How to unblock your Noah?

[paugui]

Hi all

So... I just got a Creamware Noah EX!

I already have one, a Final Edition with the rare Meurer MiniMax controller, but felt it would be nice to add a second one, especially since I'm giving up on my Creamware Pro 12.

When I got the other one, I remember I had to contact Sonic Core to unblock the remaining plug-ins in my Creamware Noah EX, but I can't recall the entire process...

Is it something you can only do with the original editor?
I currently have a MacBook Pro with Mac OS 10.9, so if I need to use an older computer, I should start checking it to get the plug-ins unblocked very quickly
Also, what information does Sonic Core need to unblock the plug-ins, just the serial number or something more?


Thanks in advance,
Best regards

Paulo

[Nebukadneser]

I think you can just download the remaining plugins from the SC site as they do not require a key for registration. I think I read somewhere that the final plugs were released free of charge after the platform was abandoned. I can´t verify as I purchased mine (Prodyssey and Pro 5), but the beta of Vectron requires no license. For installation, i dropped the OXE files in the correct folder (Install or oxe) under Noah, and the plugs were auomatically installed upon starting the NOAH remote sofware.

Neb

[garyb]

write to support and provide your serial number. ask for a keyfile.

you MUST use XP or OSX10.2 or EARLIER to update the Noah.

[paugui]

Are you sure it must be OS 10.2 or earlier?

I am pretty sure that, when I did it with the other one, I used my old iMac with OS 10.4...

Have to see what to do as it seems I actually really need to reinstall the OS to get it to work (no audio available... :S).

[garyb]

do what you want, maybe it will work. don't blame me if you end up with a brick.

remember, that software was written more than 10 years ago...

[3dcandy]

Win 10 x86 will update a Noah just under compatibility mode
Not sure about osx

[ste]

hello,
in windows xp it worked here, although a bit tricky. Synchronization did not work here...

[paugui]

It has been a while but unfortunately I couldn't have anyone doing it for me until now…

But my Creamware Noah EX is now with a friend with a computer with Windows XP but he seems to need the driver to be able to connect the Noah to the computer…

I remember getting a link before with lots of files related with the Creamware Noah, but it seems I am missing those…

Can someone provide me all the files needed to re-install the OS on a Creamware Noah EX using a computer with Windows XP?
Fortunately I still have the keys to activate all the "skins"!

Thank you all in advance, best regards, Paulo

[sunmachine]

You can download Version 1.1 of the Noah software here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040816193 ... bmenu=home

[paugui]

Thanks for the files!


But sadly, my friend couldn't fix my Creamware Noah EX even after re-installing the OS…


Basically, when it starts it displays for a second the "ACK Timeout" message, before the final screen shows up.

Then it looks like everything is working, even using the editor, but it seems it isn't authorising the keys for the extra synths and doesn't make any sound…


Does anyone has any clue how to fix this?


Thank you all in advance, best regards, Paulo

[Bud Weiser]

as Gary said ... viewtopic.php?p=333752#p333752 ...

Get the keyfile 1st !

When I got my,- also used,- NOAH EX some time ago, I had no clue how to bring it up to it´s latest OS version and such.
The seller wasn´t unable to provide a keyfile and useful info.
So I waded thru this NOAH thread here @PlanetZ and was happy to get the keyfiles for the "ancient" machine.

I decided for reflashing the machine 1st, then install latest OS,- and that was it and it works like new.

But you HAVE to use a WinXP computer or Mac OS X 10.2, read everything twice and painstakingly follow the instructions !
Once you reflashed the NOAH successfully, install NOAH v1.1 software.
In Windows XP (SP3), disable driver signing before you do !!!
I didn´t know,- and forgot I also had to do this when installing SCOPE v5.1 on a XP machine,- so the NOAH drivers didn´t install completely, and it cost me a lot of time and nerves to find out why.
But that´s only software...

Before you dive into the software upgrade/update,- you have to be sure the machine´s electronics work flawlessly.
I´ve never seen a "ACK Timeout" message and a NOAH plays the installed and authorized synths even some extras aren´t authorized.

Are you able selecting and loading "single" devices from frontpanel and playing these using a 5-Pin DIN MIDI connected MIDI keyboard ?
Does your NOAH play musically useful sounds at all when receiving MIDI notes and when NO computer is connected ?

Mine did,- even w/ the oldest OS installed.
The devices don´t sound and work different depending on the OS since NOAH is a hardware device working as it should and w/o a computer.

If not,-
Does the PSU work stable ?
Do the flashmemory modules work as they should ?
Both are important preconditions for a successful reflash procedure.

And,- what do you mean w/ "re-installing the OS" ?
IIRC, the latest firmware comes w/ the flash files.
There are 2 of these,-

"noah_default.dmp" (bringing NOAH to the level when it was released 1st and not including all the extra devices)
"noah_default_edsp_prod.dmp" (incl. the optional devices except Profit5)
The Flashtool,- and depending on your hardware serial number,- one of these files is what you need.

When your "SYSTEM" version is v1.0, 2003-5-6 (check in NOAH system menue),- in Windows there is no USB connectivity at all.
This was the case w/ my NOAH EX.
So, updating the SYSTEM software was essential for further installations and activations using .oxe files and keyfile(s).
And on my NOAH EX, this was only possible after setting NOAH into "miniOS" mode and reflash.
Otherwise and in Windows, there never ever were any reliable working USB connectivity possible.

I have no clue how it works w/ Mac OS X 10.2,- my oldest Macs are MacOS 9.22 and then OS X 10.4.11.

So, I recommend using Windows XP Pro SP2 or SP3.



Bud

[valis]

Help me archive the Legacy Noah files, I'll grab these now. Since I don't own a Noah, what other files should I archive for owners?

You can download Version 1.1 of the Noah software here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040816193 ... bmenu=home

I've added this to the "Legacy Software Versions" menu link in the top menu under "Using Scope", the article is titled "Noah v1.1". Feel free to check my work, and comment with anything else I should add.

[Bud Weiser]

Help me archive the Legacy Noah files, I'll grab these now. Since I don't own a Noah, what other files should I archive for owners?

I´ll come back to you later.
I have everything.
I´m out of the office this afternoon,- so plz be patient.
Upload will need some time too since my webspeed is not the fastest.
I´d need an email addy for "Wetransfer".

There´s Noah 1.0 and 1.1, the Flashtool and .dmp files, Noah .oxe files, the Prophet5 extras to install manually, all the instructions and Noah documentation.

You might double check S|C website/downloads and see what´s available,- it might be incomplete.
Plz let me know before I upload,- and maybe, you´ll need S|C permission to host here.

The Prophet5 (Profit5) files are a mess for sure.
These are called "additionals" and it´s unclear which have to go to where once downloaded.
And it´s buggy and doesn´t allow full frontpanel editing like all the other devices being installed allow.
An older installer not introducing this bug, which existed @Creamware times, is what we need to make all perfect.
But this was, when they provided a to your hardware serial number bound file w/ the activation key individually via email and didn´t use the automated key-request procedure and always the same installer file.

Or we need someone being able fixing this little bug in SDK.
It´s just only when trying to enter the "synth" parameters via frontpanel push-encoders or the "arrow" navigation tool and press "enter",- the cursor jumps back to upper line in display w/ preset name and number.
Only the Prophet´s global parameters (outputs, etc.) can be edited via frontpanel unfortunately.

I wonder if it was SDK v4 (or earlier) Creamware used.



Bud

[sunmachine]

Ah yes, I didn’t check the SC download archive.
So they have the following files here: https://sonic-core.de/downloads/#elf_l1 ... ZXMvbm9haA

IMG_1572.jpeg (272.41 KiB) Viewed 3037 times

[Bud Weiser]

That´s it and it seems to be complete.
The Noah Profit5 additionals are in the Noah nokeys oxe folder.



Bud

[distcore]

At least you can still edit 16 parameters of the prophet 5 on the Noah via the 16 performance controllers if you assign them in the editor first.

[Bud Weiser]

At least you can still edit 16 parameters of the prophet 5 on the Noah via the 16 performance controllers if you assign them in the editor first.

Well, another workaround and better than nothing,- thank you.

But,- it would be ideal when everything frontpanel operation working for all the other devices would also work w/ Profit5 !
And it did in the past and does on some Noah (EX) still today.
On R.Meurer´s (Kraftwerk´s tech manager) NoahEX, it works !
He can go into the "in depth" SYNTH parameters, edit and save/recall.
It´s because he bought the NoahEX new @Creamware times and got an earlier and individual Profit5 installation file.
On S|C download page, the file is buggy and all presets above number 49 are corrupted and sound quasi "mono",- IIRC,- L or R side only in mixer.

Btw,- did you ever manage converting Scope Profit5 presets to Noah Profit5 presets so Noah can load what´s already done in Scope ?
I know, Noah´s Profit5 lacks the FX section,- but then, maybe it ignors these paramenters.

In addition to the Prophet5.dev suffix, there are several other: .ndl, .nml, .nmp, .npl and .S20 - .S23

I guess .npl is Noah Preset List, but what are the other ?

In Scope, preset list/bank is just only .pre ...

Should be possible to convert,- no ?

I also wonder why it´s called Profit5 everywhere and the device´s filename is Prophet5.dev



Bud

[paugui]

My friend was able to fix it, but using the "noah_default_edsp_prod.dmp" file, there seem to be some synths missing few synths, namely - B2003 / Interpole / Profit 5 / Vectron (only has Vectron P). Do these have to be installed independently? If so, is there any tutorial explaining how that can be done easily? Thank you all in advance, best regards, Paulo

[Bud Weiser]

My friend was able to fix it, but using the "noah_default_edsp_prod.dmp" file, there seem to be some synths missing few synths, namely - B2003 / Interpole / Profit 5 / Vectron (only has Vectron P). Do these have to be installed independently?

No !!!
It should be everything "standard" for NoahEX included in that file,- except "Profit5", which (I mentioned before already) has to be installed manually 1st in the Noah Remote Ediror Program and then transfered to the Noah hardware via the synchronizer.

VectronP = Vectron Player and is what came w/ stock Noah (EX) installations.

You might miss devices because these aren´ installed and/or not activated 100%.
Have a look into the oxe-files folder where is everything you need,- especially the additional Profit5 files.
Reflashing the machine is 1 step only,- correct device installation and activation is the other.

Have a look into your keyfile via Windows editor ans see what´s in.
When you got single keys for all, several or some devices,- maybe in an email or textfile, use the .oxe files for every device and install as also activate one-by-one.

If so, is there any tutorial explaining how that can be done easily? Thank you all in advance, best regards, Paulo

Easily ???

No,- only what you find in the documentation and in the Noah thread here in the forum.

Is your friend an experienced Noah user?
If not,- he cannot do better than you I fear.
Are you 200% sure the reflash procedure was done correctly?
Did he set the machine into miniOS mode before performing the reflash?
Are you yourself present when he works on your Noah?



Bud