From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Fri Feb 01 09:32:40 2002
Subject:Re: CX-3 Leslie pedal help

Ed,

>Speaking of OS updates, what method will be used to implement this. In know
>on my Kurzweil I can use the SCSI port, but I'm not sure on a CX-3?

On the CX-3, the last update used the MIDI ports, sending SysEx data.

Sounds simple, right? It isn't. At the rate that MIDI sends data (~3.1K bytes/sec. of 7-bit data, more like 2.8K of regular data), it takes about 10-12 minutes to update the two microcontrollers in the CX-3. That means that a) you have to have a reliable MIDI connection that can tolerate Mbytes of data without failure; and b) the power better not go out during the process. It's a little scary, the first time you run it.

I've done updates on a couple of CX-3's for friends in my shop, and I use a PC with an uninterruptable power supply (UPS), and I plug the CX-3 into the UPS for good measure. My UPS has been tested, and it will keep the PC and peripherals (LCD monitor, scanner, graphic tablet) running for at least 20 minutes, so there's virtually no chance of troubles. If anyone in the New England area wants me to perform the update, give me a shout offline.

Whether the new update will take the same format, or whether it will be a chip-swap or something, is unclear yet. Jerry, are you willing to say at this point?

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com