From ramudd@wgym.net Sat Feb 09 22:27:51 2002
Subject:Re: CX-3 MIDI

A couple of additional thoughts to consider at least along my ongoing
vein of thought with KORG . . .

Bruce states the values of the current firmware versions for the CX-3
but my firmware is M01070501 and S00111400 and so far no one has been
able to get KORG to say what the actual current firmware versions
actually are. So if yours are M00111500 / S00111400 are they current
or is mine current or are none of them current? Hmmmmm

Also note that an authorized KORG service center may not really be a
SERVICE CENTER. It may be a dealer or actually an outside tech or
electronics person who, as my 'service center' here in Tucson, AZ
told me could perhaps replace a broken key or a knob but has no clue
about firmware updates, whatever those are. My 'service center' even
told me I should NOT update the firmware because my KORG CX-3 might
not be the same as some other KORG CX-3 and the upgrade could cause
me more problems than it solves. It would be nice to have a real
service center around somewhere within an 8 hour drive.

As for Bruce's question about updates or upgrades for a price, I
would certainly seriously consider that instead of having to ship my
unit back to KORG and perhaps never see it again.

You can see that I have little confidence in KORG or KORG's ability
to service it's CX-3 customers.

Well, just my thoughts and they haven't changed yet and may not. But
somehow Bruce's firmware version and my firmware version numbers are
still different and know one is telling what that means. I don't
think anyone actually knows so beware of any upgrades, if they tell
you about them. KORG never told you about my M firmware upgrade did
they.

JMHO Richard A>

--- In CloneWheel@y..., Bruce Wahler wrote:
> Kirk,
>
> >I have a CX-3 and USB Midisport 2x2. Any recommendations on
software that
> >works well with the CX-3? Specifically, backing up and restoring
presets,
> >or to download the upcoming new software version.
>
> For backing up and restoring presets, I use the SysEx features of
Cakewalk Pro Audio. While this is a fairly expensive solution, it
works for me because I have a need for a sequencer, too. The amount
of MIDI data sent to/from the CX-3 is pretty small -- 19025 bytes for
a full SysEx dump -- so just about any MIDI program with SysEx
support should work.
>
> As far as the new firmware version, no information has come out on
how it will work yet. This is what we see in the last update
(M00111500 / S00111400):
>
> - It comes as a self-contained program that runs from the HDD of
your computer.
> - It uses whatever MIDI interface that is at hand. I have used the
MIDIsport 2x2, MIDIsport 8x8, and a legacy joystick interface, all
with success.
> - It takes 10-15 minutes to run, because two microcontrollers have
to be updated over the relatively slow link that we call "MIDI."
> - It only works well with certain operating systems; specifically,
it seems to work with Win9x operating systems. I can get the program
to recognize the MIDI interface under Win2K, but I cannot get the
download to start under that OS. I have heard of other owners with
similar issues under NT4.0. I have had no problems under Win98SE.
WinME might be OK, too, because it is Win98-based, but I've never
actually tried it.
>
> All of this may have little bearing on the program that comes out
in ~May; however, I would expect it to be similar, except that it
might be easier to use, and it might have more OS support. Please
bear in mind that the current firmware update IS NOT considered a
user-installed update. The install program does not have a great UI,
there are a number of things that can go wrong during the update, and
a "typical" user is not necessarily in the position to correct the
problems from his/her home. It is possible that KORG may only offer
the update through dealers and service centers.
>
> One of the problems that a manufacturer faces in such a situation
is user support. A user takes a functional CX-3, runs the update
program, and expects a functional CX-3 at the end of the process.
Given the number of different PCs, MIDI interfaces, and OS
variations, plus the other software that might be installed on the
PC, and the amount of data that has to be passed over the MIDI
interface, there is some chance that everything will not go
smoothly. The big questions are then: How do I know everything
worked OK? If it's not OK, what do I do now? Do I power off the
machine? Do I start the whole process over? Will I have my CX-3 for
the gig Saturday night?
>
> This brings up an interesting area, and I think Jerry K. and the
others at KORG would benefit from list feedback. To all CX-3 owners:
>
> 1. Are you interested in the update?
>
> 2. If you are, would you still be interested if the update had to
be made by a dealer or repair center, or you had to ship the unit
back to KORG?
>
> 3. Would it be OK if the update ran as a DOS program, from a clean
boot (floppy) only?
>
> 4. If you want a user-quality update, with wider OS support, would
you be willing to pay for it? How much: $25 (US)? $50? More?
>
> Keep in mind that all of the above questions are based on the
thoughts of THIS AUTHOR ONLY. KORG has not yet offered to include
any of the above features or limitations in the update. Please make
no assumptions about the actual update until KORG releases one.
>
> Regards,
>
> -BW
>
> --
> Bruce Wahler
> Ashby Solutions™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
> CloneWheel Support Group moderator
> 978.386.7389 voice/fax
> bruce@a...