Tempest Operating Systems

Tempest has four different operating systems, one for each of the different types of processors that control its functions. From time to time we will be releasing updates, both to add features and to squash the bugs that inevitably pop up.

Updating the OS is not difficult, but if you haven't done it before, please do yourself a favor and take the time to read the instructions below carefully.

Getting Started

OS updates are transferred from a computer to Tempest via MIDI. In order to do that, you will need:

• A computer equipped with a MIDI interface
• A program capable of opening and playing MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) files
• OS files in SysEx format

Tempest OS versions prior to 1.2 are not capable of receiving OS updates via direct USB connection to a computer, so you will need an actual MIDI interface to update from OS 1.0 or 1.1. We have received multiple reports of issues with the following products and, therefore, they are not recommended as MIDI interfaces for OS updates.

• CME U2MIDI
• Digidesign Mbox
• Digidesign Mbox 2
• Digidesign Digi 001
• Digidesign Digi 002
• E-MU Systems Xmidi 1x1

The OS files are in SysEx format, so you'll need software—typically a MIDI utility or sequencer/DAW—capable of opening and playing SysEx files. We usually recommend a utility such as SysEx Librarian (Mac OS) or MIDI-OX (Windows OS) for the most hassle-free experience. Both are available from their developers as free downloads.

Use the link below to download a zipped archive containing release notes, the OS files in SysEx format, and the manual addendum in PDF format.

Mac OS—Control-click the link and choose "Download Linked File" or "Download Linked File As...." Alternately, right-click the link with a multi-button mouse.

Windows—Right-click the link and choose "Save Target As...."

Installing the OS

The order in which the OS files are installed is not important. If you are updating from version 1.0 you must transfer all of the included SysEx files to Tempest. If you are updating from version 1.1, it is not necessary to load Sam OS 1.1, as it is already installed and has not changed. If you are unsure of your Tempest's current OS versions, press System, scroll down to "Show System Information," and press Next to display the installed versions.

Nothing needs to be done to prepare or enable Tempest to receive the files. Tempest recognizes the type of file being received and knows what to do with it.

To prepare for updating, please close all MIDI and audio applications on your computer, except for the application used to open and transmit the SysEx files. If possible, Tempest should be the only device on the MIDI buss upon which the OS files will be transmitted.

If you have any questions or concerns about updating your OS, please contact us at .

Note: The update procedure is safe, but it is always a good idea to back up your work before making any kind of change. It's always a good idea to back up your work, period. See "Exporting Sounds, Beats, and Projects" on page 42 of the Tempest Operation Manual for more information. OK, lecture over.

Using SysEx Librarian:

1. Download and unzip the archive.
2. Connect the computer's MIDI interface to Tempest's MIDI In jack.
3. In SysEx Librarian, click Add and navigate to the folder containing the OS files (.syx extension).
4. Select the files. (Use shift + click to select the range of files or command + click to select multiple, discontiguous files.)
5. Click Open.
6. From SysEx Librarian's list of files, select the first file to transfer.
7. Make sure the correct MIDI port and interface are selected in the Destination pop-up menu.
8. Click Play.

Tempest displays the file transfer progress. SysEx Librarian may complete sending the file while Tempest indicates the transfer is still in progress. That is normal.

When the transfer completes, Tempest will begin writing the file. Do not turn Tempest off while the file is writing! When writing completes, turn Tempest off and back on again to complete the update process.

Note: When updating the Panel OS, the display will go dark when writing completes. That is normal. Just turn Tempest off and back on again.

Repeat steps 6 through 8, selecting the other OS files one at a time, until they all have been updated. Use "Show System Information" in Tempest's System menu to verify that all the versions are current.

SysEx Librarian usually just works, without having to configure anything, other than choosing the correct Destination. However, if the update process stalls before writing begins, simply turn Tempest off and on, reduce the transmit speed to 90% in SysEx Librarian's Preferences, and then transfer the file again. If the transfer is still stalling, try reducing the transmit speed more.

We can't test with every possible combination of hardware and software, so if you're having problems, start with the suggested setting and reduce the transmit speed until it works. Also make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your MIDI interface. If the OS still doesn't load, try a different make and model of MIDI interface, or even a different computer.

Using MIDI-OX:

1. Download and unzip the archive.
2. Connect the computer's MIDI interface to Tempest's MIDI In jack.
3. From MIDI-OX's Options menu, choose Configure Buffers. The Configure SysEx Buffers dialog appears.
4. Set the Low Level Output Buffers to Size: 1024 and Num: 128 and click OK.
5. From the View menu, choose Sysex. The SysEx View and Scratchpad window opens.
6. From the File menu, choose Send SysEx File and navigate to the folder containing the OS files (.syx extension).
7. Select the first OS file and click Open. The SysEx file is transmitted via the selected MIDI port.

Tempest displays the file transfer progress. MIDI-OX may complete sending the file while Tempest indicates the transfer is still in progress. That is normal.

When the transfer completes, Tempest will begin writing the file. Do not turn Tempest off while the file is writing! When writing completes, turn Tempest off and back on again to complete the update process.

Note: When updating the Panel OS, the display will go dark when writing completes. That is normal. Just turn Tempest off and back on again.

Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the remaining files, until they all have been updated. Use "Show System Information" in Tempest's System menu to verify that all the versions are current.

If Tempest does not indicate that the file is being received, check the MIDI configuration in MIDI-OX and verify that your MIDI interface is working properly. If the update process stalls before writing begins, simply turn Tempest off and on, and increase the size of the Low Level Output Buffer in MIDI-OX. Try doubling it and, if that doesn't work, double it again. You can also increase the number of buffers.

We can't test with every possible combination of hardware and software, so if you're having problems, start with the suggested settings and experiment until you find a working combination. Also make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your MIDI interface. If the OS still doesn't load, try a different make and model of MIDI interface, or even a different computer.

Release Notes

Several items and additional options have been added to the System menu. Updating the OS will cause System settings to be reset to the default values, so if something is not behaving as it was before the update, check there first.

The touch sliders should be recalibrated after updating. Press System, select "Calibrate Slider 1 and 2 Position," and follow the instructions on the display.

If updating from version 1.0, Tempest may be considerably louder than what you're accustomed to due to a volume control bug in version 1.0. Watch those levels the first time you use Tempest after updating!

For information about using new features, see the manual addendum included in the OS download above and available for download separately on the Tempest Support page.

Bugs Fixed

OS version 1.1:

Display dimming intermittently to about 80% brightness

Several cases where notes could be missed or recorded with an incorrect duration of 0 or 128

Several bugs related to Roll

Recording a note during the 'Count In' period was ignored, now records to the first step

In some cases MIDI Continue and/or Song Position Pointer messages sent incorrectly

Swing 75% was causing swung notes to be dropped

Timing issue causing stuck notes when a sound was played by both the sequencer and pads at the same time

Master Volume not initializing properly

OS version 1.2:

Parameter changes were not being handled correctly during the release phase of notes

MIDI Song Position Pointer (SPP) handling was being handled too slowly in some cases resulting in incorrect sequencer timestamps and/or sync

Note off events from MIDI synth channel turn off all notes for that sound

Sounds loaded using the preview function did not correctly update the beatwide params

Sounds copied using the copy button shortcut or erased using the erase button shortcut were not updating beatwide params correctly

Fixed Oscillator Pitch handling in beat FX, both display and response

Several bugs related to the sound selection in realtime with beat saves and beat FX parameters

Oscillator 4 Pitch mod not working

Pad roll now correctly uses fixed level for new notes rather than pad pressure

Up/Down arrows were not selecting the screen correctly in 16 Beats Sounds screen

Holding shift+undo and turning an encoder/pot without a Beat FX value caused a crash

Tap tempo updates to bpm not saved to project/beat parameters

Tempest goes silent in certain sequence cases when using voice assignments

LEDs not responding correctly in 16 tunings mode from MIDI synth playback

Copy mode 'replace' would not copy if replacing all bars in the destination beat

Turning On/Off loop screen stopped playback

Some note off messages not handled correctly in 16 Tunings and Volumes modes

Certain slave devices from not responding correctly to MIDI SPP and Continue messages

Features Added

OS version 1.1:

Tap Tempo

Reverse

MIDI IN sync

MIDI note-to-pad playback and recording

MIDI synth playback and recording

User-selectable pad velocity curves

Master tuning parameters for Coarse and Fine tuning

Beat Load options

Time Shift parameter for note events in the sequencer

In 16 Mutes mode, LEDs now flash as sounds are triggered as a visual indicator to help determine which sound you're muting

Pedal inputs now implemented with basic functions

Erase All Notes

"Panic Button"

OS version 1.2:

Polyphonic MIDI keyboard play

Undo Record

Sound Bank B

Odd time signatures

USB

Export multiple files for data backup

Beat-wide effects during 16 Mutes mode

Improved sequencer timing