Stage 4 firmware version 1.14 released

[StuartR]

v1.14 (2023-09-15)
MIDI: Introduced Section (Sect) On/Off setting for Layer MIDI channels, where all channels are controlled by the one set for Layer A
Section channel listens to incoming CC messages. Note that the exact destination depends on the Layer/Effects focus
MIDI: NRPN parameter in MIDI menu now has options “CC Only” or “CC+NRPN” rather than the full set of Off, Send, Receive, Send+Receive options, as many of the previously possible combinations were not meaningful
MIDI: Program Change without Bank Select message now changes Preset, when received on Section Channel. Bank Select LSB, without MSB message, can be used for changing bank
Combining Samples and Analog in Synth could cause new strokes to not produce sound. Fixed
Rotary Speaker output level could differ when loading a program, depending on used seamless part. Fixed
Swell/Control pedals not set to their correct Type would generate very jumpy sweep behaviour. Fixed
Various devices and controls (Morphs, Swell and Vibrato pedals, Pitch Bend) did not behave correctly when switching Layer Scene. Fixed
Extern Bank Select parameters had range of 0-126. Now changed to 0-127, as expected
Pasting Envelope settings would also activate Shift functions. Fixed
Pasting Programs did not work, instead menus were entered. Fixed
Certain display hints (including EQ and Glide) did not disappear after using Monitor. Fixed
Program format was updated to v3.08
Synth Preset format was updated to v2.06
Various minor fixes

[StuartR]

Thanks StuartR. It would be helpful if Stage 4 owners update the Google Sheet NS4 Issues/Bugs List if their issue/bug has been addressed.

All, please also report new issues/bugs or bugs still present with v1.14 to Clavia (Nord) at Nord Support and note when it was reported in the Google sheet.

[Ecaroh]

Based on specs they provided the most midi issues are still unfixed. I am afraid I won’t update this firmware cause in my case 1.12 was step backwards and this 1.14 ain’t any different

[Satomy]

Based on specs they provided the most midi issues are still unfixed. I am afraid I won’t update this firmware cause in my case 1.12 was step backwards and this 1.14 ain’t any different

Yes, unfortunately even with the latest version 1.14 the Midi control reception problems have not yet been resolved. If used with an external MIDI keyboard, via the ext KB function, it does not receive the midi controls of modulation wheel, aftertouch, resonance, cutoff, etc.... even in the organ section, again using the ext KB function, it has not yet been solved the problem of receiving the following midi controls: on/off vib/chorus, on/off percussion, a function that was possible with version 0.98. I really hope that the problems listed on midi will be taken into consideration and resolved as soon as possible, especially for users like me who use NS4 connected to an external midi keyboard to play and control some layers.

[StuartR]

Here's a newly reported issue that's still present in 1.14:
When you connect a footswitch to the foot switch jack or when using the Triple Pedal to change Layers/Scenes, the new scene doesn’t stick. You have to press and hold the pedal in order to remain in the scene you are toggling to. Instead, when pushing the pedal, it should toggle between Layer/Scene I and II each time you press it.

[docbop]

It would be nice if Nord would make their bug database searchable by customers. That way you could see which issues users have submitted and confirmed to be a actual bug. Other data like bug priority usually doesn't get made public, but knowing something is confirmed and in the database means it will get addressed at some point. When I worked in software biz for many years and that's how we handled bug submissions.

[NiCoX]

It would be nice if Nord would make their bug database searchable by customers. That way you could see which issues users have submitted and confirmed to be a actual bug. Other data like bug priority usually doesn't get made public, but knowing something is confirmed and in the database means it will get addressed at some point. When I worked in software biz for many years and that's how we handled bug submissions.

Yup, we made that as well during years in my previous company... and our customers/users were definitely appreciating that...
Now I think if we can at least maintain the Google Sheet up-to-date and well organized, I think we can assume Clavia does check it from time to time... I don't believe they never look at that forum... I'm pretty sure they do... so yeah, if we can facilitate things by being organized in our bugs reporting, I think this will help both us and them... so let's continue to do it...

[cgrafx]

It would be nice if Nord would make their bug database searchable by customers. That way you could see which issues users have submitted and confirmed to be a actual bug. Other data like bug priority usually doesn't get made public, but knowing something is confirmed and in the database means it will get addressed at some point. When I worked in software biz for many years and that's how we handled bug submissions.

Nord unfortunately has a long history of abysmal customer service/management. Short of a change of ownership/management there is zero chance this will ever happen.

Also, just because a bug/issue is logged by Nord does NOT mean they have any plans to address or fix those bugs/issues.

This is just part of the love hate relationship that comes with being a Nord user.

The closest thing we had to an actual customer service rep/advocate was Pablo Mastodon, (who was a 3rd party agent working for the USA Distrubtors not Nord) and he has been gone for years.

[docbop]

It would be nice if Nord would make their bug database searchable by customers. That way you could see which issues users have submitted and confirmed to be a actual bug. Other data like bug priority usually doesn't get made public, but knowing something is confirmed and in the database means it will get addressed at some point. When I worked in software biz for many years and that's how we handled bug submissions.

Nord unfortunately has a long history of abysmal customer service/management. Short of a change of ownership/management there is zero chance this will ever happen.

Also, just because a bug/issue is logged by Nord does NOT mean they have any plans to address or fix those bugs/issues.

This is just part of the love hate relationship that comes with being a Nord user.

The closest thing we had to an actual customer service rep/advocate was Pablo Mastodon, (who was a 3rd party agent working for the USA Distrubtors not Nord) and he has been gone for years.

It's not just Nord I've worked for some of the biggest software companies and same thing goes on. The Bean Counter types looked at support and it's not a revenue generating department so they cut it's budget down to the bone or outsource it. Nord is a small company so they have to prioritized how they use there staff and R&D and manufacturing are their revenue generators and get the staffing. Yes, it sucks but that's how the business world works these days.

[J-One]

Here's a newly reported issue that's still present in 1.14:
When you connect a footswitch to the foot switch jack or when using the Triple Pedal to change Layers/Scenes, the new scene doesn’t stick. You have to press and hold the pedal in order to remain in the scene you are toggling to. Instead, when pushing the pedal, it should toggle between Layer/Scene I and II each time you press it.

Oh no i was just doing the Update and hoped for that beeing fixed D;
But then ist not my fault i read the manual 3 times for that and thought i have to adjust that in the settings
But even in there are so many problems i still love the Stage4 and i firmly believe they are doing there best at Nord about that