RESOLVED: Novation Fall 2019 Firmware Bricked my Impulse 61

[BobK]

On October 3, 2019, Novation sent an email announcing that Automap won't be updated for Catalina and beyond and recommending that Impulse users install the latest firmware update.

Installing that update bricked my Impulse 61. Specifically, upon completion of the update, the LCD turns off, and if I unplug and replug the USB cable, it remains off. The computer doesn't see it (per Audio-MIDI Setup and System Information >USB).

If I plug in the USB cable while holding Shift, +, and -, it will boot into boot loader mode, and it does appear in Audio MIDI Setup and System Information > USB.

Novation support sent me firmware version 1.0.695, but that gave the same result. I tried on two computers, both running Mojave 10.14.6 (a Hackintosh iMac i9-9900k and a 2012 MacBook Pro). Both machines run without issue, so I doubt they're causing this.

With the MacBook, I tried a different USB cable (though I've never had any problems with the first cable) and got the same result. Both were 15' long.

In both cases, the Impulse was connected directly to the computer, not to a USB hub.

I'm awaiting further response from Novation.

My Impulse is in near-mint condition - barely used, and mostly stored in its case. Never had any issues with it prior to this.

If you've experienced this issue and found a solution, please chime in.

Thanks!

[stubbsonic]

Dang! That's a drag. Do keep us posted. Will be curious to know if you can fix it, or how Novation deals with you, in terms of support.

We'll ALL be watching...

[BobK]

Solution: The updates worked when I used a 6' USB cable (the previous ones were 15').

[stubbsonic]

AH!!! Perhaps noise on the USB line? That is a helpful cautionary note!!

[BobK]

Cable length was in the back of my mind but I figured/hoped I'd see error messages from SysEx Librarian and/or the Impulse if there was a problem.

[HCMarkus]

The shorter USB cable could screw with Studio ergonomics... perhaps a hub mid-run might allow a lengthier connection.

[BobK]

The shorter USB cable could screw with Studio ergonomics... perhaps a hub mid-run might allow a lengthier connection.

I only used the short cable for updating the firmware. Will go back to the long cable for regular MIDI controller use.

Novation said to not use a USB hub for the firmware update; I don’t know if they recommend against them for regular use.

When I had MIDI problems with my S90 ES, Yamaha also recommended against using a USB hub. That was a drag because my computer is tucked away in a closet for sound isolation. A 15 foot USB 2.0 cable seems to work fine, but I haven’t done any firmware updates or SysEx dumps with that instrument.

[HCMarkus]

I Miss Understood; the short cable was required for the update only. I get it!

[stubbsonic]

I could see how errors in sysex would be hazardous for an update procedure.

But wouldn't that mean that the long cable would also cause errors with standard MIDI data?

I suppose you could try to find a really good quality longer USB cord with good shielding.

[BobK]

But wouldn't that mean that the long cable would also cause errors with standard MIDI data?

I've wondered about this. My guess is that the firmware SysEx dump contains much more data than standard MIDI use. It took several minutes to transfer.

I suppose you could try to find a really good quality longer USB cord with good shielding.

Unless someone has done tests of USB cable quality, there's no way to know which cables are truly better. So far, I haven't had any problems with the one I have except for the firmware update.

[stubbsonic]

I've wondered about this. My guess is that the firmware SysEx dump contains much more data than standard MIDI use. It took several minutes to transfer.

Is there something about higher data density that could cause a borderline/noisy/weak signal to cause a failure, that would happen with less dense data?

Unless someone has done tests of USB cable quality, there's no way to know which cables are truly better. So far, I haven't had any problems with the one I have except for the firmware update.

I guess you could try your firmware update as a test.

But yea, you could get into that whole "our monsta cables have a snake oil micro coating for crisper cleaner data."