# m-bootloader: reconstructing JieLi synthesizer boot and flash interfaces

> m-bootloader reconstructs the boot and flash interfaces of the M-VAVE FM-1 and SMK-37 Pro/Elite synthesizers built around the JieLi AC791N chip. Its specification covers boot stages, SPI flash formats, retained-RAM handovers and the USB flash-loader command protocol. The C and pi32v2 assembly implementation provides a replacement bootloader, recovery menu and RAM flash loader for M-Flasher.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Firmware · Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-08
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/jvitkauskas/m-bootloader>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/jvitkauskas/m-bootloader/blob/724ae4115ca636819561ee7592e392ea53e9f558/docs/SPEC.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/m-bootloader-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/m-bootloader-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/m-bootloader-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** An M-VAVE FM-1 or SMK-37 Pro/Elite and M-Flasher or a supported updater are required for installation; the source advises backing up the unit first.
- **Prerequisites:** Building requires Python 3, GNU Make, Rust, a C compiler and the specified pi32v2 LLVM toolchain.
- **Limits:** The SMK-37 Elite has not been tested as a physical Elite unit, and newer FM-1 flash chips have limited testing.
- **License:** MIT license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/jvitkauskas/m-bootloader/blob/724ae4115ca636819561ee7592e392ea53e9f558/docs/SPEC.md>
2. <https://github.com/jvitkauskas/m-bootloader/blob/724ae4115ca636819561ee7592e392ea53e9f558/README.md>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.