Expression 3 as Two-Scene Board

[scolby]

This Wednesday, my school is putting on a talent show and I am running lights for it. I am familiar with the operation of the ETC light boards when using one-scene "cues" however, I do not want to write cues for this show and would like to use two-scene mode. Unfortunately, I cannot find an option to set the Expression 3 board we have to two-scene preset (we have the 24 sub version).

Is it possible to use two scene mode on the board we have? It worked on the Express 72/144 we used to have, but that setting is not in the same place on the new board

[Charc]

No cues?

Okay, just use subs. Record the looks you want into your subs (I'm sure you have pages). If you find you need to alter something on the fly just use the keypad.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by scolby

This Wednesday, my school is putting on a talent show and I am running lights for it. I am familiar with the operation of the ETC light boards when using one-scene "cues" however, I do not want to write cues for this show and would like to use two-scene mode. Unfortunately, I cannot find an option to set the Expression 3 board we have to two-scene preset (we have the 24 sub version).
Is it possible to use two scene mode on the board we have? It worked on the Express 72/144 we used to have, but that setting is not in the same place on the new board

Yes under setup and system settings there should be a place to change those options.

[SerraAva]

An Expression 3 doesn't have a Two Scene Preset mode, as it is only 10 pages of 24 subs per. You might be confusing it with the Express 24/28 which is single scene 48 channels, single scene with 24 channels and 10 pages of 24 subs per, or two scene 24 channels per scene.

I would just record a bunch of subs like Charc said if you don't want to program cues for it. I would think 240 subs with groups would be fine.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by SerraAva

An Expression 3 doesn't have a Two Scene Preset mode, as it is only 10 pages of 24 subs per. You might be confusing it with the Express 24/28 which is single scene 48 channels, single scene with 24 channels and 10 pages of 24 subs per, or two scene 24 channels per scene.
I would just record a bunch of subs like Charc said if you don't want to program cues for it. I would think 240 subs with groups would be fine.

Bah...this is what I get for not opening my OE before posting...

[zac850]

As was said, no two-scene preset mode, you could write subs and have a single-scene console though. I've got a Express 24/48 that I'm willing to trade for an E3 though if your interested......

[Jezza]

If he's smart he won't take the trade :-)

[Charc]

Originally Posted by Jezza

If he's smart he won't take the trade :-)

For some environments, it makes sense, and the technical financial loss is overshadowed by the gain in "usability", food for thought.

[Footer]

Just for the record, this is the first time I have ever heard of someone actually wanting an express for 2 scene preset beyond as a demonstration of "how it used to be done". Kind of like cutting holes in the bottom of a car and flinstoning it because its fun to do...

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Just for the record, this is the first time I have ever heard of someone actually wanting an express for 2 scene preset beyond as a demonstration of "how it used to be done". Kind of like cutting holes in the bottom of a car and flinstoning it because its fun to do...

Speak for yourself.

I recently sent a letter to Ann Valentino at ETC as a request to not abandon certain functions available in the Emphasis system - namely Supermasters, which allows a sub to control other subs, and to maybe allow this function on the Ion for submaster management of the 200 plus playbacks/subs available.

One of the useful things this allows is to create a 3rd "scene" in a 2 scene console, like my Express 48, as well as allowing 2 scene operation out of an Insight (Subs 1-36 as Ch's 1-36, Subs 37-72 as Ch's 1-36, Sub 73 as master for subs 1-36, sub
74 as master to subs 37-72). Hopefully this capability will be added to future Ions.

Believe it or not, I still use 2 scene and single scene on a regular basis. I do a ton of one-off children shows doing a 8AM load-in for a 10:15AM performance, with 30 channels in 2 scene where the operator is the show SM who's conversant in Express.. Or a dozen dance recitals with zero rehearsal time - all one-off's. Or about any kind of Reggae concert with no set list - not that I'd know the songs anyway. I have 24 subs and build looks, but need the 2 scene to get out of a look and into another quickly. Manual control works for me - nothing like a labeled layout to find a channel in a hurry. This works equally well in 96 channel single scene to build up cues on an event that has a basic "looks" plot, but no defined channel hook-up, thus no cues.

I'm guessing there are a lot of folks operating much the same way, folks who would rather not go to the Strand line to keep this capability. I know of one local Vegas style hall - the Westbury Music Fair - North Fork Theater, who purchased an Avo Diamond, 2 years ago for this kind of control, so there is certainly still and will continue be a market for manual control .

Steve Bailey
Brooklyn College