Installing and Updating Q-SYS Software and Firmware

Q-SYS consists of multiple pieces of hardware running Q-SYS firmware and a Q-SYS design file (on the Core). The design file is created and maintained by Q-SYS Designer software installed on a PC. When creating or maintaining a design file, Q-SYS Designer on the PC and the Q-SYS firmware on the system's hardware must be the same release version.

If you attempt to save and run a design file to a Core and a mismatch of software and firmware is detected, you are given the opportunity to update the hardware to the firmware associated with the Q-SYS Designer software running on your PC. If you choose to update the firmware, all of the Q-SYS hardware identified in the design receives the firmware update automatically. This design feature of Q-SYS ensures that all of the hardware pieces are quickly and easily kept synchronized with the same firmware version without having to individually update each piece.

Note: Anti-virus software can impact some Q-SYS Designer Software operations.

To install Q-SYS Designer on your PC, download the latest installation files from the QSC website. Follow the instructions provided in the installation program.

To install multiple copies, or versions, of Q-SYS Designer on your PC:

  1. After the first release version of Q-SYS Designer is installed, rename the following folder:

    2. C:\Program Files\QSC\Q-SYS Designer

    (This is the default installation folder.)

  2. Install the second copy of Q-SYS Designer. You can use the default location or specify a new location.

Note: The installation program uninstalls any copy of Q-SYS Designer in a subdirectory defined during the installation process. Simply selecting different installation directories during the installation process will not allow you to install multiple copies.

At times you may have to work on a design file that was created in an older version of Q-SYS Designer. You may not want to update the design file to the latest version of Q-SYS Designer. To open the design file without updating the file's software version, you need to install an older version of Q-SYS Designer on your PC. There are two ways to accomplish this:

Periodically, a new version of Q-SYS Designer is released. The design files you have created using earlier versions of Q-SYS Designer can be opened with newer versions of Q-SYS Designer. However, some of the components may have changes or new features added that cause your designs to act somewhat differently than originally designed.

Designs you create with a newer version and then open in an older version of Q-SYS Designer are likely be incompatible with the older version of software. It is recommended that you use the same version of software as the design, or a newer version.

CAUTION: Check the Release Notes for any important notices concerning upgrading.

When you install a new version of Q-SYS Designer software on your PC and then select File > Save to Core & Run, Q-SYS Designer detects whether the Core's firmware is older than the Designer version and alerts you that the hardware needs to be updated. Clicking Update automatically:

  1. Updates the Primary Core and reboots.
  2. Updates the Backup Core (if present) and reboots.
  3. Updates all peripherals in the design, in parallel, and reboots.

Note: Updating firmware takes a while to complete, especially on large systems. During this time, the system cannot be used. Therefore, it is a good idea to plan this operation when the system is not being used or is at its lowest traffic point.

Although the Q-SYS firmware and design file are saved on the Core, it is good practice to archive the final version of the design in a safe place in case the Core is destroyed. You may also want to give a backup copy to the venue management.

Tip: Enable the File Recovery Save option in File > Preferences to configure auto-saving of design files with unsaved changes. To learn more, see Preferences.