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Post subject: Where do downloaded MIDI's go?
Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 6:27 am
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Need some help here...

I was trying to update my g Dec...but had no luck. but it did seem to download a song from my PC to the G dec...but I can't seem to find it. It is not in the song list (with the 3 preset song). It it located somewhere eles?

Thanks for any help you can render>

PB


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Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 5:34 am
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Also...

I am having problems with my MIDI connection to this amp to update the program...along with the midi file transfer. I have a Emu Midi 1x1 usb midi cable. I contacted EMU support and they do not support there product connected to guitar amps.

:evil:

PB


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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:30 pm
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Same question: I can get the downloader to transfer a song, but where does it live? How do I play it? I've looked at the manuals, they don't seem to say. I have the "regular" G DEC. not the 30. Can somebody from Fender or another poster help out here? I recgonize it is a noob question, but...


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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:02 pm
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woolseyj, pbenson1167,

I'll tell you where your MIDI files went, "nowhere". The green progress bar just shows what's leaving your computer because it defaults to the "blind transfer mode". The bits are being sent out, but the songloader program is not listening for any "yes I received it" messages from your amp. If you remove the checkmark from the blind transfer box on the \Options, \Advnced Options window, then you will see the program "hang" after trying to send the very first piece of the MIDI file. This, because it never gets any acknologments from the amp!

The advertisements say one can store up to 64 MIDI files on the B-Dec. So deleting the 4 preset songs (00-03) shouldn't be necessary. But they take up room in the "available memory" so should probably be deleted. The SongLoader has a button to "Un-protect" these and then they should be delete-able. That doesn't work on my B-Dec either.

In addition to wasting my money on a B-Dec than can't actually play downloaded MIDI files, a few days ago I spend an additional $70 for another midi interface (Fender recommend: MOTU FastLand). It too hangs on the 3rd update of the amps firmware, which maybe renders it incapable of doing song downloads. Or sending any information at all to the amp???

It's all a big fat lie! The amp is not cabable of accepting MIDI files or anything else. No one on this forum has ever successfully downloaded a type 0 midi file and been able to play it! It's a CON JOB! It's a conspiricy!

You have, you say, come to my house and see what happens!

ZERO, NADA, ZIP, 1.5 years of trying and nothing to show for it.

Anyone wanna give me $5 for an un-used B-Dec ? It's CRAP!

Being able to download MIDI files and carry my backup band around with me was the ONLY reason I bought it! There is no evidence that this amp can do that !!!!!!

[/quote]


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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:38 pm
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It sounds like what we have here is a failure to communicate. You're computer is not communicating with your B-DEC.

MIDI files can indeed be downloaded to a B-DEC. I've done it successfully many times. In fact, some of the files that I have successfully downloaded can be found over at myGDEC.com at:
http://mygdec.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=32&func=select&id=10

Give us some background on your setup:
1) Type of computer (Mac/Windows).
2) MIDI adapter
2a) switches on MIDI adapter
3) software you are using and version number of that software

Download one of those files from mygdec.com (because we have reasonable confidence that those are good, working Type 0 MIDI files), try to download it and tell us exactly what happens.


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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:43 pm
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A few more questions:
Do you have the latest MOTU driver?
How is your MOTU connected to your B-DEC?
How long is your USB cable?
Is the USB connection on your computer USB 2.0?


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Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:27 pm
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Thank you warnergt... for responding to my cry for HELP!

Because I hadn't explained fully, you had some question about my setup/problems. Please excuse the somewhat (totally?) lengthy answers below, I'm trying to provide a complete picture and reduce the back-and-forth of it all.

What Type of computer? - eMachine W3502 (a one year old typical desktop box), running Windows XP Pro (32-bit). w/SP3 & all updates current. I've done these tests below on 3 other computers all with winXP + SP3. All have 2 GB of memory & USB type 2.0 ports. All produce the same results / problems!

Midi Adapter? - MOTU FastLane-USB (on Fender's B-Dec approved list!)

MOTU Midi Adapter Switch position? - "Out", ("In" position only for non-computer use)

This interface is a 2x2 and has green LEDs on the (computer) out A & B connectors and red LEDs on the (computer) in connectors. These give very useful indicators of what (and which direction!) is transferring across the midi interface. In the paragraphs below whenever I say the red or green LED blinks I'm referring to the MOTU interfaces activity lights for the "A" in/out ports. Green = data being sent from (software on) the computer to the B-DEC, and Red = data being sent from the B-Dec to (software on) the computer.

I've also tried the M-Audio Audiophile 192's midi interface, same results, but no LEDs. This PCI card interface is in another computer of mine, and cannot effect this computer!

Latest MOTU FastLane-USB driver? - Ver 1.0.1.45, dtd 1/4/2007 from CD in box.

I downloaded the latest driver from their web site which said Ver 1.0.1.2, dtd 1/15/2007. Which didn't make sense, a lower Ver # with a higher date??? but.. I un-installed the previous driver, rebooted and checked to make sure it was gone, and then installed the downloaded driver. The properties \driver tab in the device manager then said exactly the same info. So the latest driver is identical to the one included "on the CD in the box". I posted a message on the MOTU board asking for confirmation that a driver from 1/4/2007 is still the "latest", so far, no response.

How is your MOTU connected to your B-Dec? - with 6' (my CT100 cable tester says "good") midi cables attached to the "A" ports of the MOTU interface. I also have (and have tested with) 6 other pairs of midi cables from 18" to 10'. IT's NOT A CABLE PROBLEM! All my cables test good with a cable tester, and work with all other midi stuff in my studio.

I have a home recording studio (the spare bedroom kind). I have many pieces of midi hardware, keyboards, sound-modules, etc. I have over 16,000 midi files. I've converted 4 of them to type 0 for testing with the B-Dec. I have 2 different converter utilities, both of which refuse to convert them again because "This file is already type 0", from a previous (successful) conversion.

There are TWO things I can't do:

Software? - Fender Updater - B-DEC 30 Update Ver 1.04.02.03

(PROBLEM #1) 3rd part of the Update to the amps firmware/software "hangs" before it gets going! The "PSOC V03" update. It hangs and no data is transferred to the B-DEC for this update. After the amp receives the first 2 (HOST V04, and DSP V02) the B-Dec reboots itself as expected. I use the B-Dec's Utility button to get to the amp update screen and press SAVE twice. Remember now, 2 updates just finished successfully and I have not fiddled with the midi cables in any way! On the PC, there are now 2 choices either the "Program" or "Step by step" button. In both situations, the software now hangs. But, if I select "Step by step" after clicking Next several times and then Update in the "Step by Step wizard" window, that window disappears and the window underneath it continues for 10 seconds then a new dialog box appears saying: "Not receiving a response from the unit, please make sure BOTH MIDI in and out cables are connected correctly. Please restart and try again." I repeat: "the midi cables have not been touched, they worked fine on 2 updates only a minute or so earlier!" Using either "program" or "step-by-step" the green LED blinks followed by the red LED, then nothing more. During the "hang" there is no LED activity. On the first 2 (successful) updates, the initial green then red LED flash was followed by the green LED staying on continuously for many seconds as the progress bars on the B-Dec and PC screen moved toward completion of the task. On the 3rd update I know the B-Dec received information about the next update because it's LCD screen changes to show "LOADING PSOC V03" which is the name of the 3rd update. The PC software still shows being on "part (2 of 3)" because it didn't get an ACK from the B-Dec. The B-Dec did send the PC something because I saw the red LED reply to the PC's initial green LED, see??? But what the PC software received back wasn't "as expected". If... after the 1st 2 successful updates, and putting the B-Dec into the midi update mode via it's utility button, I click on "Program" button to avoid the step-by-step wizard, then it just hangs "forever" with no message at all. We're talking hours here! No LED activity except for that initial green & red which made the B-Dec's screen put up the title of the 3rd update. The green LED never glows continuously showing data is being sent to the B-DEC. That's problem #1. In addition to being a computer programmer since 1969, I am a certified PC Technician. A few years ago it was not uncommon to "Flash a BIOS" on the motherboard (let's say a Dell Dimension 8200?) when they came out with a revision. If this attempt went bad, generally speaking the situation was "unrecoverable" by the technician, and the motherboard had to be shipped back to the manufacturer to be fixed by them. I don't know if updating the software/firmware of a B-Dec is the same as Flashing the BIOS of a computer's motherboard. But, if it's close, or even similar to some extent, this may be the cause of my Problem #2 below. It may be that if an attempt to update a B-Dec goes bad, then all future attempts to update it will also fail, until the amp gets sent back to Fender to be fixed? But, the 1st 2 updates (parts?) succeed again and again with every repeated attempt to finally succeed with the 3rd (part) update, so I don't really believe that the basic knowledge within the B-Dec concerning how to do updates "got erased or modified wrongly" like when a motherboards BIOS has a Flash-go-wrong. What's happening with my B-Dec just makes no sense. SHORT VERSION: How do I get the 3rd (part?) update to work?


(PROBLEM #2) I can't successfully download midi files to the B-Dec. I can STREAM them to the B-Dec. I have converted 4 midi files to type 0. I have verified they are type 0. They play correctly with windows media player thru the PC's speakers (converting midi data to PC audio, I understand, honest!). If I go to the \Control Panel, Sound and Audio Deices, \Audio (tab), \MIDI music playback list-box and select: "FastLane Port A" then windows media player will transmit the midi data over my MOTU interface to the B-Dec and it's synth will play these tunes/files. That works! But I just want to load the midi files to the B-Dec and not have to take a computer to a gig! You know, just show up with guitar & amp only.

The software I'm using is the Fender SongLoader, Ver 1.04 when attempting song downloads.

The \Options, \Advanced Options screen has a check box for "Enable Blind Transfer" and it defaults to having a check mark in it. On the \Options, \Midi Devices window I've setup FastLane: Port A for both input & output devices. I load one of my 4 type 0 midi files and then click on the "Transfer Checked to G-Dec" button. It "seems" to work! 547 Packets of midi file info transferring to the B-Dec, green & red LEDs on the MOTU interface alternating for each of the 547 packets, a thing of beauty! And I can see "Packet sent" & Waiting for ACK" messages alternating (so fast one almost can't read them) on the File Progress line of the Loading Files window. And that old green progress bar just keeps on moving, ah.. how sweet! I click the OK button after it says "Finished". Great..., except, well... There isn't any Sweet Home Alabama midi file on my B-Dec! I press the Song button and turn the data knob and the B-Dec just shows the (pre-loaded, protected) songs 00-03, that came with it. I wasn't sure what the name size restriction would be so I renamed the file "05SHA.mid" on my computer before trying to transferring it. So, I got a very convincing "simulated download" of a midi file, but no actual midi file! If I try it with the check mark removed from the "Enable Blind Transfer" check-box, then something very different happens. The green & red LEDs flash once each, and the File Progress line indicates: "Sending Packet 0 of 547 - Waiting for ACK". After 20 seconds or so another dialog box opens up saying "Not Receiving a response from device, please make sure its on and properly connected". That 1st green LED blink is the PC software saying "Hello Mr. B-Dec, I have a midi file that I would like to transfer to you, it 547 packets long, are you ready to receive it?" And the red LED should have been the B-DEC saying "Fine, I'll store it in my song library, and I'll show the human a progress bar so they don't get impatient with me as I download it, OK start sending it now.." Then the process should have begun. But it didn't. Because the B-Dec really said: "What??, I didn't understand you, you want to do what?" Then after each of the 547 packets the B-Dec was saying "what the hell was that?" instead of "ACK". When the SongLoader program is in the "Blind" mode, it does not try to understand the messages coming back from the B-Dec. It didn't bother to try to understand: (1),wait I didn't understand your request, and (547 * "what was that?"). The SongLoader just showed that progress bar and every packet sent, ignoring the problems the B-Dec was having with the sent data. When the check-mark is removed from the Enable blind transfer box, this becomes clear. Continuing in the "Not Blind" mode I changed the "ms Between Packet" and other parameters, but was never successful. I powered off the B-Dec and then powered-on the B-Dec in between each of these "modified transmission" tests in the Not-Blind mode. I also quit and restarted the SongLoader between each attempt. No success! Always hung on packet zero.

SHORT VERSION: How do I download a type 0 midi file to the B-DEC. Where will I find it after it gets downloaded (I'm guessing the last entry in the song list on this one).

To anyone who can do midi file downloads to your G-Dec/B-Dec, what does the display on the amp do during a midi file download, you probably get a progress bar, right? And where does the downloaded midi file go? To the next available slot in the song menu, or does it get inserted anywhere based on the spelling of the file name.

WHEN IT WORKS CORRECTLY, WHAT HAPPEN?

I've been a technician for years. I know some days I'm the windshield and some days I'm the bug. I no longer care if others see me as "slow" or stupid. I once felt I was the sharpest pencil in the box, but not for the last few years (I'm 62 now, but still an excellent PC & Network troubleshooter). And I still create windows software that talks to cash registers, membrane touch-pads, and appliance control units. At least two others have had problems updating their B-Dec (pbenson1167 & woolseyj). How many others were too scared to post a message. You know, felt they might look dumb for not understanding the update instructions or doing the procedure incorrectly. I'm just guessing but there could be a lot of em. I think we need a "poll question" on that subject, let me see if this forum software allows it, and if so, I'll try to create a separate thread on how many had success or failure with updating their Dec's firmware/software.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me get the 3rd update to "take", and for anyone who can explain how to succeed at downloading a (type 0) midi file. On those two issues, the bugs are winning and the windshield is getting all cracked!

As I mentioned above, solving problem #1 (the 3rd update failing), may solve both problems, because the update that didn't take, may have contained the proper steps for doing (correctly) a midi file download within the B-Dec's brain. (Just guessing!)


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:29 pm
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Hi wjd7654:

I usually use my Mac with my B-DEC but I have used my
Windows PC. Let me try a song download from my Windows PC
and see what happens for comparison purposes.
I'm using the Edirol UM-1 MIDI adapter.

1) I downloaded "War - Low Rider" from the mybdec.com repository:
http://mygdec.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=32&func=select&id=10
2) I start up the Fender Song Loader (version 1.03).
3) Checking the options.
MIDI Input/Output device shows my Edirol UM-1 MIDI.
Advances Options
ms between song sends: 300
ms between packets: 25
packet time out: 1000
Number of MIDI in buffers: 32
Size of MIDI buffer: 32
Enable Blind Transfer: checked
4) Select "Load Songs" and choose the Low Rider file.
5) Click on "Transfer Checked to DEC 30."
File appears to be transferring. I can see the flickering
"Packet Sent" and "Waiting for Ack" messages.
Both "MIDI In" and "MIDI Out" LEDs are flickering on adapter.
At end, "File Progress" says "Finished file".
6) Song shows up as "S04" on B-DEC. I hit the start
button and it plays.

Try using the "Utility" button on your B-DEC and go to "Factory RST".
Maybe that will help.

I don't know what to say. It could be your B-DEC; it could be your MIDI interface and/or drivers. If you were close by, I'd say bring your B-DEC over and try it on my setup.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:23 pm
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I've received a reply from the folks at MOTU TechLink. The driver I'm using is the latest version for the interface.

I downloaded "Low Rider.mid" from warnergt's mygdec.com web site and tried to download it to my B-Dec. Same results, it looks like it's going down the midi cables but it doesn't show up on the song list of the B-Dec. In otherwards it behaved the same as your download up to step 6, it shouold have showed up on my song list, but didn't.

Downloading it in the "Not Blind" mode it hangs on packet 0 of 718. Just like all previous attempts to download to the B-Dec. (Exact number of packets varying according to the length of the file being used).

I did notice warnergt succeeded using v 1.03 of the Fender SongLoader and I failed using v 1.04 of same program? Perhaps some newbie programmer screwed it up in it's latest version? I'll look around for the earlier version.

Although I didn't mention it previously I did factory resets of my B-Dec after every 3 or 4 attempts to complete the 3rd part of the updates.
.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:32 pm
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Not that it matters, but I don't have any association with the mygdec.com website other than being a registered member of that forum.

Let me try a test with blind mode turned off. I guess I can try the 1.04 version, too.


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Post subject: dec-30 midi problems
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:20 pm
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Just want to add a post that Im having the exact same problems with this crap!Was very excited when I first purchased it,but to my dismay:The amp is very unstable/The amp will start to expell loud cracking-hiss and static!I spend another 30.00 for a approved midi interface,which dosent work at all!The support for this product sucks,and seems to be 2 years outdated.Really pissed I purchased this $@!&!P.S.If anyone has a solution to this besides selling it on EBAY,I would thankyou


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Post subject: Same problem with my G-Deck 30
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:24 pm
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HI,

I just bought a G-Deck here in New Zealand, didn't realise it was such an old product. My G-Deck has stickers all over it that say's what I can do with it, I bought it mainly so I could load midi files and save them to it. I have been trying to update the firmware for days now. I also try to load midi files onto it and as above it looks like it is saving the files but they are not there when I check the song list. I am egtting the exact same shite as wjd7654.

I am using the Cakewalk UM-1G the music shop I bought it from recommended it, but when I rang them for help they didn't know anything about it. I have tried finding a compatible midi interface from the ones listed on the Fender site but they are not sold any more. I found a link on this site that claims that the cakewalk UM-1G works but I cannot get it to do any loading onto the G-Deck, I can play midi files on the G-Deck but no firmware updates or midi load transfers.

As far as I can tell the G-Deck currently has firmware version 1.03.00 I can't see the last two digits? I tried loading the GDEC30_Updater_v1_04_00_03 but get the same issues as wjd7654. I am going to try and get another use/midi interface and try again. This is very frustrating, and I have been in the IT industry for 20+ years myself doing db admin and spent many years on hardware software support. It looks like the midi loading is working but it just doesn't, when I untick the blind transfer option I get the errors asking me to check the cable connections.

I have installed the midi interface on tree different Win XP Pro sp2 machines and get the same result, also updated the UM-1G drivers on one of the WinXp machines tried with the old and new usb interface drivers same thing.

Just having a moan.. Hopefully I can sort it out.. I have to admit I like the G-Deck.. I just wish it could deliver to me... as advertised.. The support documentation is rather weak also, there are no real troubleshooting resources they seem to assume everything will work flawlessly, but I suspect that I am some sort of limbo/Hell with outdated firmware that doesn't do what the literature advertises with this pre-loaded firmware version, unable to update it, and only have access to newer unsupported midi interfaces?

I just bought a new Fender Tele, and a Production Charvel So-Cal to add to my collection of Fender guitars, I understand Fender owns Charvel now.. I've never needed to bother Fender support but I may need to ring someone there in the near future if I can't get this thing working.


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Post subject: Success..!
Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:57 pm
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Strat Cat told me his M-Audio Midisport Uno works fine with the G-Deck 30 so
I just shot up to Auckland (3 hour round trip) and got a M-Audio Midisport UNO.

Literally just installed it 10 minutes ago, (downloaded new drivers from the M-Audio site for my Win version first) It worked a treat!

I installed to v 1.04 and DMR 1.03 update successfully no issues, and am now listening to an imported midi0 file through my G-Deck. I converted the midi file to type 0 and imported it with the same Fender Song Loader V 1.04 that wasn't working previously..!! Yay..! :P :P

Thanks Strat Cat I appreciate the help! :P Am going to look for some midi editing tools now.. Faith in Fender products restored..


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Post subject: midi downloading issues on dec-30
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:44 am
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Great to see a reply to my post!I am going to try the midi adapter that was mentioned in the reply.I hope it works with xp 64!


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Post subject: Re: midi downloading issues on dec-30
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:19 pm
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vbean127 wrote:
Great to see a reply to my post!I am going to try the midi adapter that was mentioned in the reply.I hope it works with xp 64!


Good Luck, and please let us know if it worked OK.
It would be sweet to let others know what does and doesn't work, I had a heck of a time trying to get good info on this USB/Midi interface issue myself and these post's are starting to show up in searches. 8)


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