Version 1.9.7.x Change Notes

MagicQ now supports a new Blades window to control fixture framing blades. In the Beam Window press VIEW BLADES. Alternatively use the shortcut CTRL + BEAM.

In the Head Editor, under Options, for moving lights set the Framing type to "4 Frames Dual Pos" or "4 Frames Pos Rot" depending on the blade arrangement in the particular fixture. For MagicHD and other media servers the Framing type can be set to "Key", for keystone.

In VIEW CHANS set the frame blade channels to the correct Attributes. Frame1* is up, Frame 2* is right, Frame3* is Down, Frame4* is left. These are also labelled N, E, S, W for north east south and west. Frame*A and Frame*B alternate clockwise around the blades for the 4 Frames Dual Pos control method. For the 4 Frames Pos Rot control method, Frame*A is position, and Frame*B is angle.

In VIEW GENERAL, under Params, there are six new Parameters starting with "Framing Blades".

Added REC BLADES options to Record Options.

Two new Pixel Map FX have been added to both Simple Pixel FX and to the full Pixel Mapper.

These FX are designed to work together with other Pixel Map FX - they modify the other Pixel Map FX with random fade outs (Fizzles) and coloured random fade ins (Sparkles). They enable a 2nd level of FX at the ends (front and back) of the existing FX.

Fizzle and Sparkle work together with Vert & Horiz Lines, Vert & Horiz Random, Snakes, Vert & Horiz Ramp, Vert & Horiz Build, Vert & Horiz Offset, Rot Line, Half Line, Square, Circle.

Added a new Touch Stadium Keypad panel aimed at remote usage that models the Stadium buttons but with bigger buttons for touch usage.

Added Panel buttons to easily change between Touch Stadium Keypad and Touch Stadium panels.

Rearranged buttons in the Stadium Touch panel so they are consistent with the new Stadium Keypad panel.

Renamed the original Touch and Touch Faders to Touch Compact and Touch Compact Faders.

Added new Timecode Decode options to enable automatic switching of the main console timecode source between redundant network timecode sources.

MagicQ now supports selection of the Art-Net stream to decode as added in the 2024 Art-Net specification. Previously versions of MagicQ will decode all Art-Net timecode streams as the main console stream - so using multiple Art-Net timecode sources was not possible except when using unicast to direct specific Art-Net streams to specific consoles.

Added new Timecode Output options of Art-Net and ChamNet for use when generating timecode. Note that ChamNet timecode generated by a MagicQ system can only be read by GeNetix devices - it can not be decoded by other MagicQ systems. To send timecode between MagicQ Consoles use Art-Net.

A new Record Type has been added "All active head type" in the Record Options window. #0035205

When recording a Palette this will record to all Heads of that type regardless of the number of active Heads. This enables using a single Head to adjust the Palette, but immediately recording it to all Heads of that type.

Only attributes for Heads that are active in the programmer will be updated. Attributes for Heads that are in the Programmer will be recorded into the Palette as normal. Heads that are not active in the Programmer, but where at least one Head of that type is active in the Programmer, will be added or modified in the Palette using the first active Head of that type from the Programmer.

A per show file splash screen can be selected from Setup, View Settings, Mode. This is used in preference to the usersplash or splash above for the initial splash screen and for the lock screen. #0040028

The selected image is added to the show file .xhw so will automatically get loaded onto new consoles when the show is loaded.

Regions can be shared between Exec Pages for the purpose of the Solo and Release functions. Set the Share Regions option in the Grid Options for each of the Exec Grids to be shared. Then set the same Region IDs on the different pages that need to be shared.

When a Region is shared between Exec Pages MagicQ then MagicQ checks the Regions with the same IDs on all the shared Exec Pages rather than just the Region on the Exec Grid where the Cue Stack/Cue was activated.

Sharing affects Cue Stacks with Solo set, and the Assign Special, Release item.

In order to better manage options, the Grid Options soft button has now been split into two soft buttons - Grid Options (simple options) and Grid Action (more complex actions like setting background, password, window size).

The Playbacks option has been removed from Soft button C and placed in the Grid Options dialog. The Coloured option is now available in the Grid Options dialog, but has been also retained on Soft button B to maintain familiarity with existing users.

We now have QSC Q-Sys plugins for MagicQ consoles, QuickQ consoles and GeNetix nodes. These use the ChamSys Ethernet Remote Protocol to communicate with the consoles and nodes.

The Plugins default to using the standard CREP port 6533.

In Setup, Network set the Remote Ethernet Protocol to ChamSys Rem (tx + rx no header).

The ChamSys MagicQ plugin supports control of :

MagicQ provides feedback of the levels of the Playbacks and the 10Scene. MagicQ provides simple state active/inactive for the Cue Stacks. In the Plugin the polling time can be set to determine how often QSC checks the state of the MagicQ Playbacks and 10Scene zone. The valid values are from 50 milliseconds to 100 seconds - if defaults to 0.5 seconds.

Specify the 10Scene Zone in the properties of the Plugin.

Playback pins are provided for toggling the Playback state between active at 100% and inactive. Pins are also provided for direct level control. Fade times are as programmed on MagicQ.

10Scene pins are provided for toggling, increasing by 5% and decreasing by 5%. Pins are also provided for direct level control.

Cue Stack pins are provided for toggling the Cue Stack active and inactive. Fade times are as programmed on MagicQ.

The Personality Format Setting is now always Unexpanded. The Original expanded format is no longer supported.

Added support for setting GeNetix/SnakeSys ports according to the Universes configured in MagicQ. In the Net Manager, View ChamNet, View Ports enter the console Universe required in the Console Uni field.

When boosting the colour by adjusting the Pixel Mapper colour Red, Green, Blue parameters they now clip to maximum Red, Green, Blue rather than reseting back to 0.

Added additional colour modes to Pixel Mapper:

When expanding FX to more attributes in the FX Editor, default them to the values from the first attribute.

It is now possible to set the numeric CIE XY value directly to a Palette. In the Palette View, type the <X>/<Y> value and press SET CIE. For example, to set 0.5/0.6 type 0.5/0.6 and press SET CIE.

When applying Palettes with CIE XY set, to fixtures in Colour Mix of CIE XY MagicQ will use the CIE XY from the Palette unless specific values have been set in the Palette for the Head. #0033176

Ability to set a % directly on a Live Playback fader in the Playbacks Window.

Added support for unfolding Group Cues in the Fader Bank modes Cue and Cue Selected Heads. Previously only Head Cues were supported in these modes.

Added support for selecting a Group by name. Type the group name followed by **. The group name entered must be two or more characters but does not have to be the complete Group name. Spaces in names are ignored and the input is case insensitive - i.e. you do not have to use the same capitalisation as the Group name.

When moving Cue Stacks in the Stack Store, any Cue Stack macros that reference the Cue Stacks have their reference updated. Also any Automations that reference the Cue Stack are updated.

Improve dialog box for selection of attributes for Simple PixelMap FX. For Groups with Elements or Function Types now only shows the attributes relevant to elements / function type. Also the Cancel button now cancels applying the FX.

Ability to Import Timecode Tracks in the Timeline Window.

Added support for receiving ChamSys Remote Ethernet Commands (CREP) on the Custom TCP/IP port. This enables use of a different UDP port separate to the Net Sessions port.

Added 998R to Cue Stack Macros. This releases all Playbacks except for the current Playback. Note that all Cue Stacks executed from Cue Store, Stack Store, Execute use a Playback (starting from 202 downwards) so this will also release all these Cue Stacks.

When saving a show file it is now possible to recall the last saved show file name using the Edit Last button.

Prevent entering Key Lock from the Execute Window on PC systems in Demo/Core mode.

Help Window, Command and Logging View now handles clicking in the window as per other windows - shows the "This field cannot be changed" message.

The Large Training Font option is now not reset when show files are loaded. When using LOAD SHOW & CONFIG it will be loaded with the mode options.

Allow programmer undo for Users set to Operator. Actions undo is not supported as actions are not supported for Operators.

In the Patch Window and in the Head Editor when selecting the Shape for a Head show the images rather than text.

Added checks for GeNetix firmware updates to only show versions that can be used for the device selected.

Added GeNetix V2.20 firmware files to installer.

Latest firmware CH346_V1.57 improves the fader update rate on MQ50/70/80 consoles which were previously not providing as many updates to MagicQ as it was capable of receiving. We have improved the update to match other devices e.g. Compact/Mini Connect + Stadium Consoles which provides fader updates to match the DMX output rate (or higher). #0043990, #0044074, #0044705

Heads now support a Function Type for each Function of the Head which enables MagicQ to determine the actual function of a particular function of a multi function Head. The inbuilt function types of RGB MAIN, STROBE, RGB CANDY and UNDEFINED are supported.

This enables much more accurate morphing of Heads that have multiple functions - such as complex Strobe fixtures - Chauvet Col Strike M, GLP JDC1, etc…​ If both the source and destination Head have Function Types set then MagicQ automatically morphs only between the elements of the compatible Function Types. The morph will expand to all the elements of the Function Type of the destination Head even if the source Head has less elements.

The Function Type is specified in the Head Editor under VIEW OTHER, Functions. The Function type for Duplicated Heads with Functions is automatically defaulted when the Head is loaded into MagicQ. ChamSys is updating any Head files that need specific changes.

The Function Type of Heads can be used as part of the selection so that levels and attributes are made active in the Programmer and changed only for the elements of Heads that have a particular Function Type. It also affects FX so that FX are only added for the elements of Heads that have a particular Function Type.

In the Group Window there is a new SELECT FN TYPE soft button to select the function type. When a function type is selected the selection works on function type rather Global Elements or Head Elements - MagicQ applies activations and changes to the appropriate elements of the Head that match the Function Type without those elements being explicitly selected. This enables values to be set to elements of Heads of different types that have different configurations of elements.

When Function Type selection is active the selected text shows a .FMainRCB, .FStrobe, .FCandy or .FUndef at the end instead of the elements.

To reset to no Function Type selection press, in the Group Window press SHIFT and ALL FN TYPE soft button.

Note this is different to the SELECT FN soft button which selects by function number. e.g. FN1, FN2 etc…​ The function FN1, FN2, FN3 differ on different Heads so selection by Function may result in different behaviours on different Heads - e.g. control of Strobe on one, control of Pixels on another.

The Odd/Even toolbar has been expanded to a double height toolbar.

The lower row selects the options of Parts (normal odd/even), Segments and Groups. In addition there are new options for Chunks, Pair and Col Tag.

The upper row selects the number of Parts, Segments or Chunks.

Pair is as previously supported using the PAIR button on Stadium consoles (and shortcut of ALT + SINGLE on other consoles).

Pair can now be used in combination with Parts, Segments or Chunks to give a symmetrical look.

Chunks is a new addition to split the Heads into Chunks.

Col Tag is a new addition to split the Heads by Col Tag.

There are two other options on the toolbar - Grid H and Grid V. These can be applied when Odd/Even, Segments, Chunks or Pair are in operation. They order the Heads for selection using the order in the Group Grid instead of the order stored in the Group.

Segments have been improved to enable splitting of the entire number of Heads into a specified number of Chunks. This is different to Segments which split into Segments of a specific number of adjacent Heads.

Chunks can be used for both sub selecting Heads and for setting FX.

Col Tag sub selection enables sub selection using the Col Tag in the Patch instead of using a formula such as Odd/Even or Segments. This enables sub selecting particular Heads based on how Col tags have been assigned to them. This could be used to differentiate between Spots, Washes, Beams or between Front Truss, Mid Truss, Back Truss.

Open the Odd/Even toolbar by holding ODD/EVEN. On a PC press SHIFT and ODD/EVEN to open the toolbar.

Select Col Tag. By default the first Col Tag in the Patch is used.

Press NEXT HEAD or PREV HEAD to move onto the next or previous Col Tag used in the Patch.

Groups can be set as Sub Select Only Groups in a similar way to Element Only Groups. Sub Select Only Groups do not contain any Heads, Elements, or Head Elements.

When selected, Sub Select Only Groups only change the Sub Select and Order settings in the Programmer. They do not change the selection of Heads. This enables storing of Odd/Even, Segments, Chunks, Pair into Groups for easy selection.

Sub Select Only Groups can be copied into the Execute Window like any other Groups. Note that like Element Only Groups they are not used for the purposes of Regions as they do not contain any Heads.

MagicQ now supports Linked Groups to make it easier to update Groups that have a different selection order or have a sub selection of the members of a Group.

When recording a Group, if the Selection Order has been changed or an Odd/Even, Segments, Chunks, Pair or Col Tag sub selection is active then MagicQ creates a Linked Group which will be linked to the originally selected Group. The Group itself stores information regarding the chosen Selection Order, Odd/Even, Segments, Chunks, Pair or Col Tag. Sub selections apply to the Heads in the Group, not to the elements.

If Grid H or Grid V sub selection is applied to the Odd/Even, Segments, Chunks or Pair then this is also stored in the Group.

When the Group that it is linked to is updated with different Heads then the Linked Group will be recreated using the new Heads, using the Selection Order and sub selection in the Linked Group. The Group Grid for the Linked Group will also be updated any time that the Group Grid it is linked to is updated.

In the Group Window, when the cursor is on a Linked Group, then Soft Button E indicates the Group it is linked to and the method of linking - i.e. the sub selection.

The Linked Group can be moved in the Group window and the Links will be automatically updated.

A Linked Group can be unlinked by changing the Group Type from Linked to Normal on Soft Button E.

One or more Groups can be linked to another Group after they have been created. Cursor select one or more Group then set the Group Type to Linked and enter the Group number to link to. The Linked Groups will automatically be regenerated.

Multiple layers of Linked Groups are allowed. For example a top Group could contain all Heads - then Linked Groups for each Col Tag such as Spots, Washes and Beams, and then further Linked Groups to these such as Odd/Even or Segments. When a top layer Group is updated all the associated Linked Groups at all layers are updated. Note this is different to Palettes that only support one layer of Linked Palette.

Function Types can be set on Linked Groups in the same way as on other Groups - multiple Groups could be created with different Function Types but all linked to the same Group. When a Group has a Function Type set then only the elements of that Function Type are supported. This avoids the need to store specific element numbers into the Group. The Group dynamically changes to always use the elements of the specified Function Type if different Heads are stored into the Linked Group.

When filtering to Sel Head or Sel Group there is now an End box to enable moving Heads to after the last Head.

When filtering to Sel Head, Heads can be deselected by using REMOVE.

When filtering to Sel Group it is now possible to move Heads around in the Group. Heads can be removed from the Group using REMOVE. Heads are now not shown active when filtering to Sel Group.

Add support for changing the motor fader touch sensitivity on Stadium consoles running firmware V0.22 Playback panel, V0.15 Motor Control and V2.2 Fader Touch touch control or later versions.

When selecting a Group with Type of Sub Groups the Group itself remains indicated in Orange. The sub groups selected continue to be shown in Red.

When selecting a selection order using the SELECT ORDER toolbar (hold ALL or press SHIFT + ALL) it is now possible to go back to the Normal order after Random order has been chosen. Previously once Random order was chosen the original Group was forgotten. The original Group is now indicated in Orange. #0041702

Added extra option to the G Cue Stack macro to enable going to a Cue without activating. When Preload Flag is set to 2, the Cue Stack is immediately jumped to the Cue without activating the Cue Stack. #0040061

Improved indication of the Palettes used for Soft Palettes in Exec Regions. Now MagicQ checks for which Palette is used by the Soft Palette in real time. Previously after a power on or reset there would be no indication until a Palette was selected again in the Exec Region.

Added VIEW SELECTED option to Patch, View Chans. The VIEW SELECTED can be used together with the attribute filtering. Press the VIEW SELECTED soft button to view selected.

Added option to apply a Global timecode offset to the incoming external timecode source. In Setup, View Settings, MIDI Timecode set Timecode Offset. A positive value adds frames to the received timecode, whilst a negative value delays the incoming timecode.

Added option to handle internal timecode using the framing type used for external timecode rather than using the internal 100 frames per second. In Setup, View Settings, MIDI Timecode set Internal Timecode Type.

Allow Optimise Grid and Crop Grid on Group Grids. #0042612

Added support for running a single Pixel Map FX on multiple Groups. MagicQ concatenates the Group Grids of each Group vertically. #0042615

Cue Stacks that are activated on Playbacks now show in the Stack Store window as active (in Orange) with an indication of the Playback that they are active on. They can be released from the Stack Store by pressing on the item. Cue Stacks activated from within the Stack Store or from Macros, Executes or Automations continue to show in Red.

Enable assignment of a Col Tag to a User, so that when the Col Tags option is set to Users, it is possible to monitor which User is controlling a channel.

Add View Users to Outputs Window, View Heads so it is easy to see which User has control of each parameter.

Added a new Unicast Options setting in Setup, View Settings, Network with the option of Fast or Original. This setting defaults to Fast. In previous software versions, when MagicQ tried to Unicast sACN or Art-Net to IP addresses that were not on the network then the Output could be blocked whilst MagicQ tried to locate the IP address. This only occurred on MQ250M/MQ70/MQ50/MQRACK/MQDIN. #0032162, #0039761, #0042834

Add Slave Only mode as a Net Session Mode. In this mode Net Sessions can be used on MagicQ PC systems even when they are unlocked - there must be another unlocked MagicQ system on the network which is the Master. The Slave Only PC cannot take control - it is always a Slave, so it cannot be used for show backup purposes.

Add support on MagicQ PC when only one monitor is enabled for selecting which monitor from Layouts is used. This enables Layouts programmed on systems with multiple monitors to be used on systems with only one monitor.

Allow Stadium touch mode on both remote control and normal operation. Previously it was only supported for remote control.

It is now possible to copy a Setup option direct to the Execute Window. This is an alternative to using ASSIGN SPECIAL and SETUP OPTION.

Setup Options in the Execute Window now automatically show the Setting name and the chosen option/value for that Setting.