Interface Manual: Appendix A - Revision Information
This section outlines the differences in behavior between Chromas and Expanders of different revision levels. The Interface Revision Number is returned in response to the Identification command. Please note that this number is not the same as the Software Revision Number as imprinted on the EPROMS inside the unit.
The revision levels are described in reverse order, starting with the current revision. Each revision description outlines the differences between that revision and the subsequent revision above it.
Note that there were software revisions released after those described in this manual. For discussion of REV 14 and 14A, see Keyboard Velocity Curves and EPROM Code.
REV 3 (software REV 13)
This is the current revision, as described in this manual.
REV 2 (software REV 12)
This revision did not include the pressure sensor commands. This results in the following restrictions:
- The Pressure Switch Off and Pressure Switch On commands are treated as No Operations. They are not echoed.
- The Restore Command does not echo a Pressure Switch Off command.
- The pressure byte in all Attack commands sent by the Chroma is 0. The pressure byte in all Attack commands received by the Chroma is ignored (although it must be present).
A bug was found in this revision:
- If a link is in effect and a lever or pedal is moved, the Chroma will not transmit an instrument 0 and an instrument 1 command. Instead. the Chroma will send two identical instrument 0 commands. This only applies to the Lever 0, Lever 1, Pedal 0 and Pedal 1 commands.
REV 1 (Software REV 10)
A number of bugs were round in this revision:
- If a Footswitch command is sent to any Instrument that has never been defined since power-up, it will crash the Chroma
- The Restore command does not do anything to instrument 1, regardless of the link.
- Bytes coming from the Chroma occasionally get rearranged and are transmitted out of sequence. This only occurs if the computer makes the Chroma wait more than lotuses or so, and the Chroma starts to use its output queue. If you experience problems at high data rates, suspect this.
- Although the Restore command turns off the panel and performance switch, it does not echo the Panel and Performance Switch Off commands.
Upgrading A Chroma
All it takes to bring a Chroma up to the current revision is to unplug the EPROMS and plug in new ones. This can be done by any authorized Rhodes Chroma service center, and is free if the instrument is under warranty. Upgrading is strongly recommended, as old software is only old because there was something wrong with it.
To request an upgrade from a service center, always refer to the Software Revision number which is printed on the EPROMS, not the Interface Revision Number. Most service centers are not aware of Interface Revision Numbers.
The current revision includes provision for the Pressure Sensor option. This does not mean that the Pressure Sensor must be installed. The Chroma will respond to Pressure commands whether or not the option is installed. It just won't generate correct Pressure commands.
Polaris Revisions
As of Rev 8, none of the Polaris revisions specifically affected its Chroma Interface.