ETC emphasis User Manual

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Page 1

emphasis™

Lighting Control System Console User Manual

v1.4.0

Product information and specifications subject to change.

Part Number:

4200M1211-1.4.0

Released: May 2003

Rev A

Page 2

ETC®, Emphasis™, Expression®, Insight™, Imagine™, Focus™, Express™, Unison®, Obsession

II, ETCNet2™, EDMX™, Sensor®, and WYSILink™ are either registered trademarks

or trademarks of Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

The name WYSIWYG

Microsoft

and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United

™

is a trademark of CAST Lighting Limited.

States and other countries.

Dell

is a registered trademark of Dell Computer Corporation.

Autodesk

and AutoCAD® are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the United States and

other countries.

Page 3

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Help from ETC Technical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Chapter 1

System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Emphasis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Server Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Channel Counts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Facepanels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Emphasis Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Emphasis Facepanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Emphasis Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Emphasis Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Hooking Up the Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

System Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Power-up Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Shut-down Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

How do I find the software version? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Chapter 2

Table of Contents i

Emphasis Console User Interface . . .21

Emphasis Facepanel Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Express Two-Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Express ECS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Expression ECS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Insight ECS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Setting the Facepanel Type on the Server . . . . . . . . .22

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Console Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Stage, Blind and Fader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Tracksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Page 4

Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Expression LED displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Hard keys vs. Softkeys by Facepanel Type . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Channel Concepts in the Emphasis Control System. . . . . .43

HTP vs. LTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Independent Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Preset vs. Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Chapter 3

System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

The Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Options Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Clock Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Clear Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Print Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Macro List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Time Code Events and Real Time Programs . . . . . . .54

Channel Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Moving Light Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Interactivity with Emphasis Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . 61

EDMX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Modifying dimmer output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Label Dimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Patching to a Strand Lighting CD80 Dimmer Rack . . .66

Using the About Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

About Dimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

About Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

About Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Chapter 4

ii Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

Live Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Stage Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Fader Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Manual Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Select Channels, Dimmers and Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . .72

Set Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Captured channels and [Release] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Dimmer and Channel Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Moving Light Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Sneak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Channel Faders (Express Two-Scene/Insight only) . . 84

Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Page 5

Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Cue Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Record Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Link Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Stage Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Using Cues as Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Submaster Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Record Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Using [Load Sub] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Using Submasters as Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Time Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Special Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Except . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Chapter 5

Blind Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

List Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Spreadsheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

Tracksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Tracksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Subroutines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Subroutines in Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Subroutines on Submasters (Subs-on-Subs) . . . . . . 120

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Blind Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Submaster List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Submaster Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Supermasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Group List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Group Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Focus Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Focus Point List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Focus Point Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Table of Contents iii

Page 6

Chapter 6

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

A/B and C/D Fader Pairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Fader Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Playback Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Fader Status display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Cue Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Quickstep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Multi-part Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Effect Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Subroutine Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Submaster Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Subroutines on Submasters (Subs-on-Subs) . . . . . . 152

Submaster Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Supermasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Create Macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Learn Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Display Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Macro Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Special Macro Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Playback Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Remote Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Startup Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Sample Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Real Time Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Real Time Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Setting the time and location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

Create and Edit Real Time Programs . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Enable Real Time Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Time and Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Control Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

ETCNet2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

EDMX Basics (ETCNet2 v4.0.0 and above) . . . . . . .176

DMX Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

DMX Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Remote Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Remote Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Facepanel Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Show Control Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

iv Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

Page 7

MIDI Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184

ETC MIDI Message Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

MIDI Message definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

MIDI Show Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

MIDI Show Control (MSC) Commands . . . . . . . . . . .188

MSC Frame Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

SMPTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Time Code Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Time Code Events Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Run a Time Code Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Emphasis Serial Button Protocol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Command Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Input Stream Echoing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Things to Keep in Mind... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

The Keyword Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

Appendix A

Appendix B

System Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Emphasis Visualization and Console Defaults . . . . . . . . .208

Facepanel Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

IO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

ASCII Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

Emphasis Visualization Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

File Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Emphasis Console Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

System ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

Expression Facepanel Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Express Facepanel Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Maintenance and Troubleshooting . .215

Return the Facepanel to v3.1 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

Export your Show File to “.shw” Format . . . . . . . . . .216

Create a v3.1 Console Software Disk . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Install v3.1 Console Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Open the Facepanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Spare parts kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219

Replacing fuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Connecting desk lights (Express facepanels only) . . . . . . 221

Expression and Insight DIP switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Internal DIP Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

VGA monitor connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

Connecting DMX cable to facepanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Table of Contents v

Page 8

Using an optional pointing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Device check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Connecting an alphanumeric keyboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226

Installing Remote Focus Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

Connecting MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

MIDI Out/Thru jumper setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Connecting SMPTE (Expression and Insight only) . . . . . .230

SMPTE facepanel connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Using Remote Macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Wiring Remote Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

Expression/Insight facepanels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232

Appendix C

Appendix D

Lighting Playback Controllers . . . . . .235

Expression/Insight LPC Installation and Configuration . . .236

Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Configuration Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Expression/Insight LPC User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

The Cue Playback Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

The Macro Playback Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

The Edit Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

Express LPC Installation and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . .238

Rack-mount Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Surface-mount Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

Install Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

Configuration Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

Express LPC User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

Emphasis Control System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

Express Facepanel Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250

Expression Facepanel Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Insight Facepanel Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

Appendix E

vi Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

Foldout Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

Emphasis Control System Riser Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Emphasis Facepanel Rear Panel Connections. . . . . . . . 268

Insight Facepanel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Expression Facepanel Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Express 125/250/ECS Facepanel Overview . . . . . . . . . . 271

Express 24/48 Facepanel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

Express 48/96 & 72/144 Facepanel Overview . . . . . . . . 273

Page 9

Emphasis LPC Facepanel Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274

Command Keypad Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Express Facepanel Two-Scene Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Setup Two-scene Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Playback Looks using the AB Fader Pair . . . . . . . . .276

Playback Looks with Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Table of Contents vii

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viii Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

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Introduction

This manual covers the basic installation and operation of the Emphasis Control System. Specifically, this volume contains the operational instructions for Emphasis Console, the facepanel interface to your Emphasis Control System. For information on using Emphasis Visualization, please see the Emphasis Visualization User Manual.

The introduction contains the following sections:

• Using this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

• Help from ETC Technical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

If you are reading these manuals cover-to-cover, please begin with the Emphasis Visualization User Manual.

The Emphasis Visualization User Manual contains a Quick Start chapter that contains a tutorial for new users, and some basic information for users familiar with WYSIWYG and/or Expressionstyle consoles.

Introduction 1

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Using this Manual

This manual is intended for use in conjunction with the Emphasis Visualization User Manual.

This manual assumes that you have a basic familiarity with the Microsoft Windows operating system, opening and closing files, closing and resizing windows, using Windows Explorer, and performing basic disk operations.

In order to be specific about where features and commands are found, the following naming and text conventions will be used:

• Emphasis™ Server (hardware): the computer used to run the Emphasis applications. This is also referred to simply as the “Server”.

• Emphasis Facepanel (hardware): the control console hardware. This is also referred to simply as the “Facepanel”.

• Emphasis Visualization (software): the application that resides solely on the Server

and provides WYSIWYG

• Emphasis Console (software): the application that drives the Facepanel. The Console displays resemble the traditional Facepanel displays, and can be viewed on either the Server or Facepanel monitors. This application usually remains hidden, as the displays can be accessed through the Facepanel and Visualization.

• Menus and commands found on the Server are indicated in bold text. For example: In the File menu, click Open.

™

-based functionality.

• Server keyboard buttons are indicated in all CAPS. For example, TAB or CTRL.

• Facepanel buttons and softkeys are indicated in bold [brackets]. For example, [Stage] or [Enter]. Optional keys are indicated in <angle brackets>, for example, <Dim> or <Channel>. A note about <S7 - More Softkeys>: this command is always indicated as optional, and is only indicated once in an instruction regardless of how many pages of softkeys exist. This is because there is no way to predict what softkey page you are on at any given time. Press <S7 - More Softkeys> until you find the required command.

• References to other parts of the manual are indicated in italics. When viewing this manual electronically, click on the reference to jump to that section of the manual.

Note:

CAUTION:

Notes are helpful hints and information that is supplemental to the main text.

A Caution statement indicates situations where there may be undefined or unwanted consequences of an action, potential for data loss or an equipment problem.

WARNING: A Warning statement indicates situations where damage may occur, people may

be harmed, or there are serious or dangerous consequences of an action.

Please email comments about this manual to: TechComm@etcconnect.com

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Help from ETC Technical Services

If you are having difficulties, your most convenient resources are the references given in this manual and the Help system. To search more widely, try the ETC website at

www.etcconnect.com

Services directly at one of the offices identified below. Emergency service is available from all ETC offices outside of normal business hours.

When calling for help, please have the following information handy:

• Console model and serial number (located on back panel)

• Emphasis Server serial number (located inside the door on the front of the Server case)

• Software version (see How do I find the software version?, page 19)

• Dimmer manufacturer and installation type

• Moving light information (manufacturer, mode, data cable type)

• Other components in your system (Unison

Americas

ETC International

Technical Services Department

3030 Laura Lane

Middleton, WI 53562

+1-800-775-4382

+1-608 831-4116

. If none of these resources is sufficient, contact ETC Technical

, other consoles, etc.)

service@etcconnect.com

Europe

ETC Europe Ltd.

Technical Services Department

5 Victoria Industrial Estate

Victoria Road,

London W3 6UU England

+44 (0)20 8896 1000

service@etceurope.com

Asia

ETC Asia, Ltd.

Technical Services Department

Room 605-606

Tower III, Enterprise Square

9 Sheung Yuet Road

Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong

+852 2799 1220

service@etcasia.com

Introduction 3

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Chapter 1

System Overview

Emphasis integrates the functionality of WYSIWYG with the Expression-style control consoles to give you a powerful, but user-friendly, control system offering both a graphical, point-and-click environment and a tactile button-and-wheel interface. Emphasis ensures consistency and accuracy with total integration of data across all modes. Data input in any mode is applied through the paperwork, on the light plot, in the console patch, on reports, and on screen, in every view.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Emphasis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

• System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

• Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

• System Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

• Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Emphasis Options

Emphasis systems are created by choosing the server type, maximum channel count and Facepanel type. Emphasis is offered as an upgrade to an existing Express or Expressionstyle console (see below for compatible Facepanel types), or as a complete package.

Server Types

• 3D - Includes full console feature set and full visualization functionality: paperwork and presentation tools, data tasks, 3D CAD drafting, complete visualization and rendering. WYSIWYG Design stand-alone software is included. The 3D Server will support up to two monitors.

• 2D - Includes full console feature set and limited visualization functionality: paperwork and presentation tools, data tasks, and 2D CAD drafting. WYSIWYG Report standalone software is included. The 2D Server will support one monitor.

Channel Counts

• 500 channels

• 1000 channels

• 2500 channels

• 5000 channels

Channel counts refer to the maximum number of control channels you can have in a show. All channel options have 32,767 EDMX™ addresses available.

Facepanels

• Expression with Emphasis (Expression ECS), Expression 3, Expression 2x, Imagine™ 3

• Insight™ with Emphasis (Insight ECS), Insight 3, Insight 2x, Focus™

• Express (all varieties)

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System Components

Emphasis Server

The Emphasis server is a Dell® computer optimized by ETC for the best performance of the Emphasis Visualization and Emphasis Console applications. The Server is provided preconfigured and should not require any software installations for its initial use. This section contains information on specific differences between your Server and a regular PC.

The Server contains all of the software required for Emphasis to run, a hard drive for show data storage, a CD-RW drive for show data storage, and a 3.5” floppy drive for Facepanel Software Disk creation.

There is a special hardware key called a “dongle” inside your Server, coded for the software features you have purchased. If this is removed, Emphasis will not run. This dongle is not usable on other computers and cannot be used with WYSIWYG stand-alone applications.

Note:

There are two USB ports located behind the door on the front of your Server. The Emphasis dongle is connected internally to the rear port of this pair, so it may not be used for other USB devices. The front port is available for your use.

A keyboard and mouse are included with your Server. The keyboard may have a number of buttons designed for use with common internet tasks. These buttons have been disabled, as the Server should not be connected to the internet at any time.

When you power up your Server, it will automatically launch the Emphasis applications. The first time you do this, the Registration dialog box will appear (see Registration, page

13).

Emphasis Servers can be configured for 2D or 3D operation. The following table illustrates the differences between the standard 2D and 3D Servers:

Feature 2D Server 3D Server

Monitors 1 Up to 2 CAD Views Wireframe only Wireframe, Isometric and Shaded Emphasis Views Wireframe only Wireframe, Isometric and Shaded Rendering No Yes

Emphasis Facepanel

The Emphasis Facepanel can be any of the following consoles:

• Expression with Emphasis, Expression 3, Expression 2x, Imagine™ 3

• Insight™ with Emphasis, Insight 3, Insight 2x, Focus™

• Express (all varieties)

When used in an Emphasis system, the Facepanel becomes an input device on the network, rather than a stand-alone device. You are limited to some of the constraints of the individual Facepanel types, such as submaster quantities, channel-fader availability and monitor counts; however, you gain cue-, channel- and dimmer-counts when connected to an Emphasis Server.

When a Facepanel has been upgraded to Emphasis operation, it will no longer operate as a stand-alone console. The Facepanel essentially becomes a keyboard with some DMX Node functionality. As such, the Facepanel cannot operate without the Emphasis Server online. In case of an emergency, you can export your Emphasis show file as a v3.1 show, reload the v3.1 software to your Facepanel and run it as a stand-alone console. The

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procedure for exporting your show to v3.1 format is described in the Emphasis Visualization User Manual. The procedure for returning your Facepanel to v3.1 operation is described in

Return the Facepanel to v3.1 Operation, page 216.

Emphasis Visualization

Emphasis Visualization is the software application that provides the graphic interface to the Emphasis Control System. It is based on the powerful WYSIWYG suite of software applications. This is where you patch your show, create your plot and prepare your paperwork. You can also select and control fixtures, pre-cue your show and preview recorded cues using the visualization features.

While Emphasis Visualization is based on WYSIWYG, there are some significant changes that allow for interaction with the Emphasis Console. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on these new features.

Emphasis Console

Emphasis Console is the software application that drives the Facepanel. This application usually remains hidden. You can access the settings and controls either from the Facepanel or from the virtual Facepanel in Emphasis Visualization.

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Installation Guidelines

Hooking Up the Hardware

Emphasis systems can range from a simple Server and Facepanel combination to fully integrated network systems. Regardless of the size of your system, there are some basic connections that are common to all systems.

Note:

See Expression and Insight DIP switches, page 222 for the correct network settings. Incorrect settings will not allow your Facepanel and Server to communicate.

Emphasis uses UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable and a hub or switch for communication between the Facepanel and Server. A hub or switch is required for network connections between Facepanels, Servers and other network devices such as ETCNet2™ Nodes and Unison Architectural Controls. In all cases, networking equipment and cables must meet or exceed the Cat 5 standard.

To connect your system devices:

Step 1: Place your Facepanel and Server on a stable, flat surface. The Server may be

placed flat (horizontally) on the table or on its edge (vertically). The Server’s CD tray is designed to work in either orientation.

Step 2: Connect the Facepanel Twisted Pair jack to the Server using UTP cable through

a hub or switch.

Step 3: Connect DMX cables to the Facepanel DMX outputs.

You may also connect DMX cables to Nodes, if available.

Step 4: Connect RFU cable to the Facepanel RFU connector.

You may also connect your RFU cable to a Node, if available.

Step 5: If you have ETCLink in your system, the cable must be connected to an

ETCLink-enabled DMX Node. The ETCLink connector on your Facepanel is not supported in Emphasis.

Step 6: Connect any MIDI or SMPTE cables to the appropriate connectors on the

Facepanel.

Step 7: Connect the Dell keyboard and mouse that came with the Server to the

appropriate connectors on the Server. These connections are colour coded. You may also have a second keyboard connected to the Facepanel, if desired, for labeling items on the console, such as cues, groups and submasters. The second keyboard is not required, but may be added for convenience.

Step 8: Connect your monitors. There will be at least one monitor on the Server and one

on the Facepanel.

• Servers configured for 2D operation will only support one monitor.

• Servers configured for 3D operation are supplied with a dual-video card. Monitors are connected to this card using a Y-cable, provided with your Server.

• Expression and Insight consoles support two monitors. Express consoles support one monitor only.

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Step 9: Connect power cables to Server, Facepanel, and hubs or switches.

CAUTION:

If you plug in the server it may boot - it may not wait for you to press the power button. If the keyboard and/or mouse are not plugged in when your power up, they will not be recognized by the Server. You will have to force the Server to power down, plug them in, and restart.

Connecting a Printer

Connecting a printer to your Emphasis Server follows the same setup rules as any Windows computer. If your printer requires a software installation, you will need to logon as the System Manager. If you have problems connecting a printer to your Emphasis Control System, please contact ETC Technical Services (see Help from ETC Technical Services,

page 3).

Install a printer from the System Manager login:

Step 1: Login as the System Manager (see Login as a Different User, page 17).

Step 2: Right-click on Start menu on task bar and click Explore. Alternatively, you can

press á+E to launch Windows Explorer at any time.

Step 3: Click to expand My Computer in the file tree.

Step 4: Click Control Panel.

Step 5: Double-click Printers and Faxes.

Step 6: Double-click Add Printers.

Step 7: Uncheck Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer. If this is left

checked, you will be asked for a password that you do not have.

Step 8: Continue through the wizard to setup your printer.

CAUTION:

Modification to hardware or software components or settings may affect the stability of the Emphasis Control System. Consult ETC Technical Services before making any changes. Non-authorized changes resulting in instability may require reloading the operating system, which will restore defaults, remove any changes, and may result in a loss of existing show files.

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Software Installation

Your Emphasis Server will arrive with all software fully installed. If you have purchased a complete Emphasis Control System, including an Emphasis Server and a Facepanel, the Facepanel Software should also be loaded and ready to use.

If you have purchased Emphasis as an upgrade to an existing Express or Expression-style console, you will need to upgrade the software in your console.

Installing Facepanel Software

If you have purchased Emphasis as an upgrade to an existing console, or if you install a new version of software on your Emphasis Server, you will also need to update the software version in your Facepanel. If Facepanel Software disks are not provided or are lost, you can create your own Facepanel Software disk. The Facepanel Software Disk must be a 3.5” HD floppy disk.

You may also create v3.1 software disks for Express and Expression-style consoles. This provides a way to return a Facepanel to v3.1 operation as a backup. It is recommended to keep separate disks for v3.1 and Emphasis Facepanel software on hand.

To create and install a Facepanel Software Disk:

Step 1: Exit Emphasis.

Step 2: Insert a 3.5” HD floppy disk into the floppy drive on the Emphasis Server.

Step 3: Login as System Manager (See Login as a Different User, page 17).

CAUTION:

Step 4: Click OK to clear the warning screen.

Step 5: Open the Facepanel Software folder located on the desktop.

Step 6: Double-click the appropriate Facepanel Software file.

Step 7: Click Unzip to extract the software onto the floppy disk.

Step 8: Click OK when completed.

Step 9: Close the WinZip window and the Facepanel Software window.

Step 10: In the Windows Start menu, click Log Off. Click the Log Off button in the dialog

Step 11: Click Emphasis to login as the Emphasis User.

Step 12: Eject the floppy disk from the Emphasis Server. Insert the floppy disk into the disk

Step 13: Power up the Facepanel. The software will load automatically.

Step 14: When completed, eject the floppy disk from the disk drive and restart the

Step 15: Press [

Modification to hardware or software components or settings may affect the stability of the Emphasis Control System. Consult ETC Technical Services before making any changes. Non-authorized changes resulting in instability may require loading the operating system, which will restore defaults, remove any changes, and may result in a loss of existing show files.

• EmphExpression.exe - for Expression and Insight facepanels used with an Emphasis Control System.

• EmphExpress.exe - for Express facepanels used with the Emphasis Control System.

that opens. This will return you to the Emphasis Login screen.

drive on the Facepanel.

Facepanel.

u] or [v] to select the Emphasis Server (processor) to connect to. You will

need to arrow-down to select the processor, even if only one processor is listed.

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Step 16: Press [Enter]. The Facepanel will boot and the Stage displays will open on the

attached monitors.

Installing Software on the Emphasis Server

If you are reinstalling a new version of software, you will be provided specific instructions for installation with the release notes for that version. When installing Emphasis software, you are given the opportunity to install only Emphasis program files (located on the C drive) or to install a full disk image for both the C and D drives.

CAUTION:

It is highly recommended to backup all show files before loading new software. To backup existing show files see the Emphasis Visualization User Manual.

To install new software:

Step 1: Power up the Emphasis Server.

Step 2: When the Dell screen appears, press F12.

Step 3: Insert Emphasis Software CD #1 into the CD drive on the Emphasis Server.

Step 4: Press “4” to select Boot from IDE CD ROM and press ENTER.

Step 5: A warning screen appears allowing you to choose to continue or abort:

Step 6: The installation type screen appears. Choose the type of installation you want to

Installing a full disk image for the C and D drives will delete show files stored on the Emphasis Server.

• If you want to continue with the installation process, press any key.

• If you want to abort the installation process, Press CTRL+C. When prompted to “Terminate batch job (Y/N)?”, press “Y”. The DOS prompt will appear. You may restart the Emphasis Server (press CTRL+ALT+DELETE) at this point for normal operation.

perform:

• Install Emphasis Program files only (press “E”). This option restores the disk image of the C drive only, show files are retained.

• Install full disk image (press “A”). This option restores the disk image of the C and D drives, show files are deleted.

CAUTION:

Step 7: After you press “E” or “A”, the disk image begins to load from the Emphasis

Step 8: When completed, you will be prompted to remove the final CD from the drive and

Step 9: After a new version of software has been installed on your Emphasis Server, you

12 Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

Installing a full disk image for the C and D drives will delete show files stored on the Emphasis Server.

Software Disk #1. You will be prompted to load subsequent disks by the disk utility. Eject the first disk and load the next disk and press ENTER.

restart the Emphasis Server. You can restart the Emphasis Server by pressing the power button twice, or by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

will need to install Facepanel Software. See Installing Facepanel Software, page

11, for that procedure.

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Registration

When you first start your Emphasis Control System, you will be prompted to register the system. Registration will enable ETC to track your system for support purposes, and will enroll your system in the software subscription included with your Emphasis Control System, providing you with software upgrades for the duration of the subscription.

You have 15 days to use the system prior to registering; however, it is recommended that you register your system as soon as possible. After 15 days have passed, you will not be able to use Emphasis Visualization until you enter the registration code. You may register your Emphasis Control System by phone, fax or email.

To register by phone:

Step 1: Power up the Emphasis Server. If the system is unregistered, the Registration

dialog should open. You can also open the Registration dialog using the Help menu Registration command.

Step 2: In the Register dialog, click the Phone button.

Step 3: Call ETC at one of the given phone numbers and speak to a Customer Service

Representative. You will need to provide them with the Registration Request Code and your contact details. They will provide you with a Registration Validation Code to enter in the dialog.

Step 4: Enter the Registration Validation Code in the dialog. Make sure to use all

uppercase letters when you enter the code.

Step 5: Click Register.

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To register by fax:

Step 1: Fill out the registration form included with your Emphasis Server. Fax it to the

appropriate fax number based on your location. You will be sent a Registration Validation Code within a full business day.

Step 2: If you cannot find the form, you can print a new copy from the Emphasis Server.

Ensure you have a printer connected to your Emphasis Server. See Connecting

a Printer, page 10, for more information.

Step 3: Power up the Emphasis Server. If the system is unregistered, the Registration

dialog should open. You can also open the Registration dialog using the Help menu Registration command.

Step 4: In the Register dialog, click the Fax button.

Step 5: Print the form, fill in all the information and fax it to the appropriate number

indicated on the form. You will be sent a Registration Validation Code within a full business day.

Note:

Alternatively, you can email your registration (all the information required on the fax form) to registeremphasis@etcconnect.com.

Step 6: When you receive your Registration Validation Code, take it to your Emphasis

Control System. Power up the Emphasis Server. If the system is unregistered, the Registration dialog should open. You can also open the Registration dialog using the Help menu Registration command.

Step 7: In the Register dialog, click the “I have my validation code” button. Enter the

Registration Validation Code in the dialog. Make sure to use all capital letters when you enter the code.

Step 8: Click OK.

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Upgrades

To upgrade your Emphasis Control System, contact the ETC dealer who provided your Emphasis Control System to purchase the upgrade. When purchased, you will receive an Upgrade Code that will unlock the new features you have purchased.

You can upgrade from a lower channel count to a higher channel count, and/or from 2D to 3D operation. You can also purchase an activation code for the Wireless Remote Focus Unit (WRFU) and/or WYSILink™. If you want to upgrade from a single monitor system to a dual monitor system to expand your desktop area, you may need to send the Emphasis Server back to ETC for that hardware upgrade. This hardware upgrade does not affect any functional abilities of the Emphasis Control System, only the available monitor space. Emphasis 3D will operate the same on single and dual monitor systems.

To upgrade your Emphasis Control System:

Step 1: Contact your ETC dealer to purchase your Upgrade Code. When you have your

Step 2: Power up your Emphasis Server.

Step 3: In the Help menu, click Upgrade.

Step 4: Enter your Upgrade Code in the dialog box. Make sure to use all uppercase

Step 5: Verify that the code you have entered is correct.

Step 6: Click the Upgrade button.

Step 7: Close and restart Emphasis. Your upgrade will take effect on the restart.

Upgrade Code, continue to Step 2.

letters when you enter the code.

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System Procedures

Power-up Procedure

For best performance, power-up your system in the following order:

Step 1: Turn on the hub(s) and/or switch(es).

Step 2: Turn on the Server and monitor(s). Wait for the Emphasis application to start up

completely before proceeding to the next step.

Note:

In a network with multiple Emphasis Control Systems online, allow one Emphasis Server to fully startup before starting the other Emphasis Servers. This will ensure that your network configures correctly.

Step 3: Turn on the Facepanel(s) and monitor(s).

Step 4: Turn on any ETCNet2 Nodes.

Step 5: Turn on accessories such as Remote Focus Units.

When you power-up your Emphasis Control System, the system will default to opening the last valid show file. If the show file is no longer available in the Shows directory, Emphasis will open a new show called “Untitled”. You may setup the system to open a new show on startup if you wish. See Create a Default Show in the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information.

Fader Priority

In an Emphasis system, you have multiple active faders to control the output of the control system. These include the submasters and cue fader pairs on the Facepanel, as well as the virtual submasters and cue fader pairs in the Emphasis Console application (visible from the Emphasis mode in Emphasis Visualization).

Fader levels are accepted only from one source within a system. Each source has a priority. The source with the highest priority (lowest number) that is currently connected will be the accepted fader source. All fader movements on other devices are ignored. A device with a fader priority of zero (0) is disabled. More than one device can have a fader priority of zero (0). All other devices must have a unique priority setting.

The virtual faders in the hidden Emphasis Console application will always have the lowest priority. The virtual faders on Emphasis Visualization will have the next higher priority. All physical Facepanels will have even higher priority or be disabled.

When a Facepanel connects to a Server for the first time, it is assigned the highest (lowest number) priority not already assigned to something else. The assignments are stored when you exit Emphasis, so that the assignment will be remembered the next time you startup your system. To set priorities the first time in a multiple Facepanel system, turn on each Facepanel in order from highest priority (lowest number) to lowest priority. If you need to change the set priority order in a multiple Facepanel system, please contact ETC Technical Services.

Note:

16 Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

When a Facepanel is attached to the Emphasis Server, only the Facepanel faders can control channels. Virtual faders in Emphasis Visualization will “move” to mimic the current levels of the physical faders, but they cannot be used to control channels directly.

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There are a number of different user accounts contained in the Emphasis system. When the system is turned on, it will open using the Emphasis User settings. To gain access to the other user accounts, exit Emphasis.

Note:

When you load new system software onto your Emphasis Server, you will see an advisory indicating that the library indices are being rebuilt the first time each user type logs in. This is normal behavior.

• Emphasis User: This user account is not password protected, and is the default user when Emphasis launches on startup. When this user type is selected, access is limited mainly to Emphasis. Other applications and computer components are hidden. When this user account is selected, critical program files may not be deleted (this does not include show files) and no other software may be installed.

• NCE User: This user account is primarily for adjusting settings in the Network Configuration Editor (NCE) application. There is no password protection for this user type. When this user account is selected, critical program files may not be deleted (this does not include show files) and no other software may be installed.

• System Manager: The System Manager has access to set the password for this user account, as well as partial Administrative rights, installation of software, system maintenance, Facepanel code, and all Emphasis and NCE user privileges.

• Technical Services: This user type is reserved for ETC Technical Services and is password protected.

To change the System Manager password:

Step 1: Exit Emphasis and login as the System Manager.

Step 2: In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, then click User Accounts. The

User Accounts dialog will open.

Step 3: Under “Pick a task...”, click “Create a password”.

Step 4: Follow the directions in the dialog to create a password and a password hint for

the System Manager account. When complete, click the Create Password button at the bottom of the dialog box.

Shut-down Procedure

To shut-down your Emphasis Control System:

Step 1: In the Emphasis Visualization File menu, click Save to save your show file.

Step 2: In the File menu, click Exit. You may also click the Exit button at the top-right

corner of the Emphasis Visualization window.

Step 3: In the lower-left corner of the Login screen, click Shutdown Emphasis Server.

The “Turn off computer” dialog opens.

Step 4: Click Turn Off to shut the Server down completely. Alternatively, click Stand By

to place the Server in stand by mode or click Restart to cause the Server to reboot. Click Cancel to return to the Login screen without shutting down the Server.

Step 5: Turn off any peripheral equipment, such as Nodes and Remote Focus Units.

Step 6: Turn off the Facepanel at the power switch located on the rear panel.

1 System Overview 17

Page 28

Troubleshooting

The Emphasis Facepanel type defaults to the Expression 3 console. This affects the video output of your Facepanel and the virtual facepanel in Emphasis Visualization. If you have an Insight or Express console as your Emphasis Facepanel, or if you swap Facepanels from an Expression-style to an Insight or Express, you will need to change the default settings to reflect this in the Emphasis Visualization, Emphasis mode Setup menu. See

Setting the Facepanel Type on the Server, page 22 for more information.

Note:

If you have a show open and only the Emphasis mode is available, you are operating in Show Mode. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual: Load Show for information on leaving Show Mode.

The Emphasis Server is provided fully configured from the factory. It should not be treated as a regular desktop computer. The following modifications to the factory setup are known to cause problems of varying severity:

• Screen savers. Do not enable screen savers on the Emphasis server. They can cause unexpected behavior in your system.

• Power settings are set to never turn off the monitor(s) or the hard disk. The system is also set to never go into standby mode on its own. The “Sleep” button on the keyboard is also disabled. Do not put your Emphasis Server into standby or sleep mode while running Emphasis software.

• Microsoft Windows XP appearance. Windows XP appearance settings are graphics heavy and will impact the performance speed of your system. The appearance settings are set to minimize the impact of the operating system on performance.

• View contents while dragging windows. This setting is also graphics-heavy and will impair the performance speed of your system.

• Wallpaper on the desktop. Wallpapers are graphics heavy and will impact the performance speed of your system. The wallpaper is set to “None” as a default.

• Additional software applications (games, internet browsers, word processors, etc.). It is not advisable to load additional applications onto your Emphasis Server. Conflicts may occur between applications that could severely impact your system’s performance. The Emphasis Server should not be connected to the Internet.

• On a 3D Server with dual monitors, you may experience problems with shaded views, especially on the second monitor. If your shaded views appear to refresh incorrectly (especially after shaded view windows have been overlapped), you may want to change the OpenGL options to “Safe Rendering”.

To change the OpenGL settings:

Step 1: In the Emphasis Visualization Options menu, click Application Options.

Step 2: Click the OpenGL tab.

Step 3: Click the button for the following settings:

• Fast Rendering: This is the ideal setting.

• Fast Rendering for Primary Display Only: (Default) This sets the primary monitor to Fast Rendering and the second monitor to Safe Rendering and will solve the incorrect refresh problem on the second monitor.

• Safe Rendering: This sets both monitors to “Safe Rendering”.

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If you have problems using your Emphasis Control System, please refer to your manuals for additional information.

If you do not find the answer in a manual, please call your local dealer or ETC Technical Services (see Help from ETC Technical Services, page 3. Please have the following information available before you call:

• Console model and serial number (located on back panel)

• Emphasis Server serial number (located inside the door on the front of the Server case)

• Software version (see below)

• Dimmer manufacturer and installation type

• Moving light information (manufacturer, mode, data cable type)

• Other components in your system (Unison, other consoles, etc.)

How do I find the software version?

Emphasis is actually a suite of software, all with different version numbers. In general, all you need to provide to Technical Services is the suite version number.

To find the Emphasis Control System suite version number:

Step 1: In the Emphasis Visualization Help menu, click About Emphasis. The About...

dialog box will open.

Step 2: Find the Emphasis Visualization Version number at the top of the dialog box. The

suite version number is indicated in parentheses at the end of the full version number.

Note:

To find the suite version number outside Emphasis Visualization:

Step 1: Minimize Emphasis Visualization and right-click on Start menu on task bar and

click Explore. Alternatively, you can press any time.

Step 2: Right-click My Computer and click Properties.

Step 3: Click the General tab. You will find the Windows version information as well as

the Emphasis system version. The Support Info button also displays the version number, as well as the phone numbers for ETC Americas, ETC Europe and ETC Asia.

You can also use the shortcut á+PAUSE/BREAK to view the System Properties.

á+E to launch Windows Explorer at

1 System Overview 19

Page 30

If you are asked to provide specific component version numbers, it is recommended that you use the first method to find all the version numbers at the same time. If that is not possible, use one of the other methods to find the specific information you are looking for.

To find the complete list of version numbers on the Server:

Step 1: Minimize Emphasis Visualization and right-click on Start menu on task bar and

click Explore. Alternatively, you can press any time.

Step 2: Navigate to this location: C:\Program Files\ETC

Step 3: Double-click the Emphasis Component Report. This report contains version

information for all the installed Emphasis components.

á+E to launch Windows Explorer at

Note:

Note that this will not update version information if you have upgraded individual components rather than the whole disk image.

To find the Emphasis Visualization version number:

In the Help menu, click About Emphasis.

To find the Emphasis Console version number:

Step 1: Minimize Emphasis Visualization and maximize Emphasis Console.

Step 2: In the Help menu, click About.

To find the Facepanel version number:

Restart the Facepanel and watch CRT1. The Facepanel version number appears on the bottom of the screen just after the boot screen and before the ETC logo.

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Chapter 2

Emphasis Console User Interface

This chapter covers the variations in the available Emphasis Facepanels: Express, Expression and Insight. It also covers the available accessories that can be used within your Emphasis Control System, including the Remote Focus Unit (RFU) and Wireless Remote Focus Unit (WRFU). This chapter also describes the different softkey setups of the various Facepanels, and the basic channel concepts behind the Emphasis Control System.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Emphasis Facepanel Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

• Console Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

• Hard keys vs. Softkeys by Facepanel Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

• Channel Concepts in the Emphasis Control System . . . . . 43

2 Emphasis Console User Interface 21

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Emphasis Facepanel Options

The Emphasis Control System is compatible with a number of Express and Expressionstyle facepanels. The Emphasis Facepanel is used as an input device for channel selection, recording and playback, as well as an output device for DMX data.

Express Two-Scene

This facepanel type includes the Express 24/48, the Express 48/96 and the Express 72/

144. For more information on the features of this facepanel type, see foldouts F:Express

24/48 Facepanel Overview, page 272, and G:Express 48/96 & 72/144 Facepanel Overview, page 273. The Emphasis Visualization virtual console does not include two-

scene operation, only submasters, for this facepanel type.

Express ECS

This facepanel type includes the Express 125, the Express 250 and the Express ECS. For more information on the features of this facepanel type, see foldout E:Express 125/250/

ECS Facepanel Overview, page 271. The Emphasis Visualization virtual console emulates

all facepanel controls for this facepanel type.

Expression ECS

This facepanel type includes the Concept 2x, Expression 2x, Imagine 3, Expression 3 and Expression ECS. For more information on the features of this facepanel type, see foldout D:Expression Facepanel Overview, page 270. The Emphasis Visualization virtual console emulates all facepanel controls for this facepanel type, except encoders.

Insight ECS

This facepanel type includes the Insight 2x, Focus, Insight 3 and Insight ECS. For more information on the features of this facepanel type, see foldout C:Insight Facepanel

Overview, page 269. The Emphasis Visualization virtual console emulates all facepanel

controls for this facepanel type, except encoders.

Setting the Facepanel Type on the Server

You will need to tell your Emphasis Server what kind of Facepanel you are using. The Server defaults to Expression 3. This setting determines the Emphasis Console displays that are available.

Set the Facepanel type in Emphasis Visualization:

Step 1: Turn on your Emphasis Control System. Allow it to finish its startup before

proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Click the Emphasis mode button at the top of the Emphasis Visualization screen.

Step 3: In the Setup menu, click Facepanel Type. The Facepanel Type dialog box

opens.

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Step 4: Click the name of your Facepanel type to set it as current.

Step 5: Exit Emphasis. This will return you to the login screen.

Step 6: Click the Emphasis user button at the top of the list. This will restart Emphasis

with the new Facepanel type.

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Accessories

remote focus unit

Hold

A/B

Back

A/B

Clear

ack

nter

Blind 0

Along with your Emphasis Facepanel, you may have additional accessories in your system.

Remote Focus Unit (RFU)

A Remote Focus Unit (RFU) is used to select channels, set levels, record and playback cues and playback macros. An RFU can be connected to the back of your Facepanel, or to a Video Node, or to dedicated RFU connectors that may be distributed throughout your venue.

Install the RFU:

Step 1: Verify that RFU power switch is turned off. (Unit is off when switch is in the

position toward the top edge of the RFU.)

Step 2: Insert the RFU cable into the connector on the back of the facepanel labeled

RFU. RFUs may also be connected to ETCNet2 Nodes.

Step 3: Turn RFU on.

Step 4: After the RFU completes booting, use the keypad to perform functions as you

would on the Facepanel. Use the [S*] to access softkeys and the [M*] key to access macros.

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Wireless Remote Focus Unit (WRFU)

A Wireless Remote Focus Unit (WRFU) is a combination of the WRFU software application running on a Pocket PC compatible handheld. The WRFU gives you increased functionality over the standard RFU, and has the advantage of being a wireless device you can carry with you anywhere in your venue. WRFU units access the ETCNet2 network through Access Points placed throughout your venue. See the WRFU v4.0.0 Installation Manual for more information on the installation and setup of your WRFU.

Connect the WRFU to your system:

Step 1: Turn on your Emphasis Control System. Allow it to finish its startup before

proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Turn on your WRFU.

Step 3: Login to your WRFU using your user name and password, if required.

Step 4: Find your system ID on the Processor Select screen. Tap to select it and tap OK.

If you have setup your WRFU to auto-connect to your system, this page will not display if your system is online.

Note:

If your processor is displayed in low-lighted text, your system is not WRFU-enabled. You will not be able to connect your WRFU to this system. To purchase the WRFU upgrade, please contact your ETC Dealer. Once purchased, you will be provided an upgrade code. See Upgrades, page 15 for information on entering your upgrade code.

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Optional Pointing Device (Mouse/Trackball)

If you have a serial mouse, trackball or other pointing device, you can connect it to your Expression/Insight facepanel and use it to control moving light fixtures. This pointing device is not used within Emphasis Visualization, only for direct control of moving light attributes, (typically pan and tilt). The optional pointing device connects to the “mouse” connector on the rear panel, and is linked to encoders TX and TY in the Encoder Setup display (see

Encoder Setup, page 59).

Moving Light Module (MLM) for Expression/Insight 2x Facepanels

Expression/Insight 2x facepanels do not have encoders built in. You may have a Moving Light Module (MLM) for use with your facepanel. If so, the MLM operates the same as the encoders do. You can attach a serial mouse or trackball directly to the MLM to control pan and tilt on moving light fixtures.

Note:

Install a Moving Light Module (MLM) on an Expression/Insight 2x facepanel:

Step 1: Turn off facepanel power.

Step 2: Connect the MLM to the facepanel port labeled Digitizer/Serial. See foldout

B:Emphasis Facepanel Rear Panel Connections, page 268.

The Designer’s Worksheet digitizer is not compatible with the Emphasis Control System.

Step 3: Connect an optional pointing device to the MLM, if desired.

Step 4: Plug the power cord of the MLM into a wall outlet or power strip.

Step 5: Turn on facepanel power.

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Console Displays

Emphasis Facepanels provide a number of displays that allow you to view your show data and system settings. These displays are described in this section. Their functionality will be described in detail within the chapters of this manual.

Display Features

In general, the displays are divided between Command and Playback displays. On the Express facepanels, all displays appear on a single monitor. On Expression/Insight facepanels, CRT#1 is the Command display and CRT#2 is the Playback display. You can swap displays from CRT#1 to CRT#2 and back again using the [Swap] key. You can also have channel displays (Stage, Blind and Fader) span both monitors by pressing the [Expand] key.

Colors in Displays

The Stage, Blind, Fader, Tracksheet and Spreadsheet displays all use color to indicate the selection state and move information about channel levels.

Channel Numbers/Channel Patch

• Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unselected channel.

• Yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . Selected channel. Controlled by the level (Y) wheel or trackpad.

• White . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel in selected group, but not selected by Only function.

Channel Numbers/Fixture in Channel Patch

• Gray bar . . . . . . . . . . Surrounds all channels in a single patched fixture.

• Light gray. . . . . . . . . High (coarse) channels for 16-bit parameters.

• Dark gray . . . . . . . . . Low (fine) channels for 16-bit parameters.

• Yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . Selected channels of selected fixtures.

Channel Levels

• White on Red . . . . . . Selected channel’s level as it is being raised or lowered.

• Yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . In Stage, this level is generated by a submaster.

• White . . . . . . . . . . . . In Stage and Fader, this level is generated by an Effect. In Blind,

Spreadsheet and Tracksheet, this level is recorded in a submaster, group, focus point or an allfade cue.

• Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Stage and Fader, this level belongs to a captured channel. In

Blind and Tracksheet, unrecorded levels appear in red.

• Green . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel level has moved from its recorded level in the previous

cue. In Blind, Spreadsheet and Tracksheet, the recorded level is lower than in the prior cue.

• Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Blind, Spreadsheet and Tracksheet, the recorded level is

higher than in the prior cue.

• Purple . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel level is the same as in the prior cue.

• Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Blind, this level is recorded into a multi-part cue (see Multi-

Part cues, page 110), but is not recorded into the currently

displayed cue part.

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Stage, Blind and Fader

The Stage display shows you the current levels of all active channels.The Blind display looks almost exactly the same as Stage, but is used to view and edit cues, groups, submasters, subroutines and effects without affecting the look on stage.

Display Name Indicates the current display and time.

Channel Area - Displays the channels in your show in gray, the levels of those channels in various colors, and any focus point reference below the level.

Indication of reference to a Focus Point.

Attribute Bar - Displays current settings for the selected cue, group or submaster.

Expression/ Insight facepanels

Express facepanels

Keypad Corner:

Indicates how Emphasis will interpret the next numerical entry. If you enter a range, only the last number in the value will be displayed.

Prompt Area - Shows a prompt related to the next or just -completed action.

Playback displays see Playback, page 33.

Softkeys - Additional Emphasis Console functions available by pressing [S1] - [S8].

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The Fader display is accessed by a hard key on Expression and Insight facepanels, and by a softkey on Express facepanels. The Fader display selectively displays the contribution to the stage output of the A/B and/or C/D fader pairs, individual submasters or background channels (see LTP, page 43). Changes made in the Fader display are made live and will affect the stage output. Unlike the Stage display, the Fader display is not affected by the Grandmaster fader, or by inhibitive submasters (see Submaster Types, page 94).

Changing display pages

If you are using more channels than can be displayed on a single display, you can use softkeys [S4-Previous Page] and [S5-Next Page] to view more channels. You can also use the arrow keys to change pages: left-arrow [ arrow [ arrow [

Note:

u] displays the previous page, down-arrow [v] displays the next page and right- t] jumps to the last page of channels.

On Express facepanels, you may need to press [S7 - More Softkeys] to find [S4 - Previous Page] and [S5 - Previous Page].

Expression/Insight display shown.

s] jumps to the first page of channels, up-

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Flexichannel

When you enable Flexichannel, only channels used somewhere in your show will appear on the Emphasis Console Stage, Blind and Fader displays. By reducing the number of channels you have to display, you can reduce the amount of paging from screen-to-screen you need to do to view your data. This, of course, assumes that you are using fewer than the maximum number of channels in your system, or that your patch places channels all over the place with numerous gaps between them. If you are using all the available channels, Flexichannel will only change your display from horizontal to vertical channels.

Expression/Insight display shown.

Which channels are displayed is determined by the following guidelines:

• Flexichannel displays channels with set levels, whether those levels are recorded or

not.

• Flexichannel does not display channels whose channel attributes (see Channel

Attributes, page 54) have been changed unless levels are also set.

• Flexichannel displays all channels patched to fixtures.

• Flexichannel displays links to focus points just as you would see in other channel

displays.

• Channels not displayed in Flexichannel displays are shown in gray in Spreadsheet,

Tracksheet and Patch.

Enable or disable Flexichannel:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [9] [Enter] to access the Flexichannel option.

Step 3: Press [1] [Enter] to enable Flexichannel, or press [0] [Enter] to disable

Flexichannel.

Step 4: Press [Stage] to return to the Stage display.

Working with Flexichannel active will change how you select channels. For information on channel selection, please see Channel selection in Flexichannel, page 74.

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Updating the Flexichannel Displays

If the channel usage changes, such as when you shutdown and restart Emphasis, you load a new show or channels that once fulfilled the guidelines above no longer do, you will need to update Flexichannel. Press [Setup] [1] [S1-Purge Flexi] to update Flexichannel.

Spreadsheet

Spreadsheets are available through softkeys in the Blind display. You can use spreadsheets to view and edit channel data across a number of cues, groups, submasters and focus points.

Tracksheet

The Tracksheet displays all the cue information for a single channel. You can see each recorded level for a single channel across the entire cue list, viewing how many cues the channel is recorded into, where the channel moves up or down, as well as where the channel tracks through consecutive cues at the same level. You can also make edits to a cue or a range of cues for that channel.

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Patch

The Patch display is used to apply profiles and proportional levels to patched dimmers (see

Patch, page 61). You can also use the Patch display to patch dimmers to channels,

however it is highly recommended that you use Emphasis Visualization to patch your channels. You must use Emphasis Visualization to create a moving light patch in Emphasis.

Park

The Park display is accessed by a hard key on Expression and Insight facepanels, and by a softkey on Express facepanels. The Park display is used to view and edit parked channels and parked dimmers. A parked channel or dimmer stays at the parked level until it is unparked. For more information on parking channels and dimmers, see Park, page 85.

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Playback

elRate

ecor

The Playback display (Expression/Insight only) contains three separate areas containing the Cue List, Submaster List and the Fader Status windows.

Note:

On Express facepanels, the cue list and fader status windows are integrated into the Stage, Blind and Fader displays.

Expression LED displays

Expression facepanels have a series of LED displays across the top. These displays provide supplemental information regarding your faders, cues, submasters, groups and levels.

A/B Display - shows the number of the current cue in the A/B fader pair.

Channel/Group Display - shows the last selected channel or group.

Next Cue Display shows the number of the next cue in the playback cue list.

Rate/X Display - shows the level of the high (coarse) channel in 16-bit pairs. When the X wheel is used as a Rate wheel, this display is not used.

C/D Display - shows the number of the current cue in the C/D fader pair.

Channel/Grou

Level/Y Display - shows the level of the low (fine) channel in 16-bit pairs. When the Y wheel is used as a Level wheel, this display shows the level of the selected channel. If more than one channel is selected, this display shows the level of the highest selected channel number.

Record Display - shows the currently selected item. This can be a cue, group or submaster.

Lev

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Hard keys vs. Softkeys by Facepanel Type

This section provides a comprehensive listing of hard keys and softkeys by facepanel type. Some hard keys on Expression and Insight facepanels are not available or are softkeys on Express facepanels. These are indicated as references to the softkey page(s) on which they occur (see Softkeys, page 36). Use this list if you are unsure where to find a function of the facepanel.

Please use foldout I:Command Keypad Overview, page 275 as a guide to the locations of the hard keys.

Facepanel Keys

Function Expression/Insight Express

Stage Display Keys Display Keys Blind Display Keys Display Keys Fader Display Keys Stage 3 Tracksheet Display Keys Not Available Patch Display Keys Display Keys Park Display Keys Stage 3 Setup Display Keys Display Keys Expand Display Keys Not Available

Facepanel Keys

Function Expression/Insight Express

M1 Macro Keys Macro Keys M2 Macro Keys Macro Keys M3 Macro Keys Macro Keys M4 Macro Keys Not Available M5 Macro Keys Not Available M* Macro Keys Macro Keys Macro Wait Macro Keys Macro Editing Softkey Enter Macro Macro Keys Cluster A

Facepanel Keys

Function Expression/Insight Express

Swap Cluster A Not Available About Cluster A Cluster A Learn Cluster A Cluster A Help Cluster A Cluster A

s u v t

Navigation Keys Navigation Keys

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Facepanel Keys

Function Expression/Insight Express

S1 Softkeys Softkeys S2 Softkeys Softkeys S3 Softkeys Softkeys S4 Softkeys Softkeys S5 Softkeys Softkeys S6 Softkeys Softkeys S7 Softkeys Softkeys S8 Softkeys Softkeys

Facepanel Keys

Function Expression/Insight Express

Page Cluster B Cluster B Type Cluster B Cluster B Cue Cluster B Cluster B Load Sub Cluster B Stage 3

Stage, Blind Cue, Blind Cue Part 2, Blind

Only Cluster B

Sub Cluster B Cluster B Link Cluster B Cluster B

Part Cluster B

Group Cluster B Cluster B

Follow Cluster B

Label Cluster B Not Available Time Cluster B Cluster B Wait Cluster B Cluster B Track Cluster B Cluster B Record Cluster B Cluster B

Group, Blind Focus Point, Blind Submaster, Fader

Stage 3, Blind Cue 2, Cue List, Blind Cue Part 2, Fader 3

Stage, Blind Cue 2, Cue List, Blind Cue Effect 3

(BCE3), Fader

Facepanel Keys

Function Expression/Insight Express

Channel Cluster C Cluster C Dim Cluster C Cluster C Thru Cluster C Cluster C At Cluster C Cluster C And Cluster C Cluster C Full Cluster C Cluster C Except Cluster C Cluster C Level Cluster C Cluster C Release Cluster C Cluster C Focus Point Cluster C Cluster C

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More Softkeys

Fixture

(Stage 2)

More Softkeys

Fixture

(Stage 2)

Flash

More Softkeys

(Stage 3)

Flash

More Softkeys

(Stage 3)

Step

More Softkeys

Park

Go To Subr

More Softkeys

Fixture

(Blind Cue 2)

More Softkeys

Fixture

(Blind Cue 2)

More Softkeys

(Blind Cue)

More Softkeys

Track Sheet

(Blind Cue 3)

More Softkeys

(Blind Cue)

Step

(Stage)

More Softkeys

(Stage 4)

More Softkeys

(Stage)

Step

Go To Subr

Step

unassigned softkey.

In the softkey list below, jumps to other softkey pages are indicated in parentheses. Expression/Insight softkeys are indicated first. If

an Express softkey set is different, it is listed in the shaded row beneath the Expression version. Empty cells in the table indicate an

Softkeys

Backgrnd

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

Previous Page Next Page Sneak

Overrides

Backgrnd

Fadeout Subr Update

Stage

Only Follow Sneak

Overrides

Enable

Fadeout Subr Update

Sub List Solo Rate Delete

Quickstep

Enable

Stage 2

Sub List Solo Previous Page Next Page Delete

Quickstep

Stage 3

Part Load Sub Fader Rate Park

Label

Stage 4

Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

Spread Sheet

(Cue Spread

Sheet)

Cue List (Cue

List)

Select Cue

Only Rate Delete Cue

Spread Sheet

(Cue Spread

Sheet)

Cue List (Cue

List)

Select Cue

Blind Cue

Solo Rate Block

Part Follow Solo Previous Page Next Page Block

Blind Cue 2

Label

Blind Cue 3

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More Softkeys

Tracking

Fixture

More Softkeys

Part 2)

(Blind Cue

Part)

More Softkeys

Track Sheet

(Blind Cue

Part)

Return (Blind

(Blind Group)

Group)

Return (Blind

Group

Fixture

More Softkeys

(Blind Group

More Softkeys

Return (Blind

Cue)

Return (Blind

Cue)

Track Sheet

More Softkeys

(Blind Cue

List)

Cue)

Enable/

Disable

Softkeys (Continued)

Rate Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

Label

Part Follow Rate Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

Blind Cue List

Cue List

Block Create Cue Replace Level Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

Cue Spread

Sheet

Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

Spread Sheet

(Cue Spread

Sheet)

Cue List (Cue

List)

Select Cue

Blind Cue

Part

Solo Rate Block

Blind Cue

Part 2

Part Label Solo Only Rate Block

Previous Page Next Page Delete Group Fixture

Spread Sheet

(Group Spread

Sheet)

Group List

(Group List)

Select Group

Blind Group

Previous Page Next Page Delete Group

Spread Sheet

(Group Spread

Sheet)

Group List

(Group List)

Select Group

Label Only

Blind Group 2

Previous Page Next Page Delete Group

Label Previous Page Next Page Delete Group

Group List

2 Emphasis Console User Interface 37

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More Softkeys

Fixture

(Blind Focus

Point 2)

More Softkeys

(Blind Focus

Point)

Return (Blind

Group)

Return (Blind

Focus Point)

Return (Blind

Focus Point)

More Softkeys

Fixture

(Blind Sub 2)

More Softkeys

Fixture

(Blind Sub 2)

More Softkeys

(Blind

Submaster)

More Softkeys

(Blind

Submaster)

Previous Page Next Page Delete Focus Fixture

Softkeys (Continued)

Spread

Sheet (Focus

Spread Sheet)

Spread

Focus List

(Focus List)

Focus List

Select Group Create Group Replace Level Previous Page Next Page Delete Group

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

Group Spread

Sheet

Select Focus

Blind Focus

Point

Previous Page Next Page Delete Focus

Sheet (Focus

Spread Sheet)

(Focus List)

Select Focus

Label Only

Blind Focus

Point 2

Previous Page Next Page Delete Focus

Label Previous Page Next Page Delete Focus

Focus List

Focus Spread

Select Focus Create Focus Replace Level Previous Page Next Page Delete Focus

Sheet

Previous Page Next Page Delete Sub

Spread Sheet

(Sub Spread

Sheet)

Sub List (Sub

List)

Select Sub

Blind

Only Rate Delete Sub

Spread Sheet

(Sub Spread

Sheet)

Sub List (Sub

List)

Select Sub

Submaster

Bump Status Solo Rate

Bump Status Label Solo Previous Page Next Page

Blind Sub 2

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Attribute

Return (Blind

Submaster)

Add Channels

More Softkeys

(BCE2)

(Attributes)

More Softkeys

(BCE3)

Rate

Track Sheet

(BCE)

More Softkeys

(BCE)

More Softkeys

Attribute

Add Channels

(BSE2)

(Attributes)

More Softkeys

(BSE3)

Track Sheet

(BSE)

More Softkeys

(BSE)

Style

More Softkeys

(BCS2)

Softkeys (Continued)

Select Sub Replace Level Previous Page Next Page Delete Sub

Bump Status Label Rate Previous Page Next Page Delete Sub

Bump Status Rate Previous Page Next Page Delete Sub

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

Sub Spread

Submaster

List

Sheet

Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

Spread Sheet

(Cue Spread

Sheet)

Cue List (Cue

List)

Step

Blind Cue

Effect (BCE)

BCE2 Step Step Time In/Dwell/Out Low/High Insert Step Delete Step

Previous Page Next Page Delete Sub

Spread Sheet

(Sub Spread

Sheet)

Alternate Reverse Bounce Build Random Random Rate Return (BCE)

Follow Label Rate

Positive/

Negative

BCE3

Attributes

Sub List (Sub

List)

Step

Blind Sub

Effect (BSE)

BSE2 Step Step Time In/Dwell/Out Low/High Insert Step Delete Step

Bump Status Rate

Bump Status Label Rate

BSE3

Previous Page Next Page Delete Cue

Spread Sheet

(Cue Spread

Sheet)

Cue List (Cue

List)

Step

Blind Cue

Subroutine

(BCS)

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Up/Down/

More Softkeys

Up/Down/

(BCS)

More Softkeys

Tracksheet

(BCS3)

More Softkeys

Fixture

(BCS)

More Softkeys

(Fader 2)

Step

Return (Stage)

More Softkeys

(Fader 2)

Fixture

Step

(Fader)

More Softkeys

(Fader)

More Softkeys

(Fader)

Rate Park

Fixture Patch

(Fixture Patch)

Fixture Patch

(Fixture Patch)

Softkeys (Continued)

Label

Step Select Cue Rate Type/Level Insert Step Delete Step

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

BCS2

BCS3

Previous Page Next Page Select Fader

Only Follow Select Fader

Backgrnd

Overrides

Backgrnd

Overrides

Update

Fadeout

Subroutine

Fadeout

Subroutine

Fader

Solo Rate Delete

Enable

Fader 2

Go To Subr

Load Sub Solo Previous Page Next Page Delete

Quickstep

Step

Fader 3 Part

Previous Page Next Page Unpatch

Show/Hide

Profile

Tracksheet Block Solo Previous Page Next Page

Labels

Patch

Previous Page Next Page Unpatch

Show/Hide

Labels

Label Profile

Previous Page Next Page

Previous Page Next Page Return (Stage)

Park

Save Showfile

Show Name Save Showfile

Setup

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Reset Loop

Return (Setup)

More Softkeys

(STC3)

(STC2)

(SRTP2)

(STC)

More Softkeys

Return (Setup)

(SRTP2)

Sort

More Softkeys

(SRTP)

Delete

Program

Reset Profile

More Softkeys

(Setup Profiles

More Softkeys

(Setup

Profiles)

Return (Setup)

Sort

Softkeys (Continued)

Manual Mode Pause Mode Step Learn Mode

Clock Enable/

Disable

Purge Flexi Return (Setup)

Disable MIDI Return (Setup)

Stop Printer Pause Printer Return (Setup)

Internal Clock

Time Astro Clock Days/Date Macro Label

Select

Program

Time Astro Clock Days/Date Macro

Select

Program

Label

Independent Flip 16 Bit Previous Page Next Page LTP Return (Setup)

Select Profile Percent Clear All Clear to End Fill Between Copy to Profile Reset Profile Return (Setup)

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

Setup Real

Time

Programs

Setup System

Settings

Setup

Options

Setup Clock

Functions

Setup Clear

Functions

Setup Print

Functions

Setup Macro TBD

Setup Time

Code (STC)

STC2 Select Event Code Time Cue Rate Bump Macro

STC3 Insert Event Copy Event Move Event Previous Page Next Page Delete Event

(SRTP)

SRTP2 Insert Program Copy Program Move Program Previous Page Next Page

Setup

Channel

Attributes

Setup Profiles

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Return (SMLF)

Return (SMLF

Return (Setup)

Delete

Personality

or Patch)

Reset Defaults Return (SMLF)

Autoload

Encoders

Previous Page Next Page

Softkeys (Continued)

View

Personality

DisplayS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8

Setup Moving

Light

Functions

(SMLF)

SMLF

Personality

Functions

SMLF Fixture

Select Fixture Label Encoder Setup Previous Page Next Page Swap Focus Flip

Patch

Category Label Previous Page Next Page Reset Defaults Return (SMLF)

Select

Attribute

SMLF

Attribute

Setup

SMLF

Page Attribute

Select

Encoder

Setup

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Channel Concepts in the Emphasis Control System

The Emphasis Control System controls channels using both Highest-Takes-Precedence (HTP) and Latest-Takes-Precedence (LTP) conventions, and stores information for channels using both Preset and Tracking conventions. These conventions are described here so that you can understand the expected behavior of your control channels and cue playback.

HTP vs. LTP

Emphasis uses two basic channel types – Highest-Takes-Precedence (HTP) channels and Latest-Takes-Precedence (LTP) channels. In all cases, channels that are parked or manually controlled by the keypad or through the tools in Emphasis Visualization become captured and take precedence over any playback controls. See Manual Control, page 72 for more information on selected and captured channels.

HTP

In playback situations, HTP channels will output the level that is highest based on all channel inputs, like cues and submasters. HTP channels are also referred to as “pile-on”, because as control inputs are added (you may bring up cues and multiple submasters that all have a channel recorded at various levels, for example), the system calculates which input has the highest level for that channel and outputs that level. As control inputs are taken down (you pull some of those submasters down to zero), the console will adjust the channel level, if required, to highest remaining level, and so on. Channels that control dimmers are typically HTP channels.

In cues, HTP channels will always follow the timing of the current cue. It does not matter if the channel levels are the same from cue to cue. If the fade timing is different from cue to cue, and you play the next cue before the previous cue completes, the fade time for HTP channels that are moving will change to the current cue’s fade time.

LTP

LTP channels obey the latest cue command to set their level. They are not affected by submasters, unless the submaster contains a subroutine (see Subroutines on Submasters

(Subs-on-Subs), page 152). LTP channels can also fade in the background. What this

means is that an LTP channel will always listen to the most recently played cue if it is moving in that cue. If the channel has the same level in a series of cues, and the first cue of the series is not allowed to complete before you play back subsequent cues, the channel will complete its fade in the background in the fade time of the first cue.

Channels levels fading in the background are displayed in purple, and cannot be cleared from the A/B or C/D faders, since they aren’t really in those faders anymore. You can view cues running in the background using the Fader display. See Background fades, page 149 for more information on channels in the background.

Independent Channels

Both HTP and LTP channels can also be independent. Independent channels are not affected by the Grandmaster fader, the Blackout key, and Flash and Solo functions. Independent channels also have protection from the release command, requiring repeated key presses to return them to zero or recorded levels. Most frequently, color scrollers and control parameters on moving light fixtures other than intensity are set as independent channels. This keeps their moving parts from speeding to full or zero unintentionally when the Grandmaster, Blackout, Flash and Solo are used.

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Preset vs. Tracking

Preset and Tracking are terms used when thinking about how your cue data is stored, edited, and what affect it has on playback.

Preset

Typically, each cue you store will take a complete picture of the output of the system and store it as the cue you designate. There are ways to modify how much of the stage picture you store (see Record Cues, page 89 for more information). This philosophy is called preset. In a preset system, each cue stores data for every channel, regardless of whether that channel’s level is moving. Each cue is a complete picture of the intended stage look, and each cue is played back in its entirety.

When you edit channels in cues, you need to keep in mind that you are typically editing only one cue at a time. If you want to change a channel (or channels) level in a series of consecutive cues, you can either edit each cue one at a time, edit using the Spreadsheet display (see Spreadsheet, page 113) or Tracksheet display (see Tracksheet, page 116), or use a Track Record to accomplish this task.

Tracking

In the Emphasis Control System, tracking refers to channels that are recorded at the same level from cue to cue – those channels appear to track from one cue to the next. Track editing is a very powerful tool and requires that you understand some basic terms. A track edit can make very significant changes throughout your show, so use it carefully.

A Track record will change the current cue, and subsequent cues for channels that remain at the same level until the cue that contains a move instruction for those channels. As an extreme example, if you Track Record a channel into cue #1 that has not been used anywhere in your show, that channel will be recorded into your entire cue list at that level, because it is not told to move in any of those cues. If you make changes to a number of channels in a cue and then Track Record, each channel will stop the track at it’s own next move instruction. See Track Record, page 91 for more information.

Back Track is used to track record backwards from the current cue. Track Record will only record levels into subsequent cues. Use Back Track to record levels into previous cues. As with Track, the levels will be recorded until they encounter a move instruction or an Allfade cue. See Back Track, page 91 for more information.

Fill Track is used to track in both directions from the current cue. Use Fill Track to record forward and backward in the cue list at the same time. As with Track, the levels will be recorded until they encounter a move instruction or an Allfade cue. See Fill Track, page 92 for more information.

An Allfade cue will stop a Track Record at a certain cue number by forcing all channels to “move”, even if their level tracks through to subsequent cues. Channels at zero will be given a move instruction to “be at zero”, and all other channels will be given a move instruction to “be at your level”. This will appear to a Track Record as a brick wall, and will stop channels from tracking forward beyond this cue. See Allfade, page 88

A Blocked Channel creates a move instruction on a channel basis, rather than a cue basis as Allfade does. The Block setting remains with the channel as cues are copied or updated, but are lost if the cue is re-recorded. It is possible to Backtrack over a Blocked channel’s level, but it is not possible to Track Record over it. Blocked channel’s levels will track forward normally. See Blocked Channels, page 111 for more information.

for more information.

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Chapter 3

System Settings

This chapter covers the basic settings you can adjust to customize your Emphasis Control System working environment. It also covers patch functions and the About command.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• The Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

• Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

• Using the About Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

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The Setup Menu

The Setup menu provides a number of settings you can adjust to customize your working environment. These include things like the number of dimmers and channels you have in your system, how some facepanel controls work, default timing information, among others. This section describes all the settings available in the Setup menu.

System Settings

The System Settings menu allows you to customize your working environment.

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Number of Dimmers

The Number of Dimmers setting adjusts the number of EDMX addresses you can patch to. In the Emphasis Control System, all patching is made to EDMX addresses (called dimmers within the patch at the facepanel), which are converted to standard DMX at the output connector (see DMX Output, page 178). All Emphasis Control Systems can access all 32,767 EDMX addresses if required. However, this is usually more addresses than are required for a typical show.

Your system will default to a setting of twice the number of dimmers as there are channels, unless you are running a 5,000 channel system, where the dimmer count will default to the maximum of 32,767.

CAUTION:

Change the number of dimmers:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Step 2: Press [1] [Enter] to choose Number of Dimmers.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

If after a show is patched you reduce the number of dimmers below the number you have patched, those dimmers will become unpatched. Restoring the number of dimmers will not automatically restore dimmers lost in the patch. It is recommended that changes to the number of dimmers be made before you patch, in order to avoid inadvertently unpatching dimmers.

Number of Channels

The Number of Channels setting adjusts the number of control channels you have available. You may find that you do not need the maximum number of channels in your system for a particular show. By setting the number of channels to a reduced number, you reduce the number of pages of channels you might have to page through in channel and patch displays.

If you do choose to reduce the number of channels in your system, keep in mind that moving light fixtures and other DMX controlled devices often require more than one control channel to operate. Make sure that you include enough channels to control these devices.

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

desired number of dimmers and press [Enter].

Change the number of channels:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [2] [Enter] to choose Number of Channels.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired number of channels and press [Enter].

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Default Fade Time

Emphasis assumes a five-second default for cue upfade and downfade times. You can change this default time to whatever you like. Each cue you record after you change this default will have the new time recorded. Changing this setting will not affect cues recorded prior to the change. See Cues, page 98 for more information.

Use the following guidelines when entering time values in Emphasis:

• Times can range from 0.1 seconds to 99:59 minutes. Zero timing is also available.

• Use a decimal point for times less than one second: 0.1-0.9 second.

• Two-digit entries are calculated in seconds: 42=42 seconds, 90=1 minute 30 seconds.

• Three- and four-digit entries are calculated in minutes and seconds: 330=3 minutes 30

seconds, 1075=11 minutes 15 seconds.

Change the default fade times:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [3] [Enter] to choose Default Fade Time.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired default upfade time and press [Enter].

Step 4: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired default downfade time and press [Enter].

Default Level

The [Level] key can be assigned any level between zero and full (100%). The default setting is full. Use this menu item to change it to whatever level you would like. See Set

Levels, page 75 for more information.

Change the default level:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [4] [Enter] to choose Default Level.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired level. This entry self-terminates at a two-digit entry (you don’t have to press [Enter]), so use the [Full] key to enter 100%.

Default Fader Clear Time

The A/B and C/D fader pairs have a [Clear] key. To remove a cue from the stage output, clear the fader pair containing that cue. Channels in that cue will be released to the next highest control input (fader pair or submaster) or will fade out completely. See Fader

Controls, page 144 for more information.

The default fader clear time is zero seconds, causing cleared channels to drop to zero immediately. If you would prefer that clearing a fader takes a longer time to achieve a blackout, change the default fader clear time. The fader clear time can be set to anything from zero to 99:59 minutes, following the guidelines in Default Fade Time, page 48.

Change the default fader clear time:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [5] [Enter] to choose Default Fader Clear Time.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired default fader clear time and press [Enter].

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Default Sneak Time

The sneak function allows you to fade channel levels over a specified time period, rather than setting the new level immediately or manually setting the level with the level wheel or trackpad. See Sneak, page 83 for more information.

The default sneak time is five seconds. The default sneak time can be set to anything from zero to 99:59 minutes, following the guidelines in Default Fade Time, page 48.

Change the default sneak time:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [6] [Enter] to choose Default Sneak Time.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired default sneak time and press [Enter].

Number of Effect Step Channels

In Emphasis you can place up to 1,000 channels (the default value for this setting) in each step within an effect (see Blind Effects, page 123). If you do not plan to use this capacity, you can reduce the number of channels allowed in each step. Reducing this number may improve the memory usage and speed of your system.

Change the number of effect step channels:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [7] [Enter] to choose Number of Effect Step Channels.

Step 3: Using the numeric keypad on the Facepanel or the virtual facepanel, type in the

desired maximum number of effect step channels and press [Enter].

Blackout Key

You can disable the facepanel’s [Blackout] key. This prevents accidental blackouts of the entire system’s output.

Disable (or enable) the Blackout key:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [8] [Enter] to choose Blackout Key.

Step 3: Press [0] [Enter] to disable the Blackout key, or [1] [Enter] to enable the

Blackout Key.

Flexichannel

The Flexichannel display mode is described in Flexichannel, page 30. Use this setting to enable and disable Flexichannel mode.

Disable (or enable) Flexichannel:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [9] [Enter] to choose Flexichannel.

Step 3: Press [0] [Enter] to disable Flexichannel, or [1] [Enter] to enable Flexichannel.

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Master Type

The Grandmaster fader can be set to one of three options:

• Disabled . . . . . . . . . . Master fader has no effect.

• Grandmaster . . . . . . The default setting, the master fader controls all levels on stage

except parked and independent channels.

• Sub Grandmaster . . Master fader controls all levels on stage generated by submasters.

Set the Master type:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [1][0] [Enter] to choose Master Type.

Step 3: Press [0] [Enter] to disable the Grandmaster, or [1] [Enter] for Grandmaster, or

[2] [Enter] for Sub Grandmaster.

Set Channels/Submasters 1-to-1

You can set any or all pages of submasters to automatically record a one-to-one relationship with your channels. This means you can automatically record channel 1 to submaster 1, channel 2 to submaster 2, and so on. Each channel records at full, allowing you to emulate channel faders on consoles without that ability.

Set channels/submasters 1-to-1:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [1][1] [Enter] to choose Set Channels/Submasters 1-to-1.

Step 3: Press [0] [Enter] to set all submaster pages 1-to-1 (for 240 channels on Express

and Expression, 1080 channels for Insight), or [x] [Enter], where [x] is the page you want to set 1-to-1.

Bump Keys

You can enable or disable the bump keys (also known as bump buttons) for the channel/ submaster faders. You might want to do this if you or your operator has a tendency to accidentally lean on or press the bump keys, causing channels or submasters to flash to full output unexpectedly. Bump keys are enabled by default.

Disable (or enable) the bump keys:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [1] [Enter] to access the System Settings menu.

Step 3: Press [1][2] [Enter] to choose Bump Keys.

Step 4: Press [0] [Enter] to disable the bump keys, or [1] [Enter] to enable the bump

keys.

Record Lockout

Once your show is programmed, you may want to prevent an operator from making changes to your recorded cues or submasters. You can disable the [Record], [Track] and [Update] functions by enabling the record lockout. The record lockout is disabled by default.

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Enable (or disable) the record lockout:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1] [Enter] to display the Systems Settings menu.

Step 2: Press [1] [Enter] to access the System Settings menu.

Step 3: Press [1][3] [Enter] to choose Record Lockout.

Step 4: Press [1] [Enter] to enable the record lockout, or [0] [Enter] to disable the record

lockout.

Note:

Record Lockout only disables Emphasis Console record functions. You can still make changes to the show file in Emphasis Visualization.

Options Settings

The Options settings are used when you are using your Emphasis Control System with MIDI, time code or real time programs. See Show Control Overview, page 183, and Real

Time Programs, page 166 for information on these settings.

Clock Functions

Emphasis has an astronomical time clock that can be used along with real time programs (see Real Time Programs, page 166) to run lighting cues at specific times of day, or at an offset from sunrise or sunset. For information on setting the clock functions, see Setting the

time and location, page 166.

If you need to set the time and date for your entire system, you will need to change the clock settings on your Emphasis Server.

Set the time and date on the Emphasis Server:

Step 1: Turn on your Emphasis Control System. Allow it to finish its startup before

proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Exit Emphasis Visualization. When complete, the login screen will be displayed.

Step 3: Login as the System Manager.

Step 4: Right-click the clock at the right end of the Windows task bar and click Adjust

Time/Date.

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Step 5: Set the date, time and time zone and click OK.

Step 6: Click the Start menu in the Windows task bar and click Log Off. In the

confirmation dialog, click Log Off.

Step 7: Login as the Emphasis user.

Clear Functions

You can use the Clear functions to remove portions of your show data from your show file.

Note:

• Clear Show - erases all show information except patch and configuration settings.

• Clear Cues - erases all recorded cue data.

• Clear Submasters - erases all recorded submaster data.

• Clear Groups - erases all recorded groups.

• Clear Focus Points - erases all recorded focus points.

• Clear Macros - erases all recorded macros.

• Clear Time Code Events - erases all recorded time code events.

• Clear Real Time Programs - erases all real time programs.

• Clear Channel Attributes - resets all channel attributes to defaults.

• Reset Profiles - returns all dimmer profiles to their default curves. Profiles 1-9 return

to their default curve, profiles 10-32 reset to a linear curve.

• Set Patch 1-to-1 - sets the patch 1-to-1 with one dimmer per channel. Dimmers above

the set channel count are unpatched.

If you accidentally clear data, DO NOT SAVE YOUR SHOW. You can reload the show and restore data current to your most recent save. It is always a good idea to save your show often during programming.

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Print Functions

The print functions menu offers a number of reports that can be printed on a printer connected to your Emphasis Server (the local printer port on the Facepanel is not supported). The following reports can be printed from this menu:

• Print Stage Display

• Print Cues - this report will print cues in Flexichannel format to save paper)

• Print Submasters

• Print Groups

• Print Focus Points

• Print Macros

• Print Time Code Events

• Print Real Time Programs

• Print Channel Attributes

• Print Profiles

• Print Patch (formatted like the Emphasis Console display)

• Print Cue List

• Print Submaster List

• Print Group List

• Print Focus Point List

• Print Moving Lights

• Print Tracksheet

Macro List

This menu is used in the creation and editing of macros. Please see Macros, page 155 for the use of this menu.

Time Code Events and Real Time Programs

The Time Code Events menu is described in Time Code Program, page 193, and the Real Time Programs menu is described in Real Time Programs, page 165.

Channel Attributes

The Channel Attributes display is used to set the following channel attributes:

• Independent - Independent channels are described in Independent Channels, page

43. A “y” in this column indicates that the channel is independent. Use [S1 -

Independent] to edit this setting for selected channels.

• Flip - A flipped channel outputs DMX full when the channel level is set to zero, and

DMX zero when the channel level is set to full. A “y” in this column indicates the channel is flipped. Use [S2 - Flip] to edit this setting for selected channels.

• 16 Bit - A typical control channel is an 8-Bit channel. Moving lights often use two control

channels to operate a single parameter, like pan or tilt, in order to increase the control resolution of that parameter. This is accomplished by pairing two consecutive channels to operate using 16 Bits (the lower channel number is the high, or coarse movement,

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channel, while the higher channel number is the low, or fine movement, channel). Channels set to 16-Bit are indicated by “Hi” and “Lo”. Use [S3 - 16 Bit] to edit this setting for selected channels.

• LTP - LTP is described in LTP, page 43, and is indicated by a “y” in this column. Use

[S6 - LTP] to edit this setting for selected channels.

• Label - You can assign labels to channels, if you wish. Use [Label] and the

alphanumeric keyboard to edit this setting for selected channels. When complete, press [Enter].

Note:

Label can be found on <S7 - More Softkeys> [S2 - Label] on Express facepanels.

Edit channel attributes:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [9] [Enter] to access the Channel Attributes display.

Step 2: Select a channel by typing the channel number on the numeric keypad or by

scrolling through the channel list using the arrow keys. Select channel ranges using the numeric keypad and the [And], [Thru], and [Except] keys.

Step 3: Press the softkey that corresponds to the attribute you want to change, or use

the right- and left-arrow ([

Step 4: Following the prompt above the softkeys, press [1] to enable or [0] to disable the

attribute you’ve chosen.

t] and [s]) keys to scroll to the attribute’s column.

Profiles

The Profiles menu is described in Dimmer Profiles, page 63.

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Moving Light Functions

Adding moving lights to your show is as easy as inserting and patching them in Emphasis Visualization. Once they exist in your show file, you can make adjustments to their control at the Facepanel using the Setup menu for Moving Light Functions.

Personality Setup

You can view personalities in your show in this display. You cannot edit or add personalities here. To add personalities, insert fixtures into your show through Emphasis Visualization. As you insert fixtures, their personalities are added to this list.

Select a personality number and press [S3- View Personality] to display the names of the parameters for encoder assignments, as well as 16-Bit channels, independent channels, LTP channels and settings for the home position. The home position is the placement of the fixture after it has calibrated and it is ready to be used in the show.

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Fixture Patch

The Fixture Patch display allows you to view your moving light patch information, and set fixtures to swapped focus (pan encoder controls tilt, tilt encoder controls pan) or flipped focus (you can flip pan, tilt, or both). Swap and Flip cannot be set from Emphasis Visualization, and fixtures cannot be patched from Emphasis Console, so insert and patch your fixtures first, then adjust the swap and flip settings here. See how to insert and patch fixtures in the Emphasis Visualization User Manual.

Set a fixture to swapped focus:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter] to access the Moving Light Functions menu.

Step 2: Press [2] [Enter] to display the Fixture Patch.

Step 3: Press [S1 - Select Fixture] [x] [S6 - Swap Focus], where [x] is the fixture

number.

Step 4: Press [1] [Enter] to enable swap, or [0] [Enter] to disable a swap.

Set a fixture to flipped focus:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter] to access the Moving Light Functions menu.

Step 2: Press [2] [Enter] to display the Fixture Patch.

Step 3: Press [S1 - Select Fixture] [x] [S7 - Flip], where [x] is the fixture number.

Step 4: Press [1] [Enter] to enable flipped pan, or [0] [Enter] to disable a flipped pan.

Step 5: Press [1] [Enter] to enable flipped tilt, or [0] [Enter] to disable a flipped tilt.

Attribute Setup

A fixture personality may have up to 64 attributes. Most of the attributes have a name that describes the function to which they are assigned, such as “Pan”, “Tilt”, “Gobo” or “Strobe”.

Attributes are assigned to a category that describes their general function. You can edit these assignments if you wish, including attributes in one or more categories. These categories allow you to select similar attributes across fixtures without having to select each individual channel within the fixtures. Categories are selected using the [Only] command.

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• Position . . . . . . . . . . Attributes that control the direction of the beam; Pan and Tilt.

• Image . . . . . . . . . . . . Attributes that affect the shape of the beam; Gobo, FX, etc.

• Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . Attributes that color the beam: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Color,

etc.

• Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . Attributes that affect the quality of the beam; Intensity, Strobe,

Zoom, Iris, Focus, etc.

• Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . Typically used for speed and control channels.

Note:

Change attribute category assignments:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter] to access the Moving Light Functions menu.

Step 2: Press [3] [Enter] to display the Attribute Setup.

Step 3: Press [S1 - Select Attribute] [x] [S2 - Category], where [x] is the attribute

number.

Step 4: Press the following to toggle the category assignment:

• [1] for Position.

• [2] for Image.

• [3] for Color.

• [4] for Beam.

• [5] for Other.

Step 5: When you have completed your adjustments, press [Enter].

To return all attributes to their default settings, press [S7-Reset Defaults] [Enter].

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Attribute names and default categories

Attribute/Category Attribute/Category Attribute/Category Attribute/Category

1: Int(ensity) Beam 17: CTB Color 33: IntFun Beam 49: FxSpd1 Image 2: Pan Position 18: Gobo1 Image 34: FocSpd Position 50: FxSpd2 Image 3: Tilt Position 19: Gobo2 Image 35: FocFun Position 51: FxFun1 Image 4: Strobe Beam 20: Gobo3 Image 36: CSpd1 Color 52: FxFun2 Image 5: Zoom Beam 21: GRot1 Image 37: CSpd2 Color 53: Macro1 Other 6: Focus Beam 22: GRot2 Image 38: CFun1 Color 54: Macro2 Other 7: Iris Beam 23: GRot3 Image 39: CFun2 Color 55: Fram1A Beam 8: Frost Beam 24: FX1 Image 40: CFun3 Color 56: Fram1B Beam 9: Lens Beam 25: FX2 Image 41: CFun4 Color 57: Fram2A Beam 10: Cyan Color 26: FX3 Image 42: GSpd1 Image 58: Fram2B Beam 11: Magenta Color 27: FxRot1 Image 43: GSpd2 Image 59: Fram3A Beam 12: Yellow Color 28: FxRot2 Image 44: GSpd3 Image 60: Fram3B Beam 13: Clr1 Color 29: FxRot3 Image 45: GFun1 Image 61: Fram4A Beam 14: Clr2 Color 30: MSpd Other 46: GFun2 Image 62: Fram4B Beam 15: Clr3 Color 31: MFun Other 47: GFun3 Image 63: FramRot Image 16: CTO Color 32: IntSpd Beam 48: GFun4 Image 64: Spin Image

Encoder Setup

Emphasis allows you to control moving light attributes through the Fixture Box. This display has six pages and shows up to nine attributes per page. Each attribute is assigned to an encoder, which is a physical device on Expression/Insight 3 and ECS facepanels. Expression 2x style facepanels can use an MLM (see Moving Light Module (MLM) for

Expression/Insight 2x Facepanels, page 26) to control moving lights. Express facepanels

and Expression/Insight 2x facepanels without an MLM access the attributes using the arrow keys and the trackpad or level wheel. You can also assign attributes to an external pointing device, such as a trackball, using the TX and TY encoders.

Encoders are assigned to 44 of the 64 available attributes by default. It is possible, depending on the fixtures you have patched in Emphasis Visualization, for attributes to end up spread across multiple pages of encoders. You can change the placement of the attributes within the Fixture Box by modifying the Encoder Setup.

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Change encoder assignments by attribute:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter] to access the Moving Light Functions menu.

Step 2: Press [4] [Enter] to display the Encoder Setup.

Step 3: Press [S1 - Select Encoder] [x] [S2-Page] [y] [S3 - Attribute], where [x] is the

encoder number and [y] is the page number.

Step 4: Press [+] and [-] to scroll through the available attributes until you find the one

you want to assign. You can also enter the attribute number directly.

Step 5: Press [Enter] to assign the attribute to the selected encoder.

Step 6: Repeat steps 3 through 5 to assign more attributes to encoders. You can use the

arrow keys to move from encoder to encoder and from page to page.

Note:

Each attribute may appear on multiple pages, but an attribute may only appear once on any given encoder page.

Change attribute assignments automatically:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter] to access the Moving Light Functions menu.

Step 2: Press [4] [Enter] to display the Encoder Setup.

Step 3: Press [S6 - Autoload Encoders].

Step 4: Press [Enter] to confirm, or [Clear] to cancel the command. Pressing [Enter] will

place only the attributes for patched fixtures on the encoders, and will start assignments at encoder #1 on page #1, filling encoders as necessary to accommodate all the patched attributes.

Autoload Encoders is also available on [S3 - Autoload Encoders] in the Fixture Patch Display.

Reset encoder assignment defaults:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][1] [Enter] to access the Moving Light Functions menu.

Step 2: Press [4] [Enter] to display the Encoder Setup.

Step 1: Press [S7 - Reset Defaults].

Step 2: Press [Enter] to confirm, or [Clear] to cancel the command. Pressing [Enter] will

restore the default encoder assignments.

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Patch

To control dimmers and other DMX controlled devices using your Emphasis Control System, you will need to create a patch. Emphasis uses control channels to record data in cues and submasters. Control channels must have dimmers assigned to them, so that the dimmers (or other DMX controlled devices) know which channel to listen to for level information. This assignment is called the patch.

Interactivity with Emphasis Visualization

While it is possible to create a patch for conventional dimmers in Emphasis Console, it is better to create your patch in Emphasis Visualization. Emphasis Console only allows you to patch conventional dimmers to channels, not moving light fixtures that use personalities. Also, as you patch in Emphasis Console, Emphasis Visualization is entering data into the show file for “Spare Circuits”, as it has no idea what kind of fixture you are patching, or where it is hung in your plot. If you are not using the data management or visualization tools for a show, feel free to patch directly in Emphasis Console.

Patch dimmers (spare circuits) in Emphasis Console:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Patch] to access the Patch display.

Step 2: Press <Dim> [x] [Enter], where [x] is the dimmer number, to select the dimmer.

You can use [And], [Thru] and [Except] to select ranges of dimmers.

Step 3: Press <Channel> [y] [Enter], where [y] is the channel number. You cannot

patch selected dimmers to more than one channel, nor can you patch selected dimmers across ranges of channels.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 for additional dimmers.

Note:

Unpatch dimmers in Emphasis Console:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Patch] to access the Patch display.

Step 2: Press <Dim> [x] [Enter], where [x] is the dimmer number, to select the dimmer.

You can use [And], [Thru] and [Except] to select ranges of dimmers.

Step 3: Press [S6 - Unpatch].

You cannot unpatch dimmers assigned to moving light fixtures using [S6 - Unpatch]. You must unpatch the fixture in Emphasis Visualization.

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EDMX

512

513

514

Though the Patch display indicates that you are patching dimmers to channels, what you are actually doing is patching an EDMX address to your control channel. EDMX is ETC’s proprietary protocol for transmitting DMX information over an Ethernet network. The suite of ETC network protocols is called ETCNet2 and is the communication method used by the Emphasis Server and the Facepanel. ETCNet2 is also used in systems that contain Video Nodes and DMX Nodes. The Video Node allows you to see the Facepanel display(s) and attach a Remote Focus Unit, an optional keyboard and Remote Macro controller at a location away from your Facepanel. The DMX Node can be configured for up to four DMX outputs or inputs, and allows you to have DMX outputs and inputs away from your Facepanel.

There are 32,767 addresses available in EDMX, which corresponds to 64 universes of DMX. DMX is the industry-standard protocol for controlling dimmers from a lighting control console. Each universe of DMX contains 512 addresses. Each Emphasis Control System can be custom-configured to the needs of the venue, so to explain how patching to EDMX addresses gets you industry-standard DMX at an output in a simple system, please see the diagram below.

Control Channels

Patch

EDMX Addresse

1025 1026

997 998

999

32,767

1000

Console

Configuration/NCE

DMX Output Port #

Using Emphasis with Dimmer Doubling™

Dimmer Doubling is a feature of ETC Sensor dimming that enables you to use a single dimmer and a special two-fer to control two Source Four fixtures separately, In Emphasis, there is no convention for patching dimmers as 1A and 1B to indicate which side of the Dimmer Doubler you are using, as was the case in previous control consoles. To patch doubled circuits, you will need to patch the EDMX address corresponding to DMX 1-256 for the A-side of the doublers and EDMX addresses corresponding to DMX 257-512 for the Bside of the doublers.

If you have any questions about patching Dimmer Doubling within an Emphasis Control System, please call ETC Technical Services (see Help from ETC Technical Services, page

3).

Note:

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Dimmer Doubling is available only for ETC dimming systems operating at a nominal 115 volts, 60Hz. It is not available for systems operating at other voltages or frequencies.

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Modifying dimmer output

Normally, when you fade a control channel, patched dimmers will output the same level. For example, if you set a channel to 50%, the patched dimmers will output at 50%. You can modify this by applying a proportional level to individual dimmers, or by assigning a dimmer profile. If desired, you can apply a proportion and a profile to any dimmer. You can select channels and set them to levels while you are viewing the patch. This way you can see the affect of applied proportions and profiles.

Note:

Do not apply proportions or profiles to 16 Bit channels. This will yield unexpected results.

Proportional Patching

A proportion applied to a dimmer caps the output to the assigned level. For example, if you set a proportion of 80 to a dimmer, that dimmer will only output 80% when its patched channel is set to full (100%). Because this is a proportional setting, when the channel is set to 50, the dimmer will output 40% (half of 80).

Proportional patching can be used when you need to match dimmers with different wattage lamps in them, or if you want to keep a dimmer or dimmers from ever reaching its full output.

Set a proportional dimmer output level:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Patch] to access the Patch display.

Step 2: Press <Dim> [x], where [x] is the dimmer number, to select the dimmer. You can

use [And], [Thru] and [Except] to select ranges of dimmers.

Step 3: Press [At] [y], where [y] is the two-digit proportional level. Enter a zero before

single-digit levels (i.e., 08). Use [Full] to remove a proportional level from a dimmer.

Dimmer Profiles

You can assign a profile to a dimmer in the Emphasis Console Patch display. A profile governs the output level of DMX in relation to the channel level. Profiles are often used to match dimmers with different dimming curves, compensating for any mismatches in dimmer output by adjusting the DMX level. Profiles can also be used to preheat lamps (warming the filaments can extend lamp life or speed the time to full output on lamps that are bumped to full).

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You can assign any dimmer patched to an 8-bit channel a proportional patch level and a profile. In that case, the proportional level is calculated first, then the profile is applied to determine the DMX output for that dimmer.

There are 33 available profiles. Profile 0 is the default profile (linear) and is not editable. The remaining 32 profiles are editable, with profiles 1-9 given default non-linear curves, and 10-32 left at linear for editing. You can view and edit profiles in the Profile display in the Setup menu.

View available profiles:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][0] [Enter] to access the Profiles display.

Step 2: Press <S1-Select Profile> [x] [Enter], where [x] corresponds to the profile you

want to view.

• 0 - Linear (Default - not editable) • 6 - Full at 1%

• 1 - IES Square Law • 7 - Preheat at 5%

• 2 - Slow Bottom • 8 - Preheat at 10%

• 3 - Fast Bottom • 9 - Hot Patch

• 4 - Slow Top • 10-32 - Linear

• 5 - Fast Top

Assign a profile to a dimmer:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Patch] to view the Patch display.

Step 2: Press <Dim> [x], where [x] is the dimmer number, to select the dimmer. You can

use [And], [Thru] and [Except] to select ranges of dimmers.

Step 3: Press [S2 - Profile] [y] [Enter], where [y] is the profile number you want to

assign.

Edit a dimmer profile:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Setup] [1][0] [Enter] to access the Profiles display.

Step 2: Press <S1-Select Profile> [x] [Enter], where [x] corresponds to the profile you

want to edit.

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Note:

You can copy another profile to the desired destination and edit from that if you wish. Select the profile you want to copy, then press [S6 - Copy to Profile] [x] [Enter], where [x] is the destination profile’s number.

Step 3: Use the following methods to edit the profile:

• Press [S2 - Percent] [x] [At] [y] [Enter] where [x] is the percentage of fade completion and [y] is the desired output percentage. You can also use the up/down arrows to set the level and the left/right arrows to select percentages.

• Press [S2 - Percent] [x] [S4 - Clear to End] to set all percentages above the selected one to undefined output.

• Press [S5 - Fill Between] [Enter] to have Emphasis calculate output levels for undefined completion percentages. Emphasis will calculate an even transition between set output levels for any undefined levels within the profile. You must have some set levels within the profile before you press [S5] for this to have any effect.

• Press [S7 - Reset Profile] to return the profile to its default settings.

• You can label your profile (up to 16 characters). The name will appear in the upper-left corner of the profile display and on the profile printed report. Press [Label] or <S7 - More Softkeys> [S2 - Label], type in the label on the alphanumeric keyboard, and press [Enter].

Step 4: Repeat step 4 until all adjustments have been made.

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Label Dimmers

You have the option to label dimmers using the [Label] key. On any facepanel you can show or hide labels using [S6 - Show/Hide Labels] in the Patch display.

Note:

Label can be found on <S7 - More Softkeys> [S2 - Label] on Express facepanels.

Label dimmers:

Step 1: On your Emphasis Facepanel or from the virtual facepanel in Emphasis

Visualization, press [Patch] to access the Patch display.

Step 2: Press <Dim> [x], where [x] is the dimmer number, to select the dimmer.

Step 3: Press [Label] and type the label name. Labels can be five characters long. When

done, press [Enter].

Step 4: Press [S3 - Show/Hide Labels] to toggle label display.

Patching to a Strand Lighting 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. Refer to the illustrations below to determine the address for the dimmer slots. When patching 6kW and 12kW dimmer, patch the slot’s odd number to the desired channel number. Patch the slot’s even number to channel zero (essentially unpatching the dimmer).

103

101

97 98

109 110

100

111 112

102

113 114

104

115 116

13 14

15 16

17 18

19 20

21 22

23 24

105 106

117 118

107 108

119 120

25 26

37 38

49 50

61 62

73 74

85 86

27 28

39 40

51 52

63 64

75 76

87 88

29 30

41 42

53 54

65 66

77 78

89 90

31 32

43 44

55 56

67 68

79 80

91 92

33 34

45 46

57 58

69 70

81 82

93 94

35 36

47 48

59 60

71 72

83 84

95 96

121 122

133 134

145 146

157 158

169 170

181 182

123 124

135 136

147 178

159 160

171 172

183 184

125 126

137 138

149 150

161 162

173 174

185 186

127 128

139 140

151 152

163 164

175 176

187 188

129 130

141 142

153 154

165 166

177 178

189 190

131 132

143 144

155 156

167 168

179 180

191 192

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Using the About Command

The [About] command is a powerful tool for viewing information about dimmers, channels and your Emphasis Console show.

About Dimmer

Use About Dimmer to view patch data and source data about a specific dimmer. Press [About] [Dim] [x], where [x] is the dimmer number you want to view, to open the About Dimmer display.

About Channel

Use About Channel to view patch and usage data about a specific channel. Press [About] [Channel] [x], where [x] is the channel number you want to view, to open the About

Channel display.

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About Show

Use About Show to view statistics of recorded items in your show. Press [About] [Enter] to open the About Show display.

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Chapter 4

Live Editing

This chapter contains information about selecting and controlling channels and fixtures for use in a live environment, where changes happen on screen and on stage. This chapter also covers parking channels and dimmers, recording cues and submasters, and timing concepts.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

• Manual Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

• Cues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

• Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

• Time Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

• Special Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

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Displays

To control channels live, you need to be in either the Stage or Fader display in Emphasis Console. These displays show you the channel levels of the current Emphasis Control System output.

Stage Display

The Stage display shows you the total output of the Emphasis Control System, with channel levels generated by manual control, cues in the A/B and C/D fader pairs, submasters and channels in the background.

Express Stage display

Expression/Insight Stage display

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Fader Display

The Fader display gives you the opportunity to view channel data contributing to the output of the Emphasis Control System by submaster, by fader or by viewing the background. This is extremely helpful when you have multiple playback controls active at the same time and you want to make an edit.

Expression/Insight display shown.

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Manual Control

Once you have created your patch (see Patch, page 61), the next step is setting your channels and fixtures to levels so that you can store cues and submasters. Manual control is interactive with Emphasis Visualization, so you can choose to work with the mouse, selecting lights by clicking them, or you may choose to use the keypad interface of Emphasis Console.

Select Channels, Dimmers and Fixtures

Channels are the means by which Emphasis stores cue data. Everything you want to store in a cue or submaster needs to be patched to a channel. Moving lights use multiple channels to control all their parameters.

Emphasis uses fixture personalities to organize the channels required for a moving light. When you want to use moving lights in your show, patch them using the personalities available in the libraries in Emphasis Visualization (See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for how to patch).

You can also access dimmers directly for troubleshooting purposes, or to park them at a level (see Park, page 85).

Selected channels are under your immediate control. There are a number of ways to select channels and fixtures: directly by number, by selecting a group containing the desired channels (see Groups, page 84), and/or by selecting a Concept (see Concepts, page 73). Dimmers must be selected using the [Dim] key.

Direct Selection

The most direct way to select a channel or fixture is to simply type its number on the Facepanel’s numeric keypad. You can select single channels, or multiple channels using the [And] key, or ranges of channels using the [Thru] key, and you can remove channels from a selection using the [Except] key. The same is true of fixture selections. In most cases, the channel key’s LED is lit, making the [Channel] key press optional.

Select channels:

• Press <Channel> [x] to select a single channel.

• Press <Channel> [x] [And] [z] to select non-consecutive channels.

• Press <Channel> [x] [Thru] [z] to select a range of channels.

• Press <Channel> [a] [Thru] [g] [Except] [c] to select a range of channels, except channel [c].

• You can use [Except] multiple times to remove multiple channels from the selection: <Channel> [1] [Thru] [1][0] [Except] [5] [Except] [7], selects channels 1-4, 6 and 8-

10.

• Press <Channel> [Enter] to select all channels with levels above zero.

• In Emphasis Visualization, you can click on a fixture symbol to select its channel. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on selecting fixtures using the mouse.

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Select dimmers:

• Press <Dim> [x] to select a single dimmer for dimmer check, or in Patch or Park displays.

• Press <Dim> [x] [And] [z] to select non-consecutive dimmers in Patch or Park.

• Press <Dim> [x] [Thru] [z] to select a range of dimmers in Patch or Park displays.

• Press <Dim> [a] [Thru] [g] [Except] [c] to select a range of dimmers, except dimmer [c] in channel patch or park.

• You can use [Except] multiple times to remove multiple dimmers from the selection: <Dim> [1] [Thru] [1][0] [Except] [5] [Except] [7], selects dimmers 1-4, 6 and 8-10 in Patch or Park displays.

Select fixtures:

• Press [S8 - Fixture] [x] to select a fixture number. Use [And], [Thru] and [Except] to select multiple fixtures.

• In Emphasis Visualization, you can click on a fixture symbol to select its channels. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on selecting fixtures using the mouse.

Concepts

In Emphasis Visualization, you can create groups of fixtures (conventional or moving light fixtures). These are called concepts and are found in the Shortcut bar. Use concepts to select groups of channels and fixtures, then set levels either with the mouse or with the Emphasis Console features described in the next section. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on creating concepts and setting levels within Visualization.

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Channel selection in Flexichannel

In Flexichannel mode (see Flexichannel, page 30), channel selection using the [Thru] key changes slightly. In Flexichannel, only channels used in the show are visible on screen. When you use the [Thru] key in Flexichannel, only visible channels will be selected. To select all channels in the range, regardless of their visibility, press [Thru] twice: <Channel> [x] [Thru] [Thru] [z].

Channels selected with:

<Channel> [7][0] [Thru] [1][0][1]

Channels selected with:

<Channel> [7][0] [Thru] [Thru] [1][0][1]

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Set Levels

Once channels or fixtures are selected, you will want to set a level. Levels indicate the intensity level for conventional channels, or the attribute setting for fixtures. Emphasis Console displays channel levels as a two-digit percentage from 00 to FL (100%).

Note:

You can view the raw data for 16 Bit channels (pan and tilt) in the fixture box (see Moving

Light Control, page 80), otherwise the percentage equivalent is displayed in the channel

area of the Emphasis Console displays.

Channel levels can be set directly, or by reference to a focus point (see Focus Points, page

81). Direct levels are stored into focus points, and can be recorded into groups (see

Groups, page 84), cues and submasters.

Direct Levels

The simplest way to set a channel level is to do it directly using the [At], [Full] and [Level] keys, or the level wheel/trackpad. This is most frequently used for setting levels for channels that control intensity (dimmers).

When you use fixtures, you can set levels directly by channel, or by using the encoders, or the arrow keys and trackpad.

If you are selecting fixtures using the mouse in Emphasis Visualization, you can set levels using the right-click menu or the Design tools. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on selecting fixtures and setting levels within Visualization.

Set levels using [At]:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

Step 2: Press [At] [x], where [x] is the two-digit percentage. You can repeat pressing [At]

and Fixtures, page 72.

[x] until you have achieved the output you like without re-selecting the channels each time, unless you record those levels or otherwise deselect the channels.

Note:

<Channel> [1] [At] [5] [Enter] sets channel 1 to a level of 50%. Using this syntax, you can skip the zero in levels like 10, 20, 30 and so on. If you want to set a level lower than 10, you must enter the leading zero - [At] [0][5] to set 5%.

Set levels using [Full] or [Level]:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Press [Full] to set the channel(s) to 100%, or press [Level] to set the channel(s)

to the output level set in Default Level, page 48.

Set levels using the level wheel (Expression/Insight only):

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Roll the level wheel away from you to raise the level, or toward you to lower the

level.

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Set levels using the trackpad (Express only)

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Slide your finger from bottom to top of the trackpad to raise the level, or from top

to bottom to lower the level. You can change the resolution of the trackpad by pressing the coarse and fine pads to the left of the main trackpad. The coarse pad has a rougher texture than the fine pad. When you set the resolution to coarse, levels change faster when you slide your finger up and down. Use the fine setting to move levels only a few points at a time.

Y - Axis

Coarse pad

(Tilt)

X - Axis (Pan)

Fine pad

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Captured channels and [Release]

When you set channels to levels and then move on to select other channels, the channels you have just set are displayed in red and become captured. Captured channels have been set to levels using manual control, and they may have been recorded into a cue, group, focus point or submaster. Captured channels remain at their set level until you release them.

Captured channels in red

Channels with certain attribute settings (see Channel Attributes, page 54) respond to the [Release] command differently.

• Selected dependent channels are released with the first press of [Release]. Selected independent channels are released with the second press of [Release].

• Unselected (captured) dependent channels are released with the first press of [Release] if there are no selected channels. Unselected (captured) independent channels are released with the second press of [Release].

Captured channel indicator

Selected channels on the wheel/trackpad

• If you had dependent and independent channels captured, and some of those channels selected, it’s possible for you to have to press [Release] up to four times to release all captured channels.

• First press releases selected dependent channels.

• Second press releases selected independent channels.

• Third press releases unselected (captured) dependent channels.

• Fourth press releases unselected (captured) independent channels.

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Dimmer and Channel Check

Often before a rehearsal or performance, you will want to check that all your lights are working. Emphasis offers a feature called Dimmer Check that allows you to step sequentially through your dimmers (EDMX addresses), setting the current dimmer to the level of your choice. If you want to do this on a channel level, rather than on the EDMX level, you have a number of choices, described below.

Use Dimmer Check:

Step 1: Press [Dim] [x], where [x] is the first dimmer you want to check.

Step 2: Press [At] [y] [Enter], where [y] is the level you want the dimmers to go to. The

dimmer will unpatch itself temporarily and output the level you set.

Step 3: Press [+] to move to the next dimmer, or [-] to move to the previous dimmer. As

you press [+] or [-], each dimmer will temporarily unpatch itself and output the level you set in step 2.

Step 4: When you are done checking dimmers, press any key other than [+] or [-] to

release the last dimmer.

Note:

Only one dimmer can be checked at a time using the Dimmer Check feature. Dimmer check tests all dimmers, regardless of patch.

Channel check using the keypad:

Step 1: Press <Channel> [x] [Full], where [x] is the first channel you want to check.

Step 2: Press [At] [0][0] [+] [Full] to set the first channel to zero output and the next

channel to full.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 until all channels have been checked.

Step 4: Press [Release] to release the captured channels. You may need to press

[Release] multiple times, depending on your channel attribute settings.

This type of channel check is typically used for channels patched to dimmers, not for moving lights. You can create a macro to automate this process. See Sample Macros,

page 163.

Channel check using the [S8 - Flash] softkey:

Step 1: Press <Channel> [x], where [x] is the first channel you want to check.

Step 2: Press <S7 - More Softkeys> and press and hold [S8 - Flash]. The channel will

jump to full output.

Step 3: While pressing [S8 - Flash], press [+] to move to the next channel, or [-] to move

to the previous channel. As you press [+] or [-], each channel will temporarily jump to full output.

Step 4: Release [S8 - Flash] to return the last channel to its stage level.

Note:

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Independent channels will not respond to this kind of channel check.

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Solo

The solo function can be used to suppress the levels of unselected channels. This is helpful if you want to temporarily change the stage look to just a few channels, or record a cue, group or submaster containing only a few of the channels in the current stage look.

Set levels using [S3 - Solo]:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Set levels using the procedure described in Set Levels, page 75.

Step 3: Press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S3 - Solo]. In Stage and Fader, all unselected

dependent channels will be temporarily set to zero level. In Blind, all unselected channels will be set to zero level.

Step 4: In Stage, press [S3 - Solo] again to restore levels for unselected channels. In

Blind, press [Release] to restore recorded levels.

Note:

In Blind, pressing [S3 - Solo] again clears all levels, regardless of channel selection.

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Moving Light Control

Moving lights require multiple control channels to control all their attributes. Collectively, these channels are called a fixture. Fixtures are patched in Emphasis Visualization using personalities that automatically match up their control channels to attributes and categories in Emphasis Console. There are tools for controlling fixtures directly from Emphasis Visualization. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on selecting fixtures and setting levels within Visualization.

There are also features for controlling fixtures directly from the Facepanel. Expression and Insight facepanels have encoders for easily controlling the attributes of fixtures. See

Moving Light Functions, page 56 for information on setting up fixture attributes and

encoders.

Note:

Fixture channels

Fixture Box

You can access fixture attributes using the trackpad and arrow keys on Express facepanels. On Expression/Insight 2x facepanels without the MLM, use the arrow keys and the level wheel.

When you have fixtures patched in your show, they will appear in the console displays as channels surrounded by a gray bar. As you select fixtures, their available attributes and encoder assignments are displayed in the fixture box. You can set levels for channels within a fixture by direct selection as well.

Encoder assignment Current page

Control fixtures using the encoders (Expression/Insight 3 or 2x with MLM):

Step 1: Press [S8 - Fixture] [x], where [x] is the fixture number you want to select. Use

[And], [Thru] and [Except] to select multiple fixtures. The fixture box will be

displayed.

Step 2: Press [Focus Point] [Enter] to prepare the fixture for control.

Step 3: Press the page keys to move from one encoder page to the next.

Step 4: Spin the encoder corresponding to the attribute you want to change. Attributes

assigned to TX and TY are controlled by a serial trackball or other pointing device connected to the Facepanel or MLM.

Step 5: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have completed all the changes you want to

make.

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Fixture attribute

16 Bit data

Page 91

Control fixtures with the arrow keys (Express & Expression/Insight 2x without MLM):

Step 1: Press [S8 - Fixture] [x], where [x] is the fixture number you want to select. Use

[And], [Thru] and [Except] to select multiple fixtures. The fixture box will be

displayed.

Step 2: Press [Focus Point] [Enter] to prepare the fixture for control.

Step 3: Press up- and down-arrow keys ([

the next.

Step 4: Press left- and right-arrow keys ([

change.

Step 5: Use the trackpad or level wheel to adjust the attribute level.

Step 6: Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you have completed all the changes you want to

make.

u] or [v]) to move from one encoder page to

s] or [t]) to move to the attribute you want to

Focus Points

Focus points are special groups that can be used to set levels in cues and submasters by reference. When you set channels and fixtures to a focus point, they will take their levels from those recorded in the focus point. If you make changes to a focus point, any channels in a cue or submaster with a reference to that focus point will play back with the new levels.

This is very useful for pan and tilt of moving lights. If you are touring a show, or if the final placement of furniture on your set is not determined, you can create a focus point for each of your focus positions. When you write your cues with reference to these focus points, and the furniture placement gets changed, you can simply refocus your lights and update the focus points with new pan and tilt values, and all your cues will play back using that new focus information.

Note:

Focus points can be associated with focus positions in Emphasis Visualization. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on linking a focus position to a focus point.

Focus points can store data for any channel in your show, not just fixtures or pan and tilt data.

Record a focus point:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Set levels using the procedure described in Set Levels, page 75, or by using the

encoders, or by direct control through Emphasis Visualization.

Step 3: Press [Record] [Focus Point] [x] [Enter], where [x] is the number of the focus

point.

Recall a focus point for selected channels:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Press [Focus Point] [x], where [x] is the focus point number. Channels will be

captured at the level recorded in the focus point, and the number [x] will be indicated below the level.

Use focus points as selection groups:

Step 1: Press [Focus Point] [x], where [x] is the number of the focus point you want to

use to select channels.

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Step 2: Press:

• [At] [y], where [y] is a proportional level, or use the level wheel/trackpad. When you do this, you are using the focus point like it is a group. No reference to recorded levels is created or maintained. Direct levels are recorded in any subsequent record command.

• [Focus Point] [y] [Enter], where [y] is the focus point you want to reference to. This could be the same as the focus point you used in step 1, if you wanted to look at the entire focus point on stage, for example. Or, you can use the focus point in step 1 as a selection tool, and the focus point here as a level setting tool.

Palettes

If you want to create a quick color select, you can use palettes. Palettes are stored in Emphasis Visualization as a shortcut in the Emphasis mode. They are not referenced by cues and submasters, but do provide a quick way to recall colors. See the Emphasis Visualization User Manual for more information on palettes.

Only and Solo

The [Only] and [S3 - Solo] functions can be used with fixtures to limit selections and record commands to the attribute categories. This is useful if you only want to set the color channels of a fixture to a focus point, or if you only want to record position channels to a focus point, for example. You can also use [S3 - Solo] to step through your fixtures, adjusting them individually, then return to the whole stage look.

Note:

Only is found on [S4 - Only] in Stage, Blind and Fader on Express facepanels.

Select and adjust fixtures using [S3 - Solo]:

Step 1: Press [S8 - Fixture] [x] <S7 - More Softkeys> [S3 - Solo], to select fixture [x]

and force all other intensities temporarily to zero.

Step 2: Adjust fixture [x].

Step 3: Press [+] to select the next fixture, or [-] to select the previous fixture.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have completed making your adjustments.

Step 5: Press [S3 - Solo] to return to the full stage look.

Select fixture attributes using [Only]:

Step 1: Press [S8 - Fixture] [x], where [x] is the fixture number you want to select. Use

[And], [Thru] and [Except] to select multiple fixtures. The fixture box will be

displayed.

Step 2: Press [Only] [S1 - Position] to select the position channels of the fixture. You

can substitute [S2 - Image], [S3 - Color], [S4 - Beam] or [S5 - Other] to select channels assigned to those categories. If you press [Only] [S6 - Attribute] [y], where [y] is an attribute number, you can limit your selection to one attribute.

See Attribute Setup, page 57 for information on attributes and their categories.

Step 3: Press [Focus Point] [z], where [z] is the focus point number. Channels will be

captured at the level recorded in the focus point, and the number [z] will be indicated below the level. You can also set direct levels using the encoders or the [At] key.

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Sneak

You can use [Only] and [S3 - Solo] to limit the channels you record into a focus point. This is helpful if you want to create focus points for one attribute category, like position, without having to clear out all other channels.

Record a focus point using [Only] and [S3 - Solo]:

Step 1: Press [S8 - Fixture] [x], where [x] is the fixture number you want to select. Use

[And], [Thru] and [Except] to select multiple fixtures. The fixture box will be

displayed.

Step 2: Press [Only] [S1 - Position] to select the position channels of the fixture. You

Step 3: Set levels using the procedure described in Moving Light Control, page 80.

Step 4: Press [Record] [Focus Point] [y] [S3 - Solo] to record focus point [y] with levels

for the selected attribute(s) only.

With the sneak function, you can manually set direct levels over time. When you use the [At], [Full], [Level] and [Release] keys, the new level takes affect immediately. When you use the level wheel or trackpad, you may not fade to the new level evenly. If you need to change channel levels, and you want the change to be smooth or go unnoticed (like in a performance situation), you can use the sneak function to have channels assume new levels (or restore to recorded levels) over a given period of time. You can use the default sneak time, set in Default Sneak Time, page 49, or you can set the sneak time yourself.

Note:

You cannot sneak to a focus point, only to direct levels.

Set channel level using [S6 - Sneak]:

Step 1: Press <Stage>. The sneak softkey is only available in the Stage display.

Step 2: Press [S6 - Sneak]. This activates the sneak mode.

Step 3: Select the channels you want to sneak using the procedure described in Select

Channels, Dimmers and Fixtures, page 72. You do not need to press [Channel].

Step 4: Choose one of the following options:

• Press [Enter] to sneak the channels out, or to recorded levels, in the default Sneak time.

• Press [Time] [y] [Enter] to sneak the channels out, or to recorded levels, in the time [y].

• Press [At] [x] [Enter], to sneak to level [x] in the default Sneak time.

• Press [At] [x] [Time] [y] [Enter] to sneak to level [x] in the time [y].

To sneak all captured channels out or to their recorded levels in the default sneak time, press [S6 - Sneak] [Enter].

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Channel Faders (Express Two-Scene/Insight only)

On Express Two-Scene facepanels and on Insight facepanels you have the option of setting channel levels using the channel faders. Express Two-Scene facepanels have dedicated channel faders, and Insight facepanels share channel and submaster faders. Channel levels set with the channel faders are not captured, but will remain active under HTP operation until the channel fader is moved back to the zero position.

To operate an Express Two-Scene console using channel faders, please see Express

Facepanel Two-Scene Operation, page 276 .

Use channel faders on Insight facepanels:

Step 1: The facepanel defaults to Submaster faders (the [Sub Mode] LED is lit). Press

[Sub Mode] to turn off the LED and switch to channel mode.

Step 2: Slide the faders to the levels you require.

Groups

If you find yourself selecting the same groupings of channels over and over, or you always want to set levels for certain channels proportionally relative to each other, you can record those channels with levels to a group. A group is a simple way to select multiple channels with minimal key presses. You can also use recorded cues and submasters as groups, see

Using Cues as Groups, page 93 and Using Submasters as Groups, page 97 for more

information.

Record a group:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 2: Set levels using the procedure described in Set Levels, page 75. Only channels

with levels are recorded into groups.

Step 3: Press [Record] [Group] [x] [Enter], where [x] is the group number.

Recall a group:

• Press [Group] [x] [Full], where [x] is the group number, to recall the group as it was recorded.

• Press [Group] [x] [At] [y], where [x] is the group number and [y] is a level, to recall the group at a proportional level. For example, you recorded the channels in group 1 at full. When you recall [Group] [1] [At] [7][5], all the channels in group 1 will be set to 75%. If the channels were recorded into group 1 at 80%, that same syntax would set the group 1 channels to 60% (75% of 80).

Recall groups using [Only]:

Step 1: Press [Group] [x] to select the first group. You can use [And] and [Thru] to

select multiple groups.

Step 2: Press [Only] [Group] [y] to select only the channels that are common to groups

[x] and [y].

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Park

Parked channels and dimmers are set to a level that they will maintain regardless of manual control, cue or submaster playback. Parked levels are not recorded into cues, groups or submasters and are independent of most other instructions, with the following exception:

• [Blackout] affects parked dependent channels. Independent channels are not affected by [Blackout].

Channels and dimmers that are unparked will return to whatever control input has the highest level, or they will return to zero output.

Note:

Since you can park channels and dimmers separately, it is possible to park a channel and its patched dimmer at different levels. In this case, the parked dimmer level will take precedence. When the dimmer is unparked, the channel’s parked level will take precedence.

Park Dimmers

When you park dimmers, they will stay at their parked level and ignore any instructions they get from the channel they are patched to. So, you can park a dimmer to a specific level (to maintain worklight, or for troubleshooting purposes, for example) and still be setting channel levels and recording cues.

Park dimmers at direct levels:

Step 1: In the Stage display, press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park]. In the Park

display, you do not need to press a softkey before selecting dimmers.

Step 2: Select dimmers using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers and

Fixtures, page 72.

Step 3: If selected dimmers are not already at the levels you require, press [At] [x],

where [x] is the level you desire. If they are at the levels you require, skip this step.

Step 4: Press [Enter] to park the dimmers. In the Park display, dimmers will display the

level they are parked to.

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Park Channels

You can park channels at direct levels, or with reference to a focus point. Channels parked at a focus point will update their parked level if the corresponding focus point is changed. See Focus Points, page 81 for more information.

Park channels at direct levels:

Step 1: In the Stage display, press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park]. In the Park

display, you do not need to press a softkey before selecting channels.

Step 2: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 3: If selected channels are not already at the levels you require, press [At] [x],

where [x] is the level you desire. If they are at the levels you require, skip this step.

Step 4: Press [Enter] to park the channels. In the Park display, channels will display the

level they are parked to.

Park channels at focus points:

Step 1: In the Stage display, press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park]. In the Park

display, you do not need to press a softkey before selecting channels.

Step 2: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72.

Step 3: Press [Focus Point] [x], where [x] is the number of the focus point.

Step 4: Press [Enter] to park the channels. In the Park display, channels will display the

level they are parked to and the focus point number they are referencing.

Park Groups, Focus Points, Cues and Submasters

You can park channels at levels based upon recorded groups, focus points, cues and submasters. When you park based upon recorded levels, you have the option of parking at the recorded levels, or at a proportional level.

Park channels relative to recorded levels:

Step 1: In the Stage display, press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park]. In the Park

display, you do not need to press a softkey before selecting channels.

Step 2: Press [Group] [x], where [x] is the group number. [Group] can be replaced with

[Cue], [Sub] or [Focus Point] as needed.

Step 3: Press [Full] to park at recorded levels, or press [At] [y], where [y] is the

proportional level. For example, channel 1 is recorded into group 1 at full (100%). You park [Group] [1] [At] [5][0]. Channel 1 will park at 50%.

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Park Fixtures

If you need to park a moving light, you can park whole fixtures one at a time or in ranges. You can park them with direct levels or with reference to a focus point. You can only park fixtures from the Stage display, and when you park a fixture, all associated channels are parked whether you select them to set levels or not.

Park fixtures:

Step 1: Press [Stage].

Step 2: Select fixtures using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers and

Fixtures, page 72.

Step 3: Set levels for the fixture(s) as described in Moving Light Control, page 80.

Step 4: Press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park] [Enter]. The selected fixture(s)

channels will be parked at their direct level, or at the level generated by a referenced focus point, or at zero if they were without a set level when parked.

Unpark

When you unpark channels and dimmers, they are released to the highest control input level or are sent to zero output.

Unpark channels:

Step 1: In the Stage display, press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park]. In the Park

display, you do not need to press a softkey before selecting channels.

Step 2: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

and Fixtures, page 72. You can also select channels to unpark by [Group],

[Cue], [Sub] and [Focus Point].

Step 3: Press [Release] to unpark the channel(s).

Note:

To unpark all channels from Stage, press [S6 - Park] [Release] [Enter]. To unpark all channels in the Park display, press [Release] [Enter].

Unpark dimmers:

Step 1: In the Stage display, press <S7 - More Softkeys> [S6 - Park]. In the Park

display, you do not need to press a softkey before selecting dimmers.

Step 2: Select dimmers using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers and

Fixtures, page 72.

Step 3: Press [Release] to unpark the dimmer(s).

To unpark all dimmers from Stage, press [S6 - Park] [Dim] [Release] [Enter]. To unpark all dimmers in the Park display, press [Dim] [Release] [Enter].

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Cues

Cue Types

Crossfade

Allfade

Cues are one of the fundamental playback methods in your Emphasis Control System. A cue is a recorded stage look that exists within a structure known as a cue list. Cues can be played back individually or in sequential order in the A/B and C/D fader pairs (see A/B and

C/D Fader Pairs, page 144). Cues contain fade times, and can contain wait and follow

instructions (see Time Functions, page 98), links to other cues, macros or submasters (see

Link Functions, page 89), and can be labeled (see Label, page 103).

Emphasis has a 9,999 cue capacity. You can number cues from 0.1 - 999.9. Cues can be used as groups (see Using Cues as Groups, page 93), and are the basic unit for subroutines (see Subroutines, page 117).

In general, when you play back cues, you are simply fading one stage look into another. There are five cue types that can affect how cues play back, or how cues are edited.

In a crossfade cue, channels that are moving to a higher level will fade in the upfade time, and channels that are moving to a lower level will fade in the downfade time. Channels may be tracked through crossfade cues.

Allfade cues force all unused channels to move to zero, and create move instructions for all tracking channels in the cue. This cue type will stop a track record from changing levels in subsequent cues (see Tracking, page 90). This is a useful cue type to use at the end of scenes or acts. An allfade cue also clears the other fader pair when played back.

Block

A block cue forces all LTP channels to fade to completion in background cue timing and then runs in a physical fader like any other cue. Use block cues to end effects running in the background, without having to use the [S3 - Background Overrides] command.

Effect

Instead of simply fading from one stage look to another, an effect cue runs a dynamic series of steps at a given rate. Each step contains channels or groups at levels. An example of a simple effect is a chase, where lights turn on and off in sequence. Complex effects can be made as well, to emulate lightning or fire or reflections off water, for example. Effects can also be used with moving lights. See Stage Effects, page 92 for information on creating effect cues.

Subroutine

Subroutine cues are like effects, but instead of using channels and groups as the base element, subroutines use cues. In a sense, a subroutine is a cue list of its own, that can run as an automated loop, or can wait for a manual go for each step. Subroutines are very useful for creating complex moving light effects. Subroutine cues are slightly different than Subroutines-on-Submasters, described in Subroutines on Submasters (Subs-on-Subs),

page 152.

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Record Cues

Emphasis provides two basic recording functions – [Record] and [Track]. The [Record] function saves all channels at their Stage levels in the cue, group or submaster you specify. When you use [Record] for cues, only the cue you specify is affected. [Track], on the other hand, can make changes across a series of cues (see Tracking, page 90).

Record cues:

Step 1: Select channels using the procedure described in Select Channels, Dimmers

Step 2: Set levels using the procedure described in Set Levels, page 75 and Moving

Step 3: Press [Record] <Cue> [x] [Enter], where [x] is the target cue number. If the

and Fixtures, page 72.

Light Control, page 80.

target cue number has already been recorded, a “Cue Recorded” message will blink on the stage display. If you choose to record to a used number, the new look will overwrite the old look.

Note:

Remember that the [Record] function will store all Stage levels in the cue, group or submaster you specify. Make sure that you have cleared all unwanted channels before recording your cues. Stray channel levels may come from captured channels, active submasters, cues in the fader pairs, or channels in the background. If you need to leave a channel or dimmer at a level, but you do not want to record it at that level in your cues, use the Except or Solo commands (see Special Functions, page 101) or the Park command (see Park, page 85).

Link Functions

There are times when you want cues to play back out of numerical order, or you may want other things to happen in your Emphasis Control System when a cue is played back. You can use the [Link] function to change the order of the cue list, without having to re-record all your cues, and to link cues to submaster bumps and macros. You can enter links in Stage, Blind, Fader and Cue List displays.

When you link a cue to another cue you change the playback order of your cue list. For example, you have a cue list of five cues numbered 1-5 and you link cue 1 to cue 5. When you play back cue 1, cue 5 becomes the next cue, skipping over cues 2-4. By linking cues in both directions, you can create link loops. In a link loop, pressing [Go] will keep you within the loop.

Link a cue to another cue:

Step 1: Press [Cue] [x], where [x] is the first cue to play back.

Step 2: Press [Link] <Cue> [y] [Enter], where [y] is the cue to jump to in the cue list.

Link to macros

You can link a cue to a macro. A macro is a recorded series of commands (see Macros,

page 155). The macro will fire as soon as you press [Go], unless you have entered a

[Follow] time in the cue (see Follow, page 99).

Link a cue to a macro:

Step 1: Press [Cue] [x], where [x] is the cue you are linking the macro to.

Step 2: Press [Link] [Enter Macro] [y] [Enter], where [y] is the macro number.

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Link to submasters

You can also link a cue to a submaster (see Submasters, page 94). Submaster links have two components - sub-bump on and sub-bump off. This allows you to fire a submaster automatically when you press [Go]. Use sub-bump on to fade in the submaster, and sub- bump off to fade out the submaster. The submaster will fire as soon as you press [Go], unless you have entered a [Follow] time in the cue.

Link a cue to a submaster:

Step 1: Press [Cue] [x], where [x] is the cue you are linking the submaster to.

Step 2: Press:

• [Link] [Sub] [+] [y] [Enter], where [y] is the submaster number, to link to a sub-bump on.

• [Link] [Sub] [-] [y] [Enter], where [y] is the submaster number, to link to a sub-bump off.

• You can press the actual submaster bump button instead of entering the number - [Link] [Sub] [+] [Sub-Bump y] [Enter]. You still need to indicate [+] or [-] to indicate whether you want the submaster to turn on or off.

Clear a link

You can only have one item linked to a single cue at a time. If you have a cue linked to another cue, and then link a macro to that same cue, the cue link will be replaced with the macro link. You can also clear a link completely. Clearing a link does not clear any associated [Follow] time (see Follow, page 99).

Clear a link:

Step 1: Press [Cue] [x], where [x] is the cue number containing the link.

Step 2: Press [Link] [Clear]. This removes the link.

Tracking

Tracking is an editing method that enables you to change channel levels through consecutive cues. You can track forward, track backward, or both directions at once. Tracking is a powerful tool that should be used with care, as it can make sweeping changes in your show with only a few key presses.

When you have channel levels that stay the same through a series of consecutive cues, those levels are said to track through those cues (shaded cells in the table below show tracking channels). Track recording will change the whole series of cues in one record action. A track record stops changing cues when the tracked channel’s level moves to a different level, the channel is blocked (see Blocked Channels, page 111), or a block or allfade cue is encountered (see Cue Types, page 88).

Channels 1 2 3 4 5

Cue 1 00 25 00 FL 30 Cue 2 Cue 3 Cue 4 Cue 5 00

FL 25 60 FL 25 FL 25 50 FL 50 FL 25 50 FL 30

25 50 00 65

Note:

90 Emphasis Console v1.4.0 User Manual

If you use [Track] and have blackout cues in your show, make them allfade cues. This will keep channels from unintentionally tracking through your blackouts.

ETC emphasis User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual