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Updating your OS on a Mac

  • Updated

Before starting, close all other audio or MIDI or DAW software, and disconnect all other MIDI devices.

Note: Tempest can only be updated via USB after Main OS version 1.2 is installed. If your Main OS reads less than 1.2, you'll need to update via the MIDI jacks first.

If you're on a Mac, there is a free MIDI utility called SysEx Librarian. You can download SysEx Librarian at the following link:

snoize.com/sysexlibrarian

  1. Download and install SysEx Librarian.
  2. Decide if you're going to update via the MIDI jacks or USB. Press the System button on the Tempest and navigate to the "MIDI: SysEx IN+OUT Cable" option and select either “MIDI” (for the MIDI jacks) or “USB”. If you are updating from Main OS 1.0 or 1.1, see the *Notes section at the bottom.
  3. After installing SysEx Librarian, select your MIDI interface/MIDI port (or Tempest if connected via USB) from the “Destination” pop-up menu. Next, open the Tempest's SysEx update files in SysEx Librarian by dragging and dropping or by going to the File menu and choosing “Add To Library”. Attach a MIDI cable from your MIDI interface to the Tempest's MIDI in port (disregard the MIDI cable if updating via USB).
  4. In SysEx Librarian, select the “Preferences” from the pull-down menu labelled "Sysex Librarian”. Now select the “Transmit Speed” tab. Set the transmission speed for the MIDI port attached to your Tempest (or Tempest USB). Using the slider, lower the transmission speed by a quarter to a half and close the window.
  5. In Sysex Librarian's main window, click on one of the update files and hit the “Play” button in the upper left-hand corner of the window. The Sysex file will begin transmission to the Tempest. The Tempest's display will update with a numeric countdown indicating the progress of the SysEx file's transfer. Follow any directions listed on the Tempest's screen before/after the countdown completes.
  6. If you find the countdown stops and does not complete for any reason such as freezing on a number before countdown reaches zero or displaying a “Status Byte Received In Data” message, restart the Tempest by powering it off/on and try again. DO NOT power down when Tempest says “Writing Now!”.
  7. Lower the transmission speed and re-send the SysEx file to the Tempest. If the countdown gets closer to zero, then you know you're moving in the right direction concerning the transmission speed settings. If the countdown goes further from zero try increasing the speed setting. You may have to adjust the speed several times before finding the right combination.
  8. If you received a “Status Byte Received In Data” message, it means some other MIDI message the Tempest was not expecting was sent through your MIDI interface. Make sure all other audio or MIDI or DAW software is closed, and no other MIDI devices are connected. If you continue to receive this message try restarting your computer and open SysEx Librarian as your only application.

After successfully installing the file, restart the Tempest by powering off/on, then send the next OS file to the Tempest. You can check the installed versions of the software by pressing the “System” button on the Tempest and navigating to the “Show System Information" option. The order in which you send the OS files should not make a difference.

*Notes:

  • Most MIDI interfaces or sound cards with built-in MIDI interfaces will work. However, we do NOT recommend any Digidesign/Avid interfaces or Native Instruments Maschine for updating our instruments as they do not transmit Sysex correctly for updates. Alternatively, the M-Audio Uno as a cheap and widely available MIDI interface for use when updating your products. You can find them online for as little as $30-$40.
  • If you are updating from Main OS 1.0 or 1.1, a new global preferences parameter has been added on the 1.2 Main OS. The "Sysex IN+OUT Cable" parameter sets whether the Tempest receives Sysex update files through the USB or the MIDI DIN port. Make sure to set the parameter to the port you wish to send the updates through after updating to the 1.2 MAIN OS. To do so, press the "Global" button to enter the global parameter preferences. Scroll to the menu item labelled "Sysex IN+OUT Cable" and set it to "USB" or "MIDI".

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