Sub Phatty Not Communicating Via USB

[thetuberoom]

Hi Forum,

First time poster here. I recently purchased the glorious sounding Sub Phatty and have come across some complications very quickly. Straight out of the box the Sub Phatty was working perfectly, played keys, heard sounds, but I had some troubles after attempting the firmware update.

Following the update instructions I completed step one, but the C6 tool failed to communicate with the Sub Phatty, the "midi light" did not respond as per the instructions suggested (three blinks), I attempted to continue the process but saw no change in the status of the led lights. After browsing this forum, a member suggested using Sysex Librarian software. So I attempted this piece of software, but erroneously installed the boot loader twice, just before I read on the forum how bad this was, but stupidly continued installing v279_2_0_1. However, it still worked with the editor and I even successfully added it as a external instrument in Ableton Live 9 and got to creating some sounds.

Fast forward to this morning, and now I have no midi communication with the Sub Phatty via the USB cable. Swapped USB ports, swapped programs and swapped underwear, but nothing worked. I am considering attempting to reinstall the firmware again (without doubling up on the boot loader this time), but my greatest fear is that Phatty won't want to talk to my computer anymore.

Anyone else experience these circumstances? Should I re attempt the firmware update... Or should I throw the Sub Phatty through the music store window where I bought it... This thing is built like a tank anywhere, might as well put it to good use if I can't play it.

Kind regards,
David.

[thetuberoom]

I ended up attempting the firmware update again. This time I paid incredible attention to each step. My main confusion occurs at step 6. When I use either the C6 (first attempt) or SysEx Librarian (latest attempt) applications. I receive no visual feedback that the upload was successful, contrary to what is suggested on the update instructions: "You should see the Sub Phatty MIDI LED blinking on and off while the file is being transferred. DO NOT CLICK THE TURBO BUTTON in C6 or the update will fail. In fact, don't click anything. Just wait."

The Midi light does not blink. Nor do I see any evidence that step 7 has been completed. After waiting patiently for several minutes, I decided to install v279_2_0_1 anyway to see what happens. After I installed v279_2_0_1 I saw visual feedback from the Sub Phatty, a blinking MIDI light, but it did not retune the oscillators as the instructions suggested. Nevertheless, it started communicating via midi again and I was able to communicate with the Editor.

However... after going out for the evening and returning. I thought I would power up the Sub Phatty again before bed, and alas, same problems as last time. The Sub Phatty stopped communicating via USB.

My last plan of attack is to use my Mac Laptop to run the firmware update and see if the Sub Phatty is more responsive. The OS on my desktop is 10.7.5. The laptop is much much newer. If this fails, I will unfortunately have to return my Sub Phatty to the store I bought it from, I can't afford to have such an expensive piece of equipment fail to function as advertised.

Could anyone suggest where I might be failing? I have tried troubleshooting every alternative I can think of, I really want this great sounding synth to work!

David.

[Bald Eagle]

If you are using a USB hub you might want to try connecting directly to the PC. If that fails try a midi connection.

[DUBMCT]

A while back, mine wouldn't take it with e C6 - acted like you are describing. Got the sysEx download, and no problems albeit once i figured out the sysEx play button. I used a 2010 macbookpro direct to the sub.
Good luck and don't give up!

[thetuberoom]

THE USB HUB!!! I understood that I couldn't update the Sub Phatty with my USB Hub. But I wasn't aware that the Sub Phatty fails to communicate with a USB hub at all... After every update I would move the USB connection from the back of the computer back into the HUB. Hence my problems. Thanks for the suggestion. Popped it back into the computer now and it's working perfectly fine.

Unfortunately I have one new problem... I'm out of USB ports! Hopefully my Timemachine will work ok out of the USB Hub.

[Bald Eagle]

I'm successfully using a USB hub but it's a powered hub. I have had problems with many types of devices using non powered hubs. Disks and synths being the most problematic in my experiences. Now I use nothing but powered hubs just to be on the safe side.

A powered hub does not guarantee success but it usually eliminates the power part of the problem. Give one a try and see if it works.