ETC Express Quick Manual
Lighting Playback Controller
QuickGuide
Version 3.1
ii
Contents
Introduction
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
IntroductionIntroduction
Getting started
Getting started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Getting startedGetting started
Mounting the LPC
Mounting the LPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Mounting the LPCMounting the LPC
Rack mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Mount on a horizontal or along a vertical surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Mounting beneath a horizontal surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Dimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Express
Lighting Playback Controller
QuickGuide
Version 3.1
Front panel
Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Front panelFront panel
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Producing shows for the Express LPC
Producing shows for the Express LPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Producing shows for the Express LPCProducing shows for the Express LPC
LPC operation
LPC operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
LPC operationLPC operation
Reading a showfile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Macro control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Autocontrols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Interfacing with external devices
Interfacing with external devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Interfacing with external devicesInterfacing with external devices
ETCNet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Remote Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
MIDI Show Control / ETC MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
MIDI time code programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Serial interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Setting the clock
Setting the clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Setting the clockSetting the clock
Using an RFU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using autocontrols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Expression Off-Line
Expression Off-Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Expression Off-LineExpression Off-Line
Upgrading software
Upgrading software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Upgrading softwareUpgrading software
Upgrading the LPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Upgrading remote interface devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Express LPC QuickGuide, v.3.1 iii
Appendix A
Appendix A
Appendix A Appendix A
Specifications
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
SpecificationsSpecifications
Appendix B
Appendix B
Appendix B Appendix B
Limited Warranty
Limited Warranty
Limited WarrantyLimited Warranty
Appendix C
Appendix C
Appendix CAppendix C
Declaration of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Declaration of ConformityDeclaration of Conformity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
iv
Introduction
The ETC Express Lighting Playback Controller (LPC) is a playback system
that provides complete, hands-off control of area lighting. It is ideal for
environments where simplified control of lighting sequences and effects
is needed. If more control capability is needed, the power of the Express
LPC can be expanded by using it in a network or connecting it to external
devices. For example:
• MIDI Show Control (MSC) ~ Send and receive show control
information using the MIDI Show Control protocol.
• ETC MIDI ~ Control shows using this subset of MIDI.
• MIDI Time Code (MTC) ~ Synchronize your show with external
devices using the MIDI time code protocol.
• ETCNet ~ Connect the LPC to an ETC network so that you can control
or view remotely using remote interface devices.
• Remote Macros ~ Start, stop and control shows with up to four
external switches, for example on a door frame or operated by hand.
• Remote Trigger ~ Provide switched control to an external device
during LPC show operation.
The LPC uses the proven design of the Express lighting console, a fullfeatured lighting controller used in thousands of educational and live
performance centers. Working for you is the same complex show
technology that made Express so popular, but in a simplified package. In
fact, a show created for any console in the Expression line of consoles will
run on the Express LPC. What you surrender in show creation, editing and
control capabilities, you gain in ease of operation and simplicity.
Express LPC QuickGuide, v.3.1 1
Getting started
To use your Express LPC successfully, please follow the installation and
operation instructions contained in this QuickGuide. In many places, these
instructions rely upon additional information in the Express User Manual,
which is supplied with the LPC. Shows to run in the Express LPC may be
created in the console or in Expression Off-Line, a software program that
emulates the programming capabilities of Expression-family consoles
Following are the items contained in an LPC shipping package. The items
marked with an asterisk (*) are not needed for all mounting positions. If
anything is missing, or if you have questions about the installation or
operation of the Express LPC, please call your dealer or ETC Technical
Services at one of the offices listed on the back page of this document.
• The LPC unit
• LPC power supply and separate power cord
• Two convertible front mounting brackets *
• Two sliders and rear mounting brackets for a 19” rack *
• Four rubber feet *
• Mounting fasteners
• This Express LPC QuickGuide, version 3.1
• Express User Manual, version 3.1
Mounting the LPC
The LPC may be used without brackets securing it if the surface is
sufficiently level and steady. All you need to do is attach the four rubber
feet with the 4-40 x 3/8” screws, all provided with the LPC.
Do not locate the LPC closer than six feet to dimmers or high-current AC
lines to avoid electromagnetic interference.
If you need to mount the LPC for stability or for operating convenience,
hardware is supplied for each of the four mounting orientations listed
below. The procedure to use for each mounting orientation is given next.
• In a 19” rack
• Secured below a horizontal surface, such as a desk or shelf
• Secured to the top of a horizontal surface
• Secured to a vertical surface
2 Getting started
Rack mounting
To mount the LPC in a 19” rack, follow the illustrated procedure below:
1. Remove all mounting hardware from the plastic bag.
2. Place one black washer on each of the eight 10-32 x 1/2” screws.
3. Attach the two L-brackets to the side panels of the LPC using three
6-32 x 1/4” flathead screws each. Choose the bracket holes that
position the bracket flush with the front panel.
4. Secure the two rear brackets to the side panels of the LPC using two
6-32 x 1/4” flathead screws each, orienting the brackets as shown.
5. Fit the LPC through the front of the rack and position over the
mounting holes. The L-brackets should be on the outside of the rack.
6. Secure the LPC to the front of the rack using four 10-32 x 1/2” screws
and washers as shown. If the rack holes are not threaded, small black
clips are provided for that purpose. Slide the black clips over the rack
mounting holes and thread the screws into them. Caution: Keep the
rear of the LPC supported to avoid bending the front brackets.
7. Using four 10-32 x 1/2” bolts (and threaded clips if necessary), attach
the two slider brackets to rear holes in the rack that are opposite those
holes used to mount the front of the LPC. Do not secure yet.
8. Line up the slider brackets with the rear brackets on each side of the
LPC. The threaded studs on the rear bracket should fit into slider
bracket slots. Attach each rear bracket to a slider using two 10-32 x
3/8” screws each. The screws go through slots in the brackets and
into threaded slider bracket holes.
9. Secure all bolts so that the assembly is level and tight.
Express LPC QuickGuide, v.3.1 3
Mount on a horizontal or along a vertical surface
To mount the LPC either to the top of a horizontal surface or along a
vertical surface, follow the illustrated procedure below:
1. Remove all mounting hardware from the plastic bag.
2. Securely attach the four rubber bumpers to threaded holes in the
bottom of the LPC using 4-40 x 3/8” screws.
3. Securely attach the two L-brackets to the side panels of the LPC as
shown, using two 6-32 x 1/4” flathead screws each. Choose the
bracket holes closest to its bend.
4. Place the LPC on the surface where you want it. Mark the surface
through the mounting holes in each bracket. Remove the LPC.
5. Drill holes at the marks. You will be providing the mounting screws
(and anchors if necessary), so choose a drill bit accordingly.
6. Securely attach the LPC to the mounting surface.
Mounting beneath a horizontal surface
To mount the LPC to the bottom of a horizontal surface, follow the
procedure below, with general reference to the illustration for top and
vertical mounting above:
1. Remove all mounting hardware from the plastic bag.
2. Fasten the four rubber bumpers to the top surface of the LPC with
double-sided tape (not included with LPC).
3. Securely attach the two L-brackets to the side panels of the LPC. The
brackets should be flipped 180
the illustration above, with the mounting flange facing the top. Choose
the bracket holes farthest from its bend.
4. Place the LPC on the surface where you want it. Mark the surface
through the mounting holes in each bracket. Remove the LPC.
5. Drill holes at the marks. You will be providing the mounting screws
(and anchors if necessary), so choose a drill bit accordingly.
6. Securely attach the LPC to the mounting surface.
4 Mounting the LPC
o
from the bracket position shown in
Cabling
All connections to the LPC, except for the optional RFU, are made to the
LPC’s rear panel. The numbers in the figure refer to items under Power
Supply, below.
Power supply
1. Push the LPC’s power switch to the off position (“O” symbol).
2. Remove the thumb screw to free the cable clamp from the rear panel.
3. The power supply has a cable attached to it. Clip the cable clamp over
the cable near the 8-pin male connector.
4. Plug the connector into the LPC rear panel receptacle.
5. Adjust the cable clamp so that you can re-attach it to the LPC.
6. Plug one end of the furnished power cord into the power supply and
the other end into a grounded power outlet.
1
Dimmers
Connect the dimmers as explained in the installation sections of your
Express User Manual (Appendix A).
Accessories
If you are using a monitor, a Remote Focus Unit, a printer, ETCNet, MIDI
or remote macros with your LPC, or if your show performs remote
triggering, connect and install as explained in the installation sections of
your Express User Manual (Appendix A).
1.
The chassis may also be grounded, if needed, by placing a ground wire under this
Phillips-head screw.
Express LPC QuickGuide, v.3.1 5
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