HX3.6 Bootloader Update (english)

Overview

The update process has been fundamentally changed compared to HX3.5: Larger components such as the FPGA configuration (sound engine), the controller firmware or presets are now always handled via the new HX3.6 bootloader. While an update used to take up to 30 minutes, it now takes just a few seconds.

The bootloader is an auxiliary program permanently installed in the HX3.6 controller that simply starts the HX3.6 firmware after switching on. However, if you hold down the encoder button when switching on or have inserted an SD card in the card slot adapter, you will be taken to the bootloader, which offers its own menu. The bootloader can also be started via the preset submenu (press the DOWN button in the main menu and navigate to the Bootld Update entry) or via a command from the HX3.6 Manager.

HX3 Manager and Firmware are contained in the update package.

Bootloader Mode

Bootloader mode is indicated in the display by the inverse letters BL at the bottom right; the blue LED on the mainboard flickers on and off briefly at a rhythm of 3x. In bootloader mode, HX3.6 cannot receive any commands from the HX3 Manager via FTDI cable or USB. Instead, HX3.6 logs on to the computer USB as a DFU device in order to receive update files.

The bootloader only offers a limited menu on the display panel. Navigate as usual with the rotary encoder. Confirm the respective selection by pressing the rotary encoder button.

• Nach dem Start überprüft der Bootloader , ob Sound Engine (FPGA) und normale Firmware einsatzbereit sind und zeigt ggf. eine Fehlermeldung.
• SD Card Update: Wenn eine SD-Karte eingelegt ist, bietet er das Update über SD-Karte an. Es werden nur die Teile des Updates berücksichtigt, die auch auf der SD-Karte gefunden wurden. Siehe hierzu die Seite HX3.6 Verwendung von SD-Karten.
• DFU Upload: Der Bootloader wartet auf das Hochladen einer DFU-Update-Datei.
• FPGA recover from FAILSAFE: Zurückladen einer garantiert funktionsfähigen Sound Engine und eines MIDI-Scan-Treibers. Diese werden benötigt, falls die aktuell installierte Sound Engine nicht funktioniert; dann wäre auch kein DFU-Update möglich!
• FW recover from FAILSAFE: Zurückladen einer garantiert funktionsfähigen Controller-Firmware. Bitte beachten: Diese kann älteren Datums sein, ermöglicht aber ein Arbeiten mit dem HX3.6 Manager.
• Exit Update: Beenden des Bootloaders, Starten der normalen Firmware.

Upload von DFU-Dateien

In addition to the actual data (e.g. firmware, presets, defaults), DFU files contain special instructions on where this data should be stored in the memory. You will receive the DFU updates from us, but you can also compile them yourself using the HX3.6 Bootload-Utility. A DFU file can contain several parts at the same time, such as a new sound engine (FPGA), new firmware, optimized defaults or other presets.

Under Windows (from version 7), select the menu item Action->Send single DFU file in the HX3.6 Bootload-Utility to send a DFU file to HX3.6. Select the file to be uploaded in the file dialog; our updates are usually named hx36_update.dfu.

Please note: The firmware for the DSP (equalizer, reverb, GM sound generator) and GM sound banks are always uploaded separately, if necessary. Components for the DSP cannot be included in hx36_update.dfu. You will find the following DFU files in the updates directory:

• hx36_update.dfu Update file that you have received from our server or by e-mail. This may contain firmware, sound engine, defaults, organ models and other components.
• dsp_fw.dfu DSP firmware for equalizer, reverb, GM sound generator
• dsp_fw_nogm.dfu DSP firmware for equalizer, extended reverb programs, but without GM sound generator. The extended reverb programs (4..7) must be activated in the HX3 Editor.
• dsp_fw_mag.dfu Special DSP firmware for equalizer, reverb, GM sound generator on MAG organs with modified routing of the audio outputs.
• presets.dfu HX3.6 standard presets
• gm_bank.dfu GM sound bank with 126 GM instruments
• ext_bank.dfu Extended GM sound bank with various pianos, replaces some instruments of the GM sound bank

After uploading the file hx36_update.dfu, the bootloader will unpack, split and save it. The process may take a few seconds (scrolling numbers on the display). Do not interrupt the power supply during this time.

Updates via MacOS

You can also carry out a complete update using the DreamDFU_kbp app for MacOS, as described in the operating instructions for your HX3.6 device. To do this, set the device to DFU mode, start the app and select the file hx36_update.dfu from the update directory. The HX3.6 Manager or Updater is not required for this. Unfortunately, the update or bootload utility of the HX3.6 Manager cannot be used with Wine or CrossOver under MacOS, as these environments do not allow a DFU driver to be installed.