Q-SYS 9.6.0

Q-SYS 9.6.0 introduces support for the Q-SYS vCore Virtualized Processor (vCore). vCore provides selected, scalable Q-SYS functionalities in a fully software-based format, directly from your own PC/server compute device. To specify a vCore in your design, select 'vCore Control' from the Core Properties > Model drop-down menu.

Note: Q-SYS vCore processors need to be paired with vCore compatible feature licenses to enable a specific subset of the Q-SYS OS.

To learn more, see these topics:

• vCore Virtualized Processor
• Licensing

Q-SYS 9.6.0 adds support for the Core 110f v2 processor. To proactively address supply chain challenges, Q-SYS Core 110f processors manufactured after October 2022 no longer include 16 x 16 GPIO, the OLED front panel display, or the two USB Type A ports on the front panel.

GPIO toggle in designs

In Q-SYS Designer Software, the removal of GPIO functionality from the Core 110f v2 necessitated a new GPIO property in Core Properties that can be toggled depending on your circumstances:

• New Designs – If you are using a Q-SYS Core 110f v2 processor in a new design, select "Core 110f" from the Core Properties > Model drop-down menu. The new GPIO property defaults to Disabled for new designs.
• Existing Designs – If you have an existing design that uses the Core 110f for processing, the new GPIO property defaults to Enabled. If you are swapping the unit for a v2 model, change the Core Properties > GPIO property to Disabled. This also automatically changes the Clocking > Clock Source property to 'Internal'.

Downgrade limitation

You cannot downgrade a Q-SYS Core 110f v2 processor to versions prior to v9.6.0 with the exception of v9.4.3 (LTS), which also adds support for the Core 110f v2.

More information

• See the Core 110f topic for an overview of the Core 110f, including a description of its features, front and rear panels, and Q-SYS Designer Software components.
• Refer to the Core 110f v2 product page on qsys.com for specifications and documentation.
• If you have questions, consult the "Core 110f v2 Info" category in the Self Help Portal.

Q-SYS 9.6.0 introduces support for the Core 610, which can be selected from the design's Model property drop-down menu.

The Q-SYS Core 610 represents the next-generation of Q-SYS processing, pairing the Q-SYS OS with enterprise-grade Dell COTS server hardware to deliver a flexible and scalable audio, video and control solution for a vast range of larger scale applications. It is a fully networked AV&C processor, letting you distribute network I/O where it’s most convenient. The Core 610 is equally suited for centralized processing for multiple meeting rooms in enterprise applications, as well as handling larger spaces or venues in hospitality, entertainment, or transit hubs.

To learn more, see the Core 610 topic.

Support for some legacy Q-SYS Core processors and peripherals, including the Core 250i, Core 500i, and I/O Frame 8S, has been discontinued as of Q-SYS 9.6. These devices are removed from the Inventory menu and are no longer supported within existing designs.

To maximize processor efficiency, there is now a 32 peripheral limit for any combination of NL, NM, and QIO Series peripheral devices in a design using a Core 110 Series processor.

Note: NM Series Microphones (NM-T1) are not supported in Q-SYS 9.6.0 but will be supported in an upcoming release.

CX-Q, CXD-Q, and DPA-Q Amp Output components now include a Disable PowerSave control. When toggled on, the amplifier will not go into PowerSave mode. PowerSave is enabled by default.

Q-SYS 9.6.0 introduces support for the AD-C6T-HP and AD-C6T-HC ceiling loudspeakers, which offer higher power handling for challenging spaces. As part of the AcousticDesign™ Series, they feature the same premium, consistent tonal quality as the rest of the portfolio.

• The AD-C6T-HP (high-power) is a 6-inch ceiling-mount loudspeaker for higher SPL at standard heights.
• The AD-C6T-HC (high-ceiling) is a 6-inch ceiling-mount loudspeaker for high ceilings or reverberant spaces.

These new loudspeakers are available from the Inventory menu > Loudspeakers - High-Z and PoE category. To learn more, see the AcousticDesign Series (Premium) product page at qsys.com.

Q-SYS 9.6.0 introduces support for the AcousticDesign Series Direct Weather landscape (AD-DWL) loudspeakers and companion subwoofer, which have been weatherized and ruggedized to face the elements while offering superior sound quality for your outdoor installation.

• The AD-DWL.180 offers 180° of focused outdoor coverage with a 5.25 in (135mm) weather-resistant cone woofer and 1 in (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter.
• The AD-DWL.360 offer 360° of focused outdoor coverage with a 5.25 in (135mm) in weather-resistant cone woofer and two 1 in (25mm) aluminum dome tweeters.
• The AD-DWL.SUB offers dual 5.25 in (135mm) in weather-resistant cone woofers.

These new loudspeakers are available from the Inventory menu > Loudspeakers - High-Z and PoE category. To learn more, see the AD-DWL Series product page at qsys.com.

Imaging from Q-SYS NC Series NC-110 cameras is now improved, with updated Camera Imaging tab default values in the camera's Status/Control component and connected USB Video Bridge components. After upgrading to version 9.6.0, the easiest way to take advantage of these improvements is to reset all the camera's settings:

1. In the Camera Control tab, save your camera's Home and Privacy positions (coordinates), if desired, to apply after the reset. (These are cleared during the reset.)
2. In the Camera Imaging tab, click Reset all Camera settings (Imaging, PTZ, and Focus).

• If you are upgrading from version 9.1.x or later, no additional steps are necessary.
• If you are upgrading from version 9.0.x:
  1. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  2. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.

If you are upgrading from any Version 8 release:

1. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
2. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.

• If you are upgrading from version 7.2.1:
  1. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  2. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.
• If you are upgrading from version 7.2.0, 7.1.x, or 7.0.x:
  1. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
  2. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  3. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.

If you are upgrading from version 6.2.x or 6.1.x:

1. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
2. Save the design in QDS version 9.0.0 to upgrade the file format. (There is no need to upgrade the Core and peripherals to 9.0.0.)
3. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
4. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.

If you are upgrading from version 5.4.x, 5.3.x, 5.2.x, 5.1.x, or 5.0.x:

1. Upgrade to version 6.0.0. See the version 6.0.0 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version. (There is no need to update peripherals to version 6.0.0 in advance of updating to 7.2.1. Once the Q-SYS Core is running 7.2.1, it will update connected peripherals running version 5.x to version 7.2.1.)
2. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
3. Save the design in QDS version 9.0.0 to upgrade the file format. (There is no need to upgrade the Core and peripherals to 9.0.0.)
4. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
5. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.

If you are upgrading from a version earlier than 4.2:

1. Upgrade to version 4.2. See the version 4.2 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
2. Upgrade to version 6.0.0. See the version 6.0.0 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
3. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
4. Save the design in QDS version 9.0.0 to upgrade the file format. (There is no need to upgrade the Core and peripherals to 9.0.0.)
5. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
6. Upgrade to version 9.6.x.

• Windows 8.1 Pro x64
• Windows 10 Pro x64

If you are using a high DPI monitor resolution, such as 4K60, you might need to adjust the Windows Compatibility settings so that Q-SYS Designer Software displays properly:

1. Right-click the Designer shortcut on the desktop and select Properties.
2. In the Compatibility tab, click the "Change high DPI settings" button.
3. In the DPI settings window, select the following:
   • Select "Use this setting to fix scaling problems...".
   • In the "Use the DPI..." drop-down menu, select "I open this program".
   • Select "Override high DPI scaling behavior".
   • In the "Scaling performed by" drop-down menu, select "Application".

Q-SYS Designer Software has been tested to work when running in a virtual Windows 10 environment via Parallels Desktop for Mac. Use the following test environment and settings as a guideline for your setup.

Mac Hardware

• Mac Mini
• 3.2 GHz 6 Core Intel I7 processor
• 16 GB RAM

MacOS

• Version: Catalina 10.15.7
• To preserve RDP access, disable Energy Saver.

Parallels

• Version: Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac
• To preserve RDP access, deselect Pause Windows.
• Make sure that Devices > Network > Bridged Network (Ethernet) > Ethernet is selected.
• Reserved RAM space for Windows 10: 8 GB

Windows 10 Virtual Environment

• Version: Windows 10 Enterprise
• To preserve RDP access, disable sleep settings.

Other Notes

• If you have no intent of using Remote Desktop (RDP), you can leave the sleep / Energy Saver settings for all three layers at their defaults.
• If you change any network settings (for example, switching network NICs), you must restart Parallels.
• Hard Links have not yet been tested in a virtual Windows installation.
• Big Sur (MacOS 11.1) has not yet been tested by QSC as a host MacOS version for a virtual Windows installation.

The Q-SYS Designer and Q-SYS Administrator installation programs automatically install the following components if not currently installed on the Windows PC. Internet access is required to download these dependencies.

• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (includes 2.0 SP2, 3.0, and 3.0 SP2)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 SP2
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8
• Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime 14.16 (2017)
• Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1
• Microsoft XML Parser 6.0

These web browsers are tested to work with Q-SYS Core Manager and Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager on Windows, MacOS, and Linux:

• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Apple Safari

Note: Internet Explorer is not supported.