Strand Software: Communique Communique Software Operators Manual

COMMUNIQUÉ

Communications
Software for GENIUS

Operator's Manual

Document No.: 85031 (A86/2)
Issue: 2
Date: June 1994

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USA: PO Box 9004,18111 South Santa Fe Avenue, Rancho Dominguez, CA90221, USA

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

The material in this manual is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Strand Lighting assumes no
responsibility for any errors or omissions which may appear in this manual. For comments and suggestions regarding corrections
and/or updates to this manual, please contact your nearest Strand Lighting office.

El contenido de este manual es solamente para información y está sujeto a cambios sin previo aviso. Strand Lighting no asume
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Manual and Software Copyright 1994, Strand Lighting Limited. All rights reserved.

Information contained in this document may not be duplicated in full or in part by any person without prior written approval of
Strand Lighting. Its sole purpose is to provide the user with detailed operational information for the equipment supplied. The use of
this document for all other purposes is specifically prohibited. Certain features of the equipment described in this document may
form the subject of patents or patent applications.

Genius Kaleidoscope Communiqué are registered trademarks of Strand Lighting Limited.

ii Communiqué Operator's Manual : Issue 2

Table of Contents

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

About this Manual..............................................................................2

Registering Your Software .................................................................2

2. Remote Submasters & Macros................................. 3

Selecting External Submasters ...........................................................3

Selecting External Macro Triggers..................................................... 4

3. DMX IN ........................................................................ 5

Selecting DMX IN Submasters ...........................................................5

Using DMX IN Channels................................................................... 6

Patching DMX IN Dimmers...............................................................6

Using DMX IN Dimmers...................................................................6

4. ASCII Remote Control................................................ 7

Selecting & Configuring ....................................................................7

Connecting up ....................................................................................7

Remote Control Messages ..................................................................8

RS232 Trigger Macro.........................................................................9

5. MIDI ........................................................................... 11

MIDI Show Control .........................................................................11

MIDI Tracking Backup....................................................................11

MIDI Trigger Macro........................................................................12

6. Connector Pinouts................................................... 13

MIDI.............................................................................................13

DMX512 IN..................................................................................13

RS485 ...........................................................................................13

Analogue input ..............................................................................14

Table of Contents iii

Notes

iv Communiqué Operator's Manual : Issue 2

Introduction

1

Communiqué is an additional software package for Strand Lighting's
GSX & LBX consoles and is part of the Genius range of lighting
software. Once installed, it provides the following communication
features:-

•• External Submasters to allow remote control of Submaster

faders from a manual desk or simple potentiometer (fader).

• External Macro Triggers to allow remote triggering of macros

using simple switch contacts.

•• Dmx In Dimmer Mode allows an external DMX source, for

instance an FX desk, to be combined with the existing console
dimmer patch.

•• Dmx In Channel Mode allows an external DMX source, for

instance a manual desk, to control the channel levels within a
Submaster.

•• ASCII Remote Control allows full remote control of the

console from a PC or Mac. through a simple RS232 link.

•• Midi Show Control allows show playback to be controlled from

a Midi show controller.

•• Midi Tracking Backup allows two consoles to run the same

show in complete synchronisation for the purposes of gaining
extra channel facilities or as a backup.

•• Macro Triggering by Midi or RS232 serial input.

Introduction 1

About this
Manual

Registering
Your Software

This manual is part of the Genius family of software and should be

used only in conjunction with Strand Lighting's Genius range of

software and an appropriate lighting console.

The other Operator manuals in the series are as follows:-

• GENIUS Lighting Software

• KALEIDOSCOPE Effects and Colour Control Software

The manuals form an integral part of the product, please ensure they

are maintained in good condition and always kept in a safe place,
preferably with the console.

Please ensure you complete the supplied registration card and return it
to your nearest Strand Lighting office.

Registration information and how to load Application software is
covered in the Genius Operator's Manual, Chapter 3 Software

Installation.

2 Communiqué Operator's Manual : Issue 2

Remote Submasters & Macros

The first 12 Submasters can be remotely controlled by external faders
or a manual desk such as Strand's LX. If the Submasters have been
configured as macro triggers then only an external volt-free switch
contact is required since a +10v supply pin is provided on the
Analogue Input connector.

This facility could be used to allow a stage manager to control house
lights or to trigger any macro or run a cue remotely.

External submasters can still be used with LBX when all the console
fader handles are configured as channel faders. Strand's (+10v) LX
desk connects to the remote input using a standard straight through
cable.

Selecting
External
Submasters

To set up, go to the SUBMASTER screen

1. Move the cursor with the arrow keys to select the Submaster you
require.

2. Move the highlight box to the Function field and wheel to
EXTERNAL.

In the SETUP menu all external Submasters can have their top level
adjusted by a scaling factor between 80% and 120%. Scaling allows
you to compensate for any variations in signal levels between your
console and the external equipment to which you are connected.

2

External Submasters are indicated by a X in the Submaster section of
the OUTPUT screen.

External submaster fader levels are combined with the console
submaster fader levels on a highest takes precedence basis.

Remote Submasters & Macros 3

Selecting
External Macro
Triggers

To set up, go to the SUBMASTER screen

1. First ensure that the Submaster Function is set to EXTERNAL.

3. Move the highlight box to the Macro field and wheel to the
macro number you wish to associate with this external
submaster.

The selected macro will be run whenever the combined remote and
console fader levels move off zero.

4 Communiqué Operator's Manual: Issue 2

DMX IN

Selecting DMX
IN Submasters

3

This is one of the console's most powerful communication features and
allows another DMX desk to be used in conjunction with your console.

DMX IN has two operating modes which can be used together :-

• Channel Mode uses the incoming DMX levels as the contents of

a user selectable submaster. These channel levels can be mastered
by the submaster fader and used to record from. The levels are
visible on the VDU Output Display when they are active.
[max. 125 channels]

• Dimmer Mode patches the incoming DMX levels to outgoing

DMX via the dimmer patch. These dimmer levels can be mastered
by a user selectable submaster fader. They cannot be recorded and
are not visible on the VDU Output display.
[1st 250 dimmers only]

To set up, go to the SUBMASTER screen

1. Move the cursor with the arrow keys to select the Submaster you
require.

2. Move the highlight box to the Function field and wheel to DMX
CHAN or DMX DIM.

DMX IN Submasters are indicated by a D (dimmer mode) or C
(channel mode) in the Submaster section of the OUTPUT screen. No
channel levels need be entered for either DMX IN submasters.

DMX IN 5

Using DMX IN
Channels

Patching DMX
IN Dimmers

Once you have selected a DMX IN CHAN submaster simply connect
your DMX source to the DMX IN port and push the selected fader up.
You will see the DMX IN Channels on the Output screen in Yellow.
Changes in the incoming levels will be displayed on the Output screen
and mastered by the selected fader.

The DMX IN CHAN submaster can then be used just like other
submasters.

To patch DMX IN Channels go to the PATCH display.
DMX IN Channels are identified on the display by a preceding D. (e.g.

D1, D2, D50) and have a different colour.
The default patch for Communiqué patches the first 250 DMX IN

dimmers, 1 to 1, immediately after the dimmers patched to console
channels.

To change the default enter the following commands :­[MUX OUT Dimmer Number] @PATCH + [DMX IN Dimmer

Number] @PATCH [scaling factor] *
Note the + signifies a DMX IN dimmer number. The last @PATCH,

for scaling, is optional. Scale factors are always entered as full
percentages, independent of channel control mode - ENTER is always
required.

21 @PATCH +34 @PATCH 110 * Patches DMX IN dimmer 34 to

Output Dimmer 21 at 110%
scaling.

25@PATCH +120 * Patches DMX IN dimmer 120 to

Output Dimmer 25.

Using DMX IN
Dimmers

Once you have selected a DMX IN DIM submaster AND checked that
the patch is set up correctly connect your DMX source to the DMX IN
port and push the selected fader up.

You won't be able to see any changes in the Output screen as dimmer
levels are not displayed. Look at the lights being driven by your
console, those patched to the external source will be controlled by it
and the levels mastered by the DMX IN DIM submaster fader.

6 Communiqué Operator's Manual: Issue 2

ASCII Remote Control

The ASCII Remote Control facility allows most facilities of your
console to be automatically remotely controlled using a serial
communications protocol. The controlling equipment could be any
computer (PC or Mac) or a dedicated show controller. You must
program the controlling equipment to only send messages to the
console that it can understand.

Selecting &
Configuring

Connecting up

To configure, go to the SETUP screen

1. Move the highlight box with the cursor keys to the RS232

Function field and wheel to ASCII IN.

2. Move the highlight box to the RS232 port configuration fields

and set to the protocol used by your controlling equipment.

Connect the controlling equipment to the 9-pin RS232 port at the back
of your console using a serial cable.

See the Genius manual for details of the RS232 port pinouts. Make
sure you understand the wiring of your cable, to avoid damage to your
console or other equipment.

4

ASCII Remote Control 7

Remote Control

Messages

Program your controlling equipment to generate the following codes :-

Normal Macro Dec Hex Ch

CUT 13 0D CR
GO 32 20 Space
RECNOSUBS 49 31 1
RECORD UNDOREC 50 32 2
RECTIME UNDORECTIME 51 33 3
STOP_BACK 52 34 4
DISPLAY 54 36 6
F1 55 37 7
F2 56 38 8
F3 57 39 9
ATCOL UNDOATCOL 65 41 A
TIME 66 42 B
NEXT 67 43 C
LAST LASTCMD 68 44 D
ON FULL 69 45 E
THRU THRUON 70 46 F
FX FXUPDATE 71 47 G
7 72 48 H
8 73 49 I
9 74 4A J
PLUS SOLO 75 4B K
SUB UPDATESUB 76 4C L
4 77 4D M
5 78 4E N
6 79 4f O
MINUS REMDIM 80 50 P
CUE UPDATECUE 81 51 Q
1 82 52 R
2 83 53 S
3 84 54 T
AT UNDOAT 85 55 U
MACRO 86 56 V
0 87 57 W
. (dot) 88 58 X
CLR CLRCMD 89 59 Y
ENTER 90 5A Z

To obtain functions in the Macro column select Macro then the option.
E.g. to get REMDIM, select MACRO MINUS.

8 Communiqué Operator's Manual: Issue 2

RS232 Trigger
Macro

Communiqué also supports a user definable trigger facility that can be
programmed to run any macro when a user specified message of up to
three bytes is received.

To configure, go to the SETUP screen:-

1. Move the highlight box with the cursor keys to RS232 Trig

Bytes and wheel or key in the three trigger byte values
[0..255] you require.

2. Next move the highlight box with the cursor keys to the

RS232 Trig Macro and wheel or key in the number of the
trigger macro you require.

When all three bytes or the Macro are OFF no triggers will occur.
When a message is received the specified macro will be executed
regardless of other RS232 Function settings.

Trig Bytes set to OFF are ignored, so triggers of 1, 2 or 3 bytes can be
used.

ASCII Remote Control 9

Notes

10 Communiqué Operator's Manual: Issue 2

MIDI

MIDI Show
Control

5

Communiqué supports several different MIDI operating modes some
of which can be used together :-

•• Midi Show Control allows show playback to be controlled from

a Midi show controller.

•• Midi Tracking Backup allows two consoles to run the same

show in complete synchronisation for the purposes of gaining
extra channel facilities or as a backup.

•• Macro Triggering by any user programmable MIDI message.

MIDI Show Control is an industry standard for the control of a variety
of show equipment including lighting.

The procedure below allows automatic remote control of playback
from a MIDI Show Controller:-

1. Set the console MIDI MSC ID on the SETUP screen.

2. Connect MIDI OUT from the Show Controller to MIDI IN on

the console.

Cues replayed on the Show Controller with the selected MSC ID will
be automatically replayed on the console ensuring that the output is
kept in synchronisation.

MIDI Tracking
Backup

MIDI 11

Two identical consoles can be linked via MIDI to provide a tracking
back-up facility. This will ensure that cues replayed on one console
(master) are also replayed on the other (slave).

The procedure below allows a slave console to track a master console:-

1. Save the whole show and Setup onto a floppy from the master

desk.

2. Load the whole show and Setup from the floppy into the slave

desk.

3. Set the master desk MIDI Mode to OUT on the SETUP

screen.

MIDI Trigger
Macro

4. Set the master desk MIDI Channel to 1 on the SETUP screen.

5. Set the slave desk MIDI Mode to IN on the SETUP screen.

6. Set the slave desk MIDI Channel to 1 on the SETUP screen.

7. Connect MIDI OUT from the master desk to MIDI IN on the
slave desk.

Cues replayed on the master console will be automatically replayed on
the slave desk ensuring that the output of both desks are kept in
synchronisation.

Communiqué also supports a user definable trigger facility that can be
programmed to run any macro when a user specified message of up to
three bytes is received.

To configure, go to the SETUP screen:-

1. Move the highlight box with the cursor keys to MIDI Trig
Bytes and wheel or key in the three trigger byte values
[0..255] you require.

2. Next move the highlight box with the cursor keys to the MIDI
Trig Macro and wheel or key in the number of the trigger
macro you require.

When all three bytes or the Macro are OFF no triggers will occur.
When a message is received the specified macro will be executed
regardless of other MIDI Function settings.

Trig Bytes set to OFF are ignored, so triggers of 1, 2 or 3 bytes can be
used.

12 Communiqué Operator's Manual: Issue 2

Connector Pinouts

MIDI

DMX512 IN

5 pin female DIN- type 180

Pin Description

Pin 1 No connection
Pin 2 Shield
Pin 3 No connection
Pin 4 Data signal +
Pin 5 Data signal -

All MIDI sockets have the same pinouts.

5 pin male XLR

Pin Description

Pin 1 Data GND
Pin 2 Data signal ­Pin 3 Data signal +
Pin 4 No connection
Pin 5 No connection

6

RS485

6 pin female XLR

Pin Description

Pin 1 Screen GND
Pin 2 +10V
Pin 3 Data + RS485
Pin 4 Data - RS485
Pin 5 RS 232 RX
Pin 6 RS 232 TX

Connector Pinouts 13

Analogue input

15 pin female D-type with holding screws.

Pin Description

Pin 1 Remote input 1
Pin 2 Remote input 2

Pin 4 Remote input 4
Pin 5 Remote input 5
Pin 6 Remote input 6
Pin 7 Remote input 7
Pin 8 Remote input 8

Pin 9 Remote input 9
Pin 10 Remote input 10
Pin 11 Remote input 11
Pin 12 Remote input 12
Pin 13 Signal GND
Pin 14 Signal GND
Pin 15 +10V

14 Communiqué Operator's Manual: Issue 2