This zipped archive includes version 2.10 Operating System, version 2.0 of the Setups, and version 2.0 of the Boot Block file for the PC2 Keyboards. A separate file is available for the PC2 rack. Also included is the Version 2 Supplement Manual, in .PDF format.

The new Boot Block version is required if you add the PCX-1 Polyphony Expansion option.

We normally recommend doing a Hard Reset after installing a new file. Therefore, if you have any user created Programs or Setups, you should do a system exclusive dump of the memory before updating. Please read Resetting the PC2 on page A-5 of your manual for more info.

Details on how to update your PC2 can be found in your manual, starting on page A-3, however, for convenience sake, we have also detailed the upgrade procedure below.

These files are in Standard MIDI File  (.MID) format, therefore you will need a software program or hardware sequencer, such as one built into a keyboard, or a stand alone sequencer or MIDI file player. The files contain system exclusive data, and therefore, your software or hardware must be able to properly send sysex messages.

We have tested the following software applications and know that they work correctly for sending sysex to the PC2. We have also tested many software applications that do not handle sysex correctly, so for this reason we strongly recommend using one of the software programs that we have listed:



PC PLATFORM:


Shareware/Freeware: 

¥ Windows Media Player. You need to have version 5 or later of Media Player - older versions will not work correctly. Windows Media Player can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/Download/default.asp

Please note that Alesis Freeloader, which we recommend for the Mac, is buggy in the PC version and will NOT work correctly.


Commercial software: 

¥ Logic (from EMAGIC)



MACINTOSH PLATFORM:


Shareware/Freeware: 

¥ MIDIGraphy 1.4.3 (older versions tend to crash w/OS 8 and 9), can be downloaded at http://member.nifty.ne.jp/mmaeda/e/works.html

¥ Alesis Freeloader can be downloaded at http://www.alesis.com/downloads/software/freeloader

Please note that Windows Media Player, which we recommend for the PC, is buggy in the Mac version and does NOT work.


Commercial software: 

¥ Performer (from Mark of the Unicorn)
¥ Logic (from EMAGIC)



TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR UPDATING PROBLEMS

Because a number of people have reported having problems when trying to update their unit, we've done quite a bit of testing, and studying PC2 upgrading process. Because of the wide variety of MIDI interfaces, MIDI software, and computer configurations, it is impossible for us to test all possibilities. However, in virtually all cases, we have found problems, they were tied to software problems, interface/driver issues, or configuration (within the computer) problems.

PC2 ISSUES

¥ The PC2 itself is very tolerant of timing. You can throw almost anything at it, and it will come through. It's got enough processing power to receive MIDI and use it to control a 32-voice synth in real time while managing the user interface at the same time. When the boot block is receiving data, all this processing power is available to handle the data being received. Needless to say, there is horsepower to spare.

¥ The PC2 does need several seconds between segments, which it uses to program the Flash ROM. The PC2 boot block will ignore any MIDI it receives during that period. If you send a file without sufficient space between segments, some segments will be missed. After the entire file has been transmitted, the PC2 display will still say "Segment M of N;" it will never read "done." This might occur, for example, if you crank up the playback tempo too high. It could also happen if the MIDI interface is sending the data too slowly. However, if you send the file repeatedly, after two or three attempts all segments will get programmed, and the display will read "done."

INTERFACE AND SOFTWARE ISSUES

¥ A variety of interfaces, including the newer USB interfaces work without problems. However, many of the early drivers for USB interfaces did not handle sysex messages correctly. You should make sure you have the most current driver/extension for your interface, especially in the case of USB interfaces.

¥ A variety of interfaces and software don't work. In each case we've examined, the data was getting corrupted before it even got to the PC2. Certain interfaces work with some software but not with other software. Sometimes the interface or software needs to be configured a certain way before it will work. 

¥ In our MIDI files, each segment of data is split up into smaller packets. Without these packets, Media Player wouldn't work. However, the packets confuse some software, such as Cakewalk Pro Audio 8.0. Note that, with or without packets, the MIDI file itself is in full compliance with the Standard MIDI File specification.

RESOLVING VARIOUS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS

¥ Firstly, using the recommended sequencer software (listed above) can solve many installation problems. Unfortunately, we have observed that many popular sequencers corrupt certain sysex events in Standard MIDI Files.

¥ If the file begins transmitting, but the display still reads "Waiting for MIDI," none of the MIDI data is making it to the PC2. Check your cables and connectors. Also check any configuration software you might have which controls whether or not MIDI data is being sent out the MIDI Out port.

¥ If the display reads "segment 1 of N," and continues with this display for more than about a minute, data is being dropped. If the display reads "data error [ED0] checksum error," the data is being corrupted in transmission. In either of these cases:

* Use one of the recommended sequencers.

* Bypass any MIDI mergers in the data path. MIDI mergers can corrupt sysex data.

* Bypass any other MIDI gear in the data path that might be corrupting the data.

* Some MIDI interfaces can merge the MIDI outputs of multiple applications. Disable any such features on the MIDI interface.

* Some MIDI interfaces allow you to patch MIDI input channels directly to output channels. Disable any such patches.

* Under Windows, make sure the latest drivers are installed. On the Mac, make sure the latest extensions are installed for your MIDI hardware and software.

* Use a different MIDI interface.

¥ If the entire file transmits, but the display on PC2 still displays "segment M of N," some segments are being received but others are being dropped. Most likely, the sequencer is sending the segments without pausing long enough between each one. In this case:

* Do everything noted above.

* If using a sequencer that allows you to adjust the tempo, reduce the tempo. 120 BPM is nominal.

* If using a sequencer that requires you to transmit the sysex manually, make sure you send the sysex messages one at a time. (Note that none of our recommended sequencers require this.) Each sysex message contains the data for one segment. After the PC2 receives each one, it will say "Programming M of N at XXXXXXXX" for up to 10 seconds (or as little as 0 seconds). Make sure the display returns to "segment M of N," where M is now one larger than it was before. At this point, the PC2 is ready to receive the next segment.

* Resend the file from the beginning. After several attempts, the PC2 will eventually get all the segments, and the display will read "done."



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Version 2.10 Release Notes

This version adds an additional 128 preset Programs. (The version 2.0 Setups file must be installed along with the version 2.10 Operating System in order to have access to these new presets.) In addition, several new features have been added.

The Version 2 Supplement Manual contains information on all new features, plus documentation on the new presets. Also included is a list of controller assignments for all the preset Setups, which was never included in the original PC2 keyboard manual. In addition, a list of changes and bug fixes added since version1.0 is documented. The manual is in .PDF format and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat. You can download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe web site: http://www.adobe.com.

Please note that the number of ROM Demos in the instrument has been reduced to two (Elements & The Girl With The Flaxen Hair), in order to make room for the new preset programs.

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Installing files into your PC2:


Boot Block 

The PC2 boot block lets you install new software and factory setups into Flash ROM. The boot block also provides hard reset and diagnostic options. Execution of any function in the boot block may cause or require a hard reset causing erasure of the setups that you have created. To save them, back them up using a MIDI Sysex dump as described on page 4-4. 


Setting Up For a Software Upgrade 

1. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI Out of the computer's MIDI port or interface to the MIDI In of the PC2. 

2. Launch the sequencer application. 


Starting the Boot Block 

When you power up the PC2, it displays "Waiting for scanner" then displays "Please wait" after a couple of seconds. When you see "Please wait" press and release the Panic button. After the boot block message banner and version number are displayed, the first of several menu items appears on the screen. Pressing the buttons underneath the display scrolls through the menu items. Pressing the Enter button (Yes is printed underneath) invokes the menu item in the screen. 


Updating the Boot Block

As stated above, a new version of the Boot Block is required in order to support the Polyphony Expansion option. Even if you are not adding this option, we still recommend that you update the Boot Block. Once version 2 is installed, the Diags will not work correctly if the new Boot Block is not installed.

1. Scroll to Update boot block and select by pressing Enter.

2. Select "via MIDI" by pressing Enter. 

WARNING - Do NOT select "via SROM card" and press Enter!!! In some older versions of the boot block, selecting this option and then pressing Enter will cause the unit to try and update via a card even though that card is not plugged in (this is how units are updated at the factory). It will erase the boot loader code, and leave the unit unable to boot up at all!

3. Open the file PC2BK200.MID using the sequencer program.

4. Start playing the MIDI file from the sequencer. While loading, the bottom line of the PC2's display will show a message "Segment 1 of 1" If the display continues to show "Waiting for MIDI" after starting the sequencer, stop and restart the sequence. 

5. After about a minute, the PC2 will reset and start running normally.


Installing the Operating System & Setup Files

1. If you have installed the new Boot Block version, then the PC2 has rebooted up in play mode, so you will need to start the Boot Block again.

2. Select Install Engine by pressing the Enter button. 

3. Select "via MIDI" by pressing the Enter button. 

WARNING - Do NOT select "via SROM card" and press Enter!!! In some older versions of the boot block, selecting this option and then pressing Enter will cause the unit to try and update via a card even though that card is not plugged in (this is how units are updated at the factory). It will erase the boot loader code, and leave the unit unable to boot up at all!

4. Open the PC2K210.MID file using the sequencer program. 

5. Start playing the MIDI file from the sequencer. While loading, the bottom line of the PC2's display will show a message "Segment X of Y" where X starts at 1 and increments with each segment up to Y segments. If the display continues to show "Waiting for MIDI" after starting the sequencer, stop and restart the sequence. 

6. Depending on the size of the file, it may take up to 17 minutes to completely load at which point the bottom line of the display will show "Done". 

7. Open the PC2S200.MID file using the sequencer program.

8. Start playing the second file. As in step 4, the PC2's display will show a message "Segment X of Y" where X starts at 1 and increments with each segment up to Y segments.

9. After you have completed loading both files, press the Cancel button twice to get back to the main boot block menu, scroll to the Hard RESET menu item, and select it by pressing Enter. As mentioned at the beginning of this document, this will erase all user created Setups, so you should have backed them up previous to installing the new files.

10. Press Yes to execute a hard reset; the PC2 will restart with the new operating system and setups. 
