As has been said, there is no way to do exactly what you want on the
Express. To do it you would have to use an
effect cue, not an
effect sub. You could easily run the
effect on the C/D
fader so as to not affect the rest of your cues. Then, when you want to pause simply press [Hold] and the
effect will stop, then hit [Go] again to continue. However, because of only one
cue stack on the
Express, sometimes running a
cue in C/D
fader can be more trouble than it's worth. If you absolutely had to do it using subs this is what I would do:
1. Split the rig (namely what you are using for this band/song) into 2 parts. Maybe 1/2 and 1/2 or 1/3 and 2/3, whatever. Make this division evenly spread out (not SL vs SR or US vs DS).
2. Write the
effect you want using one part of the rig.
Note: I am assuming here that if you are using moving lights that you have two subs to run this
effect. One that is non-intensity parameters (effects sub), the other is just the
intensity parameters (
pile-on sub). This allows you to run the
effect at full because
Express does not differentiate between
intensity and "other" parameters as far as levels are concerned. Then you can ride the
intensity sub to the desired
level.
3. Write another "static look" sub with the remaining part of the rig.
4. Have both of the non-intensity parameters subs triggered. The majority of the song you will have the
intensity parameters sub for your moving portion on and the
intensity parameters sub for your static portion off. When the moment comes,
switch. Then
switch right back.
This way the fixtures that are moving never actually stop moving. You are just turning their
intensity off so that you don't see them move. You bump your static look up so that everyone can still see the band, and you have a very dramatic pause. Then just
switch the
intensity subs back and the moving lights are ready to go.
No, it's not exactly what you are looking for, but it could get your idea across. You've got to work with what you got. You are brave to even attempt to busk a show on an
Express.
Good luck!
-Tim