Grom Audio USB FAQ

Functionality

How many root folders/virtual playlists can I have?
  Usually 6. On Toyota, new Honda and Nissan you can have up to 99 folders.
We recommend using smaller drives with manageable number of folders ~20 and change them. The USB adapter will remember 4 sticks and will be able to restore all positions in up to 20 folders for them all.
 
How many files per directory ?
  We have tested with ~1000 files in a directory. So technically no limits but be aware that it might take longer to switch between files and proper ordering may not be possible.
 
What formats/bitrates does it support ?
 
  • MP3 layer 1,2,3 bitrate up to 320Kbps
  • WMA (no DRM) bitrate up to 384Kbps
  • AAC/MP4/iTunes+ (no DRM). Bitrate up to 384Kbps
  • OGG/Vorbis bitrate up to 384Kbps
  •  
    How do I switch between USB/AUX/iPod ?
      Switch to CDC (GROM mode)
    1. Press FM (or AM), wait for 1 second.
    2. Press CD/MODE/DISC. You should hear announce of the currently active mode.
    3. Press > (next track button).
    4. Voice will announce the mode. If mode is not desired, repeat #3
    5. Wait for 2 seconds for selected mode to become active
     
    What limits does a GROM-USB2 have ?
     
  • Positions preserved for 4 different USB sticks
  • Positions preserved for 20 playlists per USB stick
  • Random will work for 2000 files only, the rest may not shuffle properly or repeat during play
  •  
    Can GROM-USB2 power up my portable HDD ?
      Yes. It is able to provide steady 1A @ 5V which is enough for the most portable hard drives
     
    I see iPod on one of the ports. Can an iPod be connected ?
      Yes. iPod/iPhone can be connected using our custom iPod/iPhone cable (IPD2). It will charge, control and playback your music directly through the USB2 interface. Check our store or add to your cart along with USB2 module
     
    How many tracks does the device support ?
      USB2 has been tested with ~10000 tracks on a drive (~80GB) with 20 playlists (root folders)
    All supported stereos are not able to show the track number larger than 99. It is normal and will not affect the track currently playing. In case if you play track 1467, the stereo will show Track# 67
     
    Should I name folders in a certain way and place all files into the same folder ?
      No. We do not recommend using 1 directory for all your files. It will make it hard to preserve the file sequence.
    It is better to organize your music like: Playlist -> Artist -> Album as shown below
    Folder "01-Mine" will be mapped to the first DISK and all files inside directory "Extreme Behavior" will play in ascending order (01, 02, 03 etc) and will not mix up with any other album.
     
    I see that device supports CONFIG file. What is it ?
      Config file functionality allows you to remap some buttons or adjust behavior of the device. Please contact us for more information.
     

    Troubleshooting

    Tracks play not in order
      Make sure you name tracks as shown below. Check that you have no gaps in numbering and numbering starts with 1 (not 0!)
    You can use formats like: "01." or "01-" or "01 "
     
    Some tracks are not playing, some duplicate
      Make sure that tracks have no gaps in numbering and either all tracks have numbers or none. In the example below the underlined track will not play and the circled one will play twice (as 2nd and 4th).
     
    Some folders are not playing, some skip
      If you need folders to be assigned to a particular disk, they have to be named as shown below. Make sure root folders (playlists) are named in latin characters with no spaces in names !
     
    Firmware update does not seem to happen
      If you do not have any issues with the unit do NOT update !
    In some rare cases when update process failed GROM goes into corrupt mode. You will need to disconnect the unit from the main harness or remove the car stereo fuse
     
    Update "bricked" the unit
      Double check that you applied the right firmware to the unit. If you apply Mazda firmware to your Toyota (for ex.) it will disable the device and you will need to apply the right update after you recycle power for GROM-USB2 box
    Then do the following steps:
    - Save the latest firmware for your car make on a stick formatted FAT/FAT32
    - Make sure you name the file as gromusb2.hex and it resides in the root
    - Disconnect the GROM box from white harness
    - Attach a USB stick with latest firmware to the GROM box
    - Attach the GROM box to the harness
    - The led on USB should blink 1-2 seconds and then become solid or go off
    - Turn on ignition and switch over to GROM adapter (CD changer) !
     
    External audio player does not produce good sound through 3.5mm jack
      Make sure you switch GROM box into AUX mode
     
    On my radio MIX/RND mode will not allow me to advance tracks in random order
      This is a stereo limitation. Turn the MIX/RND mode on and let the track advance in random order upon track completion
     
    While in AUX mode I hear background noise and whine
      It is normal when the other end of an AUX cable is _not_ connected to anything. Once an iPod or MP3 player is connected there will be no noise or whine. If noise still present after the audio source is connected then contact Technical support.
     
    I'm not sure if a firmware update did go through
      To check firmware version switch to USB mode. Remove USB stick. The track number will show build number.
    Please note: Build number displayed will NOT match the firmware version that is displayed on download page. So in order to see if firmware changed do this operation before and after update !
     
    GROM box is recognized by stereo but does not play from USB. Only shows CD 1-01
      GROM is in AUXILIARY or IPOD mode. To switch to USB you should:
    1. Press FM (or AM), wait for 1 second.
    2. Press CD/MODE/DISC. You should hear announce.
    3. Press > (next track button).
    4. Announce should say "USB". If not, repeat step 3
    5. Wait for 2 seconds for USB to start playing.