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Martin Companion (firmware/service tool) troubleshooting
The Martin Companion (firmware/service tool) problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called Martin Companion, Martin Companion Desktop, Martin Companion Mobile, Martin firmware uploader). 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 Companion (firmware/service tool) errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact software is in Ask Roadie.
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Fixture not detected by Martin Companion
Likely cause: Companion only talks to fixtures over its supported transports; a wrong or legacy interface means no detection.
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Companion Desktop and Mobile out of sync / library won't refresh after update (Companion Cloud change)
Likely cause: The 2.2.0 Companion Cloud migration changed the sync structure; only matched, current app versions speak the new format.
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Old Martin USB-DMX interface (M-DMX / Universal USB-DMX / USB Duo DMX) no longer detected by Companion
Likely cause: Manufacturer removed the legacy-interface drivers in v2.1.4; only the Companion Cable and RDM-over-Art-Net transports remain supported.
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What are the Companion Desktop system requirements?
Likely cause: Rules out an unsupported OS/hardware before chasing upload errors.
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What connection/upload methods does Companion support?
Likely cause: no cable on hand, use RDM over Art-Net).
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What is Companion Mobile and when do I use it?
Likely cause: NFC config without power lets techs address/set fixtures before rig-up, saving power-on time on site.
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What is the Companion Cable and how does it connect?
Likely cause: Companion talks the Martin firmware protocol only through this interface, not a third-party DMX widget.
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Where do I download the Companion app itself?
Likely cause: Using the latest build avoids known parsing/upload bugs and gets current GDTF profiles.
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Companion Cable firmware upload keeps failing / cable acts flaky
Likely cause: Firmware uploads draw more sustained bus power/stability than an unpowered port reliably provides; a powered hub prevents mid-upload dropouts.
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Which fixtures does Companion support?
Likely cause: Confirms a given Martin fixture is in scope before troubleshooting a missing-fixture error.
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Companion Mobile NFC tap not reading the fixture
Likely cause: NFC has a very short range and a specific antenna location on both phone and fixture; misalignment or disabled NFC is the usual cause.
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How do I address a lot of fixtures fast in Companion?
Likely cause: Batch push and single-click addressing eliminate walking to every fixture head.
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 Companion (firmware/service tool)
- 1. Pick the Martin Companion (firmware/service tool). 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.
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