There are a few ways firmware can be updated on a 12 Step: automatically by the editor, manually with the editor, or manually without the use of the editor.

Automatically

If a 12 Step is connected to an editor with a differing firmware version (e.g. you just downloaded a new editor update and fired it up), the editor should automatically prompt you to update the firmware. Just click the UPDATE button to initiate the firmware installation.

Manually (with Editor)

The 12 Step Editor can be used to manually initiate a firmware update/reinstall — just do the following:

1. Connect the 12 Step to a computer
2. Open the 12 Step Editor
3. Go up to the Hardware menu and select "Update/Reload Firmware". This option will only be selectable if a 12 Step has successfully connected to the editor.
4. In the prompt appears, click the UPDATE button — this will initiate the firmware update process.
5. Wait for the firmware update to complete — a progress bar will show how much of the update has been completed.
6. If you have any custom presets, resend them to the 12 Step — reinstalling or updating firmware will revert all presets to their factory state.

Manually (without Editor)

Typically the 12 Step editors will do just fine updating firmware on your board, but in some cases it may be necessary to manually update the firmware (like if the controller is not connecting to the editor).

The 12 Step firmware can be loaded/installed manually using any application capable of sending SysEx files to connected MIDI devices. We recommend SysEx Librarian for Mac (http://www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian/), and SysEx Box for Windows (http://miostools.midibox.org/) — though there are certainly other capable third-party options available.

To update your firmware...

Mac

1. If you have not already, download and install SysEx Librarian from http://www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian/
2. Download or locate the firmware file you would like to install. Zips of the current version and past versions can be downloaded here: http://files.keithmcmillen.com/downloads/12step/sysex_files
3. Plug in your 12 Step and open SysEx Librarian
4. Click "Add..." in the lower-left corner of the screen. When the browser window opens, navigate to the firmware file (generally named to the effect of "12StepVAx.syx") then click "Open".
5. Select Port 1 (for "12 Step Port 1") from the drop down menu labeled "Destination".
6. Select the firmware file in SysEx Librarian's main window — it should highlight blue.
7. Click the "Play" button in the top-left corner of SysEx Librarian to begin the firmware installation. A progress bar will appear indicating how far along the update process is. The 12 Step's display will go blank and look non-responsive while the update is taking place — this is ok and to be expected.
8. Once done, wait for the 12 Step to boot back up. This may take a few seconds, so please be patient.

Windows

1. If you have not already, download and install SysEx Box from http://miostools.midibox.org/
2. Download or locate the firmware file you would like to install. Zips of the current version and past versions can be downloaded here: http://files.keithmcmillen.com/downloads/12step/sysex_files
3. Make sure all audio/MIDI applications are closed.
4. Plug in your 12 Step and open SysEx Box.
5. Select 12 Step Port 1 in the "MIDI IN Port" and "MIDI OUT Port" drop-down menus. "12 Step Port 1" may show up as "USB Audio Device(1)" on Windows XP.
6. Click "Open SysEx File". When the browser window opens, navigate to the firmware file you want to send to the 12 Step, then click "Open".
7. Click the "Send SysEx" button. The firmware update should begin. The 12 Step's display will go blank and look non-responsive while the update is taking place — this is ok and to be expected.
8. Once done, wait for the 12 Step to boot back up. This may take a few seconds, so please be patient.