That is AWESOME!
works with 246 tooâŚ
posted this in the field feature requests thread as well⌠would love to see the filter effect get added to the field. that filter is so useful!
1 Like
Could somebody do a tutorial for custom graphics, pretty please? For us svg noobs out thereâŚ
1 Like
Hello! Iâve been running some of the custom firmware available on GitHub for a while now. I am a big fan of the work being done here, and have since been taking up programming with the dream of being able to contribute. iâve been reading and searching this conversation, and I wanted to ask if the following is possible given the state of the art⌠I want to create hot-keys to change the midi channel the op-1 is communicating on. I imagine holding COM and pressing 1-8 to change its channel. I use the op 1 to send and receive data from multiple sources, and being able to change the channel like this will significantly improve my work flow, as I could change midi channels in time during a phrase.
The short answer is: no it is not possible currently.
Since you learn programming, you might have stumbled over the difference between interpreted languages (like python) and compiled languages (like C/C++).
Well the OP-1 Firmware is written in C++ and thus compiled.
That means that a compiler will translate the human readable code into machine code.
In the case of the OP-1, the toolchain is for a blackFin DSP CPU because that is what the OP-1 has inside.
All that machine code then get translated/manipulated and packed with other stuff (the VDK Kernel) into a package that can finally land on the Flashmemory of the OP-1. That format (in BlackFin world) is a .ldr file.
So in order to change the functionality you want, you have to:
- unpack the .ldr file back into the full machine code
- feed that into a decompiler/reverseengineering software (IDA pro, Ghidra, Binary NinjaâŚ)
- Analyze it and annotate it long enough to understand which part does what
- modify the part you want
- Save the modified machine code and turn it back into a valid .ldr
- Pack it into one of the OP-1 Firmware-packages
- see if you now have a brick or not
And I guess the modify->pack->test part is then a loop because most certainly there will be weird stuff going on when modifying the firmware this way.
This is pretty advanced stuff which - especially on the BlackFin architecture - very few people actually have the time and effort to do.
Iâd love to but I just donât have the time (and currently also not the means)
Ghidra is free though and there is a plugin supporting BlackFinâŚ
2 Likes
I bought my OP-1 in 2012, and in 2016 it lost the ability to update the OS/firmware. COM does not go into boot mode. Everything else works except that and it needs a new battery.
I tried contacting TE in 2016, and they gave me a quote of around $125 not including shipping. I thought I would order a new motherboard (or whatever they call it, but to this day since, 2016, I have not been able to source one from TE or iFixit. So much for the ânice companyâ or right to repair.
@Virtual_Flannel posted this to my old post about the issue as a response from TE on the same issue:
It has to do with NAND failing, and can happen after incomplete upgrades, etc. Unit will operate fine, except for just TE-Boot. (I.e. no upgrading etc.) Currently there is no available fix for this. The only solution is to send it to a TE-repair shop for physical reflashing of the DSP. Itâs a time consuming process and we typically charge about USD 100.- for this, excluding shipping. It IS covered by the 1-year warranty, but if out of warranty itâs recommended to only send if critical.
Blockquote
NAND failing sounds like a retention error, and that could be a repeat issue after reflashing unless they replace the board. I would rather try reflashing myself than pay the money and time for potential repeat business. Or buy and replace the board myself assuming it comes flashed.
Iâve been programming since 1978, and I would be into REing the OP-1, not for profit or distributing any firmware, but solely to assert my right to fix my property without violating any IP. Have you tried Ghidra and is it possible to reflash the firmware? I am assuming it is an ASIC with the Blackfin DSP cpu mentioned in this thread, and figuring out how to reflash it might be a lot harder than at first glance.
1 Like
Unpopular opinion here - but the first organization/company that open-sources their synth will probably eat OP-1âs lunch.
The DSP isnât super-advanced, and if you really let legions of coders and enthusiasts full access youâd see the blooming of an entire ecosystem instead of this walled-garden-a-la-apple-computer garbage.
But no, everyone will wait with baited breath for < next product > because mindless consumption is beaten into every person from a young age.
However, I can dream. Some have vision, while others just have greed.
You mean like OTTO?
1 Like
If it uses the same DSP, yes. If not, no.
Well, thereâs monome Norns (with a beautiful community) with scripts written in Supercollider, Critter & Guitariâs Organelle using pure data, Korg with the NTS SDK, Max now with the new RNBO code exporting capabilitiesâŚthe first three are around for years and coexisting in peace, harmony and even complementarity with teenage engineering synthesizers.
Nobody is eating nobodyâs lunch, but your dream is already a reality, enjoy! 
5 Likes
TabascoEye,
I realize now you had to repeat yourself, so thank you for your response! I really appreciate the information! Iâm optimistic I can contribute someday nonetheless:)
-d
They quoted you $125 to fix it 6 years ago and you havenât fixed it?
1 Like
How do you explain the long term proliferation of awesome synthesiser apps, cheaply, on iPad? A far deeper and more extensive collection than on Android.
Sometimes itâs not about greed but if someone spends a lot of late nights away from their day job and family to code up a price of music software, theyâd like to get a small financial return on that effort.
Youâre SO right.
We should just get excited for next < product > and not ask questions about < product > or make our benefactors uncomfortable.
Your consumerism has won me over, drone #5781558-NS-K73.
stop derailing this thread. Thanks.
5 Likes
First - donât police me, Iâm a grown adult.
Second - This thread isnât derailed, its going nowhere because Teenage Engineering will never âgive up the jewelsâ that will allow any meaningful progress, something you yourself have admitted.
Third - The topic of whether an open system would be better than a walled garden is very much on topic, even if you feel it isnât.
True. Worthy of itâs own threadâŚiâll join if you make one
A âgrown adultâ would have recognized this without being asked 
6 Likes
Havenât updated my firmware in forever. Finished a track 2 weeks ago, went to turn on my OP-1 today and itâs doing that thing where it doesnât charge or power on. Left it charged overnight, I can get into TE-Boot mode by powering on and holding COM. I heard the only way to fix this other than just leaving it alone and letting it hopefully fix itself, is to update the firmware.
I thought this would be a good chance to try a custom firmware? Or would that be a bad idea? Has anyone installed one this way, or should I hold off until itâs functioning properly? Really donât wanna get bricked lol
says TE-Boot v2.27.
If not, whatâs the most stable Firmware I can update too?
@darwiniandude
<<They quoted you $125 to fix it 6 years ago and you havenât fixed it?>>
Yes, because I would have to pay for shipping to TE from the US, and it would be at least a month or more turnaround for something that is a QA/QC or engineering issue on their end given the number of issues with the same cause. They are probably not even achieving three sigma and they are using COTS (Common Off The Shelf) parts like the Blackfin DSP. For the price they charge, the use of COTS, and standard manufacturing QA/QC, they are getting a pass from loyal TE lapdogs. I just bought an Octatrack and a 1010 Lemondrop a month ago; Iâll let you know if I have issues with them. I am selling the OP-1 in its current state without the ability to access the boot screen menu. Now they want $2k USD for the Field? I hope theyâve stepped up their QA/QC program if they have one. BTW, still no replacement board available on iFixitâŚ