preenfm Forum
PreenFM => preenfm2 and preenfm3 => Topic started by: ericd on November 27, 2020, 01:10:43 PM
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Encountering some issues tonight with FM3.
The set up is just 2 instruments loaded in slots 1 and 2.
Inst 1 has 4 voices, Inst 2 has 1 voice, Inst 3-6 turned to 0 voices.
Playing around with the Seq and with Arp on inst 1-2.
The MIDI is very simple, only sending notes from the Reface DX recorded into the sequencers (it doesn't send any cc)
So after a 4 bar sequence is recorded the Fm3 is basically playing itself.
Both Inst set to MIDI Ch1.
1- The screen will just go white/grey after a while. I can't find a consistent cause but it's happening every couple of minutes. The sound keeps playing (the seq and arps are running) until I disconnect the power.
EDIT- this one might be user error on my part: 2- when this happens, the Mix setting I was using won't load. So, l'm messing around, I save the Mix to Mix bank 1 mix00, keep messing around and the screen goes. Reboot, try to load from Mix Bank 1 mix00, and the unit becomes unresponsive. I guess the file gets corrupted at 1 above, and then the FM3 freezes when you try to load that file again.
That's all the details I can think to report but I can check anything you think is relevent.
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When the screen goes white, you can press MENU + INST-.
The preen will reset the TFT and everything should be fine. You won't lose any work.
But that's annoying if it happens often.
There are still some instabilities, i'm trying to investigate.
How is your preenfm3 powered ? Usb or DCin ?
If DCIn what is the number of mA it can provide.
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When the screen goes white, you can press MENU + INST-.
OK- easy.
How is your preenfm3 powered ? Usb or DCin ?
If DCIn what is the number of mA it can provide.
AC adaptor- It says output 9v---1.66A- is that the number you need?
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AC adaptor- It says output 9v---1.66A- is that the number you need?
Yes thanks. Your adaptor is OK.
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The 'lost/corrupt' mixer save file might have been user error on my part.
I'll redact that "fault" until I'm certain or others report the same issue.
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Can you let me know if the v0.98b firmware improves TFT stability ?
https://github.com/Ixox/preenfm3/releases/
Thanks
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0.98b.
Sorry Xavier- I really wanted to be able to report no or fewer problems, but there's no difference regarding TFT stability.
Just playing around with simple OP parameters, not even using the ARP or SEQ.
Seems to happen in any menu screen (I can't find a pattern to it).
Just MIDI notes via a keyboard on MIDI 5 pin. :(
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0.98b.
Sorry Xavier- I really wanted to be able to report no or fewer problems, but there's no difference regarding TFT stability.
Just playing around with simple OP parameters, not even using the ARP or SEQ.
Seems to happen in any menu screen (I can't find a pattern to it).
Just MIDI notes via a keyboard on MIDI 5 pin. :(
Aouch...Thanks for the feedback.
With v0.98, i could leave my 2 preenfm3 on whith Screen activity in the sequencer page during 2 hours without problem.
-> CPU/number of voices on screen + measure/beat + all 6 instrument level meter animated.
Do you know what volatge provides your AC/DC adaptor (by measuring it directly) ?
Some non-regulated adaptor provide more than the written 9V which could be a problem.
Can you try with USB power ?
(To know if that comes from the adaptor or the 9V->5V preenfm stage.)
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Do you know what volatge provides your AC/DC adaptor (by measuring it directly) ?
Some non-regulated adaptor provide more than the written 9V which could be a problem.
Can you try with USB power ?
(To know if that comes from the adaptor or the 9V->5V preenfm stage.)
Sorry I don't have a multimeter to measure the voltage.
I will try with different adaptors and USB power and report back.
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Power over USB (via a phone charger adaptor: 5v, 2A) seems solid. A good hour or so running with no TFT issues ;D
I can't find any other 9V centre positive AC adaptors in the house to test (plenty of centre negative, of course)....
Any one else having TFT display problems with DC power?
Anyway, I'll just stick with the phone charger for now!
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Power over USB (via a phone charger adaptor: 5v, 2A) seems solid. A good hour or so running with no TFT issues ;D
Nice. That helps.
Thanks for testing.
Now i have to understand what happens with your adaptor.
Can be noise, or too high voltage which make the preenfm3 5v convertor too hot and unstable ?
(Maybe adding a heat sink on the 7805 would work : like heat sink for raspberry pi )
I can't find any other 9V centre positive AC adaptors in the house to test (plenty of centre negative, of course)....
That often help ;)
https://www.thomann.de/fr/rockboard_power_ace_polarity_converter.htm
Any one else having TFT display problems with DC power?
I'd like to know that too.
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No TFT problems for me with DC power.
I’ve been having quite a few total lock-ups though (specifically with one or two midi sequences, loaded into ableton and playing over din midi). Not seen any issues other than on those two files.
I have just setup stm32cube and plan on looking into it over the next weekend (I’ve got a few stlinks lying around so will probably set one up on my preenfm3 and see what I can find. If I can characterise the bugs better I’ll submut an issue on GitHub....
(I’m presuming all I need is stm32cube ide to build the fw - I normally use the arm toolchain directly from the command line but looking at the dot files on github, I am assuming it is stm32cube h7)
By the way - how many PreenFM3s are there in the wild now ?
I love the ui on the fm3 by the way !
(I also built an FM2 at the same time as I heeded the warnings about fm3 fw stability ! I’m very confident it will be amazing very soon !)
(http://www.zen159313.zen.co.uk/guitar/modular/images/727-modular_preenfm3.jpg)
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Nice build, nice pictures :)
No TFT problems for me with DC power.
OK thanks for the feedback.
Can you share the exact reference of your TFT ? Or a link where you bought it ?
Yes, stm32CubeIde worked fine for me during the preenfm3 development. Debugging directly inside Eclipse is really nice.
You only need a ST link (4 SWD pins) and use the debug configurations that should be in github. Required stm32CubH7 files are already in the pfm3 git repo.
Open a new topic for "pfm3 development/debuging" if you have any question.
I have "ableton live 10", so if you have a small project to share that the pfm3 does not like, that would be great.
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Thanks Xavier
TFT:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QS6BCGK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I’ll dig up the midi project and strip it down to what fails - I’ll test with 0.98b first so I dont waste your time though !
I’ll try to find time tonight to see if I can build a debug version (I’ve used openocd/gdb for debugging stm32 before so will give eclipse a go !! It’s many years since I’ve used it !)
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Re: power supplies- should we be using 7.5-9v dc with at least 1A (1000mA)? Any other specs to look for?
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Re: power supplies- should we be using 7.5-9v dc with at least 1A (1000mA)? Any other specs to look for?
+ "centre positive" as you wrote above.
Not sure 7.5v is enough as the current go trough 2 diodes (-0.8V each) before the 5V comverter (7805 : that requires more than 6v on its input to deliver 0.3A).
I'll make specific voltage test this week.
Update :
While working (from home), i have a preenfm3 animated screen always on to make some tests (add capacitors, heat sink on the 7805 etc...).
I have some situations where the screen goes white but rarely before one hour or so of heavy animation, so testing takes a long time.
One workaround that seems to work well is a firmware fix. It detects when the TFT does not respond and reinit it (which does not impact the audio/midi threads).
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@ericd I made some tests, 7.5v is not enough.
With 7.5v as is, the pfm3 will turn on and makes sounds, but the whole circuit is powered by only 4.2v (instead of 5v).
It's possible everything works find except a slighty lower output volume, but i didn't make any long test at this voltage.
If you want to use a 7.5v power supply it's better to shortcut one of the 2 diodes, that are left and right of the dcIn jumper. Then it will be fine.
I'd be interested to know how is your TFT with the latest v0.99 firmware.
And if you saw any improvement with a new power supply.
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Hi Xavier
I have just stuck with using the phone charger to power the Preen over USB as it works perfectly.
I did pick up a polarity converter though, so I can try a couple of different 9V supplies and report back.
Sorry if I caused any confusion by mentioning 7.5V. The only reason I mentioned this is that the metal case (used by Ardi in his build) has printed above the power supply "7.5-9V DC". I'll ignore the "7.5V" part of that and just use 9V adaptors.
Thanks for the update too!
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0.99B
Just tested for 45 minutes with a different adaptor. It's centre negative but I used the polarity converter.
The 9V adaptor specs say:
INPUT 100-240V- 50/60Hz 0.3A
OUTPUT 9.0V=1.0A
Zero TFT inits! ;D
I'll run the test later too.
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Zero TFT inits! ;D
Good news ! :)
Thanks for the feedback.
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Ran the full 'TFT stress test' that you made as per the wiki.
Using the same 9v adaptor, again got the magic number 0.
Awesome work Xavier, troubleshooter extraordinaire! 8)
UPDATE: had a longer session last night, about 3 hours. During that time the TFT blanked 3 times,
The auto re-init worked twice, I had to do Menu Inst- button press for one.
EDIT- this part is incorrect after further testing (see below): each time was when I was in the Preset load screen.
Still a vast improvement over what I was getting previously. All the same I think I'll just go back to the USB phone charger as I can't see any benefit to using a 9V adaptor?
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In my experience.
The best power for audio equipment comes from transformer based linear DC adaptor.
Switching adaptors also work and they work well. But if you have some issues with the unit the best refference to exclude power issues is a good transformer based linear power adaptor.
The good thing with transformer is the ground isolation. The best part of the linear regulator is low noise. You only need to convert 50Hz AC to flat DC and regulate it, the parts that are needed are simple and effective.
I dont usually use linear regulated poweradaptor. I use switching adaptors. But I always use it for refference if I have some strange issues. It helps to remove possible power issues from the eqasion.
USB power is always very problematic. And should be used as the very last resort.
You got your Preen from me assembled I believe. Let me swap it for you. I got a new patch of TFT screens that are very stable. Maybe it helps to swap it. I will take care of the back and forward shipping and it will go quick. A week to get it back.
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Helpful as always, thanks @served
I have emailed you about this to discuss further.
Just had 5 TFT crashes in an hour so it is still an issue. And ignore what I said about only happening on the Preset loading screen- it's happening in editing screens now too.
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hello Xavier,
i have a question about the TFT :
i ordered a model with the Q1 transistor, but the one i received today does not have it :(
it should work, as @forestcaver use one of this kind, but should i get another one ? how bad is that ?
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hello Xavier,
i have a question about the TFT :
i ordered a model with the Q1 transistor, but the one i received today does not have it :(
it should work, as @forestcaver use one of this kind, but should i get another one ? how bad is that ?
Hi,
All my TFTs work fine today with latest firmware, i have some without the transistor.
The only problem when there's no transistor is that the TFT backlight LEDs are powered directly from a GPIO of the STM32 which may limit the brightness.
Let me know if you notice any dysfunction.
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ok,
thank you !