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The downloadable file below contains the latest operating system for the Prophet 12 desktop module. 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 out Support Department for help in diagnosing the cause before doing anything else. Unlike on 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 OS


The Prophet 12’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 DSI 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 Prophet 12.

Instructions for updating using MIDI-OX and SysEx Librarian are given in the tabbed windows above.

The steps are:

I. CHECKING YOUR PROPHET 12’S INSTALLED OS VERSION
II. UPDATING THE OS FROM WINDOWS USING MIDI-OX

Or:

III. UPDATING THE OS FROM A MAC USING SYSEX LIBRARIAN

 

 
 

I. CHECKING YOUR PROPHET 12’S INSTALLED OS VERSION

 

To display the currently installed OS version:

  • Press the Global button. The installed version appears just below the header row at the top of the screen.

The current version is Main 1.4.2.3.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

 

If you are updating from the 1.0 OS to the 1.4.2.3 OS via USB, the first four programs of User Bank 1 will be deleted after updating. If you want to save any of these programs, back them up before updating to 1.4.2.3. This is not necessary if updating from 1.1 to 1.4.2.3. The UNISON DETUNE parameter’s range has been slightly altered. If you find that previously saved patches using this parameter sound off, try turning down the UNISON DETUNE parameter by a couple values.

Operating System v1.4.2.3
User Guide 1.1 Addendum
User Guide 1.4.1 Addendum

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 Prophet 12 to receive system exclusive messages:

 

  1. Press Global.
  2. From the Global menu, select “MIDI Sysex Enable” and make sure it’s set to “On.”
  3. From the Global menu, select “MIDI Sysex 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 Prophet 12 using either a USB cable or a MIDI interface.

If using USB, the Prophet 12 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 “Prophet 12 Module.” (Under Windows XP, it will appear as “USB Audio Device.”)

If using a MIDI interface, connect the computer’s MIDI out to the Prophet 12’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.

 

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 “DSI Prophet 12” (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 Prophet 12 OS update file.
  10. From the Command Window menu, choose “Send SysEx.” The Prophet displays a countdown indicating the progress of the SysEx file’s transfer. Follow any directions listed on the Prophet’s screen before/after the countdown completes. When the file transfer completes, “Writing Now!” is displayed as the OS is written to memory. DO NOT power down when Prophet says “Writing Now!”
  11. When the installation completes, restart the Prophet by turning it off and then on. You can verify the install by pressing Global. The installed version appears just below the header row at the top of the screen.
 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

 

If the OLED display goes dark when the update is sent to the Prophet 12, do not shut down the Prophet 12. The Prophet 12 will automatically power off then back on when the OS update is complete. The update will take longer than the SysEx transmission displayed in MIDI-OX.

 

Troubleshooting

 

  • If the countdown stops before the file transfer is complete, turn the Prophet 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 countdown gets closer to zero, 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 Prophet off, then on. This error means some other MIDI message the Prophet 12 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.

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 Prophet 12 to receive system exclusive messages:

 

  1. Press Global.
  2. From the Global menu, select “MIDI Sysex Enable” and make sure it’s set to “On.”
  3. From the Global menu, select “MIDI Sysex 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 Prophet 12 using either a USB cable or a MIDI interface.

If using USB, the Prophet 12 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 SysEx Librarian, the Mac’s Audio MIDI Utility, and other MIDI applications as a MIDI port named “Prophet 12 Module.”

If using a MIDI interface, connect the computer’s MIDI out to the Prophet 12’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.

 

To load and update the OS:

 

  1. Run SysEx Librarian.
  2. Choose your MIDI interface 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 Prophet displays a countdown indicating the progress of the SysEx file’s transfer. Follow any directions listed on the Prophet’s screen before/after the countdown completes. When the file transfer completes, the “Writing Now!” is displayed as the OS is written to memory. DO NOT power down when Prophet says “Writing Now!”
  5. When the installation completes, restart the Prophet by turning it off and then on. You can verify the install by pressing Global. The installed version appears just below the header row at the top of the screen.
 
 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

 

If the OLED display goes dark when the update is sent to the Prophet 12, do not shut down the Prophet 12. The Prophet 12 will automatically power off then back on when the OS update is complete. The update will take longer than the SysEx transmission displayed in MIDI-OX.

 

Troubleshooting

 

  • If the countdown stops before the file transfer is complete, turn the Prophet off, then on, and try again. If this continues to happen, it may be because the transmit speed is too high. Choose Preferences from the SysEx Librarian menu. Click on “Transmit Speed” and reduce the speed. Then close the Preferences window and try transmitting the file again. If the problem persists, try reducing the speed more.
  • If “Status Byte Received In Data” is displayed, turn the Prophet off, then on. This error means some other MIDI message the Prophet 12 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 SysEx Librarian as your only application.

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