modified to work.
Hoping not too long before I can offer a significant update.
8)
Quote from: gumtown on December 09, 2021, 04:30:16 PM
My new computer setup is taking longer than expected, installing the latest in Qt5.15.2 development framework required so source code be modified to work.
That's why I try to change PC as seldom as possible, and everytime buying the best available speed and speed space to grow.
Take maaaaaaany days to get all things right.
Thank you for continuing this project.
YES!!!, after a long struggle with Windows 10 Update issues (I spare you the ugly details), I'm now in the game. I can now Compile, Run and Debug the Gear Grinder code and hope to be able to contribute to the development.
The Qt way of doing things is completely new to me so an old dog has to learn new tricks.
Quote from: CodeSmart on December 21, 2021, 12:14:59 AM
The Qt way of doing things is completely new to me so an old dog has to learn new tricks.
I tried to implement it (Qt) and got nowhere, it obviously works as evidenced by Colin's brilliant programs, it's used by countless other developers too.
I originallly wrote my UI with CodeLite (in a Linux box), having tried CodeBlocks to no avail.
When I decided to move my CodeLite project from Linux to Windows, because I'm ditching the RPi, I found that it was flakey and very badly supported so I ditched it. I've ended up using the wxWidgets framework and Visual Studio. It's taken weeks to migrate that project by hand to VS & wxWidgets (no fault of Microsoft's by the way), but now I'm cosy in my new environment with the added bonus that it actually works!
n.b. I'm not suggesting you do as I have as that would be unworkable since you are collaberating on a Qt project.
Back to writing my USB MIDI router.....
Must time soon for an update..
Maybe in a week or two.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZobsquM.png)
Here is an intrim update on progress, for Windows and Mac,
although there are a few issues.
both versions stick for a moment on start up when reading the first patch.
Mac version does not want to do the bulk file read/restore from the menu.
The firmware update menu is yet to be done.
But all in all I think this new layout represents the internal workings visually pretty well.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/files/GX-2%20Gear%20Shifter/
I have thrown in all the intel-hex code PIC stuff magic into the Gear Grinder and it compiles. That's good.
However the bad thing is that it's still a long way to tipperary...
https://youtu.be/XVM-tFAdADg
A quick update of GX-2 Gear Grinder for firmware 2.1 editor software for Windows & Mac OS
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/files/GX-2%20Gear%20Shifter/
still needs more work around the GK selection to make things a bit more fluid.
Looks great. Would I be able to update the firmware on my GX-2 via this update? I can see load GX2 firmware file, in the file menu. I'm on a mac
Quote from: Nobulusprime on November 13, 2022, 01:56:10 PMLooks great. Would I be able to update the firmware on my GX-2 via this update? I can see load GX2 firmware file, in the file menu. I'm on a mac
no not yet with the editor (coming sooner or later), you will still need to borrow the use of a PC to use the Primova GX-2 backup/updater program.
Great work. 8)
Rolloq
Nice work Gumtown :)
The changes from 1.x to 2.x is highlighted with yellow text in the 2.x manual.
https://primovasound.com/pdf/GX2_Ref_ManualV2.pdf
Migrating from 1.x to 2.x (for now need PC) should proceed smoothly without any settings lost.
However if problems occur there's a new way of reverting to factory settings, described on page 11.
If in any doubt, e-mail sound"at"primova.se
Windows Software to plant the 2.x firmware:
https://primovasound.com/firmware/GX-2%20SetupV2.1.zip
I'm starting to get more acquainted to Qt programming :D
Thanks to Gummie, we now have working communication in "programming mode".
So I just expect the final work will be smooth to implement the GX-2 Firmware Updater in his multi-platform GX-2 Gear Grinder program.
(https://www.primovasound.com/gfx/geargrinderdownload.png)
Awesome !!! :D
Quote from: CodeSmart on November 17, 2022, 05:18:38 PMI'm starting to get more acquainted to Qt programming :D
Thanks to Gummie, we now have working communication in "programming mode".
So I just expect the final work will be smooth to implement the GX-2 Firmware Updater in his multi-platform GX-2 Gear Grinder program.
(https://www.primovasound.com/gfx/geargrinderdownload.png)
Excellent - I was going download Parallels and Windows 11 so I'll hang fire now! :D
Firmware flash in GearGrinder 100% working now in Release and Debug mode. User experience enhanced with progress bar etc. Also adding missing MIDI assign options. Will ship the source code soon to King Gummie for final approval :)
A new Windows update is now uploaded to the Gear Grinder SourceForge site for download and try out, with the Firmware update features included.
Mac OS version will follow in two weeks (am working away until then).
Quote from: gumtown on November 22, 2022, 12:41:16 AMA new Windows update is now uploaded to the Gear Grinder SourceForge site for download and try out, with the Firmware update features included.
Mac OS version will follow in two weeks (am working away until then).
Great. I will add the V2.1 hex file required for update to my website.
Or have you included it in the installation?
Quote from: CodeSmart on November 22, 2022, 03:31:16 AMGreat. I will add the V2.1 hex file required for update to my website.
Done. A zip-file with all firmware hex files is here:
https://www.primovasound.com/products/gx2/index.php/
Currently V2.1 is the latest.
I hope you come home soon and make a build for Mac, see how it goes. :)
The GX-2 Gear Shifter editor app "Gear Grinder" has had a Mac OS update to include the firmware updater,
the firmare 2.1 file is aso included in the download.
So you Mac OS users can now enjoy the updatig of your GX2 Gear Shifter firmware. !!
Download link here
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/files/GX-2%20Gear%20Shifter/
I'll be trying this tomorrow!
Quote from: Nobulusprime on December 04, 2022, 11:15:55 AMI'll be trying this tomorrow!
Yes thanks, and please report back how it goes.
I've been able to update from firmware 2.0 to 2.1 with that new version.
Good thing that I won't have to find a PC to update.
I don't have time to check further for now but so far so good !
I'm on 10.14.6
Thanx
@gumtown I'm still on the original GX-2 firmware and using the editor for 1.3, I can see the Load Firmware option in the editor but if I try and update the device it doesn't like the .hex firmware files.
Just checking, do I still need to update the device to V2 using windows before I can move forward Mac only?
Thanks :)
Quote from: paganskins on December 07, 2022, 01:59:47 AM@gumtown I'm still on the original GX-2 firmware and using the editor for 1.3, I can see the Load Firmware option in the editor but if I try and update the device it doesn't like the .hex firmware files.
Just checking, do I still need to update the device to V2 using windows before I can move forward Mac only?
Thanks :)
You will need to update the editor software to the latest version for firmware 2.1, to be able to update the GX-2 firmware.
Quote from: gumtown on December 07, 2022, 09:24:39 AMYou will need to update the editor software to the latest version for firmware 2.1, to be able to update the GX-2 firmware.
Thanks
@gumtown, I've tried the editor for 2.1 and it can't see my 1.0 device. I don't think it should so checking that I still need to go the PC route to get up to 2.1 and thereon in I'll be fine on Mac. Thanks
Quote from: paganskins on December 08, 2022, 02:49:20 AMThanks @gumtown, I've tried the editor for 2.1 and it can't see my 1.0 device. I don't think it should so checking that I still need to go the PC route to get up to 2.1 and thereon in I'll be fine on Mac. Thanks
No, correct. the editing does not work but the Firmware update menu option should work if you've started GX-2 in programming mode and hit the Verify button.
Quote from: CodeSmart on December 08, 2022, 08:09:01 AMNo, correct. the editing does not work but the Firmware update menu option should work if you've started GX-2 in programming mode and hit the Verify button.
It's not working for me, unfortunately. The GX2 is loader mode and the Gear Grinder is in firmware update mode but it's not able to see the USB connection, see image - I'm running 10.15.7 Catalina - I'll try on my iMac that's on High Sierra.
Screenshot 2022-12-09 at 19.00.02.png
Quote from: CodeSmart on December 08, 2022, 08:09:01 AMNo, correct. the editing does not work but the Firmware update menu option should work if you've started GX-2 in programming mode and hit the Verify button.
Sorted thanks
@CodeSmart, I'd read the manual and gear grinder source forge page but hadn't thought to look on the product page for updating instructions.
Quote from: Nobulusprime on December 09, 2022, 11:21:04 AMIt's not working for me, unfortunately. The GX2 is loader mode and the Gear Grinder is in firmware update mode but it's not able to see the USB connection, see image - I'm running 10.15.7 Catalina - I'll try on my iMac that's on High Sierra.
Screenshot 2022-12-09 at 19.00.02.png
Have you set up the serial/usb connection in the Preferences menu then select OK, the app will restart with the correct connection settings, then try the firmware update mode.
All sorted! my error - so sorry I had a duff USB cable which has now found its way to the bin!
Just in time to have a play over the Xmas break!
Cheers!
Gear Grindor editor work here on 10.14.6
Slow , but working.
One bug I have :
When "save Bulk Patches..." , when the patch window appear , the tab "to" shows hundreds instead of 99 patches , and it's VERRRRY long/impossible to get down to 99...
Quote from: fokof on January 02, 2023, 07:44:47 AMGear Grindor editor work here on 10.14.6
Slow , but working.
One bug I have :
When "save Bulk Patches..." , when the patch window appear , the tab "to" shows hundreds instead of 99 patches , and it's VERRRRY long/impossible to get down to 99...
I will have to check that one out.
Capture d'écran, le 2023-01-02 à 17.21.21.jpg
That's not looking good, a communication issue by the looks by the "no reply" messages and accumulated re-reads added to the list.
This version supports GX-2 Gear Shifter Firmware version 2.4
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gear-grinder/files/GX-2%20Gear%20Shifter/
Gumtown good work. 8)
Just tried the GX2 editor on my new M2 laptop , works really well !
Nice job !
Another update coming soon for the Mac version.
Fixed the GK naming, and added the GK user names to the GK set lists.
Quote from: gumtown on August 12, 2023, 01:03:19 AMAnother update coming soon for the Mac version.
Fixed the GK naming, and added the GK user names to the GK set lists.
Great, updated to the latest version yesterday and noticed some of the newer knob graphics were eclipsing the read out numbers below them - if that makes sense? If not I'll post some screenshots later.
Quote from: Nobulusprime on August 12, 2023, 09:32:37 AMGreat, updated to the latest version yesterday and noticed some of the newer knob graphics were eclipsing the read out numbers below them - if that makes sense? If not I'll post some screenshots later.
If you could please, also state which operating system you are using, there are differences in behaviour between some Mac ones, or large high res monitors on Windows.
Quote from: gumtown on August 12, 2023, 05:02:34 PMIf you could please, also state which operating system you are using, there are differences in behaviour between some Mac ones, or large high res monitors on Windows.
Sorry, I should have said - it's Catalina 10.15.7
Looks like this and similar for the SY1000 floorboard also
Just did a rebuild and upload for the Mac version, but didn't get time to test it before the day ended here.
I hope it works good, a few extras added in too.
Great! I'll give it a whirl tonight :)
App working wonderfully , on a M2 13.2.1
Good work!
I'm having a problem updating the firmware on my unit.
When I try to flash it I get this error:
Any ideas?
I've downloaded the file a couple of times to check if the update was corrupted, but I get the same result.
(https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=31629;image)
@CodeSmart or
@gumtown?
You can try updating it with a PC if you have access to one.
I've used my job's PC , it worked
Thanks, I'll give it a try.