From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Mon Jun 03 19:18:21 2002
Subject:Re: CX3 Firmware Update???

Hi,

The update was NEVER promised for April; it was promised for (late) May. My understanding is that it has slipped into June.

Although I have not received confirmation, I believe that the reason for the slip is that Korg is trying to make sure the update is as close to "bullet-proof" as possible, so that users can do the upgrade, and this process has delayed things. The previous update had little user feedback: Once you press the start button, if the update worked OK, the display counted up in hexadecimal; if the update failed -- for any reason -- the CX-3 just lied there. If you got nervous and powered down the organ, it might have to go in for service. Korg received feedback, from myself and others, that the previous updates weren't suitable for the majority of users, and they have been working to fix this issue.

I've performed the earlier updates, and frankly, I think most of the users would just as soon wait a couple extra weeks. I can easily perform the update, but I'm a design engineer who has developed desktop and laptop PCs for a living. I also have a battery-backed AC power source in my lab, so even if I was to lose power, I could still perform the update. My situation, however, is unusual; less technical users might not be so fortunate.

The alternative to a robust upgrade would be an authorized-service-center-only update, which would have probably came out 1-2 months earlier, but would require all of us to send our CX-3's back for servicing -- and probably cost a good bit in shipping, even if the technician time were free.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions™ http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group and HiNote moderator
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

At 05:42 P 6/3/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I'm wondering about the firmware update we were supposed to see in
>April or May of this year. Well, it's June now. I've been counting on
>getting this update by now. Anyone know anything about this?
>
>I find the keyboard bounce distracting so I have to do the midi
>workaround thing. As a result of that, I can't do smears or glisses
>*and* switch the leslie speed at the same time without having to also
>hit the 'exit' switch to cut out the inevitable hung notes. Geez. I
>have to decide which 'feature' requires less impact on modifying
>playing technique. And then there is the fact I can't assign a
>momentary footswitch for changing leslie speed. I know Keith Emerson
>prefers a momentary type footswitch for changing leslie speeds and he
>supposedly endorses the CX3.
>
>I absolutely adore the Hammond tones that come out of my CX3. But I
>find that the issues I mentioned prevent me from being as expressive
>as I'd like to be.
>
>I bought my CX3 in March and have been waiting patiently for these
>updates knowing that they've resolved these issues with the new BX3.
>
>Does anyone know the appropriate way to pressure Korg into releasing
>the update?? Am I the only one waiting for the update??