V5.4.2

Resolved Issues:
#399

Ghosts Busted:

-Fixed Afterlife/Frozen Empire wand ramp sound loops and transitions
-Fixed beep when switching wand from normal to standalone mode
-Fixed erroneous pack start if pack is started from wand then ion arm switch is turned on
-Fixed Frozen Empire pack startup not being affected by volume adjustment
-Fixed missing year selection for Default Year Mode in EEPROM Configuration Menu
-Fixed outer cyclotron rapid restart animation on 12-LED or 20-LED setups
-Fixed several sound effect volume levels
-Fixed URL for 50mm fan for DIY smoke kits
-Fixed wifi connectivity issues on mobile devices which expect internet access
-Sanitize user-provided SSID for RFC compliance and mDNS usage
-Several "under the hood" improvements

New Features:

-Added unique Frozen Empire shutdown
-Afterlife/Frozen Empire barrel wing hat light now matches prop behavior
-Updated wand mash error sound effect

Full Changelog: V5.4.1...V5.4.2

V6.0.0-Beta2

This is a special BETA or preview release which will prepare users for the upcoming major releases under v6.x which will require more space for firmware on the ESP32 device's existing 4MB flash. The contents of this special release is IDENTICAL to the v5.4.0 release with the exception of a new firmware images as the Attenuator-ESP32 files.

Follow the instructions in the included ATTENUATOR_FLASHING.md guide as noted in the "ESP32: First-Time Upload (via USB)" section. You will need to flash the entire device with the partition, bootloader, and boot_app files to change the device's default partition scheme.

Once you perform this task you will be ready for the v6.x releases in the future, and you will be able to downgrade your ESP32 to the v5.4.x code at any time using the OTA update process.

See this discussion thread for any discovered issues or solutions.

V5.4.1

This bugfix release addresses 3 major items reported since the official minor release:

• Cyclotron lid glitch when using <36 LEDs, affecting mainly the 20-LED users (#395)
• Restore consistent coloring to Powercell when in slime mode (continues with v5.3.3 behavior) (#391)
• Better error handling and recovery for managing WiFi defaults on ESP32 (caused web server to not start)

This also includes the revised V1.03 firmware for the GPStar Audio Controller already released, which corrects a case where the pack startup audio file would play at battery-on (#390).

Only the pack and attenuator/wireless were altered, the wand and sound effects remain unaltered in this fix.

V5.4.0 Release Notes Below

This is the last minor release version for the v5.x series of the software, containing significant fixes and enhancements for existing kit hardware. Work will begin to shift to the v6 release beyond this point so that we can support more advanced features requested from the community. This release contains a lot of code cleanup, but not as much as planned for the future 6.x series. At the very least the GPStar Audio Serial Library has been overhauled and cleaned up for a public release and is now available as an Arduino Library. This standardizes the code across all devices which utilize sound output.

Resolved Issues:
#368
#369
#372
#373
#374
#375
#376
#378
#379
#380
#382
#384
#385
#387

Ghosts Busted:

-Fixed Afterlife/Frozen Empire short startup outer cyclotron ramp speed
-Fixed Afterlife/Frozen Empire wand ramp-up sound mix bug
-Fixed Attenuator buzzer sound causing vibration motor to stop working
-Fixed Attenuator causing startup issue when switching on in Mode Original
-Fixed Attenuator not respecting user settings for vibration and overheat feedback
-Fixed Attenuator synchronization issues and improved synchronization speed
-Fixed barrel tip of Frutto barrel not lighting up in the EEPROM LED Menu
-Fixed colour transition speeds for Frutto barrel in spectral modes
-Fixed Frozen Empire freeze lockup pack lighting effects
-Fixed individual LED inner cyclotron switch panel not turning off when lid is on in a specific edge case
-Fixed ion arm switch causing shutdown sequence even if pack is not on
-Fixed ion arm switch/Attenuator/web UI not being able to turn pack on with Lite kits
-Fixed missing system voltage in text-based web interface
-Fixed music pause/resume function not working correctly
-Fixed non-addressable barrel LED not functioning correctly on Single Shot Blaster
-Fixed several issues relating to audio level calculations
-Fixed several instances of Frozen Empire SFX not being stopped/started properly
-Fixed several sound fade-in and loop parameters to sound more natural
-Fixed Single Shot Blaster inadvertently using button mash lockout code
-Fixed sound effect volume changes not immediately taking effect
-Fixed standalone wand TVG idle sounds being too quiet
-Fixed stereo channel mix for fire tail effects in 1984 and Afterlife so they sound correct on the wand
-Fixed vibration and year indicator LEDs sticking on when brass pack is running
-Fixed wand functions working before pack has finished POST sequence
-Fixed wand playing incorrect voice clip when switching inner cyclotron switch panel modes
-Fixed wand vibration motor having incorrect base frequency
-Fixed wand vibration starting before pack starts if "Vibrate Always" was enabled
-Fixed wands without 28-segment bargraphs failing to play bootup sound in Mode Original
-Fixed web interface allowing save to EEPROM without first saving settings
-Fixed web interface allowing users to click update settings if pack or wand are on
-Fixed web interface losing ability to vent if user shut pack off during vent sequence
-Fixed web interface not popping any confirmation prompt when changing settings that require rebooting the ESP32
-Fixed web interface pack setting for default startup volume affecting current volume instead
-Fixed web interface power reading not displaying zeroes after the decimal point
-Many "under the hood" fixes and optimizations

New Features:

-Added ability to disable cyclotron fade effect in 84/89
-Added ability to invert the power cell animation (support GPStar 1984 Power Cell)
-Added barrel retraction sound
-Added Halloween holiday firing mode
-Added new cyclotron ring simulation to improve roundness at low speeds
-Added new Frozen Empire ion arm startup and idle loop sounds
-Added new Boson Dart, button mash, and meson mode switch sounds courtesy of ProtonCharging
-Added POST animation for inner cyclotron cake and inner cyclotron switch panel
-Added support for GPStar 7-LED Jewel for cyclotron and barrel of Single Shot Blaster
-Added support for motorized inner or outer cyclotron
-Added 64-bit Windows version of GPStar Audio Firmware Flasher
-Greatly reduced sound effect filesize without affecting sound quality
-Made the 15-LED power cell and 36-LED outer cyclotron default if not using Lite kit
-Updated 3D print files for 1984 Power Cell and Spirit Outer Cyclotron LEDs
-Updated documentation
-Updated web interface

This release requires updating ALL devices (pack, wand, wireless/attenuator, single shot blaster) and updating your SD cards.

There are of course new sounds associated with this release, and all sounds for the pack and wand now exist in a "pack-wand" subfolder.

Additionally this release includes new firmware (v1.03) for the GPStar Audio boards. It is highly recommended to flash the new firmware to resolve volume issues and improve audio quality.

V5.4.0

This is the last minor release version for the v5.x series of the software, containing significant fixes and enhancements for existing kit hardware. Work will begin to shift to the v6 release beyond this point so that we can support more advanced features requested from the community. This release contains a lot of code cleanup, but not as much as planned for the future 6.x series. At the very least the GPStar Audio Serial Library has been overhauled and cleaned up for a public release and is now available as an Arduino Library. This standardizes the code across all devices which utilize sound output.

Resolved Issues:
#368
#369
#372
#373
#374
#375
#376
#378
#379
#380
#382
#384
#385
#387

Ghosts Busted:

-Fixed Afterlife/Frozen Empire short startup outer cyclotron ramp speed
-Fixed Afterlife/Frozen Empire wand ramp-up sound mix bug
-Fixed Attenuator buzzer sound causing vibration motor to stop working
-Fixed Attenuator causing startup issue when switching on in Mode Original
-Fixed Attenuator not respecting user settings for vibration and overheat feedback
-Fixed Attenuator synchronization issues and improved synchronization speed
-Fixed barrel tip of Frutto barrel not lighting up in the EEPROM LED Menu
-Fixed colour transition speeds for Frutto barrel in spectral modes
-Fixed Frozen Empire freeze lockup pack lighting effects
-Fixed individual LED inner cyclotron switch panel not turning off when lid is on in a specific edge case
-Fixed ion arm switch causing shutdown sequence even if pack is not on
-Fixed ion arm switch/Attenuator/web UI not being able to turn pack on with Lite kits
-Fixed missing system voltage in text-based web interface
-Fixed music pause/resume function not working correctly
-Fixed non-addressable barrel LED not functioning correctly on Single Shot Blaster
-Fixed several issues relating to audio level calculations
-Fixed several instances of Frozen Empire SFX not being stopped/started properly
-Fixed several sound fade-in and loop parameters to sound more natural
-Fixed Single Shot Blaster inadvertently using button mash lockout code
-Fixed sound effect volume changes not immediately taking effect
-Fixed standalone wand TVG idle sounds being too quiet
-Fixed stereo channel mix for fire tail effects in 1984 and Afterlife so they sound correct on the wand
-Fixed vibration and year indicator LEDs sticking on when brass pack is running
-Fixed wand functions working before pack has finished POST sequence
-Fixed wand playing incorrect voice clip when switching inner cyclotron switch panel modes
-Fixed wand vibration motor having incorrect base frequency
-Fixed wand vibration starting before pack starts if "Vibrate Always" was enabled
-Fixed wands without 28-segment bargraphs failing to play bootup sound in Mode Original
-Fixed web interface allowing save to EEPROM without first saving settings
-Fixed web interface allowing users to click update settings if pack or wand are on
-Fixed web interface losing ability to vent if user shut pack off during vent sequence
-Fixed web interface not popping any confirmation prompt when changing settings that require rebooting the ESP32
-Fixed web interface pack setting for default startup volume affecting current volume instead
-Fixed web interface power reading not displaying zeroes after the decimal point
-Many "under the hood" fixes and optimizations

New Features:

-Added ability to disable cyclotron fade effect in 84/89
-Added ability to invert the power cell animation (support GPStar 1984 Power Cell)
-Added barrel retraction sound
-Added Halloween holiday firing mode
-Added new cyclotron ring simulation to improve roundness at low speeds
-Added new Frozen Empire ion arm startup and idle loop sounds
-Added new Boson Dart, button mash, and meson mode switch sounds courtesy of ProtonCharging
-Added POST animation for inner cyclotron cake and inner cyclotron switch panel
-Added support for GPStar 7-LED Jewel for cyclotron and barrel of Single Shot Blaster
-Added support for motorized inner or outer cyclotron
-Added 64-bit Windows version of GPStar Audio Firmware Flasher
-Greatly reduced sound effect filesize without affecting sound quality
-Made the 15-LED power cell and 36-LED outer cyclotron default if not using Lite kit
-Updated 3D print files for 1984 Power Cell and Spirit Outer Cyclotron LEDs
-Updated documentation
-Updated web interface

This release requires updating ALL devices (pack, wand, wireless/attenuator, single shot blaster) and updating your SD cards.

There are of course new sounds associated with this release, and all sounds for the pack and wand now exist in a "pack-wand" subfolder.

Additionally this release includes new firmware (v1.03) for the GPStar Audio boards. It is highly recommended to flash the new firmware to resolve volume issues and improve audio quality.

V5.3.3

Resolved Issues:
#354
#358
#359
#360
#361

Ghosts Busted:

Fixed 1984 bootup sound having inverted stereo channels
Fixed 84/89 outer cyclotron LED fade timings
Fixed 84/89 outer cyclotron overheat animation
Fixed 84/89 outer cyclotron strobing in Holiday/Spectral modes
Fixed Frutto inner cyclotron panel LED mode indicator colors
Fixed music quick volume adjustment only working on standalone wands
Fixed pack sound overlap when recovering from overheat
Fixed spectral custom color not being obeyed while brass pack effects are active
Fixed wand sound overlap when recovering from button mashing
Fixed wand sound overlap when recovering from overheat
Fixed web interface buttons ignoring pack state
Fixed web interface not allowing overheat if no wand is connected
Fixed web interface not allowing smoke settings to be set if no wand is connected
Many "under the hood" fixes and optimizations
New Features:

Support for the new Frutto Current Sensor for stock wands
Support for Single Shot Compact Thrower
New barrel pop sound for 84/89 thanks to Graham Starke
New brass pack shutdown sound thanks to @Aces6469
New static color mode for Frutto inner cyclotron LED panel for users with prop-accurate colored cliplites
Initial implementation for #341
Inner cyclotron LED panel will now remain off while brass pack effects are active
Wand can now be switched to standalone mode by jumping the pack serial connector on the wand PCB
Updated documentation
Updated web interface
This release requires updating of all 3 devices (pack, wand, wireless/attenuator) and updating of sound effects for your SD cards.

V5.3.2

This is a primarily a bugfix release which makes updates to ALL devices and SD cards (updates existing audio files).

List of changes/fixes:

• Offers a standalone binary for the Attenuator using an Arduino Nano
• Support changing of the default SSID for the ESP32 boards
• Many, many documentation updates with links to revised videos
• Support for new 36 pixel inner cyclotron ring
• Add new STL files for integration in non-Haslab packs/wands
• Fixes a glitch in the saving of EEPROM data when the inner cyclotron panel is enabled/disabled
• Fixes the vibration motor logic for the Attenuator on ESP32
• Fixes 84/89 cyclotron color flickering in holiday and spectral custom firing modes
• Fixes bug in cyclotron ring simulation code that was unintentionally altering the power cell
• Fixes cyclotron speeds not returning to normal if ramping is interrupted by an overheat event or ribbon cable alarm
• Fixes overheat warning beep causing certain firing sounds to drop out
• Fixes quick vent smoke duration not following user overheat smoke duration setting
• Fixes POST sequence not displaying the power cell LEDs
• Fixes slime animation accidentally triggering on a stock HasLab 12-LED cyclotron
• Fixes slow inner cyclotron ramp-up in Frozen Empire mode
• Fixes starting the pack from the wand in Afterlife playing the long startup instead of short as intended
• New video game mode idle sounds courtesy of Kaden
• Updated 1984 pack startup sound
• Updated 1984/1989 Cyclotron animation to better match film and video game

V5.3.1

The 5.3.1 update specifically addresses an issue with the cyclotron lights while in slime mode. For a more complete listing of changes in the 5.3.x release please see the changelog below as included with the original 5.3.0 release.

It's the "Next Stop, Halloween" release! As you'll see this is a MASSIVE update to introduce new products available with kits and to refine behaviors and effects to be more accurate. So for very obvious reasons you should plan to update ALL of your devices (pack, wand, and attenuator/esp32) as well as both microSD cards in your system.

Please read over the list of changes so you can be familiar with what has changed:
-Added support for Frutto Inner Cyclotron Switch Panel (using 8 addressable RGB LEDs)
-Added support for Inner cyclotron Cake 26-LED and 36-LED NeoPixel Rings (the latter is coming soon from GPStar)
-Added sound effect for wand sync operation (similar to the pack POST sound, indicating power-up)
-1984/1989 Cyclotron speed changed to match the films
-1984/1989 Power Cell speed changed to match the films
-1984 Proton Pack startup and idle sounds updated using Sony masters
-1984 proton stream sounds completely overhauled from scratch to match film
-1989 proton stream sounds and colors updated to match film
-Afterlife proton stream end sounds updated to match film
-Afterlife pack startup sound effect no longer includes switch noise as we play the switch sound separately
-All Frozen Empire sound effects updated
-Attenuator/Wifi Module base firmware updated for enhanced reliability, faster downloads to browsers
-Attenuator/Wifi Module now have integrated mDNS to make accessing the web interface easier (see documentation)
-Changed quick vent smoke duration to be half the normal overheat duration or 2 seconds (whichever is longer)
-Decreased total supported LEDs for Inner Cyclotron Cavity from 30 to 20 (applies to FE sparking effects for proton streams)
-Fixed crackling sound on GPStar Audio when "brass pack" sounds played
-Fixed incorrect Cyclotron speed if starting/restarting pack in Slime mode then switching to any other firing mode
-Fixed incorrect Power Cell update speeds being set the first time the LED count was changed via the wand menu system
-Fixed incorrect Proton Stream mode change if a pack without a wand attached was commanded by an Attenuator to change operating modes
-Fixed ion arm switch able to be out of position if Talentcell battery was turned on while ion arm switch was already on
-Fixed jarring beep sounds in Afterlife/Frozen Empire when changing wand power level
-Fixed missing GB2 wand bootup sound if wand is configured to have pack play its audio instead
-Fixed missing ion switch sound when switch was not being used to boot up the pack
-Fixed missing proton stream end variations on wand
-Fixed missing vibration and vent light changes when firing semi-automatic video game modes
-Fixed overlapping audio prompts when changing between Mode Super Hero and Mode Original via the wand menu system
-Fixed pack getting stuck in a loop when button mashing lockout is triggered
-Fixed pack "Power-On Self Test" sequence causing the wand to believe it was having connection issues
-Fixed Power Cell sound in Afterlife/Frozen Empire not always turning off during ribbon cable errors or overheating as it should
-Fixed several redundant audio calls when booting up or shutting down the wand and pack
-Fixed several erroneous audio calls when starting and stopping CTS firing while in CTS Mix mode
-Fixed slime blower causing vent light to increase brightness while being fired as it is not an energy stream
-Fixed smoke sound effect randomizer for overheating
-Fixed standalone wand not switching out of VG mode when switching to Mode Original
-Made it so in Afterlife, starting from the ion arm switch is the "full" startup sequence while starting from the wand or restarting from an error state has a short startup sequence
-Made it so ONLY the Proton Pack plays music (standalone wands can still play music)
-Updated documentation (including new DIY options for wands using a replacement for the Arduino Nano!)
-Updated 3D print files, specifically for Spirit full-sized packs

V5.3.0

It's the "Next Stop, Halloween" release! As you'll see this is a MASSIVE update to introduce new products available with kits and to refine behaviors and effects to be more accurate. So for very obvious reasons you should plan to update ALL of your devices (pack, wand, and attenuator/esp32) as well as both microSD cards in your system.

Please read over the list of changes so you can be familiar with what has changed:
-Added support for Frutto Inner Cyclotron Switch Panel
-Added support for Inner cyclotron Cake 26-LED and 36-LED NeoPixel Rings
-Added sound effect for wand sync operation
-1984/1989 Cyclotron speed changed to match the films
-1984/1989 Power Cell speed changed to match the films
-1984 Proton Pack startup and idle sounds updated using Sony masters
-1984 proton stream sounds completely overhauled from scratch to match film
-1989 proton stream sounds and colors updated to match film
-Afterlife proton stream end sounds updated to match film
-Afterlife pack startup sound effect no longer includes switch noise as we play the switch sound separately
-All Frozen Empire sound effects updated
-Attenuator/Wifi Module base firmware updated for enhanced reliability
-Attenuator/Wifi Module now have integrated DNS to make accessing the web interface easier (see documentation)
-Changed quick vent smoke duration to be half the normal overheat duration or 2 seconds (whichever is longer)
-Decreased total supported LEDs for Inner Cyclotron Cavity from 30 to 20
-Fixed crackling sound on GPStar Audio when "brass pack" sounds played
-Fixed incorrect Cyclotron speed if starting/restarting pack in Slime mode then switching to any other firing mode
-Fixed incorrect Power Cell update speeds being set the first time the LED count was changed via the wand menu system
-Fixed incorrect Proton Stream mode change if a pack without a wand attached was commanded by an Attenuator to change operating modes
-Fixed ion arm switch able to be out of position if Talentcell battery was turned on while ion arm switch was already on
-Fixed jarring beep sounds in Afterlife/Frozen Empire when changing wand power level
-Fixed missing GB2 wand bootup sound if wand is configured to have pack play its audio instead
-Fixed missing ion switch sound when switch was not being used to boot up the pack
-Fixed missing proton stream end variations on wand
-Fixed missing vibration and vent light changes when firing semi-automatic video game modes
-Fixed overlapping audio prompts when changing between Mode Super Hero and Mode Original via the wand menu system
-Fixed pack getting stuck in a loop when button mashing lockout is triggered
-Fixed pack "Power-On Self Test" sequence causing the wand to believe it was having connection issues
-Fixed Power Cell sound in Afterlife/Frozen Empire not always turning off during ribbon cable errors or overheating as it should
-Fixed several redundant audio calls when booting up or shutting down the wand and pack
-Fixed several erroneous audio calls when starting and stopping CTS firing while in CTS Mix mode
-Fixed slime blower causing vent light to increase brightness while being fired as it is not an energy stream
-Fixed smoke sound effect randomizer for overheating
-Fixed standalone wand not switching out of VG mode when switching to Mode Original
-Made it so in Afterlife, starting from the ion arm switch is the "full" startup sequence while starting from the wand or restarting from an error state has a short startup sequence
-Made it so ONLY the Proton Pack plays music (standalone wands can still play music)
-Updated documentation (including new DIY options for wands using a replacement for the Arduino Nano!)
-Updated 3D print files, specifically for Spirit packs

V5.2.2

This bugfix release addresses several issues found with consistency in the vibration settings and honoring the pack vibration switch. It also brings some clarifications to the documentation missed in several of the more recent 5.x releases.

Only 1 new feature was added for the Attenuator device, which is an ability to start the device without WiFi security on the built-in access point. To do this, press and hold down the main dial while powering on the device (read: while turning on your battery). This will temporarily disable any WPA2 passwords and allow you access to the device to correct your network settings or simply diagnose if security was causing a problem with joining the wireless network. Upon changing any networking settings or rebooting the device it will automatically restore the WPA2 password (eg. "555.-2368" or your preferred password). Use this feature at any time to startup up the device again without a password.

For those of you using an ESP32 as just a wireless adapter, this feature will also work for you but you'll need to wire in a momentary switch. Do this by connecting one side of the switch to pin D4 and the other to a Ground connection on the device. If you're using the terminal block adapter this should be the easiest means of adding a switch with little to no soldering. Alternatively, you can just jumper between those pins during bootup to simulate pressing the button.

This update requires flashing of all 3 devices, no sound files were changed.

V5.2.1

This is a bugfix release which addresses some issues related to the hat lights when firing under select modes/streams. In addition to some fixes related to the theme year selection which resulted in confusing voice-over announcments. Under the hood there were several cleanup efforts to bring code into more consistent practices for hopefully easier maintenance. The latter removes the compile-in options for settings the CTS/CTS Mix modes via the Configuration.h as demonstrated in the Advanced Configuration guide. This is now fully done via the runtime system menu or the web UI from the Attenuator/wireless device.

Speaking of the web UI, one major update is an overhaul to the look and feel of the main status page on the web interface. This brings a dark mode, tabbed interface, and best of all a graphical representation of the equipment with LIVE overlays to indicate where actions are taking place. It's a significant improvement on navigation as well, with using tabs instead of scrolling to reach the necessary areas which need user control. The documentation has been updated to match and reflect the new layout.

Special thanks and credit to fellow cosplayer Alexander Hibbs (@BeaulieuDesigns87) from the South Carolina Ghostbusters, who created the amazingly detailed Proton Pack and Neutrona Wand technical illustration, available as a printed poster or digital image. He has graciously provided a version of his design to make the new graphical interface.

This release requires updating of all controllers. No sounds were harmed in the making of this release.