What’s new in the VARIO app version 2.8.0 for iOS/iPadOS

This update includes helpful refinements to the app and to the operating software, the so-called firmware of the VARIO digital system.

New features in 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 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.

THE DYNAMIC CURVE WILL BE RESET IF YOU ARE UPGRADING the firmware FROM VERSION 1.1 OR EARLIER.

Please visit https://service.bechstein-digital.com for firmware update instructions and other information related to your VARIO system.