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24-Apr-10: Software updates / EEPROM add-on board

Software version 01-41 was release for beta-testing last week. Version 01-42 is currently in development and will be released shortly. This version implements a simple Swing function and fixes some issues with the Force-to-Scale module. Support for the Arpeggiator function was dropped as nobody was using it and we can better utilize that space for future updates.

This release also supports an add-on EEPROM storage board that piggy-backs on to the main CPU board. Once installed, customers will be able to back up their data in case the internal battery fails, which has happened on a few recent units.

Prototype versions of the EEPROM board are being mailed out to beta-testers in the next week whilst Production versions will be available from this web site for a few pounds plus postage.

17-Dec-09: All good things...

The current versions of both the ZEIT Rack-mount and ZEIT Desktop sequencers have been discontinued and are no longer available.

However a new sequencer which similar in design and functionality (though hopefully a lot cheaper and easier to manufacture) is being developed and we expect to see a prototype emerge early in the New Year. Existing customers will be automatically switched over to the new machine.

Infection Music would like to wish all of our customers, old and new, a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

We will be out of the office from Friday 18th December 2009 to Monday 4th January 2010. We will check e-mail periodically over the holiday period but please allow us a little extra time to respond to any messages as we really do need a break this year.

27-Oct-09: Software Version 01-39 released

Software Revision 01-39 has been released for all models and CPU boards. This version of software fixes a minor problem in the System Menu.

We strongly recommend that all customers upgrade to this software build as soon as possible.

27-Jul-09: Software Version 01-38 released

Software Revision 01-38 has been released for all models and CPU boards. This version of software includes an improved MIDI In handler, bug fixes to the output driver and two new facilities, Global Velocity and Global Gate Length updates.

We strongly recommend that all customers upgrade to this software build as soon as possible. Extensive beta-testing has resulted in one of the most reliable and stable builds ever.

Global Velocity adds a user-defined amount to the velocity parameter for each step in the current sequence. Global Gate Length does the same for the Gate Length. As far as we know, these parameters can create effects not available in any other hardware sequencer.

04-Mar-09: Web Page Facelift

Yes, we're still here, we're still in business and we're still building instruments. The site has a nice, new face lift too.

The company who built our enclosures, North East Profiling, has just gone into administration. There were no pending orders with them but it does mean that we have to find someone else to make our metalwork, which also means building another set of prototypes and that's expensive. So, we've decided that the current ZEIT design is going to change to give it a more modern, less boxy appearance. The unit will be smaller too and much, much easier to manufacture.

Other products are in the pipeline. The problem is finding the time and money to push them through the development process.

As stated above, the web pages have just been given a major face lift and so it's possible that a few links may be broken. If you find something that isn't right then please let us know and we'll fix it.

27-Oct-08: Web Page Issues

Corrected some layout bugs in the HTML/style sheets that meant that certain pages were not displayed properly in old versions of Internet Explorer.

06-Oct-08: Software Section

Fixed the broken links in the software section and gave the page a general makeover. All current software revisions will be available from this page very shortly but users should make sure that they down load the right version of software for their instrument. Downloading the wrong version will almost certainly stop your instrument working properly.

01-Oct-08: Shipping updates/Schedules

Just as we promised, we're still making serious efforts to reduce the enormous backlog of orders caused by our supplier problems. These issues, which were absolutely not of our making, have caused us considerable distress since January 2008, when it became clear that the company supplying our enclosures is just not capable of delivering anything on time or on budget unless we're on the phone to them every single day.

However, those issues are behind us and we have enough enclosures in stock to satisfy all of the current orders. Our plan to eliminate the backlog is still in place and still going to schedule. Last month, we shipped more sequencers than at any time in the company's history and the backlog is finally into single figures. We still intend to ship all current orders by the end of the year so that we can concentrate on new products and new projects. We won't promote the existing products any further until the backlog of orders has been completely eliminated.

We're sorry for the delays but they were absolutely not our fault. Rest assured that when we come to develop the next round of instruments, we'll use alternative suppliers.

14-Aug-08: Manual / Download Updates

• The manuals have been updated extensively. Click here to view.
• Added promotional movie for Newcastle Astronomical Society to the downloads section.

01-Apr-08: ZEIT Retro Rack: First Pictures

The first of the ZEIT Retro-styled rack units was delivered yesterday. Here are a couple of pictures before it was sent off to be screen-printed.

... and before anyone asks... these are not April Fool's Day pranks... :)

29-Feb-08: Wooden End Cheeks

Custom Synth have just sent us some rather nice examples of their wooden end cheeks for synths and sequencers. The quality is excellent so we're going to add these to the list of custom options.

Check out more of Custom Synth's excellent work at http://www.customsynth.co.uk.

24-Jan-08: Ion Future Forever Best downloadable album 2007

The ZEIT demo album, Future Forever, was recently voted one of the best downloadable albums of 2007 over on the ElectroAmbient Space web site.

To listen to samples from Future Forever, just click on the Listen legend on the menu. You can download Future Forever from Magnatune and MusicZeit download services.

24-Jan-08: First Custom Sequencer Delivered

Robert Schmeltzer took delivery of the first custom-built ZEIT sequencer this week.

Robert's machine was a standard blue/white desktop enclosure fitted out with a mixture of white and blue LEDs and matching blue/white buttons.

These pictures show the machine installed in Robert's studio. Most folk agree that this instrument looks 'mighty fine'

24-Jan-08: Problems contacting Infection Music?

User's may experience some difficulty contacting ZEIT designer, David Hughes directly. This is a fault with our e-mail provider, BT/Yahoo. A fault has been reported and BT/Yahoo have promised a resolution in 24 to 48 hours.

However, the Contact form appears to be working normally so we would be grateful if customers could use this method if they need to contact David urgently.

15-Jan-08: Problems with the .co.uk domain

We have just discovered that our web page infectionmusc.co.uk is currently unavailable and has apparently been broken since November 2007. The infectionmusic.com domain name is working perfectly, as are the other domains such as SkinMechanix.co.uk and Infection Media, which are subsets of our main web page.

I checked with the registrars Names.co.uk this morning and, according to their customer service section, the fault lies with UK Domains, who were bought out by Names.co.uk in December 2007. Apparently, UK Domains took the money for the renewal of our account (paid on 21st October) and subsequently failed to pay Nominet, the UK's web page registrar. Apparently, this did so in the full knowledge that this would result in the cancellation of our infectionmusic.co.uk domain. They have apparently kept the money too.

Funny. I thought that this sort of behaviour was illegal.

According to Names.co.uk, the infectionmusic.co.uk domain will be restored in 7 working days though it looks like it's starting to recover as I type this.

01-Jan-08: Shipping again...

We've resolved the production difficulties discussed in previous updates and we're shipping sequencers again!!!

07-Dec-07: Update

An update is long overdue so here's the latest news.

As some of you may be aware, we ran into some serious production problems earlier in the year, specifically with the CPU board that controls the sequencers. Our hardware guy was unable to resolve these issues and subsequently quit the project. Thankfully, with the help of a local electronics company, Sloan Electronics, we were able to determine the cause of the failures and production has resumed. Special thanks are also due to Tony Algood of Oakley Sound, who provided invaluable help and guidance during this difficult period.

So, we're now in the happy position of being able to ship product again, with 4 machines due to be dispatched before Christmas.

My thanks, as ever, go to my existing customers who have shown commendable patience over the past few months as one shipping deadline slipped after another. These faults were not of our making and, as you can probably imagine, we were just as angry and disappointed as you. However, we're hopefully back on track and in a better position than ever to continue into the New Year.

18-Sep-07: ZEIT Desktop Retro: Pictures posted

Here are a couple of pictures of the amazing Retro-styling for the ZEIT Desktop sequencer. Frankly, these pictures don't do this instrument justice. The "Wow!" factor is very high today!!! :)

I've also repaired some of the broken and invalid links which turn up, for instance, when you do a Google search on these pages or from sites that link to pages that are no longer available.

28-Aug-07: Atem Details posted

The basic specification of the forthcoming ATEM Step Sequencer have been posted. Click on Sequencers and then Atem Rack for full details.

ATEM is a reduced functionality version of the ZEIT Step Sequencer. It features a smaller form factor (5U as opposed to 12U) and doesn't have ZEIT's Transform and Composer functions but is otherwise fully compatible with ZEIT.

Naturally, the price will be corrospondingly smaller too. Further details will be announced in the next week or so.

09-Aug-07: Web Updates 2

The major update to the web pages has been completed. There may be some bugs, the odd broken link and one or two tpying wristakes. If you find something that doesn't look right, please get in touch using the Contact form.

The Thinking Metal web site will under go a similar facelift over the next couple of days.

04-Aug-07: Web Updates

The web pages are undergoing some major changes to bring them up to the current web standards. Some of the font sizes in these pages have changed and the pages themselves may look a little messy whilst we reconfigure the site.

We're working on the issue and normal service will be resumed very shortly.

12-Jul-07 : FAQ

A couple of minor revisions to the FAQ and the manual appendices with respect to software upgrades. Would any users please make sure they read and understand these changes before attempting to upgrade their machines.

03-Jul-07 : Price Reduction

Due to the low value of the dollar, the retail price of the rack-mounting and desktop versions of the ZEIT Step Sequencer has been reduced from £1199 to £1099 until 03-August-07.

Contact Infection Music for further details.

15-Jun-07 : More pictures

The pilot build of the first production level desktop sequencer has been completed.

07-Jun-07 : Demos/Downloads repaired

Some of the links to the demonstration pieces were broken during a recent upgrade. I've fixed them and added a couple of new pieces too including a demostration of ZEIT performing Tangerine Dream's beloved ratchetting effect.

05-Jun-07 : Desktop enclosures arrive!

Well, they're finally here and they look superb. Here are some (better quality) pictures of the desktop sequencer enclosures.

23-May-07 : Desktop Enclosures

The ZEIT Desktop enclosures are finally here. They look fantastic!

These are just a couple of quick snaps so you can get the idea. I'll post some better pictures tomorrow.

22-Apr-07 : Bare-faced plug

This is a bare-faced plug for the new Ion album, Future Forever.

Ion is a new project that began life in the long, hot summer of 2006. I used a mixture of rackmounting and desktop ZEIT sequencers to compose the album and it was one of the exhilarating experiences of my life. I've never written so much music so quickly and ZEIT pretty much hit the spot every time.

The Ion project is a bit of a departure for me. Most people who have heard my approach to making music know that it's pretty much foot-on-the-floor, pedal-to-the-metal, full-on electronic power tracks with only an occasional nod towards slower, more romantic moods and feelings. Ion kind of cuts off at a tangent and is an attempt to get back to basics, to shift the emphasis away from keyboard chops and screaming solos and towards a more symphonic and, dare one perhaps suggest, a more mature and maybe even a more relaxed state of mind.

Future Forever is heavily sequencer-based, more so than any of my other albums. I wanted to really push myself and ZEIT and came away feeling rather smug and satisfied. Whilst I am kind of biased, I do think that ZEIT really is the bee's knees.

You can hear a collection of samples from Future Forever on the Ion homepage or from the Listen Whilst you Surf feature on the front page. The album is also available as a download from the on-line shop.

26-Feb-07 : New Video Posted

Beta-tester Chris Green of Bionaut has posted a short demo video of his recently delivered, ZEIT Sequencer over on YouTube. Click the image above to see the vid.

25-Feb-07 : New Sequencer Forum

The Yahoo Newsgroup, Infection Instruments will close at the end of March 2007.

Problems with spam and on-going difficulties with Yahoo's mailing policy have meant that this forum has been little used for months. Consequently, we have decided to look for a better method of communicating with our customers.

An alternative forum, Step Sequencers has been set up on http://sequencer.informe.com. It's free to join and is rapidly developing into a well-used and very popular meeting place for anyone interested in sequencers and sequencing.

30-Jan-07 : Software revision 01-11BR released

Software revision ZeitRack0111br.zip is now available to all beta-testers from the software update page.

Copyright 2009, Infection Music Limited