PicoPango firmware v0.9.7
=========================

  picopango-v0.9.7.uf2    the firmware
  PicoPangoUpdate.exe    installs it over USB (Windows)

There are three ways to install it:

- PicoPangoUpdate: on Windows, no button needed.
- The BOOT button: on any computer, the same way as any Raspberry Pi
  Pico board. Hold the button, plug in USB, drop the .uf2 file on the
  drive that appears.
- A SysEx message: on any computer, no button needed.


Updating with PicoPangoUpdate (Windows)
---------------------------------------

1. Connect PicoPango to the computer with a USB cable. It can stay on
   the sound card.
2. Close any program that uses PicoPango's MIDI port, such as a MIDI
   player or a sequencer.
3. Drag picopango-v0.9.7.uf2 onto PicoPangoUpdate.exe.
4. PicoPangoUpdate switches PicoPango to update mode, copies the
   firmware and waits for PicoPango to come back. This takes a minute
   or two; leave the cable in until it says Done.

If an update is interrupted (the cable comes out, the computer sleeps),
PicoPango stays in update mode. Run PicoPangoUpdate again with the same
file: it finds PicoPango waiting and offers to finish the job.

PicoPangoUpdate only writes to the PicoPango it switched to update mode
itself (it checks the serial number), and it stops if another board is
already in update mode or more than one PicoPango is connected.


Updating with the BOOT button (any computer)
--------------------------------------------

This is the usual way for Raspberry Pi Pico boards, and it works on
Windows, macOS and Linux without installing anything.

1. PicoPango must be without power first: switch off the PC its sound
   card is in (or take PicoPango off the card), and unplug its USB
   cable. The button only counts at power-up; while the sound card
   powers the board, plugging in USB does not restart it.
2. Hold the BOOT button and plug the USB cable into the computer you
   update from. Let go of the button.
3. A drive named RP2350 appears. Drag picopango-v0.9.7.uf2 onto it.
4. The drive disappears when the copy is done, and PicoPango restarts
   on the new firmware.


Updating with a SysEx message (any computer)
--------------------------------------------

1. Send PicoPango this SysEx message from any program that can send
   SysEx: F0 7D 50 52 7F 42 F7. It switches to update mode.
2. A drive named RP2350 appears. Copy picopango-v0.9.7.uf2 onto it.
3. The drive disappears when the copy is done, and PicoPango restarts
   on the new firmware.


New in v0.9.7
-------------

- Pocket plays in tune: every instrument is now tuned to its exact
  pitch, so horns, strings and other parts no longer sound slightly
  apart on held chords.


New in v0.9.6
-------------

- PicoPango always starts: if its stored settings ever stop it from
  starting, it starts on the default settings instead.
- Every change to a setting is checked after it is saved.
- No more missing notes after the music has been stopped for a long
  time.
- No more crackle in loud music.
- Busy songs no longer lose notes to repeated cymbals and drums.
- In tune: GU-Wave trumpet, accordion, ocarina and clavinet; Pocket
  Fifths Lead.
- Pocket instruments that were silent now play: harmonica, tuba,
  church organ and more.
- Chip: louder drums and timpani.
- Sierra's Roland GS music (Quest for Glory 2, Larry 3, Conquest of
  Longbow and others) plays its instruments again instead of drums:
  parts set to the Sound Canvas MT-32 sounds now get them.
- FM-Classic: eight more drum sounds (High Q, Slap, Scratch, Sticks,
  Square Click, Metronome).


Version history
---------------

v0.9.7  Pocket in tune.
v0.9.6  Always starts, even with damaged settings; saved settings are
        checked. Sound fixes: missing notes, crackle, tuning, silent
        Pocket instruments, Chip drums, Sierra GS music, FM drums.
v0.9.5  Descent fixes, brighter GU-Wave, Roland GS, the Sound ctrl
        setting (PANGOSET 1.3).
v0.9.4  Two new sound engines, Chip and Speaker (ENG4 / ENG5, or
        PANGOSET 1.2: CHIP / SPEAKER).
v0.9.3  Fixes: pitch-bend depth in GS files, full FM chords when all
        voices are busy, SFX drums and drums outside channel 10 stop
        properly, a setting made just before an update is kept.
v0.9.2  Two new sound engines, FM-Classic FX and Pocket (ENG2 / ENG3, or
        PANGOSET 1.1: FX / POCKET); FM-Classic brighter, closer to a
        real OPL3.
v0.9.0  Updates over USB with PicoPangoUpdate.


More information
----------------

The PicoPango user manual (chapter 7) and the latest downloads:
https://serdaco.com/downloads/PICOPANGO/

PicoPango is available at https://serdashop.com/products/picopango

(c) 2026 Serdaco BV. All rights reserved.
