Live Channel Control

Edward Updated by Edward

If the [LIVE] key is not illuminated in red, press it to switch to Live mode.

 Selecting Channels Manually – In Classic or Magic Sheet view, a selected channel is denoted by a red border surrounding its icon. There are several ways to select a channel or channels for live control:

  • Single channel – Ex: [6] [ENTER] would select Channel 6; Tapping Channel 6’s icon on the touchscreen would also select it.
  • Single cell of a multi-cell fixture – Ex: [1][1][.][5] [ENTER] would select cell 5 of Fixture 11.
  • A range of channels – Ex: [7] [THRU] [1][0] [ENTER] would select Channels 7-10; [1][1][.][1] [THRU] [1][1][.][1][2] [ENTER] would select all 12 cells of Fixture 11.
  • Combinations of single channels and channel lists using the [+] & [-] keys to add or subtract from the selection.
  • Once a list of channels has been selected, the [NEXT] & [LAST] keys can be used to cycle through the list.
  • If certain fields of the patch map (Position, Purpose, Color, etc.) have been populated with meaningful data, the [SELECT] key can be used to display selections. These are repeated in the Quick Select Bar if visible on the Main Display.
  • More options will be available after cues & palettes have been recorded.

 Setting Intensity and Attributes – Once a channel has been selected, the controls associated with the instrument patched to it can be adjusted as desired.

Intensity – Most patched channels have an intensity parameter which can be set in various ways:

  • Using the console’s Level Wheel to adjust the intensity up or down
  • [@] (Value) [ENTER] – Ex: [3] [@] [4][5] [ENTER] would set Channels 3’s intensity to 45%.
  • Using the [ON], [FULL], & [OUT] keys to set “ON” level, Full level or zero level respectively.
  • If [ACTIVE SELECT MODE] is On (key legend is red), the intensity of a channel when selected will be the “ON” level – Ex: [7] [ENTER] would select Channel 7 and set its intensity to the “ON” level (default is 100% or FL).
  • Using the [UP] & [DOWN] keys – Ex: Channel 8 at 50%; [UP] – Increase intensity by the “Up/Down” level (default is 5%). Action may be repeated to raise or lower the intensity by steps.
  • [SHIFT] + [@] ‘DMX’ (value) [ENTER] – Treats the value as a DMX level in the range of 0 – 255. The channel will show the intensity in the nearest percent value from 0 – FL. Ex: [9] [SHIFT] + [@] ‘DMX’ [6][4] [ENTER] would set Channel 9’s intensity to 25%.
  • [COPY] ‘COPY FROM’ (channel #) [ENTER] – Ex; Channel 8 at 50%; [9] [COPY] ‘COPY FROM’ [8] would set Channel 9’s intensity to 50%.
NEO Notes & Tips: Selecting channels and setting levels can be accomplished in one command. Simply enter a leading channel list. Ex: [1] [THRU] [6] [@] [6][5] [ENTER] would select Channels 1-6 and set their intensity values to 65%.

Attributes – Intelligent fixtures have profiles that are included with the NEO software. When an intelligent fixture is patched to a channel, its profile is read in and its controls (attributes) are assigned to families and encoder wheel groups. The standard attribute families are Intensity, Position, Color, Beam, Edge, and Utility. The NEO Console provides keys and encoder wheels to aid in selecting and setting attributes.

Setting Color Example

 [7] [@] [5][0] [ENTER] – Select a color fixture and set its intensity to 50%.

[COLOR] – Press attribute family key to show controls available to set the color. The Side Bar Cue List on the Main Display will show the color controls for the fixture:

In addition to these touchscreen controls, the encoder wheels can be used to dial in the desired color. Pressing the [COLOR] key will advance the wheel assignments through all the controls available which are shown in the small displays to the left of the wheels.

The approximate color can be set using the color palette in the lower section of the color control and then adjusted using the sliders or the encoder wheels.

The Generic Color Chooser is another option. When tapped, this button opens a new window showing various methods of choosing the desired color, such as RGB, CMY, CIE, color filters, etc.

The NEO software contains a list of the color filters (gels) available from the major brands and may be applied directly via console keys to the color mixer of a fixture. The form of the command is [@] [COLOR] (brand #) [.] (gel #). The assigned brand numbers are 1 = Apollo, 2 = GAM, 3 = Lee, 4 = Rosco. 

Example: [8] [@] [COLOR] [4][.][4][7] [ENTER] – Set the color mixer of Fixture 8 to match a Rosco #47 gel. 

Setting Position Example

[1][2] [@] [7][0] [ENTER] – Select a moving fixture and set its intensity to 70%.

[POSITION] - Press attribute family key to show controls available to set the position:

In addition to these touchscreen controls, the encoder wheels can be used to dial in the desired position. This fixture has zoom and iris controls available by pressing the [EDGE] key. Finer control over pan & tilt is available by holding down the [SHIFT] key while turning the encoders.

Releasing Channel Control – Pressing [RELEASE] will reset any manual levels set on the currently selected fixtures. A second [RELEASE] will reset any previously selected fixtures. When released, the fixtures will return to whatever active levels they were at before (cue, submaster, etc.). If no other active levels are in control, the fixtures will return to the defaults set in the fixture profiles or patch.

[SHIFT] + [RELEASE] will reset all control.

Attributes may be selectively released by using family keys in conjunction with [RELEASE]. See Command Keys for more information.

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