FAS : Firmware Acquisition Syndrome
5 Likes
Ultimately I think certain firmwares will become mainstays, personally I have no interest in endlessly changing, just pick the one(s) with workflow and features that suit me.
1 Like
SMK 37
1 Like
I’ve bought one purely to run x0x (thanks @charlesv ) and enjoy the simple pleasures of an 808, 909 and two 303s. Plus it’s a lot more tactile and immediate than firing up my Titanium PowerBook G4 running Rebirth on MacOS 9.2…
7 Likes
All the synthesis engines on the felucca firmware look interesting, but I thought I read that the Dexed had been stripped out and replaced with 4 op. FM. I’m having trouble keeping up. Is there a felucca or derivative which offers some of the mutable instruments algorithms and six op. FM?
MVAVE customisable software…
https://open.m-vave.com/fm1-workbench
EDIT : I couldn’t install it after installing OG V15…
4 Likes
So far, this has become my favorite, too. Finally, Rebirth in a box.
1 Like
Exactly … once mine comes in, I plan on spending a few days playing around, then committing to just one or two firmwares that most fit my style, then “get gud”.
It would tickle me to no end to find the right firmware where I could pull off a set of killer dance music with nothing but a $45 (+ shipping) budget box. 
9 Likes
This firmware looks great. Will be trying this one today
Thanks
1 Like
it’s not for everyone. but if you like ambient music, you definitely should!
Yeah it sounds excellent from reading the blurb
Ticks a lot of boxes
I haven’t checked out Jaint (and have generally failed to keep up with firmware developments) but I’ll try that one next, thanks.
It is kind of a shame that it seems like nobody cares about the factory FM1 experience any more because it is genuinely amazing for the price, and now it’ll go down in history as ground zero for firmware anarchy rather than a great little instrument in its own right.
It’s notable that the original Baudgirl firmware that kicked this all off might be the most useful one for actually making music with the thing - keep the original FM focus, make the programming workflow better, fix the detune issue, improve the sequencer and add a simple VA engine. It’s really a optimisation of the FM1 concept rather than a totally different concept shoehorned into that box.
10 Likes
This is especially true if one considers part of the factory experience to include the new open firmware from M-VAVE. They basically said, “Oh, you like grooveboxes with more synth engines and other functionality? Here’s your new baseline. Enjoy!”
I see a possible near-future world where the unit actually SHIPS with the new open firmware.
However, I find it interesting that even with its original launch firmware as mostly just a DX-7 compatible FM synth, the unit’s physical controls are more open like a groovebox, and with a lot of flexibility for creating mappings that are intuitive for a variety of functions.
It doesn’t feel so much like shoehorning to me when the box’s mostly agnostic physical controls lend themselves to more broad applications.
M-VAVE might have had plans themselves for expanding the firmware over time. Its design would seem to suggest so. The user community beat them to the punch and they just rolled with it because they’re selling units like CRAZY.
Pandora’s box is open. The toothpaste is out of the tube. Insert whatever metaphor you like here.
I personally had no interest in a DX-7 type FM synth, at ANY price. However, this little custom firmware explosion sold me. I might even order a second one.
2 Likes
I still don’t get exactly who or what mvave is. I just saw the Mvave smc mixer being sold by SubZero under their branding here in the UK?
This looks good
1 Like
JIANT FM V0.99
USB audio recording…
2 Likes