Installation & Updates

Brainstorm is available under two distinct forms:

1. a stand-alone executable application (Matlab not required)
2. an open-source Matlab application (Matlab required).

The stand-alone application is a Java executable that is expected to run on most operating systems. Please let us know through the forum if you are running into compatibility issues.

For the Matlab version

• Matlab version R2006a (7.2), or later

• Matlab's Signal Processing Toolbox recommended (essentially for faster signal filtering).

Installation

1. Go to the Download page, complete the quick and free registration process (it helps us keep track of our users' demographics),

2. Download the latest brainstorm_....zip archive

3. Unzip it somewhere on your computer, for example:
   

   • Windows: Program Files\brainstorm3

   • Linux: /usr/local/brainstorm3 (or ~/brainstorm3 if you are not admin)

   • MacOS: Applications/brainstorm3

4. Create a new folder named e.g., "brainstorm_db", which will be used by the Brainstorm database. For example:

   • Windows: My documents\brainstorm_db

   • Linux: /home/username/brainstorm_db

   • MacOS: Documents/brainstorm_db

Start the application

With Matlab

1. Start Matlab

2. Do NOT add brainstorm3 folder to your path: this will be done by Brainstorm itself

3. Go to the brainstorm3 folder
4. Type "brainstorm" in the command window

5. We recommend you visit the Tutorials pages to learn how to use most features of the software.

Without Matlab

1. Go to the Download page

2. Download the Matlab Compiler Runtime (MCR) corresponding to your operating system. The MCR is a set of libraries that will let you run Brainstorm on your computer, without Matlab.

3. Install the MCR:

   • Windows & MacOS: Double-click on the .exe and follow the instructions

   • Linux: From a terminal, unzip .zip, then run ./install

4. Run the program in brainstorm3/bin/R2011b/

   • Windows: Double-click on brainstorm3.jar (no console) or brainstorm3.bat (console)

   • Linux: From a terminal, run ./brainstorm.command

   • MacOS: Double-click on brainstorm.command

5. When you start Brainstorm for the first start on Linux or MacOS, you will be prompted to select the folder where you installed the MCR

6. Visit the Tutorials section to learn how to use most features of the software.

Updates

Brainstorm is improving every day. It is recommended that you update the software regularly.

• Automatic updates (Matlab only):
  • When you start Brainstorm, it checks online if your version is older than a month.

  • To enable / disable those automatic updates, edit the software preferences (File > Set preferences...)

• Manual updates (Matlab only):

  • Menu Help > Update Brainstorm, in the main application window.

  • If it doesn't work: check that you have the rights to write in the brainstorm3 folder.
• Stand-alone version (or in case those simple methods do not work)
  • Delete the old brainstorm3 folder (don't worry, it's not going to remove your database)
  • Follow the installation instructions again (previous section)