18 Nov 2020
Why do I have to do a Firmware Recovery to update to this firmware version?
With the arrival of the highly anticipated StudioLive CS18AI controller, a number of changes were made to the AI family of mixers, both StudioLive AI Consoles and StudioLive RM Series mixers. Because these changes involve things outside the scope of a regular Firmware Update, they will require what is known as a "Firmware Recovery".
A Firmware Recovery is similar to a Firmware Update, but the process you follow is slightly different, and instead of merely updating the mixer, it actually reloads the mixer's entire firmware image, which will reset the mixer to a factory default state. Because of these differences, updating to this firmware will involve a different process than what you are used to, which may include backing up any important Scene and Preset data you have saved on your mixer.
It is also for this reason that Network Firmware Update will not be available for this release. Because a Firmware Recovery is required in order to see all the changes in this update, it is important that all AI family mixer users perform the Firmware Recovery process to update their mixers.
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It is highly recommended that when doing firmware updates or the Firmware Recovery process that you use a Sandisk USB flash drive as mentioned in the following knowledge base article. Some flash drives will not work correctly for Firmware Update and/or Firmware Recovery:
SanDisk Cruzer USB Flash Drive Compatibility with StudioLive AI
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NOTE: Please follow the instructions in the two videos below to perform the firmware recovery on your mixer
Creating a USB Recovery Drive and Mixer Backup File:
RM Series Firmware Recovery Process:
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For A List Of Firmware Recovery Steps Shown In The Video, Please See Below:
Please be sure to review all instructions before performing a Firmware Recovery on your StudioLive-AI RM Series mixer.
NOTE: Performing a Firmware Recovery on your mixer will erase user Scene and Preset data. If you have Scenes or Presets that you would like to save, you can copy these individual Scenes and Presets to your computer using the UC Surface Scene Manager.
You can altso create a Mixer Backup, as shown in the video above. This Backup file can then be restored to the mixer after the Firmware Recovery is complete in order to reload the Scenes and Presets you had saved previously.
It is important to understand that a mixer Backup will only backup your Scenes, Quick Scenes, Mute Groups, and Fat Channel, FX, and GEQ presets. It does NOT backup the current settings of the mixer. You must first save these settings as a Scene to the internal Scene Memory of the mixer so that a Backup will capture that information.
Firmware Recovery Process
1. Download the firmware files for your mixer. You must first register your mixer in your http://my.presonus.com account in order to access the firmware update download. The Firmware files can be found on the "View More Details" link on your StudioLive RM mixer when you log into your Presonus User Account.
2. Open your “Downloads” folder and locate the downloaded firmware .zip file. The .zip file will be named with your mixer’s model number and the new firmware version (e.g., RM32AI_v7049).
3. Depending on your system preferences, the firmware folder may not automatically uncompress from the .zip file. To expand, simply double-click it.
4. Open the firmware folder; you will find four files inside. You will need all four files to upgrade your mixer.
5. Connect a FAT32-formatted USB thumb drive to your computer.
Power User Tip: Most small USB drives (16 GB or less) are already formatted correctly, so formatting may not be required, but if your mixer does not detect your thumb drive, we recommend doing a fresh format of the drive. Also, it is important that you use a drive no smaller than 1 GB and no larger than 32 GB in size. When in doubt, it's a good idea to go ahead and reformat your thumb drive as FAT32. On Windows, be sure to do a "Full" format as opposed to a "Quick" format. On Macs, the choice will be listed as MS-DOS (FAT)
NOTE to Mac Users - If your Mac is running OS X 10.11 El Capitan or later, you will need to make sure to adhere to the following extra step in order to format a USB drive for loading firmware on your mixer (Users with Mac running OS X versions earlier than 10.11 can skip to Step 6):
Leave name set to "Untitled" & set Format to "MS-DOS (FAT)"
Change Scheme type to "Master Boot Record"
After verifying your settings look like the screenshot below, click "Erase"
Once the format is complete, move on to Step 6...
6. Select all four firmware files and either copy/paste or drag them to the root of your thumb drive. Eject your drive and disconnect it from your computer.
7. Power off your mixer, remove your WiFi LAN adapter (if inserted) and insert the thumb drive into the USB slot on the front the mixer.
8. Next, take a Philips head screwdriver and on the back of the StudioLive mixer, loosen the screws securing the option card. Pull the option card out an inch or two so that it is no longer seated in its internal slot and then power on the mixer.
NOTE: When the mixer is powered on with the option card removed, it will automatically attempt to do a Firmware Recovery. If the USB thumb drive is recognized and the firmware files are seen, it will begin the Firmware Recovery process after about 10-15 seconds. To indicate the progress of the Firmware Recovery, the LED input indicators on the front of the mixer will illuminate amber in pairs from left to right.
The Firmware Recovery process takes about 10 minutes to complete. Once all LED indicator lights have illuminated amber, they will all turn green to indicate completion of the initial Recovery process, and at this point you can power off the mixer.
9. Once you have powered the mixer off, make sure to put the option card back into the mixer and secure the thumb screws on the unit. At this point you can also remove the USB thumb drive and if you plan on using WiFi to connect the mixer to the network, you can insert the USB wireless dongle back into your mixer.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you have power-cycled the mixer after the initial firmware update step, it may need to finish some final components of the firmware programming. If this is the case, you will see the Channel LEDs on the front of the mixer illuminate amber from left to right as before during the initial Recovery process, and this can take several minutes to complete. Once the final portion of the update is complete, all the Channel LEDs will again illuminate green. When you see this, power cycle the mixer again. This process may occur several times depending on which firmware version you are upgrading from and to. If your mixer does not perform these additional steps do not be alarmed, as it may not be necessary for this particular update.
10. Restart UC Surface and revisit the Device Settings Tab in the Settings Menu and observe the firmware version reported. The last 4 digits of the firmware version reported here should match the version of the files you downloaded for your mixer.