JESTER OPERATING MANUAL
If a portable or temporary three phase mains supply is used to power this desk, we recommend that the desk mains plug is removed before connecting or disconnecting the supply. Serious damage will occur if the desk is connected across two phases. This equipment is designed for use as a lighting control desk only, and is unsuitable for any other purpose. It should only be used by, or under the supervision of, an appropriately qualified or trained person.
Contents Jester Operating Manual Contents List Introduction......................................... 4 Auxiliary Control .............................. 27 This Manual ...................................... 4 The Jester ......................................... 4 Master Controls and Displays ........... 5 Turning on the Desk.......................... 5 Numeric Entry ................................... 5 Super User Mode .............................. 29 Preset Mode ......................................
Jester Operating Manual Introduction Introduction This Manual This manual describes the operation and programming of the Jester lighting desk. It begins with a general description of the desk, the master controls, turning on the desk and the default state. The main sections cover the different operating modes of the desk, namely PRESET, PROGRAM and RUN.
Introduction Jester Operating Manual Master Controls and Displays These controls set the general operating conditions for the desk. MODE The MODE button is used to select the operational mode of the desk. The red lights to the left of the button show the current operating mode (SUPER USER, PRESET, PROGRAM, RUN). GRAND MASTER The GRAND MASTER fader is used for overall control of the maximum output levels from all channels of the desk.
Jester Operating Manual Preset Mode Preset Mode When the desk is in PRESET Mode all the memory functions are disabled, offering a completely manual control system. The desk can be operated using either two 12 (24) channel presets controlling 12 (24) channels, or a single preset controlling 24 (48) channels. In Two Preset operation, separate scenes are set up on PRESET A and PRESET B using the individual channel faders. The A MASTER and B MASTER faders are used to crossfade between the two scenes.
Preset Mode Jester Operating Manual Two Preset Operation In two preset operation the PRESET A and PRESET B faders, the A MASTER and B MASTER and the GRAND MASTER are used to control the output levels from the desk. The FADE TIME control is used to determine the crossfade time between the preset masters. Setting up for Two Preset Operation 1. If the desk is not already in PRESET Mode, press and hold the MODE button for 1 second. The PRESET light next to the MODE button will come on. 2.
Jester Operating Manual Preset Mode Timed Crossfades between Scenes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Set the A MASTER and B MASTER to zero. Set up a scene using the PRESET A faders. Set up a different scene on the PRESET B faders. Set the FADE TIME control to the time required to fade scene A in. Quickly move the A MASTER to full. The scene on the PRESET A faders will fade in and be output live. (The time taken for the fade to complete is determined by the value set on the FADE TIME control).
Preset Mode Jester Operating Manual Wide Mode When operating in wide mode, you are able to crossfade between or combine two scenes which are 24 (48) channels wide. A scene is set up using the PRESET A and PRESET B faders. The PRESET A faders control channels 1 -12 (1 - 24) whilst the PRESET B faders control channels 13 - 24 (25 - 48). This scene is then stored temporarily by pressing the PROGRAM/GO (store) button. A second scene can then be set up on the PRESET A and PRESET B faders.
Jester Operating Manual Preset Mode 8. The operations described in steps 5 - 8 can then be repeated to set up a new scene on the faders, crossfade to the new scene, and save it to a temporary store etc. Manual and Timed Crossfades Crossfading between the scene set up on the PRESETS and the stored scene is achieved by moving the A MASTER and B MASTER faders in tandem.
Program Mode Jester Operating Manual Program Mode Introduction Program Mode on the desk is used to select and create new memories or submasters and enter lighting data. Once a memory has been created it can be modified within Program Mode, and the contents re-stored. Memory Types There are two memory types which can be programmed on the Jester desk. They are SCENE memories and CHASE memories. A SCENE memory consists of a single static state, recording the output level of each desk channel.
Jester Operating Manual Program Mode Program Controls and Displays PRESET A AND PRESET B There are 12 (24) PRESET A faders which control individual channels 1 -12 (1 - 24). There are 12 (24) PRESET B faders which control individual channels 13 - 24 (25 - 48). CHANNEL FLASH BUTTONS Each of the PRESET faders has a corresponding CHANNEL FLASH button. They are used to select that channel for editing. A MASTER and B MASTER The A and B MASTER faders are disabled in PROGRAM mode.
Program Mode Jester Operating Manual Setting up the Desk for Programming 1. If the desk is in RUN Mode, press the MODE button to switch to PROGRAM Mode. If the desk is in any other mode, press and hold the MODE button for 1 second to enter PROGRAM Mode. The red lights above the MODE button indicate the current mode. 2. Ensure that blackout is not active (light in the BLACKOUT button is off). 3. Set all the PRESET faders to zero and the GRAND MASTER to full.
Jester Operating Manual Program Mode Split Fade Times Sometimes you may wish a scene to have different up and down fade times. The Jester allows you to define these times, with the FADE TIME pot. 1. Select the memory you wish to alter the fade times of. 2. Use the FADE TIME pot to set the Fade UP time for the scene. This time will be displayed on the LCD and monitor. 3. Holding SHIFT, now set the Fade DOWN time for the scene. This time will be added to the LCD and monitor.
Program Mode Jester Operating Manual NOTES Overwriting The Jester has four methods of overwriting a memory: - Press Program, then press Enter at the prompt. - Press Program, then press Program again at the prompt. - Hold Program for a few seconds. - Press Shift and Program together. Overwrite with Paste When pasting in a memory or step, there are three ways to confirm an overwrite: - Press SHIFT+ COPY/PASTE, then press ENTER at the prompt.
Jester Operating Manual Program Mode Chase Memories Programming a New Chase 1. Set up the desk for programming as described above. 2. Press the up or down arrows to select an unprogrammed memory in the Mem: field. If you wish to program the chase onto a submaster, press the channel flash button under the submaster you wish to program. 3. Use the PRESET faders to set the required output levels for the step. The output will appear live. 4. Press the PROGRAM/GO button.
Program Mode Jester Operating Manual Inserting Memories 1. Use the up or down cursor buttons to select the required memory (if you wish to insert 3.5, select memory 3). 2. Press the INSERT button. 3. Use the up or down cursor keys to navigate to the required memory number. All memories between 3.1 and 3.9 will be available. The LCD shows the memory number with an asterix, indicating that it is unprogrammed. 3. Use the PRESET A and PRESET B faders to set the required output levels for the new step.
Jester Operating Manual Program Mode Any original steps in a Chase after an inserted step will be renumbered accordingly. For example, if you started with a 10 step Chase and added a step between steps 4 and 5, the new step becomes step 5 and the original steps 5 - 10 become steps 6 11. Any steps in a Chase after a deleted step will be renumbered accordingly. For example, if you start with a 10 step Chase and delete step 5, original steps 6 – 10 become steps 5 - 9.
Program Mode Jester Operating Manual Copying a Chase Step 1. Use the cursor buttons to select a programmed chase memory or press the channel flash button under the submaster. 2. Press the cursor right button. 3. Use the cursor buttons to select the step to be copied. 4. Press the COPY/PASTE button. The contents of the chase step will be stored internally. The light in the COPY/PASTE button will be illuminated. Copying a Submaster 1. Use the channel flash buttons to select a programmed submaster. 2.
Jester Operating Manual Program Mode NOTES Unprogrammed Copy If the user selects an unprogrammed scene memory, submaster or chase step, and presses the COPY/PASTE button, any previously copied memory data will be lost. The light in the COPY/PASTE button will be off, indicating that there is no memory data available to paste.
Run Mode Jester Operating Manual Run Mode Introduction Run Mode on the desk is used to replay the previously recorded memories and submasters. The programmed memories are stored in a stack and can be replayed one at a time in ascending numerical order. This allows the complete show to be replayed in order simply by pressing the PROGRAM/GO button. The cursor buttons can also be used to select a particular memory, which can then be output by pressing the PROGRAM/GO button.
Jester Operating Manual Run Mode minimum end of its rotation which stops automatic stepping through a chase and gives full manual control, using the INSERT button. ATTACK The attack button lets you switch between various modes for chases. Again, each chase is grabbed by visiting its current value, then moving to the new value. The options are: Snap on, Snap off; Snap on, Fade off; Fade on, Snap off; Fade on, Fade off.
Run Mode Jester Operating Manual Selecting the Next Memory The LCD and monitor display data about the current and next memories. The cursor up or down buttons are used to select the next memory to be output. Pressing the cursor down button will take you to the next programmed memory. When the last programmed memory is reached, pressing the cursor down button will take you to the first programmed memory. Pressing the cursor up button will take you to the previous programmed memory.
Jester Operating Manual Run Mode Presets in Run Mode When in Run mode, the preset faders (Preset A) function as highest takes precedence (HTP) channels. Each channel can be increased in brightness by raising its appropriate fader (remember that Preset A will be controlled overall by the A MASTER). The channels can also be flashed, using the Flash Mode set on the LCD. As the Jester has two pages of channels 1-12 & 13-24 (1-24 & 25-48), the PAGE A button is used to switch between the two pages.
Run Mode Jester Operating Manual the selected memory (as opposed to all active chases), ensure you hold down SHIFT whilst adjusting the SPEED control. Beat Setting Sometimes it is desirable to set a chase to match the beat of music. To do this, firstly you need to set the Flash Mode to . Once this is done, press the INSERT button twice (once on each down-beat of the music) to override the speed of the chase running on the memory stack.
Jester Operating Manual Run Mode Previewing a Memory An indication of the contents of the next memory can be obtained by previewing the memory. Previewing a memory is automatic on the Jester, with a monitor connected. Select the memory you wish to preview by using the cursor up or down buttons. The Preview field (above the Outputs field) displays the contents of the selected memory. Previewing a Submaster An indication of the contents of a submaster can be obtained by previewing the submaster.
Auxiliary Control Jester Operating Manual Auxiliary Control Introduction The Jester provides 12(24) auxiliary buttons for you to control simple DMX devices such as smoke machines, strobe lights and scrollers. Each auxiliary can be patched to multiple DMX addresses, and can be defined with an ON and an OFF value. Alongside these, auxiliaries can also be set up to function with a flash motion, a latching motion, a solo motion, or be disabled.
Jester Operating Manual Auxiliary Control Fader Control of Auxiliaries It is possible to set precise levels on an Auxiliary by using the channel faders. Firstly, lock the A-buttons to AUXILIARY mode. To do this, press and hold SHIFT and press the PAGE A button. Now with the CHANNEL FLASH button held down, move the channel fader below the Auxiliary you wish to adjust. Once you’ve grabbed the channel, you can adjust the level up and down as required.
Super User Mode Jester Operating Manual Super User Mode Introduction In SUPER USER Mode the presets and memory functions are disabled. The user has the options of setting recovery to on or off, clearing all the programmed memories and resetting the DMX patch, locking the desk, patching the desk channels to the DMX and saving or loading memory data, as well as setting up auxiliaries and remote inputs, and changing the online help language.
Jester Operating Manual Super User Mode 2. Use the cursor keys to select and press ENTER. 3. Select the show you wish to load, using the cursor keys. 4. Move to select and press ENTER. The programmed memory data and DMX patch are loaded from the memory stick. 5. Once complete, you can move to select and press ENTER. You will be returned to the Super User menu. Erasing Show Data 1.
Super User Mode Jester Operating Manual Auxiliaries are patched, you can use the different on/off levels to define several different points within the DMX values, useful for colour scrollers, for example. To clear the DMX patch back to default (1:1) patch, press and hold the clear button for 1 second. The patch will be returned to default. To leave patch mode, use the cursor keys to move to select then press ENTER. You will be returned to the Super User menu.
Jester Operating Manual Super User Mode programmed, edited or cleared. Additionally no Super User options (such as changing the DMX Patch) can be performed while the desk is locked. It is still however possible to replay memories, submasters and auxiliaries normally. To lock/unlock the desk, select , and press ENTER. If the desk is unlocked, you must now enter the lock code using the Submaster Flash buttons and press ENTER. The default lock code for the Jester is 0000.
Super User Mode Jester Operating Manual Setting Memory Recovery Mode Recovery mode determines whether the Jester stores the current & next memories when restarted. If Recovery Mode is On - the desk remember which of the memories was current, and which was next, and on restart these memories will automatically be selected. If Recovery Mode is Off - the desk will start in the first programmed memory, and the next memory will be selected as the second programmed memory. 1.
Jester Operating Manual Super User Mode Note This sets the MIDI note 0-127 (middle C is note 60) that corresponds to the first preset/submaster on the desk. Select this option using the cursor buttons, press ENTER, and use the up & down cursor buttons to set the MIDI note number. Press ENTER when done.
Super User Mode Jester Operating Manual appear. Further instructions will be given in the software release notes if it is necessary to perform this update. Select and press ENTER to return to the Setup menu. Help Language The menu allows different languages to be selected for the Online Help. Use the cursor keys to select , and press ENTER. Now press ENTER and use the up or down cursor keys to select the required language (English, Deutsch, Francais or Nederlands).
Jester Operating Manual MIDI Control MIDI Control MIDI and the Jester The Jester is designed only to receive MIDI information. It cannot transmit MIDI information to another device, although a ‘THRU’ port is provided to allow daisy chaining. The Jester uses two types of MIDI information – MIDI Notes, and MIDI Show Control (MSC). You can disable all MIDI control completely by setting MIDI to in Super User. This is the default value, so if MIDI does not function, check that it is Enabled first.
MIDI Control Jester Operating Manual current page. Using MIDI does not increase the number of submasters; to control submasters from the other page, press the PAGE B button on the desk. The normal submaster Page Overlay rules apply - you must lower the submaster on one page before you can output the same submaster on the other page. MIDI Notes – Velocity Sensing Some MIDI instruments have this function.
Jester Operating Manual Other Features Other Features Online Help The Jester has an online help section built into the desk. To access Online Help at any time, press SHIFT+LEFT+RIGHT and the Jester will display a basic summary help screen. You can navigate around the help screens to view other topic areas. The language for the online help can be selected in Super User. Software Updates When software updates become available for the Jester, announcements will be posted on the Zero 88 website – www.zero88.
Other Features Jester Operating Manual Phantom Jester Available for download from the Support Centre is a PC application known as Phantom Jester. This application allows you to emulate the desk behaviour on any standard Windows® PC. Show files can be loaded in and altered as required, offline. Jester Manual 73-403-00 Issue 3.
Jester Operating Manual Glossary Glossary (A to Z of the Jester) A Master The master fader which controls the level of the channels on Preset A. Analogue A control standard which existed before the invention of DMX. 10V control signals provide the dimmer with level information. DMX can be converted to Analogue via the use of a Demux. Attack The fade profile of a chase. This can be set to snap, fade, or combinations of the two.
Glossary Jester Operating Manual Bump Button An American name for a Flash Button. Button A switch on the front panel of the Jester which is used to control an attribute of the desk. CE Conformité Européenne – A European product standard, displayed on all products on sale in the EU. Channel A term used to describe a single fader controlling a single light. Dimmers may have 6, 12, 24 or 48 channels. The Jester can control either 24 or 48 channels.
Jester Operating Manual Glossary Demux A device which splits a DMX signal into analogue control signals, for use with older generation dimmers. Desk A commonly used name for the lighting control equipment. Also sometimes known as Board or Console. Dimmer A device which takes a control signal and turns it into a dimmed mains voltage for controlling the brightness of a standard filament lamp. DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V. The MIDI standard specifies the use of 180degree 5 pin DIN plugs.
Glossary Jester Operating Manual Fade Up The Fade Up time on the Jester is the time it will take for the channels which are programmed at a higher level in the incoming cue to that of the current cue to fade to their programmed level. Fader A fader is used to control the intensity of a light. In addition to the channel faders, the Jester has faders to control the overall output, memory output, and the level of the A and B presets. The faders on the Jester can have any position from 0 to 100%.
Jester Operating Manual Glossary Group The ability to combine several auxiliary buttons to control a single DMX device with several different on/off levels. This allows you to control colour scrollers via setting each colour up on a different auxiliary button. Help To obtain the Online Help for the Jester, press SHIFT, LEFT and RIGHT at the same time. The language can be changed in Super User. HTP Highest Takes Precedence.
Glossary Jester Operating Manual Lock The facility on the Jester which allows you to stop the memories and submasters being altered. LTP Latest Takes Precedence. The mixing law used when replaying grabbed DMX inputs. This means that activating another recorded memory or submaster will instantly change the grabbed DMX input to the required values. Memory A block of storage data containing intensity information about all of the Jesters channels. The Jester has capacity for 500 memories.
Jester Operating Manual Glossary Numeric Entry The Jester allows you to use the submaster flash buttons to enter numbers into the desk, where appropriate. Offline Editor See Phantom Jester. Output A single desk channel, which is controlled by the Jester. Page The Page buttons (PAGE A and PAGE B) allow you to switch the function of the preset faders. Patch The area of the Jester where you can specify which DMX addresses each fader can control.
Glossary Jester Operating Manual PSU Power Supply Unit. The external box of electronics which alter the supplied power voltage into the correct settings for the Jester. Q See Cue Ramp Down A choice of attack for a chase. The selected channels snap on to their programmed level, then fade off. Ramp Up A choice of attack for a chase. The selected channels fade up to their programmed level, then snap off. Random A function of chases, whereby the steps are output in a random order.
Jester Operating Manual Glossary Sound2Lite The ability to control lights in time to a beat. The Jester has a sound2lite input which listens to the input music and, according to the settings of the chase, changes the lights in time to the beat. Speed Pot The control for setting the speed of chases on the Jester. This is located on the right hand side of the front panel. Store The function of the PROGRAM/GO button when the desk is in Wide preset mode.
Glossary Jester Operating Manual X-fade Another name for Crossfade. A smooth fade from one scene to another, with predefined up and down fade times. XLR The connector range used for the DMX input, DMX output and Power connectors on the back of the Jester. There are various different XLR connectors available, primarily 3-pin (used for Audio and some cheap DMX devices), 4-pin (used for power and colour scrollers) and 5-pin (used for DMX devices).
Jester Operating Manual Technical Specification Technical Specification This section of the manual lists all the various inputs, outputs and connections to the desk. Power Supply Pin 1 0V Pin 2 +5V Pin 3 +12V Pin 4 Not Used Shell Ground An inline external power supply unit is used to power the Jester. This is connected to the desk via a 4-pin XLR connector. Audio In Tip Left Ring Right Sleeve Ground The desk has an audio port on the rear panel, in the form of a stereo ¼ inch jack sockets.
Technical Specification Jester Operating Manual External Floppy Drive If required, an external floppy drive can be connected to the desk, via USB 1.1 External Storage Devices (Memory Sticks) The primary method of storage for the Jester is via USB Memory Sticks (also known as Flash Disks or Mass Storage Devices). These can be connected via the USB port. Video Output 15 pin D connector, VGA text output. VGA is non-interlaced, 80x50 visible characters, 640x400 visible pixels, 800x449 total pixels, 31.
Jester Operating Manual Index Index Attack, 16, 22, 25 Audio In, 50 Auxiliary, 27 Faders, 28 Lock, 28 Patch, 31 Setup, 27, 31 Beat, 25 Blackout, 5 Chase, 11, 16 Clear, 12 Mems/Subs, 32 Copy/Paste, 12, 18, 22 Date/Time, 34 Delete, 15 Chase, 18 Step, 17 Direction, 16, 22, 25 DMX, 51 Input, 20 Patch, 30 Edit, 14 Erase, 30 Fade Time, 6, 13 Split, 14 Flash, 8, 10, 31 Glossary, 40 Go, 31 Grand Master, 5 Insert Button, 25 Memories, 17 Step, 17 Steps, 18 LCD, 12, 34 Load, 29 Lock/Unlock, 31 Low Memory, 11 Memory
Index Jester Operating Manual For news, views and the latest software, visit our website at: www.zero88.com Jester Manual 73-403-00 Issue 3.4 Zero 88 Usk House Llantarnam Park Cwmbran Gwent NP44 3HD Tel: +44 (0)1633 838088 Fax: +44 (0)1633 867880 email: sales@zero88.com Web: www.zero88.
