C. BECHSTEIN VARIO

This update contains improvements and adjustments to the app for iOS / iPadOS 17. We have also integrated helpful information on establishing a connection via Bluetooth MIDI and on firmware updates. The selection of sounds has been simplified and the system status overview has been expanded. • If permission to use Bluetooth is not granted or Bluetooth is deactivated, a new prompt will now appear. • The app now provides additional information on firmware updates to prevent failures. • Switching between USB-C and Bluetooth connections to the same instrument has been accelerated. • The sound selection process is now possible in a loop. • The system status now includes information on key adjustment. • An issue with the app's sound output has been resolved. • Technical adjustments and improvements to the app for iOS/iPadOS 17.

This update provides various improvements, including optimization of the app on iPadOS 16 and faster connection to VARIO connect systems. • The home screen is now compatible with iPadOS 16. • The connection setup time to VARIO connect systems is eight seconds faster. • Switching between different USB-C or Bluetooth connections has been improved and communication made more stable. • The app now informs the user when digital system settings cannot be read or data transmission is faulty. • The general volume settings have been adjusted. • The dynamic curve is now displayed without errors.

With this update of the VARIO app we solve some bugs. • An incorrect behaviour has been addressed, where problems occurred immediately after a firmware update. • It could happen that the display of sound settings was not updated if the hardware button on the VARIO was pressed at the same time. This is now corrected. • A bug in the bypass function to the dynamics curve has been fixed. • The system status dialogue now checks whether all components of the VARIO are really accessible and displays information about this.

This update includes helpful refinements to the app and to the operating software, the so-called firmware of the VARIO digital system. New functions in VARIO App version 2.8.0: • All sliders can now be reset to their respective factory settings with a double tap. Sliders that are dependent on favourites are reset to the previously saved favourite value. • The sound coming from the VARIO app can now be muted. (If the connection to the VARIO is disconnected, the app sound is automatically reactivated). • Wooosh ... The new system status dialogue now offers a way to send reports. This allows you to send us an e-mail with information on various VARIO parameters directly from the VARIO App. • Is there a new firmware for the VARIO? The VARIO app now indicates this immediately after the connection. Improvements in VARIO App version 2.8.0: • A number of menu items and dialogues in the VARIO App have been made easier to understand. • Bugs have been fixed that sometimes caused the VARIO App to quit suddenly (we could also talk about crashes due to arithmetic overflows, unexpected SysEx messages or slipped MIDI timestamps, but that might be a bit too nerdy for some ...). • Sometimes, depending on the sound setting, forte fortissimo chords could cause distortion in the connected headphones. Therefore, we have adjusted a few default values under the lid so that even very loud playing now sounds clean as expected. The new settings are only applied when the favourites are reset. Own favourites are therefore not overwritten with the update. • The process of connecting to the VARIO is now noticeably faster in many cases. In addition, the first favourite no longer flashes twice if it was selected at start-up. Improvements in the VARIO firmware (Sense Boards 1.3.0 and Mainboard 2.2.0 / 1.4.0). To be installed via the SETTINGS menu of the VARIO app. • When you switch on the VARIO using the button on the front module, the system no longer waits for the button to be released - it starts immediately. • During the start-up process, pressing the button again or playing the instrument at the same time should no longer cause unexpected behaviour. • A bug has been fixed that resulted in keystrokes being heard only after a considerable delay. • A problem has been fixed where pressing the dynamic bypass button would set the key adjustment values to unexpected values. This resulted in a situation where the VARIO sensor system would sometimes play notes on its own. • When in "Operation without App" mode, the newly selected sound is played briefly during a sound change. This confirmation note can now be suppressed using the sostenuto pedal. • For VARIOs from serial number 703-3x, a recovery is now possible if an unsolvable problem occurs during a firmware update. • For VARIOs from serial number 703-3x, Bluetooth MIDI communication has been improved.

What’s new in the VARIO app version 2.7.0 for iOS/iPadOS? This update includes the following features: headphone volume adjustment from the Settings menu, increased file transmission speed, and simplified firmware update. New features in version 2.7.0: • The volume can be adjusted separately for the different headphones outputs of the VARIO system. • The rendering of an audio file to be shared is faster. • The app displays in color the last selected favorite sound. Improvements in version 2.7.0: • New design of the firmware update dialog. • Improved app stability and performance. • Improved naming and erasing of the audio files.

What’s new in version 2.6.1 of the VARIO app for iOS and iPadOS This new version improves the operation of the pedals and corrects an occasional error, namely unwanted noise in the headphones instead of the notes played on the piano. New feature in version 2.6.1 • The app’s new version includes an update of the firmware for the VARIO connect and VARIO duet systems (see below). Improvements in version 1.3.0 of the VARIO firmware • Error that could prevent the calibration of the pedals fixed. • Error during the initial calculation of the pedal value that could lead to an inverted pedal reaction fixed. • Optimized calculation of the pedal value to eliminate unwanted headphone noise. • Improved communication with the sound module of the VARIO duet system.

New functions in version 2.6.0: • Compatibility with new hardware versions; • Visual support for configuring the keys and pedals and the minimum interval between threshold values. Note: The minimum value between the trigger points of the hammers and dampers and between the activation and release points of the pedals is 40%. The VARIO app now rejects incorrect values. Fixed errors and improvements in version 2.6.0 of the VARIO app: • Incorrect display and saving of the key and pedal settings fixed; • Error in the data field for the piano’s Bluetooth device name fixed; • No more sporadic crashes; • More stable connection between the app and the sound module of the VARIO system. Improvement in VARIO firmware version 1.2.1: • Improved recognition of the VARIO sound module. Please visit https://service.bechstein-digital.com/de/ for firmware update instructions and other information related to your VARIO system.

New functions in version 2.5 • The settings of the dynamic curves can be stored together with the four Favorites. Great! • Double-tap to reset any point on a curve. • Version 1.2.0 of the VARIO digital system’s firmware delivers a higher resolution when you play forte or fortissimo, with volume reduction of all unintentionally loud sounds. Thanks a lot for your feedback on the previous version! Bug fixes and improvements • More reliable connection between the VARIO app and the digital system. • Start screen now displays again. Notes on firmware updates and tips for using the VARIO digital system are available at https://service.bechstein-digital.com.

This intermediate update contains a new firmware (1.1.2, sensor bar only) and improves the playing dynamics when the keys are pressed hard. New functions: • “Konnichiwa!“ - The VARIO app is now also available in a Japanese version! • You can reset the Favourites to the current factory defaults. Bug fixes & improvements: • Silent note also in iOS sound generation: a MIDI velocity value of 1 no longer results in unwanted sound reproduction via iPhone or iPad. • Minor bug fixes and corrections in dialogues. Please consult our website for details on updating the VARIO firmware.

New functions: • “Konnichiwa!“ - The VARIO app is now also available in a Japanese version! • You can reset the Favourites to the current factory defaults. Bug fixes & improvements: • Silent note also in iOS sound generation: a MIDI velocity value of 1 no longer results in unwanted sound reproduction via iPhone or iPad. • Minor bug fixes and corrections in dialogues. Please consult our website for details on updating the VARIO firmware.