Author Topic: VolcaFM as development platform for PreenFM  (Read 3103 times)

zelea2

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VolcaFM as development platform for PreenFM
« on: January 16, 2018, 08:48:33 AM »
I am in the process of adding note velocity on my VolcaFM and while I was reversing the schematics I couldn't stop noticing similarities with a PreenFM2.
MIDI Keys Velocity for Korg VolcaFM

Both devices use an ARM Cortex-M4 so the PreenFM2 firmware could be ported (in theory) to a VolcaFM. Of course the original code will be lost
forever. The Volca uses a companion processor to read the touch keys and the protocol could be quickly reversed by hooking a logic analyzer on the SPI connector. The Volca doesn't have a nice screen, only a 9x7-segment display and neither it has the USB connectivity or pen drive interface. Instead is has a stereo 24-bit DAC.

What do you think; is it worth the effort to port this firmware to a Volca?
The Volca's firmware can be updated via an audio file played from the computer. I'll have a look in the future to see if that can be reversed so we could save the original firmware. Or maybe they've forgotten to fuse protect their Spansion FM4 processor.

Xavier

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Re: VolcaFM as development platform for PreenFM
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2018, 08:54:13 AM »

Hi,

Only the audio engine of the preenfm2 firmware could be used.
You'll have to rewrite the code for the surface control, the audio output, the storage, the display, the midi.

But i would love to see that :)

Xavier