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 | |
| Hipolito Scionti 22.08.2010 | +1 on donation yeah ideally there should be a TSI to go with the new FW. I'm not bad at mapping but that bend will lock and track gets faster and faster happened to me when I was trying to map the plates to have a CDJ mode... Love to see a TSI to go with the new FW. Presume DJTT are working on it |
| Eneida Mussa 22.08.2010 | Moley - I didn't mean the FW, just the midi mapping, sorry to confuse. According to DaveX's instructions you just have to change the pitch bend from CH01 to CH02 to allow for the new midi messages (there are quite a few of these) but when I did this it didn't work. I'm going to do some more testing this week and see what I come up with. I am new to midi mapping so I could be doing something wrong. Nickel. As far as the jog wheel sensitivity for the previous post: go to the control manager and find SCRATCH, there should only be 4 for each deck. Then change the rotary sensitivity to 0% or 1% (your choice) then play with different &'s in the rotary acceleration up to 15% depending on your style. Again anyone who know's how to convert the exported settings from traktor into a TSI file, I will post mine up. Thanks |
| Doug Bieling 22.08.2010 |
Originally Posted by djdetta
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| Twyla Tylinski 22.08.2010 | Can someone please create a TSI in order to get the best out of this firmware. I don't know where to start with changing the Traktor mappings and at the moment my jog wheels and pitch controls on my VCI-100 are far too sensitive with Traktor. |
| Eneida Mussa 23.08.2010 | Just set up signature for specs etc |
| Eneida Mussa 23.08.2010 | Ok so the firmware 1.3.3 works ok but I have the same problem with the pitch bend mapping. When I have tried to change it, I have it working but when you touch the jog wheel while playing the bend will lock and track gets faster and faster or slower etc. Also I have found a few problems with the latest mapping 3.5.2. Details below: 1: Changed the Sync on decks A & C from hold to toggle so that it works correctly. 2: Changed the Keylock (shift+sync) on decks A & C from hold to toggle so that it works correctly. (Note when pressing Shift+Sync for keylock, I have noticed that it doesn't centre exactly randomly on different decks. Don't know why, any suggestions? This is why I have done step 4) 3: Deleted 'Sync w/keylock' on decks A & C so that keylock and sync work independantly as with decks B & D. 4: Deleted 'Key control off' so that when using the shift+filter to change the key, when you return to the centre it will keep keylock on rather than off. 5: Changed jog wheel sensitivity for the best scratching capability. Rotary sensitivity 0% rotary acceleration 14% (you may want to tweak to your own requirements). 6: Deleted Jog wheel plate with scratch button off (I don't use it in CDJ mode). The reason for this is I use timecode vinyl for proper scratching and if you touch the jog wheels accidentally it goes crazy, safety first. Now what you have, as far as pitch bending using the outside of the jog wheels, is: when scratch button is ON you can scratch the jog plate but no function of the outer rim. when the scratch button is OFF the jog plates have no function but you can use the outer rim for normal pitch bending. I know this is not ideal but I have been messing all day and can't get it to work. Anyone want to take up the gauntlet and let me know, it would be appreciated. I have exported the settings but don't know how to create a TSI file from the export, any help with that and I can post it up for people to try out Work in progress....... |
| Twyla Tylinski 21.08.2010 | Well, I can vouch that this firmware hasn't broke my VCI-100 and I used the high jog wheel precision file. The only thing is I haven't a clue how to do the following: You must change the following to your Traktor mappings: 1) Remap your controllers: - 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 2) Divide the jog wheel sensibility by 4 when using the high precision file Someone please explain how to do this in easy steps. |
| Twyla Tylinski 21.08.2010 | I've just installed the firmware. Successful upgrade. Just need to try my VCI-100 in Traktor. I will report back my findings. |
| Twyla Tylinski 21.08.2010 | Well, I'm all about to flash my VCI-100 (got my upgrade kit and screwdriver ready) but with some stating to wait for the DJTT team to report back on their findings and a mapping, I'm a bit reluctant to go ahead until we have the green light. Has anyone apart from DaveX actually updated their VCI-100 firmware to 1.3.3 yet and can anyone else vouch for this actually working? |
| Tyrone Baghdadi 21.08.2010 |
Originally Posted by Audio Aerosol
..and the sales of VCI-100 will increase bad ass.. PS: COMMON, DJTT!!! NOW TELL US SOME NEWS? |
| Reece Murray 20.08.2010 | 2nd the donation idea. Is it possible (or ok to) attach a PayPal link in signatures? I'm down as soon as I flash and test! |
| Leeanna Ayla 20.08.2010 | I just checked and mine was 4.05, I'm sure 4.06 would work. |
| Twyla Tylinski 20.08.2010 | I'm about to flash my VCI-100 with this firmware but can someone tell me if I can use the latest version of Renesas Flash Dev Tool Kit. The latest version is 4.06 but on this Youtube video it shows version 4.02: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0dcr...feature=search The link for Renesas Flash Dev Tool Kit is: http://www.renesas.com/products/tool...ch_results.jsp Can someone please advise? |
| Edris Acevedo 20.08.2010 | christ! this could be amazing. As soon as we have a mapping and an official go ahead from Dj TT (no offence Dave) I'll be on this. |
| Jessika Kienast 20.08.2010 | I don't mind a small donation. Keeps him motivated and make him lose sleep. All to OUR benefit. |
| Tyrone Baghdadi 20.08.2010 | Guess, it smells like there will be an article on the main HP? DaveX, i'm not an owner of a VCI-100...but to all owners: Dudes, donate some bucks to this fella..Maybe DJTT can create a donation poll for this.. So this fella would get a MIDI Fighter or something like that.. (DJTT you realize that your sales will get uuuuuuuup if the jogs and pitchfaders will be really improved by a factor of 4?) |
| Liberty Brodbeck 19.08.2010 | awesome work DaveX, can't wait to get my vci and try this out soon |
| Reece Murray 19.08.2010 |
Originally Posted by djdetta
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| Joannie Calbert 19.08.2010 | with updates and improvements like these the VCI 100 could become the sl1200 of controllers |
| Eneida Mussa 19.08.2010 | Hi DaveX, I'm going to try this firmware upgrade toevening but reading the text file about changing the Traktor mappings, I was wondering if you could explain further (maybe step by step if poss). e.g.: How to: 1) Remap your controllers: - 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 2) Divide the jog wheel sensibility by 4 when using the high precision file I am not an expert in the midi mappings so if you could help with this it would be appreciated as I am DJing tomorow evening . Thanks |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 19.08.2010 | Edit: I thought there may be a problem with left sync led in 1.3.3 but after testing everything's right!
Originally Posted by minimal
Another thing which needs confirming is will Traktor be able to utilise the higher performance jog and pitch faders?
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| Twyla Tylinski 19.08.2010 | Another thing which needs confirming is will Traktor be able to utilise the higher performance jog and pitch faders? As with the VCI 300, doesn't the Itch software allow the jogs and faders to utilise the 14bit precision? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. |
| Suzanna Paddock 18.08.2010 | Sorry to sound like a noob as this is way over my head, but will the higher precision mean more midi messages and possibly more pops and crackles from midi overload? I'll wait for the tests but this is exciting stuff... |
| Scarlett Saupp 18.08.2010 | So incredibly glad I accidentally ordered a firmware upgrade kit with my vci-100. now to dig it out of my garage o_o; Great work DaveX, really looking forward to hearing back from the DJTT crew on these changes |
| Jolyn Brunello 18.08.2010 | thanx.hope this comes good photojojo.coz im gonna have pristine faders and jogs nowthis would be the icing on the cake. |
| Leeanna Ayla 18.08.2010 | Yes you will need the firmware kit. http://ranking s.myshopify.com/produ...-upgrade-cable Sounds like you already know where the threads are. |
| Jolyn Brunello 18.08.2010 | aarggghhhh!!!! i was gonna do this tomorrow and have been reading up how to flash.as i bought my vci as a 1.3 im guessing that i would have to buy a firmware kit.can someone let me know if this is the case as i will have to order one.thanx |
| Twyla Tylinski 18.08.2010 | If this means the VCI 100 can have near enough the jog wheel scratch sensitivity as the VCI 300 then I'm going to be all over this firmware. Unfortunately I'll have to wait until the weekend in order to upgrade. Can Ean and the crew perform the upgrade and report back as to me this sounds like front page news! I remember when every VCI 100 owner was pining for 1.4 firmware from Vestax/Ean and now it seems we may finally have our wish from DaveX (who needs more than a Nobel Peace Prize if he has vastly improved the VCI 100). I also believe a Youtube comparison video on 1.3 vs 1.3.onwards firmware needs to be done, so we can digitally hear and see the differences in pitch and jog wheel sensitivity. All in all, great work and I salute you, DaveX. |
| Jessika Kienast 18.08.2010 |
Originally Posted by Fatlimey
I'm definitely not a programmer so in layman's speak, would increasing the resolution of the pitch faders allow them a wider range of tempo changes or make them more sensitive in real world usage? I noticed that the current bpm changes are around + / - 0.10+ with each nudge. |
| Doug Bieling 18.08.2010 | Can we not switch back and forth between firmware versions with this one? If i install it and dont like it will i have to take it apart again and reinstall the old version to get the functionality i have now back? |
| robert chanda 18.08.2010 |
sometimes you do wonder at a poster's credibility when he / she has a virtually nil postcount or has a very recent joining date.
Nothing personal, DaveX and it seems that you've been most helpful and knowledgeable. Guess your work will give the VCI-100 a greater boost to what Ean and buddies have already done. Vestax should pay you guys!
The move to proprietory interface, HID-based controllers, however, is a different matter. Nasty for the homebrew world, bad for future proofing. There may well be more decompiling and hacking firmware in our futures. |
| Jessika Kienast 18.08.2010 | Now I'm silently cursing that I ordered my VCI-100 too soon. Had I been a month later, perhaps it could have come standard with DaveX's firmware installed.
I'll go ahead and ask the question. Is there any way this firmware can damage the VCI or render it inoperable? No offense DaveX, it's just that your first post to the community
is such a huge deal and almost seems to good to be true. And we all know that things that seem to good to be true usually aren't
Nothing personal, DaveX and it seems that you've been most helpful and knowledgeable. Guess your work will give the VCI-100 a greater boost to what Ean and buddies have already done. Vestax should pay you guys! |
| Leeanna Ayla 18.08.2010 | I'll go ahead and ask the question. Is there any way this firmware can damage the VCI or render it inoperable? No offense DaveX, it's just that your first post to the community is such a huge deal and almost seems to good to be true. And we all know that things that seem to good to be true usually aren't. |
| Jodi Lacerra 18.08.2010 |
Originally Posted by DaveX
And for those wondering, DJTT has been in communication with DaveX regarding firmware modifications. We're just so happily surprised that all our requests were implemented so quickly! Three cheers for DaveX. |
| Verla Jurgensmeyer 19.08.2010 | Ok, here is a new version of the firmware, this time I integrated almost all the requests I received. I still don't know if improving the jog wheel resolution really helps as I'm not into scratching, and I didn't get any feedback. It may be more sensitive to vibrations as it's more precise. That's why I included two different firmware files, one with improved jog wheel resolution and the other without. Enjoy! DaveX Features (new features since 1.3.2 are in bold)
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| Lilliana Perris 17.08.2010 | Holy shit! Sweeet!!! |
| Vernon Vanderberg 17.08.2010 | i fucking love you. good work man. |
| Charleen Duesenberg 17.08.2010 | Genius work.! |
| Corine Kasman 17.08.2010 | Don't forget to change the left Sync button to act like the right one!!!!!!!!! As soon as that is done I'm all over this like a rash. Bravo, Phil. P.S. e-mail me: philip @ djranking s.com, I'm sure I will need your info very soon ;-) |
| Reece Murray 17.08.2010 | Yeah, seriously breaking news. I'm no help with the firmware programming, but I'll definitely put it through the paces as soon as I get it flashed. While you're at it dude, a common complaint of the 1.3.0 firmware is that the "filter" knob coding (Lowest low on stock VCI) was originally intended for Traktor 3. As such, they send two 128 step CC messages - one for each side of 12 o'clock, and the center position note. If you can change that knob back to one CC message for the full rotation, you are legend. Brilliant about the enabling of the leds in the transport section! |
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