Gigcaster 8: How to update system program firmware

Here's how to update the system program firmware for the GCS-8.

-See "Gigcaster 8 GCS-8 System Programs" for the update history.

Before you start, check the system program version of your GCS-8.

1. Turn on the power.
2. On the home screen, touch <> (MENU).
   The MENU screen appears.
   
3. Touch <SETUP>.
4. Touch <GENERAL>.
   The current version of the System Program installed is shown for the "VERSION" parameter.
   
   * Don't perform the update if the product is already up-to-date.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO UPDATE YOUR GCS-8

• GCS-8 unit
• USB cable supports data transfer (commercially available)
• A computer equipped with USB 2.0 or 3.0 port (Windows, Mac)

CAUTION

• Never apply this update data to any product other than the GCS-8. This update data may destroy the data or system program of other products.
• Never power-off your GCS-8 while the update is in progress!
  If a power failure or similar accident occurs during the update process, the GCS-8 won’t be able to start up in normal operating mode. This will require servicing, so you will need to contact Roland service center near you if this occurs.

UPDATE PROCEDURE

Follow the steps below:

DOWNLOADING AND UNARCHIVING THE COMPRESSED FILE

1. Go to GIGCASTER 8 UPDATES & DRIVERS and click on Gigacaster8 GCS-8 System Program.
2. Read the software license agreement at the bottom of the download page and select the "I AGREE..." check box.
3. Click the "Download File" button to download the system program (gcs8_sys_vXXX*.zip).
   *XXX=Version number
4. Unarchive the downloaded file.
   Windows: Right-click the file and click "Extract All", then click "Extract".
   macOS: Double-click the file to unzip it.
   "gcs8_sys_vXXX*" folder appears.
   *XXX: Version number
   Never double-click nor rename the files displayed inside the folder after unarchiving.

INSTALL THE UPDATE-FILE

Caution
Never use this update on any other product than the GCS-8, as it may harm other devices' data or system programs.

1. Turn off the power.
2. While pressing the [] (mark) button, turn on the power.
   "PREPARING..." appears on the screen.
3. Connect the GCS-8 and your computer using a USB cable.
   The message "PREPARING..." changes to "CONNECTED", and the GCS-8 is recognized as an external drive (GCS-8_INT) on your computer.
4. Open the "gcs8_sys_vXXX" folder and drag and drop all files to the GCS-8_INT drive's icon.
5. Confirm that copying is complete, then:
   Windows: See "Safely remove hardware in Windows" (Microsoft) and disconnect the USB cable.
   Mac: Drag the GCS-8_INT icon on the desktop into Trash, and disconnect the USB cable.
   The update starts automatically.
6. "UPDATE ?" appears on the screen of the GCS-8 unit, then press the [REC] button.
   The message changes to "WRITING...".
7. When the message changed to "COMPLETE", then turn off the power.