Synthex 3.2 firmware & hardware upgrade

[shiona]

Hi.

I happened to purchase synthex v3.2 56i kit just before the firmware became encrypted.
This kit included preprogrammed chips (Atmega644 and PIC18F14K50), but I have no
idea what firmware are they running and neither does megadrum manager.

I have been thinking about upgrading to newer firmware although I have my doubts,
but the newer kits seem to include rotary encoders and the board design seems
completely different. I would assume the boards are mostly compatible, I'd like to make
sure if the firmware upgrade is possible.

Also, I've noted that there are firmwares for both PIC and Atmega, the encrypted one
was for atmega afaik, but what about the pic? Was pic responsible for USB, and if so,
would I need to upgrade the pic with ISP to get the possibility to upgrade atmega
though usb. If not, is there a reason to upgrade the pic's firmware?

On another note, I am also interested in the rotary encoders, given they make the UI
more human frienly, is this possible? The board has 5-pin connector for the encoders.

[dmitri]

Hi.
I have been thinking about upgrading to newer firmware although I have my doubts,
but the newer kits seem to include rotary encoders and the board design seems
completely different. I would assume the boards are mostly compatible,

Different boards - different pinouts. Otherwise they are compatible.

I'd like to make
sure if the firmware upgrade is possible.

Not without changing Atmega or the board.

Also, I've noted that there are firmwares for both PIC and Atmega, the encrypted one
was for atmega afaik, but what about the pic? Was pic responsible for USB, and if so,
would I need to upgrade the pic with ISP to get the possibility to upgrade atmega
though usb. If not, is there a reason to upgrade the pic's firmware?

You don't need to upgrade PIC firmware.

On another note, I am also interested in the rotary encoders, given they make the UI
more human frienly, is this possible? The board has 5-pin connector for the encoders.

Just connect rotary encoders according to your board schematic.

[shiona]

Hi.
I have been thinking about upgrading to newer firmware although I have my doubts,
but the newer kits seem to include rotary encoders and the board design seems
completely different. I would assume the boards are mostly compatible,

Different boards - different pinouts. Otherwise they are compatible.

Sorry, but I didn't quite understand.
Which pinout is different?

[dmitri]

Hi.
I have been thinking about upgrading to newer firmware although I have my doubts,
but the newer kits seem to include rotary encoders and the board design seems
completely different. I would assume the boards are mostly compatible,

Different boards - different pinouts. Otherwise they are compatible.

Sorry, but I didn't quite understand.
Which pinout is different?

External connectors pinouts.

[lestate]

I also happened to buy 56i synthex all in one board from a friend and already bought an Atmega 644 with protected bootloader from dmitri.
Now I wonder if it is possible to remove the old Microchip and place the Atmega 644 on the Board instead in order to be able to use the current firmwares.
And this leads to the next question: are the new firmware versions compatible to synthex 3.2 at all?
I already searched the board using google but I couldn't find out.
I am sorry if I just couldn't find it.
I hope someone can help me

[dmitri]

And this leads to the next question: are the new firmware versions compatible to synthex 3.2 at all?
I already searched the board using google but I couldn't find out.
I am sorry if I just couldn't find it.

Isn't the answer a few posts above?

[lestate]

I am sorry English is not my mother tongue that is why I do not understand some things you wrote above; I am from Germany.
So if I get you right it will not give me any advantages if I exchange the Atmega in my working module with the Atmega 644 I got from you except that the module will not work anymore since the pinouts are different from the pinouts the firmware is made for?
If that is so, is there a way of me changing the pinouts so that current firmwares will work on the module or do I have to build a whole new module?
Thanks for your help

[dmitri]

Sorry, I don't understand your questions. Btw, English is not my mother tongue either.

[lestate]

I am sorry I do not want to annoy you.
The point is I would love to get the features of the new firmware. What I have is the Atmega 644 i bought from you and the module with the synthex 3.2 all in one board.

Now I just want to be sure that the only way to get the newer firmwares running is to build a completely new module.
Thanks for your patience with me

[dmitri]

What prevents you from installing the new Atmega644 into your board?