Komplex!

[mdoudoroff]

As far as I can tell, the Skip Step CV input under firmware v2 simply doesn’t work as documented here:

https://koma-elektronik.com/?encyclopedia=skip-step

If the mode is Skip (first mode lamp off), then a positive voltage at the jack seems to cause the step to repeat once, and then the voltage is thereafter ignored.

If the mode is Hold (first mode lamp on), then a positive voltage at the jack seems to cause the sequencer to skep every other step until the voltage goes low.

[mdoudoroff]

As far as I can tell, the Skip Step CV input under firmware v2 simply doesn’t work as documented here:

https://koma-elektronik.com/?encyclopedia=skip-step

If the mode is Skip (first mode lamp off), then a positive voltage at the jack seems to cause the step to repeat once, and then the voltage is thereafter ignored.

If the mode is Hold (first mode lamp on), then a positive voltage at the jack seems to cause the sequencer to skep every other step until the voltage goes low.

I got some clarification from Robert at Koma on this:

the Skip Step Input acts as an CV Input for the Mode Menu. Therefore a high voltage at the Skip Step
input at the very beginning of the step results in the same behaviour as if this step would be deactived in the step menu.

There is a little difference though, which could cause the confusion:
A positive voltage at the skip step input will only cause the sequencer to skip/hold only one step. Otherwise even the shortest
gate would cause the sequencer to skip a lot of steps, which would make it uncontrollable. This is why we limited the amount
of skipped steps due to a signal at the skip step input to just one.

I asked them to update the knowledge base and they said they would.

[trigger303]

I'm wondering when Komplex will be re-stocked.
They said it will be May 2018...

[oldgearguy]

I recently picked up a used Komplex with the original 1.0 (or earlier?) OS installed. I successfully updated the MIDI and individual sequencer OSes, but I do not have a copy of the CV Recorder update. It's no longer included in the 2.0/2.3 ZIP file.

Does anyone have the 1.3 ZIP or whatever release had the latest/last CV Recorder update in it?

Yes, I've emailed Koma a couple times, but recently their response time has been less than stellar and I haven't heard anything back from them.

thanks

[evileye0702]

I recently picked up a used Komplex with the original 1.0 (or earlier?) OS installed. I successfully updated the MIDI and individual sequencer OSes, but I do not have a copy of the CV Recorder update. It's no longer included in the 2.0/2.3 ZIP file.

Does anyone have the 1.3 ZIP or whatever release had the latest/last CV Recorder update in it?

Yes, I've emailed Koma a couple times, but recently their response time has been less than stellar and I haven't heard anything back from them.

thanks

I should have all the updates at home. I'll check this evening ant get back to you.

[evileye0702]

I recently picked up a used Komplex with the original 1.0 (or earlier?) OS installed. I successfully updated the MIDI and individual sequencer OSes, but I do not have a copy of the CV Recorder update. It's no longer included in the 2.0/2.3 ZIP file.

Does anyone have the 1.3 ZIP or whatever release had the latest/last CV Recorder update in it?

Yes, I've emailed Koma a couple times, but recently their response time has been less than stellar and I haven't heard anything back from them.

thanks

Just checked. There is no "CV Recorder Update". All that was included in the 1.3 update was 4 sequencer updates. 2.0 has 4 sequencer updates and a MIDI update. You should have everything.

[oldgearguy]

I recently picked up a used Komplex with the original 1.0 (or earlier?) OS installed. I successfully updated the MIDI and individual sequencer OSes, but I do not have a copy of the CV Recorder update. It's no longer included in the 2.0/2.3 ZIP file.

Does anyone have the 1.3 ZIP or whatever release had the latest/last CV Recorder update in it?

Yes, I've emailed Koma a couple times, but recently their response time has been less than stellar and I haven't heard anything back from them.

thanks

Just checked. There is no "CV Recorder Update". All that was included in the 1.3 update was 4 sequencer updates. 2.0 has 4 sequencer updates and a MIDI update. You should have everything.

OK thanks for checking. I was just a bit confused since there was a blurb in an early post on this thread about a CV recorder update.

[thisissami]

I recently picked up a used Komplex with the original 1.0 (or earlier?) OS installed. I successfully updated the MIDI and individual sequencer OSes, but I do not have a copy of the CV Recorder update. It's no longer included in the 2.0/2.3 ZIP file.

Does anyone have the 1.3 ZIP or whatever release had the latest/last CV Recorder update in it?

Yes, I've emailed Koma a couple times, but recently their response time has been less than stellar and I haven't heard anything back from them.

thanks

Just checked. There is no "CV Recorder Update". All that was included in the 1.3 update was 4 sequencer updates. 2.0 has 4 sequencer updates and a MIDI update. You should have everything.

OK thanks for checking. I was just a bit confused since there was a blurb in an early post on this thread about a CV recorder update.

There is a v1.3 CV Recorder. I just got a Komplex running v1.2, and Koma sent me the v1.3 update. I can send you the file if you'd like.

[suboptimal]

The other day I came into my office to find my 6-year-old mashing buttons on the Komplex. Apparently this is not a behavior that is recommended. Had to reflash Sequencer B and the MIDI chip to get things back to normal.

Three things:

1. AVR programmers are basic tools.
2. Koma's service is great.
3. Don't button mash your Komplex.

[ZLAL]

Has anybody had difficulty with the firmware updates? I'm attempting to flash to 2.3 and no matter what I do - different cables, different devices, different programs playing the audio file, different volumes - the "stop" button begins blinking immediately when I start playing the audio file. My Komplex has been exhibiting a lot of strange behavior so it is more or less unusable at the moment.

[suboptimal]

I recommend reaching out to Koma to ask for help. Do you have a DSP programmer? My unit has required reflashing several times over the years to fix various problems. That may be the answer in your case.

[mdoudoroff]

(cross-post)

This morning I made a video about patching the Koma Komplex, and the damn focus drifted on me part of the way in. It winds up a bit blurry. I hope it’s still watchable.

Anyway, I walk through a patch that I think shows off some of the joy of the Komplex.

[mdoudoroff]

It appears the Komplex was recently discontinued by Koma. Having used the sequencer for the better part of three years, I have a few notes to share in post mortem:

- my single biggest complaint about the Komplex is that it has no lid; for an expensive device with so many easily-damaged, dust-accumulating components, it really deserves a lid to protect it when not in use and when transporting it

- my second biggest complaint about the Komplex is that, despite the per-step buttons, there’s no way to directly select/activate a step; consequently, tuning up a pitch sequence can be an annoying process; the best workaround is to start the sequencer, set the length to 1, and use SSP to de facto activate an individual step

- I have never thought of a single reason I‘d want to use the CV recorder

- maybe a dozen times in three years, one (any) of the sequencers did not power up right, and either became unresponsive or otherwise behaved erratically (cycling the power fixes it)

- once in a while, the master play transport doesn’t actually start all four sequencers (this may or may not be related to the above)

- the inconsistent placement of the division knob on the left half versus the right half is a weird design flaw

- while it looks clean, making all the knobs look the same and labeling them with a spindly font means that you will—from time to time—grab the wrong knob

- the ratcheting capability of the Komplex is amazing, but anything more than four ratchets is—in my experience—not that useful, so it might have been more valuable to offer a variety of ratchet patterns rather than the ability to ratchet up to 16 times

- I have never used the MIDI facilities of the Komplex, so I cannot comment on them

- I updated the firmware twice, and never had any difficulty doing so

- Komplex is large, but it’s also 0 hp, which means it doesn’t carry the "hidden" cost of consuming rack space. Its size makes it quite comfortable to use.

- Komplex is expensive, but not compared to buying four modular sequencers with comparable functionality

The Komplex remains a splendidly immediate sequencer. Exemplary, really. While there are other immediate analog-style sequencers around, the thoughtful Numerology-inspired cross-modulation design truly distinguishes it.

[plord]

"Where did you learn to say 'soon' like this?"

"From Waldorf! I learned it from Waldorf!" [Exits room in tears.]

[Looks at his low-serial-number Q]
...feeling seen, if not personally attacked.

Anyway now that the Komplex is discontinued and there is no danger of future unfulfilled OS update promises, I just bought one

[Bigbang]

Please let me know if someone has no use anymore for his/her Komplex..