After several lengthy emails with Helicon support over the past 2 weeks, I have found out the problem with the update posted.

It seems the issue is with "modern" MIDI interfaces in that they are too fast for the Harmony M interface to properly load the data.

I have today obtained the Harmony M build 18 update and applied it to my Harmony M and so far so good.

I am using the Edirol UM-SX1 interface with MIDI-Ox, but Helicon techs also recommended a couple of adjustments in Midi-Ox as well.

These are to:

Set Low Level Output Buffer to something very small like 32 bytes...

Set 100 MilliSeconds Between buffers and F7s.

Be prepared, using this method it takes about 12 minutes to do the upgrade.

In my case I didn't really care about the other stuff in the upgrade, but I DID want the near 60% increase in chord recognition when driving the harmonies from a keyboard. Very important I felt.

I have asked if it is okay to pass the build 18 file along to others, and I am awaiting their response.

Although as I have advised Helicon it works, they may very well post it to their website.

Just a heads up for you guys.

Cheers

Dennis

PS: Midi-Ox is reasonably user friendly, but if anyone wants a "step by step" on making the adjustments, let me know.

I had another email from Nicholas at Helicon.

He has advised it is okay to pass on to other users the new update patch build 18, which will take your harmony M to version 1.8

In fact he is hoping owners will, so they can get more feedback on the patch working on other systems.

I ahve applied it to mine and it works fine, AND the chord recognition IS much quicker.

Anyway just thought I would let M users know.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis--Good post.

Gary

[...]

[This message has been edited by adimatis (edited 02-10-2009).]

Adimatis, that is not the latest release.

It is now build 18. Helicon have not yet posted it to the website

So that link does not point to that file.

Miden, will you please send the version 1.8 to me?
Thanks,
DonM

Send it to me as well. Additionally, is there any way to do the update of the OS without having to purchase an expensive interface device?

Gary

Dennis - if you please, send the build 18 update to me also. Thanks,

Cass

Hi guys, yep I sure will...

But please refer to the original post for the settings advise by TC Helicon for Midi-Ox.

Dennis

Gary, ANY bog standard interface will do.

Also it IS important to set Midi-Ox (free download) to the settings I mentioned in the OP.

And be prepared, it WILL take around 12 - 15 minutes to complete.

Dennis

PS.... All you guys now have mail

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 02-09-2009).]

dennis, i will get a harmony-m in couple of weeks. i surely would like to use it at it's best, so if you're so kind, please send the file to me as well. i am sure at one point they will post it on their website, but who knows when.

thank you!

Hi,

I was looking for some feedback on this product.

What do you think it?
Is it easy to use?
Are the harmonies better than harmonizer in the Yamaha?
Can it be used as a stand alone unit, without midi?

What’s the difference between the Harmony-M and the TC Doubler?

Thanks, Mario


[This message has been edited by mc (edited 02-10-2009).]

Dennis, if you wouldn't mind please send me that file as well. Thx. E-mail address is in my profile.

http://www.tc-helicon.com/VoiceToneHarmonyM.asp

Hi Dennis-Thanks for all your info on the upgrade. Would you please send me your update patch for build 18.
Cheers!
Gord

Stephen, Adi and Gordon.. You all ahve mail.

Dennis

Just a little note...

You will know if it has worked when the Harmony M turns itself off and re-boots.

It should do this within about 5-10 seconds after the upload has completed. If it doesn't re-boot, it has not worked. If this is the case try it again.

Make sure the settings in Midi-Ox are as I outlined in the OP.

If it doesn't work a second time let me know what device you are using and I can get onto Nicholas at TC again.

Cheers,
Dennis

Thanks Dennis,

Got the email and now all I need to do is download the midiox files and find a suitable interface.

Gary

Thanks Dennis!

One more reason for keeping those old legacy computers around...

My old Atari Mega ST4? Bulletproof sys-ex (and built-in MIDI!)

My old serial port Mac clone (Starmax) and serial MIDI interface? Bulletproof sys-ex.

My current old Mac (Quicksilver733 ) and Midex3 MIDI interface? Bulletproof sys-ex in OS9 and OSX Panther.

Newer ain't necessarily better...

thank you dennis.
i'll give it a try in two weeks time, when i'll get the harmony-m.

Sent you an email.
I have done all the adjustments.
I send the dump, the input light goes on, and all the other lights go OFF.
The dump finishes, nothing happens.
Holding the two buttons when I power on shows "0".
It seems to work, but of course all my settings are gone, and no improvements have been made.
Of course TC Helicon has not answered my emails. I am using Yamaha USB-midi Interface UX-16 and Midi Ox.
I will give it another day of trying, then I'm going to unload with unfavorable reviews on every forum I can find, including the pages of the companies that sell it.
If you are in contact with them, you can tell them this if you wish.
Thanks for any help you can give.
DonM

I would really like to buy this unit and I did some research online, but I need feedback from actual owners like Donm, and who ever else has it.

Hi Don,
I have replied to your message. If the Harmony does not re-boot automatically it hasn't worked.

Maybe someone on SZ can lend you an older interface? As I said in my message if I was in the USA I would ship mine to you express.

Dennis.

PS: I know it DOES work because my unit works beautifully, and shows 8. when checking the OS. The chord recognition is now about as quick as the PA800, or the G70. It also doesn't seem to "mess up" intervals anymore either, particularly when it's sent a late, quick, chord change.

Thanks Dennis,
I have an old Roland MPU midi connector that uses Serial Port, but so far my computer won't find it, and I can't find a driver for it either.
I'll try some more tomorrow. I left everything at the club.
DonM

Can you send it to tc helicon for the upgrade this is sounding like a pain to accomplish!!

My experience with TCs Customer Service Department has been abysmal at best. They did not return emails, when I finally was able to get a telephone number the technician I talked with put me on hold for over an hour, then he said he wasn't familiar with the Harmony M so he would have someone else to call me. I gave him my phone number and never hear from them again. I called three more times and each time was told the same thing. Additionally, my Harmony M came with the wrong owners manual (harmony-G). I was told on five occasions that one would be sent right away. I provided them with my mailing address each time. I still do not have the manual after six months. GC said they will order another Harmony M and give me the manual that comes with the new unit. That was a month ago.

Just another fun day in Paradise,

Gary

Gary thats really sux @ there is NO excuse for treating their customers like that!

These guys are real bozos. My Harmony M already came with the latest software as I recently purchased it. It displayed .8 in the display. But the website says that build 17 is the latest and if my display doesn't say .7, then I don't have the latest software.

I spent all this time downloading, and of course, my unit kept on saying .8.

I told customer support that my unit had .8, and how could I get the download to work. Instead of updating the text of their website or knowing their behind from a hole in the wall, they have been sending me emails about how to change my buffers.

This unit works pretty well. For recording, I recommend creating a dedicated track with the chords perfectly played (no embelishments). Then, if you sing in tune, you should get very nice harmonies.

As I am using this unit just for recording, I am seriously considering Melodyne Studio 3, as you can create harmonies that are exact replicas of your voice instead of the android harmonies that these harmonizers create.

Beakybird

Beakybird,
8. IS the latest version, they just have not updated the website.

So if your unit says 8. you do not have to update anything!!

Although why they have not is something I can understand.

Dennis

And as for the service.... As I said in the OP, it was over nearly TWO WEEKS of email correspondance with them to get the info and the updated patch.

The average time between replies was 4 days!!

Dennis