Control Console User Manual Version 3.0.1 C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 1 1 . E le c tr o n i c T h e a t r e C o n t r o l s , I n c . All Rights reserved. P r o d u c t in f o r m a t i on a n d s p e c i f i c a t i o n s s u bj e c t t o c h a n g e . P a r t N u m b e r : 7219M1200-3.0.
E T C pe r m i t s t h e r e p r o d u c t i o n o f m a t e r i a l s i n th i s m a n u a l o n l y f o r n o n - c o m m e r c i a l p u r p o s e s . A l l o t h e r r i g h ts ar e reserved by ETC. E T C i n t e n d s t h i s d o c u m e n t , w h e t h e r p r i n t ed o r e l e c tr o n i c , to b e p r o v id e d i n i t s e n ti r e t y .
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Menu Directions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Text Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Help from ETC Technical Services . . . . . . . .
Patch by Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Patch Independents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Set up Independents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Console Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Erase Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 MIDI Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delete a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Insert a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Insert a PointQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Change the content of a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Edit the content of a Stack Step directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Copy a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix A Software Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Update the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 iv SmartFade v3.0.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the SmartFade lighting control console. The SmartFade console offers a great feature range including hands-on manual control, memory driven operation, and an impressive array of features for systems work. SmartFade is perfect for any venue, usable for small touring shows, auditorium productions, or as a stage manager’s remote console. This chapter contains the following sections: Introduction • Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using thi s Manual This manual will hopefully get you up and running in no time. These are the manual conventions. Instructions Instructions are shown in a table with columns for Action, Console and Feedback. Action Console Activate Blackout mode BLACK OUT Feedback Button lights up. No output except from the Independents.* * There may be a comment like this with an asterisk. Menu Directions Many functions require menu navigation.
Help from ETC Technical Services If you are having difficulties, your most convenient resources are the references given in this user manual. To search more widely, try the ETC Web site at www.etcconnect.com. You can ask other users for advice on the ETC forums at www.etcconnect.com/community. If none of these resources is sufficient, contact ETC Technical Services directly at one of the offices identified below. Emergency service is available from all ETC offices outside of normal business hours.
Power-up and Shutdown Procedures Unpack & Connect You can get SmartFade up and running in no time. • Unpack • Connect power • Connect DMX to dimmers • Power up Power-up Procedure SmartFade uses the power button for power-up and power-down. It is also used to access the operating mode selection menu. Action Console Press and release Feedback The LCD shows the current software version. The button LEDs will light up in the following order: GREEN, RED, then the rest.
Operating Modes Hold the power button during start-up to enter the Operating Modes menu. This allows you to select different operating modes. No data is lost when changing modes, it will reappear when the corresponding mode is selected again. Action Console 1. Press and hold (console must be off) 2. Select mode Feedback The LCD shows the Operating Modes menu.
Save & Load to Memory Card SmartFade uses either a standard SD Memory card or SDHC Memory card as the primary external storage device. Before you can use a new SD card make sure it is formatted correctly (FAT16). See “Format SD Memory Card” on page 7. Note: When using SDHC Memory cards for show file storage, please use the following guidelines for best performance: • Keep your show file names to 8 characters or less.
Load show from card This is done from the Save/Load Show menu Menu>Save/Load Show>[Load show] Select the show with the wheel. Confirm loading by pressing MENU.The default show offered for loading will be the last show, or the lowest numbered recording on the card. Load patch from card This is done from the Save/Load Show menu. Menu>Save/Load Show>[Save as] Select the show with the wheel. Confirm loading by pressing MENU.
8 Step 2: The SD card will appear as a new drive. You should be able to find it as an icon with some drive letter A-Z under My Computer. Step 3: Right-click on the SD card icon and select Format. This will open the formatting window. Step 4: In the File System field, select FAT. This will establish the card’s file system as FAT16. Step 5: Click Start and then complete the formatting process. SmartFade v3.0.
Chapter 1 General Information This chapter gives you the general information you need to get started. This chapter contains the following sections: 1 • Control Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 • Frontpanel Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 • Philosophy of the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 • Data Structure & Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control Capacity SmartFade is a simple to use but very powerful lighting console for 48 (96) intensity channels a specifically designed to be usable right out of the box. Intensity channels There are 48 (96) intensity channels. Each intensity channel can control one or more dimmers. Dimmers with the DMX address 1-48 (96) should be able to control right out of the box from these two fader modes, since the default patch is 1:1.
Frontpanel Functionality This is an overview of the functionality of the frontpanel of your SmartFade console. SmartFade 1248 and 1296 look exactly like this 2496 console, the only difference being that they have two rows of 12 faders instead of two rows of 24 faders. LCD Menus The display with wheels and buttons is used for menu functions. Faders and Bump buttons The 24 (48) faders can be used to control intensities, parameters and memories or sequences. Select mode with the Faders buttons to the right.
Faders & Bump buttons There are 24 (48) faders. They can be set to control intensities or memories and sequences. These modes are set with the FADERS buttons. 1-24 25-48 or 1-48 49-96 Each fader has a Bump button below it. This button will light up when there is content, and it will mimic the output of the content by varying its intensity. The button color will vary depending on the type of content. 1 ... 24 or 1 ...
Sequence & Stack functions These buttons are used to program and edit Sequences in the Mems faders, and the Stack of the Crossfader. See “Sequences” on page 36. See “Stack” on page 39. REC SEQ RATE R e c o r d & E di t f u n c t i o n s The row of buttons under the wheel offer recording and editing functions described in the Program and Edit chapters of this manual. See “Program” on page 29. See “Edit” on page 43.
LCD & Wheel Functions The LCD menu provides quick access to functions. Main functions. Action Console Feedback Wheel Choices are shown over the wheel. Use the Menu button again to move to subsequent levels, and to accept setting changes. Activate menus Scroll through choices Previous choice < Return to previous menu level. Exit << Cancels out of the menus.
Phi losophy of the Console SmartFade is designed to be simple to use, and still offer advanced functionality for a standard rig of conventional lights. The back-lit buttons make it possible to run SmartFade without an additional screen. They offer information about content, fader mode and channel intensities. The LCD and the wheel provides a powerful menu-driven editing functionality. HTP control rules Dimmer channels operate using Highest Takes Precedence (HTP).
Data Structure & Timing The data structure is very simple. The faders offer direct control of intensities and parameters. These levels can be stored in different ways. Memories Memories are created to store intensities to a fader. These memories can be played back from the faders, and they can be stored as steps in sequences or the Stack. There are 24 fader memories in 12 fader pages = 288 memories in total (in SmartFade 24/96 this is doubled to 576 memories in total).
Chapter 2 Setup The default setup of any SmartFade console allows you to run 48 or 96 dimmer channels straight out of the box with a one-to-one patch. You can create your own patch as well. There are user settings for MIDI, buttons, displays and language. These features are described in this chapter. This chapter contains the following sections: 2 Setup • DMX Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 • Clear/Set Patch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DMX Output DMX (Digital MultipleX) is a worldwide standard (or protocol) that your SmartFade console uses to communicate with lighting equipment. It is a digital protocol that basically defines a state of “on”, “off” or a percentage of “on”. DMX can be used to control dimmers, moving lights, fog machines, color scrollers, media servers or any number of other DMX devices. DMX is restricted to a total of 512 (output) channels available in one DMX line (often referred to as a universe).
Clear/Set Patch Clear Patch The patch is cleared from the Patch Menu. Menu>Patch>Patch - special>[Clear Patch] Press (MENU) to confirm. Set Patch 1 to 1 The patch is set 1 to 1 from the Patch Menu. Menu>Patch>Patch - special>[Set Patch 1 to 1] Press (MENU) to confirm. Unpatch a dimmer You can unpatch any single dimmer from the Patch Menu. Menu>Patch>Patch - special>[Unpatch dimmer] Select dimmer with the wheel, press (MENU) to confirm.
Patch Dimmers Your SmartFade controls 48 or 96 intensity channels that can be patched to a DMX universe with 512 outputs. The Default Patch SmartFade defaults to a “1 to 1” patch for dimmers. This is the simplest version of a patch and is the most common, as it is easy to remember and provides immediate control with all of your available channels. It is also possible to create a custom patch by assigning any DMX output(s) to any control channel. Setting the patch is simple and is performed on the LCD menu.
Patch by Channel Patching by channel is just as simple as patching by dimmer. The only difference is that the starting point is the intensity channel. By doing it Live you can check what is patched to each intensity channel, and then patch or unpatch more dimmer outputs to this channel. Step 1: Open the Patch: Menu>Patch>[Patch by Channel] Step 2: Choose between Live and Blind mode using the wheel. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select channel.
Patch Independents Independent buttons IND 1 and IND 2 provide two outputs separated from all other controls. They are intended to operate devices such as smoke machines, tab tracks, cue lights, etc. • SOLO does not affect these outputs. • The state or result of the 2 independent outputs is not recordable. The Default Patch SmartFade defaults to the outputs 97 & 98 for the independents. IND 1 = DMX 97 IND 2 = DMX 98 This is easy to remember and provides immediate control with two outputs.
Console Settings Erase Functions Erasing data is done from the Settings menu. Menu>Settings>[Erase] The following kind of data can be erased • All show data • Memories • Sequences • Stack MIDI Settings See “MIDI Setup” on page 26. DMX In There are two settings for DMX In. One is the mode, which is how the incoming DMX is patched and merged. The other is what Smartfade shall do if incoming DMX stops (data loss). DMX In mode This is set up in the Settings menu.
Data loss This is set up in the Settings menu Menu>Settings>DMX In>[Data Loss] Data loss can be handled in two ways: Keep or Fade Out. • Keep: the last input is held. • Fade Out: the last input is faded out in 5 seconds. DMX Out See “DMX Out Speed” on page 18. Language You can choose language for the menus from the Settings menu. The console will continue to boot with the last selected language until it is changed.
Buttons You can set the overall intensity for the LED buttons. This is done from the Buttons menu. Menu>Settings>[Buttons] Disable Recording Select OFF to allow recording and ON to disable recording. Menu>Settings>[Recording] Crossfade faders The direction in which the Crossfade faders advance to the next step in STACK mode is set in the Settings menu.
MIDI Setup SmartFade includes MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) facilities to provide three primary functions. • Show control systems: SmartFade may be set to respond to MIDI data from a timebased sequencer or show control system. This can be MSC or functions from the Basic MIDI implementation of SmartFade. The default setting is OFF. • Synchronising playback of two SmartFade consoles: MIDI may be used to connect any two SmartFade consoles together, including SmartFade and SmartFadeML.
Synchronising Two SmartFades To synchronise playback of two SmartFade consoles, just connect MIDI OUT from console A to MIDI IN on console B. Now the main playback functions are “mirrored” from console A to console B. Functions • GO, PAUSE and STOP will be synchronised*.
MIDI Channel The Basic and Advanced MIDI functions apart from MSC are sent and received on the same MIDI channel. This is set in the MIDI menu. Menu>Setup>MIDI>[Midi Channel] Use MENU to select MIDI Channel (1-16) or On/Off. Use the wheel to change the currently selected parameter. 28 SmartFade v3.0.
Chapter 3 Program Once you have set up your console to control the dimmers in your rig, you can start programming. This chapter contains the following sections: 3 Program • Intensity channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 • Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 • Snapshots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 • Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intensity channels Intensities for dimmers are set with the faders. Simply press one of the intensity mode buttons and then use the faders to set intensities. The currently selected button is lit in green. 1-24 25-48 or 1-48 49-96 Intensities are piled-on to the output of the console in an HTP manner (Highest Takes Precedence). Intensities may be sourced by a channel fader, a memory fader or the Stack.They are limited by the Master fader and Black out button.
Adjust Channel Range It’s possible to select any channel range and adjust proportionally in the Channels menu. Step 1: Open the Adjust Channel Range menu: Menu>Channels>[Adjust Channel Range] Step 2: Use the wheel to select start channel. Press (MENU) to confirm and move to end channel. Step 3: Use the wheel to select end channel. Press (MENU) to confirm and move to the level. Step 4: Use the wheel to adjust the levels for the selected range.
Memories Every intensity can be stored to a memory for playback. There are 12 fader pages with 24 (48) memory faders in each page. This provides a possible total of 288 memories in a SmartFade 1248/1296 and 576 memories in a SmartFade 2496. A recorded memory is indicated in red. The bump button lights up at full if the fader is above zero, contributing to the light output. To select Memories mode for the faders press MEMS.
Record a Magic memory You can set up and record a random look using the Magic function. Action Console Feedback 1. Set channels or memory faders Faders All channel and memory faders over 0% will be included in the Magic function. If you are using memory faders, make sure NEXT is off. 2. Activate recording 3. Create a Magic look MAGIC 4. If needed, change page MEMS 5. Select fader Buttons that can record in this mode will blink at full.
Snapshots The Snapshot function is designed to make it easy to capture the current output, and store it as a memory at a later point. • Snapshot can be pressed at any time inside any menu or function. Snapshot captures a complete state of all output channels and stores them into a buffer. This buffer has 10 snapshot positions. If pressed 11 times, Snapshot will overwrite the 1st Snapshot in the buffer. The Snapshot button The button is off when there are no Snapshots recorded.
Copy a Snapshot to a Memory It’s possible to copy a Snapshot to a memory live (View & Copy Snap) or blind (Copy Snap) in the Snapshot menu. Step 1: Open the Snapshot menu: Menu>Snapshot>[Copy Snap] Step 2: Use the wheel to select live (View & Copy Snap) or blind (Copy Snap). Step 3: Use the wheel to select a snapshot. Press (MENU) to confirm and move to the target page. Step 4: Use the wheel to select a snapshot. Press (MENU) to confirm and move to the target fader.
Sequences A Sequence is a list of up to 24 steps that can be recorded to and played back from the last four faders. Each fader page carries up to 4 sequences and there are 12 fader pages - so a total of 48 sequences can be recorded. Memory faders containing sequences have yellow bump buttons Each step of a sequence can contain one of two items: • One single intensity channel.
Record a Sequence Action 1. Activate record sequence 2. Choose location (change page if desired) Console Feedback All buttons that can record in this mode will blink at full in yellow. If there is a memory or sequence stored already, this button will be dimmed (press CLEAR to exit). REC SEQ 21 ... 24 or 45 ... 48 3. If desired, set the time for this step Wheel 4. Select source for this step 1 ... 24 or 1 ...
Record a Magic Sequence Action 1. Activate record sequence 2. Choose location (change page if desired) Console All buttons that can record in this mode will blink at full in yellow. If there is a memory or sequence stored already, this button will be dimmed (press CLEAR to exit). REC SEQ 21 ... 24 or 45 ... 48 3. Bring the fader to full Fader 4. Activate Magic mode MAGIC 5. Select source faders 1 ... 24 or 1 ... 48 6. Change values 7. Generate magic looks 8.
Stack The Stack sequence is recorded and played back on the Crossfader. It is intended to be the main cue list for a show. The Stack can contain up to 199 steps. Stack steps are arranged as 199 incremental steps with up to 9 decimal insertions allowed between major steps. Each step of a Stack can contain one of two items: • One single intensity channel.
Record the Stack from bumps This function allows you to create the Stack with referenced memories or intensity channels. The steps are created as each bump button for a memory or intensity is pressed. Action 1. Activate record sequence 2. Choose Stack 2.5 If the Stack exists... Console Feedback All buttons that can record in this mode will blink at full in yellow (press CLEAR to exit). REC SEQ The moment the STACK button is pressed, the button will light up in full.
Record a Memory and Stack step It’s possible to set up and record a memory state as a step of the Stack at the same time. Action 1. Activate record sequence 2. Choose Stack 2.5 If the Stack exists... Console Feedback All buttons that can record in this mode will blink at full in yellow (press CLEAR to exit). REC SEQ The moment the STACK button is pressed, the button will light up in full. Now all bump buttons can be stored as steps, and blink at full in each fader mode.
Record a Stack state It’s possible to record a unique Stack memory state as a step of the Stack. In other words it does not reference a memory from any of the fader pages. Set up a look you want to record, including effects. Action 1. Activate record 2. Choose Stack 3. Select Record step or Update live step. Console Feedback All buttons that can record in this mode will blink at full (press CLEAR to exit). REC MEM The button lights up.
Chapter 4 Edit Once you have started recording information as described in Program you can play back this information, and you can edit it. This Chapter is about editing. This chapter contains the following sections: 4 Edit • Edit Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 • Edit Sequences & Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edi t Memories Every memory can be edited blind (fader at zero) or live (fader at full). It is possible to erase all memories at once. See “Erase Functions” on page 23. Edit a memory Action 1. Activate Edit mode 2. Select memory (change page if necessary). 3. Edit intensities 4. End editing Console Feedback All buttons with content that can be edited will blink at full (press CLEAR to exit). EDIT MEM 1 ... 24 or 1 ...
Edi t Sequences & Stack Sequence and Stack steps can be edited in the same way. The Stack has some extra editing functions since there are unique Stack states and point cues, which don’t exist in sequences. There is also a way to edit any Stack step directly, without entering the edit menus. To delete all Sequences and the Stack See “Erase Functions” on page 23. The functions available for modifying Sequence & Stack steps are Edit, Delete, Insert and Change.
Delete a Step Step 1: Open the Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select Sequence (1-24) or Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select Modify Steps. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Use the wheel to select Step:#. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 5: Use the wheel to select Delete. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 6: You will be asked to confirm this command. Press (MENU) to confirm.
Insert a Step Step 1: Open the Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select Sequence (1-24) or Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select Modify Steps. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Use the wheel to select Step:#. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 5: Use the wheel to select Insert. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 6: You will be asked to insert by pressing a bump for a channel or memory fader. Press (MENU) to confirm.
Insert a PointQ Step 1: Open the Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select Sequence (1-24) or Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select Modify Steps. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Use the wheel to select Step:#. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 5: Use the wheel to select Ins PointQ. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 6: You can select point 0.1-0.9 with the wheel. You will be asked to insert by pressing a bump for a channel or memory fader.
Change the content of a Step Use this function to change the memory or channel content of a step to another content. This is the only way to edit a step referencing to a single channel. Step 1: Open the Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select Sequence (1-24) or Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select Modify Steps. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Use the wheel to select Step:#. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 5: Use the wheel to select Change.
Edit the content of a Stack Step directly A Stack step can contain a reference to a memory in a specific page, or a unique Stack memory state can be edited directly with the EDIT MEM function. Steps containing single channels must be edited with the normal editing functions. 50 Step 1: Press EDIT MEM Step 2: Select Sequence by pressing a bump button, or press STACK. The content of the current step will be selected for editing. Step 3: Use the intensity faders to edit the memory.
Copy a Sequence Action Console 1. Activate Copy mode COPY 2. Select source sequence (change page if necessary). 21 ... 24 or 3. Select target 21 ... 24 or 45 ... 48 45 ... 48 Feedback This button lights up. All buttons with content will blink at full (press CLEAR to exit). When this button is pressed, all possible targets for this copy operation will blink. Empty ones blink at full, occupied ones are dimmed. As soon as the button is pressed, the source sequence is recorded.
Sequence & Stack Times Each Sequence step can have three times, Up, Down and Wait. In addition to these times there is an overall Rate and Fade time that affect the whole Sequence. These times are set/ changed during playback. Default Fade Times Step 1: Open the Set Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select a Sequence (1-24) or the Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select Step Timing. Press (MENU) to confirm.
Edit step times blind It is possible to edit the times blind, for each step of a Sequence or Stack. This is done with the Step Timing - One Step function in the Sequences menu. Step 1: Open the Set Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select a Sequence (1-24) or the Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select Step Timing. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Use the wheel to select One step. Use (MENU) to step between choices, and wheel to set a value.
Global Time for all steps It is possible to edit Up, Down or Wait times globally for all steps of a Sequence or Stack. All previous timing information is replaced and cannot be undone. Step 1: Open the Set Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 2: Use the wheel to select a Sequence (1-24) or the Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 3: Use the wheel to select All steps. Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Set Global Timing for all steps of the selected Sequence or Stack.
Chapter 5 Playback As soon as you have programmed information you can play it back in different ways. This Chapter is about playback functions. This chapter contains the following sections: 5 Playback • General Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 • Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 • Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Functions Master & Black Out function To get light output (at all), the Master needs to be at full, and the Black Out button off. The Master fader proportionally limits all intensity outputs. As soon as the Master is faded under 100% the Blackout button will blink. The Blackout button instantly sends all intensity outputs to zero. As soon as it is activated the button will light up.
Memories Memories are played back from the faders in MEMS mode. In each of the 12 fader pages the buttons with memories stored will light up dimmed in red when a page is selected. When the fader is contributing to the output, the button will light up in full. Select Fader Page If a fader is above zero when a different page is selected, it will not be updated to the content of the new page until it is brought to zero. Press MEMS twice within 1 second to select page 1 quickly.
Sequences Sequences can have up to 24 steps, and are played back from the last four faders in MEMS mode. In each of the 12 fader pages the buttons with stored sequences will light up dimmed in yellow when a page is selected. When the fader is contributing to the output, the button will light up in full. Select Fader Page If a fader is above zero when a different page is selected, it will not be updated to the content of the new page until it reaches zero.
Fade Activate RATE and then press the bump button of any fader (in MEMS mode) with a sequence.Then hold RATE. Use the wheel to set a Fade % that will scale the fade times of the whole Sequence. Fade 0% means no fade. Original fade timing is not lost and may be recovered by clearing the Fade %. BP M Beats Per Minute (BPM) is a musical term that can be applied to the playback rate of a sequence in looped mode. The BPM rate will override all times.
Stack & Crossfader The Crossfader can be used to play back the Stack with up to 199 steps, or for single-scene operation (depending on the state of the STACK and NEXT buttons). General Crossfader Controls The Crossfader consists of a Live (A) and Next (B) fader, plus the Crossfade transport buttons. A crossfade is done by moving the crossfaders from the down position to the up position. This can be changed, See “Crossfade faders” on page 25.
Jump to step It’s possible to go directly to any step of the Stack with this function. Action Activate GOTO mode Console STACK Feedback (held) As long as the button is held, the display will allow you to scroll to any step. Let go of STACK to transport the whole sequence to this step in Next - ready for the next crossfade. Rate & Fade for the Stack The RATE button can provide Rate and Fade override for the Stack. This will affect the playback of the whole Stack temporarily.
Tap Mode for the Stack Tap Mode allows the recording of actual elapsed time for each step of the Stack by means of the GO button. It should set to OFF at all times unless a timed recording is being made. Step 1: First record a Stack in the normal way Step 2: Open the Sequences menu: Menu>[Sequences] Step 3: Use the wheel to select the Stack (XF). Press (MENU) to confirm. Step 4: Select Tap mode Menu>Sequences>Playback>Step Timing>[Tap mode] Step 5: Use the wheel to set On.
Single Scene Crossfading When STACK is off and NEXT is on, SmartFade is set up to run like a single-scene crossfading console. When Next is on the green channel bumps are lit with the levels to be output to stage on the next Crossfade, when Next is Off the lights indicate the actual stage levels. Next may be turned on and off to toggle between these two displays NEXT Action Console 1. Activate Next mode NEXT 2. Set intensities 1-24 25-48 1-48 49-96 3.
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Chapter 6 Two Scene Mode There are three operating modes, and Two Scene Mode is one of them. In this mode you can use your SmartFade console straight out of the box like a manual two scene presetting console. This chapter contains the following sections: 6 • General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 • Two Scene Fading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Information To use the console as a two scene console, you have to start it in Two Scene Mode. See “Operating Modes” on page 5. You will no longer be able to access “normal” SmartFade functions as described in this manual. It is now only a two scene presetting console. In Two Scene Mode no memories are stored - everything is set manually and faded with the Crossfaders. Console Settings in Two Scene Mode Console settings are more or less identical to Normal Mode. See “Console Settings” on page 23.
Two Scene Fadi ng A two scene console duplicates the same channels over two sets of faders. The principle is that one set of faders contributes to the live output, while a new look is prepared blind levels for the same channels in the other set. Your SmartFade console has two rows of faders. When the console is started in Two Scene Mode the top row is connected to Crossfader A, and the bottom row is connected to Crossfader B.
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Chapter 7 DMX Backup Backup mode is the third console operating mode. You can capture 512 outputs of DMX from an external console and store to 24 (48) memories that can be played back from the faders or the Stack. This chapter contains the following sections: 7 DMX Backup • General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 • Backup memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 • Stack in Backup Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Information To use the console as a backup, you have to start it in Backup Mode. See “Operating Modes” on page 5. You will no longer be able to access “normal” SmartFade functions as described in this manual. It is now only a backup console. In Backup Mode, there can be no console output until you connect DMX input from another DMX output device or until you record DMX from another device into the memory faders. You will be able to store 24 (48) memories to the faders.
Backup memories The backup memories are recorded by connecting the DMX output of an external console to the DMX in port of your SmartFade console when it is started in Backup Mode. Preparation Step 1: Set DMX In:To Memory. See “DMX In” on page 70. Step 2: Connect the DMX out of the external console to DMX in of your SmartFade console. Step 3: Bring up Fader 1 (or Last) to allow DMX In. See “DMX In” on page 70. Step 4: Make sure the Grand Master is at full, and that BLACKOUT is off.
Stack in Backup Mode The Stack provided in DMX Backup mode consists of memories 1-24 (48) linked in order. This Stack cannot be edited. Stack step 1 is the memory recorded to fader 1, etc. Stack functions By pressing STACK, the Stack is activated (lit at full) and connected to the Crossfader controls.The cue stack is loaded onto the Crossfader at step 0 (a non-existent step before step one) so that pressing GO, or starting a manual fade, will fade to step 1, which is the memory stored in fader 1.
Appendix A Software Update This appendix contains the instructions for updating the software in your SmartFade console. There are two ways of updating the software. • Using the SD card • Connecting with USB to a PC Software can be downloaded from the ETC Web site: www.etcconnect.com Please make sure to download the correct software for your console - SmartFade and SmartFadeML use different software. To verify the version that your console is running, See “Software Version” on page 25.
Note: If you have accidentally initiated a software update, you can exit without making any changes by unplugging the console. USB Update To update with USB you need a PC running the Windows operating system (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows 7). Step 1: Obtain the software update file SMRTFADE.SRC and the USB Download application SFDownloader.exe from the download section of the ETC Web site: www.etcconnect.com Step 2: Connect a USB cable between the SmartFade and the PC.
Index A Adjust Channel Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 B black out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 56 C Change the content of a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 contact ETC technical services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Copy a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Copy a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 D Default Fade Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Default Patch . . . . . . . . . .
T technical services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Text Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Snapshot button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Two Scene Fading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 two scene operation channel faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 U Unpack & Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Update The Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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