1. Download and install the Misa Quadwave Configuration Tool from here.
2. Open the Misa Quadwave Configuration Tool.
3. Open GarageBand or another DAW. [This step is only necessary for the first update.]
4. Connect the Misa Quadwave to your Mac with the provided USB cable.
5. Press and hold the four corners of the Quadwave touchpad at the same time (not right on the corner - slightly inward). LED 1 and LED 2 will change to RED.
6. After a few seconds, the Configuration Tool should detect the device.
7. Press "Update firmware" button. This process should take less than 1 minute. Do not disconnect the Quadwave or close the program until the process is complete - doing so can permanently damage the instrument.
   
8. On completion, the Misa Quadwave LED should glow blue. Close the Configuration Tool.

Your Misa Quadwave is now compatible with Mac OS.

A video showing this process is at this link (apart from step 3).

Step 1: Switch the Quadwave into Update Mode

The Configuration Tool only works when the Quadwave is in Update mode. To enter Update Mode:

• Press and hold all four corners of the touchpad at the same time.
• The Quadwave’s LEDs should turn red. This means it’s now ready to communicate with the Configuration Tool.

💡 Tip: If the LEDs don’t turn red, try pressing slightly inward away from the edges.

Step 2: [Windows only] Check if Windows detects the device in Serial mode

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand the section labeled "Ports (COM & LPT)".
3. Look for a device called “USB Serial Device (COMx)”.

If you see it:

• The Quadwave is in the correct mode and Windows recognizes it.
• If the Configuration Tool still doesn’t detect it, try restarting the tool or your computer.

If you don’t see it:

• Disconnect the Quadwave and reconnect it.
• Try a different USB port or cable.
• Make sure you’re running a supported version of Windows (Windows 10 or later is recommended).

Step 3: E-mail support

Email us at support AT misadigital.com for more assistance.

No - as long as you remember this easy trick to ensure perfect results.

When playing rapid alternating finger patterns, just make sure your taps are spaced more than 1cm apart. If two touches on separate fingers happen too close together (5cm or less), the system might see them as a single dragged touch instead of two distinct taps. Keeping a bit of space between your fingers helps the touchpad register each note clearly and consistently, even at high speed. Here are some videos demonstrating fast playing:

• Synth test: UVI Falcon + Misa Quadwave digital guitar
• Misa Triwave... Speed Test

If a specific fret (for example, the 9th fret on the 2nd string) isn't triggering notes while the rest of the instrument works fine, it’s likely due to how the Quadwave initializes its sensors.

When the Quadwave is powered on, it calibrates the neck’s capacitive sensors. If your hand or fingers are touching the fingerboard during this time, it can interfere with the calibration for that specific fret, making it less sensitive or unresponsive.

Solution: Power off the Quadwave, then turn it back on without touching the neck sensors. This allows all sensors to calibrate properly. Once it's fully powered on, try playing the previously unresponsive fret again.

If the issue persists, the connection between the neck PCB and the mainboard has become dislodged.

This connection uses an FFC (Flat Flexible Cable). To resolve the issue:

1. Carefully open the Quadwave body.
2. Locate the FFC connector between the neck PCB and the mainboard.
3. Reseat the cable securely into the connector.

Note: This issue is very rare. The connectors have been specifically chosen to resist shock and vibration during performance and transport. However, in unusual circumstances where the connection may come loose, please follow the above steps.

If a specific fret (for example, the 9th fret on the 2nd string) is constantly on while the rest of the instrument works fine, the connection between the neck PCB and the mainboard has become dislodged.

This connection uses an FFC (Flat Flexible Cable). To resolve the issue:

1. Carefully open the Quadwave body.
2. Locate the FFC connector between the neck PCB and the mainboard.
3. Reseat the cable securely into the connector.

Note: This issue is very rare. The connectors have been specifically chosen to resist shock and vibration during performance and transport. However, in unusual circumstances where the connection may come loose, please follow the above steps.

If the X/Y touchpad isn’t affecting parameters in Ableton Live (like filter cutoff, resonance, etc.), it’s likely due to the "Remote" setting being disabled for your Quadwave’s MIDI input.

Here’s how to fix it:

1. Open Ableton Live Preferences (⌘, on Mac / Ctrl + , on Windows).
2. Go to Link/Tempo/MIDI tab.
3. In the MIDI Ports section, find the row labeled with your Quadwave’s input.
4. Make sure the "Remote" switch is turned on for that input.
   

When "Remote" is enabled, Ableton can respond to incoming MIDI Control Change (CC) messages from the touchpad. Without it, the X and Y axis won’t control any parameters - even though notes might still trigger normally.

Once enabled, you can use MIDI mapping (press MIDI in the top right of Live) to assign the touchpad to control any knob, fader, or button in your set.

If, when powering up the Quadwave, you see two red LEDs illuminated, this indicates that the connection between the neck PCB and the mainboard has become dislodged.

This connection uses an FFC (Flat Flexible Cable). To resolve the issue:

1. Carefully open the Quadwave body.
2. Locate the FFC connector between the neck PCB and the mainboard.
3. Reseat the cable securely into the connector.

Note: This issue is very rare. The connectors have been specifically chosen to resist shock and vibration during performance and transport. However, in unusual circumstances where the connection may come loose, please follow the above steps.

Most synthesizers have a legato mode. You'll need to set your synth to monophonic mode with legato turned on in order to hear a smooth note transition.

If you've done this but you still hear notes restarting, there could be another reason, explained below.

When the Quadwave performs a slide in monophonic mode, it sends the new note first and then releases the previous note very shortly afterwards. This small overlap is what tells a mono/legato synth to glide to the new pitch instead of restarting the note's amplitude envelope.

In some DAWs, especially when the audio buffer size is set too high, those two MIDI messages may be processed together inside the same audio processing block. When this happens, the synth may not reliably detect the notes as overlapping, so the sound can restart instead of gliding.

To fix this, reduce your audio buffer size in your DAW or audio driver settings. On Windows, we recommend using an ASIO audio interface or a proper low-latency ASIO driver where possible.

A lower buffer size has two benefits:

• The Quadwave will feel more responsive, with less delay (latency) between touching the instrument and hearing the sound.
• Slides and legato playing will be processed correctly by your synth.

Set your buffer as low as your system can comfortably handle without clicks, pops, or audio dropouts.

If the USB cable is unplugged during a firmware update, the Quadwave may appear to be 'bricked' and stop starting up normally. The good news is that this is fixable.

First, make sure the Quadwave is disconnected from your computer and from power.

Next, remove the screws from the back of the Quadwave body and carefully open the body. Locate the FFC cable connected to the small circuit board inside the body labelled “NECK”. Disconnect this cable.

With the neck cable disconnected, connect the Quadwave to your computer again. The LEDs should turn red, indicating that the Quadwave is ready for firmware recovery.

Run the firmware update again using the normal firmware update process.

Once the update is complete, disconnect the Quadwave from your computer, reconnect the NECK cable, and screw the body back together.

Your Quadwave should now start up normally.