Install BB1

One click, about five minutes. Your FM-1 shows up as Big Beat once BB1 is on it.

Chrome or Edge on a computer
A USB data cable, plugged straight into the computer
Playback stopped, MASTER turned fully down
Other music apps closed

Don't unplug the FM-1 while it's writing. If something stops it, plug it back in and press the same button again: it picks up where it left off.

BB1 is ready.Turn MASTER up, press HOME, then PLAY. Open the guide →

1 One click

Installs everything: the firmware and the sound library for all eight machines (808, LinnDrum, DrumTraks, DMX, LM-1, Simmons, Rhythm King, Drumulator). Works from the official FM-1 firmware or from another custom firmware. Your projects, presets and settings stay where they are.

If the FM-1 can, save a backup of its music to this computer first

Go back to the official firmware

Going back to BB1 1.2 resets GLOBAL settings, including MIDI. Scene bytes remain in storage, but 1.2 refuses scenes saved with the lead switched on. Keep a backup made with the version you plan to return to.

Download the official FM-1 V15 from M-VAVE and choose the unchanged FM-1.fwsc here. It's checked in this browser and never uploaded.

The official firmware can't open BB1 music. BB1 can't export it to the computer yet, so copy down anything you want to keep first.

BB1 can't save its music to this computer yet. I understand my BB1 projects won't be saved first. An earlier attempt was cut off, and I already saved a backup

If something goes wrong

FM-1 not found. Try another USB cable (some only charge), plug straight into the computer, and close other apps that use MIDI.

It stopped halfway. Unplug, plug back in, and press the same button. The FM-1 waits in update mode until the install finishes.

The browser asked about MIDI devices. Allow it: that's how this page talks to the FM-1. Nothing is sent anywhere else.

The FM-1 won't start at all. FM-1 Transporter can recover it.