Getting Going
Starting up the Console
After powering up you are presented with the introductory Help Window. Choose Continue Show.
You can revert to the Help Window by pressing the HELP button at any time.
The console remembers all windows that were open when the console was last used. To close all windows, press SHIFT and CLOSE.
Press SETUP to open the Setup Window.
Starting a New Show
To start a new show, open the Setup window using the Setup key, toggle to ‘view settings’ using the top left soft button. Then press the NEW SHOW soft button. This will clear the current show from memory – shows that have been previously saved to disc will not be affected. You will be asked to confirm by selecting YES.
There is a choice of five modes:
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Normal - faders activate Cue Stacks. When recording, all data in the programmer is stored in recorded cues.
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Theatre non-track - faders operate levels only. When recording, all data in the programmer is stored in recorded cues.
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Theatre tracking - faders operate levels only. When recording only data in the programmer that has changed since the last record is stored in recorded cues.
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Hog II warp – like Theatre Tracking but with some extra features to make the programming more familiar to Hog II users.
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There is also the option to load in custom settings while starting a new show.
In Theatre modes, fixtures return to their default values when under control of a playback or the programmer. The keypad is set up to enable selection of Palettes using Palette numbers, and Cue Stack timing defaults to being stepped timing rather than chase timing.
The mode can be changed at any time by using the Programming Mode soft button in the Setup Window. In addition, each individual option / default value can be customised by the user and saved as their personal settings file.
Starting a show clears all patching, all programming, and all palettes. It does not clear console specific options such as the configuration of the DMX outputs or the calibration of the touch screen.
Enabling Console Outputs
To enable output of channel data, select the VIEW DMX I/O tab in the Setup Window. This window enables modification of the inputs and outputs for the 64 universes of the MagicQ PC software. The MagicQ consoles support DMX directly from the console or via an external Ethernet to DMX convertor.
Using Direct DMX Outputs
The MagicQ Stadium Connect has 4 DMX outputs directly on the rear panel.
The four DMX outputs on the rear panel automatically output universes 1 to 4 unless they are configured otherwise. The DMX will be output regardless of the “Status” enabled or disabled in the Setup window. All consoles have either a DMX status LED or individual Port status LED’s which show if the port is currently active.
If you wish to choose alternative universes to be output to the four DMX outputs on the rear panel, or you have software prior to version 1.3.4.5 then you will need to configure the outputs manually. For each of the Universes you wish to output on the rear panel, select Out Type as “MagicQ Direct” and Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, and Port 4.
Using ArtNet and ArtNet to DMX interfaces
To output ArtNet on a Universe enable it and ensure that the output type is set to ArtNet. Choose which ArtNet Universe you wish to Output the MagicQ Universe on. MagicQ defaults to outputting MagicQ universe 1 on the first ArtNet Universe (Art 0).
If you are using Ethernet to DMX512 conversion boxes, then you will need to configure the boxes to respond to the correct Art-Net subnet and Art-Net universe. With SnakeSys B4 Ethernet to DMX boxes you need to place the device into Art-Net mode by setting dip switch 4 into the up position and all others down, and then set up the two rotary switches to the correct values – the left one for Art-Net subnet and the right one for Art-Net universe. The interface will then decode the four Art-Net universes starting from that Art-Net subnet and universe.
In most networks the Art-Net subnet is set. In Setup DMX I/O the Output and Input universes use subnet 0 unless specifically set to an Art-Net universe greater than 15 or set using the notation X-Y where X is the subnet and Y the universe. If you are using only one Ethernet to DMX512 interface, then you can use Universe 0.
If you are using multiple Ethernet Interfaces, then you will need to set each Ethernet Interface to a different Art-Net Universe – for example when using two SnakeSys B4 Ethernet Interfaces set the first Interface to Art-Net Universe 0 and the second one to Art-Net Universe 4.
Patching
Open the Patch Window by pressing the PATCH button. The Patch Window has three views, VIEW HEADS, VIEW CHANS and VIEW DMX. In this section we describe patching in VIEW HEADS.
Choose the head you wish to patch by pressing the CHOOSE HEAD soft button. The Window will change to give you a list of manufacturers and heads. Select a head by pressing the touch screen. Alternatively scroll around the Window using the cursor keys, and press ENTER when the cursor is over the correct head.
Once you have chosen a head you will be returned to the Patch Window. Press the PATCH IT soft button to patch the head. You will be prompted for the number you wish to prompt and the address where you wish to patch the heads. Use @ to patch at a specific address.
For example, to patch 5 Mac250 mode 4 to Universe 2 channel 1, enter:
5 @ 2 - 1
If you wish to patch multiple channels at fixed offsets e.g., five Martin Mac250s at DMX channels 1,21,41,61,81 then enter
5 @ 2 – 1 / 20
To patch a dimmer, simply press CHOOSE DIM/MEDIA rather than CHOOSE HEAD and then patch one or more dimmers as below.
In the Patch Window all the lighter coloured fields can be configured. To modify a field, first move the cursor to the field, then input the new value using the keypad and keyboard, and finally press ENTER.
In this way you can modify DMX address, head number, head name and gel for each of your patched heads.
Naming and Numbering Heads
Once you have patched all the heads you can then name and number them as you wish. It is recommended that you name the dimmer, or the head based on its location (e.g., front wash / back truss SL). For dimmers you may wish to configure the gel. This makes programming easier – enabling the console to auto program cues for you.
The gel field uses gel numbers. For Lee colours enter the gel number directly (e.g., 181 for Lee 181). For Rosco colours enter the gel number preceded by dot (e.g., .14 for Rosco 14). For no colour enter 0. If you would prefer to use colour names rather than gel numbers, then simply enter the colour name.
To test a patched head or dimmer, simply press the TEST MODE soft button (soft button encode C) and the head which the cursor is over will be tested. For heads it locates the fixture; for dimmers it sets the dimmer to 100%. Press the TEST MODE soft button again to turn test mode off.