ALLEN&HEATH iLive Release Notes V1.21 Issue 1 Page 1 of 9 ...

iLive RELEASE NOTES – Version 1.21 Issue 1 CD 12/01/08 

This is a MAINTENANCE release of iLive operating firmware. 

Note 1: Refer to the A&H web site for instructions on how to update your system firmware. The 

Surface, TouchScreen and MixRack must be updated to run the same version of firmware. 

Note 2: Updating the firmware resets the system parameters to factory default. Make sure you 

archive your current settings as a Show memory before starting. We recommend that you store your 

existing shows to a PC using the copy to USB function. 

Note 3: Show memories archived in this V1.2 are not compatible with older firmware. Shows 

created in 1.10 can be opened and re-archived in 1.20 or 1.21. Shows created or re-archived in 1.2 

will not load on systems running the older 1.1 firmware. Ensure all your iLive systems are updated to 

1.21. If you are planning to use your shows with other iLive systems check that they have been 

updated too. If you wish to be able to use existing 1.1 shows on systems which have not yet been 

upgraded to 1.2 then you should copy them to a separate directory on your PC before updating your 

iLive. 

Summary of firmware releases to date: 

Version 1.00 - First release of iLive firmware. 

Basic function single rack, single surface, point to point system. 

Version 1.10 - Adds patchbay and editing. 

Input, output and ESA/B patchbays added, 

Access to input channel inserts and direct outputs, 

Parameter and mix Copy/Paste/Reset edit enabled, 

FX tap tempo function added, 

Support of the new dual mic input module, multi-out digital module and iLive-80 surface, 

Scene safes and copy/paste functions enabled, 

Aux send source selection added, 

Solo-in-Place and Freeze in Layers functions enabled, 

Several other improvements and bug fixes. 

Version 1.20 - More effects and patching options. 

Supports new ‘RackExtra’ DSP module to provide up to 8 FX engines, 

New chorus, flanger and ADT FX types added, 

FX may be patched as send/return or inserted, 

FX return EQ added and short/long channel return capability, 

ALLEN&HEATH iLive Release Notes V1.21 Issue 1 Page 1 of 9

Improved FX library management, 

Mix inserts and external inputs added, 

Aux/Matrix sends on faders or encoders, 

Support of the new iDR0 MixRack, 

Two more buses available, 

More EtherSound setup and patching options, 

Several other features, routing options, speed improvements and bug fixes. 

Version 1.21 - Maintenance release. 

Corrects issues found with release V1.20, 

Adds new Show templates to work with FOH/Monitor split systems and new iDR0. 

New Features and Improvements introduced recently with Version 1.20: 

1. More effects added 

A new iDR-64 ‘RackExtra’ DSP module is available to increase the number of internal effects engines 

from 2 to 8. This is fitted as standard to new systems shipped after the release of Version 1.20 

firmware. The RackExtra module is available as a hardware upgrade to older systems. Contact 

your Allen & Heath agent for more information. 

Firmware V1.20 supports the new DSP module to provide 8 virtual rack ‘slots’ which may be 

configured for up to 8 effects engines. 

Note on compatibility: The older V1.10 firmware will not support the RackExtra DSP module. 

However, V1.20 will run on systems fitted with the older DSP module. The two standard effects 

engines are available, but to increase the number of effects and benefit from the new effects routing 

the new ‘RackExtra’ DSP module should be fitted. 

The FX page now displays a ‘Front Panel’ view for working with the effects types and parameters, 

and a ‘Back Panel’ view for configuring the input and output routing. Each effect may be routed as a 

Mix>Return loop (for example, a bus fed reverb or delay) or inserted into a selected input or mix 

channel (as if it were an external insertable device, for example a dedicated channel chorus or 

reverb). 

For inserted effects, a Bypass button and Wet/Dry control are provided on the screen. For 

Mix>Return effects you can send to the effect via a mono or stereo FX or Aux bus, or straight from a 

channel direct output, thus saving a mix bus. You return it to the mix via a standard IP FX ‘Short’ 

stereo return ( basic routing as on previous firmware) or via a ‘Long’ return where you route it through 

one (mono) or two (stereo) of the 64 input channels to benefit from full processing and routing. 

Following user requests a 4-band PEQ with rotary control has been added to the Short return path. 

Note on number of channels: With the 64 input channels available and 8 effects returned via the 

additional IP FX stereo paths you get a total of 80 sources to the mix. 

Three new effects types have been added – Chorus, Flanger and ADT, each with a familiar analogue 

style user interface. The library interface has been improved to group the effects by type and location 

to make it easier to find the effect you want. 


2. Mix channel inserts 

Previous firmware provided access to the input channel inserts only. V1.20 extends the patchbay to 

provide access to the mix master inserts. The INSERT screen has been improved to let you view and 

select both the Send and Return patching on the same screen. Routing options include the physical 

input and output sockets, EtherSound channels and internal FX insertion. 

3. Mix external inputs (and name/colour from the processing view) 

Each GRP, AUX, MAIN and MTX master now has an external bus input. An EXT INPUT screen has 

been added to the SEL processing view top page. Select the external input source from a Surface or 

MixRack socket, or EtherSound ESA or B. If the source is selected from ESA, ESB or a digital input 

you get a +/-24dB level trim and polarity switch. 

Locate the EXT INPUT page from the same position as the input channel PREAMP box. This page 

also provides access to naming and colouring the mix channel. This means you can name and 

colour your mix masters from their SEL processing view instead of the NAME & COLOUR screen if 

you prefer. 

4. Aux and Matrix sends on faders or rotary encoders 

The operator now has the choice of mixing the aux or matrix sends on the faders or the rotary 

encoders above the faders. You may prefer encoder control if you want to keep the faders dedicated 

to main channel duty in FOH mixing. This may avoid errors by less experienced operators who may 

inadvertently adjust the faders while in the wrong mix. 

Choose encoder control by turning on the ‘Send on Rotaries’ button in the ROUTING page for the 

selected mix master. In this mode the encoders light up and the current level is displayed on the 

lower scale in the strip LCD. The upper display turns on to indicate PAN position if a stereo mix is 

active. The pan function is controlled by holding down the ROTARY SHIFT key and turning the 

encoder. 

Note on scenes: The fader/encoder selection may be added to scene memories. This choice is 

under the Strip Assignments selection. 

Note on send source selection: A drop-down menu in the same ROUTING page lets you select the 

point within the input channel signal path that feeds the sends to that mix. This is the same whether 

the sends are switched pre or post fader. Post-fader may be thought of as ‘follow-fader’. Check that 

all your Aux and Matrix mixes are set as you want them. For example, a foldback send from FOH 

may be set post-EQ so that the compressor and delay does not affect the monitors, while an effect 

send may require a post-delay feed. 

5. Support of the new iDR0 MixRack 

The iDR0 is a compact 2U rack that houses the iLive mix system ‘brain’. It has the iDR-64 RackExtra 

card (mix engine) built in and has two slots to house the RAB (remote audio) and CPU (control) 

modules. It is the same as the iDR10 MixRack but without slots for audio I/O. Instead, the mix 

engine gets its audio via EtherSound. There are two main applications: 

Multiple rack systems such as FOH/Monitor/Broadcast splitting. An iDR10 has the mic preamps 

loaded and becomes the master in the system. The iDR0 becomes the slave in the system getting its 

signals from a 64 channel ‘digital mic splitter’ via ESB. This provides a compact solution saving the 

space that would have been taken up with blank panels fitted to an iDR10 rack. Sockets on the rear 

of the iLive Surface connected to the iDR0 can be configured to provide local inputs and outputs. For 

example, the iDR0 could be a monitor system getting its inputs via EtherSound from the FOH 

MixRack and sending its stage mixes to outputs on the rear of its own surface. Note that input 


patching from ESB, clock source and the EtherSound downstream/upstream parameters can be set 

in the MIXRACK / Mix Pref / Audio Network page. The slave iDR0 should be set as MASTER/SLAVE 

and have clock source set to ESB. 

Compact small format mixer comprising an iDR0 and a Surface. The four card slots in the back of the 

surface provide the mixer I/O, for example, 24 inputs and 8 outputs. The signals are routed to/from 

the iDR0 via EtherSound. Audio could also be distributed around the venue if required using third 

party ES equipped breakout boxes. 

Note on compatibility: V1.20 or later firmware is required to run the iDR0. It will not work with 

earlier versions. 

6. More EtherSound configuration support 

Version 1.20 now supports ESB for use in FOH/Monitor mic splitting and broadcast/recording feeds. 

Distribution of signals via EtherSound between iDR MixRacks and other ES devices requires setting 

up of master/slave status, ES channel mapping and clock source. Firmware V1.20 adds an Audio 

Sync / Networks page from within the MIXRACK Preferences screen. This provides several options 

for configuring or restoring default ES settings. This means that some configuration of ESA and ESB 

no longer requires the addition of a laptop running the EtherSound Monitor application. The new 

Audio Sync / Networks page provides several functions: 

You can choose the audio clock source, for example ESB if the system is a slave getting its mic 

sources via ESB from another MixRack. You can set EtherSound downstream/upstream audio for 

MASTER or MASTER/SLAVE for linked systems where signals are shared such as FOH/Monitor 

applications. For example, a slave iDR0 would be set as MASTER/SLAVE, not MASTER. 

It is very important to understand and get these settings right as failure to do so may result in 

audio errors and feedback paths which may produce undesirable audio output. 

A ‘Quick Input Patch’ function lets you globally select ESB as the source to all input channels, for 

example when setting up the system to receive an EtherSound digital mic split (FOH/Monitor 

application) or to play back a 64 track recording made via a PC loaded with the optional Digigram 

ES6464 PCI card. You can set the inputs back to local source afterwards with a single button. 

Note on setting Local Input Source: Applying this function maps the local inputs to the channels one 

to one, for example MixRack preamp A1 to CH1, A2 to CH2 etc. It does not affect any sources which 

are currently mapped as insert returns. Channels related to those inputs are left unassigned. Note 

that any custom patching you may have done previously such as splitting one preamp into two 

channels or swapping preamps around will be overwritten by the default map. If you want to keep 

your settings we recommend you store your patchbay settings as a scene before you set ESB as the 

quick patch source. 

The OUTPUT screen includes a patchbay for ESB. For example, you can route the MixRack input 

preamps to ESB as a digital mic splitter for FOH/Monitor or applications, or the channel direct outputs 

for recording if preferred. 

Note on patching MixRack inputs to ESB: Choosing a range of MixRack inputs detects which input 

cards are fitted and maps these in sequence to ESB. For example, if you want to map inputs 1-56 

(cards A to G) for mic splitting, make sure the 7 cards are fitted. 

Note on gain sharing: V1.20 does not include the auto compensating gain sharing function intended 

for FOH/Monitor sharing. The master system with preamps loaded has the mic/line head amp gain 

control which affects the signals to both systems. However, the slave system receiving its signals via 

ESB is provided with its own local +/-24dB digital level trim in place of the preamp per channel. 

A button is also provided to restore the ESA defaults. This can be useful if someone has remapped 

ESA for another application and you want to start with a known default, or simply if you get into a 


mess with its patching… The default is a one to one mapping of the ES channels that restores the 32 

surface IO and PAFL/Talkback signals to their current patchbay mapping. 

Note: Restoring the ESA default requires a complete system reboot. A screen popup prompts you to 

confirm this action. 

Note on changing EtherSound settings: EtherSound is a very flexible audio networking system. As 

such its configuration can be confusing to the novice user. It is important that the operator 

understands the architecture and configuration requirements of EtherSound before attempting 

to make changes to the system. 

7. Two extra buses available 

A rework of the DSP architecture has freed up two more buses increasing the number available for 

primary mixes from 28 to 30. These may be configured as Groups, Auxes, FX, Main mix. Note that if 

you include Matrix you can configure up to 32 including all mix types you want available as outputs. If 

you include internal effects buses and matrix you can work with up to 40 mixes, for example 22x 

Grp/Aux/Mains, 8x FX, 10x Matrix. 

8. New default ‘No Channel Selected’ screen 

The blank ‘No Channel Selected’ screen has been replaced with a new default screen providing 

useful system status information, a clock and access to the four user defined meter pages. You can 

see who the current user is, which show was last recalled, the current firmware and EtherSound 

versions, system lock and temperature status. 

Note on current versions: At the time of this release the firmware should read V1.21 (after updating 

with the maintenance release) and ESA/ESB should be at version 903. If either displays an earlier 

version such as V1.10, V1.20 or V901 then an update is required. For more information download 

the How to Update Firmware or EtherSound Update 903 document on our iLive web site, or contact 

your Allen & Heath agent. 

9. More Direct Output options 

The MIXRACK / Mixer Pref / Direct Output page adds user options for the global setting of all direct 

outputs to ‘Follow Fader’ and ‘Follow Mute’. 

Note: ‘Follow Fader’ is equivalent to post-fader in an analogue console, but has the advantage that 

the signal source may be taken anywhere in the channel signal path regardless of being pre or post 

fader. For example you can have a ‘post-fade’ but pre-EQ setting. Make sure you understand the 

AUX send source selection when switching channel sends PRE or POST. 

10. Delay resolution improved 

Following user requests the delay resolution has been increased to sample level. Encoder entry 

acceleration lets you dial in fine or course changes to the setting. 

11. Phantom Power switch has delayed operation 

Hold down the 48V key for a second to change its state. This is to prevent accidental operation when 

operating the gain control and nearby switches. Note that the screen PREAMP page 48V switching is 

instantaneous. 


12. Password prompt when entering Surface Lock 

To avoid problems if the user locks the surface while an unknown password is set, the system now 

prompts you to enter the password before entering surface lock mode. 

13. GEQ touchscreen fader encoder control 

You can now touch a fader on the screen to highlight its frequency and use the rotary encoder to 

adjust its setting. The last selected frequency remains highlighted as you select different mixes, a 

useful feature if you want to keep a problem frequency in view and have instant encoder control as 

you select different mixes. 

14. GEQ readout available using ALT VIEW key 

While in GEQ on Faders mode you can press and hold the ALT VIEW key to display the current cut or 

boost levels in dB for each frequency band on the strip LCDs. 

15. Temperature reading in degree C or F option 

The UTILITY / Preferences screen adds an option to select the temperature display in degree Celsius 

or Fahrenheit. 

16. Option added for TALK switch to be momentary or latching 

A latched mode may be set in the UTILITY / Preferences page. This is useful when you are working 

with a switched microphone or want single handed operation using a hand held mic. 

17. Option added to select the Talkback signal source 

The MIXRACK / Talkback screen includes a Source page to select the Talkback device and settings. 

Choose from the surface Talkback mic, a MixRack or Surface preamp, or an ESA or ESB channel 

using the pull down menu. GAIN, PAD and 48V phantom power controls are provided if a preamp is 

selected. For example, this allows the Surface analogue TALKBACK OUT to feed the talkback 

system via a MixRack input if EtherSound is not fitted to the Surface. 

18. Talkback settings now stored in Shows 

Talkback preferences including the talkback source, operating mode and assignments are stored in 

the Show memories. 

19. User Profiles have been removed from Shows 

To avoid the possibility of a guest user leaving a venue with a show loaded with their own passwords, 

the User Profiles are no longer stored in these memories. Instead they remain with the console. 

Ensure you keep a record of any passwords set as restoring a system with a lost password resets all 

its parameters. 

20. Range select when patching output sockets 

For quicker patching you can now select a range of sockets within the OUTPUTS patchbay to map to 

an ascending range of similar types of output source. This is similar to Block select when assigning 

surface strips. 


21. Ability to use USB keyboard in preference to touch keyboard 

You may now use a standard USB keyboard to enter names. Both the touch and USB keyboards are 

operable at the same time. 

22. PAFL SEL/MIX link works on deselect as well as select. 

The user option to link the PAFL with the SEL or MIX or both keys has now been improved so that the 

linked switches turn off when PAFL is deselected. 

23. Scene Safes function now includes names and colour 

Previous firmware allowed the name and colour to be overwritten while the channel had been made 

safe from scene recall. This has now been corrected. 

24. Signal Generator settings added to power down memory 

Previously the signal generator would power up with a 0dB level setting default. It now restores the 

last user settings on power up. 

25. Performance improvements 

V1.20 introduces several performance improvements including faster strip assignment and faster 

scene store when adding all parameters to the scene. Channel naming and colouring from the 

processing view is faster too. 

26. Aux send source copy/reset 

Previously the channel send source for an Aux mix was copied or rest with the processing (edit+SEL) 

rather than mix (edit+MIX) parameters. This has been corrected. The Aux source is copied as part of 

the mix. 

27. Help File added 

The on screen Help File now includes more information including an introduction to iLive, Getting 

Started notes, worldwide tech support contact details as well as the V1.20 Release Notes. Further 

information on using iLive is available from the iLive Reference Guide which may be downloaded 

from the Allen & Heath web site. 

Known Issues and Points to be Aware of: 

Point 1: Accessing some of the screen modes can seem very slow the first time you press the 

screen keys. After switching the system on we recommend you press each screen key in turn to let 

the related page establish its links within the system. This may take up to 12 seconds or so 

depending on the page (ROUTING and FX take the longest). Once this is done, access to the page 

on subsequent key presses is instantaneous. 


Point 2: When copying shows with a lot of scene data, or multiple shows, to USB key allow enough 

time for the copy to complete before removing the key. Depending on key type this can sometimes 

overshoot the time the popup warning is displayed. Wait a few seconds after the led on the key has 

stopped flashing before pulling it out. When archiving your shows on PC check that their file sizes 

are not 0KB which indicates a show that has not copied correctly. 

Point 3: The copy/paste/reset edit keys do not work with the channel PREAMP. Pressing an edit 

key with the strip SEL key edits all channel processing parameters except the preamp settings. The 

channel mix assignments and levels are edited using the MIX key. 

Point 4: Note that using the RESET edit key to reset an Aux MIX resets all sends to post-delay, 

post-fader, send levels down, and all channels assigned to the mix. 

Point 5: Changing certain EtherSound and clock parameters in the MIXRACK / Mixer Pref / Audio 

Networks page can overwrite existing settings and action a system restart. We recommend you save 

your current settings in a scene memory first if you wish to recall them later. 

Point 6: Changing the mix bus or stereo channel architecture resets the mix parameters. These 

cause major system DSP reconfiguration and are not intended for ‘on the fly’ changes during a show. 

We recommend that you save your current settings in a scene memory before you do this if you wish 

to restore them after the change is done. 

Point 7: Channel parameter linking or ganging is not yet available on iLive. One method of 

providing a stereo GEQ for your main mix is to route L and R via a stereo Matrix to your PA. That 

gives you a GEQ per L and R as well as a stereo GEQ for LR available for the house or guest 

engineer to tune L and R of the PA simultaneously. It also provides linked PEQ, compressor, limiter 

and delay. 

Point 8: While Version 1.2 now supports the linking of MixRacks for FOH/Monitor/Broadcast mic 

splitting, the bus linking of MixRacks to expand the number of input channels beyond 64 is not yet 

available. Channel expansion will become available in a future firmware release. 


Maintenance Release Version 1.21: 

1. Fixed the External Backup PSU readout not working in the Utility Temperature screen. 

2. Fixed the ability to assign to mixes from the input or FX return channel strip MIX view. 

3. Fixed the C audio initialisation bug in LCRplus mix. This caused a lack of stereo channel audio at 

the C mix output after system power up, and until the channel PAN control was adjusted. 

4. Fixed the occasional surface freeze after pressing the screen keys in sequence to initialise their 

settings after boot up. 

5. Fixed a problem in bus configurations with Main mix = None (no LR, LCR mix etc), for example 

when using iLive as a monitor mixer. Here, coming out of a mix by turning off the MIX key would 

leave the faders and LCDs displaying the last mix parameters rather than channel faders. 

6. Fixed a PREAMP page red cross error and the apply/cancel buttons getting into the wrong state. 

7. Fixed an FX page red cross error. 

8. Fixed the FX send tab mapping error in the MIXRACK SETUP radar view. 

9. Fixed the PEQ Width control properly disabling when operated using the screen control. 

10. Fixed the Reset All Strips popup dialogue not working after a scene/show recall if the SURFACE 

SETUP page had previously been entered. 

11. Fixed a problem with the TouchScreen computer locking up if the real time clock got set back in 

time. Adjusting the time now restarts (reboots) the screen when confirmed. 

12. Fixed the recursive Show copy warnings to now give only one message. 

13. Fixed the display of the GR (gain reduction) meters in the METERS screen. 

14. Fixed the DELAY setup page screen control not unlinking when leaving the page. 

15. Fixed the OUTPUT screen display error associated with the first socket (Card A / channel 1) in 

each patchbay. 

16. Updated the default Show TEMPLATES for use with FOH/Monitor master/slave systems and the 

new iDR0 MiniRack. We have changed the ESB outputs to be fed from the MixRack inputs rather 

than channel direct outputs. New template shows have also been added: 

a. SLAVE_FOH_LR - To use the iDR10 or iDR0 as a slave FOH system getting its channel 

inputs and clock from the Monitor system via ESB. 

b. SLAVE_MON_8m8st - To use the iDR10 or iDR0 as a slave Monitor system getting its 

channel inputs and clock from the FOH system via ESB. 

c. iDR0_LR_24in8out - To use the iDR0 with an iLive surface as a compact stand alone 

mixer getting its I/O from cards loaded in the back of the surface. 

For further information or assistance please contact Allen & Heath Technical Support in your territory.

ALLEN&HEATH iLive Release Notes V1.21 Issue 1 Page 1 of 9 ...

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