Since no one will directly ask Cliff about potential new FW...

I would guess it was something to do with Windows 10, because I've had lots of issues with my USB devices not waking up from "sleep" states etc after some of the automatic updates
 
Waiting for this to arrive:

View attachment 41693

Hi Cliff,

In a previous post I shared some info I was able to gather on the Darkglass B3K at the time. Since then I've come across some more possibly-useful information and I'd like to pass it along in case it helps you in the circuit tracing/replication process. Anyone with more info is welcome to chime in with corrections or clarification.

I found a German site that sells a clone of the B3K called the "GUMA-Drive": http://schalltechnik04.de/en/instructions/guma-drive
PCB photo (note the circuit name in the bottom left): https://www.musikding.de/Guma-Drive-Overdrive-Bausatz#&gid=1&pid=1
It appears that this project is based on a direct trace of the B3K (whereas the Microtubes 2k schematic I posted previously was an earlier, guitar-oriented version of the B3K).

This site contains a schematic that is claimed to be a trace of the GUMA-Drive circuit minus the tonestack:
http://peperspedals.blogspot.com/2017/03/b3k-clone-update.html
Schematic: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AncwI2iy...PyjavcasyIfRYj_0IRIf1cjaGBTgCEw/s1600/b3k.png

Another site has a purported trace of the B3K itself that looks very similar to the GUMA trace:
http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=28139&p=263675&hilit=darkglass#p263664
(attached below for those without a login at this site)
https://i.imgur.com/X38SpOV.png

In both of these schematics it looks like there's only one CMOS inverter clipping stage, as opposed to the earlier "Microtubes 2K/3K" schematic from my earlier post which used 3 CMOS inverter stages.

Still not a complete "known good" schematic, but I wanted to pass this along it in case it can serve as a loose reference while tracing out your new toy. I know this stuff is fun for you, but thanks for sharing with us and for all you do for the Fractal community.
 
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Are you USB connecting through a USB hub? It's always a good idea to go direct to a port on your computer.
If it's a windows PC you need to stop the USB power saving shut downs. That's a big problem for gamers too.

Nope...it's plugged directly into the MoBo. I actually mention that in this video as, before I plugged it in there, I was having...troubles...lol:



I would guess it was something to do with Windows 10, because I've had lots of issues with my USB devices not waking up from "sleep" states etc after some of the automatic updates

I'm on W7.
 
This site contains a schematic that is claimed to be a trace of the GUMA-Drive circuit minus the tonestack:
http://peperspedals.blogspot.com/2017/03/b3k-clone-update.html
Schematic: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AncwI2iy...PyjavcasyIfRYj_0IRIf1cjaGBTgCEw/s1600/b3k.png

Another site has a purported trace of the B3K itself that looks very similar to the GUMA trace:
http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=28139&p=263675&hilit=darkglass#p263664
(attached below for those without a login at this site)
https://i.imgur.com/X38SpOV.png

Those schematics are almost identical! The only difference I can see is the arrangement of the 10k/1M resistors on the input buffer.

I suspect Cliff is working off a schematic of some sort, as he's said previously the lack of a schematic is the reason they couldn't do the B7K. But always good to put the info out there just in case!
 
So any MK1/II owners, like myself, have a nagging fear of seeing an announcement of a great new firmware, Q9 or whatever, with some awesome features, only to see its for XL/+ only ?

The things that keep me up at a night, right ?
 
So any MK1/II owners, like myself, have a nagging fear of seeing an announcement of a great new firmware, Q9 or whatever, with some awesome features, only to see its for XL/+ only ?

The things that keep me up at a night, right ?
Well you know it's going to happen, sooner than later. Enjoy what you have and when you feel like you're missing out on too much, then it may be time time upgrade.
 
Ok, great news on the B7K. Any addition of bass stuff is welcome. Very curious how and what it will be.
 
So any MK1/II owners, like myself, have a nagging fear of seeing an announcement of a great new firmware, Q9 or whatever, with some awesome features, only to see its for XL/+ only ?

The things that keep me up at a night, right ?

If I were you the only thing that would ask myself is if this thing that I got is still good enough for the job that I want it to do. If the answer is no, only then start looking at other options. But if its yes, well, there's always something more shiny out there and the grass is always greener at the other side of the fence.
 
If I were you the only thing that would ask myself is if this thing that I got is still good enough for the job that I want it to do. If the answer is no, only then start looking at other options. But if its yes, well, there's always something more shiny out there and the grass is always greener at the other side of the fence.
This is so true! Been recently hankering for a few of my old pedals. Missing the tones I used to get with an El Capistan and some octave pedals...fact is, the grass isn't greener on that side of the fence as we know it's a ball ache to power it all and to get it all wired up and on a board. However, it doesn't stop me backsliding into that mindset every now and again! :-/ I'm sticking with the Fractal, just been listening to some lovely clips I made and it's brought it all back to how amazing this thing sounds!
 
If I were you the only thing that would ask myself is if this thing that I got is still good enough for the job that I want it to do. If the answer is no, only then start looking at other options. But if its yes, well, there's always something more shiny out there and the grass is always greener at the other side of the fence.

"The grass is always greener over the septic tank."

Words of wisdom I received after I left one job for another looking for less travel, more stability, and less BS - only to find same and more of it. I think it applies in lots of situations, though
 
I think that the firmware updates for the older Axe FX won't stop any time soon...
Those units were amble to hold more than one firmware version not that long ago. I think there's still plenty of space, since that feature was removed.

Even if the updates do stop, are you not happy with your axe fx tone as is? Would that suddenly make your unit sound like shit?
 
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I think that the firmware updates for the older Axe FX won't stop any time soon...
Those units were amble to hold more than one firmware version not that long ago. I think there's still plenty of space, since that feature was removed.

Even if the updates do stop, are you not happy with your axe fx tone as they are? Would that suddenly make your unit sound like ****?

Just take a look in the directory where you have stored the last firmwares and you can see there what the size of the files is and what the alltime max was.
With Q8.0x there is at least bit of space left, but you can never say if it's enough to cover the next epiphany. Maybe some unneeded code could get deleted or reprogramed or alike but who knows something about that...
 
Didn't it pretty much stop for Axe 1 versions? As in no more space?


Not sure what you mean by Axe 1, if you mean the standards and ultras I think it was stopped because Axe FX 2 was released, which was a big redesign.

If you mean Axe FX 2s, mk1 and mk2, then they removed legacy modelling which freed up a bit of space, so they got the last few versions of FW.
 
I think that the firmware updates for the older Axe FX won't stop any time soon...
Those units were amble to hold more than one firmware version not that long ago. I think there's still plenty of space, since that feature was removed.

Even if the updates do stop, are you not happy with your axe fx tone as is? Would that suddenly make your unit sound like ****?

yeah we could always get rid of the quantum startup boot screen, probably save a few k or so... ;)
 
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