# Stagehand Firmware

## Stagehand Firmware

Every Stagehand Controller has a Stagehand Card inside. This card listens to Spikemark, telling the amplifier how to move the motor and monitoring the plethora of sensors attached to the machine.

These cards require firmware to function the way we expect. Sometimes firmware updates are adding new features, other times the updates are squashing bugs.

{% hint style="info" %}
If your Stagehand has very old firmware (like v50) you'll need to update it in order for the Stagehand to work with Spikemark 5.
{% endhint %}

Firmware updates are distributed and installed through Spikemark. You can see what hardware and firmware version your Stagehand is running from the Hardware pane in Spikemark. This is also where you can see if there's an update available and where to install the update.

<figure><img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5cfccd51effcbcaad6547e7c40b8cc78eddaab2a%2FHardwarePane%20(1).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**PRO TIP**

**If the Most Recent Firmware shows "Unknown" you will need to close Spikemark and reopen it from the Start Menu. Once Spikemark starts you can open your show file from the File -> Open menu.**
{% endhint %}

### Current Firmware

> **✦ Firmware updated in this release:** Spikemark Pendant → **V4** · Unipolar v6 card → **REV 617** · Unipolar v8 card → **REV 806**

## Spikemark & Stagehand Firmware Compatibility

**Current release: Spikemark 6.4.0** — Released March 10, 2026

Update your controller firmware to match the version of Spikemark you are running. Not sure which card is in your unit? See [How to identify your card type](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/stagehand/firmware).

***

### Current Firmware at a Glance

#### Showstopper

* **Showstopper 3 Consolette** — V2
* **Showstopper 4 Consolette** — V2
* **Spikemark Pendant** — V4

#### Stagehand Controllers

* **Stagehand Apprentice**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
  * v5 card — REV 509
* **Stagehand Apprentice 2**
  * v6 card — REV 617
* **Stagehand Apprentice DC**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
  * v5 card — REV 509
  * v6 card — REV 606
* **Stagehand Classic+** — REV 617
* **Stagehand FX** — REV 5
* **Stagehand Hydraulic** — REV 209
* **Stagehand Pro 2 / Pro 3 / Pro 4**
  * Original Pro Bipolar card — REV 209
  * v3 or v4 Unipolar card — REV 309
  * v5 Unipolar card — REV 509
* **Stagehand Pro 5**
  * v6 card — REV 617
* **Stagehand Pro+**
  * v6 card — REV 617
* **Stagehand Acro**
  * v8 card — REV 806
* **Stagehand Servo**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
  * v5 card — REV 509

#### Smart Machines

* **Pushstick Mini**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
  * v5 card — REV 509
* **Spotline Mini v1**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
* **Spotline Practical**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
  * v5 card — REV 509
  * v6 card — REV 617

#### OEM Cards

* **Stagehand 1.5 / 1.7** — REV 108
* **Pro OEM Bipolar** — REV 208
* **Unipolar OEM**
  * v3 or v4 card — REV 309
  * v5 card — REV 509
  * v6 card — REV 617

#### Retired (still supported)

* **Stagehand Classic**
  * AC — REV 108
  * DC — REV 108
* **Stagehand Mini²** — REV 209
* **Stagehand Mini** — REV 309
* **Spotline Mini** — REV 309
* **Spotline Practical** — REV 309

***

### Full Reference Table

> Includes card type details for internal reference and advanced users. **Spikemark 6.4.0** — March 10, 2026

| Product                       | Card Type            | Firmware |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------- | -------- |
| **— Showstopper —**           |                      |          |
| Showstopper 3 Consolette      | —                    | V2       |
| Showstopper 4 Consolette      | —                    | V2       |
| Spikemark Pendant             | —                    | V4       |
| **— Stagehand Controllers —** |                      |          |
| Stagehand Apprentice          | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Stagehand Apprentice          | v5 Unipolar          | REV 509  |
| Stagehand Apprentice 2        | v6 Unipolar          | REV 617  |
| Stagehand Apprentice DC       | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Stagehand Apprentice DC       | v5 Unipolar          | REV 509  |
| Stagehand FX                  | —                    | REV 5    |
| Stagehand Hydraulic           | Pro Bipolar          | REV 209  |
| Stagehand Pro 2/3/4           | Original Pro Bipolar | REV 209  |
| Stagehand Pro 2/3/4           | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Stagehand Pro 2/3/4           | v5 Unipolar          | REV 509  |
| Stagehand Pro 5               | v6 Unipolar          | REV 617  |
| Stagehand Acro                | v8 Unipolar          | REV 806  |
| Stagehand Servo               | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Stagehand Servo               | v5 Unipolar          | REV 509  |
| Stagehand Classic+            | v6 Unipolar          | REV 617  |
| Stagehand Apprentice+         | v6 Unipolar          | REV 617  |
| Stagehand Pro+                | v6 Unipolar          | REV 617  |
| **— Smart Machines —**        |                      |          |
| Pushstick Mini                | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Pushstick Mini                | v5 Unipolar          | REV 509  |
| Spotline Mini v1              | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Spotline Practical            | v3/4 Unipolar        | REV 309  |
| Spotline Practical            | v5 Unipolar          | REV 509  |
| Spotline Practical            | v6 Unipolar          | REV 617  |
| **— OEM Cards —**             |                      |          |
| OEM                           | Classic Card         | REV 108  |
| OEM                           | Pro Bipolar Card     | REV 208  |
| OEM                           | Unipolar v3/4        | REV 309  |
| OEM                           | Unipolar v5          | REV 509  |
| OEM                           | Unipolar v6          | REV 617  |
| **— Retired —**               |                      |          |
| Stagehand Classic             | Classic Card (AC)    | REV 108  |
| Stagehand Classic             | Classic Card (DC)    | REV 108  |
| Stagehand Mini²               | Pro Bipolar Card     | REV 209  |
| Stagehand Mini                | Unipolar v3/4        | REV 309  |
| Spotline Mini                 | Unipolar v3/4        | REV 309  |
| Spotline Practical            | Unipolar v3/4        | REV 309  |