OG novation circuit, they added so many features after the release. It was the blueprint how companies should interact with their users. Too bad they lost that touch after the release of the new circuits.
Roland toke over that interaction releasing awesome firmware updates voor de mc101, Verselab and 404 mk2. Still hoping for patch editing on the Verselab.
2 Likes
re5et
44
One of the biggest I remember was an early digitakt firmware that allowed it to send a midi note and not crash
They’ve made up for it since - in huge ways.
2 Likes
I’m looking forward to remembering the day digitone gets that epic fw update which faith tells me is coming.
Also, and this is extremely niche, but my midisid recently got full midi cc implementation and fixed a condition where it always responded to all midi channels (what a headache) but now it will respond to a single channel thus can be used with other gear.
Other than that I think people already brought up most of the important ones!
4 Likes
Octatrack TRC’s was a big one, especially so being as they previously stated it wouldn’t be possible
2 Likes
4Litre
48
Sonicware SmplTrk has seen several masssive jumps in functionality from launch date to current version 3 firmware.
ZAQUENCER would be amazing even if it were its own standalone device. That he managed to make it by retrofitting into an existing device without open hardware/software is that much more impressive. It’s elegant and so powerful. It has those “meta-sequencing” features whereby the sequencer can be controlled via its own sequencer tracks … and the way it uses the BCR LEDs is so cool.
Also wanted to give a shout-out to the open-source LinnStrument firmware. The step sequencer added in 2.0+ is so cool.
Bob Grieb’s aftermarket firmware for Oberheim Matrix-6/6R/1000 is also very impressive.
I’m a fan of any firmware update which fixes a bug I’ve experienced. Usually that’s more satisfying than new features. It’s nice when existing features are made to work properly. 
I know they’re not so fondly looked upon now due to manufacturing and warping issues, but the firmware update that added sampling to the OP-Z was a big deal for a hot minute.
The Deluge - Even before the firmware was opened, it had some good updates
My two favourite few updates are Dirtywave M8 3.0 and the last (maybe couple) OT updates, which really put the cherry on what was already a good package of features…
The 404 updates have been impressive. I don’t own it anymore, but I can see how find the 404 update would be.
The Machinedrum unofficial X updates has been impressive.
The most unfulfilled for me was the Maschine. It started off with some good updates, but then it took absolutely ages for them to implement promised updates. I have used mine in years now, but I don’t think they’ve done much further substantial updates (?)
I’m not sure how feasible it is on most samplers, but I’d love them to adopt the stem separation feature that recent released on the MPC. That’s the stuff of dreams for sample users. I look over at that feature enviously!
1 Like
It is. And what’s even more cool is that he made a TX16W emulator VST running his original OS. And it’s free.
3 Likes
Leptic
53
+1 for the circuit & it is not a bad thing they update the hardware after the evolution of the firmware
I agree that the winner is the MPC 1000 with the jjos, never seen before
Oh wow—I didn’t know who it was or that he’d put this out…fantastic
OP-1 getting auto X fade on tape loops was a game changer.
1 Like
Elek4
57
I agree the Circuit update made it the device that people wanted.
Plus 1 for DT songmode and A4 polyphony
Also:
- Adding Vintage Mode to OB-6 and Prophet 6
- User sample loading for Wavestate
- Various treats for Novation Peak (more LFOs, more wavetables, FX improvements, etc.)
-
Edit: How could I forget the Waldorf M? Firmware added an entire digital filter with exotic options and filter FM; also the ability to load samples (within limits).
lowph
59
The one with slide trigs, right? 
3 Likes
give me midi arp and I’m pretty happy.
2 Likes
lowph
61
From my perspective, the Digitakt 1.50 update was the one where I saw the most collective euphoria online. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t paying attention to other big updates in history, or maybe it was truly one of the updates with the largest impact… I don’t know, but people were so stoked about it on this forum, on YouTube, on other forums. It was pretty fun to watch. I was also very pleased with the new features, of course.
2 Likes
