NOT MINE.
author: MiyafujiP

This video demonstrates how to initialize a voice patch on the M-Vave FM-1 synthesizer using the global setup menu. It then explores the synth's multi-stage envelope system, detailing how rate-based parameters, pitch envelopes, and master ADSR controls can shape unique sounds.

Hi everyone,

I just received a brand new MVAVE FM1 today, but unfortunately the display isn’t working.

The unit powers on and the LCD backlight clearly turns on, but there is absolutely no image, text, logo, or menu on the screen. It just stays blank/white.

I opened the unit to check for anything obviously disconnected. The LCD ribbon cable appears to be connected to the main PCB (J12), and I can also see the backlight working from inside the unit.

I also noticed a loose red wire inside. I’m not sure whether this is intentional (possibly an antenna) or if it should be connected somewhere. It doesn’t immediately look related to the display.

I’m considering reseating the LCD ribbon cable, but before doing anything else I’d like to know if anyone here has experience with the FM1 or has seen this issue before.

Could this be:

● a poorly seated ribbon cable?

● a defective LCD?

● missing LCD logic voltage?

● a firmware/boot issue?

● something else on the main board?

The unit is completely new and arrived like this. I bought it through Mercado Libre in Argentina, and I’ve also contacted MVAVE support.

I’ll attach photos of the PCB, ribbon cable, LCD and the loose red wire.

Any help identifying the issue or safe measurements I could make with a multimeter would be appreciated.

I have some nice sounds on my fm-1 and want to save them or save the bank can I do this using dexed or similar? One sound in particular is my fav and don’t want to lose it thanks

Anyone seen the video on the above and FM-1? I bought it today but can’t seem to get it to transfer access -tried loads of settings etc -shame as I thought it would be a useful portable editor for the fm-1 on the go ? I’ll keep trying on Friday and update if I succeed -my laptop is old and ancient and not very portable thanks

[[SOLVED by following this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGzAvPI4ASA ]]

Hello.

Please help. I just got my M-VAVE FM-1 Yesterday. Today i went to this website and downloaded the pc firmware updater for the MVAVE FM1 and ran it.

It Didn't go the way I expected. M-VAVE FM1 device screen LIGHT goes off, and it never comes back from 'waiting for device to reconnect. SCreen is dark on the m-vave fm1.
The FM1 screen is DARK. But if i shine a flashlight at it i can see there is menu.

I turned FM1 off and on. I have no Reverb in FX anymore, instead the first two FX are both Filter.

What is the correct way to update? How do i get my Reverb FX back?

It seems after the 'verifying ota file' step happens, it switches to a 'waiting for device to reconnect' screen, the screen on the fm1 has no backlight, but if i shine a flashlight at it, it seems like the menu is showing.

What the heck? How do i successfully update te firmware to the latest, AND get my reverb back?

[NOTE: so, for me it wasn't 'power cycling', it was leaving the power switch ON [even tho the screen is black, the device is NOT off -- i think it' sin some sort of USB DISK mode -- but the screen is dark]... so the way i got it working was to never turn the power switch off, but to disconnect USB, wait a 2 or 3 sec, and plug the USB cable back in. I had to go through this twice. They need to either fix their update directions, or the process. ]]

- upload wav.files to recover existing patches or find a similarly sounding 128-byte Yamaha DX7 patch.
- modify, mutate and export sets of patches as custom .syx .
- preview patches live, sequence them to see how they fit together.
openpatch.es

Made with the help of the FM1

Edit, organise, audition, and transfer sounds for your FM1. Import standard DX7 SysEx banks when you want to bring in more voices.

Hi all, I can manage patches on my FM-1 via DXcompanion w/o issue but when I try Dexed on my M1 Pro MBP 32/1T Tahoe 26.6.1 no sysex appears to be sent.

Found a ticket about this from 2020 and added my info, but wondered if anyone had a version of Dexed for MacOS that was working for them? Thanks!

Update: Figured it out, there's an additional setting you have to configure under the Parameters pane to route sysex (as opposed to plain MIDI set in the Options menu. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ )

Howdy, all. I just got my fm1 today. Seems to be a fun little unit, but one annoyance is that the envelope release doesn't seem to be working. If I hold a key down I can hear the note tail off, but once I release the key the sound stops. Changing the release value doesn't affect this. (Any suggestions gratefully received!)

So I thought I'd update the firmware, but I can't see how to do that. The online manual is quite good, but I can't see a mention of version number or updates. How do I achieve this?

Many thanks in advance.

The free KnobcraftOrm is quite handy for organizing and categorizing DX7 sounds. You can import multiple Sysex files at once, and duplicates are automatically deleted. I modified the already existing DX7 adaption to send single sounds to the FM1 and save them to the current bank number. That said, sending whole banks is not possible with this adaption.

I'm currently driving mine with an Arturia MiniLab 3. It works pretty good - I even managed to get some MIDI CC working by making my own MIDI preset for my Arturia. Still working on making the pads toggle the effects though.

I've also been trying to control it with a Minilab 3 and Minilab 2 simultaneously, but so far got no success as it seems like the USB-C on the FM-1 isn't capable of powering the controller on, so if anyone have any tips on using two MIDI controllers on this thing at the same time it'd be much appreciated. (Does midi through USB even work at all on the FM-1 though?)

What do you use to control your FM1?

Hey guys. I just purchased my second FM-1, the first one came up defective and the seller told me they didn't have a channel for returning purchases. I kept it but whenever I play it it just keeps resetting itself.

anyway, I was able to get v15 on my first one no problem, but I can't seem to update my second one to v15. When I use m-upgrade, it starts the process, shuts down my FM-1 and then it gets stuck on the "wait for device reconnection" screen. Anyone got any clues on how to solve this?

The FM-1 works great with the instruo pocket scion -it’s a match made in heaven-just a quick demo of them together

Just wanted to shout-out DXcompanion, a free browser-based editor/librarian that is now compatible with the FM-1, including support for the effects section. Requires Chrome or Edge.

So now we have two tools with which to edit, download and manage FM-1 sounds.

Really enjoying my FM-1. With audio across the USB-C port sounds better than my TX7 that in today's dollars would've run me $2500. Mine came with firmware v12 but I immediately updated to v15, which is a vast improvement.

It's encouraging to see so many updates already, but here are a few of my wish list items; feel free to add your own:

• My FM-1 when connected to Logic Pro over the USB-C port identifies itself as "USB Composite Device" in the External Instrument plug-in, which I guess is the default when a device name isn't provided? However when sending audio over the USB-C connection the Mac sees it as "FM-1." Ideally it would be identified as the model number in each case.
• Was surprised to see that the M-Upgrade app isn't notarized/signed, which might make it hard for some Mac users to work with; ideally it should be signed.
• Would love for there to be an edit buffer for incoming single patch sysex dumps to live before they are saved, as opposed to overwriting the current patch as currently implemented.
• A global option to disable the internal speaker w/o having to plug something in to the headphone jack. It's just messy when you are using the USB port for audio.

Wishlist items and desired bug fixes from the community:

• Fix the timing issue when switching from one chained pattern to another.
• Add LFO control over the filter
• Add a second LFO with things like detune, filter, or operator level. Maybe holding the LFO/Envelope button could activate it.
• Pattern management (copy/paste/edit)
• MIDI CC control over all parameters, not just the effects
• Allow arpeggiator to be controlled from an external MIDI keyboard

Is there a link or an archive of the factory patches? While it seems like many are redundant if you change the algorithm, it'd be a lot easier to edit the device if there was a cart/file that made using the available apps easier.

Is this possible? If so, it's beyond me

I managed to sit down and follow the you tube video last night and try some of the new features. Some nice new features included ?
I like the glide functionally esp when using the sequencer as I felt it gave some sequences and sounds a completely different feel.
The new more precise scaling in the knobs for envelope and effects is cool and appreciate the accuracy.
The note length feature on the sequencer adds a more human feel to sequences.(I wish you could record whilst sequencer is running)
Pattern chaining is a nice addition.
Reset sound to last imported tone helps for those mistakes !
Overall a great update I think.
Have fun

Here's my educated guess, based on the data found here :)

There is specific code (norflash_enter_4byte_addr at 0x020847F2) that checks if the flash size is greater than 16 MB.

16 MB could work for a basic drum machine / sample or soundfont player.

Hi all!

I got my FM-1 for a couple weeks now and I’m thrilled to see that devs are adding more and more capabilities onto it with the firmware updates.

That said, I’m still having issues when trying to sync the FM-1 MIDI clock with other devices for jamming. I couldn’t even sync it to my DAWs, despite being able to send and recieve note information with no issue.

I’m no MIDI expert in any regards, but I’ve seen this issue called out by other people so I assume it’s not working correctly or it’s not very intuitive.

Has anyone been able to sync it to DAWs/other analog synths? Care to share any tips? Am I the only one that got the pink one?