Freak Firmware Update: Move from Version 3.3 to 3.4

EDIT: version 3.3 and 3.4 are unstable. Avoid installing it. Use instead 3.2 or wait for 3.5.

Today, we shipped the last module of November’s Freak batch. We accomplish the task in record time! This time, it was a family effort, with everyone pitching in to help with packaging. My children especially enjoyed assembling the cardboard boxes, adding stickers, screws, cables, and the modules.

To meet our deadline, I had to rush some steps, and unfortunately, that sometimes leads to errors. All new modules were shipped with Freak firmware version 3.3, which hasn't yet been publicly released.

Unfortunately, there’s a critical bug in version 3.3 that causes the module to crash in Dual and Duplex modes. If you’re running version 3.3, please upgrade to 3.4 as soon as possible.

You can find the update here: https://github.com/modlfo/VultFreakFirmware/releases/download/v3.4/FreakFirmware-3.4.zip

Here’s a video that shows how to update:

To all new Freak module users, I apologize for this issue. If you find any issue, do not hesitate to contact me with a report and I will fix it.

Overview of Changes from Version 3.2 to 3.4

New State Variable Filter:

In version 3.4, we’ve added a new "Stabile-OTA" filter. This one is a variation of the Stabile filter (State Variabl Filter) but using Operational Transconductance Amplifiers (OTAs).

New Bootloader

One of the most significant updates in the new firmware is an improved bootloader. The bootloader is a small program that manages firmware updates on the module. While the old bootloader worked well, the new version is more reliable and works better even with low audio levels. Previously, I couldn’t update the Freak module using audio from my laptop, but now this is no issue.

More Vult Language Code

I’ve ported all Lua code used in the Freak module to the Vult language. With recent advancements in Vult language v1.0, it was possible to replace the Lua code that handles graphics and screen functions. This frees up resources, allowing us to add more models in future updates.

Bug Fixes and Optimizations

Several bugs that could cause filter issues have been fixed in this version. I also identified a few areas in the code for performance improvements.

New batch of Freaks

This last batch of Freaks sold out quite fast and many of you were not able of getting a module. This time we are better prepared and we will have a new batch some time after Christmas holidays in January 2025.