LA NWM Installation Technical Bulletin - v.8.0

Saving User Presets and Current Session

Procedure

1. Run the version of LA NWM already installed on the computer.
2. Restore the current Session from the network, and save it to a file.
3. For each physical Unit, save each user preset (memory locations 1 to 10) to a file.
4. Check that all Units are on a user preset (memory locations 1 to 10). If not, load a preset from a user preset memory.

The saved files can be loaded back when the update is completed (refer to Loading saved Sessions and user presets (p.3)), with the exception of LA NWM 1 .preset and .system files (refer to the LA NWM Help).

Installing LA Network Manager

⚠️ Firmware update erases Session parameters and user presets from the amplified controllers. If necessary, make a back-up. See Saving user presets and current Session (p.1).

⚠️ Do not use WiFi to connect to the physical Units.

ℹ️ If connected during the firmware update, the loudspeakers can produce clicking sounds. There is no risk of damage to the loudspeakers.

The firmware package includes the firmware for all unit types (processors and all types of amplified controllers). All unit types can be updated at the same time.

LA Network Manager uploads the firmware first to P1 units (one by one), then to amplified controllers (by batches of up to 10 units). When upload is completed for a P1 unit, the unit starts installing the update, then displays Waiting for reboot on the display screen. When upload is completed for all units, LA Network Manager reboots all the units.

Procedure

ℹ️ On macOS: Root password is required.

ℹ️ On Windows: Administrator rights are required.

1. Unzip the downloaded package.
2. Double-click the EXE (Windows) or PKG (macOS) file.
3. Follow the wizard instructions.

On Windows: A message appears if WinPcap is already installed. Click Cancel.

Update firmware of all units:

ℹ️ Refer also to Updating LA4/LA8/LA4X from firmware 1.x (p.3).

1. Run LA NWM in Online mode.
2. Add the detected physical Units to the Workspace.
3. Select the Units to be updated.
4. Click on the L-Acoustics logo on the upper left and click on Firmware Updater.
5. Click on Update Firmware.

This updates both the firmware and the factory preset library stored on the Units.

ℹ️ If firmware upload fails on a Unit: Reboot the Unit, close and re-open LA NWM, and repeat the procedure on this Unit. If some LA4X do not restart successfully, refer to Recovery of continuously rebooting LA4X (p.4).

5. If applicable, load back the saved files, see Loading saved Sessions and user presets (p.3).
6. Update your Session files (recommended). Refer to the LA NWM Optimization technical bulletin.

Loading saved Sessions and user presets

Procedure

1. Run the latest version of LA NWM.
2. From the Preset Loader, drag and drop each saved preset file into the relevant user preset memory of each physical Unit.
3. Open the saved session file to recover all settings automatically converted to the new format.

If some presets are in versions 1.x or 2.x, LA NWM displays a warning message and labels the IP addresses of the Units in orange. These presets must be replaced with the corresponding presets in version 3.x minimum.

Updating LA4/LA8/LA4X from firmware 1.x

LA NWM from version 2.5.1 no longer detects LA4/LA8 Units running on firmware version 1.x. LA NWM from version 3.2.0 can no longer update LA4X Units running on firmware version 1.5 or lower.

Procedure

1. Download the LA Network Manager Mac or LA Network Manager Win pack from the L-Acoustics website. The packs are accessible from Documentation Center > Archives.
2. Install LA NWM 2.4.4 from the October 2016 release pack.
3. Run LA NWM 2.4.4 in Online mode.
4. Add the detected physical Units to the Workspace.
5. Select the Units with firmware 1.x.
6. Click on the L-Acoustics logo on the upper left and click on Firmware Updater.
7. Click on Update Firmware. This automatically updates the Units to firmware version 2.1.3.3.
8. Close LA NWM 2.4.4.
9. Run the latest version of LA NWM in Online mode.
10. Repeat steps 4 to 7. This updates the Units to the latest firmware version.

Recovery of continuously rebooting LA4X

In some very rare cases, LA4X amplified controllers may fail to start after completing the firmware update: the POWER LED lights up in orange, then turns off, and lights up in orange again.

This means the auxiliary power-supply board is out of order. It can happen if the auxiliary power-supply board is damaged prior to the update, even if the damages are too minor to be detected.

For a short-term recovery of the affected LA4X, follow this procedure.

Procedure

• Press and hold the encoding wheel for about 5 seconds.
• If the issue persists, press and hold the encoding wheel, and as soon as the POWER LED turns red, release the encoding wheel, push the POWER button for about 2 seconds, then press and hold the encoding wheel again.

Diagram Description: LA4X Front Panel

The diagrams illustrate the front panel of the LA4X unit. Key controls and indicators include:

• POWER button: Located on the right side.
• Encoding wheel: A rotary encoder situated below the display, used for navigation and selection. Arrows in the diagrams point to this wheel.
• Numerical Display: A multi-digit display showing status or settings.
• Indicators: LIMIT/CLIP, STATUS, SIGNAL, L-NET, located above the numerical display.
• Buttons: ESC and OK, located below the numerical display, to the left and right of the encoding wheel respectively.
• Input/Output Labels: OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4, INPUTS A-D, indicating connection points.

What to do next

As soon as possible, contact the L-Acoustics representative to replace the auxiliary power-supply board.