GX-2 Firmware wish list

[CodeSmart]

Nicely Done Robert !

Bought it mainly as switcher / splitter but I can see the SlowGear, Popcorn and sustainer patch being very useful.

Couple of ideas to add if possible and if hardware possible :
- Having the possibility to add the 1/4 input to both GK in and not just chosing wich one.
- I would add more bass/gtr setup to the existing 2 , assignable to GK in 1 or 2.
Of my 5 basses that I use  , 4 have very different sensibilities.
- Having the possibility to assign GK pickup setup , GK IN and GK out to saved patches

Thanks for the useful input.
* Add 1/4 input to both GK is easy to fix.
* Agree, having a common and larger palette of GK I/O/Sens settings from which physical inputs and patches could borrow from would be a better approach.

[fokof]

-It would be nice if we associate two different instrument ( GK setup ) to different patches.
Could be set to system , for those who only use/have two instruments or Patch if we switch between multiple instruments.

-  1/4'' input : have the ability to assign to both GK  ( or always ON ) as INPUT but being able to assign to A or B output as PATCH.
Say I want to process the sound of a bass pedal/synth in the 1/4'' input , on some patch , I would want it to go to output A or some other , output B.
Being able to "mix" or "blend" 1/4'' + pin 7 would also be nice in that application.

Don't know if it's the realm of reality ......

[CodeSmart]

-  1/4'' input : have the ability to assign to both GK  ( or always ON ) as INPUT

Your request have been partly implemented in V1.2.
There's a new "input" option added that always gets the pin7 sound from IN3 (regardless if GK IN1 or IN2 is selected).

[fokof]

Idea :


In ENV1 and ENV2 , instead of MUTE TIME , how about MUTE Threashold ?

[fokof]

For future update :
- I have 6 instruments with 13 pin , 5 basses , one guitar , being able to assign more than 2 GK sets to whatever patch.

Another idea :
-Having the ability to assign the "Sysex GK set" message to different patch , meaning:
  - I use a different GK set on the SY1000/VB99 for PTM than any other instruments , so say I use bass #3 with GK set #3 , being able to assign GK set #10 to a particular patch only with that same bass , so it keeps the GK set #3 on the GX2 but sends the Sysex message to both units to change to the PTM GK set #10.

[CodeSmart]

For future update :
- I have 6 instruments with 13 pin , 5 basses , one guitar , being able to assign more than 2 GK sets to whatever patch.

Another idea :
-Having the ability to assign the "Sysex GK set" message to different patch , meaning:
  - I use a different GK set on the SY1000/VB99 for PTM than any other instruments , so say I use bass #3 with GK set #3 , being able to assign GK set #10 to a particular patch only with that same bass , so it keeps the GK set #3 on the GX2 but sends the Sysex message to both units to change to the PTM GK set #10.

Not simple to understand what you are saying.

Let's say there's a global pool of [10] 'INSTRUMENTS' in the GX-2.
Each 'INSTRUMENT'' contain:
- Name
- Volume settings
- Trigger settings
- Default SysEx GK Set# [1..n]

In SYSTEM settings:
IN1 Instrument# [1..10]
IN2 Instrument# [1..10]
IN3 Instrument# [1..10]

In PATCH settings:
SysEx GK Set: System/Patch

If set to Patch:
IN1 SysEx GK Set# [1..n]
IN2 SysEx GK Set# [1..n]
IN3 SysEx GK Set# [1..n]

Is that what you are saying?

[fokof]

Yes + a way of having the possibility to send a different GK set message ( sysex ? ) to one or both units.

Say I'm with bass #3 with the GK set #3 , I have a situation where I want the PTM with the VB99 and normal sound with the SY1000 , so in an ideal world ,  I would want to be able to send , let's say , GK set #10 to VB99 and GK set #3  to the SY1000.
So a way to "dis-associate" GK set on the GX2 and the messages sent to the units per patch.

Got it ?

English not being my main language , I'm not clear sometimes   

[CodeSmart]

English not being my main language , I'm not clear sometimes   

We can switch to Swedish if you want

Q: What is 'PTM´?

Regarding the two MIDI OUT, please know they always output the same thing.
It's one (1) serial output (UART) with two buffer stages.

So technically it would be possible to send (example) #01 in VB99 SysEx message and #02 in SY-1000 message etc.
However if using 2 pcs SY-1000 or 2 pcs VB-99 they would both receive und use the same information.

I think I understand what you need. I'll try to figure something out.

[fokof]

We can switch to Swedish if you want

Not today , headache .....   

Q: What is 'PTM´?

PTM = Pitch To Midi

When using PTM , for me anyway , I found that it works better with another GK set , specifically for that.
I always use the VB99 for PTM.

So technically it would be possible to send (example) #01 in VB99 SysEx message and #02 in SY-1000 message etc.
However if using 2 pcs SY-1000 or 2 pcs VB-99 they would both receive und use the same information.

I think I understand what you need. I'll try to figure something out.

Cool !
I'm sure it can be useful to other GK users

And BTW , the GX2 helps a lot for PTM with a "gate" patch , helps remove the unwanted manipulating noise.
( for bass anyways ) 

[CodeSmart]

This stuff will be in the upcoming 2.x firmware sometime 2022.
It will unfortunately also affect the Gear Grinder software.
Unfortunately I have produced too many kids and they have produced too many kids and everybody have been eating my fridge out for a couple of weeks so no time for programming...

Talk soon,
CodeSmart

[fokof]

Eh , the thing does what's it's supposed to , these "wish list" are only gravy on top of the cherry on top of the sundae !

Time to go to the kitchen !

[magister]

Robert, your latest GX-2 is really AWESOME!
A couple of feature I find still missing:

• Program CTRL 1&2 to MIDI CC to drive any synth's parameter easily and happily!
• Add a switching set with only GK 1 & 2 (no time to waste on stage switching to unused IN3)

I really can't wait for this features to be included in the Gx-2's firmware...!! Once these features will be included it will become the PERFECT rig companion and make me (and, I'm sure, many others like me) a happy musician and man!!

[CodeSmart]

The GX-2 firmware will contain everything wished for in this thread so far.

Version 2.0
=====================================================
1. Use as Analog/digital MIDI CC# controller (CTRL1,CTRL2,S1,S2,GKVOL), SYSTEM or per PATCH.
2. 10 SYSTEM Banks of Guitar settings (GK Sets) freely assignable to the three inputs in SYSTEM settings (possible overridden in PATCH settings).
3. Each (of the 10) Guitar settings now has individual SysEx GKSET's for VG-99,VB-99,GR-55,GP-10 and SY-1000.
4. New MIDI traffic controller solving some MIDI issues.
=====================================================

The testing phase begins now. Then there's changes to be done to the documentation and PC Assistant/Gear Grinder applications.
We'll see when it's ready...

[fokof]

If you need beta tester , I'd be happy to !

[gumtown]

Me too. 

[CodeSmart]

Sure guys. It (2.0) appears ok now after a couple of iterations.
I'll contact you.

[CodeSmart]

GX-2 V2.0 BETA RELEASE 1

IMPORTANT NOTES:
A) GX-2 PC Assistant 2.0 works with Windows PC only
B) This release is for BETA testers only.
C) After the 2.0 upgrade you can't use the existing "1.X GEAR GRINDER" Software by GumTown!!!

THE V2.0 GX-2 FIRMWARE CONTAINS SOME NEW USEFUL FEATURES
=========================================================
* The GX-2 V2 allow the GKVOL,S1,S2 and inputs CTRL1 and CTRL2 to act
  as MIDI controllers to your synth devices.
* The GX-2 V2 has 10 individual "GK Settings" (allowing 10 different
  guitar/bass individuals) that can be freely mapped to the inputs IN1,
  IN2 and IN3. Each "GK Setting" contains settings for internal
  volumes/sensitivities as well as which GK-SETs to be used by the
  individual synth units (require MIDI cable).
* On the patch level, the "10" GK Settings may be mapped different
  overriding the SYSTEM settings.

The new V2 draft reference manual with V2 changes hilighted in yellow
is here: https://www.primovasound.com/pdf/GX2_Ref_Manual_V2_Draft.pdf

----------------------------------------------------------
UPGRADE PROCEDURE
----------------------------------------------------------
1. Uninstall GX-2 PC-Assistant V1.x (if you have it installed)
2. Download and install GX-2 PC-Assistant 2.0 from here: https://www.primovasound.com/firmware/GX-2_SetupV2.0.zip

3. Use the 'Backup/Restore' tab in the V2.0 Assistant to Backup your existing GX-2 settings (if important to you)
   Note: Don't backup using old V1.X Assistants. It has some issues now fixed.
4. Select the 'Update Firmware" tab, and upgrade the GX-2 to [V2.0 (recommended)]
5. When installed, the GX-2 should migrate itself [Timely 0-100%] keeping your existing settings into the new environment.

That's (hopefully) it!

----------------------------------------------------------
DOWNGRADING BACK TO V1.x 
----------------------------------------------------------
If you want to revert back to 1.x you can flash an older image using the V2.0 PC-Assistant,
but then you probably have to use a hidden "Factory Mode" menu of GX-2 to have it work properly:
Turn on the power by holding down button "B" (not A)
Then Press "A" button until "C=Factory Reset" menu show.
Press the "C" button (upper right corner) to start the Memory formatting.
When done, restart the device using Power off/on.

V2.0 PC-Assistant Backup/Restore is intended to work across all versions,
so you may use it to write back the settings originally backed up (if done).

Thanks
Robert

[fokof]

Cool !

Now I have to find a PC !

[CodeSmart]

Cool !

Now I have to find a PC !

Yeah the plan is eventually for the GearGrinder (multi-platform) to also handle upgrades.
However due to conflicts in space and time domain it's not available on this planet just yet.

[gumtown]

Firmware updated 
Now I am looking at the GearGrinder editor code and thinking WTF??
Did I write down any notes 

[fokof]

Installed and so far so good !

Haven't seen a bug , good job !
Nice touch to be able to send different GKset to different units

I think I will do different GX-2 patches for specific instrument instead of changing in the "system"

[CodeSmart]

Firmware updated 
Now I am looking at the GearGrinder editor code and thinking WTF??
Did I write down any notes 

Not much comments actually

[fokof]

Ideas :
(posted in the other thread)
- A way to "Mute all" via CC or switch

- A way to assign an input to each patch , or not.
I recall patch #50 : it sets itself to GK-IN #2
I recall patch #51 : it sets itself to GK-IN #1

But it stays switchable on the GX-2 , like an input priority for patches.

[CodeSmart]

Ideas :
(posted in the other thread)
- A way to "Mute all" via CC or switch

Regarding this request there's an action called "GKAB EN".
Using an external footswitch FS-7 to CTRL1 input I manage to create a global mute button.
These are my SYSTEM settings:
CTRL1:SW1 Assign = "GKAB EN"
CTRL1:SW1 Type  = "REV MOM"  (using MOMENTARY only sound when pressed, REV MOM mute when pressed)

This target approach also exist for MIDI ASSIGN 1-8

Please give it a try