iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 20/09/2026

More fun with MIDI hardware... Upgraded the LCD screen on my Roland XV-5080 as the one it had was very faint, even adjusting the settings made it 10x worse. Just need to get used to it being blue now instead of green, but I do like it. #midi #roland

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 10/09/2026

With offers like this, how can I resist!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 29/08/2026

Had a slow puncture in my rear tyre. The culprit was revealed by the garage, with the long section wedged right into the tyre... Fun! It's why when I'm on one of my walks, if I see anything on or close to the road, I move it out the way from harm.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 26/08/2026

If you would like to be in the JMS MIDI Player for Android closed early access, please let me know.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 22/08/2026

My new app I'm creating for MIDI playback on Android is coming along nicely. Listening to classic MIDI retro gaming soundtracks on the move has been fun. MIDI files being wonderfully small also means massive libraries stored on device! JMS MIDI Player for Android is currently in private beta.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 17/08/2026

A great review for my PXR MIDI Player recently. It's a very niche macOS app in modern times, but I'm very pleased there is an audience that still enjoys MIDI music. Find out more here: www.pixelrefresh.com/product/pxr-... #midi #app #macos

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 13/08/2026

PXR MIDI player for macOS has been out a number of months now and has been very well received... However I'm now also moving over the SoundFont engine to other platforms.. Coming soon, JMS MIDI Player for Android. #midi #android

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 14/07/2026

250 people have now downloaded my PXR MIDI Player for macOS. A lovely milestone for quite a niche application. You can find out more here... www.pixelrefresh.com/pxr-midi-pla...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 25/06/2026

Testing my new Roland MT-32, which arrived yesterday 🐒 🏝️

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 07/06/2026

PXR MIDI Player for macOS version 0.99.0 has been released and it's a big one! Lots of major performance improvements and many new features. One of my favourites is the new editable mixer. MT-32 mode has also been improved. www.pixelrefresh.com/product/pxr-...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 02/06/2026

Another review for my PXR MIDI Player app for macOS... I'm considering an option to change the instrument in use on a channel within the mixer area... We will see 😉 www.pxrmidiplayer.com

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 19/05/2026

PXR MIDI Player 0.98.5 for macOS has been released today with improved MT-32 mode, a new LCD for nostalgia and the main LCD improved too. Karaoke mode improved also. www.pxrmidiplayer.com

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 16/05/2026

Roland MT-32 mode incoming... Lots of testing first, but so far so good. www.pxrmidiplayer.com

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 15/05/2026

New feature for PXR MIDI Player, your own listening stats area. Important to note that this data never leaves your own computer! There is a new share option though social media style... #pxrmidiplayer

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 12/05/2026

My Free PXR MIDI Player for macOS will see a HUGE update hopefully within the next few days... Lots of new features and improvements incoming in 0.80.0. www.pixelrefresh.com/product/pxr-...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 21/04/2026

There is something special when a family member asks if you would like their old CRT TV that might otherwise have gone to landfill! Even better, this one has hardly been used, picture is excellent and supports 50/60Hz as well as SCART RGB! Fabulous! #retrogaming #retroconsoles

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 08/04/2026

There is something beautiful about being able to play SEGA Dreamcast games (many of them anyway) in 480p on a VGA monitor. It was so ahead of its time. Dead or Alive 2 still looks amazing even though it's 26 years old!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 14/03/2026

Fantastic, I know where I'm purchasing it from! 🫠

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 14/03/2026

Can you remember Winamp? It was the music player to have back in the day. There was also a plugin that that added LEDs & speakers that attached to the player. Inspired by this, my PXR MIDI Player now has these optional additions... www.pixelrefresh.com/product/pxr-... #midi #macos #retrocomputing

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 27/02/2026

My PXR MIDI Player for macOS has just been updated to version 0.94.2 with a few enhancements and bug fixes. If you love MIDI files and use macOS 14+, give it a go! It's free! www.pixelrefresh.com/product/pxr-... #midi #yamaha #roland #korg

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 07/02/2026

I have now built a mini player mode inspired by classic MIDI tone modules like the Roland Sound Canvas SC-55 and Yamaha MU80...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 30/01/2026

I've been experimenting with AI coding recently. I've wanted to build a MIDI playback app with features I want to use that take advantage of my Yamaha & Roland devices. The macOS app has been a fun journey & very informative of what's possible and indeed the pitfalls, but I have a nice usable app.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 30/01/2026

It's handy to see SysEx commands on my Yamaha MU2000 menu options so I can trigger them through an app or music composition easily. XG MIDI files can be played in a Native mode or BASIC, backwards compatible which is spot on. Fumbling through menus isn't fun, but triggering using an app is great

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 17/01/2026

It's been a rather fun Xbox system link gaming day today. Also had a chance to check the clock capacitors on these two, which is THE capacitor that will itself decide to ruin your original Xbox at some point if left unchecked. #retrogaming #retroconsoles

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 16/01/2026

Welcome to my MIDI family... The Roland Sound Canvas SC-88 Pro. I'm surprised how many vocal samples it has. Very distinct instrumentations really enjoying it. Sadly the SC-55 mode isn't 100%, so I'll certainly keep that around but for what it is, I'm really happy with it.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 16/12/2025

Here is my Dell XPS 710 from around 2007 (with a 720 motherboard), 8GB RAM, upgraded to GeForce Titan and Q6600 CPU. It's just had its first clean and oh my the heatsink! So much dust!!! You couldn't tell until you took it apart. All sorted now though.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 30/11/2025

Victoria Coach Station in London UK still using the Microsoft Windows XP operating system in 2025 🫠 I spotted on my way back home... #windowsxp

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 09/11/2025

This needs quite a bit of work doing to it and a really good clean, but I've already had a great deal of fun with the FM synthesis features on this excellent Yamaha PSS-780 keyboard released in 1989. #yamaha #fm #synth

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 08/11/2025

My very first music keyboard was the Yamaha PSS-270 powered by FM synthesis released in 1986. I had a little look around online to relive that childhood nostalgia and found this example in original box and after collecting it and giving it a very light clean it's in absolutely amazing condition!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 02/11/2025

My latest project is in this case cleaning a classic Yamaha PortaSound PSS-390 music keyboard. It's in good condition and works perfectly, but needs a clean. The era of FM synthesis was a fun one and this reminds me so much of my childhood.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 19/10/2025

I still get a wonderful feeling playing GM, GS & XG MIDI files from the 90s and beyond. Knowing that the instrument sampled data is coming directly from the unit makes them feel alive. The displays help also! Featured here are the Roland Sound Canvas SC-55 Mark 2 and the Yamaha MU80.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 18/10/2025

Slowly rebuilding my PS3 collection... Sony had enormous success with the PS1 and PS2, had a sudden jolt of reality with the PS3 and got back on track with the PS4. And yet, the PS3 has some cracking titles that really shows what it is capable of when the hardware is mastered.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 11/10/2025

Not sure how old these sealed brand new floppy disks are that a friend has found and given to me, but they reference a 286 PC 🤣 #retrocomputing

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 07/10/2025

My Dell Optiplex 3010 is now running Debian 13 replacing Windows. Slowly moving the majority of my hardware over to #Linux. This is my 4th. Intel Core i5-3470 16GB RAM RADEON 6400 4GB GPU 256GB SSD Also enjoying Two Point Campus on it, which runs fab!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 14/09/2025

Another day, another laptop refurbished. It's very therapeutic restoring tech & even a five year old laptop you can see the CPU thermal paste Incredibly dry so time for a refresh. After the cleaning & paste, fan now comes in much less & replaced Windows 11 with Debian 13 and it's been excellent!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 03/09/2025

My MacBook Pro from ~2014 with Retina display is still very capable, but macOS for it is end of life... Linux Mint to the rescue and now on the just released Linux Mint 22.2 (Zara). Although Windows and macOS have their advantages, Linux Mint is proving a worthy OS, especially on older hardware.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 03/08/2025

It's 2025 and still the 37 year old SEGA Mega Drive console sees new amazing releases. Earthion is a wonderful, jaw dropping, frantic & pleasing SHMUP that is accessible for newcomers to the genre and challenging for the experienced. Bring on the cartridge! store.steampowered.com/app/3597580/...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 17/07/2025

I have a great number of CRT TVs for retro gaming, but the Mister FPGA using scanlines while triggering HDR to boost the brightness is pretty darn impressive! CRT TVs have other benefits too, but this is effective on modern displays!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 03/07/2025

Fun times testing out for a future Retro LAN. Went fairly smoothly, so looking forward to when a bunch of friends get together to relive some Windows XP memories... Think Quake 3 Arena, Unreal Tournament 99, Unreal Tournament 2004, Quake and more... Can't wait!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 02/07/2025

You know when you've watched too many modern gaming graphics analysis videos when you sit in your garden one sunny afternoon and think to yourself, "The shadow resolution isn't half bad".

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 01/07/2025

If I was going to buy a brand, this is the one for me...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 28/06/2025

Not long ago, I was given 7 PCs that would have otherwise gone to landfill. I have built 3x PCs now from the parts (Win98, 2x WinXP) for retro gaming. HP from 2009 here I'm going to upgrade to 16GB RAM and an intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 CPU so I can dabble building a retro gaming LAN server with Linux.

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 19/06/2025

This is wonderful insanity... When your ARM powered Acorn RISC PC can have a second 486 DX4 100MHz CPU and run Windows 95 in its own window. Retro computing is so exciting dabbling with these things it truly is!

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 16/06/2025

In RISC OS 4.39, I really want my green Acorn logo back! After using RISC OS 3.1 on my Acorn A3010 for so many years, using this newer version on the RISC PC 700 feels wrong without that lovely green iconic erm... Icon. #riscos #acorn #retrocomputing

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 14/06/2025

Looking after my latest Acorn acquisition... The RISC PC 700 originally released in 1995, this one with plenty of installed extras for me to dabble with. As always, like to give retro tech a good clean, especially keyboards! Much better now. Fun times ahead! New to RISC PCs so tips welcome...

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James - PixelRefresh.com @james.pixelrefresh.com · 12/06/2025

Another World (Out of this World) is back working again on... #ScummVM! 20+ years after being removed. Generally the ScummVM focus was specifically on point and click adventure games, however in recent years this has evolved to cover a wider net of genres. scummvm.org/news/20250611/

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