408 Questions -- Second Edition

[Chris Hocking]

Hey'ya everyone!

What would the ALIA forum be without some 408 questions every so often! So, here it goes...!

First question: I cannot believe I've forgotten this!! I've used a 408 on a huge amount of shows this year, but after a few weeks of not using it, and devoting my brain to other challenging tasks, I've forgotten how to label Pallete items. Opps! Can someone please remind me? Cheers!

Second question: Masks. Some have the option of IPCB (Intensity, Postion, Colour, Beam) others IFCB (Intensity, Focus, Colour, Beam). Why? What does "focus" encompass? How can I create a memory that only stores position?

If I want a fader to control the colour for all my Mac 500s for example, do I have to record with all the Mac 500s selected or just one (ie. does it act like a pallete)?

How do you "reset" a stack. For example: I created a stack of different colours for XR7s. Each stack item contained a different colour (used masks). How can I make the stack go back to 'stack item 1'? Problem is, I use the stack, works fine, changes colour for the XR7, but when I SHIFT+CLEAR, making the XR7s go back to home, the stack stays in the same place, so the next time I hit the flash button assigned to the flash it "scrolls" (colour wheel) to the last used colour, not the 'next' colour if you get what I mean...

I tried RELEASE+FLASH, but all that seemed to do was turn the LCD above the fader to blank/nothing. What does RELEASE+FLASH actually do? (FLASH meaning a flash button under a fader in the assign master).

When I've assigned the last 12 channels of Preset 2 to something, for example a memory, why when I press the flash buttons below them do they "Flash"? Shouldn't they act like the buttons in the assign master?
If I've assigned items to the last 12 in Preset 2, and am using the last 12 in Preset 1 as dimmer channels, how can I flash the Preset 1 items?!? It seems to me the 408 automatically "assigns" the flash buttons to the last 12 channels of Preset 2 if they are assigned to an memory, chase, etc. Please explain!

Is there a fast (ie 1 button click) way to move to the next/previous page of the assign master? I don't think there is, but the 408 has so many tricky/hidden features who knows!

Ok. I've created a stack (10.0-10.5) with masks IP-B. Unfortunately, in 10.4 I've forgotten to set up the mask. How can I fix this?

What happens if I record a memory with the fixture master down? I'm guessing it still records the fixtures at whatever has been set in the programmer?

Can I assign a fader to control the speed/rate/offset/etc. of an effect?

Editing an item, for example a chase. You press Edit. You press the flash button beneath the assign fader controlling the item to be edited, you do your thing, then what? Hit record?

(FYI Jands: Page 51 of the 408 Manual 5.0.0.5, says "Stacks are explained in detail in section..." -- you never said what section. Opps!)

How do I create a stack out of memories? For example, I've created a whole heap of memory (M1, M15, M23, M42), and now want to create a stack which contains them in that order. How can I do this? Can I make it so it goes M1-15-23-42 and then backwards, for example, M1-15-23-42-23-15?

Could someone explain to me the "Assign Edit" special feature a bit better?

Do files automatically save? For example, I create a file, then assign something to assign master 3, do I have to re-save the file, or will the 408 automatically adjust the file?

What happens when you've set up a 2-fader Stack Operation, and then assign something over the top of the second fader?

Can someone explain to me LTP/HTP (last/first takes precedence) in terms of memories & chases?

Are stacks that are assigned to a fader via the "assign stack menu" overruled by files? For example, if I assign a stack to fader 1 using the "stack menu", and then load a file (in which memory 1 is to be accessed via fader 1), which will be accessible using fader 1?

Manual chase (ie. BPM = 0 -- ie. you use the flash button to move to the next chase 'look'), in a stack; how does that work?

I understand that most, if not all of my questions could be found out if I just spend a few hours "playing/fighting" with the 408. But! I would prefer to post this topic, so that other 408 users can benefit. If I find out the answers to any of my own questions, I will post them here.

(JANDS: Maybe a 408 FAQ section on your new website would be worth looking into?)

Thanks for your help everyone and I look forward to your replies!

~fergz

[adam]

First Answer:
Example, to label position 1
[Edit] [Position] [Palette 1] {Type Label}

[Edit] being on the keypad, [Position] being above Wheels.

Second Answer:
Focus == Position
Yes, you can, it would be Mask I-CB

You need to select the Fixtures you want to record (if in select record more) or they need to be brighter than 10% (in Active mode). You need to have all of them Red if you want them to all recall Red.

I Use Chases with 0 rate rather than stacks for colors.

There is a button above the fixture fader in the master section that flips the flash buttons between preset 1 and preset 2.

[Chris Hocking]

Thanks Adam!!!!

[Chris Hocking]

More questions!

First, back to one I asked previously:

[adam]

[Chris Hocking]

[Chris Hocking]

[Chris Hocking]

Yippee!!!

I've found the offline editor!

http://www.jands.com.au/download.nsf/HTGetmore/C9DA87DA09DDDDA8CA256C4600128E63

[adam]

Hi,

The low-down is - The Offline software was hiding because it is waiting for an update to more properly support the current version of desk software and the new way show files are written.

The E4 has had "issues" from time to time (doesn't everything?) But I think this current version of software is pretty good.
_________________
Adam Boon
webmaster@paservices.com

[Chris Hocking]

Any idea when Jands will release a new version of the offline editor?

Just out of interest, does anyone know what programming language the editor was made in?

~fergz

[adam]

I would assume Vis C++ ?
_________________
Adam Boon
webmaster@paservices.com