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Download latest Advance BETA release firmware v3.2.2

Download latest Advance release firmware v3.1.2

Instructions on how to install new firmware on the Advance

Advance SDCard Factory Content

v3.1.1 Release Notes:

This release has an important bugfixes for:

  • Update sample position limits on selection
  • Fix cut for selection to work consistently
  • Restore monitoring after sample audition
  • Fix key combos in usermanual

v3.1.0 Release Notes:

New Synth Instruments!

  • SID — a three voice chip synth based on an emulation of the sound chip from the Commodore 64. Both the 6581 and 8580 chip revisions are modelled. Each of the three voices has its own waveform, tuning, pulse width, ADSR and filter routing, plus oscillator hard sync and ring modulation between voices. All three voices play from a single tracker note, so you can build chords and detuned layers inside one instrument.
  • FM6 — a six operator FM synthesizer, in the spirit of a iconic 80s FM synth. The synth also comes with multiple banks of built-in presets kindly especially created for the Advance by "The Introvert" (https://theintrovert.net/) and can also import patches directly from standard Yamaha DX7 SysEx (.syx) bank files your sdcard. All six operators, the algorithm and the envelopes are fully editable on the device, with the patch algorithm shown graphically on screen.
  • StarLoom — a dual macro-oscillator synthesizer based on the famous Braids for exploring a wide range of digital sounds. Each oscillator picks from a large set of synthesis shapes (tonal, percussive and noise based), each with Timbre and Color controls. The two oscillators can be layered, ring modulated or subtracted from each other and a per-device Signature curve adds a subtle character unique to each Advance device!
  • PicoSwarm — a detuned multi-oscillator synth for those famous multi-saw style leads and pads, with a filter modelled on the original 90s synth hardware that inspired it.
  • Instrument auditioning for all audio instruments
  • Fine tuning in semitones and cents for SID
  • Commands now live on the Voice
  • New credits screen
  • [up] now used for filebrowser 
  • Configurable MIDI input channel mapping
  • Polyphonic MIDI input using multiple mapped song channels
  • MIDI Program Change support and per-channel default instruments
  • MIDI Note Off now respects instrument release envelopes
  • New playback indicators for MIDI input, sample previews, and audio tails
  • Autosave when powering off normally
  • Instrument-type letters are now shown for every instrument type
  • Original Sample instruments are hidden in new projects, while remaining available for older projects
  • Bugfixes

v3.0.1 Release Notes:

  • fix automation tables for new sampler instrument
  • fix sample instrument start,stop,loop,slice points being cleared after removing unused samples
  • fix issue that could prevent rebooting into Bootloader mode
  • fix instrument import not working
  • fix ui spacing on mixer screen

v3.0.0 Release Notes:

New Features

  • New Voice Architecture with envelopes, filters, LFOs, and configurable pre/post insert effects
  • New Sampler Instrument first instrument built on the new voice architecture, with waveform display for loop/slice point editing
  • USB Host Mode with control surface support for Akai APC Mini MK2 and Novation Launchpad Mini MK3
  • New Commands Random, Chance, and TLN (trigger/gate length)
  • Re-sampler resample a selection directly into the project sample pool
  • Tied note support for sampler and MIDI instruments (e.g., 303-style slides)
  • Instrument exports now include sample files

Key Improvements

  • Selected row rendering for mixdown and stems export choose exactly which rows and channels to render
  • Sample browsing and importing while the sequencer runs no more stopping playback to work with samples
  • MIDI input device configuration on the Device screen
  • Progress dialog during project save-as
  • Consistent UI polish across all screens Titlecase labels, refined voice screen layout, and cleaner dialogs

Bug Fixes

Includes fixes for:

  • Boot crash when SD card is missing
  • Crash when importing samples after previewing
  • Cut-and-paste between phrase columns
  • Double inputs on arrow button presses
  • MCH command incorrectly following set scale
  • Help text overwriting screen titles
  • ALT+PLAY playback control now works from all screens

v2.3.2 Release Notes:

  •  Fix showing correct firmware version on Device screen

v2.3.1 Release Notes:

  •  Fix swapped L/R display on master VU meter

v2.3.0 Release Notes:

Highlights of the release are:

  • New Slicer screen
  • New "universal" sample import feature
  • New back to parent dir key combo (EDIT+LEFT) in import file browser
  • New SID & OPAL screen layouts (thanks @n1LS !)
  • New no sdcard with key test screen on pico (thanks @n1LS !)
  • Improve SID ADSR handling (thanks @chrcav !)
  • No longer reboot device on project load
  • Use decimal for MIDI instrument name (thanks @jobf !)
  • many other new features and bucket loads of bug fixes.




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