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Erae Lab

Erae Lab System Requirements

Erae Lab is the desktop companion app for your Erae: it lets you design layouts, configure MIDI and expressivity settings, push firmware updates, and manage your EraeSound license. Before installing, check that your computer meets the requirements below.

Supported operating systems

PlatformMinimumNotes
macOS11.0 (Big Sur)Universal binary: Apple silicon (M1/M2/M3) and Intel. Runs on Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia.
WindowsWindows 10 (build 19041)Windows 10 and Windows 11 both supported.
LinuxDebian 11 (Bullseye) or Ubuntu 20.04 LTSDistributed as an AppImage (.run installer). Requires glibc 2.31+. Most Debian/Ubuntu-based distros from 2021 onward qualify.

Hardware requirements

MinimumRecommended
CPUModern multi-core (Intel Core i5 8th-gen+, AMD Ryzen 3+, Apple M1)Apple M-series or equivalent modern x86-64
RAM8 GB16 GB or more (especially when running a DAW + EraeSound at the same time)
Display1280 x 8001920 x 1080 or larger for comfortable layout editing
Storage500 MB free for Erae Lab2 GB to accommodate firmware files and components that Lab downloads automatically

Note: Erae Lab defaults to a 1280 x 720 window and can be resized down to 800 px wide. A taller or wider display gives you more room when editing complex layouts with many elements.

USB connection

Erae Lab communicates with your Erae over USB. You will need:

  • A USB-C cable (one is included with your Erae)
  • An available USB-A or USB-C port on your computer (use a USB hub with its own power supply if your laptop ports are limited)

Cable quality matters. If Lab shows the device as disconnected even though the cable is plugged in, try the other included cable or a known-good replacement. Poor cables cause the majority of "device not detected" reports.

Note: On Linux, the installer also sets up a USB device access rule (99-embodme.rules in /etc/udev/rules.d/). If you install manually without running the .run installer, copy that file and run sudo udevadm control --reload-rules so Lab can communicate with your Erae.

Erae Lab main window showing the canvas and connection status

Audio requirements (EraeSound plugin)

Erae Lab itself does not process audio. If you also use the EraeSound synthesizer plugin that ships with your Erae, you will need:

  • A DAW that supports VST3 (Windows, Linux, macOS) or AU / Audio Units (macOS only)
  • An audio interface or built-in audio output
  • On Windows: an ASIO-compatible driver is recommended for low-latency audio. Your audio interface likely includes one; Windows also offers a generic ASIO driver (ASIO4ALL) as a fallback

Compatible DAWs include Ableton Live, Reaper, Logic Pro, Bitwig Studio, FL Studio, Cubase, and others that accept VST3 or AU plugins.

EraeSound is installed automatically by Erae Lab the first time you connect your Erae.

Internet connection (EraeSound activation only)

Erae Lab does not require an internet connection for layout editing or firmware updates.

EraeSound requires an internet connection to activate:

  1. Open EraeSound inside Erae Lab (or load it in your DAW)
  2. Enter the email address linked to your Erae purchase
  3. Click the activation link that arrives in your inbox
  4. The plugin confirms the license and saves it to your computer

Once activated, EraeSound works offline, but it needs to reconnect to the internet at least about once a week to refresh your license. If it stays offline longer than that, you will be asked to sign in again.

Platform-specific notes

macOS

No additional setup is required. Erae Lab installs as a standard macOS application and gains USB device access automatically.

Windows

  • Download the .exe installer from embodme.com/downloads and run it
  • For best audio performance with EraeSound, install your audio interface's ASIO driver (not just the standard Windows audio driver)

Linux

  • Download the .run installer from embodme.com/downloads
  • Make the file executable: chmod +x EraeLab-*.run
  • Run it: ./EraeLab-*.run (a graphical installer will open)
  • The installer places Erae Lab in ~/Applications/Erae Lab/ and creates a desktop entry, and installs the USB device rule so Lab can reach your Erae

If the graphical installer does not open (headless or minimal desktop), you can extract and run the AppImage directly.

What is installed alongside Erae Lab

When you first launch Erae Lab and connect your Erae, it automatically downloads and installs:

  • The latest firmware for your Erae, stored as firmware blobs in your application data folder
  • The EraeSound plugin, including its VST3 runtime (and AU on macOS), installed to your system plugin folder
  • Any factory preset files
  • On Windows and macOS, the Ableton Live control surface script, so Erae shows up as a control surface option inside Live (not installed on Linux)

These components update automatically when a new version is available, as long as your computer has an internet connection at launch.

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