Tech Note | Q-SYS Media Drive Playback

Learn about the MTP upgrade and media drive specs for your Core Processor.

Updated at February 13th, 2025

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Information

The purpose of this technical note is to explain the Q-SYS Core Processor models’ onboard media playback systems, covering these three topics:

  • Audio storage of the Q-SYS Core Processor models
  • Media upgrade options available for each model
  • Upgrading to larger playback options

Core Model Default Storage

A Q-SYS Core Processor’s default media drive and multi-track player (MTP) provides up to 16 individual playback channels stored on an internal solid state drive. All storage space not occupied by the operating system is available for media. All Q-SYS media drives can reproduce WAV, MP3, and FLAC audio files—at 8, 16, 24, and 32 bits, fixed or floating point—with sample rates ranging from 8 kHz to 96 kHz.

Media Drive Upgrades & Storage Capacities

All media drive options can be installed in the field by any technician with a basic understanding of computer hardware. Installation instructions are included with the drive.

Current Media

  • Small Media Drive
    • M2-MD-S: 128GB
    • Provides approximately 230 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).
  • Medium Media Drive
    • M2-MD-M: 256GB
    • Provides approximately of 475 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).
  • Large Media Drive
    • M2-MD-L: 512GB
    • Provides approximately of 975 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).
  • Core 110 Media Drive
    • MD-110: 128 GB
    • Provides approximately 200 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).

      Note

      For Core 110 processors only.

       
 
 

Legacy Media

  • Small Media Drive
    • MD-S: 80 GB
    • Provides approximately 130 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).
  • Medium Media Drive
    • MD-M: 160 GB
    • Provides approximately 260 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).
  • Large Media Drive
    • MD-L: 600 GB
    • Provides approximately 1200 hours of audio storage (24-bit, 48 kHz mono WAV file).
 
 

Multi-Track Player (MTP)

The MTP plays simultaneous mono or stereo files, as well as multi-track WAV files. These are the available options:

  • MTP-32
    • 32 tracks
  • MTP-64
    • 64 tracks (not available for Core 110f)
  • MTP-128
    • 128 tracks (not available for Core 110f)

Note

For an MTP to play more than 16 tracks, its Core Processor must have an upgraded media drive and an applicable MTP key.

 

Purchase & Install an MTP Key

MTP upgrades can be purchased though your normal ordering channels. If you have other questions about ordering, contact your area Q-SYS Sales Manager.

For units with firmware version 7.0 or later, please see How To | Q-SYS License Activation. The following procedure is for Q-SYS Core Processor units with pre-version 7.0 firmware. 

Legacy Activation (firmware pre-version 7.0)

The following procedure is for Q-SYS Core Processor units with pre-version 7.0 firmware. 

To look up the Core Hardware ID:

  1. Open Q-SYS Designer and go to Tools>Show Q-Sys Configurator
  2. Click on the Core Processor’s icon to open the information page where the ID is displayed.
    1. If the Core has been secured, enter the password.

  1. When you receive the 50-digit upgrade key via e-mail from QSC, go to the Core's information page in Q-SYS Configurator and click on +, next to Feature Keys.

  1. Copy and paste the key into the Add Feature Key box.
    1. If the key is valid the box will display in green text the new feature you are enabling.

  1. Click OK.
    1. The Feature Keys line lists all keys enabled on the core unit.

Note

Each Feature Key is only valid for a specific Core Hardware ID and cannot be copied or transferred to other Core Processor units.

 
 
 
media drive playback mtp upgrade

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