Element and Engine Compatibility Information (Engine release notes)
Updated
by
Bryan Jones
- Scope
- Description
- Versions (listed by ENGINE version number)
- Axia StudioEngine v2.7.0k For Element Consoles
- Engine version 2.6.1e release notes
- Engine version 2.5.4e release notes
- Engine version 2.5.4a release notes
- Engine version 2.5.1w release notes
- Engine version 2.4.10k1 release notes
- Engine version 2.4.9r6 (and previous) release notes
- Changes
- Version 2.4.8w3
- Version 2.4.7e2
- Version 2.4.7c5
- Version 2.4.6f1
- Version 2.4.6d8
- Version 2.4.5b1
- Version 2.4.5b
- Version 2.4.5a1 and previous
Scope
This document applies only to Element consoles when used with the separate GPIO/power supply. Commonly referred to as Element separates. If you are using an Element with an Axia Power Station, this article does not apply.
Description
Although the Element console is discontinued and was replaced by Fusion (Quasar has since replaced Fusion), we still maintain this information for historical, and in some cases, repair purposes.
Element consoles originally shipped with a PowerSupply/GPIO unit that was the "brain" for the Console and used a separate Studio Engine (Mix Engine). You may hear this referred to as Element separates.
The Element PS/GPIO and the Studio Engine must run compatible versions. However, if you send your Element PS/GPIO to us for repair we would likely install the latest Element version that may not be compatible with your Studio Engine.
These release notes are supplied so that you can see what versions are compatible with each other.
Versions (listed by ENGINE version number)
Axia StudioEngine v2.7.0k For Element Consoles
Revised March 2, 2015
Software Version Compatibility
- Element: 2.5.0.9 or later
- Livewire Nodes: 2.5.2g or later
- IP Audio Driver 2.4.8.12 or later
Summary of new features
- CPU usage optimization, reduced control latency
- Moves the RPL attributes page to the Diagnostics tab, and adds meter control data to RPL attributes page.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed possibility of incomplete source list on Intercom configuration page.
- Fixed possibility of slow routing/command execution time.
- Fixed a problem that resulted in V-Mixer and V-Mode stream advertisements not showing after restart.
- Fixed a condition that resulted in StudioEngine not sending IGMP membership reports for its own generated streams.
- Various other internal optimizations and bug fixes.
Engine version 2.6.1e release notes
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.3.1.0
- Nodes 2.5.2g
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Functional improvements:
- Adds support for new fanless Engine hardware platform
- Complete iProbe support - source info, software updates, configuration backup/restore
- Intercom service update installation
Bug Fixes
- Silence alarms and metering now work for all VMIX channels
- EQ - Mid Gain now correctly affects frequencies from 1.6kHz - 2kHz
- Setting the Element mixing mode to stereo no longer defeats VMODE surround
- Outputs disabled due to overload no longer appear available on the network
- Corrupted software banks now clear after application of software update
Engine version 2.5.4e release notes
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.3.1
- Nodes 2.5.2g
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Fixed public release defects:
- Fixes instability and restart issues when the number of outputs enabled exceeds 118 streams.
- CPU Resource monitoring now correctly tracks output streams and disallows overloading.
Engine version 2.5.4a release notes
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.3.1
- Nodes 2.5.2g
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Functional improvements:
- Web - option to change the default buffer size for Standard streams
- Ping client and sshd enabled
- Multi-partition CF image for Intel and ASUS motherboards
- Improved software upload procedure - accepts packages in .tar format and works faster
- Automatically switches to second code bank in the event of primary bank boot failure
- Diagnostics enhancements - watchdog monitoring, software upload log, boot monitoring
- UDP packets can now be sent to hosts behind the router, allowing the engine trace log to be stored on a host outside the engine local network.
Fixed public release defects:
- Fader trim gain no longer has an effect on the Preview level.
- LWRP – Removed space padding in the NAME bracket.
- LWCP – Fixed consdition wherein, If LOGIN was not sent as the first command in a session, it would not work afterwards
- Fixed missing IGMP LEAVE request after a local audio loopback is disconnected
- VMode and VMix - Fixed a condition wherein some saved states were not retained after reboot.
- PLL state stabilized.
- SmartSurface mode – fixed Program and Monitor output configurations improperly retained after reboot.
Known issues:
- CPU load measurement is no longer accurately recorded. For safety, maintain a load limit between 70-75% on the load meter.
Engine version 2.5.1w release notes
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.3.1
- Nodes 2.5.2g
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Functional improvements:
- VMODE – audio mode configuration now includes graphics to visualize the audio flow
- Doubled the number of VMIX/VMODE blocks
- Preview speakers - factory default stream mode is now "Live", not "Standard"
- Added Intercom application module - v 1.2
- Config backup/restore/reset now includes the Intercom settings
Fixed public release defects:
- Improved RFC host name compliance
- Event handling improved for Engine PING non-response when audio multicast is still working
- Ethernet driver - removed unneeded diagnostic output
- VMODE - standard stream in the second position of a pair: fixed meter function when for operations where the first output in this pair is disabled
- Added value limiting at stream output; fixes high aggregate gain in audio path which may lead to distortion caused by sample value overflow
- Removing a duplicate Livewire stream from an active output no longer disconnects a valid input stream.
Engine version 2.4.10k1 release notes
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.2.0.9
- SmartSurface application 2.5.0.59
- Nodes 2.5.2g
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Functional improvements:
- Added: Multi-standard audio level meters
- Changed: Web - modify the visual look to match the "Axia style" as defined by Element
- Added: Supporting bigger consoles up to 64 faders
- Added: LWRP - DST command is memorized in config data to support PF changes
- Improved: Refinements to operative accounting and allocation of CPU resources
- thresholds adjusted to prevent the CPU load exceeding 90%
- resource availability check applied to basic fader channel source processing
- resource availability check applied to source backfeeds
- Added: Generates a syslog event when I/O stream is automatically disabled as a result of switching the network port from 1G to 100M
- Added: LWCP - memorizes all commands in the permanent configuration
- Changed: Web - Move syslog configuration from the ID page to the Diagnostics page; engine and console ID pages
- become "Network"
- Changed: LWRP - DST port numbering - append faders 29..64 at the end of the former numbering range (solves the PathFinder compatibility problem that emerged in the preliminary release 2.4.9)
- Added: Full SmartSurface compatibility - build 2.4.10e3 approved
- Added: Preview: Pre-fader listen / after-fader listen mode switching
- Changed: New, more robust debug log control approach:
- an active client configures the target IP and detail level via network link, and pulls the log without involving the configuration web page
- debug level is now stored on CF, that allows to obtain the startup phase log in field as well
- Changed: Factory netmask changed to 255.0.0.0
- Changed: Automatic config backup file name - include two lower IP address bytes
- Changed: CMsg supv polling - move responses to unicast, insert randomized response delay, adjust timers to polling interval 4sec
- Added: Should a network driver crash occur, crash investigation info would be saved on a controlled unit shutdown:
- Improved: Advertisement channel optimization, adv protocol version 3 - step 1
- Added: Web - reset stream statistics counters
- Changed: Move the pre-fader gain control CHxx.FATG to the point immediately after the CHxx.MODE switch
Fixed:
- Changed: Front panel - if more than one error condition existed at a time, the second error message would never go away
- Fixed: Source sharing - SmartSurface compatibility mode - fixed redundant SRC reports on port 93
- Fixed: Source advertising - "To source" streams may be missing their names in adv messages
- Fixed: Source advertising and console supervision did not work if the Gateway IP is left blank
- Fixed: Eliminated the redundant manual Element/SmartSurface API mode switching
- Fixed: VMIX - if a mixer's I/O was disconnected after restarting the engine the former ON states of inputs would be lost in the DSP - although the controls are still displayed in the "ON" state, actually they will not pass audio.
- Fixed: Web - "Omnia Processing" configuration
- Fixed: LWRP - Stopping audio on PGM 4 causes a false silence report on VMIX1 sub
- Fixed: Instability caused by insufficient buffer amount between network driver and standard Linux
- Fixed: VMIX gain is interpreted incorrectly if more than one digit was entered after the point
- Fixed: Channel numbers of disabled outputs were lost after restart
Engine version 2.4.9r6 (and previous) release notes
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.1
- SmartSurface application 2.5.0.59
- Nodes 2.5.2
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Changes
- New: Major operation environment rework:
- Suse Linux with multi-core kernel, GRUB boot loader
- New multi-partition CF storage structure, OS moved into the dual code bank, software update installation by complete bank rewrite
- Added: Omnia headphone processing can now be applied to either PGM1 or Mon1 Headphones.
- Added: Users can now set a password for remote access via HTTP using a field on the Engine’s Configuration pages (replacing previous versions’ Telnet configuration for this option).
- Added: Maximum mix-minus audio gain trim has been increased from -3dB to -6dB to allow adequate attenuation of summed dual-mono backfeeds.
- Added: Gain control for Aux mix level compensation in mix-minus backfeeds
- Added: Gain Control for Pre-fader gain trim
- Added: Gain Control to trim Mic output levels after Omnia Mic processing is applied
- Added: New metering capabilities providing 10 switchable full-resolution meters
- Added: SmartSurface compatibility mode option for source sharing. Users can now switch all engine sources between freely sharable, (SmartSurface compatibility mode), and lockable (normal Element operation). Find the new option in the "Application Interface Options" section of the HTTP configuration pages.
- Fixed: When operating in Surround mode, upmixes from L, R, L+R and stereo no longer send L and R to LFE channel.
- Fixed: After moving the engine from a 1Gig to a 100Mbps switch port and restarting, the number of active outgoing audio streams is now properly limited to match available bandwidth.
- Fixed: “Source is Busy” error that caused Engine sources to be unavailable for assignment on SmartSurface faders.
- Fixed: Bug that might cause slow resumption of audio after connection to console.
Version 2.4.8w3
Software version compatibility:
- Element application 2.0.0r12
- SmartSurface application not recommended
- Nodes 2.3.3b2
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.8.12
Changes
- Added: V-Mixer and V-Mode full local control via engine web page, destination routing control via LWRP, mixing control and mode selection via LWCP.
- Added: Source sharing logic is now fully supported; source advertisement logic now allows creating backfeeds for engine outputs.
- Added: Audio level meters now provide true peak value with hold function for the refresh period, and standard 300ms average RMS.
- Fixed: Omnia headphone processing. New presets, tweaked parameters and eliminated processing bugs
- Added: Extended EQ frequency ranges.
- Added: Automatic upmixing to surround.
- Fixed: LWRP server bugs.
- Fixed: Slow show profile loading.
- Fixed: A number of other minor and cosmetic enhancements and bug fixes.
Version 2.4.7e2
Software version compatibility
- Element application 1.1.13.13a
- SmartSurface application 2.50.59
- Nodes 2.3.3b
- IP audio driver Windows 2.4.7.3
Changes
- Added: Automatic updating of MAC address mapping for known IP
- Added: Mon1 headphones - new “Hot HP” Omnia dynamics preset
- Added: Syslog event reporting of stopped/resumed streams, unwanted streams, stream conflicts
- Fixed: Mon1 headphones - Omnia - AGC drive and mixer - Mid and High bands appeared cross-connected
Version 2.4.7c5
- Added: Mic and Headphones control accessory module - phase2: source name display on engine, presentation on web page and front panel.
- Added: Logging unwanted multicast to detect flooding
- Fixed: The stream number limit for 100 Mbps links is now correct
- Fixed: Trace log defects in diagnostics logging routines
- Fixed: Fixed: Source loading speed
- Fixed: Individual headphones - volume control now works
- Fixed: Individual headphones - external source selection now works
Version 2.4.6f1
- Added: Mic and Headphones control accessory module - phase2: Implemented volume control. Must use Element ver 1.1.13x or higher (still in testing)
- Added: Mon1 HP Omnia processing - meters - interface for enabling/disabling and setting the remote IP address
- Known bug here: Wrong IP address range check causes meters to not work if the remote IP is set >= 128.x.x.x
- Improvement: Advertising discipline - insert a delay before sending advert messages on source changes
Version 2.4.6d8
- Added: Dynamics processing in headphones - Phase 1:
- Enabled processing in the CR HP path
- Full list of Omnia A/X presets is offered. factory-defined, currently selectable from Engine web page only
- Added: Engine - SPLITTING the RECORD bus
- Added: Health monitoring functions - support for motherboard
- Added: Web - system status - show fan speed measurement
- Improvement: Diagnostics interface improvements
- Fixed: Front Panel - VMIX - Output page does not automatically follow value changes
- Fixed: Source name for RECORD should be "Program 4 Record", not "Program 3 Record"
- Fixed: VMIX outputs: Pathfinder sees them listed even if they are OFF
- Fixed: V-Mixer - source name is shown only if the input was idle before
- Fixed: Front panel - PGM and Monitor I/O, VMIX I/O screens - audio level indicators do not work
- Fixed: Config backup, executed immediately after entering new output channel numbers, returns them to old values
- Fixed: Fader channel - AUX SEND pre/post-fader - inconsistent startup defaults
Version 2.4.5b1
- Fixed: Engine returns wrong backfeed presence status - "disconnected" for existing backfeeds
Version 2.4.5b
- Added/Changed: Program 4 split to two streams, Stream Program 4 now follows Post ON/OFF, Post Fader.
- Stream called Program 4 Record replaces previous Program 4 functionality of Pre ON/OFF, Post Fader operation.
- Improvement/Changes: PHONE and RECORD mixing buses in Element mode
- Phone Bus- Follows Program 4 selection and is Pre ON/OFF, Pre Fader. Internal to Engine only.
- Feed to source option PHONE changed from Program 1 feed to follow Phone buss now.
- Feed to source option AUTO now follows rules for channel ON/OFF to feed Pgm 1/Phone Bus to backfeed of Phone and Codec sources
- Changed: V-Mixer - default output channel numbers: main 201, Submix 1 faders 211-215, Submix 1 Out 1 216,
- Submix 2 faders 221-225, Submix 2 out 226,
- Changed: Startup defaults for console type and output channels must be for Element console
- Improvement: Phone and codec - feed to source - 3dB level compensation for mono sum
- Added: Health monitoring functions for Motherboard
- Changed: The "OFF" command (shut down and halt) is redundant as it results in restarting the engine
Version 2.4.5a1 and previous
- Added: V-Mixer added to Engine. Requires Element version 1.1.11x and higher.
- Fixed: glitching with Element's voice processing, Fixed code and made Compressor Attack faster
- Fixed: Fader channel - PGM4 pre/post-ON - startup default must be post-ON
- Fixed: Backward feed source select - Aux1..Aux4 do not work (Element can use these only starting from release 1.1.10)
- Fixed: Headphone backfeed levels from the engine to any Mic Position are at reduced levels
- Fixed: Mic processing - gain reduction meters not working if signal is present only in one of stereo channels
- Added: Engine diagnostics interface improvements - new events in the trace log file
- Added: New source type COMPUTER
- Fixed: Wrong number of sources (NUMS) in adv messages after switching between different console types
- Fixed: On enabled outputs, the LW channel numbers cannot be changed
- Fixed: At startup, engine does not detect- unplugged network cable and Half Duplex error
- Fixed: Improper watchdog handling at application shutdown causes failures to install further software updates
- Added: Surround PAN control on Aux returns
- Added: Monitor source select - P1..P4, Aux1..Aux4, Ext1, Ext2
- Added: Feed to source options added P3, P4, A1..A4
- Added: Code to support new meter source select options - MET2/4.SRSW to RECORD
- Added: Front panel passcode. Accessible from System Web Page
- Added: Code to support new Mic and Headphones control accessory modules, Phase 1 Improvement: Improved
- Engine diagnostics options
- Fixed: Fader channel's stereo PAN (SmartSurface mode)- wrong state when loaded by show profile
