How To Update PUMP Firmware

What's Needed?

  • PUMP Module
  • USB-A to USB-B Cable
  • Mac or Windows Computer
  • PUMP Updater (Download links below)

What's My Firmware?

Firmware version will always be notated here on the PCB.

PUMP Updater (Mac)

PUMP Updater (Windows)

Step 1: Download Latest Firmware - v3.01

The latest firmware version is always included in the download links above.

All firmware versions can be downloaded here: https://www.empiricallabs.com/pump/#firmware

Download includes:

  • PUMP Updater (i.e. “PUMP Updater.exe”)
  • PUMP Firmware File (i.e. “pump3.01.hex”)

Step 2: Plug USB cable into Computer

Step 3: While holding Bypass (BYP) button, plug USB cable into PUMP

The BAD and AtMod LEDs will be lit to show that PUMP is in Bootloader Mode.

Step 4: Open PUMP Updater

Click "More info"
Click "Run anyway"
Click "OK"
Open "Security & Privacy" settings in System Preferences, then click "Open Anyway"
Click "Open"

Step 5: Click "Open File" and select PUMP Firmware File

Step 6: Select PUMP from Device Dropdown Menu (Port Options)

Step 7: Press "Start" and wait!

Upon completion, PUMP will automatically boot up with the installed firmware.

Troubleshooting

PUMP doesn’t enter Bootloader Mode:

– Unplug USB cable from PUMP and make sure no buttons are stuck.

– Hold down Bypass (BYP) and plug USB cable into PUMP

– BAD and AtMod LEDs should light to indicate Bootloader Mode

– If problem persists, please reach out to hardwaresupport@empiricallabs.com for assistance.

PUMP doesn’t show up in Device List:

– Double check that PUMP is in Bootloader mode (BAD and AtMod LEDs are lit)

– Press “Refresh” in PUMP Updater

– If PUMP still does not show up, repeat from step 3

– If problem persists, please reach out to hardwaresupport@empiricallabs.com for assistance.

Mac Installation Issues

One of the most common issues when installing the BIG FrEQ or AROUSOR on Mac is the error shown below preventing the installer from being opened. Follow the steps below to get the installer open and begin the installation process.

If you are seeing the error above, click OK and proceed to System Preferences.

Click on Security & Privacy. Then, click on the General tab at the top.

Click on Open Anyway towards the bottom of the page and the installer should open.

Troubleshooting the Arousor on Pro Tools for Mac OS

Check your Activation

If you are getting any kind of authorization or validation errors either when you try to launch your DAW or use the Arousor, make sure the Arousor is properly activated to your iLok generation 2 or higher USB dongle and it is plugged into your computer. The Arousor will not operate without it. This also includes the trial. See the activation guide on the downloads page for more information

 

Update iLok License Manager

Go to https://www.ilok.com/#!license-manager to download the latest version of iLok License Manager. Make sure you restart your computer after it is installed.

 

Test the Arousor on another DAW/Format

If possible, try testing another format of the plugin. There is a VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX version of the Arousor installed to your system. If you have a second DAW like GarageBand, try opening the Arousor on it. If it works in another application there may be a problem with Pro Tools’ preferences or plug-in cache.

 

Reinstall the Arousor

Since there is no official Arousor reinstaller, you must delete the Arousor from the Plug-ins folder manually and then reinstall it.

 

  1. Close Pro Tools and launch Finder.
  2. Click Go (at the top of the screen) and select Go to Folder… or press Command + Shift + G
  3. Enter /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins and click Go.
  4. Select Arousor.aaxplugin and delete it either by clicking and dragging it to the Trash or right clicking it and selecting Move to Trash. Enter your password if prompted.
  5. Restart your computer.
  6. Open Pro Tools so it recognizes that the plug-in is gone and then close Pro Tools.
  7. Download the Arousor installer from https://empiricallabs.com/downloads.html and reinstall the Arousor.

 

You may need to restart your computer again before opening Pro Tools again.

If issues persist you may need to delete Pro Tools Preferences and clear the Installed Plug-in Cache.

 

Delete Pro Tools Preferences

Deleting the Pro Tools files detailed below will reset Pro Tools. Before deleting any of the files as instructed below, copy them into a new folder on your Desktop called “Pro Tools Workspace Backup” as detailed in the instructions below. Returning these files back to where they were or replacing a newly created set of preferences will return Pro Tools to its past state.

 

  1. Close Pro Tools and launch Finder.
  2. Click Go (at the top of the screen) and select Go to Folder… or press Command + Shift + G
  3. Enter ~/Library/Preferences/Avid and click Go.
  4. Back up the Pro Tools folder by moving it to the Desktop or right click it and select Compress “Pro Tools”. This is just in case you need to bring back your old settings.
  5. Once the Pro Tools folder is backed up, delete the Pro Tools Prefs and InstalledAAXPlugins files from the original Pro Tools folder by right clicking them and selecting Move to Trash
  6. Restart your computer and launch Pro Tools.

 

Pro Tools 12, 2018, and 2019 on Mac OS Sierra

If you are having authorization or validation errors appearing when you launch Pro Tools 12, 2018, or 2019 on Mac OS Sierra you may need to update your operating system to Mac OS High Sierra, but do not update to Mojave or Catalina. This error occurs when after iOS 13 is installed on to your computer to.

Troubleshooting the Arousor on Logic Pro X

Sometimes when you update the Arousor from a previous version, Logic can mark the plugin as invalid. Below is a list of solutions for getting the Arousor working on your system. Try one solution at a time until the Arousor is working on your system.

 

Check your Activation

If you are getting any kind of authorization or validation errors either when you try to launch your DAW or use the Arousor, make sure the Arousor is properly activated to your iLok generation 2 or higher USB dongle and it is plugged into your computer. The Arousor will not operate without it. This also includes the trial. See the activation guide on the downloads page for more information.

 

Update iLok License Manager

Go to https://www.ilok.com/#!license-manager to download the latest version of iLok License Manager. Make sure you restart your computer after it is installed.

 

Perform a fresh install of iLok License Manager

To perform a fresh install, you will need to uninstall the current iLok License Manager from your computer.

The first step is to download a fresh copy of the installer from iLok.com, making sure you delete any old copies of this installer that may also be in your Downloads folder.
On a Mac, please use the “Uninstall License Support” script included in the License Support/iLok License Manager installer to uninstall.

*** IMPORTANT ***
Make sure to uninstall all anti-virus and security file-monitoring software (i.e. AVG, Avast, McAfee, Norton, etc.) before continuing with installation. These product are known to interfere with the installation and operation of our components.

After uninstalling the current version of iLok License Manager reboot the system and then run the newly downloaded iLok License Manager installer.

With the latest version of iLok License Manager installed, plug in your iLoks and perform a synchronize operation on the affected iLoks one at a time. To perform a synchronize, double-click an iLok to open its detail pane and click the “Synchronize” link. A synchronize may also be performed by right-clicking the iLok and then choosing “Synchronize” from the pop-up menu.

 

Reset & Rescan in Plug-in Manager

If you updated the Arousor from a previous version or you opened the Arousor for the first time without a having your iLok USB plugged into your computer, rescanning the Arousor will force Logic to revalidate it.

  1. Open Logic and go to the Plug-in Manager by clicking Logic Pro X, (at the top of the screen) hover over Preferences, and click Plug-in Manager.
  2. Find the Arousor in the list and click Reset & Rescan Selection.

 

Test the Arousor on another DAW/Format

If possible, try testing another format of the plugin. There is a VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX version of the Arousor installed to your system. If you have a second DAW like GarageBand, try opening the Arousor on it. If it works in another application there may be a problem with Logic or your iLok License Manager.

 

Reinstall the Arousor

Since there is no official Arousor reinstaller, you must delete the Arousor from the Plug-ins folder manually and then reinstall it.

  1. Close Logic and launch Finder.
  2. Click Go (at the top of the screen) and select Go to Folder… or press Command + Shift + G
  3. Enter /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components and click Go.
  4. Select component and delete it either by clicking and dragging it to the Trash or right clicking it and selecting Move to Trash. Enter your password if prompted.
  5. Restart your computer.
  6. Open Logic and go to the Plug-in Manager by clicking Logic Pro X, (at the top of the screen) hover over Preferences, and click Plug-in Manager.
  7. Find the Arousor in the list and click Reset & Rescan Selection. If the Arousor can not be found, Logic has already detected that it has been uninstalled and you can skip this step.
  8. Close Logic.
  9. Download the Arousor installer from https://empiricallabs.com/downloads.html and reinstall the Arousor.

 

You may need to restart your computer before opening Logic, or reinstalling the Arousor. If this process fails, try to Reset & Rescan the Arousor again. Otherwise, there could be compatibility issues between your DAW, your operating system, and iLok License Manager and an update may be required.

How to Uninstall the Arousor

Uninstalling the Arousor on Mac

To uninstall the Arousor on Mac, you must remove the Arousor plugin file from the following locations (if they exist on your system) by either dragging them to the trash or right clicking on them and selecting “Move to Trash”:

Arousor.component

Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components

 

Arousor.vst

Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST

 

Arousor.vst3

Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST3

 

Arousor.aaxplugin

Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins

 

Uninstalling the Arousor on Windows

To uninstall the Arousor on Windows, you must delete the Arousor plugin file from the following locations (if they exist on your system):

Arousor.dll

C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins (32-bit plug-ins on 64-bit systems)

 

Arousor.vst3

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\VST3 (32-bit plug-ins on 64-bit systems)

 

Arousor.aaxplugins

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plugin-Ins