Merging Ovation User Manual
6.0
™
USER MANUAL
User Manual
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© Copyright Merging Technologies Inc. 2013. All rights reserved
Merging Technologies
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Tel: +41 21 946 04 44 • Fax: +41 21 946 04 45
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Contents :
Page 3
Welcome to Merging Technologies Ovation! 10
Introduction 10
Overview 11
Scope 11
Evaluation Mode 11
Latency 11
Audio Formats Supported 11
Ovation Documentation and Help 12
Conventions 12
QUICKSTART 13
A First Simple Show 13
New Show 14
Configure the Mixer 16
Building the Show 18
First Run 19
Hot Keys Mode 22
Timed Cue List 24
Conclusion 27
Ovation Concepts 28
Launching Ovation 28
Ovation Media and Commands 28
Media Management 29
Remote Control 29
Remote Control OF Ovation 29
Remote Control BY Ovation 29
Remote Control of Ovation Mixer 29
Multi-Sequencer Synchronization 29
Ovation Modes 30
Compose Mode 30
Show Mode 30
Show 31
Cue Lists 31
Multiple Cue Lists 31
Audition 31
Cue List Pane 32
Contents
Contents :
Page 4
Cues in Cue Lists 33
Cue Fire Buttons 34
Fire Toolbar 35
Cue List Types 35
Cue List Detail 36
Standard Cue List 36
Timed Cue List 37
Hot Keys Cue List 37
Custom Keys Cue List 39
Cue Browser Cue List 41
Hot Browser Cue List 42
Cues 42
Cue Icons 43
Selecting Cues 43
Cue / Cue List Context Menu 43
CD Tracks Import 46
Cue Capabilities 49
Empty Cues 50
Compound Cues 50
Scenes 51
Mixer 51
Sync Source Considerations 51
I/O Status Window 51
Snapshot Automation 51
Show Logging 54
Other Modules 54
Editing with Pyramix 55
Recording 57
Record 57
Record Mixer 59
Ovation User Interface 60
User Interface Options 60
Fire Command 60
Context Menus 60
Keyboard Shortcuts 60
Hardware Control Surfaces 60
Mouse Modifier Keys 60
Main Window 61
Main Window, Panes and Toolbars 62
Toolbars 65
Toolbar Context Menu 65
Audition Toolbar 66
Audition Jump 66
Contents :
Page 5
Audition Drop-down 67
Show Controls 68
Other Toolbars 69
Show 70
Cue List 71
Create Cue List 72
Cue 72
Fire 73
Settings 74
Show Menus and Toolbars in Emergency 74
Active Cue Window 75
Features & Functions 75
Cue List and Cue 75
Lock and Pin 75
Cue Trimmer 78
Audition Toolbar 79
Show Mode 80
Active Cue Window Edit Toolbar 82
Markers 84
Markers in Cue Properties 85
Markers Interaction Rules 86
Properties Panes 88
Types 88
Show Properties 89
Cue List Properties 93
Cue Properties 97
Interaction Rules 110
Adding Rules 110
Show ValidationTool 114
Show Validator 114
Show Consolidation and Packaging 115
The Consolidation Process 115
The Packaging Process 116
Audio Control 119
Audio Control Pane 119
Cue Gain 120
Cue Gain Control 120
TimeCode 121
TimeCode Reader Panes 121
Audio Output Slots 123
What is an Audio O utput Slot? 123
Audio Gain Matrix 124
Ovation Files 128
Contents :
Page 6
File Types 128
Ovation Menus 129
Show 129
Cue List 130
Cue 132
Fire 134
View 135
Settings 136
Help 136
Settings 137
Settings Buttons 138
Show Settings 139
General 139
I/O In te r faces 141
Routing 142
TimeCode 142
Mixing Console 142
Application Settings 152
General 152
Player Units 157
MIDI 158
IP 159
Com 160
Ethernet 161
GPO 163
Controller 165
Controller U nits 165
Proprietary 166
MIDI 170
COM 172
IP 175
GPI 176
Ovation Webserver 179
Using Ovation Webserver 179
Tips and Tricks 183
Rules 183
Fade Modifier 183
<Default> 183
Drag & Drop 183
Changing Properties for Multiple Cues 184
Starting a Show With Sysex 184
System Requirements For Ovation 185
Computer 185
Contents :
Page 7
Hard Disk Space Requirements 185
Installing Hardware 186
Mykerinos Board Installation 186
Multi-board installation 186
Mykerinos Board I/O 186
Time Code and Video Sync Option 187
Cabling Ovation in your System Environment 187
Digital Audio Synchronization and TimeCode 188
Installing Ovation Software 189
Installation Overview: 189
Driver Signing 189
Running the Installer 189
Enabling Ovation with your Software Key 190
First launch 192
Before Launch 192
Starting Ovation 193
Audio File Support 194
Quicktime Support 194
Compressed Audio File Formats 194
Codecs 194
How Compressed Audio Support Works 194
Keyboard Shortcuts 196
Default Keyboard Shortcuts 196
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts 200
Advanced Features 202
Multiple Ovation Sequencers for Redundancy 202
Remote Players and Controllers 202
OV Player 202
OV Controller 205
Appendix I 209
OVController Commands 209
Media Sequencer Mode available Commands: 210
Media Server Mode available Commands: 212
Appendix II 214
The Ovation Keyboard Controller Commands Map 214
Keyboard Layout 214
Changing Keyboard Mapping 215
Ovation Keyboard Commands mappin g 216
Appendix III 217
MIDI and Midi Show Control 217
Appendix IV 225
DMX Commands 225
Appendix V 226
GPI Commands 226
Contents :
Page 8
Appendix VI 228
Mouse Modifier Keys 228
Show Control 228
Hot Key Mode 228
Appendix VII 229
I/O Daughter-card Options 229
Appendix IIX 231
Web Server Commands 231
Index 237
:
:
Page 9
Document revision-58
Date: 3rd-April-2014
Welcome to Merging Technologies Ovation! : Introduction
Page 10
Welcome to Merging Technologies Ovation!
Introduction
Thank you!
Congratulations on your purchase of the Ovation Media Server & Sequencer.
Ovation is a ground-breaking Media Server and Sequencer with the tools you need to produce and run shows in
many spheres of activity. For example:
Theatres
Theme Parks
Museums
TV Game Shows
Trade Shows
AV Presentations
Radio stations
Retail Outlets
are just a few of the possible applications for Ovation.
Note: IMPORTANT! - The first thing you need to do is register your software to acquire
your security key(s) and to be included in our user support list.
Please also subscribe to the User Forum at:
http://www.merging.com/forum/
PLEASE DO NOT PRINT THIS DOCUMENT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
SAVE TREES AND INK BY USING THE HYPERLINKS
Welcome to Merging Technologies Ovation! : Overview
Page 11
Overview
Ovation enables the user to run Cues of many Media and Command types, either manually like a spot player / cartridge machine or automatically against Run-time, Time-of-day or external LTC or MIDI TimeCode. The Ovation
Sequencer can be controlled from a hardware controller, touch screens, GPIs, Sony 9-pin (P2) Protocol commands
and MIDI.
Audio recording is also possible.
Scope
To da y , Ovation can control Audio, GPOs, MIDI Files, MIDI Commands, Sony 9-pin (P2 protocol commands over
RS422 or ethernet (IP), IP commands, MMC, MTC TimeCode and Shell Commands/Scripts/batch Files. DMX will be
supported in the future.The Ovation Mixer can be automated under Ovation control.
Ovation can be controlled via a dedicated Hardware Controller, Touch Screens, MIDI and GPIs. The Ovation Mixer
can be remote controlled via EMC or Eucon. The Merging Technologies ISIS remote controller is not supported.
Evaluation Mode
If you have not entered a valid key Ovation will run in Evaluation Mode.
Everything works in the same way as the full version but only one Cue List can be saved or loaded with a Show.
Latency
Minimum latency will only be achieved in systems running in Native or MassCore™ modes. Under MassCore™
the fire latency will be between 45ms and 66ms, plus the time required by the triggering device (USB, GPI/O,
etc…). The dedicated Ovation hardware controller typically gives rise to an additional 10ms latency.
Note: All automatically triggered events are sample accurate. For example when a rule
fires a Cue.
Audio Formats Supported
For the full list of supported audio formats please see the Pyramix User Manual.
Welcome to Merging Technologies Ovation! : Ovation Documentation and Help
Page 12
Ovation Documentation and Help
ToolTips
Ovation Software is equipped with ‘ToolTips’. Hovering the mouse cursor over a tool icon pops-up a box with the
name of the function.
Documentation
All the documentation is in the Adobe Acrobat pdf format. (.pdf file extension)
In order to read the documentation you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader V6 or later installed on your
computer.
Note: All Contents entries, Index entries and Cross-references are hyperlinks for rapid
navigation.
This Ovation User Guide and the Pyramix User Manual may be opened from the Help menu. Other documenta-
tion can be found in the Windows Start menu in All Programs > Pyramix > Docs. Please check for the most
recent versions at:
http://www.merging.com/downloads
Support
If you cannot find an answer to a query in the documentation, please consult the on-line support at:
http://www.merging.com/contact/tech-support
where you will find answers to F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions) and further support.
Assumptions
This Ovation User Guide and other documentation assume you are thoroughly familiar with PCs and Windows
terms and concepts. If self installing to a new PC, please ensure the machine is working correctly before attempting to install Ovation.
Conventions
Conventions used in Merging Technologies Documents:
Names found on screens and in menus are shown in bold. E.g. Information & Settings
Menu and sub-menu selections are shown like this:
Show > Recent Shows : Quickstart
Which means:
Go to the Show pull-down menu, mouse down to the Recent Shows sub-menu and choose Quickstart.
The Settings dialog Has its own hierarchical tree structure in the left hand pane with folders leading to pages.
QUICKSTART : A First Simple Show
Page 13
QUICKSTART
Overview
This section provides a step-by-step guide to creating a simple new Show and configuring the mixer. It includes:
adding Cues to Cue Lists, several different types of Cue List, Running the Show and Firing Cues and Cue Lists.
Note: This section is not intended as a substitute for the more detailed information to be
found elsewhere in this guide.
A First Simple Show
The following prior steps are assumed:
• Ovation hardware and software installation has been completed.
• A means of monitoring has been connected to the physical I/O.
• The software has been registered, the registration key(s) entered and the initial settings entered in the
VS3 Control Panel.
Launch Ovation
Double-click the Ovation icon:
Alternatively, click on Start > All Programs > Merging Technologies > Ovation : Ovation
Ovation will open with an empty main window and the New Show dialog opens.
QUICKSTART : A First Simple Show
Page 14
New Show
Start with a template show When selected you can choose a preexisting template from the list in the right-
hand pane.
Start with a single Cue List When selected the Show will open with a single Cue List ready created. The combo
box shows the type of Cue List which will be created. The arrow drops down the
list of types available.
Standard Cue List
Timed Cue List
Hot Keys
Custom Keys
Cue Browser
Hot Browser
Set up a new Show Workspace : When ticked a new Show Workspace will be created for the new Show.
Show Name Type a suitable name for the new Show in this field.
Show & Media Location The field shows the path to where the Show and associated files will be stored.
New Show dialog
QUICKSTART : A First Simple Show
Page 15
... Clicking on the ... button opens a Browse For Folder dialog :
The Browse For Folder dialog functions the same way as other Windows browsers. navigate to the location you
wish to store the new project and select the desired folder or use the Make New Folder button to create and
name a new one. Click on OK to create the new folder and close the dialog. The Cancel button closes the dialog
without selecting a new location.
For the purposes of this first simple Show select:
Start with a single Cue List: Standard Cue List
Tick Setup a new Show Workspace (If not already ticked (default).
Type a suitable name for the Show
Navigate to a suitable location to store the Show (Create a new folder if necessary.)
Click on OK to create the Show
The Show opens in Compose Mode. I.e. the mode for adding Cues and designing your Show and a new Standard
Cue List will appear in the otherwise empty main window.
Browse For Folder dialog
QUICKSTART : A First Simple Show
Page 16
Configure the Mixer
The default mixer will be displayed. If this does not happen check that View > View Mixer is highlighted
(enabled).
On first launch the default 8 into 2 mixer will be loaded with NO output routing selected.
Default Mixer with Output Routing Circled
QUICKSTART : A First Simple Show
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Output Routing
Click on the L: XLR icon near the bottom of the ST1 output Bus Mixer Strip to pop-up the Connect Output menu.
Click on the appropriate daughter board output for your hardware (In this case an ADAT daughter board is fitted
so there are two entries, one for each physical connector.) Click on the desired output to route it for the Left side of
the stereo output.
Repeat for the R: XLR icon choosing a second output channel for the Right side of the stereo output.
Set Panning
For this exercise stereo material is assumed and the panning needs to be set to suit:
Click on Strip One’s pan slider and drag to the left until Left is shown in the alphanumeric panel above the fader.
Now click and drag Strip Two’s pan slider to the right until Right shows in the display. (The display reverts to peak
level a second or two after the mouse pointer moves away.) Repeat for the remaining six strips in Left Right pairs.
Note: For detailed information about the mixer please see the Pyramix User Manual.
Saving Mixer Configurations
The mixer configuration is saved with the Show. Mixer configurations can also be saved and loaded independently
via the mixer Organize tab. (Please see the Pyramix User Manual for full details.)
Default Mixer Output Routing
Default Mixer Stereo Panning
QUICKSTART : A First Simple Show
Page 18
Building the Show
Add Cues
Select Add > Load Audio File from the right-click context menu or select from the Cue menu Add > Load Audio
File to open the Open Audio Files Browser.
Select, say, five Audio Media Files and click on Open to load them as Cues into the Cue List created with the Show.
Notice that the Cue names in the Browser include the UIDs (Unique IDentifiers(
Cue List Pane - Compose Mode
Open Audio Files Browser
QUICKSTART : First Run
Page 19
You sho uld now have a Cue List that looks something like this:
Notice that Ovation has abbreviated the Media File names intelligently to generate Cue Names. The Cue Name
can be changed in the Cue Properties pane and the Media File(s) can be changed without changing the Cue
Name by using the Replace Audio Media function.
Experiment with the Move Up and Move Down buttons (in the right-click context menu), but for the present
leave everything else as it is.
First Run
Initialize Show
In the main window Click on the Init Show button:
Cue List Pane - Compose Mode
Main Window
QUICKSTART : First Run
Page 20
(Or select S
how > Init) to Initialize the Show. Note that the Main Window may well contain the Cue List(s) you’ve
created. Notice also that the Cue List pane changes to Normal Show Mode with the first Cue selected :
The Green bar highlighting 1 - Cue List 1 shows that this Cue List is selected and will be affected by the Show
Control buttons. Notice that the Cue status labels all read Asleep.
Play
Click on the Start Show button to begin.
The selected Cue is highlighted in Purple indicating that it is selected and Ready is shown in below the Cue Name.
I.e. prepared for Firing. (buffer loaded)
Notice also that a red border has appeared around the Cue. This flashes slowly and indicates that this is the Cue
which will be affected by the next initiation of any of the Fire, Pause and Stop Buttons, Keyboard Shortcuts and
remote control.
Cue List Pane - Show Mode
Cue List Pane with Cue Ready - Show Mode
QUICKSTART : First Run
Page 21
Click on the Fire Selected Cue button. The selected Cue plays and it’s colour changes
to Green with an elapsed time bar running across the Cue and two counters showing
time elapsed and time remaining.
Notice that the same Cue remains selected in the Cue List. Notice also that when the Cue has finished Playing, it
stops and is highlighted in grey to show that it is selected.
Stop the Show and re-initialize. (Show > Stop and click OK in the Are you sure you really want to Stop the
Show? dialog.
Start the Show. As before, the selected Cue is readied for playout.
Click on the Fire Sequence button. Th e selected Cue plays. Notice that this time, the
next Cue in the list is now highlighted and Ready for Firing.
Cue List Pane with Cue Playing - Show Mode
Cue List Pane with Cue Playing & Next Cue Ready - Show Mode
QUICKSTART : First Run
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Notice also that the red border has moved to Cue 2. This is because it is now the Cue which will be affected by the
next initiation of any of the Fire, Pause and Stop Buttons, Keyboard Shortcuts and remote control.
Click on the Fire Sequence button again. The next Cue Plays. Notice that the original
Cue (if it hasn’t ended) is still playing and the next Cue is now highlighted and Ready
for Firing.
Notice also that the red border has now moved to Cue 3.
Play with the Show Control “Transport” buttons until you are familiar with their operation.
Click on Show > Stop and OK in the Stop Show dialog to return to Compose Mode.
Hot Keys Mode
Create a second Cue List, this time choosing CueList > New > Hot Keys, and add some Cues.
Cue List Pane with Two Cues Playing & Next Cue Ready - Show Mode
Hot Keys Cue List Pane - Compose Mode - normal
QUICKSTART : First Run
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Note: In normal Compose mode, apart from the orange header and the (Hot Keys) label
in the title bar there is no difference between the standard Cue List and the Hot Keys Cue
list until the Show is initialized.
Click on the Init Show button to Initialize the Show:
The original Cue List will appear as before and the new, Hot Keys, Cue List will appear thus:
If the new Cue List is not selected (no Orange bar) either click on the title bar to select it or click on the
Show Controls Toggle Cue Lists button until it is selected.
Start the Show and experiment with the on screen Hot Keys in the 2-Cue List 2 Pane and the Show Control Fire
and Fire Sequence buttons.
Experiment with the Hot Keys. (Number keys on the PC Keyboard, NOT the Numeric keypad) and notice that they
toggle Fire and Stop. (This behavior can be changed later if you wish.)
Select the first Cue List, 1-Cue List 1, either by clicking on its Ti tle Bar or clicking on the
Show Control Toggle Cue Lists button until the list is selected (Green Title bar).
Select a Cue in the first Cue List and Fire it using the Show Control Fire Selected Cue or Fire Sequence buttons.
Now use the keyboard Hotkeys to Fire and Stop Cues in the second list.
Click on Stop Show and OK in the Stop Show dialog to return to Compose Mode.
Hot Keys Cue List Pane - Show Mode
QUICKSTART : First Run
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Timed Cue List
Create a third Cue List, this time using Cue List > New > Timed Cue List and add three Cues.
Timed Cue List Pane - Compose Mode
QUICKSTART : First Run
Page 25
Select the first Cue in the list right-click and select Cue Properties button to open the Cue Properties Pane for the
selected Cue. Float the Pane and resize to convenient dimensions:
Click in the Go Time field:
A Time entry box appears. This takes the form of Hours Minutes Seconds and Milliseconds.
Click to position the entry cursor in the seconds section and type 10. Click elsewhere in the Cue Properties pane
to enter the value. Notice that the Go Time field value changes to 00:00:10:000
In the third Cue List Pane select the next Cue and enter a Go Time of 00:00:20:000
Repeat for the third Cue, entering a Go Time of 00:00:30:000.
Cue Properties Pane
Time Entr y Box - Cue Properties Pane
QUICKSTART : First Run
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Notice that the Cue List 3 pane has changed to include the Go: times.
Select Show > View Show Properties and click in the Show Time Mode field and choose Duration. (If not
already showing.)
Initialize the Show
Notice that Cue list 3 now has a Time Toolbar:
Chase Timed List
Click on the Chase Timed List bu tt o n to i n s truct the list to follow the Sho w Time.
Note: The Chase Timed List button is Latching. I.e. its state is remembered when the
show is stopped and re-started.
Timed Cue List Pane with Cue Start Times - Compose Mode
Timed Cue List Pane -Show Mode
QUICKSTART : First Run
Page 27
In Show mode the Chase Timed List button is lit green when engaged.
Note: Once selected this function persists when the show is stopped and re-started until
manually cancelled by clicking on the button again.
Click on Start Show. Cue List 3’s Time Counter follows the Show Time Counter. The Timed Cues in List 3 fire as the
Show Time reaches their Go Times. (If the Cues you chose are longer than 10 seconds each then the next Cue will
be Fired while the earlier one continues to play.)
Notice that the Hot Keys are still active for List 2 Cues and that List 1 Cues can still be controlled by the Show Controls once List 1 has been selected. Now Stop the Show.
Start Timed List
Initialize the Show and click on the Chase Timed List button in Cue List 3 to cancel the function. Start the Show
and allow it to run beyond 10 seconds.
Click on the Start Timed List button. The first Timed Cue Fires when the Timed List
Counter reaches its Go Time i.e. 10 seconds.
Start Timed List introduces an Offset between Show Time and Timed List Time. The entire list is played from the
beginning including the time before the first Cue. Stop the Show
Fire/Start Timed List
Initialize and Start the Show.
Click on the Fire/Start Timed List button. The first Timed Cue Fires Immediately and
the others follow in their proper timed sequence.
Fire/Start Timed List introduces an offset between Show Time and Timed List Time. The entire list is played from
the beginning of the first Cue disregarding any List time before the first Cue.
Note: If the Showtime is past the start time of the first Cue then the Cue fires immediately the button is pressed.
Pause Timed List
Only available when list has been initiated with Fire/Start Timed List.
Click to Pause the Timed Lis t. A se co nd click resumes.
Stop Timed List
Only available when list has been initiated with Fire/Start Timed List.
Click to Stop the Timed List. Resets list to the start.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have just designed and run your first Show using examples of each of three main types of
Cue List.
Ovation has many, many more possibilities including Fades and Interaction Rules. Detailed information on using
these are to be found elsewhere in this Guide.
Ovation Concepts : Launching Ovation
Page 28
Ovation Concepts
Launching Ovation
Launch Ovation
Double-click the Ovation shortcut icon:
Alternatively, click on Start > All Programs > Merging Technologies > Ovation : Ovation
Application Delay Launch
This function enables Ovation to be launched automatically at machine startup with a delay to ensure all drivers
and services etc. required are available.
To enable automatic launch simply drag the Ovation icon into the Startup folder and set the required delay value
(in seconds) in the Show Properties pane, Show section in the Application Delay Launch field.
Ovation Media and Commands
Audio
Ovation reproduces Audio Cues via a configurable Mixer through a Horus, a Mykerinos board or a sound card if
using Native
MIDI
Ovation outputs MIDI (MMC, MIDI Files and MIDI Commands to other applications on the same machine or to
external devices.
IP Commands
Ovation outputs IP Commands per Cue.
Sony P2 / RS422
Ovation outputs Sony P2 protocol, RS422 commands. (or over ethernet)
GPO
Ovation outputs GPO commands to COM ports.
Shell Commands/Scripts/Batch files
Ovation output Shell Commands/Scripts/Batch files
Automation
Ovation Mixer Snapshots can be triggered.
DMX 512 / CMX Lighting Control
Please see: DMX Commands on page 225
Ovation Concepts : Media Management
Page 29
Media Management
Ovation uses media files on local storage, removable storage and network storage.
When a new Show is created a folder Audio Files is created in the same location.
When a Show is Consolidated (please see: The Consolidation Process on page 115) files on the network, files
on removable storage or all files used in the show will be collected and copied to the Audio Files folder in the
Show file location.
Whenever an audio file or files present on removable storage or in a network location are added to a Cue List (by
dragging and dropping, using Load Audio File, Replace Audio etc. a dialog appears asking if the user would like
the files copied to the Audio Files folder associated with the Show.
The Show packaging process collects all the Audio Media and other files associated with a Show (including the
Show file and copies them to a new location for back-up purposes or so that a show can be moved to a different
Ovation workstation. Please see: The Packaging Process on page 116.
Remote Control
Remote Control OF Ovation
Ovation Sequencer & Media Servers can be controlled using:
• The Merging Technologies Hardware Controller
and, via the OVController module:
• General MIDI
• 9-pin Sony P2 (RS422 protocol) commands
• IP commands
• GPIs.
Remote Control BY Ovation
The Ovation Sequencer and Media Server can control other devices using:
• MMC
• MIDI files
• MIDI Commands
• Sony P2 (RS422 protocol) commands
• COM Commands
• IP Commands
• GPOs
• Shell Commands/Scripts/Batch Files
Remote Control of Ovation Mixer
The Ovation Mixer can be controlled by a hardware control surface via EMC or Oasis. The Merging Technologies
ISIS controller is not supported.
Multi-Sequencer Synchronization
Multiple Ovations can be synchronized in a variety of ways. Cues on one Ovation can control another Ovation. One
Ovation can be mirrored completely on another for full, near instant redundancy.
Ovation Concepts : Ovation Modes
Page 30
Creative Possibilities
If, for example an installation requires multiple Ovation sequencers to be set up, typically one for each of various
zones where the audience may be moving freely between the zones then it may be desirable to have all the
sequencers playing certain Cues in perfect sync. E.g. background music. To achieve the Cue(s) on one Ovation are
set as the Master and the identical Cue(s) on all others as Slaves. A common source of time base must be provided
to each Ovation, e.g. from GPS TimeCode generators. Any Cue that must be in sync on all machines is set as Master
in the Master system and as Slave with the same token in the Slaves. All other Cues can be triggered indepen-
dently in each system providing different event in each zones, but the baseline audio will be in sync across all systems.
Redundancy for Backup
To achieve redundancy with a backup Ovation running an identical show in mission critical situations, it is possible
to use the Controller > Mirror all Commands to Remote Ovation Sequencers feature. However, this does not
ensure sample accurate sync. If sample accurate backup is required some key Cues in both systems can be set as
Master/Slave. Typically identical Shows will be running in the Main and Backup machine and any Cues which are
to be manually triggered during the show are set as Master in the Main Ovation and as Slave in the Backup. All
other Cues which are triggered via rules or timed events do not required to be Master/Slaved, they will be triggered automatically in both systems at the same time by the sequencer engines. However, you can ensure that
Cues triggered manually will be synced in the Backup machine by this using the Multi-Sequencer Synchronization
feature. If there is a problem with the Main machine and it is necessary to switch to the Backup machine, the audio
outputs are simply switched manually to the Backup machine. Subsequent manual control of Cues is done on this
machine. It will be in the exact same state as the Master.
Note: The Master Show should be stopped after changeover to the Backup in order to
avoid contradictory commands.
Using Multi-Sequencer Synchronization
Before Multi-Sequencer Synchronization can be used IP communication must be configured in both the Master
and Slave sequencers.
Please see: TCP/IP Connections on page 156
Multi-Sequencer Synchronization is switched on and global parameters set in Show Properties.
Please see: Multi-Sequencer Synchronization Section on page 92.
Parameters for individual Cues are set in Cue Properties for each Cue you wish to synchronize.
Please see: REMOTE CONTROL: Multi-Sequencer Synchronization on page 108
Ovation Modes
Compose Mode
Shows are designed and assembled in Ovation’s Compose Mode.
Show Mode
Shows are run in Ovation’s Show Mode. Clicking on the Initialize Show button puts Ovation into Show Mode.
Start Show
Clicking on Start Show or pressing the Start Show button on the Ovation Keyboard does a number of things:
• Hot Cues and Custom Cues are now available for firing
• Timed lists set to Show Time will fire their Cues at the times specified.
• Standard Cue Lists are available for firing.
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