FM3 Screen 'crash' and mix saves (0.97b)

[ericd]

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.

[Xavier]

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.

[ericd]

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?

[Xavier]

AC adaptor- It says output 9v---1.66A- is that the number you need?

Yes thanks. Your adaptor is OK.

[ericd]

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.

[Xavier]

Can you let me know if the v0.98b firmware improves TFT stability ?
https://github.com/Ixox/preenfm3/releases/

Thanks

[ericd]

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. 

[Xavier]

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.)

[ericd]

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.

[ericd]

Power over USB (via a phone charger adaptor: 5v, 2A) seems solid. A good hour or so running with no TFT issues 

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!

[Xavier]

Power over USB (via a phone charger adaptor: 5v, 2A) seems solid. A good hour or so running with no TFT issues 

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.

[forestcaver]

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 !)

[Xavier]

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.

[forestcaver]

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 !)

[ericd]

Re: power supplies- should we be using 7.5-9v dc with at least 1A (1000mA)? Any other specs to look for?