Re: Notice from BMP

[Mark <sine@zerocrossing.net>]

wow, how organic.  I'd just change the manual to say, "when left in this 
state, the Boomerage will
become annoyed and it will slowly start eating your loop, so get on with 
it."

"Mikell D.Nelson" wrote:

> Hi loopers,
>   It's been a while since I posted to this site, but here's a bit of 
>business I must attend to.
>
> ==============================
>
> NOTICE from Boomerang Musical Products  23 July 2001
>
> We have worked hard to insure that the Boomerang (R) Phrase Sampler is 
>the most reliable
> and productive looper
> on the market. Despite endless hours of testing and almost constant use 
>by many musicians,
> we have only now
> become aware of a flaw in the software. The problem only affects users 
>of the new
> Boomerang+ Phrase Sampler or
> users who have upgraded older units with the V2 module. Software 
>versions 1.0, 1.1 and
> 1.1+ are not affected.
> Software versions 2a, 2a1 and 2a2 have the flaw. What follows is a 
>description of the
> problem and some
> recommended procedures to deal with it as you continue to use your Rang.
>
> The Problem
>
>         If the recording of a loop is started and no other buttons are 
>pressed the Rang will
> eventually reach the
> end of available memory and the recording process will stop 
>automatically. This condition is
> indicated by all
> 5 green LED's being brightly lit. When this happens you have a choice of 
>pressing PLAY to
> play the loop or
> RECORD to re-record it. This presents no problem if done immediately. 
>But if the unit is
> allowed to stay in
> this state for a period of time, the stored signal data in memory will 
>begin to deteriorate. The
> amount of
> deterioration and the time required for deterioration to begin will vary 
>depending on the
> characteristics of
> the particular memory chips in your unit. It varies from a few seconds 
>to several minutes, and
> every Rang will
> be slightly different. There are many manufacturers of DRAM chips and 
>modules and many
> different "lots" of
> chips as well, so the variations are great. If given sufficient time 
>however all DRAM types will
> eventually
> begin to degrade sufficiently to produce pops and clicks in the signal 
>during playback. If you
> wait long
> enough the signal can degrade completely to wide band noise. If the 3 
>way switch and trim
> pot are not set
> correctly, the noise can be very loud, louder than your loops.
>
> The Work Around
>
> There are several things you can do to avoid any surprises.
>
> 1) Be sure to have your signal levels set as high as possible (indicated 
>by the occasional
> blinking of the
> yellow CLIP LED). This is always desirable as it provides the lowest 
>background noise, but
> it also prevents a
> corrupted signal from being much louder than your normal playing levels. 
>If the problem being
> described does
> happen the playback of the corrupt data will sound bad, but not be 
>louder than your loops.
> Please consult your
> users manual if in doubt about how to optimize the recording levels. 
>Moderate lighting of the
> CLIP LED will
> rarely cause noticeable distortion and will give you the best 
>signal-to-noise ratio the Rang can
> provide.
>
> 2) If you see that the recording of a loop has resulted in all 5 green 
>LED's being brightly lit,
> don't press
> the PLAY/STOP or ONCE buttons. Pressing either of these buttons will 
>begin the playback
> of the loop and the
> signal data could be badly distorted. Instead press the RECORD button to 
>erase the
> previous recording and
> clear the error condition. A new recording can be started immediately 
>and will work
> correctly. As an
> alternative you could turn down your amp and cycle the power to the 
>Rang. This clears the
> fault and erases all
> signal data; once re-powered the Rang is ready to go as usual.
>
> We have fixed this flaw in a new software release, V2a3. If you think 
>this software bug will
> cause you any
> problem, you may exchange your V2 module for a new one. Please note 
>there are no new
> features in the new
> software, only bug fixes. To exchange a V2 module, just package it so 
>the pins are protected
> and mail to BMP,
> 305 Easton Rd., Dallas, TX 75218. Include a note asking for V2a3 along 
>with a complete
> return address.
>
> ==============================
>
> Mike Nelson
>
> Shipping address for repairs & upgrades:
> 305 Easton Road
> Dallas, TX  75218
>
> Boomerang Musical Products
> PO Box 541595
> Dallas, TX  75354-1595
>
> 800-530-4699 * 214-340-6913, Outside USA * 214-343-1038, Fax
>
> http://www.boomerangmusic.com
>
> "Some products make you sound better;
>  the Boomerang Phrase Sampler makes you play better."