Updating the Take 5 OS

To use the new presets and latest features for Take 5, you’ll need to upgrade the OS AND install the new sound bank presets. The downloadable file in the sidebar has the latest operating system for the Take 5. It also includes the installation instructions given below.

WHEN TO UPDATE YOUR OS

Most OS updates fix only minor bugs that most users never encounter. If you are experiencing a problem with your instrument, please contact our Support Department for help in diagnosing the cause before doing anything else. Unlike on a computer, the OS on your instrument can never become corrupted, so re-installing your current OS won’t fix a hardware problem, and is not recommended. In addition, loading an OS improperly could disable your instrument, leaving it in need of servicing. So if you have any questions or are unsure about what you’re doing, please contact us before attempting to update your instrument’s operating system.

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR TAKE 5 OS

The Take 5’s operating system is updated via MIDI. You will need a DAW, MIDI utility, or other application capable of opening and sending MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) messages. MIDI-OX (Windows) and SysEx Librarian (Mac OS) are shareware MIDI utilities that can reliably be used to update Sequential instruments. You will also need either a USB cable (Type A to Type B connectors, like a typical USB printer cable) or a MIDI interface to transmit the SysEx file from your computer to the Take 5.

Instructions for updating using MIDI-OX and SysEx Librarian are given below.

The steps are:

I. CHECKING YOUR INSTALLED OS VERSION
II. UPDATING THE OS FROM WINDOWS USING MIDI-OX
III. UPDATING THE OS FROM A MAC USING SYSEX LIBRARIAN

Don’t forget: in order to access the 128 new presets, you’ll also need to update the sound banks.  Jump to the next page at the end of the OS update instructions to learn how.


I. CHECKING YOUR INSTALLED OS VERSION

To display the currently installed OS version:

  • Press the Global button. The installed OS version appears in the display.

The newest version of the Take 5 Main OS is Take5_Main_2.0 and it will appear in the top left of the display as “2.0.0”


II. UPDATING THE OS FROM WINDOWS USING MIDI-OX

Before starting, close all other audio or MIDI or DAW software, and disconnect all other MIDI devices. If necessary, download and install MIDI-OX.
http://www.midiox.com/

To prepare the Take 5 to receive system exclusive messages:

  1. Press Global.
  2. From the Global menu, select “MIDI Syx On” and set it to “On.”
  3. Next, select “MIDI Syx Cable.”
  4. If you’re using USB to update the OS, choose “USB.” If you’re using a MIDI interface, choose “MIDI.”
  5. Press Global again to exit the Global menu.

Connect your computer to the Take 5 using either a USB cable or a MIDI interface.

If using USB, the Take 5 is a Class-Compliant USB device. That means it does not require any additional drivers to be installed to communicate with your computer. It will appear in MIDI-OX and other MIDI applications as a MIDI port named “Take 5.” (Under Windows XP, it will appear as “USB Audio Device.”)

If using a MIDI interface, connect the computer’s MIDI OUT to the Take 5’s MIDI IN. Depending on the type of interface, you may also need a MIDI cable.

Most MIDI interfaces or sound cards with built-in MIDI interfaces will work. However, we have received reports that Digidesign/Avid interfaces and Native Instruments Maschine may not transmit SysEx correctly for updates. The M-Audio Uno is an inexpensive, reliable, and widely available MIDI interface for use when updating our instruments.

IMPORTANT

When the OS update is sent to the Take 5, do not shut down the Take 5. During the update, The Take 5 shows “Receiving OS…” in the main display and the numeric progress in the 7-segment display, while the LEDs on the program number switches light up, indicating the progress of the SysEx file’s transfer. This is the “loading phase.” After that, the 7-segment display shows “PrG” and the main display shows “Do Not Turn Off Power!”. This is the “writing” phase of the update. DO NOT power down during this phase. When this phase completes, The Take 5’s 7-segment display shows “rst” and the main display shows a message indicating the update is complete. You may now turn the power off and back on to use the new OS.

To load and update the OS:

  1. Run MIDI-OX.
  2. From the Options menu, choose “Configure Buffers.”
  3. Set the Low Level Output Buffers “Num” and “Size” to 1024.
  4. Click OK to close the window and save the settings.
  5. From the Options menu, choose “MIDI Devices.”
  6. In the lower left quadrant of the window, select the MIDI port to which the instrument is connected. If connected via USB, choose “Take 5” (or “USB Audio Device” under Windows XP). If connected via MIDI, choose the MIDI interface. The selected MIDI port appears in the Port Mappings window.
  7. Click OK to close the window and save the settings.
  8. From the View menu, choose “SysEx.”
  9. From the Command Window menu, choose “Load File.” Browse to and open the Take 5 OS update file.
  10. From the Command Window menu, choose “Send SysEx.” The Take 5 shows a numeric progress display indicating the progress of the SysEx file’s transfer. Follow any directions listed on the Take 5’s screen before/after the countdown completes. When the file transfer completes, the “Do Not Turn Off Power!” is displayed as the OS is written to memory. DO NOT power down while Take 5 display shows this message.
  11. When the installation completes, the Take 5 tells you to restart the unit. Restart the Take 5, and the new OS is loaded. You can verify the installation by pressing Global. The installed OS version appears in the display. Once the new OS is loaded, reset global parameters in the global menu.


TROUBLESHOOTING

  • If the numeric progress indicator stops before the file transfer is complete, turn the Take 5 off, then on, and try again. If this continues to happen, double the Low Level Output Buffers “Num” and “Size” values and re-send the SysEx file. If the numeric progress continues, then you know your settings are moving in the right direction. If the countdown goes further from zero try reducing the “Num” and “Size” settings. You can also try doubling or quadrupling the “Size” setting. You may have to adjust the Low Level Output Buffers settings several times before finding the right combination.
  • If “Status Byte Received In Data” is displayed, turn the Take 5 off, then on. This error means some other MIDI message the Take 5 was not expecting was sent through your MIDI interface. Make sure all other audio or MIDI or DAW software is closed, and no other MIDI devices are connected. If you continue to receive this message try restarting your computer and open MIDI-OX as your only application.


RESETTING THE GLOBAL PARAMETERS

You must reset the Global parameters of the Take 5 after you update the OS.

  • Press the Global button.
  • Use the Value Knob to select Reset Globals, then press the Write button.
  • Press the Write Button to confirm.


CALIBRATING THE OSCILLATORS AND FILTERS

Please calibrate the oscillators and filters of the Take 5 after you update the OS.

  • Press the Global button.
  • Use the Value knob to select Cal Voices, then press the Write button.
  • The synthesizer performs its auto-calibration procedure. Don’t turn off the power while it’s doing this.
  • When finished, the front panel controls return to normal, and you can play the Take 5 again.

III. UPDATING THE OS FROM A MAC USING SYSEX LIBRARIAN

Before starting, close all other audio or MIDI or DAW software, and disconnect all other MIDI devices. If necessary, download and install SysEx Librarian.
www.snoize.com/sysexlibrarian

To prepare the Take 5 to receive system exclusive messages:

  1. Press Global.
  2. From the Global menu, select “MIDI Syx On” and set it to “On.”
  3. Next, select “MIDI Syx Cable.”
  4. If you’re using USB to update the OS, choose “USB.” If you’re using a MIDI interface, choose “MIDI.”
  5. Press Global again to exit the Global menu.

Connect your computer to the Take 5 using either a USB cable or a MIDI interface.

If using USB, the Take 5 is a Class-Compliant USB device. That means it does not require any additional drivers to be installed to communicate with your computer. It will appear in MIDI-OX and other MIDI applications as a MIDI port named “Take 5.” (Under Windows XP, it will appear as “USB Audio Device.”)

If using a MIDI interface, connect the computer’s MIDI OUT to the Take 5’s MIDI IN. Depending on the type of interface, you may also need a MIDI cable.

Most MIDI interfaces or sound cards with built-in MIDI interfaces will work. However, we have received reports that Digidesign/Avid interfaces and Native Instruments Maschine may not transmit SysEx correctly for updates. The M-Audio Uno is an inexpensive, reliable, and widely available MIDI interface for use when updating our instruments.

IMPORTANT

When the OS update is sent to the Take 5, do not shut down the Take 5. During the update, The Take 5 shows “Receiving OS…” in the main display and the numeric progress in the 7-segment display, while the LEDs on the program number switches light up, indicating the progress of the SysEx file’s transfer. This is the “loading phase.” After that, the 7-segment display shows “PrG” and the main display shows “Do Not Turn Off Power!”. This is the “writing” phase of the update. DO NOT power down during this phase. When this phase completes, The Take 5’s 7-segment display shows “rst” and the main display shows a message indicating the update is complete, and turn the power off and back on to use to new OS.

To load and update the OS:

  1. Run SysEx Librarian.
  2. Choose your MIDI interface or “Take 5” from the “Destination” menu.
  3. Click Add/+ to add the file to the file list or simply drag and drop the file on the open SysEx Librarian window. The file name appears in the file list and should be highlighted.
  4. Click Play. The Take 5 shows a numeric progress display indicating the progress of the SysEx file’s transfer. Follow any directions listed on the Take 5’s screen before/after the countdown completes. When the file transfer completes, the “Do Not Turn Off Power!” is displayed as the OS is written to memory. DO NOT power down while Take 5 display shows this message.
  5. When the installation completes, the Take 5 tells you to restart the unit. Restart the Take 5, and the new OS is loaded. You can verify the installation by pressing Global. The installed OS version appears in the display. Once the new OS is loaded, reset global parameters in the global menu.


TROUBLESHOOTING

  • If the numeric progress indicator stops before the file transfer is complete, turn the Take 5 off, then on, and try again. If this continues to happen, double the Low Level Output Buffers “Num” and “Size” values and re-send the SysEx file. If the numeric progress continues, then you know your settings are moving in the right direction. If the countdown goes further from zero try reducing the “Num” and “Size” settings. You can also try doubling or quadrupling the “Size” setting. You may have to adjust the Low Level Output Buffers settings several times before finding the right combination.
  • If “Status Byte Received In Data” is displayed, turn the Take 5 off, then on. This error means some other MIDI message the Take 5 was not expecting was sent through your MIDI interface. Make sure all other audio or MIDI or DAW software is closed, and no other MIDI devices are connected. If you continue to receive this message try restarting your computer and open MIDI-OX as your only application.


RESETTING THE GLOBAL PARAMETERS

You must reset the Global parameters of the Take 5 after you update the OS.

  • Press the Global button.
  • Use the Value Knob to select Reset Globals, then press the Write button.
  • Press the Write Button to confirm.


CALIBRATING THE OSCILLATORS AND FILTERS

Please calibrate the oscillators and filters of the Take 5 after you update the OS.

  • Press the Global button.
  • Use the Value knob to select Cal Voices, then press the Write button.
  • The synthesizer performs its auto-calibration procedure. Don’t turn off the power while it’s doing this.
  • When finished, the front panel controls return to normal, and you can play the Take 5 again.

 

Once you’ve updated to OS version 2.0 on your Take 5, click the button below to go through the steps to update the sound banks for banks 9 – 16.

Take me to the Sound Banks