Firmware/software updates

Robert Lofgren

Robert Lofgren

Senior
Oct 5, 2012
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Stockholm, Sweden
At another forum an OP was advised to update the firmware in the console. However, I found it doubtfull that the OP was the owner of the system but rather some normal user.

What would you do if someone updated your firmware and/or software for your stuff without your permission to do so, even if the intention was good?

This goes for rental/lease/loaners, stuff with service agreements and like...
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

On the other hand, what would you do if someone provided you with a desk that wasn't updated with the current firmware?
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

Per Søvik said:
On the other hand, what would you do if someone provided you with a desk that wasn't updated with the current firmware?
Click to expand...

Call him and discuss the matter. It's not allways necessary to be on the current software. Especially when it's not connected to the internet.
For instance when the X32 V2 comes out in januari, (don't know but could be). I will not update till after one of my most important gigs of the year, I don't want to be the person who's the first field tester on that gig.
So I also don't want that customers are in that position.
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

I would never update the firmware on a piece of hardware pre-show for no reason, there be dragons. However, if it were a system I was well acquainted with and were looking for specific improvements granted by a different / newer firmware I would have no qualms whatsoever about doing it. You rented me the piece of gear, if I need it to have a different software configuration to do my show it's going to get it. As a rental equipment owner if you're not prepared for this you aren't going to be around for long.
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

Bennett Prescott said:
I would never update the firmware on a piece of hardware pre-show for no reason, there be dragons. However, if it were a system I was well acquainted with and were looking for specific improvements granted by a different / newer firmware I would have no qualms whatsoever about doing it. You rented me the piece of gear, if I need it to have a different software configuration to do my show it's going to get it. As a rental equipment owner if you're not prepared for this you aren't going to be around for long.
Click to expand...

A couple years back we sent out an M7 with a free lance SE. The BE had his show on a USB key that wouldn't load into our console. After some button poking it was determined that the BE's file was created on a mixer that had the "just released last week" firmware installed. For whatever reason the SE couldn't talk the BE out of starting from scratch. They called me and asked if I would permit a firmware update on our mixer. "It's your show. If you brick the desk the nearest known back up is 3 hours away."

They did the update and everything was okay, but the risk is not one I'm comfortable with. I like to wait at least a couple of weeks before updating any device, just to read the field reports and see if the update breaks anything.... and that's why I sent out the M7 without a 6 day old firmware update.
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

I suppose if a critical fault was found with the current release and a critical update was required then ok but otherwise no (unless pre-authorisation had been granted), you would not want a client bricking a console or blaming you or your equipment when a new firmware causes problems.
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

Robert Lofgren said:
What would you do if someone updated your firmware and/or software for your stuff without your permission to do so, even if the intention was good?

This goes for rental/lease/loaners, stuff with service agreements and like...
Click to expand...

"Dear [Rental House/Venue/Etc.],

My show file(s) for [Show/Event] were produced in [Offline Editor] [Version] which requires [Firmware Version], or later, for [Console]. Please confirm with me the current firmware version of the supplied [Console]. If the [Console] is not currently using [Firmware Version], please update the console firmware to this version (or newer).

If the console cannot be updated to [Firmware Version] in advance of the [Show/Event], please advise so that we can coordinate for an in-field update. Note that this is not preferred to a shop-based update where console stability post update can be confirmed prior to the event.

Sincerely,

[Audioperson]"

I have found that awareness of the console firmware status, coupled with the revision state of the existing firmware, is a reasonable indicator of how the event will take place overall.
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

Nothing pisses me off more than a supplier who doesn't verify the firmware on their equipment. I will always request that they check it, and give them numbers of the latest version I need to see, but whether or not it happens is always a crapshoot. Makes for a long annoying day when the supplier doesn't follow instructions or at least communicate whether or not they can do what's being asked.
 
Re: Firmware/software updates

There is a difference between rental gear and working with installed gear at a venue.

With rental gear, I would expect a fairly recent build to be installed. However, if it's something that just came out a week or 2 ago, that's a little quick to expect all firmware to be updated. If you absolutely NEED the latest firmware for your show, make sure you clear that with the rental house so it can be installed and tested prior to taking delivery of the gear. If you take it and update it and end up bricking the piece for some reason, depending on the rental agreement, there could be ramifications.

If it's a venue system, I would definitely NOT update the firmware on their gear without prior approval. There could be a reason they are sticking to older firmware. Also, if you decide to do the update and brick it, now you're the guy that broke the piece of gear. Doesn't matter if it's really your fault or not.
 
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