Updating Victoria and Oscillus Software
Victoria and Oscillus guitars have embedded microcontrollers for effects. The software running on these controllers is written and tested by me and I try as much as I can to make it flawless, but I'm not perfect and neither is the software. So, you might need to update it to fix a problem that you (or I) find. Here's a guide on how to do that and the latest versions of the software.
The microcontroller that I use is part of a very powerful Teensy 4.0 board, designed by Paul Stoffregen at pjrc.com. The software is written using Teensyduino (an extension of Arduino). It builds down into a .hex file that can then be installed on the microcontroller board using the Teensy loader program and a micro-USB cable. The cable needs to be connected directly to the Teensy board. This is inside the guitar, so you'll need to open the guitar. The micro-USB to recharge the guitar will not work to update the software.
The microcontroller that I use is part of a very powerful Teensy 4.0 board, designed by Paul Stoffregen at pjrc.com. The software is written using Teensyduino (an extension of Arduino). It builds down into a .hex file that can then be installed on the microcontroller board using the Teensy loader program and a micro-USB cable. The cable needs to be connected directly to the Teensy board. This is inside the guitar, so you'll need to open the guitar. The micro-USB to recharge the guitar will not work to update the software.
Teensy Loader
Attached below are versions of the Teensy loader for Windows and Mac. Download the correct one for your computer. You can find detailed instructions on how to use it at pjrc.com/teensy/loader.html.
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Victoria and Oscillus .hex Files
There are two versions of the Victoria software, the full version and a simplified "Vicky" version. For Oscillus there is only one version. Here are the hex files for all three:
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Micro-USB Cable
The micro-USB connector on the Teensy board inside Victoria and Oscillus is close the the left edge of the routed electronics cavity, so you'll likely need an angled micro-USB connector. Here's the one I suggest:
Right angled and left angled cables will work as well. You could also detach the PC board in the guitar to get better access to the connector and reconnect it when you are done. The easier way is to get a cable that fits.
Update Instructions
To update the guitar's software, perform the following:
- Remove the back of the guitar. For Oscillus guitars there are four to six screws on the back to remove. For Victoria, there are four or six screws on the back and there might also be screws on the front sides (to hold the sides down) that also need to be removed.
- Find the USB connector on the Teensy 4.0 board and attach the micro USB cable to it.
- Attach the other side of the connector to your Mac or PC. Do not turn on the guitar. When attached to your computer the guitar will be powered by your computer.
- Launch the Teensy loader software. For PC just run the teensy.exe. For Mac, open the teensy.dmg (a virtual disk) and run the teensy application within it.
- Choose File | Open HEX file and open the .hex file for your guitar downloaded from above. (At the bottom of the Teensy loader, you should see a status message like "Oscillus6.1.hex, 4% used".)
- Press the button on the Teensy board to enter program mode. You should see a red light turn on next to the usb connector.
- Select Operation | Program. A message should flash on the teensy loader of "Download Complete".
- Select Operation | Reboot to leave program mode and start running the guitar software. (You should see a yellow light blink every 3 seconds or so to let you know it's running.)
- Unplug the USB connector and reattach the back of the guitar, making sure no wires are pinched.
- You should test the guitar and make sure it's working if something doesn't appear to work make sure you haven't pinched or broken any wires. If it still isn't working let me know.