KURZWEIL RE-210 OS v1.04 UPDATE


This zipped archive includes version 1.04 Operating System and Preset Objects (combined in one file) for the RE-210.

OS FILE DOCUMENTS
RE-210COMB104.MID RE-210-README.htm



System Requirements

- any RE-210
- no other prerequisites

Note: The RE-210 receives its system updates through MIDI sys-ex (i.e. playing a specified MIDI file containing system exclusive data into its MIDI in port).

We normally recommend doing a Hard Reset after installing a new file. Therefore, if you have any Songs or other custom changes you wish to save, you should do a system exclusive back up dump of the memory before updating. Please read "System Exclusive Dump" on page 33 of your Owner's Manual for more info.


Version 1.04 Release Notes

1. fixed the inital volume of layered sounds. - When string and Pads are layered, their initial volume are set to a little bit softer for Piano, EP, Harpsichord, Mallet, and Voices

Complete Revision History


Tools Required to Perform the Update

- computer (Mac or PC)
- software sequencer / MIDI File Player
- MIDI Interface
- (1) MIDI Cable
- .MID OS file to be installed (the file included in this download)

Please Note: We have tested the following software applications and know that they work correctly for sending sysex to the RE-210. 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

If you have not used Media Player before to control an external MIDI device, you may need to configure it. Go to the Control Panel (Start - Settings - Control Panel). From Control Panel, select Multimedia, then Midi. Now you can choose your midi output instrument.

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:

OS9 and older (OSX users must boot in OS9)

- 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/macos.html

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

As of this writing, Freeloader appears to work only with older Macs with a serial port - it does not support USB MIDI interfaces. If you have a USB MIDI interface, you should use MIDIGraphy. If you are using Freeloader, you need to select "Any File Type" in the Edit Menu, instead of "MIDI Files" (For some reason, Freeloader does not recognize our .MID files when the "MIDI Files" option is selected.)

MIDIGraphy also normally supports only serial ports. But if you use OMS and have it configured for a USB interface, you can select OMS as the control with MIDI Port parameter in the MIDI menu of MIDIGraphy and it will use the USB interface.

You may need to increase the memory allocation for MIDIGraphy in order to open and play the file. Click on the MIDIGraphy icon, then hold the command (apple) key and press "I", and then select Memory from the pull down menu in the window. We suggest setting the minimum size to 8 meg (8192k).

In addition, you need to hold down the Option button when selecting Open from the File menu, or MIDIGraphy may not see the .MID file.

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


Commercial software: (OS9 or OSX)

- Performer (from Mark of the Unicorn)

- Logic (from EMAGIC)



Installation Procedure

! NOTE : If you have any Songs or other custom changes you wish to save, you should do a system exclusive back up dump of the memory before updating. Please read "System Exclusive Dump" on page 33 of your Owner's Manual for more info.

1. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI Out of the computer's MIDI port or interface to the MIDI In of the RE-210.

2. Launch the sequencer application.

3. Power on the RE-210, when you see "-.-.-."

-.-.-.

...in the display, press and release the "MIDI/Pref" button.

(This will take you into the Boot Block. The Boot Block is where you are able to install new software into Flash ROM.)

4. Press "UP" or "DOWN" button several times untill you see "u.O.S." :

u.O.S.

5. Press the "Custom" button (=ENTER) to proceed.
(need be, press the "Electric Bass" button (=CANCEL) to abort.)

The display will show "u.O.S." :

u.O.S.

...where the 3 dots will be flashing, indicating "waiting for MIDI file transmission".

6. Open the RE-210COMB104.MID file using your chosen sequencer/ MIDI File Player program.

7. Start playing the MIDI file from the sequencer. While loading, the RE-210's display will show "x-xx":

1-a

...where "1" increments with each segment up to 9 segments and "a" increments through "i".

TIP: If, after starting the sequencer, the display does not indicate this progress and simply remains in the "waiting for MIDI file transmission" phase (see sreen shot step 5), stop and restart the sequencer.

8. When the installtion is complete, the screen will display "OK" :

OK

9. Now turn the RE-210 OFF and back ON.

10. Hard Reset the RE-210

-press MIDI/Pref button
-press Percussion - you will see "Y ?":

Y ?

... press "UP" arrow button beneath the display to invoke.

The RE-210 will reboot.

11. Verify software update

-press MIDI/Pref button
-press Drums - you should see "1.04":

1.04

DONE. The RE-210 is now ready to use.

If for some reason you do not see "1.04" displayed, you will need to repeat the installation.


Troubleshooting Tips For Updating Problems

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 RE-210. 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 remains at the "Waiting for MIDI" stage, then none of the MIDI data is making it to the RE-210. 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 stalls on any segment "x-x," and continues with the same display for more than about a minute, data is being dropped. In this case:

* Use one of the recommended sequencers. Be sure to read the specific notes above that apply to the different shareware programs.

* 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 drivers and/or extensions are installed for your MIDI hardware and software.

* Use a different MIDI interface. We have seen reports that some USB interfaces still do not handle sysex messages correctly, even with their current drivers.

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

* Resend the file from the beginning. After several attempts, the RE-210 will eventually get all the segments, and the display will read "OK."



Revision History

Version 1.03 Release Notes

1. fix the effect Wet/Dry Preset - For program that has 'No Effect" in Chorus or Reverb as a preset, Wet/Dry value is set to 0 and does not change when a user select any effect so that the effect sounds like not working. So, non-zero Wet/Dry values are set to programs even when they have "No effect".

Version 1.02 Release Notes

1. fix all preset demo play operation.
2. fix sound selection in GM mode - When GM mode is on, the sound selection button did not match to sounds.
3. fix Start Recording by Pedal
4. fix saving some MIDI/Pref parameters in battery-backed RAM

Version 1.01 Release Notes

1. fix Saving Tempo parameter when the unit is turned off.
2. fix sustaining notes happened when Demo or MIDI/Pref button is pressed while playing back sequencer data.
3. fix display in "all preset demo play" mode.

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