expRess 24/48, 48/96 and 72/144 lighting control system Version 2.
expRess Lighting control system Version 2.
Limited Warranty Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) warrants to the original owner or retail customer that for a period of one year from date of delivery of a portable system or energization of a permanently installed system (up to a maximum of 18 months from delivery) its products will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. Warranty is limited to 90 days for rental equipment.
table of contents Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Console comparison chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the trackpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ii Express User Manual Chapter 4 Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Selecting one-to-one patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating custom patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patching dimmers to channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proportional patching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iii Recording a cue with a wait time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recording cues with Link and Follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Follow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Combining Link and Follow to create playback loops . . . . . . . Using Link to link a macro to a cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iv Express User Manual Chapter 10 Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Creating groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Creating a group from the look on stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Creating a group using Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Displaying groups on stage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
v Chapter 12 Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Default element assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Controlling effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attributes . . .
vi Express User Manual Chapter 15 Diskette functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Diskette management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Formatting diskettes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recording a show on diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reading a show from diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
vii Working with Sensor backup looks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recording a backup look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Playing a backup look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Disabling secondary messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 205 205 206 207 Chapter 20 Control interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
viii Express User Manual Appendix A Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Express back panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing console and monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting dimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the auxiliary fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ix Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cue steps (subroutine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Decimal point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delete Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
x Express User Manual Keypad Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Last Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Learn (Macro) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Arrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
xi Select Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Dimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selected channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
xii Express User Manual
chapter 1 introduction This manual provides instructions for installing and using ETC’s Express 24/48, Express 48/96 and Express 72/144 lighting control consoles. In virtually all cases, operation of these three consoles is identical. A comparison chart on the next page indicates the differences between the consoles. Throughout the manual, all three consoles are referred to as Express. If one of the three is specifically indicated, its full name is used.
2 Express User Manual Console comparison chart Express 24/48 Express 48/96 Express 72/144 Dimmers 1,024 1,024 1,024 Maximum Channels 48 96 144 Channel Faders 48 96 144 Two-scene operation 24 Channels 48 Channels 72 Channels Submasters 24 24 * 24* On the Express 24/48, the 24 submasters are also the bottom 24 channel faders on the console. There is no separate section of 24 submasters as on the 48/96, 72/144, 125, and 250.
chapter 1 introduction 3 Using the trackpad Use the Express trackpad to set rates and levels. The trackpad operates in three modes, single mode, double mode, and XY mode, described below. You can also set the trackpad’s sensitivity. Single mode Most of the time the trackpad is in single mode. If the console prompts you for a rate or a level, moving your finger up on the trackpad increases the rate or level. Moving it down decreases the rate or level.
4 Express User Manual Troubleshooting If you have problems with your console, please refer to the manual or the console’s Help function for instructions. (For more information about using Help, see page 5.) If you do not find the answer in the manual, call your local dealer or ETC Technical Services.
chapter 1 introduction 5 Using this manual This manual provides instructions for using Express’s features and optional accessories. Setting up Express If you are setting up the system for the first time, chapters 4 and 5 and appendix A instruct you in installing and configuring Express. If the system is already in place, you may not need to refer to these chapters.
6 Express User Manual About Show About Show provides you with memory usage information regarding the currently loaded show. It tells you how many channels and dimmers your show is configured for, and how many of the available cues, submasters, groups, and macros you are using. It also indicates the percentage of the console’s available memory used for each function. Press [About] [Enter] to display the About Show window.
chapter 2 monitor displays Express provides a color video monitor. This display provides information regarding your show, including a cue list, the current status of the console’s two fader pairs, and a variety of user selectable displays. These displays allow you to create and run shows and to configure your console and your lighting system. If your system includes an ETCNet network, additional monitors may be installed at other locations, such as backstage or in the sound booth.
8 Express User Manual Channel colors The colors in which channel numbers and output levels are displayed on screen provide information about the channels. The following chart shows the meaning of colors in Stage, Blind, Fader, and Tracksheet display modes. Information on the use of colors in other display modes are included in their sections of this chapter. Channel numbers Gray................. Unselected channel. Yellow ............. Selected channel.
chapter 2 monitor displays 9 Stage The Stage display shows you the current levels of all active channels. Up to 125 channels can appear on the display at a time. ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ ❻ ❼ ❽ ❶ ❾ Grandmaster Current Grandmaster setting, Blackout alert and submaster page. ❷ Display mode Current display mode and time ❸ Keypad corner Indicates how the console will interpret the next number entered from the keypad.
10 Express User Manual Blind The Blind display lets you work on cues without affecting the look on stage. ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ ❻ ❼ ❽ ❶ ❾ Grandmaster Current Grandmaster setting, Blackout alert and submaster page. ❷ Display mode Current display mode and time ❸ Keypad corner Indicates how the console will interpret the next number entered from the keypad. For example, if you press [Channel], the corner displays Chan, indicating that the console will read the next number as a channel number.
chapter 2 monitor displays 11 Flexichannel If your system has the Flexichannel feature enabled, only channels used somewhere in the show appear on the display screens. These channels may be in cues, submasters or groups, or may be channels you have selected recently. By only displaying channels used in the show, you can reduce the amount of time you spend moving from page to page to find channels. All other screen elements are unchanged.
12 Express User Manual Patch The Patch display allows you to create and modify your patch. ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ ❻ ❶ Display mode Current display mode and time. ❷ Keypad prompt corner This window indicates how the console will interpret the next number entered from the keypad. For example, if you press [Channel], the corner displays Chan, indicating that the console will read the next number as a channel number. If you enter a range, only the last number in the range will appear.
chapter 3 system settings System settings allow you to customize Express for the number of dimmers and channels in your system, set system modes and screen formats, and choose default settings for a variety of console functions. The following illustration shows default settings.
14 Express User Manual Setting number of dimmers One of the first steps in configuring Express is to enter the number of dimmers in your system. Express defaults to 1,024 dimmers, the maximum number of dimmers the console can address. Follow these steps to select up to 1,024 dimmers: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [1], System Settings, and press [Enter]. Selects System Settings menu 3. Select [1], Number of Dimmers, and press [Enter].
chapter 3 system settings 15 Setting default fade times Express allows you to assign default upfade and downfade times to cues or to control fade times manually. Default fade times are five seconds. Fade times may be expressed in minutes and seconds, or as fractions of seconds (in decimal format). Fade times can be programmed from .1 second to 99:59 minutes. Acceptable time values include: .2 (.2 seconds), 00:12 (12 seconds), 5.5 (5.5 seconds), or 5:30 (five minutes, 30 seconds).
16 Express User Manual Setting default Level Express allows you to assign a value to the [Level] key. The default value is 100 percent. You may assign [Level] any value between zero and 100. Follow these steps to assign a value to [Level]: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [1], System Settings, and press [Enter]. Selects System Settings menu 3. Select [4], Default Level, and press [Enter]. Prompt reads: Enter default level (Press FULL button for 100%) 4.
chapter 3 system settings 17 Setting default Sneak time Sneak allows you to fade or restore channel levels on stage in a specified time. The console allows you to assign a default Sneak time. For more information about the Sneak function, see page 44. Default time is five seconds for a Sneak. Follow these steps to set a new Sneak time: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [1], System Settings, and press [Enter]. Selects System Settings menu 3.
18 Express User Manual Enable/disable Flexichannel Express’s Command display can be set to operate in full display mode or in Flexichannel mode. In full display mode, channel displays show all channels and their current status. In Flexichannel mode, only channels with a recorded level appear. Express defaults to full channel display. Follow these steps to enable or disable Flexichannel: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [1], System Settings, and press [Enter].
chapter 3 system settings 19 Set Master type You may set the Master slider to one of four control options. • Disabled Master slider does nothing. • Grandmaster Master slider controls all levels on stage except parked channels and independent channels. • Sub Grandmaster Master slider controls all levels on stage set by submasters. • Scenemaster Master slider controls all levels on stage set by the channel sliders. To configure your Master slider, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1.
20 Express User Manual Setting time format Express consoles allow you to display time in either 12 or 24 hour format. Follow these steps to choose your preference: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [1], System Settings, and press [Enter]. Selects System Settings menu 3. Select [1][2], 12/24 hour clock, and press [Enter]. Prompt reads: Enter 12 or 24 hour clock (0 = 12 hour, 1 = 24 hour) 4. Enter [0] or [1] and press [Enter].
chapter 3 system settings 21 Enable/disable Bump keys Express’s submaster bump buttons may be enabled or disabled. Express defaults to enabled. Follow these steps to enable or disable all submaster bump buttons: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [1], System Settings, and press [Enter]. Selects System Settings menu 3. Select [1][4], Bump keys, and press [Enter]. Prompt reads: Enable/disable bump keys (1 = Enable, 0 = Disable) 4. Press [1] or [0].
22 Express User Manual Setting clock To set the current time and date in your system, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Press [S2], Set Clock. The following screen appears: 3. Enter the current time in New time appears on screen hours and minutes. Time entry format corresponds to your clock mode setting in System Settings. (In 24hour format, 930 = 9:30 AM, 1625 = 4:25 PM) (In 12-hour format, use [+] to select AM or PM. 4. Press [Enter].
chapter 4 patch Before you begin creating cues for a show you should first create your patch. The patch assigns individual dimmers to control channel numbers. The Express Patch display allows you to assign up to 1,024 DMX512 dimmers to up to the maximum number of control channels your console can address. You can use Express's default one-to-one patch, or you may create a custom patch.
24 Express User Manual Selecting one-to-one patch The one-to-one patch assigns dimmer 1 to channel 1, dimmer 2 to channel 2 and so on. If there are more dimmers than channels, the one-to-one patch assigns the first extra dimmer to channel 1, the second extra dimmer to channel 2, and so on. Follow these steps to select Express's default one-to-one patch: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] to display the Setup menu. Selects Setup display 2. Press [4], Clear Functions Prompt reads: [Enter].
chapter 4 patch 25 Patching dimmers to channels Follow these steps to patch a dimmer(s) to a control channel: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Patch]. Selects Patch display 2. Press [Dim]. (If the LED in the [Dim] key is lit, you may omit this step.) 3. Use the keypad to enter the numbers of the dimmers you want to patch. Use [And] and [Thru] if you want to select more than one dimmer.
26 Express User Manual Proportional patching Express allows you to proportionally inhibit the output of individual dimmer levels from the Patch display. Dimmers output at 100 percent unless you patch them at a lower level. Dimmer intensity levels set in Patch function at full level on all other screens. For example, if you enter a level of 60 for a dimmer on the patch screen, when you set that channel to full in a cue or submaster, the dimmer will output at 60 percent.
chapter 4 patch 27 Unpatching individual dimmers Channel zero is not an actual control channel. It functions as a holding area in which you may store dimmers not included in your patch. Before you begin creating a custom patch, you may find it helpful to assign all dimmers to channel zero. Then, when you begin patching, you can select dimmers from channel zero and patch them to channels as you like. Dimmers assigned to channel zero are listed at the end of channel list under “- -.
28 Express User Manual Assigning a profile to a dimmer Dimmer profiles allow you to select one of ten output curves (profiles) and assign it to a dimmer. These profiles allow you to compensate for nonlinear light outputs from certain types of fixtures or incorporate a preferred response in a fade. The ten curves are listed below. If you do not select a profile, all dimmers use profile zero; a linear fade. Follow these instructions to assign a profile to a dimmer: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Patch].
chapter 4 patch 29 Capturing channels in Patch Express lets you select and capture channels without returning to Stage mode. This allows you to bring channels up on stage to view the proportional settings of dimmers assigned to a channel while you set them. To select channels from the patch screen, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Patch]. Selects Patch display 2. Press [Channel]. Prompt reads: Select channel numbers 3.
30 Express User Manual Dimmer check A dimmer check allows you to raise your dimmers to a specified level on stage, one at a time. Express allows you to select the starting dimmer and set it at a level. Once you select the dimmer, use [+] to check each consecutive dimmer. Follow these steps to run a dimmer check: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Dim]. Prompt reads: Enter dimmer number(s), then press AT to select level 2. Press [1] to start dimmer check with dimmer 1. Keypad corner reads: Dim 1 3.
chapter 4 patch 31 About [About] provides you with information about dimmers. The following pages describe the use of About Dimmer and the information available in the About Dimmer window. Note: See page 46 for information on using About Channel. About Dimmer About Dimmer provides attribute and status information for a selected dimmer. To display the About Dimmer window, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [About] [Dimmer]. Prompt reads: About: Select dimmer number, then press ENTER 2.
32 Express User Manual About Dimmer with ETCLink If your console uses ETCLink to monitor dimmers in an ETC Sensor dimming system, the About Dimmer window displays additional dimmer monitoring information. The following expanded About Dimmer window appears if dimmer monitoring is enabled. • • • • • • • • Label: The dimmer’s label. Channel: The channel to which the dimmer is assigned. Proportion: The dimmer’s assigned proportional level. Profile: The dimmer’s assigned profile.
chapter 4 patch 33 Multiplexed dimmers ETC’s Multiplex dimming technology can increase the capacity of your dimming system. The ETC Multiplexer converts the output of a single ETC Sensor or L86 dimmer into two separate signals. Both signals then provide discrete levels for two ETC Source Four lighting fixtures. Warning: The DMX512 port that serves the dimmer must be in multiplex mode. Setting the port to multiplex mode erases your current patch. Set the port mode BEFORE you create your patch.
34 Express User Manual Patching to a Strand CD80 dimmer rack Strand CD80 dimmer racks have 48 dimmer slots. Each dimmer slot holds either two 2.4kW dimmers or one 6kW or 12kW dimmer. The console requires that you include all 96 possible dimmer numbers per rack in the patch. Refer to the charts below to determine dimmer numbers for each slot on each rack. When patching 6kW or 12kW dimmers, enter the slot’s odd dimmer number under the desired channel number.
chapter 5 setting channel levels Setting channel levels is the first step in recording cues, submasters and groups. Setting channel levels in Stage mode brings light levels up on stage. Setting channel levels in Blind mode does not affect stage lights.
36 Express User Manual Channel modes Channels may be in any of the following modes. Each responds differently to commands. Captured channels Captured channels are channels that you have selected and are live on stage. They remain live until you press [Rel] to release them. Captured channels override all other channel settings. For example, if a channel is in a fader at 100 percent and you capture it and set it to 50 percent, Express sets the captured channel at 50 percent.
chapter 5 setting channel levels 37 Channel Attributes display The Channel Attributes display allows you to assign attributes to specific channels, including: • Independent Allows a channel to be unaffected by Grandmaster, Flash, Release, Solo, and Blackout. (Release requires an extra keypress.) • Flip Allows a channel’s output to be reversed. A flipped channel outputs at full when set to zero and at zero when set to full. • Label Express does not allow you to assign labels to channels.
38 Express User Manual Independent channels An independent channel is not affected by the Grandmaster, Blackout, Solo, or Flash. Otherwise, independent channels function normally. Use [S1], Independent, to make a channel independent. Press [Rel] three times to release all independent channels. Channels that control movement of moving lights or color scrollers will often be set as Independent.
chapter 5 setting channel levels 39 Flipped channels The Flip command inverts the output of the channel to which it is applied. A flipped channel outputs at full when set to zero and at zero when set to full. Use [S2], Flip, to mark a channel flipped. The flipped channels will have their outputs inverted. The levels will not appear inverted on the Stage display, but the level sent to the channel is inverted. This is particularly useful for some moving light functions.
40 Express User Manual Selecting channels Using the keypad to set channel levels involves two steps: selecting the channels whose levels you want to modify, then entering output levels. • To select a single channel, enter the channel number. For example, [Channel] [1] selects channel 1. Note: When selecting channels, you only need to press [Channel] if the [Channel] LED is not lit.
chapter 5 setting channel levels 41 Setting channel levels You assign output levels to channels using the basic format [Channel] [#] [At] [#] where the first number is the channel and the second is the level. For example, [Channel] [4] [At] [7][5] sets channel 4 at 75 percent. If you enter a single digit for the level, Express multiplies it by ten and you must follow it with [Enter]. In other words, [Channel] [4] [At] [1] [Enter] sets channel 4 to 10 percent.
42 Express User Manual Sneak Sneak is a softkey that you can use to fade channels on stage to a level you choose, in a specific time or to restore channels to the last level at which they were set with a fader or submaster. For example, if you bring up a cue, then change the look, you can use sneak to go back to the look created by the original cue. If you do not indicate a time, the sneak occurs in the default sneak time, set in System Settings.
chapter 5 setting channel levels 43 Channel check Use a Channel Check to check which channel controls which light. Express allows you to check channels by selecting a single channel and setting it at a level. Once you have selected a channel you can then advance sequentially through the channels, checking one at a time. Follow these steps to run a channel check: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display Prompt reads: Select channel numbers 2. Press [Channel] [1].
44 Express User Manual About [About] provides you with information about channels. The following pages describe the use of [About] and the information available in the About channel window. Note: See page 33 for information on using About Dimmer. About Channel About Channel provides attribute and status information for a selected channel. To display the About Channel window, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [About] [Channel].
chapter 6 cues This chapter includes instructions on recording, modifying and deleting cues. After you select channels and set their intensity levels, you can store the resulting look as a cue. You can play cues back in a timed fader. Express allows you to record up to 600 cues per show.
46 Express User Manual Cue types [Type] displays the fade type options described below. The menu that appears in Stage omits the effect and subroutine options. Effects and subroutines are explained in their own chapters. To select a cue fade type in Stage, Blind or Fader modes, press [Type], and enter an option number. If you change a cue’s fade type, you must rerecord the cue. For example, [Cue] [2] [Type] [2] [Record] [Enter] records cue 2 with an allfade.
chapter 6 cues 47 Record functions Express has two record functions; Record and Track. Record saves all channels as they appear on the screen (what you see is what you get) in the cue, group or submaster you specify. When you use Record to record a cue, levels are recorded in only one cue. Track is a record function that works only with cues. It allows you to build a new cue from the previous cue’s channel settings. Tracked channels are channels whose levels do not change from one cue to the next.
48 Express User Manual Creating cues Express allows you to save up to 600 cues per show. A cue is a look you have created and recorded, and can replay in a timed fader pair. If your show requires more than 600 cues, you can read a second show from diskette during a break, or between cues. See Chapter 17, Diskette functions, for more information about recording shows on diskette. This chapter includes instructions and examples for creating and modifying cues using several different methods.
chapter 6 cues 49 Working with cues in Stage mode Stage mode display appears on the Command display monitor. A sample Stage mode display is shown below. The examples in this chapter demonstrate how to create a variety of cues in Stage display mode. Cues consist of channel levels and cue attributes. Each example in the text illustrates a different cue attribute. However, multiple attributes can be applied to one cue.
50 Express User Manual Recording a cue in Stage In this cue, you will only set channel levels. Default settings will determine all other attributes of the cue. You can change most default settings from the System Settings menu. See Chapter 3, Entering system settings, for information about setting and changing defaults. Follow these steps to record cue 1: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode Prompt reads: Select channel numbers 2. Press [1] [Thru] [1][0].
chapter 6 cues 51 Working with cues in Blind mode Blind mode allows you to create, preview or modify cues without affecting the current look on stage. If you prefer to work with live looks, you should work in Stage mode.
52 Express User Manual Recording a cue in Blind This example creates a cue in Blind mode. Blind allows you to work on cues without affecting the look on stage. Express automatically enters 00 for channels used in cue 1 to indicate that they will downfade in cue 2. Follow these steps to record cue 2 in Blind mode: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode Prompt reads: Select cue number To select cue type, press TYPE 2. Press [2]. Selects cue 2 3. Press [Channel] [1][3].
chapter 6 cues 53 Recording a cue with a single fade time Unless you tell it otherwise, Express assigns default fade times to any cue you record. If you prefer, you may record cues with custom fade times instead. Fade times can be zero seconds to 99:59 minutes long. They may be expressed in minutes and seconds, or as fractions of seconds (in decimal format). Acceptable time values include: .2 (.2 seconds), 00:12 (12 seconds), 5.5 (5.5 seconds), or 5:30 (five minutes, 30 seconds).
54 Express User Manual Recording a cue with split fade times Express allows you to record cues with different upfade and downfade times. These cues are said to have split fade times. On the Express display, the time to the left of the / refers to the upfade time; the number to the right refers to the downfade time. Follow these steps to record a cue with split upfade and downfade times: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage] or [Blind]. Selects display mode 2.
chapter 6 cues 55 Recording a cue with a wait time Wait time is the time that elapses between when you press [Go] and when the actual fade begins. You can record Express cues with a wait time of up to 99:59 minutes. Express allows you to program a wait time for either the upfade or the downfade; not both. If you do not enter a wait time, Express assigns the cue a wait time of zero. Follow these steps to record a cue with a downfade wait time: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage] or [Blind].
56 Express User Manual Recording cues with Link and Follow When you record a cue, it automatically becomes part of the Cue List. The Cue List is a list of all cues, organized in numeric sequence. Normally, when you press [Go] to execute cues, Express plays them back in the sequence in which they appear in the Cue List. [Link] allows you to modify the sequence in which cues play back. [Follow] allows you to play back multiple cues automatically.
chapter 6 cues 57 Follow [Follow] allows you to play a series of cues automatically. The [Follow] time indicates how long the console waits after the cue starts before the next cue runs. [Follow] plays back the next cue on the Cue List unless you use [Link] to specify a different sequence. Follow times may be expressed in minutes and seconds, or as fractions of seconds, up to 99:59 minutes. Follow these steps to record a cue with [Follow]. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage] or [Blind].
58 Express User Manual Combining Link and Follow to create playback loops Express allows you to use Link and Follow to create cue playback sequences in which a group of cues plays back automatically and repeats. Follow these steps to create a five-cue sequence: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Create five cues numbered Cue list displays cues 1 through 5 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 2. Press [Cue], then press [1], Selects the first cue the number of the first cue you want to include in the playback loop. 3.
chapter 6 cues 59 Using Link to link a macro to a cue [Link] allows you to automatically run a macro when a cue runs. If you want the macro to delay before running, start the macro with a Macro Wait of the desired length. See Chapter 15, Working with macros, for information about creating macros. Follow these steps to link a macro to a cue: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage] or [Blind]. Selects display mode 2. [Cue] [6]. Selects cue 6 3. Press [Link].
60 Express User Manual Recording a cue using Solo [Solo] lets you record a cue that contains some of the channels that make up the current look, but not others. Often you will create cues by adding to, subtracting from and modifying previously recorded cues. Follow these steps to create a cue using Solo: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage] or [Blind]. Selects display mode 2. Press [Channel]. Prompt reads: Select channel numbers 3. Press [2][0].
chapter 6 cues 61 Modifying a recorded cue live All the preceding examples have involved creating a new cue. In Stage, if you want to add, remove or modify channel levels, you must play back the cue, make your changes, then re-record the cue. If you are changing cue attributes, you do not need to play back the cue. Modifying channels in a cue If you are not familiar with procedures for playing back cues, see Chapter 9 Playing back cues.
62 Express User Manual Using Update to modify channels in a cue The Update feature allows you to easily record changed levels on Stage into a selected cue. You may record all levels on Stage into the cue, or you may record only changes to channels that were previously recorded in the cue. This allows you to modify the channel levels in the active cue, then re-record the cue without recording the entire stage look. Note: Levels provided by submasters aren’t updated.
chapter 6 cues 63 Using Update to add channels to a cue Normally when you re-record a cue, you record all the channel levels currently on stage. Express’s Update feature allows you to record only those channels that you specify. This allows you to add specific channels to the active cue, then re-record the cue without recording the entire stage look. Follow these steps to use Update to modify a cue in Stage mode: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2.
64 Express User Manual Using Update to modify fade rate You may also use the Update function to record manually modified fade rates into cues. Follow these steps to update a rate for a cue running in a fader: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Rate] key for the fader in which the cue is running. Activates rate control 2. Move rate wheel to adjust fade rate. Fades are placed under control of the rate wheel. The Fader Status window shows the current rate 3. Press [S2], Update.
chapter 6 cues 65 Deleting cues Follow these steps to delete a cue in Stage or Blind mode. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage] or [Blind]. If you press [Stage], press [S7], More Softkeys. Selects display mode 2. Press [S6], Delete in Stage, Delete Cue in Blind). Prompt reads: To Delete cue, press ENTER - Delete cue and tracking, press TRACK + ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 3. Enter number of cue to Selects cue to delete delete. This is optional if you wish to delete the currently selected cue. 4.
66 Express User Manual Inserting cues You may want to insert a cue between recorded cues. For example, you may want to modify cue 1 slightly and insert it between cues 1 and 2. You can number cues with a one-digit decimal. Therefore, you can insert up to nine cues between 1 and 2 (1.1, 1.2, etc.). Follow these steps to insert a cue between existing cues: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind] or [Stage]. Selects display mode 2.
chapter 6 cues 67 Cue List The Blind Cue List displays a list of the cues in your show. Up to 18 cues are displayed on screen at any time. The Cue List includes the cue number and type, its upfade, downfade and wait times, its link and follow settings, its rate, and its label. Press [S2], Cue List, in Blind mode to display the Cue List. A sample Cue List display is shown below: Follow this example to modify a cue in Cue List display: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2.
68 Express User Manual Editing cue attributes in Cue List The Cue List allows you to edit attributes across a range of cues simultaneously. For example, if you wanted cues 1 through 5 to have upfade wait times of ten seconds, you could set them all in one command. Follow these steps to do so: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Blind] [S2], Cue List. Displays Cue List Prompt reads: Select cue number(s) 2. Press [1] [Thru] [5]. Selects cues 1 through 5 3. Press [Wait].
chapter 7 track Track record function Track record allows you to record cues and modify recorded cues. Additionally, it allows you to designate whether or not the levels in the displayed cue should track into subsequent cues until a new level instruction is encountered. It also allows you to modify groups of cues quickly and add channels to cues. You can also use it to create a new cue from the previous one, by pulling all levels forward into the Blind display of the new cue.
70 Express User Manual Track record When you record a series of cues, you typically record the first cue, then build the second cue from the first. Some of the channels change, but many remain the same. The third cue is built from the second and so on. This procedure results in many channels being set to a level in one cue and staying at that level for several cues. A channel whose level does not change through a series of consecutive cues is said to “track” from cue to cue.
chapter 7 track 71 Using record to create tracks In Stage mode, the following keystrokes create the five cues illustrated below. Each cue adds channels to the previous cue. The example uses [Record] to record the cues.
72 Express User Manual Recording modified cues The difference between Record and Track is apparent when you modify a cue or insert a new cue between two existing cues. Record and Track produce different results. The following keys were pressed to release captured channels and play back cue 1. [Stage] [Rel] [Rel] [Cue] [1] [Go] [Chan] [1] [At] [5][0] Release captured channels. Play back cue 1. Modify channel 1 to 50 percent. With cue 1 in a fader, channel 1 is modified to 50 percent.
chapter 7 track 73 If you change the level in the beginning or middle of a track, you may want the change to continue through the remainder of the original track. To track the level modification we just recorded in the example above, use [Track] instead of [Record] to modify channel 1. Press [Track], enter cue number, and press [Enter].
74 Express User Manual Inserting cues If you insert a cue in this sequence, Record and Track produce different results. Record saves changes only in the cue you insert; Track saves the changes you make and tracks them through the following cues. The following keys were pressed to release captured channels and play back cue 1. With cue 1 in a fader, channel 4 is added at 50 percent. The new look is inserted as cue 1.1. [Stage] [Rel] [Rel] [Cue] [1] [Go] [Chan] [4] [At] [5][0] [Record] [1][.
chapter 7 track 75 When you insert a cue with [Track], new channels track through the cues after it until Express encounters a cue with a level previously recorded for that channel. Pressing [Track] (rather than [Record] as in the previous example) then [1][.][1] [Enter] to insert and record the same cue 1.1 as above produces the results illustrated in Figure 5. Compare it to the results illustrated in Figure 4, in which the same cue was inserted using [Record] rather than [Track].
76 Express User Manual Blackout cues and tracking Sometimes you may add a channel to a sequence of cues that has not used that channel yet. For example, you may want to add a channel to all cues in a scene. To do this, add the channel to the first cue in the sequence, and use Track to track the change through the remaining cues. However, the last cue in sequence may be a blackout cue. When you track the channel, the new channel tracks until it runs into a different recorded level.
chapter 7 track 77 If cue 5 is an allfade, Express records all unused channels at 00 percent. In the example below, an allfade enters 00 in channel 5, cue 5. When you track channel 5 through the sequence, it won’t track through the blackout cue. To select the allfade type for cue 5, enter these keystrokes: [Blind] [Cue] [5] [Type] [2] [Record] [5] [Enter] Selects allfade fade type. Re-records cue. Now when we track channel 5 through the sequence, cue 5 blocks the track.
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chapter 8 multipart cues A multipart cue consists of up to eight parts, each of which is essentially an independent cue with its own channel levels and timing information. Parts accept most standard cue attributes, with the exception of Follow and Label, which apply only to the overall cue. You may record a cue as a multipart cue, or record it as a standard, one-part cue and split it later.
80 Express User Manual Recording a multipart cue Follow these steps to record a multipart cue: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [Channel], select The Prompt reads: channels and enter channel Select channel numbers levels, then press [Enter]. For example, [Channel] [1] [Thru] [5] [Full]. 3. Press [Record], then enter the number of the cue you want to record. For example, press [1][2].
chapter 8 multipart cues 81 Converting a standard cue to a multipart cue If you have already created a single-part cue, Express allows you to reconfigure it as a multipart cue. You can convert a standard cue to a multipart cue in either Stage or Blind mode. As you break the cue into parts to convert it to a multipart cue, Express automatically creates cue part 8. Any channels not included in the first recorded part are assigned to part 8 automatically.
82 Express User Manual Wait times in multipart cues You can set individual wait times of up to 99:59 minutes for each part of a multipart cue. The wait time is the delay between when you press [Go] and when the part begins. If no wait is recorded, all parts run simultaneously when you press [Go]. Follow these steps to assign a wait time to a part: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Cue], then enter the Selects cue number cue number. Prompt reads: Select cue number 2.
chapter 8 multipart cues 83 Adding, deleting and modifying channels Follow these steps to edit channels in a multipart cue: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2. Enter the cue number. Prompt reads: Select cue number To select cue type, press TYPE 3. Press [S1], Part; then press Prompt reads: [+] or [–] until the desired Select part number part is displayed. 4. Press [Channel], and select Prompt reads: the desired channels. Select channel numbers 5. Set channel levels.
84 Express User Manual Modifying fade and wait times If you do not assign fade and wait times to a part, Express automatically assigns it the default times. See Setting default fade times on page 15. No wait time will be recorded. Follow these steps to assign fade and wait times to parts in a multipart cue: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2. Enter the cue number. Prompt reads: Select cue number To select cue type, press TYPE 3.
chapter 9 playing back cues Express has two timed faders that allow you to play back recorded cues. Cue selection and playback can be automated, or you can control them manually.
86 Express User Manual Selecting cues There are three ways to determine which cue from the Cue List will play back on stage next: • You can select a cue manually • When a cue plays, Express automatically selects the next cue • Express automatically selects linked cues You must be in Stage mode to select cues to play back, but you can run the selected cue from either Stage or Blind by pressing [Go]. When one cue is playing, Express automatically selects the next cue on the Cue List to play next.
chapter 9 playing back cues 87 Timed faders Express has two timed faders that allow you to play back recorded cues. In each fader, the left slider (A and C) controls upfades. The right sliders (B and D) control downfades. You may play back a cue automatically, using the timing information programmed into it, or you may take manual control. A B Clear 10 9 You can play back cues one at a time through a single fader, or you can play back a different cue in each fader simultaneously.
88 Express User Manual Cue List The Cue List provides a list of cues for the show, including all of the cues’ programmed attributes. In addition, the display provides information about which cue is active or running and on which fader the cue is running. The Cue List on the Playback monitor displays the last cue played before the pending cue. If a cue is currently playing, the list shows the last cue played, the playing cue and then the pending cue. The pending cue is highlighted in white.
chapter 9 playing back cues 89 Selecting and playing a cue Selecting a cue moves it to the top of the Cue List. It will not run until you press [Go]. Follow these steps to select a cue and play it on the fader of your choice. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [Cue]. Prompt reads: Select cue number To select cue type, press TYPE 3. Press [1][.][5]. Selects cue 1.5 to play 4. Press [Enter]. Cue List moves cue 1.5 to the top of the list 5.
90 Express User Manual Go Each fader has its own [Go] key. Press [Go] to play back the cue selected on the Cue List. If you have pressed [Hold] to interrupt the playback of a cue, press [Go] to resume the fade. If you press [Go] before a cue finishes playing, the previous cue stops, and the new cue begins from the levels at which the previous cue was interrupted. Hold Each fader has its own [Hold] key. If a cue is running, press [Hold] to pause playback of the cue.
chapter 9 playing back cues 91 Controlling fades manually Express provides two ways to take manual control of cue playback; manual override and rate override. Manual override Manual override allows you to use the fader sliders to take manual control of fade levels. When you take manual control of cue playback, moving the fader slider controls the fade. Leave the fader sliders at 10 before pressing [Go] to play cues back as recorded.
92 Express User Manual Rate override Manual override allows you to control both the fade’s rate and percentage of completion. When you play back a cue using rate override, the console controls the percentage of completion, but you control the rate. Rate override allows you to play back a cue faster or slower than the rate at which it was recorded. The trackpad adjusts the fade rate. Fade rate is expressed as a percentage. A cue with a fade rate of 100 percent plays back at its recorded fade time.
chapter 9 playing back cues 93 Quickstep Quickstep allows you to run through a show, checking all cues, without having to wait for fades. When Quickstep is active, the faders ignore all upfade, downfade, follow, and wait times. Cues snap immediately to their completed levels when you press [Go] or [Back]. To enable Quickstep and run a cue check, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display 2. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S1], Enable Quickstep. Turns on Quickstep 3.
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chapter 10 groups Express allows you to record frequently used combinations of channels into units called groups. You may record up to 500 groups. Once you record a group, it can be combined with other channels and groups to create cues, submasters effects, or other groups. The principal difference between a group and a cue is that a group cannot be played back through a fader or slider. Consequently, it has no fade times, wait times or other playback attributes.
96 Express User Manual Creating groups You can create groups in Stage, Blind and Fader modes. To create a group, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Live display mode 2. Press [1] [Thru] [5] [Full] [6] [Thru] [9] [At] [5] [Enter]. Selects channels 1 through 9 and sets them at proportional levels 3. Press [Record] [Group]. Prompt reads: To record group, select number and press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4. Press [1].
chapter 10 groups 97 Creating a group using Solo To create a group using some of the channels on stage, but not all, record the group using Solo. To do this, select the channels to add to the group, then press [Solo]. Follow these steps to create a group containing channels 5 through 20 when channels 1 through 25 are active on stage: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [1] [Thru] [2][5] [Full]. Sets channels 1 through 25 to full on stage 3.
98 Express User Manual Displaying groups on stage To view a recorded group on stage, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [Group] [2]. Selects group 2 Prompt reads: Group mode – Select group number to use as group 3. Press [Full]. Prompt reads: Group mode – Press AT or use wheel or trackpad to alter levels, or select channel numbers to edit 4. Adjust channel levels, as desired. Press [Rel] to release the group’s channels.
chapter 10 groups 99 Working with groups in Blind There are two group modes in Blind, Group mode and Group Editing mode. In Group mode, Express brings up the channels from a group of your choice and allows you to use them to modify cues, submasters and other groups. In Group Editing mode, Express brings up the selected group itself and allows you to modify it. Group mode To enter Group mode and bring up a group’s channels, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind].
100 Express User Manual Group Editing mode To enter Group Editing mode and modify a recorded group, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2. Press [Group] [1]. Selects group 1’s channels Prompt reads: Group mode – To recall a group, select the number and set it to a level To create or modify a group, select the number and press ENTER 3. Press [Enter]. Selects group 1. Group status bar appears above softkeys.
chapter 10 groups 101 Modifying groups Express allows you to modify groups in Stage or Blind modes. In Blind Follow these steps to add channels to a group in Blind display mode: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2. Press [Group]. Prompt reads: Group mode – To recall a group, select the number and set it to a level 3. Press [1]. Selects group 1’s channels Corner reads: Group 1 4. Press [Enter]. Brings up group 1 in group editing mode.
102 Express User Manual In Stage Follow these steps to change a group’s channel levels in Stage display mode: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [Group] [2]. Selects the group number you want to modify Prompt reads: Group mode – Select group number to use as group 3. Prompt reads: Group mode – Press AT or use wheel to alter levels, or select channel numbers to edit Press [Full]. 4. Select channels you want Alters look to modify and adjust channel levels. 5.
chapter 10 groups 103 Using Update to modify groups The Update feature allows you to easily record changed levels on Stage into a selected group. You may record all levels on Stage into the group, or you may record only changes to channels that were previously recorded in the group. You may also add specific new channels to the group at their current Stage levels, to add all channels on Stage to the group at their current levels.
104 Express User Manual Using Update to change levels in a group Follow these steps to use Update to modify channels in a group: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [Group] [5]. Selects group 5 Prompt reads: Group mode – Select group number to use as group 3. Press [Full]. Brings group 5’s channels up on stage Prompt reads: Group mode – Press AT or use wheel to alter levels, or select channel numbers to edit 4.
chapter 10 groups 105 Deleting groups You must be in Stage mode to delete individual groups. To delete all groups, you can use the Clear Groups option from the Clear Functions menu, as described in Chapter 18, Clear Functions, on page 184. To delete individual groups, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Stage] Selects Stage display 2. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S6], Delete, [Group]. Prompt reads: To delete group, press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 3. Press [2].
106 Express User Manual Using cues or submasters as groups If you wish, you can treat the channels recorded in a cue or a submaster as if they were a group, bringing them up on stage or including them in other level setting operations. For example, to bring up a cue on stage as a group, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [Group].
chapter 10 groups 107 Using groups to modify cues or submasters in Blind You can use groups to modify cues or submasters. For example, let’s say you have created a group 3 that contains channels 1 through 10 at a level of 75 percent. Follow these steps to add group 3 to submaster 2: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2. Press [Sub] [2]. Prompt reads: Select submaster number To select submaster type, press TYPE 3. Press [Group] [3].
108 Express User Manual Only Only allows you to select several groups and then adjust only the channels the groups have in common. For example, say you are working with moving lights. Each fixture is controlled by a number of channels, each of which controls a single parameter (level, tilt (vertical movement), pan (horizontal movement), colors, and so forth). You create groups that contain all the control channels for each light, as shown below.
chapter 10 groups 109 Group List Press [Blind] [Group] [Enter] [S2], Group List, to display the Group List. The Group List displays the group number and label of all recorded groups. Up to 38 groups may be displayed at a time. Use [S4], Previous Page, and [S5], Next Page, to move forward and backward from page to page or use [+] and [–] to scroll through the groups. The selected group is displayed in white and the selected field is highlighted in yellow; other groups are displayed in gray.
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chapter 11 submasters Express provides you with 24 submasters. A submaster is a group of channels recorded at proportional levels and controlled by a slider and a bump button. Submasters enable you to save complex looks you use frequently and play them back manually. They can also be used as building blocks when you create scenes, cues or other submasters. Note: On the Express 24/48, in one scene mode, you may set the bottom row of channel sliders to be your 24 submasters.
114 Express User Manual Submaster types Submasters can be pile-on, inhibitive or effect. Pile-on submaster A pile-on submaster consists of channels recorded at proportional levels. If a pile-on submaster’s channel levels are higher than established channel levels, the submaster’s levels take precedence (except as noted below). If they are lower, the established levels take precedence. If a submaster slider contains a recorded pile-on submaster, the LED lights.
chapter 11 submasters 115 Submaster pages Express provides ten pages of submasters. A page is a block of console memory that contains one set of 24 recorded submasters, corresponding to the 24 submaster sliders. The ten pages of memory increases the number of possible submasters to 240. Express displays the message Sub page 1 (2, 3...) in the upper corner of the display to indicate the current submaster page.
116 Express User Manual Submaster bump buttons A bump button is located immediately below each submaster slider. The bump button’s function depends on its status (see below) and on whether the submaster has a programmed fade. If the submaster does not have a programmed fade, the bump button allows you to bring up the submaster’s contents on stage instantly. Press the bump button to raise the submaster to its full recorded level. Hold the button to maintain the levels on stage.
chapter 11 submasters 117 Recording submasters You can create submasters in Live or Blind mode. Follow these steps to record a simple, pile-on submaster: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Select channels and set channel levels. Creates look 3. Press [Record]. Prompt reads: To record cue, select number and press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4.
118 Express User Manual Adding fade and dwell times You can add fade and dwell times to a submaster from Stage or Blind mode. To add fade times to a submaster, follow these steps in either mode: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Sub]. Prompt reads: Select submaster number To select submaster type, press TYPE 2. Press [5]. Selects submaster 5 Corner reads: Sub 5 3. Press [Time]. Prompt reads: Enter upfade time 4. Use keypad to enter upfade time and press [Time].
chapter 11 submasters 119 Hold dwell time If you record a submaster with a dwell time of Hold, the submaster fades up when you press the bump button, then holds until you press it again. To add a dwell time of Hold to a submaster, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Sub]. Prompt reads: Select submaster number To select submaster type, press TYPE 2. Press [5]. Selects submaster 5 Corner reads: Sub 5 3. Press [Time] [Time].
120 Express User Manual Manual dwell time If you record a submaster with a dwell time of manual and an upfade time other than zero, the upfade starts when you press and hold the bump button. It runs until channels reach full recorded levels, then holds at full as long as you hold the bump button; the downfade begins when you release it. If you don’t hold the bump button for the duration of the upfade time, channels do not reach their full recorded levels.
chapter 11 submasters 121 Adding a rate to a submaster Rate allows you to record submasters that play back faster or slower than their recorded fade times. This can be especially helpful when you are trying to calculate complex timing information for effects loaded to a submaster. Note: If you adjust the rate on a submaster containing an effect, the rate adjustments affect individual step timing, but do not change the overall effect timing. Rate is expressed as a percentage.
122 Express User Manual Using Except to record a submaster without another submaster’s channels Express allows you to program a submaster containing all the current levels on stage except for those contributed by a specific cue, group, or another submaster. This example illustrates how you record a submaster without including levels contributed by the specified submaster: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Select desired channels and set channel levels. 3.
chapter 11 submasters 123 Creating inhibitive submasters Inhibitive submasters allow you to limit the output of a group of channels. Channel outputs are limited to the level at which you set the slider. An inhibitive submaster set at 10 (100 percent), does not affect channel output. An inhibitive submaster controls the levels of its assigned channels in the same way the Grandmaster controls the levels of all channels.
124 Express User Manual Modifying submasters in Blind To modify a submaster in Blind, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display 2. Press [Sub] [1]. Prompt reads: Select submaster number To select submaster type, press TYPE 3. Press [Enter]. Brings up current level settings for submaster 1 Prompt reads: Select channel numbers 4. Enter channel numbers and set desired new levels. Sets new levels 5. Press [Record].
chapter 11 submasters 125 Using Update to modify submasters The Update feature allows you to easily record changed levels on Stage into a selected submaster. You may record all levels on Stage into the submaster, or you may record only changes to channels that were previously recorded in the submaster. Note: When you use Update to modify a submaster, the updated submaster takes control of all stage levels for channels in the submaster. Follow these steps to update a submaster: Keystrokes: Actions: 1.
126 Express User Manual Live control of a submaster’s rate In Stage mode, selecting a submaster and pressing [S3], Rate, allows the timing of the submaster to be controlled by the trackpad or keyboard entry. Follow these steps to change the rate of an active submaster in Stage. (This procedure also works if the submaster is not active. In either case, the new rate is automatically recorded in the submaster.) Action: Keystrokes: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Live display 2. Press [Sub] [5].
chapter 11 submasters 127 Copying submasters To copy a look from one submaster to another, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display mode 2. Press [Sub]. Prompt reads: Select submaster number To select submaster type, press TYPE 3. Enter the number of the submaster you wish to copy. Corner reads: Sub 1 4. Press [Record] [Sub]. Prompt reads: To record submaster, select number and press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 5. Enter the number of the new submaster.
128 Express User Manual Loading cues or groups to submasters [Load Sub] allows you to load the contents of one or more recorded groups or cues into submasters. To load a look from a range of cues or groups to submasters, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Load Sub]. Prompt reads: Select submaster(s) to load To cancel, press CLEAR 2. Press [9] [Thru] [1][2]. Selects submasters 9 through 12 Corner reads: Sub 12 3. Press [Cue] (or [Group]).
chapter 11 submasters 129 Clearing submasters You must be in Blind or Stage display mode to clear the contents of individual submasters. This process erases all level setting instructions and attributes from the submaster. To clear all submasters, use the Clear Submasters option from the Clear Functions menu as described in Chapter 18, Clear Functions, on page 184. To clear submasters, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Blind]. Selects Blind display 2. Press [Sub].
130 Express User Manual Submaster List The Submaster List displays a list of the submasters in your show. Each page is displayed separately, with up to 18 submasters on screen at any time. The Submaster List includes the submaster number, its bump button status, its current level on stage, its upfade, downfade and dwell times, its type, its rate, and its label. Submasters with recorded levels (pile-on submasters) are displayed in green, inhibitive submasters in red and effect submasters in white.
chapter 11 submasters 131 Editing attributes in Submaster List The Submaster List allows you to edit any attributes shown on the list across a range of submasters simultaneously. For example, you can assign a five second wait time to submasters 1 through 5 in one command. Follow these steps to do so: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Blind] [Sub] [S2], Sub List. Displays Submaster List 2. Press [1] [Thru] [5]. Selects submasters 1 through 5 Prompt reads: Select submaster number(s) 3.
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chapter 12 effects An effect runs steps, containing channels, in a variety of patterns called chases. An effect can be positive, with lights starting off and being turned on in patterns, or negative, with lights starting on and being turned off in patterns. Express allows you to record effects, each with up to 100 steps, into cues or submasters. Each effect includes level and timing controls for the steps in the effect, and overall timing controls for the effect itself.
134 Express User Manual Steps An effect may consist of up to 100 steps. A step is made up of elements. Elements may be either channels or groups. Each step may contain up to ten elements. For example, channels 1 through 10 would constitute ten elements, filling the step. However, a group containing channels 1 through 10 would constitute only one element, allowing nine more channels or groups to be added. Each step in an effect is assigned a high and low level, a step time, and an in, dwell, and out time.
chapter 12 effects 135 Creating steps Create an effect by selecting the effect type for a cue or submaster, then creating a series of steps in the Effect display. Use the arrow keys to move around the Effect display and enter settings. When you create a new step, it takes the previous step’s attributes as its defaults. You may then edit the new step. To edit a step attribute, use the arrow keys to select the field of the attribute you wish to edit.
136 Express User Manual 9. Use the keypad to enter the In time, then press [→]. Prompt reads: Enter step dwell time 10. Use the keypad to enter Dwell time, then press [→]. Prompt reads: Enter step out time 11. Use the keypad to enter Out time, then press [→]. Prompt reads: Select low level 12. Use the keypad to enter the low level, then press [→]. Prompt reads: Enter high level 13. Use the keypad to enter high level, then press [Enter]. Prompt reads: Select step numbers 14.
chapter 12 effects 137 Default element assignment Rather than assign elements to steps one at a time, you can assign a range of elements to a range of steps on a one-to-one basis. The console assigns elements (channels or groups) to each step in turn, i.e., channel 1 to step 1, channel 2 to step 2, and so on. If there are more elements than steps, Express assigns an element to each step, then returns to the first step and continues assigning elements, one per step, until all are assigned.
138 Express User Manual Controlling effects Effect steps are controlled by assigned attributes, fade times and rates. In addition, the cue or submaster containing the effect may be assigned fade times and rates that apply to the effect overall. Attributes Attributes control how the effect plays its steps. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S8], Attribute, to reveal the attribute softkeys. Assign attributes using the following rules: • All effects are either Positive or Negative.
chapter 12 effects 139 Assigning attributes Follow these steps to assign attributes to the effect you created in the previous example. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind] [Cue] [2]. Selects cue 2 in the Blind display 2. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S8], Attribute. Displays attributes across the bottom of the screen Prompt reads: Select effect attributes 3. Select attributes from the softkeys on the screen.
140 Express User Manual Effect fade times Each effect has an overall upfade, dwell and downfade time. When you create an effect cue, the times default to the cue fade times in your system settings. If you have not changed the default settings, this means an upfade of five seconds, a dwell of hold, and a downfade of five seconds. See Setting default fade times on page 15. [Time] allows the user to set the upfade, dwell and downfade time for the overall effect.
chapter 12 effects 141 Change downfade only Follow these steps to change only the effect’s downfade time. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind] [Cue] [2]. Selects cue 2 in the Blind display 2. Press [Time] [Time] [Time]. Prompt reads: Enter effect downfade time 3. Enter the downfade time. Prompt reads: Enter effect downfade time 4. Press [Enter]. Prompt reads: Select step numbers Change dwell only Follow these steps to change only the effect’s dwell time. Keystrokes: Action: 1.
142 Express User Manual Using a random rate An effect with a random rate runs at varying speeds, changing at random, within a range that you select. The console applies a random rate to the assigned step time and to the step fade times. To assign random rate and to select your maximum and minimum rates (from 0 percent to 2,000 percent), follow the steps below: Keystroke: Action: 1. Press [Blind] [Cue] [2]. Selects cue 2 in the Blind display 2. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S8], Attribute.
chapter 12 effects 143 Modifying effects Express allows you to modify recorded effects by adding or deleting effect steps, changing step attributes, and adding or deleting step elements. Inserting steps You can insert a new step at any point in an effect. For example, to insert a step between steps 4 and 5, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action 1. Press [Blind] [Cue] [2]. Selects cue 2 in the Blind display 2. Press [S7], More Softkeys. 3. Press [S5], Insert Step.
144 Express User Manual Deleting steps You may also delete steps from an effect. For example, to delete step 5, follow these instructions: Keystrokes: Action 1. Press [Blind] [Cue] [2]. Selects cue 2 in the Blind display 2. Press [S7], More Softkeys. 3. Press [S6], Delete Step. Prompt reads: Select step number to delete, then press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4. Use the [↑] and [↓] keys to highlight step 5 or… Press [5].
chapter 12 effects 145 Adding elements To add a channel or group to a step, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Blind] [Cue] [2]. Selects cue 2 in the Blind display 2. Select the step you wish to modify using [↓] and [↑], or press [S1], Step, and enter the step number. Prompt reads: Select step numbers 3. Press [Enter] [And]. Prompt reads: Select channel numbers (Precede with AND to add to existing step, or EXCEPT to delete from step) 4. Enter the channel or group number to add.
146 Express User Manual Running an effect cue Play back effects recorded as cues on the console’s A/B or C/D faders, just as you would any other cue. The effect will run, using the cue’s Up, Dwell and Down times to determine how long the cue lasts. To run the cue, press [Cue], enter the effect cue number, and press [Go]. An effect cue with a Hold dwell time runs on the fader until you press that fader’s [Clear] key to begin the downfade.
chapter 13 subroutines A subroutine is a cue that controls the playback of a series of recorded cues. Subroutines are similar to linked cues, except that they have more playback options. You can use subroutines and effects to create similar looks. However, subroutines have some advantages over effects. Since each step of a subroutine is a cue with channels set at proportional levels, you can create loops or chases with proportional looks.
148 Express User Manual Steps All subroutine steps are either cue steps or style steps. A cue step contains an existing recorded cue. The subroutine lets you change levels and fade rates for the cue step without changing the original cues. A cue step may contain an effect cue A style step contains an instruction that controls the subroutine’s playback pattern. This allows you to run loops, run bounces, pause the subroutine until you press go, or end the subroutine and jump to any other cue.
chapter 13 subroutines 149 Style steps The following playback styles are available for subroutines. A style is assigned to a step. When the subroutine runs, the steps play back in numeric order, until the subroutine reaches a style step. The style step then determines whether the subroutine will loop, bounce, hold, or end and run a different cue. Loop The subroutine runs through steps until it reaches a Loop step.
150 Express User Manual Subroutine attributes The following attributes may be applied to each cue step. Level Sets an intensity level for the cue within the subroutine. The level proportionally affects the channel levels assigned to the original cue. Levels must be entered as two-digit numbers (e.g., 20 for 20 percent, 05 for five percent). Use [Full] for 100 percent. Fade times Upfade times may range from .1 seconds to 99:59 minutes. If you do not enter a time, the downfade will match the upfade.
chapter 13 subroutines 151 Creating subroutines Each subroutine can hold up to 100 steps. Each step lists a cue or a style. To create a subroutine, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Create the cues you want to use in your subroutine. 2. Press [Blind]. Displays Blind mode screen (You must be in Blind mode to create subroutines.) 3. Press [Cue] [7]. Selects cue 7 to be your subroutine cue 4. Press [Type].
152 Express User Manual 10. Press [8] [→]. Sets an upfade time of eight seconds Prompt reads: Enter downfade time 11. Press [→]. Sets a downfade time of eight seconds Prompt reads: Enter follow time 12. Press [2][0]. Sets a follow time of 20 seconds. Step 1 is now complete 13. Press [S1], Step, [2] [Enter]. Selects step 2 to edit 14. Repeat steps 7 through 13, altering attributes as desired, to add additional cues as subroutine steps. 15. Press [S1], Step, [6] [Enter]. Selects step 6 to edit 16.
chapter 13 subroutines 153 Editing a subroutine To edit a subroutine, select the step you wish to change by pressing [S1], Step, and entering the step number. Use [And] and [Thru] to select multiple steps. Selected steps are displayed in white on the monitor. Note: If you select a range of steps, only cue steps will be selected. Style steps may only be edited individually and will be left out of selected ranges.
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chapter 14 macros A macro allows you to record a series of keystrokes and later replay it with one or two keystrokes. This can simplify complex tasks that you perform often. You can program up to 2,000 macros in Express, depending on how large they are.
156 Express User Manual Creating macros There are two ways to create a macro. You can create it in Macro display mode, entering and editing keystrokes without actually executing the instructions, or you can use Express’s Learn mode to record a sequence of keystrokes as you perform the operation. You can include any key or button on the console except [Enter Macro] in a macro. You cannot enter slider settings or wheel movements. Each macro can contain up to 50 keystrokes. In addition, you can link macros.
chapter 14 macros 157 Using Macro display mode Macro display mode allows you to create or edit macros without affecting channel levels. Softkeys, [Enter Macro], [←], and [→] may not be entered in a macro in Macro display mode. Caution: Express does not check the sequence of keystrokes to confirm that it will work. It is possible to create macros that don’t work. When you run the macro, you will receive whatever error messages are appropriate.
158 Express User Manual Linking macros Any macro may end with a link to another macro. When macros are linked, the first macro runs, then the second macro follows automatically. Press the appropriate macro key at the end of your sequence to create the link. Pressing the macro key automatically ends and stores the macro. For example, to create a macro that sets all active channels to 50 percent, fades them out, then runs another macro, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [8] [Enter].
chapter 14 macros 159 Using submasters in macros Submaster bump buttons can function in macros in three different ways: as a normal bump button; to always fade a submaster to full (regardless of its current condition); or to always fade a submaster out (regardless of its current condition). To include a bump button that starts a timed submaster or changes the direction of a running fade, press the submaster bump button while programming the macro.
160 Express User Manual Playing macros As a macro runs, the LED in the macro’s key flashes. Only one macro may run at a time. To run macros 1 through 5, press the appropriate macro key. For example, to run macro 1, press [M1]. To play a macro recorded in [M1] - [M5], follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Stage]. Selects Stage display mode 2. Press [M#].
chapter 14 macros 161 Modifying macros Editing mode In the Macro mode display, you can edit macros in Insert or Replace modes. In Insert mode, if you highlight a keystroke and type another keystroke, Express inserts the new keystroke before the highlighted one. In Replace mode, if you highlight a keystroke and type another keystroke, Express replaces the highlighted keystroke with the new one. To switch from Insert mode to Replace mode, press [S2], Replace.
162 Express User Manual Copying macros You may want to copy a macro or use macros as building blocks for new macros. To copy contents of one macro to another, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Actions: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Press [8], Macro Editing, and press [Enter]. Selects Macro display mode Prompt reads: Select macro number, then press ENTER 3. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S5], Copy Macro.
chapter 14 macros 163 Sample macros To create these sample macros, go to Macro display mode ([Setup] [8] [Enter]), select a macro and enter the keystroke sequences as shown below. Channel check This macro brings each channel up to full for a channel check. Before you begin, you’ll probably want to bring up at least one channel for working light, then clear all other channels from stage. Press [Stage] and start macro. Press macro key again to check each subsequent channel.
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chapter 15 diskette functions This chapter includes instructions for using Express’s diskette options. Express is equipped with a 3.5-inch, high density diskette drive on the console’s right end panel. It allows you to save backup copies of shows on diskette.
166 Express User Manual Diskette management Express’s diskette drive lets you save one show per high density 3.5-inch computer diskette. This allows you to work on more than one show at a time or to use more than 600 cues for your production by loading a second show into memory. Label each diskette carefully and clearly to help you keep track of what show is on the diskette. You can also use the Read Show from Disk option to find out the name, storage date and time of the show on any diskette.
chapter 15 diskette functions 167 Formatting diskettes Warning: Formatting a diskette erases all information recorded on the diskette. Formatting does not affect show in console. Before you can use a diskette in an Express, you must format it on either an Expression 2 line console or a standard PC-compatible personal computer. To format a diskette on Express, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Press [3], Disk Functions, [Enter].
168 Express User Manual Recording a show on diskette When you record a show to diskette, all system settings, patch settings, cues, groups, submasters, effects, and any other information that you have in the console at the time you record the show, are saved. We recommend that you keep at least two backup copies of each show on diskette. When using the record option, any fades being executed are interrupted during the record operation; fades resume when record is complete.
chapter 15 diskette functions 169 Reading a show from diskette When you read a show and system settings from a diskette and load it into memory, the new show completely overwrites the current show, including channel and dimmer counts and default times and level. Therefore, if you want to keep the current show, follow the instructions on page 168 to record current show before you read a new show from diskette.
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chapter 16 printing Express supports parallel printers, including some laser printers. Printer installation is described on page 250 of Appendix A, Installation. This chapter includes instructions for using Express’s print options. Each of the following printouts is explained and illustrated on the following pages.
172 Express User Manual Printer options Before you begin printing, verify that your printer is installed correctly and that it is turned on. For instructions on installing printers, see Appendix A, Installation. All print options are located on the Print Functions menu. To display the menu press [Setup], then select [5], Print Functions, and press [Enter]. Express displays the Print Functions menu illustrated below. You may pause the current printing job or cancel it at any time while printing.
chapter 16 printing 173 Cues Print Cues prints a list of cues recorded in the currently loaded show. Cues are listed by number. Information provided includes all cue attributes and levels of all channels included in each cue. To print a full list of cues, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [2], Print Cues, [Enter].
174 Express User Manual Groups Print Groups prints a list of groups recorded in the currently loaded show. Groups are listed by number. Information provided includes the group’s label and the levels of all channels included in each group. To print a full list of groups, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [3], Print Groups, [Enter].
chapter 16 printing 175 Submasters Print Submasters prints full information about all 240 submaster memories. Submasters are listed by number. Upfade, dwell and downfade times, and rates and labels are included in the printout. Levels of all channels included in each submaster are also provided. To print a full list of submasters, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print menu [Enter]. 3.
176 Express User Manual Cue List Cue List prints a list of cues recorded in the currently loaded show as well as all cue attributes. Cues are listed by number. To print a full cue list printout, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [5], Print Cue List, [Enter]. Prompt reads: To confirm, press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4.
chapter 16 printing 177 Submaster List Print Submaster List prints full information about all 240 submaster memories. Submasters are listed by number. Upfade, dwell and downfade times, and rates and labels are included in the printout. To print a full submaster list printout, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [7], Print Submaster List, [Enter].
178 Express User Manual Macros Print Macros prints a list of macro sequences recorded in the currently loaded show. Macros are listed by number. The printout provides complete information about each macro and its keystrokes. To print a full macro list, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [8], Print Macros, [Enter].
chapter 16 printing 179 Patch Print Patch prints the current dimmer-to-channel patch. To print a full patch report, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [9], Print Patch, [Enter]. Prompt reads: To confirm, press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4. Press [Enter], or press [Clear] to cancel the print operation.
180 Express User Manual Real Time Programs Print Real Time Programs prints a list of programs recorded in the currently loaded show. The printout provides complete information about the programs. To print a full list of programs, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [5], Print Functions, Displays Print Functions menu [Enter]. 3. Press [1][2], Print Real Time Programs, [Enter].
chapter 17 clear functions This chapter includes instructions for using Express’s clear options. Each of the following clear functions is explained and illustrated on the following pages.
182 Express User Manual Clear functions Each option on the Clear Functions menu erases information regarding an Express function from the console’s memory. If that information is saved in a show on a diskette, it can be restored to the console. Otherwise, the information is lost permanently. Warning: Be certain to save your shows on disk before erasing information you may need in the future. See Chapter 16, Diskette functions, for information about saving shows.
chapter 17 clear functions 183 Show Clear Show erases all information associated with a specific show from your console’s memory. This does not include patch information or system configuration information. To erase a full show, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [4], Clear Functions, [Enter]. Displays Clear Functions menu Prompt reads: Select function number, then press ENTER 3. Press [1], Clear Show, [Enter].
184 Express User Manual Groups Clear Groups erases all recorded groups from a show. To erase all groups, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [4], Clear Functions, [Enter]. Displays Clear Functions menu Prompt reads: Select function number, then press ENTER 3. Press [3], Clear Groups, [Enter]. Prompt reads: To clear groups, press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4. Press [Enter]. Groups cleared.
chapter 17 clear functions 185 Show and Patch Clear Show and Patch erases all information associated with a specific show from your console’s memory, including patch information and system configuration information. To erase a full show and patch, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [4], Clear Functions, [Enter]. Displays Clear Functions menu Prompt reads: Select function number, then press ENTER 3.
186 Express User Manual Reset 1-to-1 Patch Reset Patch 1-to-1 resets your console’s patch to a one-to-one, patch. Thus, channel 1 is patched to dimmer 1, channel 2 is patched to dimmer 2, and so on. This function is independent of your show. It does not clear label, level or profile settings. See Chapter 5, Patch, for more information about patch.
chapter 17 clear functions 187 Real Time Programs Clear Real Time Programs erases all program information from a show. To erase all programs, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Displays Setup menu 2. Press [4], Clear Functions, [Enter]. Displays Clear Functions menu Prompt reads: Select function number, then press ENTER 3. Press [1][2], Clear Real Time Programs, [Enter]. Prompt reads: To clear all real time clock programs, press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4. Press [Enter].
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chapter 18 accessories This chapter includes instructions for working with the following Express accessories: • Remote Focus Unit (RFU) • Worklights For accessory installation instructions, see Appendix A, Installation. For purchase information, please contact your local dealer or ETC.
190 Express User Manual Remote Focus Unit (RFU) The Remote Focus Unit (RFU) is a small, portable control panel you can use from a remote location, such as in the house, on your studio set or from backstage. You can use an RFU with or without a remote monitor.
chapter 18 accessories 191 Worklights Express provides two 3-pin female XLR type connectors on top of the back panel for Littlite gooseneck worklights. Littlites come in 6 (6X-HI), 12 (12X-HI), and 18 inch (18X-HI) lengths, and are available from ETC or your dealer. The lamps require 12 volts AC or DC at 380 mA per 5 watt high intensity lamp. Lamp life is rated with 12 volt supply and will decrease with higher voltage operation.
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chapter 19 sensor dimming Express lighting control systems may be connected to ETC Sensor dimming systems via the ETCLink communication network. In this configuration, the Express can provide you with a wide range of system status information, including overall system status and specific information about individual dimmer modules and dimmer racks. You may access ETCLink through the ETCLink Functions menu.
194 Express User Manual Enabling ETCLink Before using ETCLink functions, you must connect the system to the ETCLink network. Follow these steps to activate your ETCLink connection, allowing you to monitor the dimming system: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup menu. 2. Select 6, Options Settings, and press [Enter]. Selects Options Settings menu 3. Press [8], ETCLink, [Enter]. Prompt reads: Enable/disable ETCLink (1 = Enable, 0 = Disable 4. Press [1] [Enter].
chapter 19 sensor dimming 195 Monitoring dimmers When used in conjunction with Sensor dimming equipment, the Express allows you to monitor individual dimmer loads in your system. This can greatly simplify troubleshooting by identifying such things as burned out lamps, and incorrectly lamped or unplugged fixtures. When dimmer monitoring is in use, Sensor electronics constantly monitor dimmer loads.
196 Express User Manual Recording dimmer loads When you Record Loads, the system records load information only for the dimmers set at a level above zero. Choose the dimmers you wish to record, set them to a level, then run Record Loads. Record Loads records 24 dimmers per rack at a time until all dimmers at levels above zero have been recorded. (If you have multiple racks, 24 dimmers in each rack are recorded simultaneously.) Note: On single phase racks, the system records 16 dimmers per rack at a time.
chapter 19 sensor dimming 197 Checking dimmer loads Load Check compares the current load on selected dimmers with their recorded loads. Loads that differ by more than 20 percent are shown in the Load Management display. Use [Page +] and [Page –] to page through the display. The system checks load information only for selected dimmers. To identify the dimmer(s) you wish to check, use either the Express or the CEM to set the desired dimmers at a level above zero.
198 Express User Manual 5. Press [S4], Load Check. (You may enter specific dimmers to check.) Prompt reads: To check loads, select dimmer(s) and press ENTER (Enter 0 to check loads for all dimmers) 6. Press [0] [Enter]. Advisory reads: All dimmers with levels above zero will have their loads checked. Levels on stage will change while the Load Check is in progress. The system will automatically vary the dimmer outputs during the Load Check. The process may take several minutes to complete.
chapter 19 sensor dimming 199 Clearing dimmer loads Clear Loads allows you to clear selected dimmer loads, thus disabling dimmer monitoring for those dimmers. This can be useful if you know that the load on a dimmer or group of dimmers will change over the course of a show and don’t want to receive load error messages every time it happens. To clear loads, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2. Select [9], ETCLink Functions, and press [Enter].
200 Express User Manual Load errors When a dimmer’s load isn’t within 20 percent of its recorded load, it generates a load error that appears on the Load Management display. The information shown on the Load Management display includes the dimmer number, the recorded load of the dimmer, and the actual load the system has detected for that dimmer. Follow these steps to list all dimmers that have load errors: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2.
chapter 19 sensor dimming 201 Sensor dimming system status The System Status display provides information about your Sensor dimming system. Press [Setup] [9] [Enter] [1] [Enter] to access the System Status display. • Multiplex firing mode shows whether Multiplex mode is enabled or disabled for your system. If Multiplex mode is disabled, dimmers in multiplex mode function as normal dimmers. • Backup looks indicates whether a backup look is active, and, if so, which one.
202 Express User Manual Dimmer rack status The Rack Status display provides information about specified dimmer racks, including rack type, starting address, port information, voltage, frequency, and ambient temperature. Press [Setup] [9] [Enter] [2] [Enter] to access the Rack Status display. Press [S6], Select Rack, [#] [Enter] to select a specific rack, [+] to select the next rack, or [–] to view the previous rack. • Rack type displays the type of Sensor rack this rack is.
chapter 19 sensor dimming 203 Dimmer status The Dimmer Status display provides information about dimmers, including size and type, recorded load, firing mode, output curve, rack, slot, panic mode, and boost. Press [Setup] [9] [Enter] [3] [Enter] to access the Dimmer Status display. • Type shows the dimmer’s amperage, and whether the dimmer is high-rise or standard. (Feedback indicates that the dimmers are Advanced Features modules.
204 Express User Manual Setting and unsetting dimmers If your console is connected to an ETC Sensor dimming system by an ETCLink network, you may use your console to set and unset dimmers at the dimmer rack. Note: For more information on setting dimmers, see the Sensor CEM User Manual. Setting a dimmer To set a dimmer or group of dimmers to a level at the dimmer rack, ignoring any DMX512 outputs, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display 2.
chapter 19 sensor dimming 205 Working with Sensor backup looks A backup look is a recording of a selected look on stage stored in the Sensor CEM. The Sensor system allows you to use either your Express console or any CEM to bring that look up on stage. You may save and use up to 32 backup looks. Recording a backup look To record a backup look, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Use your console to create Creates look on stage the desired look on stage. 2. Press [Setup].
206 Express User Manual Error messages ETCLink provides advisory messages for a wide variety of conditions, including information regarding your dimmers, racks, system, data, ports, and loads. These messages fall into two categories, fatal messages and secondary messages. Fatal messages deal with anything that could potentially terminate or drastically change the look of your show. You may set fatal messages to be displayed even when secondary messages have been disabled.
chapter 19 sensor dimming 207 Disabling secondary messages You may prevent secondary ETCLink advisory messages from being displayed while you are operating the console. This is done from the ETCLink Functions menu. For example, if you are rehanging a show, a large number of load errors will be generated despite the fact that nothing is actually wrong. Under these circumstances, you might want to turn off the secondary messages until the show is completely rehung and the new loads have been recorded.
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chapter 20 control interfaces Express allows you to control your console and/or remote devices using a variety of external and timed interfaces.
210 Express User Manual MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a digital communication protocol that allows you to interconnect musical instruments and digital electronic equipment, such as lighting control consoles. If you are not familiar with MIDI and would like more information on how it works, Control Systems for Live Entertainment, by John Huntington, includes several sections that deal with the subject. Express supports two versions of MIDI.
chapter 20 control interfaces 211 Configuring ETC MIDI The console must be configured to operate in MIDI mode. If you have any questions about this, please contact your dealer or ETC. Once the console is on, the MIDI Channel must be set. Select 1, ETC MIDI Channel in the Options Settings menu. The console operates at all times in MIDI Mode 3 or Omni = off/Poly. This means it only receives or transmits MIDI commands on the user-selected channel.
212 Express User Manual ETC MIDI message formats The following table lists MIDI message formats used to control Express. All numbers are in Hex format.
chapter 20 control interfaces 213 MIDI Message definitions Submaster bump switch execution Submasters 1 - 12 Submasters 13 - 24 C5 - B5 C6 - B6 #60 - #71 #72 - #83 Note: C5 = MIDI note #60 or middle C.
214 Express User Manual MIDI Show Control (MSC) The consoles recognize the following MSC commands: • Go • Stop • Resume • Fire The consoles ignore all other commands. The commands can be received and/or transmitted.
chapter 20 control interfaces 215 Configuring MIDI Show Control Each device receiving MIDI Show Control information must be assigned a device ID. Express can receive MSC information, transmit MSC information, or both. To enable input and/or output of MSC and to assign MSC device IDs for incoming and outgoing data, do the following: 1. Press [Setup] to go to the Setup menu. 2. Press [6] [Enter] to select the Options Settings menu. The following display appears: 3. Press [2] [Enter].
216 Express User Manual MSC commands received by Express Express consoles enabled for MSC accept the following MSC commands. When the console receives one of these commands, it executes the command immediately. In order to accept MSC commands, the console’s receiver Device ID must match the target device ID for the MIDI device sending the signals. Go If no cue number is sent, Go presses [A/B Go] on Express. The next cue on the cue list runs in the A/B fader.
chapter 20 control interfaces 217 MSC commands transmitted by Express MIDI Show Control (MSC) allows the console to send the following commands to MIDI devices. If MSC output is enabled on the console, the console automatically sends the MSC commands. The console’s transmitter Device ID must match the device ID for the MIDI device receiving the signals. [A/B Go] If a cue is pending, the console transmits [A/B Go] with cue number and a list entry of 1.
218 Express User Manual Real time clock The Real Time Clock allows you to program macros to run in real time, that is to run automatically at any time of day, on any day of the week. For example, you might program the work lights to come on for a choir rehearsal between 7 PM and 9 PM on Monday and Wednesday. Or, you might want to warm the filaments of your studio instruments 15 minutes prior to your news program. You can record up to 500 real time programs.
chapter 20 control interfaces 219 Creating real time programs Follow these steps to create a real time program. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display mode 2. Press [1][2] [Enter]. Selects Real Time Programs display 3. Press [S1], Select Program, [1] [Enter]. Prompt reads: Enter time (12 hour clock) Press [+] to enter AM or PM 4. Press [8][0][0] [Enter]. Enters time to run macro Prompt reads: Enter days of week (1=Mon, 2=Tue, 3=Wed, 4=Thu, 5=Fri, 6=Sat, 7=Sun) 5.
220 Express User Manual Editing real time programs Once you have created a real time program, you can easily make changes in the Real Time Programs display. Press [←], [→], [↑] or [↓] to move the highlight. When you reach the right end of a line, press [→] to move to the next line. When you reach the last line, press [↓] and enter a time to add a new program. Deleting real time programs To delete real time programs, follow these steps.
chapter 20 control interfaces 221 Copying real time programs Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display mode 2. Press [1][2] [Enter]. Selects Real Time Programs display 3. Press [S7], More Softkeys, [S2], Copy Program. Prompt reads: Select program number(s) to copy, then press ENTER To cancel, press CLEAR 4. Press [1] [Thru] [5] [Enter]. Selects programs 1 through 5 to copy Prompt reads: To copy selected programs(s), select time and press ENTER Press [+] to enter AM or PM 5.
222 Express User Manual Remote macros The Remote macro feature provides the ability to access up to 4 macros from locations up to 1000 feet from the main console. Typically the Remote Macro control device is a four button control station. The remote macro outputs control macros 1,901 through 1,904. To run one of these macros from a remote location, press the appropriate control. ETC does not provide remote macro units.
chapter 20 control interfaces 223 Remote trigger The remote trigger function allows you to program a macro to send an On or Off signal to any external device that responds to a remote contact closure. This signal can control any external event (for example, a sound machine or a bubble machine). To create a simple remote trigger macro, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display screen 2. Select 8, Macro Editing, and press [Enter].
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chapter 21 moving lights Express channels can control intensity, color, pan, or tilt for an automated lighting device such as a moving light or color scroller. By linking channels, using Express’s Link List, you can use multiple channels to control combinations of these attributes for one or more instruments. Link List allows you to link channels together for simultaneous control on the two wheels. The Flip attribute can create parallel or mirrored linked channel actions.
226 Express User Manual Link List overview Press [Setup] [1][1], Channel Attributes, [Enter] [S7], Link List, to reach the Link List display. When two or more channels are used together, such as the pan and tilt channels for a moving light, the Link List allows you to determine which of the wheels will control each channel. Other channels that might commonly be linked include color and intensity channels for a color scroller or gobo and rotation rates.
chapter 21 moving lights 227 Trackpad modes The trackpad operates in three modes, single mode, double mode, and XY mode, described below. Single mode Most of the time the trackpad is in single mode. If the console prompts you for a rate or a level, moving your finger up on the trackpad increases the rate or level. Moving it down decreases the rate or level.
228 Express User Manual Setting up a link To set up a link, you must assign at least one channel to the X channel list and one channel to the Y channel list. In the following example, two color scrollers are linked so that their color settings are controlled by the trackpad. For the two scrollers, color is controlled by channels 1 and 11, respectively. To link two channels, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter]. Selects Channel Attributes display 2.
chapter 21 moving lights 229 Linking two moving lights Use Link List to link the pan and tilt channels on two moving lights. This link will control the pan for both lights on the X list and the tilt for both lights on the Y list. As you move your finger on the trackpad, both lights’ movement will be synchronized. Channels 2 and 3 control pan and tilt for the first light and channels 12 and 13 control pan and tilt for the second light. To link the channels, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1.
230 Express User Manual Flipped channels Use Flip to control moving lights. Link the channels that control the pan attribute for moving lights on opposite sides of the stage and Flip one of the two channels. When you control the two lights using the two wheels, their movements are mirrored, rather than parallel. The Flip command inverts the output of the channel to which it is applied. A flipped channel outputs at full when set to zero and at zero when set to full.
chapter 21 moving lights 231 7. Press [S7], Link List. Selects Link List display Prompt reads: Select link number 8. Press [3] [Enter]. Selects link 3. Prompt reads: Select X channel number (Precede with AND to add to existing link, or EXCEPT to delete from link 9. Press [4] [And] [1][4] [→]. The pan control channels are assigned to the link’s X list Prompt reads: Select Y channel number (Precede with AND to add to existing link, or EXCEPT to delete from link 10. Press [5] [And] [1][5] [Enter].
232 Express User Manual Using groups and Only with Link List Only allows you to select several groups and then adjust only the channels the groups have in common. Used in conjunction with Link List, this becomes a particularly powerful feature. For example, say you are working with the moving lights groups described in Only on page 108. In that example, each of the first four groups contains six channels, corresponding to pan, tilt, intensity, cyan, magenta, and yellow for a specific fixture.
chapter 21 moving lights 233 Inserting a link Use the edit features softkey [S5], Insert Link, to insert an empty link number ahead of the selected or specified link. All subsequent links will be renumbered. Note: The order in which links are recorded does not affect their operation. However, your numbering may be useful to you in terms of logical organization. To insert a link, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter]. Selects Channel Attributes display 2.
234 Express User Manual Moving a link Use [S7], Move Link, to renumber a link or a group of links. All links in a group will be renumbered sequentially. To move a link to an empty space on the Link List, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter]. Selects Channel Attributes display 2. Press [S7], Link List. Selects Link List display Prompt reads: Select link number 3. Press [S7], Move Link.
chapter 21 moving lights 235 Merging two links If you move a link to a space on the Link List which already contains a link, the channels in the moved link are added to the existing link. To move a link to an occupied space on the Link List, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter]. Selects Channel Attributes display 2. Press [S7], Link List. Selects Link List display Prompt reads: Select link number 3. Press [S7], Move Link.
236 Express User Manual Deleting a link Use [S6], Delete Link, to remove a link from the Link List. All subsequent links will be renumbered. To delete a link, follow these steps: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter]. Selects Channel Attributes display 2. Press [S7], Link List. Selects Link List display Prompt reads: Select link number 3. Press [S6], Delete Link. Prompt reads: Select link number(s) to delete, then press ENTER (Enter 0 to delete all links) 4. Press [5] [Enter].
chapter 22 two scene preset Express provides a two scene preset function. Two scene preset allows you to change the look on stage by using the two banks of channel sliders and the A/B faders to simultaneously fade one look out and bring a new one up. The A fader controls the output of the top row of channel sliders (scene A). The B fader controls the output of the bottom row of channel sliders (scene B).
238 Express User Manual Enabling two scene mode Follow these steps to put the console in two scene preset mode. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Press [Setup] [1] [Enter]. Selects System Settings menu 2. Press [15] [Enter]. Prompt reads:* Select scene mode, then press ENTER (0 = One scene, 1 = Two scene) 3. Press [1] [Enter].
chapter 22 two scene preset 239 The two scene faders A B Clear 10 9 8 Rate 7 6 5 Back 4 3 2 1 0 Go Hold When two scene mode is enabled, the A/B faders control the scenes. When the A and B faders are up, as shown above, the A scene (the top row of channel sliders) is up on stage. When the faders are both down, the B scene (the bottom row of channel sliders) is up on stage. The [Rate], [Go] and [Hold] keys allow you to run timed crossfades between the scenes.
240 Express User Manual Two scene status display When two scene mode is enabled, the A/B fader status display becomes the two scene status display. This display shows the current level of each scene on stage. If you use a timed crossfade, the display also shows you the current time settings and counts down the fades, as well as providing scene levels.
chapter 22 two scene preset 241 Manual crossfades In a crossfade, you normally set the channel settings for one scene blind (without affecting live settings) while the other is live. When you want to change from one scene to another, you use the crossfaders to simultaneously fade the live scene out and bring the next one up. Follow these steps to create scenes and run a show using manual crossfades: Keystrokes: Action: 1. Pull the A fader all the way toward you. Push the B fader fully away from you.
242 Express User Manual Timed crossfades Use the AB fader controls to run a timed crossfade from one scene to the other. Keystrokes: Action: 1. Set up the new scene on the channel sliders. Selects Channel Attributes display 2. Press [A/B Rate]. Prompt reads: Select scene upfade time, then press ENTER 3. Press [2][0] [Enter]. Prompt reads: Select scene downfade time, then press ENTER 4. Press [3][0] [Enter]. The Scene fade status display indicates time settings on the bottom line 5.
appendix a installation This appendix includes instructions for installing your console and optional accessories. Chapter 3, Entering system settings, and Chapter 4, Creating patch, include instructions for entering the software settings you will probably update before you begin a new show.
244 Express User Manual Express back panel Ext. 12V Lamps 12V Power Input 5V CRT Display @1A Parallel Printer Parallel Printer DMX512 ETCLink 1 - 512 PUSH Remote Macro 513 - 1024 PUSH PUSH PUSH MIDI @1A F 1.6A 5 x 20mm Power Input @2.5A / 12V CRT Display Ext. 12V Lamps 12V 5V @2.5A / 12V RFU F 1.
appendix a installation 245 Installing console and monitor Follow these steps to install Express and its monitor: 1. Place console on a hard, stable, flat surface. Leave at least six inches of space behind console for ventilation and cable clearance. Console should be at least six feet from dimmers and high-current AC lines. Caution: Do not leave the console in a road case tray or on a soft surface. This will inhibit proper ventilation. 2.
246 Express User Manual Connecting dimmers These instructions explain how to connect DMX512 outputs and provide DMX512 connector pinout specifications. The Express console provides two DMX512 output ports, for a total capacity of 1,024 outputs. Follow these steps to connect dimmers to your console: 1. Verify that your dimmer connector pinout matches the pinout listed below. If your pinout does not match, contact your dealer or ETC.
appendix a installation 247 System configuration Once your console is installed, you may need to reset some hardware configuration settings. The Input/Output Configuration screen allows you to reset the DMX512 starting numbers for your DMX512 ports, set your ports for ETC Multiplex dimming, and adjust the DMX512 signal speed if your dimming system requires a slower signal.
248 Express User Manual Setting Multiplex mode If your console is controlling an ETC Sensor dimming system that utilizes ETC’s Multiplex dimming, specify this in the I/O Configuration screen. Warning: Changing a port to or from Multiplex mode resets your patch. To configure your system for the type of fixtures you have, follow these steps: 1. Press [Setup] to display the Setup Menu. 2. Press [2], Input/Output Configuration, and press [Enter]. 3.
appendix a installation 249 Updating Express software Update procedure Express software updates are distributed on diskette. Follow these steps to update the software in your Express console. Make sure the diskette is the correct one for your console. 1. Installing new console software clears all system memory. Please save your current show! 2. Turn the console off. 3. Insert the console software diskette into your console’s diskette drive. 4. Turn the console back on.
250 Express User Manual Installing a printer Express supports parallel printers, including most laser printers. Printer functions are described in Chapter 17, Printing. Follow these steps to install printer: 1. Insert parallel printer cable into connector labeled Parallel Printer on the back panel of the console. 2. Insert opposite end of printer cable into printer. 3. Turn printer power switch on, and verify that printer is on line.
appendix a installation 251 Installing Remote Focus Unit The Remote Focus Unit (RFU) allows you to set channel levels, check dimmers or run cues from remote locations. To install the RFU, follow these steps: 1. Verify that RFU power switch is turned Off. (Unit is off when switch is in the position toward the bottom edge of the RFU.) 2. Insert the RFU cable into the connector on the back of the console or Remote Interface labeled, RFU. 3. Turn RFU power switch to On.
252 Express User Manual Installing MIDI Connect Express to any MIDI equipment using a standard MIDI cable. There are three round, 5-pin, DIN-type connectors labeled MIDI In, MIDI Out, and MIDI Thru on the back of the console. Turn console power off, then connect the cable from the MIDI Out of the electronic instrument or sequencer to the MIDI In on the console. Connect the cable from the MIDI In on the instrument or sequencer to the connector labeled MIDI Out.
appendix a installation 253 ETCNet Express supports ETCNet, a specially designed network that allows you to connect a wide variety of ETC interface devices to the console at remote locations. Through these devices, you can attach monitors, DMX512 devices, RFUs, and alphanumeric keyboards to the network. Interface devices include the Remote Interface and the Remote Video interface ETCNet connectors for wiring are located on the back panel of the console and all ETCNet interface devices.
254 Express User Manual Installing Remote Interfaces Remote Interfaces allow you to attach Express peripherals to your network. Each Remote Interface contains connectors for three types of network cable (ThinNet, ThickNet and Twisted Pair). Choose the connector that matches your cable type. To install the Remote Interface, follow these steps: 1. Plug the network connector into the appropriate back panel connector. 2. Plug the power cable into a grounded 120 VAC outlet.
appendix a installation 255 DIP switch and jumper settings The Remote Interface’s main circuit board contains one 8-switch DIP switch unit at location S1 and a set of 14 jumpers at location J22. In order to activate the Remote Interface, you must first adjust the settings on these jumpers and switches. 1. Remove the screws that secure the top panel. 2. Raise the top panel to expose the internal circuitry. 3. Locate jumpers 1 through 14. (location J22) 4.
256 Express User Manual Installing Remote Video Interface The Remote Video Interface allows you to attach Express peripherals to your network. Each Remote Video Interface contains connectors for three types of network cable. Choose the connector that matches your network cable type. To install the Remote Video Interface, follow these steps: 1. Plug the network cable into the appropriate connector. 2. Plug the power cable into a grounded 120 VAC outlet. 3. If necessary, set DIP switches as described below.
appendix a installation 257 Remote Video Interface settings The RVI Processor Board is the lower circuit board in the Remote Video Interface (RVI). It contains one 8-switch DIP switch unit. Under normal conditions, these switches will never need to be changed. RVI Video Board 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 OPEN DIP switches RVI Processor Board intel i960 If the settings get changed and you need to restore them, find the switches at location S4 and adjust the settings as listed below.
258 Express User Manual RVI ETCNet DIP switch settings In order to enable the Remote Video Interface (RVI) for use on the ETCNet network, you must first adjust the settings of the two sets of ETCNet DIP switches. You will need to use a pin, or a similar fine-pointed object, to set the switches. To set the switches, follow these steps. 1. Locate the two sets of DIP switches, visible through the right side panel of the RVI. 2.
appendix a installation 259 Installing remote unit software Follow these steps to upgrade software for any Remote Interfaces or Remote Video Interfaces connected to your Express control console via the ETCNet network. This will not upgrade software for a Remote Focus Unit (RFU). 1. Installing a new version of Remote Unit software will not clear system memory, but it is always best to be prepared. Save your current show! 2. Turn the console off. 3.
260 Express User Manual Installing remote video monitors You may want to install additional monitors at remote locations. Install monitors by connecting them to any interface devices on ETCNet. Additional monitors duplicate the master console’s displays in remote locations. Connect monitors to interface devices by following these steps. 1.
appendix a installation 261 Installing remote macros The console provides four remote macro inputs through the 15-pin connector on the back panel labeled Remote Macro. A user-supplied remote device connects to the console via a 24 AWG, aluminum-shielded, multiconductor cable with one twisted pair designated for each switch (Belden 9507 S-R PCV Insulated or Alpha 5477 80 Deg. C 300 V PVC). The cable connector at the remote device will vary depending on the device itself.
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appendix b error messages Diskette error messages Bad Disk Disk is unformatted or defective. Try formatting it. If that doesn’t work, try a different disk. Write-protected disk The write-protect tab on this diskette is open. Close the tab to unprotect the diskette. No disk in drive Show diskette must be inserted in the diskette drive before you can save or read a show. Disk controller failure Call ETC Technical Service at 800/775-4382. Unknown disk error - try again Try the diskette again.
264 Express User Manual ETCLink errors ETCLink provides advisory messages for a wide variety of conditions, including information regarding your dimmers, racks, system, data, ports, and loads. These messages fall into two categories, fatal messages and secondary messages. Fatal messages deal with anything that could potentially terminate or drastically change the look of your show. You may set fatal messages to be displayed even when secondary messages have been disabled.
appendix b error messages 265 Secondary Messages Dimmer # has a load, but the recorded load is zero. Because the recorded load is zero, the Dimmer Monitoring system is unable to determine whether the dimmer has a load error. The load on dimmer # has changed. Because the dimmer output is not at a high enough level, the Dimmer Monitoring system is unable to determine the size of the load. To correct the problem use [Check Loads] to determine the size of the load change.
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appendix c specifications Electrical • • Voltage input 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz Maximum current 0.
268 Express User Manual Display functions • • • • • • • VGA video output Extensive online Help displays available for all functions Stage Blind Patch Setup Flexichannel (displays only recorded channels) Submaster functions • • • • • • • • • • • Ten pages of 24 recorded submasters Fully overlapping channel assignments Proportional channel levels Bump buttons on all 24 submasters may be placed in enabled, disabled or solo mode as a group or individually Integral LEDs on all 24 submasters Programmable fad
appendix c specifications 269 Diskette drive • • • 3.
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appendix d reference This appendix lists most Express functions, keys and softkeys in alphabetical order. Listings include a description and instructions or examples, as appropriate, for using it.
272 Express User Manual A A is softkey [S2] in the Patch and ETCLink Functions displays [S2], A, allows selection of the A output of a multiplex dimmer. Example: [Patch] [Dimmer] [1] [S2], A, [Channel] [6] [Enter] patches the A half of multiplex dimmer 1’s output to channel 6. Allfade An allfade cue forces all unused channels to zero intensity when you press [Go] and clears the other fader. Allfade is useful for forcing an end cue when tracking channels.
appendix d reference 273 Back Use [Back] to replace the cue in the fader with the previous cue. Use [A/ B Back] to flash scene B in two scene mode. Blackout Press [Blackout] to reduce all channel outputs on stage to zero. Press [Blackout] again to restore lights. Independent channels are not affected by [Blackout] Blind The Blind display allows you to create and modify cues, groups and submasters without affecting current live levels. Blind also allows you to create effects and subroutines.
274 Express User Manual Cancel Cancel is softkey [S7] in the Load Management display Use [S7], Cancel, to interrupt a Record Loads operation that has already started. Captured channels Captured channels are channels that you have selected and are live on stage. They remain live until you press [Rel] to release them. Captured channels override all other channel settings.
appendix d reference 275 Crossfade In a crossfade cue, channel levels that increase fade to their new level in the assigned upfade time. Channel levels that decrease fade to their new level in the assigned downfade time. The cue starts when you press [Go]. You may use a wait time to delay the start of the upfade or downfade. Cue Use [Cue] to select a cue number. Example: [Cue] [156.1] selects cue 156.1. Cue List The Cue List appears on the display.
276 Express User Manual Delete Cue Delete Cue is softkey [S6] in the Blind Cue and Blind Subroutine displays Press [S6], Delete Cue, to delete the contents of a selected or specified cue. Example: [S6], Delete Cue, [6] [Enter] [Enter] deletes cue 6. Example: [S6], Delete Cue, [Enter] [Enter] deletes the selected cue. Delete Entry Delete Entry is softkey [S3] in the Macro Editing display Use [S3], Delete Entry, to clear a button entry from a macro.
appendix d reference 277 Delete Step Delete Step is softkey [S6] after [S7], More Softkeys, in the Blind Effect and Blind Subroutine displays Press [S6], Delete Step, to delete the selected step or a specified step. Example: [S6], Delete Step, [4] [Enter] [Enter] deletes step 4. Example: [S6], Delete Step, [Enter] [Enter] deletes the selected step.
278 Express User Manual DMX512 Mode DMX512 Mode is softkey [S2] in the Input/Output Configuration display Use [S2], DMX512 Mode, to set a DMX512 port to multiplex mode or normal mode. Multiplex mode allows dimmers to be used with ETC Source 4 multiplexers. Switching from multiplex to normal mode will cause dimmers on that port to be taken out of the patch.
appendix d reference 279 Effect Express allows you to create up to 600 effects, each with up to 100 steps. Effects allow you to assign channels to a series of steps. When you play back the effect, the steps run in assigned chase patterns, or in random order. You may record them as cues or submasters. Each effect includes level and timing controls for the steps in the effect, and overall timing controls for the effect itself. Each effect can run for up to 99:59 minutes.
280 Express User Manual Except Use [Except] to exclude channels, dimmers or groups from selection or record operations. Example: [Record] [Cue] [5] [Except] [Sub] [3] [Enter] records the current look in cue 5, except for the channels included in submaster 3. Example: [Channel] [1] [Thru] [9] [Except] [5] [At] [5] sets channels 1 through 4 and 6 through 9 at 50 percent. Fader status display The fader status display consists of two windows at the bottom of the playback monitor.
appendix d reference 281 Flip Flip is softkey [S2] in the Channel Attributes display Use [S2], Flip, to mark a channel 'flipped'. The flipped channels will have their outputs inverted. The levels will not appear inverted on the Stage display. See Flipped channels for more information. Flipped channels The Flip command in the Channel Attributes display inverts the output of the channel to which it is applied. A flipped channel outputs at full when set to zero and at zero when set to full.
282 Express User Manual Groups Express allows you to record frequently used combinations of channels into units called groups. You may record up to 500 groups. Once you record a group, it can be combined with other channels to create cues, submasters, effects, or other groups. The principal difference between a group and a cue is that a group cannot be played back through a fader or slider. Consequently, it has no fade times, wait times or other playback attributes.
appendix d reference 283 Hold (fader) Use the fader [Hold] to interrupt a fade. Press [Go] to resume, or [Hold] to cancel the fade execution. Example: [Cue] [5] [Go] [Hold] [Go] starts cue 5, pauses it, then resumes its fade. Hold-for-Go (subroutine) A subroutine runs through steps until it reaches a Hold-for-go step. It then pauses until you press [Go].
284 Express User Manual Insert Link Insert Link is softkey [S5] in the Link List display Press [S5], Insert Link, to insert an empty link number ahead of the selected or specified link. All subsequent links will be renumbered. Insert/Replace Insert/Replace is softkey [S2] in the Macro Editing displays Press [S2], Insert/Replace, to change the editing mode of the macro display.
appendix d reference 285 Left Arrow Use [←] to move through various displays, including Stage, Blind, effects, subroutines and macros. Level Use [Level] to immediately set channels and groups to the default level assignment determined in the Setup menu. Example: [Channel] [6] [Level] sets channel 6 to the default level. Link Use [Link] to cause the linked cue to be loaded as the next available cue, to link a macro execution to a cue or to select a link in the Link List.
286 Express User Manual Loop (subroutine) A subroutine runs through steps until it reaches a Loop step. It then returns to first step, and repeats the sequence for the number of times you specify. When you create the Loop step, enter the number of times you want the loop to return to the top of the step list. If you enter 5, the sequence will play six times. Enter 0 to create a continuous loop. M1-M3 Use macro keys [M1]-[M3] to immediately execute the associated macro instructions.
appendix d reference 287 More Softkeys More Softkeys is softkey [S7] in many displays When a display has more than eight softkeys, the console displays a softkey labeled [S7], More Softkeys. Press [S7] to display additional softkeys. Move Link Move Link is softkey [S7] in the Link List display Use [S7], Move Link, to renumber a link or group of links. All links in a group will be renumbered sequentially. Moving channels Moving channels are channel levels that change from one cue to the next.
288 Express User Manual Off Sub-Bump Off Sub-Bump is softkey [S2] after [S7], More Soitkeys, in the Macro Editing displays Use [S5], Off Sub-Bump, in a macro instruction to force the submaster off via the submaster bump button. The downfade will occur in the downfade time for that bump button. Use the actual submaster bump button or the keypad when recording the macro.
appendix d reference 289 Pause Printer Pause Printer is softkey [S2] in the Print Functions display Press [S2], Pause Printer, to interrupt a print function. Press [S2] again to resume printing. Pile-on submaster A pile-on submaster contains a specified set of channels, recorded at proportional levels. Pile-on submasters interact with established channel levels on a highest level basis.
290 Express User Manual Purge Flexi Purge Flexi is softkey [S1] in the System Settings display Press [S1], Purge Flexi, to recalculate the list of channels used in Flexichannel mode. This also happens automatically when you load a show from disk or when you turn Flexichannel on. Quickstep Enable/Disable Quickstep is softkey [S1] after [S7], More Softkeys, in the Stage displays [S1], Quickstep, allows you to run through a show, checking all cues, without having to wait for fades.
appendix d reference 291 Rate Rate is softkey [S3] in the Stage, Blind and List displays Use [S3], Rate to edit the rate for a cue, submaster, multipart cue, effect, or subroutine. Also use [S3], Rate, to place the timing for a submaster under trackpad control. Example: [S3], Rate, [Sub Bump 3] followed by adjustment of the trackpad modifies submaster 3’s fade times.
292 Express User Manual Release Use [Rel] to release selected, captured, and independent channels from the control of the keypad in Stage, Blind or Tracksheet modes. First press releases any selected channels, second releases captured channels, and third releases independent channels. Example: [Channel] [5] [At] [7][5] [Rel] sets channel 5 at 75 percent, then releases it.
appendix d reference 293 Select Group Select Group is softkey [S1] in the Blind Group display Use [S1], Select Group, to specify which group to edit or view. Example: [Blind] [Group] [S1], Select Group, [6] [Enter] brings up group 6 for editing. Select Macro Select Macro is softkey [S1] in the Macro Editing display Use [S1], Select Macro, to access a macro for recording or editing. Example: [S1], Select Macro, [6] [Enter] selects macro 6.
294 Express User Manual Setup The Setup display allows you to access system setting information, print and disk functions, and macro editing, as well as optional control information. Show/Hide Labels Show/Hide Labels is softkey [S8] in the Patch display Press [S8], Show Labels, in Patch mode to display or hide the alphanumeric dimmer labels. Sneak Sneak is softkey [S1] in the Stage display Use Sneak to return modified channels to the level provided by the faders or submasters.
appendix d reference 295 Sort Sort is softkey [S8] after [S7], More Softkeys, in the Real Time Programs display Use [S8], Sort, to reorder Real Time Programs by time. The system will automatically conduct a sort when the mode is exited, or when moving, copying or deleting programs. Stage The Stage display represents the current live channel levels as set by the keypad, faders and submasters combined.
296 Express User Manual Stop Printer Stop Printer is softkey [S1] in the Print Functions display Press [S1], Stop Printer, to cancel a print function. It may take a few moments for the printer to halt if its buffer is full. Style Style is softkey [S2] after [S7], More Softkeys, in the Blind Subroutine display Use [S2], Style, to select or edit the sytle of a subroutine control step. Style steps (subroutine) A style is assigned to a subroutine step.
appendix d reference 297 Submaster bump buttons Use a submaster bump button to drive the assigned channels to their recorded levels in the recorded fade time. This button may also be used when recording a submaster look. Example: [Record] [Sub Bump 4] records the current look into submaster 4. Example: [Update] [Sub Bump 1] records the channels in the current look that are also in submaster 1 at their current levels.
298 Express User Manual Track Use [Track] to record channel levels that are to be tracked into subsequent cues. Example: [Cue] [5] [Track] [Enter] tracks channels from cue 5 into following cues. Tracked channels A tracked channel is a channel whose level is unchanged from the preceding cue. Tracked channels are displayed in magenta. Type Use [Type] to select the fade type for a cue, or the submaster type for a submaster. Example: [Blind] [Cue] [4] [Type] [3] [Enter] makes cue 4 an effect cue.
appendix d reference 299 Up/Down/Follow Up/Down/Follow is softkey [S8] after [S7], More Softkeys, in the Blind Subroutine display Use [S8], Up/Down/Follow, to assign upfade and downfade times and to specify amount of time to hold before beginning the next subroutine step. Example: [Step] [1] [S8], Up/Down/Follow, [2] [S8], Up/Down/Follow, [4] [S8], Up/Down/Follow, [5] [Enter] assigns an upfade time of two seconds and a downfade time of four seconds to step 1.
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appendix e softkeys The following charts show all available softkeys on Express consoles using software version 2.0.
302 Express User Manual Blind Cue Effect Effect 2 Attributes 1 - Follow 2 - Cue List →Cue List 3 - Rate 4 - Previous Page 5 - Next Page 6 - Delete Cue 7 - More Softkeys → Effect 2 8- 1 - Step 2 - Step Time 3 - In/Dwell/Out 4 - Low/High 5 - Insert Step 6 - Delete Step 7 - More Softkeys → Effect 8 - Attribute → Attributes 1 - Positive/Negative 2 - Alternate 3 - Reverse 4 - Bounce 5 - Build 6 - Random 7 - Random Rate 8 - Return → Effect Blind Sub Effect 1 - Bump Status 2 - Sub List → Sub List 3 - Rate
appendix e softkeys 303 Print Functions Options 1 - Stop Printer 2 - Pause Printer 345678 - Return →Setup 1 - Disable MIDI 2345678 - Return → Setup Macro Editing Macro Editing 2 1 - Select Macro 2 - Insert/Replace 3 - Delete Entry 456 - Delete Macro 7 - More Softkeys → Macro 2 8 - Return →Setup 1 - On Sub-Bump 2 - Off Sub-Bump 3 - On Trigger 4 - Off Trigger 5 - Copy Macro 67 - More Softkeys → Macro 8 - Macro Wait ETCLink Functions System Status Rack Status 1 - Enable/Disable ETCLink 2-A 3-B 456
304 Express User Manual
index A A 35, 272 About 33 About Dimmer w/ETCLink 34 Channel 46 Dimmer 33 Show 6 Accessories 189 ETCLink 193 Remote Focus Unit 190 Add channel 85 Allfade 48, 272, 275 Subroutine step 148 Alternate 272 And 272 Arrow keys 8 Asterisk 11, 12 At 272 Attribute 272 Attributes Channel Attributes display 39 Automated lighting devices 225 B B 35, 272 Back 92, 273 Back panel 244 Backup looks 201 Playing 205 Recording 205 Blackout 273 Blackout cue 78 Blind 53 Cue List 69 Display 10, 273 Multipart cues 84 Record cue 54
306 Loads 199 Macros 161, 185, 276 Patch 186 Real Time Programs 187 Reset system 187 Show 183 Show and Patch 185 Submasters 129, 184 Clock 20, 23 Color scrollers 228 Colors Channel 8 LEDs 115 Submasters 69, 130 Connectors Dimmer 246 Monitor 260 Printer 250 RFU 251 Copy Copy Macro 274 Cue or group to sub 128 Cues 67 Group 107 Macro 162 Submaster to other page 126 Submasters 127, 128 Creating cues 50 Crossfade 48, 275 Subroutine step 148 Cue 47, 275 Allfade 48 As groups 108 Back 92 Blackout cue 78 Blind 53 C
index Dimmer Status display 203 DMX512 speed 248 DMX512 starting number 247 Error messages 206 Installation 246 Loads 195 Monitor loads 195 Monitoring 193 Multiplex 35, 247 Patch 25, 27 Pinout 246 Ports 247 Profile 30 Rack status 202 Record loads 196 Set 204 Setting 14 Strand CD80 rack 36 System settings 14 Unset 204 Dimming, Sensor 193 DIP switch settings ETCNet 258 Remote Video Interface 257, 258 Disable Disable ETCLink 277 ETCLink messages 207 MIDI 277 MIDI Show Control 215 Record Lockout 20 Diskette 16
308 Random Rate 142 Record as cue 146 Reverse 138 Specifications 269 Step element 137 Step time 134 Steps 134, 134–136, 144, 295 Submaster 114, 146, 279 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
index Independent channels 283 Inhibitive submaster 114, 123, 283 Input/Output configuration 247 Insert Cue 68 Insert Link 233, 284 Insert Step 284 Inserting cues 76 Insert/Replace 284, 292 Installation 243 Dimmers 246 ETCNet 253 MIDI 252 Printer 250 Remote Interface 254 Remote macro 261 Remote monitors 260 Remote Video Interface 256 RFU 251 Italic 5 J Jump-to-cue 149, 284 K Keypad Numbers 284 Keys About 33, 46 Back 92 Clear 89 Except 42, 280 Follow 59 Full 43 Go 92 Group 108 Hold 92 Learn 156 Level 43 L
310 Manual 286 Override cue 93 Override submaster fade 126 Master 19 Memory 6 Menu Clear Functions 182 Diskette Functions 165 ETCLink Functions 193, 194, 207 Print Functions 172 Setup 294 System settings 13 MIDI 210 Configuring ETC MIDI 211 ETC MIDI 210 ETC MIDI message formats 211, 212 Installation 252 Message definitions 213 Pinout 252 MIDI Show Control 210, 214 Configuring 215 Disable 215 Fire 215 Go 215 Resume 215 Stop 215 Minus 286 Modify Channel 85 Cue attributes 63 Cues 63 Effect 143 Groups 103 With
index Previous 289 Previous Page 8, 289 Print 171 Cancel printer 172 Channel Attributes 179 Cue list 176 Cues 173 Group list 176 Groups 174 Load Errors 200 Macro 178 Options 172 Patch 179 Pause printer 172 Print Screen 289 Printer 250 Real Time Programs 180 Stage display 172 Submaster list 177 Submasters 175 Profile 289 Assign to dimmer 30 Dimmer 30 Specifications 269 Proportional patching 28 Purge Flexi 11, 42, 290 Q Quickstep 95, 290 R Rack Status 202, 290 Random 290 Random Rate 142, 290 Range edit Eff
312 Set Dimmer 293 System settings 13 Time 23 Time format 20 Setup 294 Show Clear 183, 185 Show Labels 294 Show/Suppress Labels 29 Single mode 3 Slider Master 19 Sneak 44, 294 Default time 17 Softkeys 301 Delete Link 236 Flash 43 Flip 230 Insert Link 233 Move Link 234 Quickstep 95 Select Group 102 Unload sub 129 Update 64, 65, 105, 125 Solo 62, 294 Solo record 99 Sort 295 Specifications 267–269 Split fade 56 Stage 51, 295 Stage display 9 Print 172 Status display, two scene 239 Step 134, 295 Creating 135 De
index Inserting step 153 Jump to cue style steps 149, 284 Level 298 Loop style steps 149, 286 Steps 148, 295 Style steps 149, 296 Type 298 Up 299 Suppress Labels 297 System configuration 247 System settings 13 Default fade time 15 Default Fader Clear Time 16 Default level 16 Default Sneak Time 17 Flexichannel 18 Number of channels 14 Number of dimmers 14 Record Lockout 20, 291 Set Channels/Subs 1-to-1 19 Set date 23 Setting Clock 23 Time format 20 System Status 201, 297 T Technical Services 4 Text convent
