Avolites PEARL EXPER TTITAN User Manual V3.0
Pearl Expert Titan
Operator’s Manual
Version 3.0
Copyright Avolites Limited 2010
PearlExpertTitan_Man_v3.doc 29/03/2010 13:28:00
Copyright Avolites Limited 2010
Useful Avolites phone numbers:Avolites England
Sales and service* (+44) (0) 20 8965 8522
Service out of hours* (+44) (0) 831 17 8888
Fax (+44) (0) 20 8965 0290
Email
name@avolites.com
Website http://www.avolites.com
*Before contacting Avolites for service enquiry please ensure that you have
the product serial number and the Software version. The serial number can
be found on the back of the desk near the power socket and on the keyboard
drawer; the software version is displayed on the title bar of the Pearl
application on the VDU.
The latest version of this manual and Pearl E xpert Titan Software can
be downloaded from the Avolites website.
The small print :
No Liability for Consequential Damages
Avolites has a policy of continuous product and documentation improvement. As such
the detail within this manual may not match the operation of the Pearl Expert Titan.
In no event shall Avolites be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages or loss whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for
loss of profits, business interruption, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use or
inability to use the Pearl even if Avolites Ltd. has been advised of the possibility of such
damages. Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability
for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.
Avolites Ltd recognise that all trademarks within the manual are the property of their
respective owners.
Reprint and revision history:
First produced September 2008
Revised for v1.1 April 2009 by TM
Revised for v1.2 June 2009 by TM
Revised for v2.0 September 2009 by TM
Revised for v3.0 March 2010 by TM
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Copyright Avolites Limited 2010
This manual was written by Tim Mitchell, Sabre Technology Ltd
http://www.sabretechnology.co.uk
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Copyright Avolites Limited 2010
Reference Manual Contents - Page 5
SECTIONS
1. SETTING UP THE CONSOLE 13
2. PATCHING 29
3. CONTROLLING DIMMERS AND FIXTURES 39
4. PALETTES 51
5. SHAPES 59
6. CUES 65
7. CHASES 79
8. CUE LISTS 89
9. RUNNING THE SHOW 103
10. REMOTE CONTROL 107
11. USER SETTINGS AND OTHER OPTIONS 113
12. WORKING WITH FIXTURE PERSONALITIES 129
13. NETWORKING 133
14. TITAN FOR PEARL USERS 145
15. RELEASE NOTES 147
16. GLOSSARY OF TERMS 159
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Page 6 – Reference Manual Contents
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Reference Manual Contents - Page 7
CONTENTS
1. Setting up the console 13
1.1 Guide to the console.............................................................. 13
1.2 Connecting up....................................................................... 17
1.2.1 Connecting mains power...................................................................... 17
1.2.2 Starting up and shutting down.............................................................. 17
1.2.3 Connecting DMX lines.......................................................................... 17
1.2.4 Connecting VDU monitors .................................................................... 18
1.2.5 Connecting the Touch Wing.................................................................. 18
1.2.6 Other connections............................................................................... 18
1.3 Using the displays and menus ................................................. 19
1.3.1 The onboard display............................................................................ 19
1.3.2 Workspace windows on the VDU and Touch Wing.................................... 20
1.3.3 The Tools menu.................................................................................. 22
1.3.4 Visualiser........................................................................................... 23
1.3.5 The Heads-Up Display (HUD) ................................................................ 24
1.3.6 Key profiles........................................................................................ 25
1.3.7 Key macro recording ........................................................................... 25
1.3.8 The Pearl Expert Titan application ......................................................... 25
1.4 Loading and saving shows ...................................................... 25
1.4.1 Autosave ........................................................................................... 25
1.4.2 Manual save and load.......................................................................... 26
1.5 Backing up a show to USB drive .............................................. 26
1.5.1 Backup existing show files to USB pen drive........................................... 27
1.6 Clearing the console............................................................... 27
1.7 Rebooting into original Pearl Expert mode.................................28
2. Patching 29
2.1 Create ................................................................................. 29
2.1.1 Preset faders (handles)........................................................................ 29
2.1.2 Patching dimmers ............................................................................... 30
2.1.3 Patching moving light fixtures............................................................... 31
2.1.4 Visualiser Auto Patch........................................................................... 33
2.2 Edit..................................................................................... 33
2.2.1 Changing the DMX address of a fixture .................................................. 33
2.2.2 Setting legends................................................................................... 34
2.2.3 View Fixture Patch .............................................................................. 34
2.2.4 Fixture Exchange ................................................................................ 35
2.2.5 Update personalities............................................................................ 35
2.3 Copy and Move .....................................................................36
2.3.1 Copying or moving a patched fixture ..................................................... 36
2.3.2 Using copied fixtures........................................................................... 36
2.4 Delete..................................................................................37
2.4.1 Deleting a patched fixture.................................................................... 37
2.5 Advanced options.................................................................. 37
2.5.1 Swap pan and tilt................................................................................ 37
2.5.2 Invert attributes ................................................................................. 37
3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures 39
3.1 Create ................................................................................. 39
3.1.1 Selecting fixtures and dimmers for control ............................................. 39
3.1.2 Setting fixtures to a start position......................................................... 40
3.1.3 Clearing selection................................................................................ 41
3.1.4 Changing attributes using the wheels .................................................... 42
3.1.5 Setting attributes using the Touch Wing................................................. 43
3.1.6 Setting attributes by number................................................................ 45
3.1.7 Selecting fixtures and dimmers by number (Channel).............................. 45
3.1.8 Selecting using a pattern ..................................................................... 46
3.1.9 Attribute groups - IPCGBES.................................................................. 46
3.1.10 Using fixture groups .......................................................................... 47
3.1.11 Stepping through selected fixtures one at a time................................... 48
3.1.12 Highlighting the selected fixture.......................................................... 48
3.1.13 Align fixtures.................................................................................... 48
3.1.14 Flip.................................................................................................. 49
3.1.15 Fan mode......................................................................................... 49
3.2 Edit..................................................................................... 49
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3.2.1 The Channel Grid window..................................................................... 49
3.3 Advanced options.................................................................. 50
3.3.1 The ML menu button ........................................................................... 50
4. Palettes 51
4.1 Create ................................................................................. 51
4.1.1 Palette values stored as a reference ...................................................... 51
4.1.2 Which attributes are stored in palettes................................................... 51
4.1.3 Storing a palette................................................................................. 52
4.1.4 Quick record on the Touch Wing ........................................................... 53
4.2 Playback .............................................................................. 53
4.2.1 Recalling a palette value ...................................................................... 53
4.2.2 Palette pages ..................................................................................... 53
4.2.3 Quick palettes with no fixtures selected ................................................. 54
4.2.4 Setting palettes to fixtures in a playback................................................ 54
4.3 Edit..................................................................................... 54
4.3.1 Editing palettes................................................................................... 54
4.3.2 Setting legends for palettes.................................................................. 55
4.4 Copy and Move .....................................................................55
4.4.1 Copying or moving a palette................................................................. 55
4.5 Delete..................................................................................56
4.5.1 Deleting palettes................................................................................. 56
4.6 Timing .................................................................................56
4.6.1 Fading a palette and fixture overlap ...................................................... 56
4.6.2 Master Time for palettes ...................................................................... 57
5. Shapes 59
5.1 Playback .............................................................................. 60
5.1.1 Creating a shape................................................................................. 60
5.1.2 Changing size and speed of a shape...................................................... 61
5.1.3 Changing the phase of a shape across multiple fixtures............................ 62
5.2 Edit..................................................................................... 63
5.2.1 Editing shapes which are running.......................................................... 63
5.2.2 Reversing a shape............................................................................... 63
5.3 Delete..................................................................................63
5.3.1 Deleting shapes.................................................................................. 63
5.4 Advanced options.................................................................. 63
5.4.1 Shape fade mode................................................................................ 63
6. Cues 65
6.1 Create ................................................................................. 65
6.1.1 How the Pearl works when programming ............................................... 65
6.1.2 Creating a cue.................................................................................... 66
6.1.3 Using shapes in cues ........................................................................... 67
6.2 Playback .............................................................................. 67
6.2.1 HTP and LTP....................................................................................... 67
6.2.2 Playing back a cue .............................................................................. 67
6.2.3 Changing playback pages..................................................................... 68
6.2.4 Releasing running playbacks................................................................. 68
6.3 Edit..................................................................................... 68
6.3.1 Editing a cue ...................................................................................... 68
6.3.2 Playback and Cue view ........................................................................ 69
6.3.3 The Include function............................................................................ 70
6.3.4 Removing attributes from cues using “Off” ............................................. 71
6.4 Copy, Move and Link.............................................................. 71
6.4.1 Copying or moving a cue ..................................................................... 71
6.5 Delete..................................................................................72
6.5.1 Deleting a cue .................................................................................... 72
6.6 Timing .................................................................................72
6.6.1 Setting fade times and Overlap for a cue ............................................... 72
6.6.2 Changing fixture order......................................................................... 74
6.6.3 Setting attribute fade times for a cue .................................................... 75
6.7 Advanced options.................................................................. 76
6.7.1 Release mask..................................................................................... 76
6.7.2 Shape size/speed on fader ................................................................... 76
6.7.3 Curve................................................................................................ 76
6.7.4 Handle Paging .................................................................................... 76
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6.7.5 Playback priority................................................................................. 76
6.7.6 Key Profile ......................................................................................... 76
7. Chases 79
7.1 Create ................................................................................. 79
7.1.1 Programming a chase.......................................................................... 79
7.2 Playback .............................................................................. 80
7.2.1 Playing back a chase ........................................................................... 80
7.2.2 Connecting a chase for control.............................................................. 80
7.2.3 Setting speed and crossfade for a Chase................................................ 81
7.2.4 Manually controlling the steps of a chase ............................................... 82
7.2.5 Changing chase direction ..................................................................... 82
7.2.6 Jumping to a step ............................................................................... 82
7.3 Edit..................................................................................... 82
7.3.1 Opening a chase for editing.................................................................. 82
7.3.2 Editing a chase using Unfold................................................................. 83
7.4 Copy, Move and Link.............................................................. 84
7.4.1 Copying or moving a chase .................................................................. 84
7.5 Delete..................................................................................84
7.5.1 Deleting a chase ................................................................................. 84
7.5.2 Deleting a step from a chase................................................................ 84
7.6 Timing .................................................................................85
7.6.1 Global timings for chases..................................................................... 85
7.6.2 Individual cue times in chases .............................................................. 86
7.6.3 Setting attribute fade times for a cue in a chase ..................................... 87
7.7 Advanced options.................................................................. 88
7.7.1 Loop/Stop on Final Cue........................................................................ 88
7.7.2 Forwards/backwards/bounce/random .................................................... 88
7.7.3 Cue linking......................................................................................... 88
7.7.4 Renumber cues................................................................................... 88
8. Cue Lists 89
8.1 Create ................................................................................. 90
8.1.1 Programming a cue-list........................................................................ 90
8.1.2 Changing legends for cues in a cue list .................................................. 91
8.1.3 Autoloading a playback within a cue list................................................. 91
8.2 Playback .............................................................................. 92
8.2.1 Running a cue list ............................................................................... 92
8.2.2 Killing a cue list .................................................................................. 92
8.3 Edit..................................................................................... 93
8.3.1 Editing a cue list using Unfold............................................................... 93
8.3.2 Editing a cue list which is running ......................................................... 93
8.3.3 Editing a cue list while recording........................................................... 94
8.4 Copy, Move and Link.............................................................. 95
8.4.1 Copying or moving a cue list ................................................................ 95
8.5 Delete..................................................................................95
8.5.1 Deleting a cue list ............................................................................... 95
8.5.2 Deleting a cue from a cue list ............................................................... 95
8.6 Timing .................................................................................96
8.6.1 Time and fade options for Cue Lists....................................................... 96
8.6.2 Cue linking & Link Offset...................................................................... 96
8.6.3 Individual attribute fade times.............................................................. 98
8.6.4 Fixture overlap ................................................................................... 98
8.6.5 Running a cue list to timecode.............................................................. 99
8.7 Advanced options.................................................................. 99
8.7.1 Release mask....................................................................................100
8.7.2 Fader mode.......................................................................................100
8.7.3 Handle Paging ...................................................................................100
8.7.4 Cue Options ......................................................................................100
8.7.5 Autoload...........................................................................................100
8.7.6 Key Profile ........................................................................................101
9. Running the show
103
9.1 Playback ............................................................................ 103
9.1.1 Back up the show ..............................................................................103
9.1.2 Operating modes ...............................................................................103
9.1.3 Master faders ....................................................................................103
9.1.4 Flash and swop buttons ......................................................................103
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9.1.5 Playback priority................................................................................104
9.1.6 Manual control during a show (“busking”) .............................................104
9.2 Workspaces on touch screen and VDU.................................... 105
9.2.1 View menu........................................................................................105
9.2.2 Pearl Titan application window.............................................................105
9.3 Organising the console......................................................... 105
9.3.1 Using the Move function......................................................................105
10. Remote control 107
10.1 Setting up the remote.......................................................... 107
10.1.1 Network setup .................................................................................107
10.1.2 Console setup..................................................................................108
10.2 Operating the remote........................................................... 109
10.2.1 Keypad ...........................................................................................109
10.2.2 Fixture List......................................................................................110
10.2.3 Playback List ...................................................................................110
10.2.4 Settings screen................................................................................111
10.3 Troubleshooting .................................................................. 111
11. User Settings and other options 113
11.1 Workspace setup on VDU and Touch Wing............................... 113
11.1.1 Opening workspace windows .............................................................113
11.1.2 Selecting and positioning workspace windows......................................113
11.1.3 Saving workspaces...........................................................................114
11.1.4 Compatibility view............................................................................115
11.1.5 Configuring the external monitor........................................................115
11.2 Key Profiles ........................................................................ 117
11.2.1 Creating and editing key profiles........................................................117
11.2.2 Selecting a key profile ......................................................................118
11.2.3 Individual Key profiles for playbacks...................................................118
11.3 The System menu ............................................................... 118
11.3.1 Avotalk Security...............................................................................118
11.3.2 Network Settings .............................................................................118
11.3.3 User Settings...................................................................................118
11.3.4 Key Profiles .....................................................................................119
11.3.5 Contrast And Brightness (Lamp Intensity) ...........................................119
11.3.6 Wipe...............................................................................................120
11.3.7 Display Setup ..................................................................................120
11.4 Titan Tools menu................................................................. 120
11.4.1 Virtual Panel....................................................................................120
11.4.2 Visualiser ........................................................................................120
11.4.3 VDU User settings ............................................................................120
11.4.4 Factory settings ...............................................................................122
11.4.5 Exchange fixture..............................................................................122
11.4.6 Setup DMX outputs ..........................................................................123
11.4.7 Hotkeys ..........................................................................................123
11.5 Curves............................................................................... 124
11.6 Upgrading the software ........................................................ 127
12. Working with Fixture Personalities
12.1.1 Downloading fixture personalities from Avolites.................................... 129
12.1.2 Updating the personality cache on the console.....................................130
12.1.3 Requesting a new fixture personality ..................................................130
12.1.4 Reporting a personality bug to Avolites ...............................................130
12.1.5 In an emergency..............................................................................130
129
13. Networking 133
13.1 Setting the Pearl’s IP address................................................ 133
13.1.1 Setting IP address............................................................................133
13.2 Setting up DMX outputs........................................................ 133
13.2.1 Setup DMX outputs screen ................................................................134
13.3 ArtNet................................................................................ 134
13.3.1 A simple ArtNet system.....................................................................135
13.3.2 Setting up an ArtNet system..............................................................136
13.3.3 Additional ArtNet Resources...............................................................137
13.4 Connecting to a simulator with ACDI ...................................... 137
13.4.1 ACDI ..............................................................................................137
13.5 Module Setup...................................................................... 139
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13.5.1 Installing additional Modules ..............................................................139
13.6 AvoTalk.............................................................................. 139
13.6.1 Example AvoTalk setup.....................................................................140
13.7 All about IP addressing......................................................... 141
13.7.1 Setting your IP address.....................................................................141
13.7.2 Subnet Masks..................................................................................142
13.7.3 Choosing an IP address and Subnet Mask............................................142
13.7.4 Automatically assigning IP addresses (DHCP).......................................143
13.7.5 Private IP address ranges..................................................................143
13.8 Repairing a Network Connection ............................................ 144
14. Titan for Pearl users 145
14.1 The controls and LCD........................................................... 145
14.2 New programming features................................................... 146
15. Release notes 147
15.1 Version 3.0......................................................................... 147
15.1.1 Upgrading from: 2.0:........................................................................147
15.1.2 New features in v3.0 ........................................................................147
15.1.3 Improvements in v3.0 ......................................................................153
15.1.4 Changes in v3.0...............................................................................155
15.1.5 Bugs fixed in v3.0 ............................................................................155
16. Glossary of terms 159
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Page 12 – 1. Setting up the console
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1. Setting up the console
This chapter contains: Connecting mains power, DMX lines, VDUs;
configuring the console and the various VDU windows; guide to where
everything is on the console; loading and saving shows.
This manual applies only to the Pearl Expert Titan console but we’ll
refer to it simply as “the Pearl”. If you are using the classic Pearl
Expert, or the Pearl 2008, 2004 or 2000 consoles, they have their
own manuals as the operation is significantly different.
This manual includes instructions for the optional Expert Touch Wing.
Note: You can also operate the Pearl Expert Titan in “classic” Pearl
Expert mode by rebooting the console into the desired mode.
See section 1.7 on page 28.
1. Setting up the console - Page 13
1.1 Guide to the console
Master faders
Playback faders and
page select rollers
Preset faders / handles
Programming and
setup controls
The Pearl has four main control areas:
The Master faders set overall levels on the console
The Preset faders/handles select and control individual fixtures
(and you can store cues and chases here too)
The Playback faders and rollers select and control cues and
programs
The Programming and setup controls configure and program the
console
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Page 14 – 1. Setting up the console
The main controls
Master faders
Playback page
select rollers
Mode select keyswitch
Preset faders / handles
Playback faders &
Main display
flash buttons
Control
wheels
Menu
softkeys
Fixture page
buttons
Numeric
keypad and
controls
Command
buttons
Attribute
select buttons
• The Preset Faders are used to control individual dimmer channels
and fixture intensities. Cues and chases can also be stored on these
faders. The 2 buttons below the faders are used to select and flash
whatever is stored on the fader. Each fader and buttons is called a
“Handle”.
• The Mode select keyswitch selects Programming, Run or System
modes of operation.
• The Page select rollers let you select different pages of playbacks,
and you can write the playback names on the rollers so you know
what’s in them. There are 2 rollers each controlling 10 playback faders
• The Master faders control the overall output of the various parts of
the console. You will normally have th ese set at Full.
• The Playback faders and flash buttons are used to play back cues or
chases you have programmed, when you are running a show.
• The Main display is the nerve centre of the console and shows you
what is going on. The display can show various screens of information.
• The Control wheels are used to set control values on the fixtures,
and to set chase speeds and fades.
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1. Setting up the console - Page 15
• The Menu softkeys (labelled A – G) are used to select control options.
The display next to the buttons shows what each one will do. The
options for each key change depending on what the console is doing.
Softkey commands are shown in the manual with square brackets like
this: A [Edit Times]
• The Numeric keypad and other control buttons are used to enter
values and change controls on the console.
• The Fixture Page buttons are above the keypad, and allow selection
of 4 pages for the Preset Faders.
• The blue Command buttons are used to carry out functions such as
storing cues, copying, saving to disk, etc. These buttons have lights on
to indicate when they are active.
• The Attribute select buttons are used to select which attributes of a
fixture (e.g. colour, gobo, pan, focus) are going to be controlled using
the Control wheels. The buttons have lights on to show you which
attributes are active. The bottom (red) button allows you to locate
fixtures, which sets them to a known start position while programming.
• A QWERTY keyboard and mouse touchpad is provided in a drawer on
the front of the console.
MIDI in
USB reserve
sockets and
switches (2)
• The Panel reset switch may be pressed to restart the front panel
• The USB reserve sockets and switches are for future expansion. The
Desk lamp socket
DMX outputs (4)
Panel reset switch
Expansion sockets
for touch wing
MIDI out
Floppy disk
VDU socket (blue)
Ethernet socket (top)
and 2x rear USB
VDU mounting
point
Audio in (blue)
Mains inlet
The back panel
All the connections required for the console are found on the back
panel. Most are self-explanatory.
electronics if something odd happens with the switches and faders. The
main board will continue running but the DMX output will be
interrupted until the restart is completed.
switches should be set to “Normal operation”.
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Page 16 – 1. Setting up the console
The Touch Wing
Workspace
windows
Playback info
Window selection
buttons
Context
touch buttons
Workspace
save/recall
touch
buttons
Macro buttons
Window size/position
buttons
Attribute wheels
Attribute display
The optional Touch Wing uses a touch screen and additional wheels to
provide a user-friendly interface for selecting fixtures, palettes,
groups and setting attributes.
• The main area of the Touch Wing shows up to 4 workspace
windows. You can select the content and configure the size
and layout of these windows using the Window Selection and
Size/Position buttons below the screen.
• The arrangement of windows can be saved and recalled using
the Workspaces touch buttons on the right of the screen.
• Some windows have additional command buttons which are
displayed in the Context touch buttons area on the top right
of the screen when the window is active.
• The three Attribute Wheels take over attribute control from
the wheels on the console, which are then used for speed/fade
control of chases. Below the wheels the Scroll Mode Button to
switch the wheels into scroll mode – this is used to move a
selection box around the screen when editing.
• The Attribute Display shows which attributes are being
controlled by the wheels, and the current settings. Touching the
roller graphic will set the attributes to min or max.
• Across the bottom of the screen there is an area showing
information about the playbacks on the current roller pages.
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1.2 Connecting up
1.2.1 Connecting mains power
You can safely connect the Pearl to any voltage from 80 to 260V.
We recommend that you run the console from a computer UPS
(uninterruptible power supply) . If the console unexpectedly loses
power, you can lose data (up to the last Autosave) and the console
may want to check its disks on startup which can cause delays. The
UPS will protect you from most power problems and give you chance
to shut down the console normally.
1.2.2 Starting up and shutting down
The Pearl runs a Windows-based operating system internally, so you
need to make sure it is shut down properly rather than just turning
off its power.
Start up the console by pressing and releasing the Power switch at
the left hand side of the front edge. The console display and VDU
screen (if you are using one) should come alive. The Pearl takes
about 30 seconds to start up and a progress count is shown on the
console display.
1. Setting up the console - Page 17
Shut down the console by pressing and releasing the Power switch
again. The console will perform a controlled shutdown. Wait until the
Power light has gone off (about 15 seconds) before you disconnect
power from the console.
To carry out a Forced Shutdown of the console, if the normal shut
down does not work, hold down the power switch for 5 seconds.
Note: Do not use the power switch on the rear of the console to
switch off the console as this would not close down the console
properly.
1.2.3 Connecting DMX lines
The Pearl communicates with lighting fixtures using the DMX512
system. It can produce 12 universes of DMX (each 512 control
channels). It has 4 physical DMX outputs for direct connection to
fixtures and dimmers, and can also send DMX over Ethernet and
wireless Ethernet systems to allow connection to remote DMX
Ethernet nodes and to the Avolites Console DMX Interface (ACDI)
system which is used to connect visualiser applications.
When you patch a dimmer or fixture you tell the Pearl which of the 12
DMX universes it is on. Each universe can be configured to come out
of one or more of the 4 standard DMX outputs on the back of the
console, or over an Ethernet protocol (see section
13 on page 133.)
The 4 standard DMX outputs come out of the 5 pin XLR sockets on
the back of the console. They are wired like this:
Pin 1 Earth
Pin 2 Data Pin 3 Data +
Pin 4 Not used
Pin 5 Not used
Each DMX line should pass through all the fixtures to be connected on
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Page 18 – 1. Setting up the console
that line one after the other and have a DMX terminator fitted at the
end (120 ohm resistor between pins 2 and 3). You should not split
the DMX lines using passive splitters (Y-splits) as this can mess up
the data.
1.2.4 Connecting VDU monitors
You should connect a computer VDU monitor to the Pearl, which is
plugged into the VGA port on the rear of the console.
• The external VDU can be disabled and if so will show a
“disabled” message. To enable it, switch to System mode and
select [Display Setup] then press [External Display
Disconnected]. The option will change to [External Display
Connected] and the display will be enabled.
• If you need to change the VDU resolution or settings, click on
“Tools” at the very top of the screen and select “Control Panel”,
then “External Monitor”, then select the option to match the
resolution of your monitor.
There are more details about setting up an external monitor,
including troubleshooting help, in section
11.1.5 on page 115.
1.2.5 Connecting the Touch Wing
The Touch Wing connects to the DVI port and the 9-pin D connector
on the rear of the console, just above the panel with the rear
USB/network sockets.
1.2.6 Other connections
You can connect an external keyboard and mouse to the pc
connectors on the rear of the console if for some reason you don’t
like the keyboard with touchpad in the drawer on the front.
The console provides MIDI connections which can be used to connect
MIDI timecode to the console for timecode-controlled cue lists.
You can connect the console to a LAN (local area network) using the
RJ45 socket on the rear. This allows you to back up the console to
another machine, or to link to a DMX-over-ethernet system.
A 3-pin XLR socket for a desk lamp is provided on the rear edge of
the console. Suitable lamps are available from Avolites. The lamps
are 12 volt, wired from pins 1 and 2 of the XLR.
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1. Setting up the console - Page 19
1.3 Using the displays and menus
The Pearl Expert has many useful features on its onboard display and
on the VDU.
1.3.1 The onboard display
Information
window
Fixture
intensities
Menu
softkeys
Wheel A/B
attributes
Current
selection
Down the right hand side of the display, the functions of the A-G
menu softkeys are listed. In this manual these are shown in square
brackets [Like This]. If there are more functions t han will fit on one
screen, [Previous] and [Next] buttons are provided to page through
the functions.
The vertical bar to the left of the softkeys shows you which menu you
are currently in. You can “latch” the menu (so that you don’t have to
keep reselecting it) by pressing the ML Menu button.
At the bottom left of the screen, the current function of the wheels is
shown. If fixture attributes are being set, this shows the possible
settings which are available on the fixtures. The horizontal bar shows
which attributes are being controlled by each wheel and the boxes
show the current attribute. If a chase is being controlled, information
about the chase is shown here.
List of
settings
Current
menu name
Above this, the current fixture intensity is shown in a grid arranged
by handle number. A dot shows a fixture that is not lit, otherwise a
percentage brightness is shown, with “FL” for full. If the fixture is
selected then it is shown inverted (blue-on-white), and if it has been
changed (is in the programmer) it is shown underlined.
The area at the top left of the screen shows instructions to the user
and information from the console.
The appearance of the softkeys varies to indicate the type of actions
available:
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Page 20 – 1. Setting up the console
Action button:
console will carry
out the action
shown
Option button:
cycles through a
range of options
New menu
button: jumps to
a new menu
Text entry
button: press
and enter text
using the
keyboard
1.3.2 Workspace windows on the VDU and Touch Wing
The VDU screen and, if you are using it, the Touch Wing, show the
workspace windows. These contain buttons for selecting fixtures,
groups, palettes, playbacks and so on. Information windows such as
Playback View, Channel Grid and the integrated Visualiser application
can also appear as a workspace window.
4 window positions
Context buttons
Up to 4 windows can be shown on each screen in a 2x2 grid, but if
you need a larger view, you can make a window twice as big, or it
can take up the whole area. You can move windows freely between
the external VDU screen and the Touch Wing. Some possible window
sizes/positions are shown below.
Quarter size
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Double wide
Double height
Maximised
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1. Setting up the console - Page 21
Some workspace windows have option
settings or commands associated with
them. If the Touch Wing is connected,
these are positioned in the “context
buttons” area on the right of the Touch
Wing as shown in the picture above. If
the Touch Wing is not connected, a
drop down context menu is available at
the top right of each window.
Selecting and positioning
workspace windows
You select which workspace windows
you want to see using the [Open
Workspace Window] menu command
on the root menu, or by pressing the Window Selection buttons on
the Touch Wing just below the screen.
You can change the positions and sizes of the windows by using
[Window Options] on the View menu. The Touch Wing also has
pushbuttons for these functions. [Min or Max] swaps the active
window between full screen and quarter size. [Size and Position]
moves the active window around the possible positions. [Select
Window] gives you a list of windows to choose the active one, or on
the Touch Wing you can make a window active by touching its header
bar.
You can move the active window between the Touch Wing and the
external VDU monitor by pressing View then [Window Options] then
[Move Screen], or for the Touch Wing hold down the Avo button (on
the main console) and press the Size/Position button.
If a window shown on the VDU contains touch buttons, you can click
them using the mouse trackpad on the keyboard.
The function buttons (F1-F12) on the QWERTY keyboard can be used
to select and move workspace windows. See the list in section
on page
Saving workspaces
You can save different workspace setups to the Workspaces touch
buttons on the Touch Wing or to grey handle buttons on the console.
This is done by pressing View then [Record Workspace], then
touching one of the Workspaces buttons or pressing a grey button.
This allows you to reconfigure the workspace at the touch of a button.
Workspaces are saved with the show.
Setting up and recording workspaces is described in more detail in
section
Quick record
Some windows – Groups, Workspaces, Playbacks, and all the Palette
windows - have a Quick Record function. Set up what
you want to record, then touch or click the button once.
The button will light up red with a + sign. At this point
you can enter a legend. Touch or click again to store the
item.
113.
11.1 on page 113.
11.1.2
The Quick Record function can be disabled using Key Profiles (see
section
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11.2.1 on page 117).
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Page 22 – 1. Setting up the console
1.3.3 The Tools menu
The Tools menu on the top left corner of
the screen (or the Touch Wing) allows you
to access Windows functions such as File
explorer (to move files around), Control
Panel (to setup hardware), and to stop or
restart the Pearl application or run other
programs.
About gives you information about the
software version.
Help shows you the online manual.
Control Panel opens a sub-menu allowing
changes to monitor settings and to the USB
expert console which links the front panel
controls to the system. The “More…” option
opens Windows Control Panel allowing you
to change the operating system
configuration.
Folders opens the file explorer. You might need this when backing up
show files or when updating the operating software.
Switch Task allows you to bring programs in front of the Pearl
windows and move them between the Touch Wing and the external
VDU screen. Click or touch the Switch Screen icon to swap the
program between the Touch Wing and the external VDU. Click or
touch the Centre icon to centre the window on the screen. Click or
touch Close to close the program.
Switch screen Centre Close
Additional Programs allows you to run some diagnostic programs
which might help Avolites Support find problems you’re having.
Switch Software allows you to run the Pearl Expert in “Classic”
Pearl mode rather than Titan mode.
Restart and Shutdown Software restarts and closes the Titan and
Pearl Expert software. You would normally only use these when
upgrading the software.
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1. Setting up the console - Page 23
At the right hand end of the toolbar is
the keyboard popup button which will
open the touch keyboard. This
duplicates the function of the
keyboard in the drawer, but can be
more convenient for quick text entry.
The touch keyboard can be switched between large and small size
using the Max/Min button and you close it using the large X button in
the top right hand corner. It can be set to pop up automatically when
Manual/Auto Change size Close
Keyboard button
text input is required, using the Man/Auto button. You can also move
it on the screen by touching and dragging the blank area of the
keyboard at the top.
The small version of the keyboard (pictured) does not have some of
the less frequently used buttons.
1.3.4 Visualiser
The Pearl Expert runs Avolites Visualiser internally. This allows you to
view the output of the console if you can’t use the real lights,
enabling you to make changes to your show at home or in your hotel.
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Page 24 – 1. Setting up the console
Visualiser is shown in a workspace window, either on the touch
screen or on the external monitor. Press [Window Options] then
[Move Screen] on the View menu to move it between the touch
screen and external monitor.
Configuration buttons for Visualiser are provided in the context button
area in the top right of the Touch Wing screen, or on the context
menu at the top right of the window if you aren’t using the Touch
Wing.
• The operation of Visualiser is not covered in this manual, please
refer to the Visualiser manual.
Auto Patch
The Auto Patch function automatically creates a Visualiser rig from
your Pearl show. When you start Visualiser using softkey A on the
View menu, Visualiser will open with an automatic representation of
your patch.
You will see the fixtures laid out on screen as they are on t he console,
so any spaces between fixtures will be preserved and fixtures patched
to the top row of presets will be shown above fixtures patched to t he
bottom row of presets.
The Visualiser will start in run mode, with the simulator t a b selected
so you can start controlling lights immediately.
Multiple dimmers patched to one handle will appear as a singe fixture
in Visualiser.
Fixture selection
When a fixture is selected on the console, it is highlight ed in blue in
Visualiser.
1.3.5 The Heads-Up Display (HUD)
The HUD window shows you what is stored in each fader and button
on the console: cues, chases, fixtures, dimmers, palettes, and fixture
groups. Any legends you enter are shown here.
The HUD window is a workspace window and is displayed by pressing
View then [Open Workspace Window] then [HUD]. It may be moved
around and resized using the normal workspace window controls.
Fixtures are highlighted in dark blue if in the programmer and in light
blue if selected. Only fixtures, palettes and groups stored in the
preset handles on the console are shown, handles on the Touch Wing
are not shown on the HUD.
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1.3.6 Key profiles
The Pearl allows you to reconfigure how the front panel buttons work
to suit your method of working. You can also change the way some of
the touch keys work on the Touch Wing. You can save your settings
as a Key Profile. Different profiles can be selected for different users
or to enhance the operation of the console for a particular use. See
section
13.2 on page 133 for details.
1.3.7 Key macro recording
Lighting programming can sometimes require a repeated sequence of
button presses. You can record sequences of keypresses and play
them back with a single keypress – this is called a macro. To record a
macro:
1> Press the blue Macro (previously Insert) button (to the right of
the numeric keys).
2> Press [Record]
3> Press a vacant preset Flash button. Recording starts. The Macro
button flashes during recording.
4> Press the sequence of buttons you want to record.
5> Press Macro to finish recording.
1. Setting up the console - Page 25
To play back the macro, just press the grey Flash button where you
recorded the macro. The macro will repeat all your button presses
(with no delay or timing between the presses).
When using the Touch Wing, macros may also be recorded into 10
dedicated buttons on the Wing. In addition you can display a
workspace window with further macro touch buttons. The 10
hardware buttons are allocated to the first 10 macros in the window.
1.3.8 The Pearl Expert Titan application
The Pearl Expert Titan application is the “engine room” of the console.
The main reason you will need to use it is to configure DMX outputs.
Use the Tools → Switch Tasks menu to bring the application window
to the front.
Setting up DMX outputs is described in section
1.4 Loading and saving shows
You can save any number of different shows on a USB drive or the
Pearl’s internal hard disk. The Pearl will also autosave the show
periodically.
Note: You cannot transfer shows between the Pearl Expert Titan and
other versions of the Pearl or Pearl Expert as the showfile
format is different. You can load shows to/from other Titan
consoles such as the Tiger Touch.
11.4.6 on page 123.
1.4.1 Autosave
The Pearl will automatically save your show to its int ernal hard disk
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Page 26 – 1. Setting up the console
when you shut it down. It will also autosave th e show every 30
minutes in case the console loses power. The time remaining to the
next auto save is shown on the status bar of the Titan application.
You can disable Autosave or alter the time between saves using
option D [Auto Save] on the Disk menu (selected using the blue Disk
button). Softkey A enables or disables autosave and Softkey B sets
the time between saves. We recommend that you have autosave
enabled while programming in case the console power fails, but
disable it while running a show as it can cause the console to pause
slightly at inconvenient moments.
1.4.2 Manual save and load
You can save your show at any time either with its current name or
with a new name.
1> Press the blue Disk button (bottom right).
2> Press [Save Show].
3> If you have a USB drive connected, use the softkeys to select
whether to save on “Removable Disk” or the internal hard drive.
4> Enter a name for the show on the keyboard (the screen shows
a list of shows which already exist).
5> Press Enter or [Save]. The show will be saved.
6> Press Exit or [OK] to leave Disk mode.
If you save to hard drive, shows are saved in the C:/Program
Files/Avolites/Titan/ShowData folder, unless you ch ange this in the
User Settings.
The Pearl will automatically load the last show when it is turned on.
If you want to load a different show:
1> Press the blue Disk button.
2> Press [Load Show].
3> If you have a USB drive connected, select which drive you want
to load from.
4> Available shows are listed on the softkeys; press the key to load
the show (the F and G keys show more pages). If you type the
first few letters of the show name on the Qwerty keyboard, the
list will only include shows starting with those letters, which can
make it easier to locate the show you want.
5> Press Exit to leave Disk mode.
You can save any number of different shows on the Pearl’s internal
hard disk.
1.5 Backing up a show to USB drive
If you save to the internal hard drive, it’s a good idea to regularly
copy a backup of the show to an external storage device such as a
USB pen drive just in case something bad happens to the console.
One way to do this is to load the show from the hard disk then save it
to the removable disk using the Disk button as described in the
previous section.
You can also use the VDU and mousepad to select options from the
Pearl Expert Titan window on the VDU as described below.
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1. Setting up the console - Page 27
1.5.1 Backup existing show files to USB pen drive
To backup existing show files to USB drive you need to copy the
showfile across
using Windows
functions.
1> On the
Tools
menu,
click on
the
Folders
icon.
2> Double
click on
“Local
Disk (C:)”
3> Double
click on the “Program Files” folder.
4> Double click on the “Avolites” folder, then double click the
“Titan” folder, then double click the “ShowData” folder.
5> The VDU screen will show a list of the saved shows.
6> Click on the show you want to backup. If you want to backup
more than one, hold down the Ctrl button on the keyboard
while clicking them.
7> Right click on a selected file, and select “Send to” from the pop
up menu which appears.
8> Select the removable USB drive where you want to make a
backup of the show file(s). The file will be copied.
9> You cannot burn files to CD-R, you must use a USB drive.
1.6 Clearing the console
When you start a new show on the Pearl it is usually a good idea to
clear the console. All programming and patching is deleted, but user
options are not changed.
1> Press the blue Disk button.
2> Press [New Show].
3> Press [OK] to confirm.
4> Press Exit to leave Disk mode.
• There is also an option E [Wipe] in the System menu (when the
key is turned to System) which has the same function, and is
located in the same place as on the “classic” Pearl versions.
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1.7 Rebooting into original Pearl Expert mode
You can run the Pearl Expert in either Titan mode or the original Pearl
Expert mode. Click the [Switch Software] button on the VDU tools
menu to reboot the console into the desired mode.
Reboot into different
mode
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Copyright Avolites Limited 2010
2. Patching
This chapter contains: patching dimmers; patching moving light
fixtures; checking the patching; changing the DMX address; deleting
a patched fixture; patching options.
Patching is the process where you tell the Pearl
• What type of lighting units you have connected to it
• What DMX addresses they are operating at
• Which DMX line (universe) each unit is connected to (there are
12)
• Which Preset Faders you want to use to access them
You should normally plan out the lightin g rig in advance to allow the
DMX addresses on your fixtures to be set up before they are rigged.
The easiest way to do this is to patch the fixtures on the console,
then read off the DMX addresses from the console (using the DMX
window on the VDU) and use them to set up the addresses on the
actual fixtures.
2. Patching - Page 29
Alternatively you can allocate the DMX addresses to the fixtures
yourself, and set up the console to match.
The Pearl’s key must be set to Program before you can patch.
2.1 Create
2.1.1 Preset faders (handles)
To control intelligent fixtures or
dimmer channels, they must be
patched to a Preset, or to a
Fixture button on the Touch Wing.
Presets are the faders, buttons
and displays located in 2 rows
along the top of the console. Each
preset consists of:
• a fader, used to set the
intensity of the fixture or
dimmer
• a blue Select button which is used to select the fixture
• a grey Palette button which is used to store and select Palettes,
Groups and various other
things
Handles (Preset faders)
The fader and buttons are
together referred to as a handle.
There are 4 pages of presets
controlled by the fixture page
buttons, located just above the
numeric keypad. Fixtures 1-60 are
on page 0--, Fixtures 101-160 on
page 1--, 201-260 on page 2—
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Pages of fixtures buttons
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Page 30 – 2. Patching
and 301-360 on page 3--. You can change the fixture page at any
time.
On the Touch Wing,
you can patch
fixtures into the
Fixtures workspace
window .
If the Fixtures
window is not
shown, press View
then [Open
Workspace
Window] then
[Fixtures] to show
it, or press the
Fixtures button on the Touch Wing.
Fixture touch buttons can be shown either in pages with Page
buttons, or you can use the scroll bar to show different pages. Use
the [Pages Show/Hide] touch button on the right of the screen to
select between page buttons and scrolling mode. on the left of t he
screen. You can change the fixture page at any time.
Note: Fixture touch buttons on the Touch Wing are completely
separate from fixtures patched onto the preset faders, unless
the Compatibility View workspace is used – this view
duplicates the blue/grey preset buttons on the touch screen.
See section 11.1.4 on page 115 for more details.
The Pearl also allows you to allocate fixtures and dimmers to Groups,
which can be useful if you usually select the same set of fixtures
together. Groups are described in the next chapter.
2.1.2 Patching dimmers
Each dimmer channel is allocated to one fader.
1> Press Patch (one of the blue command buttons bottom right),
then [Dimmers].
2> Softkey A [Line=] shows you which of the 12 DMX output lines
you are patching onto. Press A then enter a new number (1-12)
to change the line. [Address=xx] shows the DMX address about
to be patched. You can change this by pressing [Address=xx],
typing in the new address on the numeric keypad and pressing
Enter.
3> To patch a single dimmer, press a preset Select button or a
fixture touch button. To patch a range of dimmers, hold down
the Select button for the first dimmer in the range, then press
the last Select button in the range. On the Touch Wing, run
your finger along the buttons. The range of dimmers will be
patched to sequential DMX addresses.
4> The Select buttons light up dimly to show that they are
patched. Fixture Touch buttons turn dark blue and show fixture
details.
5> Repeat from step 2 for other dimmers.
• When setting the DMX address using Softkey B, you can set the
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