Moving Lights on ETC Express

[techno89]

i want to move my studio spot 575 intels around randomly on stage for bows, i know there is no random shape generator but i could do a step however that would take literally forever to program, is there a better way to do this? or can i record a cue into a step so the programming is not so tedious.

 

[icewolf08]

Focus points and subroutines will be your friends. First off, record a bunch of positions/colors/gobos/looks as focus points. Put the focus points into cues. Write a subroutine that plays those cues back.

You could also write the focus points into steps in an effect as well, but I think a subroutine is easier.

Other option, put the attributes that you need control of on subs and just run the faders manually.

 

[MrsFooter]

No matter how you do it, it will be tedious, dirty, and you will hate your life. Personally, I would just stick 2 monkeys and some S4's in the cove and tell them to ballyhoo like their lives depend on it.
If movers are going to be a consistent part of your future, I suggest looking into a Enntec widget and a Chamsys MagicQ board. Best board I've come across yet.

 

[techno89]

i think i'll setup the focus points and make a subroutine, can i set a subroutine to run a fader c/d using a macro?

 

[porkchop]

Monkeys are for sure the better idea

 

[zac850]

i think i'll setup the focus points and make a subroutine, can i set a subroutine to run a fader c/d using a macro?

Sure. Just put in a dummy cue that is linked to a macro that hits the go button on the C/D fader. Remember that you'll also need another cue that pushes the clear button on C/D later on (or you can manually do it I suppose). Heck, you could also just hit the C/D go button yourself if you trusted yourself to push the right button at the right time (I wouldn't suggest this, it would be too easy to put the wrong cue into the wrong fader, just wanted to point out the possibilities).

 

[Amiers]

Running 2 faders is a pain in the ass and if you slip you risk messing up the bows. I would create your looks set you fade up/dwn times to 0 and then create a step to loop the cues til they finish.

 

[Grog12]

Follow q's and links back to the begining of the sequence work as well.

 

[Shakspeares suck]

I agree with Grog and its what i would do on that particular console.

 

[gafftaper]

As long as we are on the topic. Why don't a couple of you Express wizards put together a step by step Collaborative article: "Programing Moving Lights on an Express" It's a topic that comes up from time to time around here and isn't easy for a newbie to figure out by reading the manual. I would start it myself but it's been 6 years since I've used an Express and I'm a little too rusty.

 

[Grog12]

Good idea.

Jump in here http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/...ing-moving-lights-etc-express.html#post135583

 

[soundman]

i want to move my studio spot 575 intels around randomly on stage for bows, i know there is no random shape generator

How random does it need to be? Would the built in fixture macros work? Have a look at page 4-19 in the manual for the details but the lights know how to preform a few moves on their own.