Audio
DiGiCo S21 troubleshooting
The DiGiCo S21 problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called S-21). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common S21 errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
D-Rack not detected / no audio from stage rack inputs
Likely cause: The S21 talks to the D-Rack over a single copper CAT link carrying MADI; a rate mismatch or bad/long cable drops the rack entirely.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Dante devices connected to DMI-Dante card not passing audio
Likely cause: The DMI-Dante card only presents I/O; actual channel subscriptions live in Dante Controller.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
DMI card firmware out of date after a console software update
Likely cause: DMI cards carry their own firmware that must track the console software; mismatched Current/Available versions cause the card to malfunction until re-flashed and rebooted.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
DMI card passes no audio or clicks/pops (clock or sample-rate mismatch)
Likely cause: Digital audio needs a single clock master; two masters or a 48/96k mismatch produces dropouts, clicks, or total silence on the card.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Expansion / Optocore or MADI device does not appear in the device list
Likely cause: Optocore loops fail closed on any ID clash, speed mismatch, or broken optical path; verifying IDs/speeds and card counts isolates config vs hardware before opening a chassis.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
How to update S21 main console software
Likely cause: The boot-time mute-button combo forces the engine into update mode and flashes from the USB root; wrong filename/location or interrupting the flash can brick the update.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Insert send trim level wrong after repower, session load, or snapshot recall
Likely cause: The bug was a firmware-level recall error corrected in V3.1.1; updating is the fix rather than any surface workaround.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Multiple operators want their own layout / need latest feature set
Likely cause: User Layouts and MQ-Rack support are firmware features introduced in V3.1; they are unavailable on older builds, so updating is required.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Session save/load corrupted or errors when a USB device is pulled
Likely cause: V3.1.1 hardened USB handling during session I/O; earlier builds could error if the drive was pulled at the wrong moment.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Showfile built in Offline Editor loses audio / wrong port when loaded on console
Likely cause: The console network ID drives the Con Send/Receive port mapping; a mismatch between the offline file ID and the physical console ID sends audio to the wrong port.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Touchscreen unresponsive or app frozen mid-show
Likely cause: A frozen app is usually cleared by restarting the application layer without a cold boot; a worksurface firmware mismatch after an update is a common cause of surface instability.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the S21
- 1. Pick the DiGiCo S21. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.