[solved] PreenFM2 r6 no boot after build

[Blaise]

Hi !

I just finished my preenfm2 r6 build from van daal electronics, and when i power it, it does nothing. No audio, not even noises or cracks, and the OLED stays black.

Latest beta version : 2.20b1

If you have a PCB R6 SMD, you need this version to get any sound out of the preenfm2.
If you flash the PCB for the first time, please follow the steps here :
https://github.com/Ixox/preenfm2/tree/master/flash
And use the dfu file attached to the release.

Do I need to do this or is my PCB already flashed to the latest version ?

Cant wait to hear the synth
Ty

[Xavier]

Hi,

2 possibilities.
1. You put a jumper on Boot0 on the PCB
2. The firmware is not flashed

If the answer to 1 is "No", so you have to follow the steps you mentioned to flash bootlaoder and firmware.
But don't use 2.20b1. It was the first one that support the new DAC, use 2.21 instead :
https://github.com/Ixox/preenfm2/releases

[Blaise]

Ok so now every cell in the screen is lit when i power it normally, but if I hold a button i can access bootloader v1.11.

I guess next step is to install the firmware ?

I've been following these instructions : http://ixox.fr/preenfm2/preenfm/upgrade-firmware/

On my USB key there's a single folder called "pfm2" with DX7, scala folders and some .bnk files. And also a p2_2.12.bin file.
But when i press the flash button in bootloader mode it doesnt show any option.
Also i cant see my usb stick after pressing ENG in bootloader mode

As you mentioned the latest firmware is 2.21, i've downloaded the pfm2_2.21.zip from your github and copied it at the root of my USB key, but pressing flash still doesnt show any files on the synth.

Thank you for your time

[matrix12x]

Sounds like a USB stick issue. You may want to try a different USB stick.

[Blaise]

Just to be sure i updated to bootloader 1.13 from the version 2.20 folder, and i tried to install firmware v2.21 with a different USB stick. It looks like it worked, but not totally.

Now when i power the synth normally it doesnt boot. I have to start it in bootloader mode, press the flash button, screen says "no /pfm2 folder, rebooting" and after reboot it works perfectly.
Also it looks like the synth is running 2.20, but im sure i put the p2_2.21.bin file in the /pfm2 folder on the USB key.

[Xavier]

Cool. Flashing the bootloader is more diffult part.

Also it looks like the synth is running 2.20, but im sure i put the p2_2.21.bin file in the /pfm2 folder on the USB key.

Firmware is not executed from the USB key, you have to flash it from the USB key to the preenfm MCU.
See (2) here :
http://ixox.fr/preenfm2/preenfm/upgrade-firmware/

[Blaise]

Hi Thank you for your help !

Okay so yesterday i bought a new USB key, then everything was working as expected.
My synth is now running v2.21 and everything works fine

I just have 2 little problems left :

- There's a lot of noise on the synth, but im powering it via USB so i guess maybe using an external power supply will get rid of that.
- It looks like i cant control the synth via midi IN cable. Is it supposed to work as soon as I plug something in ? I tried with an MPC One (MPC midi out to preenfm midi in), an electric piano (piano midi out to preen midi in) and via the midi OUT on a USB audio interface. Tried loading a combo on the preen then tried to send commands on channel 1/2/3/4 with external gear via the midi din cable. I expected to hear instruments 1/2/3/4 but nothing worked.

Hardware-wise, i've never soldered a midi cable before so maybe I missed something, but i've soldered IN 4/5 on the board to pins 4/5 of the midi IN connector, and pins OUT 4/5 on the board to the pins 4/5 of the midi OUT connector.

Almost there !

And again thank you really much for your help !

[Xavier]

Thanks for the update.

Yes use a 9v DC in power supply to get rid of the noise.
Or find a good dedicated USB wall adapter.
Powering it from a computer is the worst.

You can define the midi channel in the Menu>Tools>Set.
Default is 1/2/3/4 for instrument 1/2/3/4.

And yes it should work immediatly.
You may have inversed pins 4/5 on the midi socket, double check that.

[Blaise]

Ok so i inverted the pins on the midi connectors and everything works fine.
And I also got rid of the noise by finding a good USB adapter and using midi to control the synth.

Merci Xavier Et bravo pour le synthé, c'est une super machine.
Honnêtement je savais pas qu'il fallait flasher le soft dessus, d'ou le dérangement (et merci pour ta réactivité d'ailleurs , mais à postériori je dirais que c'était vraiment pas très compliqué. Le kit R6 est vraiment simple à monter pour une machine de cette qualité. Belle itération. Franchement bravo.

[Xavier]

Ok so i inverted the pins on the midi connectors and everything works fine.
And I also got rid of the noise by finding a good USB adapter and using midi to control the synth.

Merci Xavier Et bravo pour le synthé, c'est une super machine.
Honnêtement je savais pas qu'il fallait flasher le soft dessus, d'ou le dérangement (et merci pour ta réactivité d'ailleurs , mais à postériori je dirais que c'était vraiment pas très compliqué. Le kit R6 est vraiment simple à monter pour une machine de cette qualité. Belle itération. Franchement bravo.

Cool thanks for the update  and thanks for the nice words