VCI-100 unofficial firmware 1.3.1 available
VCI-100 unofficial firmware 1.3.1 available Posted on: 16.08.2010 by Verla Jurgensmeyer UPDATE: Version 1.3.3 released, later in this thread!== Intro == Hi everybody, I recently purchased a VCI-100 SE. After reading a lot of different reviews about different USB DJ controller it seemed like the right choice. With all those good feedbacks and reviews I read, I was very surprised to receive a device with which you can't do serious beat matching. It's only after searching this community that I found all the complaints about this particular problem and the workarounds. But there's one really good thing about the VCI-100 it's the fact that you can reprogram it. I'm quite into hardware hacking in general, so I downloaded the 1.3 firmware, fired up my favorite disassembler, and wasted some time on it in order to fix it I'm very happy to present an unofficial 1.3.1 version of the firmware that has a 4x better precision for pitch faders than previous firmwares, look at the attached picture to see what that means! == New features ==
== Howto == To upgrade your firmware you need to follow the 1.3 upgrade instructions, but with the proper firmware file. This new firmware sends the old messages as well as the new ones, so it's compatible with the DJranking s Traktor settings out of the box, but if you want the extra bits of precision you need to remap your Tempo settings (someone please make an import file for Traktor?) - Deck A/C Tempo = CH02.PitchBend - Deck B/D Tempo = CH03.PitchBend - Deck A/C Tempo Reset = CH02.Note.C0 - Deck B/D Tempo Reset = CH02.Note.C#0 == Technical Details == All the analog faders & knobs on the VCI-100 are read using the main MCU (h8/300) built-in AD converters. Those converters have a precision of 10 bits. The previous firmwares converted those signals to 7 bits so it can fit in a regular Control Change MIDI message. In my 1.3.1 firmware, the pitch faders are converted to 9 bits then sent as a Pitch Bend MIDI message which has a 14 bits precision. Why using 9 bits instead of 10 bits ? I worry that if the analog value is just between two digital values, it may oscillate between the two (due to noise) and so MIDI messages may be sent even when the pitch fader didn't move. The extra bit is required to avoid this kind of situation. In theory it's possible to use 14 bits of precision for the pitch faders using a small hardware mod involving an external AD. Is it worth it? I dont know! For interested people I've attached a couple of screenshots from the reverse-engineering process showing the same piece of code before and after all the guesswork and analysis == Closing words == While I tested it, this release is a beta version so I'm waiting for your feedback. I've taken great care of polishing all the details, and you don't risk anything as you can always downgrade to 1.3 or 1.2 afterwards. Have fun! DaveX | |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Verla Jurgensmeyer 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
If you don't already have a handler for those messages, you may create one: Control = Tempo Type of Controller = Button Interaction Mode = Reset Hope this helps |
| Stefan Kosier 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
i'm not too sure why it's so hard to understand that, but i feel as though i've gone in a complete circle and am still no closer than i was when i started. hehehe. please help, guru's. i'm begging you. |
| Leeanna Ayla 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Jodi Lacerra 20.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Leeanna Kolbeck 28.09.2010 | Ojala funke |
| Stefan Kosier 21.09.2010 | yeah, i just didn't read it correctly. i woke up very early because this was weighing on my mind all evening
. just flashed to 1.3.2 and it's working flawlessly. thanks again for all your hard work. and if they every get around to putting up a donation box you can be sure i'll be tossing you a few dollahs. |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Stefan Kosier 21.09.2010 | actually, i believe i just totally figured out what you were saying. i'm going to test it out now. it's too early for me to be believeing this hard. |
| Stefan Kosier 21.09.2010 | not even close. *sigh* =( but thanks for the reply, either way. hopefully someone else will understand what it is i'm looking for and post up how to actually achieve mapping this stuff, because looking at the new TSI file is as complicated as trying to figure out what you just said. haha. |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
If you don't already have a handler for those messages, you may create one: Control = Tempo Type of Controller = Button Interaction Mode = Reset Hope this helps |
| Stefan Kosier 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
i'm not too sure why it's so hard to understand that, but i feel as though i've gone in a complete circle and am still no closer than i was when i started. hehehe. please help, guru's. i'm begging you. |
| Leeanna Ayla 21.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Stefan Kosier 20.09.2010 | i'm aware of this fact as i have posted in the official thread. the latest overlay [which coincides with the newest firmware] is the issue. i don't use it. i have an older one, so button placement is my issue. i simply want to know how to add those lines to my current TSI file of 2.4 - i'd just like to flash to the 1.3.1 firmware and change what i need to change in my current TSI. i have also looked at the new TSI file in Traktor, and it's extremely confusing due to the double entries. i can't makes heads or tails of what i should be transferring into my older TSI. |
| Jodi Lacerra 20.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Jodi Lacerra 20.09.2010 | FYI, the new VCI-100SE firmware (v1.4) and mapping (v3.6) have been released. For details and questions/comments, please see this thread: http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=18181 |
| Stefan Kosier 20.09.2010 | maaaan. so many parameters to go through. there's like 3x as many 'Tempo' assignments now. i'm still using an older version of the overlay, and i don't plan on upgrading because i'm not using any of the sampler/slicing stuff. so i ask again, did anyone figure out this section: - Deck A/C Tempo = CH02.PitchBend - Deck B/D Tempo = CH03.PitchBend - Deck A/C Tempo Reset = CH02.Note.C0 - Deck B/D Tempo Reset = CH02.Note.C#0 and get it working so that the pitch faders were using the upgraded resolution? that's all i really need, and i can't seem to find out how to map it due to there being no 'Tempo Reset' in the assignment section. again, i'm using Traktor 1.2.6 with TSI 2.4, and i have no wish to upgrade to the newest TSI or the newest overlay. thanks in advance. |
| Stefan Kosier 20.09.2010 | yeah, that's what i'm going to have to do. thanks for the help and the email. much appreciated. |
| Leeanna Ayla 20.09.2010 | I'm pretty sure the new DJTT mapping has that all in it. You may need to load it up and look at their settings to copy it in your own custom mapping. |
| Stefan Kosier 20.09.2010 | thank you so much! also, did anyone figure out the mapping of: - Deck A/C Tempo = CH02.PitchBend - Deck B/D Tempo = CH03.PitchBend - Deck A/C Tempo Reset = CH02.Note.C0 - Deck B/D Tempo Reset = CH02.Note.C#0 -- i'm using Traktor Pro 1.2.6 i don't see any 'Tempo Reset' in the mapping options. just need to figure this out before i go ahead with my upgrade. thanks. |
| Leeanna Ayla 20.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by RedEyz
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| Stefan Kosier 20.09.2010 | anyone have a version of firmware 1.3 they can mail me so i can revert if i run into issues? i can't seem to find mine anywhere, or find a link in the community s! redeyz [@] gmail [dot] com much appreciated, fam! |
| Twyla Tylinski 20.09.2010 | Whoa! 1.4 is out. Here I go to upgrade my VCI-100. All I have to say is DaveX and DJTT team, I salute you. |
| nayit ruiz jaramillo 20.09.2010 | Yeah that's what I'm afraid of . There can be some pretty funky double mappings needed to get hi res out of something. Could be difficult to identify what's needed. May have to grab the updated DJTT mapping as well to compare. A list if assignments would be mega useful. Grrrrr at NI Controller Mangler!!! |
| Leeanna Ayla 19.09.2010 | You should be able to use your own mapping, but you'll have to make a few changes to it to take advantage of a couple of the new pitch and jog wheel features. |
| Marshall Aby 19.09.2010 | I can't see how it would be Karlos. |
| nayit ruiz jaramillo 19.09.2010 | @Flashflooder, when DaveXs FW is out as a DJTTs FW am i right in believeing that users not using a DJTT mapping will be able to flash their VCIs as they did with 1.3FW and continue to use their OWN mappings. This FW isnt tied to being used with the DJTTs mapping is it..? Excellent work guys. |
| Kristeen Braham 20.09.2010 | I guess it's time to order a firmware upgrade kit then... |
| Leeanna Ayla 19.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by str8updrew
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| Graham Frazier 19.09.2010 | Disco mode!!!!!!!!! |
| Bailey Fergurson 19.09.2010 | Top Work - Moving with the times as so much exciting material is beginning to come to the fore front of Digital DJ'ing - We are the Future... Keep up the excellent work Love |
| Lilliana Perris 17.09.2010 | Fuckin WOOOOOT! DaveX.....you are golden mate......like Ean Golden! |
| Shala Wohletz 16.09.2010 | This might stop me buying a s4 |
| Jodi Lacerra 15.09.2010 | To give everyone an update, DaveX has been really great in working with us at DJTT to make some slight modifications to the firmware and we are planning on officially releasing a finalized version of DaveX's firmware and a mapping update to go along with it (that will also be compatible with older firmware versions). This will definitely be done within the week and my sources say you will probably see this on Monday. Just wanted to let everyone know. So if you were planning on reflashing your VCI-100SE again I would wait a bit until it's officially released with a DJTT supported mapping. By the way, if anyone is dying for some added functionality in the mapping (or has found any bugs) please go to the official 3_5_2 mapping thread (http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=15916) and post your comments. I will try my best to incorporate everything that is realistic. Thanks! |
| Reece Murray 14.09.2010 | Aarrgggh! LOL! More flashing! Oh well, I'll dissect my VCI again in the name of progress |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 14.09.2010 |
Originally Posted by Zac Kyoti
DaveX |
| Reece Murray 13.09.2010 | DaveX: One thing I have noticed (and I don't really understand why it happens), is that the new notes on the outer part of the jogs can get stuck on if you engage it and then hold the top of the jogs. I remapped the outer notes to tempo bends, just like on my other tsi, but sometimes if you go to scratch, the bend is locked on. I fixed this by simply adding a tempo bend with a value of "---" to the note on from the top of the jogs. It just zeros the bend whenever the jog tops are touched. No biggie, but I thought you might like to know. |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 13.09.2010 | Thanks to all the courageous souls that have tried my unofficial firmware, seems it works as it should! I've been quite busy for the last couple of weeks but I've been working on a couple of small changes to ease up integration with DJTT mappings, so you could expect a new release together with an official DJTT mapping soon, stay tuned! DaveX |
| Donny Gloff 12.09.2010 | Okay I did it. Updated to DaveX's firmware. Loaded Sharkie's adjusted .tsi and everything works. I still have some issues with the mapping however. My primary issue is with the pitch bend and the play button. Pitch Bend issues: No pitch bend in Scratch Mode: I don't remember if this was a problem with the DJTT .tsi before the firmware update or if the FW update affected this but I know that with DJTT's v.2 mappings I had pitch bend on the outside of the jog wheels with scratch on and now I don't. Scratch Mode Off Pitch bend : In the DJTT v.2 mappings the outside of the jog wheel would give you +/- 1.2% pitch bend and the Touch plate was progressive. I really liked the way that worked as the outside of the wheel worked as a sort of bump forward/back for fine tuning the mix and if you needed a more dramactic move you use the touch plate. The newer mapping seems reversed and just doesn't have the same feel as it did before. PLAY Button issue: In earlier versions (DJTT v2 mappings) the play button (when pressed while a track was playing) would return you to the last cue point used and continue playing. It now acts as a Play/Pause button which I don't care for. I have discovered that holding SHIFT while pressing it gets the desired action but this is not very user friendly (for my taste) I just recently upgraded to the v3 mapping and so it is taking some getting used to as I have developed some habits with the older mappings. It looks like I may have to completely customize my own mapping because there are certain features of the DJTT mapping that I love but still I have some usability issues with parts of it and there are functions that I could care less about having (particularly Fader FX mode) |
| Julissa Serrone 12.09.2010 | ^^ Sweet! Zac that sounds awesome. How well do the jogs work in comparison to Itch and the 300? Can you get away with simple scratches? |
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