The Fate of OS2, Now with OS2XL...

First, as a Disclaimer-- I have to say it's truly amazing to have all these OS options for one piece of hardware (well, two including the 2500). I can't think of another machine to compare in this regard.

But JJ has left me with a tough decision, and a few others it sounds like. OS2XL gives quite a bit, and it also takes away. I won't go into the specific details unless anyone asks me to. I have a vivid mental list of the pros of OS2 vs. 2XL, and vise-versa.

My question is for the forum members who've been here for the development of the previous three (complete) JJ OS versions. As deep into this as I am, I'm still a relative newcomer to the JJ user base.

Did the release of 2XL signal the end of OS2 development?

Now, I don't expect JJ to make any major changes to how OS2 is designed, but I'm hoping that they could be persuaded to add in a few of the simple niceties that I've tried in 2XL. A few simple things for those of us who choose to stick with OS2. Like using the Numeric button to toggle between modes... this gave new life to the numeric button, and would be easy to retrofit!

So... can anyone answer my question? And, who is with me to request further development to OS2?

aye capn! we be with ye hand & foot! lets get them bastards & teach um a lesson!

yo ho ho, a pirates life for me!

historically, a new os signals the end of the additions to the old os, bug fixes notwithstanding.

yeh, i don't think os2 will change anymore except for some minor bugfixes. a though decision!

There most likely will be no new additions to OS2, so requesting new additions will be pointless. I think the thing is that no OS will be perfect for everybody so either get used to it or don't use it. Some will say OS2 is a step back from OS1. No way will he add XL features to OS2. JJ would screw himself if he did that.

LMAO @ Rich Biatch. He changed his location to Davy Jones' Locker lol

I was waiting for os3 on a whole new level.

primebeatz wrote:requesting new additions will be pointless

I read that somewhere about 100times, not sayin your not right.. I think development of the os is dependant on potential buyers selling droped down? give'em some new features..
2500 osxl comes out in march?

I can't help but feel that JJ would be receptive to the suggestions of this forum. We're hands-down the largest group representing their target market, right?

elevated, you beat me to it ! i was just about to start a thread almost exactly like this.


i have gotten direct email confirmation from JJ (most recently just last night) that 2 things will NOT ever be a part of OS 2XL:

1. the old Q-LINK capabilities.
(being able to record both NOTE-ON & REALTIME changes. having both Q-LINKS active at once. having Q-REAL data editable in GRID EDIT.)

2. MIXER AUTOMATION.
(being able to record panning changes, fade ins & outs, effects & output routings, etc.)

people, if you haven't explored these things... this is POWERFUL stuff.


so after thinking about it for awhile, i have made my decision: i am sticking with OS 2.

but given the fact that there is still plenty of codespace in OS 2 to work with, and also the fact that OS 2 is mostly bug-free and won't require much future maintenence from JJ, i don't feel it is unreasonable to request that he add some of the simpler OS 2XL features to OS 2. he's already done the work, we know the code works, and most of those things he added to OS 2XL were from our requests intended for OS 2 in the first place.

i was going to propose that we come up with an online petition (either here on the forums or somewhere else) for people to sign, so that he can see there are a lot of people interested.

now, to be fair to JJ and to sweeten the deal for him a bit, i was going to propose that:

1. this OS 2 'upgrade' would only be available to those who already purchased OS 2 XL
and / or
2. there would be another $15 charge to get the new features.

yeah, i'd love to ask for all this stuff for free for existing OS 2 users, but i believe we'll have a much greater chance of sucess if we offer to pay him a bit for it. it's also compensation for the extra work he will have to do to get these new features integrated with the old OS 2.

as far as what features to request, i think it would be resonable to request some of the simpler enhancements from OS 2XL.

1. the customizable MAIN & NUMERIC keys
2. the "move PAD EVENT to TRACK" feature
3. the SIMULT SEQ level in MAIN screen
4. NORMALIZE level in the TRIM screen

a longer shot but maybe also:
5. QUANTIZE STRENGTH
6. snap to ZERO CROSSING feature in the TRIM screen.

are there any others people want that would be a resonable request?

and if extra codespace is needed, EXTRA AUDIO PLAY could be removed (he already pulled this in OS 2XL. i don't think anyone uses it.)

i don't think this is an unresonable request, and considering the major things he removed from OS 2XL, i think JJ needs to give this serious consideration & listen to the needs of his users who are paying for his OS. i've already bought all 3 of his OS's, i'm willing to pay him a bit more, and i don't think a few finishing touches to OS 2 is too much to ask at all. if anything, it is a chance for JJ to make even more money and get some cash from the people who otherwise would not upgrade to OS 2XL at all.

so who is interested in this?

Sounds like a sweet deal, I'd happily pay for further updates and features in OS2. Where do I sign?

Sooty_G wrote:
1. the customizable MAIN & NUMERIC keys
2. the "move PAD EVENT to TRACK" feature
3. the SIMULT SEQ level in MAIN screen
4. NORMALIZE level in the TRIM screen

a longer shot but maybe also:
5. QUANTIZE STRENGTH
6. snap to ZERO CROSSING feature in the TRIM screen.

are there any others people want that would be a resonable request?

i'd be with you if quantize stregnth were higher on that list....

Sooty_G wrote:
1. the customizable MAIN & NUMERIC keys
2. the "move PAD EVENT to TRACK" feature
3. the SIMULT SEQ level in MAIN screen
4. NORMALIZE level in the TRIM screen

a longer shot but maybe also:
5. QUANTIZE STRENGTH
6. snap to ZERO CROSSING feature in the TRIM screen.

are there any others people want that would be a resonable request?

Nice Idea. Kinda like a JJ OS 2.5
I'll sign that petition.

A petition is a forceful measure and would be the ultimate insult to JJ with all that he's done for the 1k.

As Nym stated historically a new OS means the end of the previous, so people need to focus on trying to get the feature set and functions of XL headed in the right direction.
Considering that the upgrade from OS2 to XL is so cheap, it's even to make the move.

At least JJ unlike others moves to the next OS but also leaves you with a smooth previous, so if no more OS2 developement happens OS2 is still solid.

Sovereign made a great point-- I don't like the word petition for this situation. But I would like to be involved in an Official Request, one with some of JJ's most serious users behind it.

Sooty's post confirmed that the Q-Link's will remain severely crippled, and that mixer automation will not be returning. Like I wrote in a different thread, there is no longer a way to record even a basic panning movement in 2XL. Not to mention the simult pad situation.

For those who might continue to use OS2, please post the top three features from 2XL that you would like to see retrofitted to OS2. We can then come prioritize our request to JJ based on these personal lists.

My List:

1. Customizable Main & Numeric keys
2. Improved GPE screens
3. Sequence Moving

Sovereign wrote:A petition is a forceful measure and would be the ultimate insult to JJ with all that he's done for the 1k.

The "petition" is just a way to get him to know what we want imo. And with all due respect, it´s still a product i´m paying for. Yes, we´re lucky he developed the OS, but i dont see it as a favor granted when i paid over 100$ so far.
Quantize strength is the one feature that´s really great about the 2xl, chords would be if they could be saved with the sequence/program/another file.

I would switch to the 2xl with the old simult pad behavior.
Even better would be the OS2 with quantize strength and the (improved) chords.

I´d like to hear JJ´s stance on this. If he´s not willing to bother about it i think a petition with a reasonable offer might be the best way to make him develop the OS in the direction we want. I´m willing to spend a few (not too much) more bucks on this, but the 15$ are wasted so far, as I didn´t hear from JJ about the simult yet and fear that he won´t revert it.

Rinseout-- Thanks for the input. I think we could consider a petition if JJ isn't receptive to our official request. I'm interpreting your wishes for final OS2 features as the following:

1. Quantize Strength
2. Chords


Is this correct?