Applies to: SL Compact

PLEASE NOTE: It is highly unlikely that you will ever need to do this unless you have been instructed to do so by a member of Novation Technical Support.

On the SL Compact, it is possible to force the unit to update via MIDI.

Please note: In order to do this, you will need a 2nd MIDI interface (besides your SL Compact) and a MIDI cable.

To get started, download and unzip the folder attached to this article. You'll find the SL Compact OS file inside.

For Mac

1. Download “SysEx librarian” from www.snoize.com
2. Run the application. 
3. Drag and drop the two SysEx files (OS and Data) into SysEx librarian.
4. Connect a MIDI cable from the “MIDI out” of your chosen MIDI device to the “MIDI in” of your SL Compact. 
5. Connect your chosen MIDI device and select it within SysEx librarian, then ready your SL for OS update: 
6. Force the SL into the “update via MIDI” mode, connect your SL Compact via USB and hold down the “play”, “loop” and “record” buttons as you power up the unit. Then press the “edit” button to confirm the action. The SL Compact LCD screen should display “waiting to receive OS via MIDI…”.
7. Click “play” in SysEx librarian.
8. You will know when the SL is upgrading as the percentage value of the installer will increase on the screen of the SL.
9. When the update reaches 100% on the left LCD screen, power cycle the unit. 
10. Load the “data.syx” file into SysEx librarian, although this time you should be able to select the SL Compact “port 1” in SysEx librarian and send this direct to the unit via USB. This does not require the SL to be put into receive mode, but “memory protect” needs to be set to “OFF” in the “global” menu.

If you are still encountering problems, please contact technical support for further assistance.

For Windows

1. Download MIDI-Ox from www.MIDIox.com
2. Run the application. 
3. Open the application and set your chosen MIDI device within “Options\MIDI devices…”
4. Connect a MIDI cable from the “MIDI out” of your chosen MIDI device to the “MIDI in” of your SL Compact. 
5. Go to “view” then “SysEx”. Then load the OS SysEx file into the window by going to “Command window\Load File”.
6. Force the SL into the “update via MIDI” mode, connect your SL Compact via USB and hold down the “play”, “loop” and “record” buttons as you power up the unit. Then press the “edit” button to confirm the action. The SL Compact LCD screen should display “waiting to receive OS via MIDI…”.
7. Go to “File\Send SysEx file…”.
8. You will know when the SL is upgrading as the percentage value of the installer will increase on the screen of the SL.
9. When the update reaches 100% on the left LCD screen, power cycle the unit.
10. Load the “data.syx” file into MIDI-Ox, although this time you should be able to select the SL Compact “port 1” in “Options\MIDI devices…” and send this direct to the unit via USB. This does not require the SL to be put into receive mode, but “memory protect” needs to be set to “OFF” in the “global” menu.