Vci-100 1.4 (hd) firmware upgrade

[the shmobletons]

TSI used to reflect overlay?

All the buttons output the same MIDI messages as the original release, yeah? If I want the high-resolution features but my own custom mapping, do you expect things to go awry?




Change MIDI Channel?

I use 2x VCI-100s with Traktor for independant control of the four decks. When I turn on the second unit, I hold down (what is marked on the overlay as) 'FX Preset 1' to swap into MIDI Channel 2 to avoid conflicts. Is this functionality still available?




Traktor Controller Manager.

I know I can try this for myself, but I figure someone else may know.

If you have two devices that output the same MIDI messages, does the current incarnation of controller options in Traktor handle this? I recall having seen something somewhere *sighs* that suggests this but not sure how what is done.

I figure if there is no longer a second MIDI Channel available this might resolve my problems, but not the preferred option in case I want to use my units simultaneously with different software.

there is no need to boot the second vci into ch2. traktor can handle identical controllers on the same channel no problem (2 vci's for example) its all in the controller manager. just make sure you route each vci into separate ports using the in-port/out-port drop down boxes. super simple

[Johbremat]

@Chilly: try the disco mode easter egg?



@the shmobletons: cheers for the feedback. That said, if anyone can answer the question relating to the second MIDI channel being available, it'd be appreciated.

[photojojo]

Maybe I missed this...but how can someone like me (with an arcade modded vci100) check to ensure the 1.4 took properly?

@Chilly: try the disco mode easter egg?

Disco mode will be hard to get into since it's dependent on the led's in the buttons that used to be where the arcade buttons are now.

The only thing I can think of now is to boot into test mode. There may be another way, but it's early here and I've only had one cup of coffee

Did you know that there's a factory test mode hidden in every VCI ? It's used in the factory to test all the buttons, faders, knobs and LEDs.

With 1.4 firmware: While your VCI is off, hold RIGHT ECHO+PLAY buttons (VCI-100SE mapping) and turn it on.

With previous firmwares: While your VCI is off, hold LEFT ECHO+PLAY buttons (VCI-100SE mapping) and turn it on.

You'll have to cycle through the arcade buttons with no LED feedback starting left to right, but once you get past those the rest of the VCI should finish the test cycle as normal until you test your faders and rotaries. They rely on the missing led's as well.

[blancodisco]

Just wanted to add to the list of another successful 1.4 'hd' upgrades on the VCI-100. Had a 1.3 SE.

I used an old desktop PC that had an old school Serial com port.
I received my firmware upgrade kit last week and realized i never had a proper serial cable. So I found one on E-Bay on Saturday and it actually arrived Monday (Minnesota to NYC) 1st class mail! Did the upgrade simply following the 'how to video' and voila! It's the male to female type of serial cable. I think the longest step was installing the Firmware PC software Renesas.

Definitely feeling the finer pitch moves in the faders and jogs.
Time to go mix for a bit.

Thanks again Dave X and DJ Tech Tools Kru.

[ricoot]

I'm about to do the firmware upgrade but... i got a question.
I just got my arcade buttons in, haven't soldered it yet so i got a bunch of loose wires hanging around.

Before i scre every single screw back, can i turn on the vci for the upgrade or will the whole thing explode because of the loose wires?
I also want to check if the thing still works now i'm re assembling (except for the arcade buttons)

[Chilly]

Disco mode will be hard to get into since it's dependent on the led's in the buttons that used to be where the arcade buttons are now.

The only thing I can think of now is to boot into test mode. There may be another way, but it's early here and I've only had one cup of coffee



You'll have to cycle through the arcade buttons with no LED feedback starting left to right, but once you get past those the rest of the VCI should finish the test cycle as normal until you test your faders and rotaries. They rely on the missing led's as well.

Thx man...I tried getting into Test Mode, but not sure what I'm looking for (in terms of behavior) of the VCI once I'm in there.

Seems like a silly problem! lol

[fullenglishpint]

Thx man...I tried getting into Test Mode, but not sure what I'm looking for (in terms of behavior) of the VCI once I'm in there.

Seems like a silly problem! lol

hold the left hand echo and play buttons as you turn the VCI on. With a standard unit the bottom left blue LED would now be on but with arcade buttons there is of course no LED output, so press the left hand transport buttons in order left to right (slice - echo - cue - play) then the same with the right deck. the top left LED should now light up and as you press that one the one below it lights up and so on across the rest of the VCI.

When all LEDs have been tested it enters fader test mode, testing faders and knobs in turn starting with the x-fader but this uses the transport LEDs again so you wouldn't be able to use that feature with arcade buttons.

hope that helps!

[photojojo]

This is the location of those buttons in case you have a custom layout.

[blancodisco]

OK so the Key modify (Shift + Filter knob) does work, but it's very sensitive.

Hold Shift and turn the Filter knob veeeery slowly to the left or right. You'll see that it will eventually start moving in one direction or the other.

My only gripe with it is that when you set the knob back to the upright position, it turns Key lock off.
I like to keep my songs locked in key regardless of tempo. I'm sure there's a way to stop the TSI from doing that, but i'm not sure where to start.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I just made a modification to the TSI file where I simply 'deleted' the control with the comment of 'Key Control Off: Shift + Filter Knob {FW 1.4}' for each Deck. It seems to fix the issue above for me anyway.

The other greater bonus here is the Going Down in Key (twisting knob left) for each deck works now. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out yet is when you get to the furthest Left Position (where the Indicator on the knob would show '-12.00' the Key 'on/off' led in Traktor Pro Software) the light changes from being lit from 'on' to 'off' (key function is turned on, goes to off), but as soon as you rotate the knob right again to raise the Key up, the Key light indicator turns back on again. So I guess be wary if you are doing a lot of Full Octave Down Key Changes. Other than that, this appears to fix the Key movement going downward for the 1.4 firmware posse.


Anyway else care to give this a try to confirm on their end or there is no other negative effect?

[fullenglishpint]

After a quick test I've had exactly the same results as you, initially the knob wouldn't work when turned quickly to the left but after turning it once slowly this seemed to be fixed. It turned key lock off at the far left of the movement as well.

I don't often use the key function but it does need a proper fix, hopefully the DJTT guys will sort it out before long!