kgallen

Yes, the released fixture libraries always support the older consoles - although you might have to chop it down a bit to fit onto a floppy disk. You need more information on the "6 DMX Channels" bit, you should find in the manual what each of these channels controls. There will be red, green, blue, probably dimmer, maybe strobe, probably colour macro in there, but you need to know which channel controls what parameter. There will almost certainly be a fixture in the library that has the correct mapping, but there are so many of these generic/no-name fixtures on the market that you're unlikely to find it listed in the library. Best course of action is to find the DMX channel descriptions in the manual, and link the manual here, then one of us can build you a fixture definition to save you hunting through the library for something that matches. The official route is to email a link to the manual to FixtureSupport@Zero88.com and then someone at Zero88 will make one for you. Of source if you have a Windows machine, there is the Fixture Library tools you can use which is what we all use to write fixture definitions for ourselves. Kevin

Double posting just annoys those who might want to help you - you won't get a quicker reply. See my reply in your post in the Jester section:

Power cycle it again as I think it will re-write the codes into the RAM which should now not forget them. Edit: Just found this article where Ian describes how to sort this after replacing the battery:

Ahhhhh I seee, this always confused the heck out of me - usually when I accidentally press <enter> on the cue number field, panicking I was renumbering it!

Means your fixtures take 6 DMX addresses each so you have to space them at least 6 addresses apart. You could set this higher if you like, say you like them addressed every 10 addresses set the offset to 10.

They certainly are! My first own-purchase lighting desk was an Alcora (Mk1) - and bought from Ian too, way back in 2000. I still have it, and it comes out every now and again when I want something straightforward and light. Also since mine has DMX and analogue outputs it can fit into pretty much any dimmer system.

Hi Mostyn, I don't know what your use case is (theatre, busking, etc), but just be aware that the Elara is a "submasters desk" where you programme lighting states to each submaster fader. This is different to a cue stack desk, which is more typical for a theatre use model. The Elara's sister desk, the Alcora, is a cue stack desk. Regards, Kevin

Hi Eric. Just to clarify one point suggested by your text - none of the Zero88 consoles have motorised faders. I’m not sure if this was what you meant by ‘flying faders’. Kevin

Hi Eric, I understand and I can agree with you if the controlled fixture has a single controllable parameter, like intensity, then I can understand, as we all operated for many tens of years, that you grab the fader and the light comes on. But fixtures are not so simple any more. They have intensity, colour, beamshape, position etc etc, several, to many tens of parameters. This can't be handled on a fader, another workflow is needed. Of cource, if one fixture needs to be selected, then of course FLX can do that - indeed the faders are by default channel intensity faders, and pages of such - and with wings then under the fingers. However this approach gives you control of the intensity parameter only. Most of your rig looks to be multi-parameter kit - you list more LED sources than possible conventional. The quantity you list looks uncomfortably large for any fader-per-channel based work surface, whether that be Zero88, ETC, Strand etc etc. It sounds to me like you should go and try a number of lighting desks, or even get a demo. For Solution and FLX for example, you could attend one of the training courses, that might be a good approach to look at the Zero88 offerings for real. In addition, get a knowledgeable supplier or user to demonstrate each desk with a range of fixtures that model elements of your typical setup. Zero88 appear to have a fairly sizable French and German following, many experienced and knowledgeable members post on the forums here, especially the FLX and Solution forums. Take a browse and make some contact and get the real user experience from them! Good luck, it's a big decision! Kevin

You don't need faders - in fact that's the last thing you need. You need to set up some Groups, Palettes and Playbacks with the sort of stuff you will need for the show. You can do this away from the venue. Then when you're at the rehearsal you can update your position palettes for the exact mover position then you go Group, Palette, Record - bang, bang, bang on the FLX touchscreen, you're done. None of this shoving faders about then hunting for colours and gobos around the Solution buttons. FLX has 10 pages of 24 playback faders, which you can overlay - do you really need 24 playbacks from a pick of 240 under your fingers at once? You need to donate your brain to science if you can manage that lot. If you want more faders to call up stuff quickly whilst you're busking then add a wing. Well that's how Ed and Jon would do it anyway - it's all beyond me at my age!

Have you checked the latest fixture library for your exact models? or: - write your own with the Fixture Editor tools (I always do) - ask Jon/Ed to write the fixture definition - send a link to the manual and say which modes you want.

FLX any day of the week. From user comments on this forum Solution appears to be running out of processing power with the more recent firmware. It's the oldest platform still in the current range. For FLX S you would need to confirm these can support your fixture count/DMX address range. I suspect you'd be looking at the S48 rather than S24 (you do already suggest this in your OP). I think you would only consider a Solution if you wanted the large panel user interface. But then you have to carry the thing. If you really need to-hand access to faders, then the FLX+Wing would seem to be the way to go, expanding as you needed. FLX has development life - it's on the "up" curve, Solution is on the tail of it's life (I suspect, I don't work for Zero88). Solution seems pretty much as expensive as FLX (don't look at the web prices, get a proper quote) - it's a physically bigger machine to manufacture (more faders, LCDs etc) rather than a "more powerful" machine. I came to FLX from Fat Frog, motivated by the size/weight reduction for humping the thing around and the persistent introduction of LED fixtures to the rig - but actually still retaining a large conventionals base too. Your requirements are diverse enough that I think FLX is the most appropriate platform from this range to give you scope and longevity. And to save your back. ...Just one user's brash comments: YMMV!

Edward - excellent explanation/example of Inhibit - I now understand how it works (and I might even use it now!!!)! Great job!

Sorry Martin, a very reasonable question very badly answered by me! The best I can find so far is Jon's response here, but it's just a hint rather than a definitive answer to your question. I thought I'd seen this discussed somewhere but I can't find the post yet...

Of source - you have 241 playbacks on FLX and in it's simplest form with a single cue, a playback is what we used to call a submaster. <set up lighting> RECORD <select playbacks page, press button under multi-function fader> CLEAR-CLEAR Push up fader! Easy peasy You might want to visit the options under SETUP+MFF button and the cue window for that playback, VIEW+MFF button, to set fade times.

Hi Ed/Jon, Here are fixture profiles for the Showtec Shark Wash One, not in the gft35 library (Zoom and Spot are in there, not the Wash). Regards, Kevin (I thought I posted this last night, but I don't see it, sorry if this is a duplicate entry). Showtec_Shark_Wash_One.ift

Please share on the Forum anything of general interest, we're all still learning . Don't keep it to yourselves!

Another entry for your "How To" applications note, Jon. I like it. But you can bet when I need to do it, I won't be able to find this thread. First time I've come across an application for Inhibit (I'm sure you pro's use it all the time though...!). Kevin

Those settings don’t seem compliant to the table here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMX512 (MAB transmit min 12us and break transmit min 92us) and don’t stack up to 17 frames per second at 250kb/s. 44 frames per sec with MAB of 12us and break of 92us stacks up as a 22.676ms frame. So the Entec must be sending much longer break or MAB to reduce the max 44fps to 17fps. Even if the break were 1ms that still gives 23fps. How bad can those fixtures really be. It seems hard to envisage they could be that bad!

Isn't the standard filter set just another 'button' you touch (is on the 'daddy' FLX)?

Whatever you do, it's always 'the other one'!

Press the Update key. Catches me out too!

If you're competent to do so, can you open the unit and check the jumper that sets the max current draw for the unit is still in place? On a UK unit this limits the total current draw across the channels to ensure 13A is not exceeded. Just an idea I don't know this is the cause. Otherwise try directly emailing: keithrogers@eaton.com

Have you got a DMX terminator on the end of the line? If you have multiple chains have you used an active DMX splitter? Even with a 'poor' fixture this problem seems strange. Can you try the fixtures one at a time with a short cable from the desk and note the results?

Try setting your problem fixtures to a high DMX address, so they are forced to read the whole DMX packet. However what's interesting about this is that the FLX* will be sending out a full 512 channel DMX packet so the refresh rate is naturally as low as it can be (without adding padding to the break). Maybe the entec sent short packets (maybe up the the top address used?) and thus the "refresh rate" was changed to emulate full 512 channel packets. If the fixtures can't take a fully formed 512 channel DMX packet then they must be *really* rough! Even "off the web" Arduino DMX receiver code isn't that bad!