Crumar Bit01/Bit99/Bit One Firmware

21st-century rewrite of the firmware for these vintage Italian Analogs. Allows for parameter control via MIDI CCs.

Bit-99 Firmware

Control your Crumar Bit-99 via MIDI CC.

Info sheet listing the CC mappings for the parameters (PDF)

Licensed from Bob Grieb, tauntek.com – Firmware Details

Footnote: The firmware was developed with a Bit working with CEM filter chips. Some of the earlier models work with SSM chips but the differences seem to have been provided for in the hardware, so this difference in hardware should be no problem with the firmware.

BIT99

Crumar Bit-99 Firmware Set (Tauntek Update, CC-enabled)

Item number: 0009
Item price: 53,00 EUR
(incl. 19,00% sales tax and plus Shipping cost)
Crumar Bit-99 Firmware Set
Tauntek firmware update, 2x27C256 chips with firmware and adapter socket.
With this upgrade kit, the Crumar Bit-99, also sold as Unique DBK in the U.S., can be upgraded to gain these features:
  • Editing sounds via external controller: CC control of all sound parameters
  • Improved Sysex sound dump
  • More sensible settings on power-up: OMNI MIDI disabled (was enabled), Program Change enabled (was disabled), Sustain/Release via MIDI enabled (was disabled), MIDI mod CC enabled (was disabled), MIDI wheel message enabled (was disabled)
  • Previous MIDI channel retained on power-off
  • Partial real-time control (unfortunately, most parameters are only updated when a new note is triggered)
Info sheet listing the CC mappings for the parameters (PDF) Firmware rewrite/expansion made by Tauntek, sold with permission

2-chip set to be sold at €50 including EU VAT, excluding delivery – coming soon. If you can’t wait, use the contact page to send me a message, and I will reply.

Bit-01 Firmware

The Bit-01 is the rack version of the Bit-99, also built as Unique DBE, an American-made clone. Slightly different firmware chips needed. It has the same CC control capabilities and limitations as the Bit-99 firmware.

BIT01

Crumar Bit-01 (Rack) Tauntek Firmware Upgrade Kit

Item number: 0012
Item price: 53,00 EUR
(incl. 19,00% sales tax and plus Shipping cost)
Bit-01 Firmware
For CEM chip-based version only, please check before ordering whether you have CEM or SSM filter chips inside your BIT

Bit One

The Bit One is the earlier predecessor of the Bit-99. Capabilities and sound are identical. It features sliders for detune and noise control, rather than the Velocity Sensitivity control found in the Bit-99.

Info sheet on CC controller numbers and new firmware (PDF)

BITONE

Crumar Bit One Tauntek Firmware Upgrade Kit CC-enabled

Item number: 0011
Item price: 53,00 EUR
(incl. 19,00% sales tax and plus Shipping cost)
Bit One Firmware
For CEM chip-based version only, please check before ordering whether you have CEM or SSM filter chips inside your BIT

How to upgrade

A Bit-99, opened up and ready for upgrade. The chips that need to be replaced are the ones with the white labels – C26, labeled “E” here, is the one to the top, C27, labeled “F” in the photo, is the one to the bottom of the PCB.

Replacing the old chips with the upgraded firmware is not too hard – it takes a couple of minutes – but be very careful with the old Italian hardware:

  • Disconnect the synth from mains before removing the lid.
  • Beware of static electricity – it is not only unpleasant to feel the discharge, it is harmful to the electronics. So better don’t stroke the cat wearing rubber-soled shoes and an Angora wool sweater while upgrading the synth.
  • Do not use too much force when removing the old chips. As it is rather likely that you won’t own pliers for chip removal, use a flat screwdriver or a knife. Insert it between the chip and the socket – not underneath the socket – and wedge the chip out, bit by bit. Keep the old chips in case anything goes wrong.
  • Look for the correct position of the new chips. The chip labeled C26 has to go to the upper socket, C27 has to go to the bottom, next to the back of the synth. Both chips have to have the little notches facing upwards.
  • Be as gentle inserting the chips as you were removing the old ones. Be careful not to bend any pins. If necessary, support the PCB to keep it from bending. The chips will klick into place.
  • If the synth does no longer work after the operation, don’t panic. Check whether the right chip is in the right socket the right way round. Check for bended pins. Remove the new chips, re-insert the old ones – if this fixes it, the chips have to be replaced.

Retrigger or real-time control?

As BIT owners know, most of the parameters take a retriggering of the note played to become effective. This is a feature of the own design that is not changed with the new firmware – meaning that, for example, you cannot hold a note and sweep the filter for it (unless you use the LFO to do it). Only a couple of parameters are processed in real-time, i.e. you can change the sound of a held note by turning the dial. For a Bit-99, these are:

  • DCO1 Waveform
  • DCO2 Waveform
  • Noise
  • Detune
  • Wheel Amount
  • LFO Destination Switches
  • VCF Resonance
  • VCF Enveleope Invert