X0X

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · Screen reader: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-reader/ · What's new: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.1.0

• X0X works with a screen reader. Plug the FM-1 into a computer and open the FM-1 Screen Reader in Chrome or Edge. It reads out what the screen shows: each page and its knobs, a knob's value as you turn it, list rows with their place ("clock out on, 1 of 20"), help cards, questions, steps you put on or off, play and stop, and every message, in words ("bass drum tune 37", not "BD TUNE 37").
• The page speaks with its own voice (eSpeak NG, running in the page; speed and pitch to taste) or passes the words to your own screen reader (VoiceOver, NVDA, JAWS, TalkBack). Press W to hear the whole screen again. Warnings, like MEMORY FULL, are always heard to the end.
• The FM-1 says nothing until the page connects, so a DAW on the same cable never sees it. The words come from a small file on this site that matches this version exactly; the support costs X0X 2.3 KB.
• Other FM-1 firmwares can add the same support: see fm1-reader.

Everything in 1.0.9 is included: https://github.com/charlesvestal/fm1-x0x/releases/tag/v1.0.9

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · Back up your project: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/backup/ · What's new: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.9

• A new backup page saves your project to a file and puts it back, so you can keep several projects or try another firmware and come back (#11). The FM-1 asks before a restore replaces anything. Break loops aren't included; load them again from their WAVs. From the command line: tools/x0x_backup.py.
• The break has a filter (#14). Press EDIT on the break and turn SELECT to SOUND. Turn FILTER left for a low-pass and right for a high-pass; the middle is off. A high-pass leaves a loop's hats under your own kick and snare.
• X0X runs the processor at 1.38 / 1.60V, the voltages M-VAVE's own firmware uses (#10, #21). Some FM-1s crashed with both cores at the lower voltages custom firmware inherited. GLO > PERFORMANCE shows them. Thanks @fc79 for reading the stock firmware.
• After a crash, GLO > PERFORMANCE keeps its numbers in red until you switch off, so you can photograph them (#17).
• A save cut off by switching off loads the save before it, instead of an empty project.

New in 1.0.8

• Hold ENV and turn a knob to put it back to its default (#19). Thanks @SynthGal
• In safe mode, hold OCT- and OCT+ for 5 seconds to reach the update mode (#20).
• GLO > 2ND CORE says AT THE NEXT POWER-ON when you change it.

New in 1.0.7

• GLO > 2ND CORE turns the second core on or off from the next start (#21). It's on by default. If X0X crashes with both cores running, it turns the second core off by itself and carries on with one. After a crash while starting, it starts on one core, once.
• X0X raises one of the processor's supplies from 1.40V to 1.50V when it starts (#10). At 1.40V, some FM-1s misread their memory when both cores are busy, and crash. (1.0.9 goes to the stock 1.60V.)

Thanks @zednaked and @fc79 for measuring your FM-1s, and Jangada and Melodee for their findings.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · Back up your project: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/backup/ · What's new: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.8

• Hold ENV and turn a knob to put it back to its default (#19). Thanks @SynthGal
• In safe mode, hold OCT- and OCT+ for 5 seconds to reach the update mode (#20).
• GLO > 2ND CORE says AT THE NEXT POWER-ON when you change it.

New in 1.0.7

• GLO > 2ND CORE turns the second core on or off from the next start (#21). It's on by default. If X0X crashes with both cores running, it turns the second core off by itself and carries on with one. After a crash while starting, it starts on one core, once.
• X0X raises one of the processor's supplies from 1.40V to 1.50V when it starts (#10). At 1.40V, some FM-1s misread their memory when both cores are busy, and crash. (1.0.9 goes to the stock 1.60V.)

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · Back up your project: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/backup/ · What's new: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.7

• GLO > 2ND CORE turns the second core on or off from the next start (#21). It's on by default. If X0X crashes with both cores running, it turns the second core off by itself and carries on with one. After a crash while starting, it starts on one core, once.
• X0X raises one of the processor's supplies from 1.40V to 1.50V when it starts (#10). At 1.40V, some FM-1s misread their memory when both cores are busy, and crash. (1.0.9 goes to the stock 1.60V.)

Thanks @zednaked and @fc79 for measuring your FM-1s, and Jangada and Melodee for their findings.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.6

• The 303s have free play. Press SEQ, turn SELECT to the KEYS page and set FREE PLAY to ON. The keys play the 303 on every 303 screen without writing anything, so you can try lines and shape the sound first; REC still records.
• The song plays from the SONG screen. Press PLAY there and the song plays from the selected bar, and keeps playing wherever you go. PLAY anywhere else plays the patterns. The MODE setting is gone.
• Set GLO > USB AUDIO to FULL to keep USB audio at full level whatever the MASTER knob says, so you can record over the cable with the speaker turned down (#12). FOLLOWS KNOB is the default and works as before.
• GLO is in sections: MIDI, AUDIO, KEYS AND SCREEN, PROJECT, SYSTEM.

New in 1.0.5

• X0X checks the second processor core more sharply (#10). On an FM-1 whose second core misreads, it now also catches the one misread 1.0.4 could miss (one that looked like the next job), and carries on with one core. Nothing changes on an FM-1 whose cores both work. The check word is Melodee's (keremimo/melodee#21).

New in 1.0.4

• On FM-1s whose second processor core doesn't work reliably (#10), X0X notices and carries on with one core, instead of clicking or stopping in the middle of an update. GLO > PERFORMANCE says 2 CORES, or 1 CORE: BAD READS on such a unit. Thanks @zednaked (Jangada) for the measurements and the fixes, and Melodee for the second core's guards.
• A crash on the second core no longer freezes the FM-1.

New in 1.0.3

• GLO > BATTERY shows the battery's charge: FULL, 2/3, 1/3 or EMPTY, or USB POWER while a computer powers the FM-1.

New in 1.0.2

• Probability cycles count from the first pass again when the 909 changes pattern, as the other parts already did. Switch patterns and a 1:4 step plays on the new pattern's first bar.

New in 1.0.1

• A step's probability can be a cycle. Hold a step and turn SELECT down past 5% for 1:2, 2:2, 1:3 … 8:8. A step at 1:4 plays on the first of every four passes of its pattern, 2:4 on the second.

Everything in 1.0

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.5

• X0X checks the second processor core more sharply (#10). On an FM-1 whose second core misreads, it now also catches the one misread 1.0.4 could miss (one that looked like the next job), and carries on with one core. Nothing changes on an FM-1 whose cores both work. The check word is Melodee's (keremimo/melodee#21).

New in 1.0.4

• On FM-1s whose second processor core doesn't work reliably (#10), X0X notices and carries on with one core, instead of clicking or stopping in the middle of an update. GLO > PERFORMANCE says 2 CORES, or 1 CORE: BAD READS on such a unit. Thanks @zednaked (Jangada) for the measurements and the fixes, and Melodee for the second core's guards.
• A crash on the second core no longer freezes the FM-1.

New in 1.0.3

• GLO > BATTERY shows the battery's charge: FULL, 2/3, 1/3 or EMPTY, or USB POWER while a computer powers the FM-1.

New in 1.0.2

• Probability cycles count from the first pass again when the 909 changes pattern, as the other parts already did. Switch patterns and a 1:4 step plays on the new pattern's first bar.

New in 1.0.1

• A step's probability can be a cycle. Hold a step and turn SELECT down past 5% for 1:2, 2:2, 1:3 … 8:8. A step at 1:4 plays on the first of every four passes of its pattern, 2:4 on the second.

Everything in 1.0

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.4

• On FM-1s whose second processor core doesn't work reliably (#10), X0X notices and carries on with one core, instead of clicking or stopping in the middle of an update. GLO > PERFORMANCE says 2 CORES, or 1 CORE: BAD READS on such a unit. Thanks @zednaked (Jangada) for the measurements and the fixes, and Melodee for the second core's guards.
• A crash on the second core no longer freezes the FM-1.

New in 1.0.3

• GLO > BATTERY shows the battery's charge: FULL, 2/3, 1/3 or EMPTY, or USB POWER while a computer powers the FM-1.

New in 1.0.2

• Probability cycles count from the first pass again when the 909 changes pattern, as the other parts already did. Switch patterns and a 1:4 step plays on the new pattern's first bar.

New in 1.0.1

• A step's probability can be a cycle. Hold a step and turn SELECT down past 5% for 1:2, 2:2, 1:3 … 8:8. A step at 1:4 plays on the first of every four passes of its pattern, 2:4 on the second.

Everything in 1.0

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.3

• GLO > BATTERY shows the battery's charge: FULL, 2/3, 1/3 or EMPTY, or USB POWER while a computer powers the FM-1.

New in 1.0.2

• Probability cycles count from the first pass again when the 909 changes pattern, as the other parts already did. Switch patterns and a 1:4 step plays on the new pattern's first bar.

New in 1.0.1

• A step's probability can be a cycle. Hold a step and turn SELECT down past 5% for 1:2, 2:2, 1:3 … 8:8. A step at 1:4 plays on the first of every four passes of its pattern, 2:4 on the second.

Everything in 1.0

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.2

• Probability cycles count from the first pass again when the 909 changes pattern, as the other parts already did. Switch patterns and a 1:4 step plays on the new pattern's first bar.

New in 1.0.1

• A step's probability can be a cycle. Hold a step and turn SELECT down past 5% for 1:2, 2:2, 1:3 … 8:8. A step at 1:4 plays on the first of every four passes of its pattern, 2:4 on the second.

Everything in 1.0

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

New in 1.0.1

• A step's probability can be a cycle. Hold a step and turn SELECT down past 5% for 1:2, 2:2, 1:3 … 8:8. A step at 1:4 plays on the first of every four passes of its pattern, 2:4 on the second.

Everything in 1.0

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

Install from the web installer: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/install/ · Manual: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/manual/ · What's new, with pictures: https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/new/

Highlights

• X0X uses both of the FM-1's processor cores, so there are no dropouts, even on the most complex patterns. The busiest test pattern went from about 115% to 68% load. Thanks @keremimo (Melodee)
• Navigation is simpler. HOME is for the pattern and song, SEQ for the selected part's steps, EDIT for its sound. Press a button again, or turn SELECT, for the next page.
• Screens are clearer. Each knob row says whose knobs they are, a hint line shows what the keys do, holding any button explains it, and labels are clearer throughout.
• Each part has up to 64 steps, and there are 32 patterns.
• A step can have p-locks and a probability. On EDIT, hold a step and turn a knob for a p-lock. Hold a step and turn SELECT for its probability.
• The drums have a mixer with per-track mutes, sends and hit meters.
• A new break tool at https://charlesvestal.github.io/fm1-x0x/breaks/ loads and manages your own loops from the browser (BR1, BR2…).

Sequencing

• 303 note entry is new. REC turns the keys into a keyboard, and ties show as one long note. Hold a step and press OCT to move it an octave.
• Hold SAVE and press a white key to copy and paste a whole pattern.
• Song bars can repeat, ×1 to ×8.
• A break step can have its own slice. Hold the step and press black keys 1–8.
• The break's COMPLEXITY now eases ROLL and FILL in gently.

Sound and mix

• Both kicks have reverb and delay sends.
• The 909 snare has DECAY.
• The master has one-knob COMP and FILTER, and the MASTER page shows the output level.
• The factory reverb is calmer.
• OUTPUT LOUD is for quiet headphones.
• The 808's hats always choke like the 909's. The CHOKE setting is gone.

MIDI

• Each part has a MIDI channel, in and out, or OFF.
• The tempo readout is steady when following an external clock.

Feel and fixes

• Knobs no longer miss or double clicks, and small turns are exact.
• Key lights have two brightness levels. A chosen key is bright, an available one dim.
• Saving waits until you stop, so the audio never cuts out.
• B CHANCE works without PHRASE.
• CLEAR PATTERN no longer leaves a bar showing on HOME.
• The keys no longer trigger steps or slices on the MASTER and FX screens.

Projects saved with 0.10 load as they were.

• PLAY is green. It uses its green light, and turns red only while recording (REC on). Its glow is green too.

• The buttons can be read in the dark. The buttons that aren't lit now glow dimly, so their labels can be read on the black FM-1. The KEY LIGHTS setting is now LIGHTS. ON shows the key lights and the glow, KEYS shows the key lights only, and OFF neither. ON is the default, and a saved "on" becomes ON.
• The performance page also reports how deep the interrupts' stack has gone.

• Turning volume, pan or the sends quickly no longer zippers. Part volume, pan and sends, the master volume and every drum voice's pan now glide over about 10 ms instead of jumping.

• This fixes the brightness freeze. Setting BRIGHTNESS low could freeze the FM-1, and it then stayed stuck at the boot screen (dim, no input) even after reinstalling. The setting is gone, a saved value is ignored, and the screen is always at full brightness. If your FM-1 is stuck, install 0.10-beta from the web installer.
• X0X is stereo. Every part has a PAN on its SENDS page or on MIX > PANS, and so does every 909 voice and 808 track (the last setting on its page). With everything centred it sounds exactly as before.
• The reverb is stereo, and the delay can ping-pong. The ping-pong delay is PING on the FX TAPE page; delay times over one second stay centred.
• TRS MIDI IN takes notes, clock and transport from the TRS jack, the same as over USB.

• Over USB, the FM-1 shows up on a computer as a 44.1 kHz audio input ("X0X FM-1"), with no driver. It is resampled to the computer's USB clock, so live monitoring (an AU host, a DAW) doesn't drift or drop out.
• USB MIDI clock and transport are fixed. Clock, Start, Stop and Continue sent over USB were ignored; X0X now follows a DAW's clock and transport.
• Busy patterns drop out less. Audio renders in 11.6 ms blocks, so a heavy step no longer overruns. This adds 5.8 ms of latency.
• 808 voices stop once their tail is 60 dB under the hit, saving CPU without changing what you hear.
• On the 303, holding a step no longer toggles it; only a tap does. Holding or editing a step follows KEY SOUND like the drum keys, so it's silent while the pattern plays.
• On TB-3PO, the GENERATE and SCALE knobs no longer rewrite the line. They set up the next OCT+ (new line) or OCT- (mutate). The screen marks changed settings with a star.

• Fast knob turns count. A quick flick no longer gets lost, because the encoder decoder keeps up with skipped states.
• X0X has an overload guard. When the FM-1 nears its CPU limit, the 303s drop oversampling and the 808's tails end sooner instead of dropping out. GUARD shows next to the audio load, and the performance page counts how often it engaged.
• The screen tears less. The display runs at 60 MHz, the main area sends only what changed, and both halves change together. Some tearing remains, because the FM-1 has no tearing-sync line.

• Knobs accelerate by speed. Turn slowly for single steps, quickly to sweep; a fast half turn covers the whole range.
• GLO > BRIGHTNESS sets the screen's brightness, 1 to 8.
• tools/upload_breaks.py no longer crashes when given more loops than fit, and retries a write the USB link lost.

• Knobs and LEDs keep up under load. The key/knob/LED matrix scan now keeps its rhythm while the audio renders. Fast knob turns no longer lose their steps, and the LEDs no longer flicker with the audio load. (Found on the first hardware run.)

• Hold HOME and press REC to undo, or PLAY to redo, up to 32 steps. Undo covers sounds, patterns, the song and knob motion, CLEAR PATTERN and FACTORY RESET included. The screen says what was undone.
• GLO > AUTOSAVE is on by default. While stopped, changes save themselves after 4 s of quiet. Saves now write only what changed.
• Hold any button for a second and a help card shows what it does on the current screen, with its combinations.
• After two failed starts, X0X starts in safe mode with no sound and USB on, so the web installer can always reach it. It used to drop into the chip's update mode, which no installer can see. PLAY tries again.
• After a crash, the next start says so and shows where.
• The web installer can put M-VAVE's stock firmware (FM-1 V15) back.
• The browser version can load your own breaks.