Paul

The counting on the 7-segment displays is normal and is a test pattern to confirm that all segments are working normally. The channel flash buttons (or SX buttons on the Mambo Frog) select different test pages on the main LCD, which show fader values or button presses etc. There are no monitor displays implemented in test mode.

The problem with Program Mode automatically incrementing to the next programmed memory after a Program operation was fixed back in version 1.7. Upgrade your desk to the latest version (software and instructions HERE) and you'll get this fix. The suggestion to be able to reduce levels without leaving Run Mode has been logged for consideration - see above.

Frog showfiles aren't compatible with the Jester or JesterML I'm afraid.

Do you see a delay on the values in the DMX Output window on the Fat Frog? This will tell you what the desk is sending, and thus whether the problem lies in the desk or elsewhere in your system.

If you are using one of the preset faders to control the haze, then you can use the Grab Mode (Frog Reference 5574) introduced from version 10.8 to take control of the channel and lower the level. See the release notes (DOWNLOAD HERE) for a full description of the operation.

Tracking is described (with some nice pictures by Peter) in THIS TOPIC. It is useful if you have a series of scenes which build on the look from a start scene (e.g. start with a general wash, then in subsequent scenes introduce some specials/practicals). Then if you later want to make changes to the base scene, you only need to do them in one place, not in every scene that follows on from it as well. Because each scene is then partial in nature (i.e. it only records the changed channels, not all the channels), unchanged channels in each scene are said to 'track' from previous scenes. When playing back a scene, the desk outputs all the tracked channels as well as the changed ones, to build up the complete look. A bit of history on version 10... Version 10.0-10.4 added individual parameter level programming capability to the Frog series. Without tracking, this can make using a traditional theatrical memory stack difficult, as the look of each memory could change depending on the running order of the cues. So in version 10.8 we added (compulsory) tracking, thinking everyone would see this as an improved way of working, with memories always looking the same, regardless of what order you ran them in. However as it turned out, not everyone was using the memory stack in a traditional theatre style. Some users, particularly those involved with more live busking style operation, were using the memories as a collection of looks to recall at random. So for them, they wanted the partial memories, but not tracking. Hence in 10.9, tracking is now optional. If you've not used tracking before, it's probably best not to dive in under pressure programming for a real show, but instead sit down with the desk and the release notes and go through it first to grasp the concepts. And definitely make sure you have a monitor connected so you can see what's going on. Move-on-dark is fully implemented in the Leapfrog48/96 and Frog2 desks, and if we can find the time to add it to the original Frog series then we will. However you will understand that from a business perspective, supporting current products is always going to take priority over supporting a discontinued product range. It will cost us money to do it but won't increase sales - a difficult proposition to put to the owners of the company, we'll have to wheel out the old brand-image and customer-confidence arguments...

If three separate memory sticks all reformatted to FAT32 aren't even getting the LED on the memory stick to light, then unfortunately it sounds like there is a problem with your desk. My first guess would be that inside the desk, the USB cable to the front panel has become detatched from the processor PCB. You can either get the desk back to your dealer for them to look at, or call our friendly service bloke Keith in the office (01633-838088) for some more advice or to arrange a return direct to us. If it is just the cable come out, then it's a quick and easy fix.

Hi Neil, I've split your feature suggestions into THIS TOPIC for clarity. As for the USB problems, usually reformatting the memory stick as FAT32 fixes those (see posts above). It's worth checking the desk is indeed running the latest software, since your desk may have been sat on the shelf at a dealer for some time before you bought it. Paul.

Split from another topic... When you change from Program Mode to Run Mode, it is the Selected (Next - yellow bar on monitor) cue that is selected, not the Current (green bar on monitor) cue. Although the suggestion to change this has been logged: JES-746 - When changing from Run Mode to Program Mode, select the Current Memory rather than the Selected (Next) Memory. The suggestion to change the way that Program Mode immediately outputs cues on selection has been logged for consideration in a future update: JES-511 - Try Cue option in Program Mode If fade times can be used in Program Mode (see above), then this will be solved. Requested a few times already: JES-547 - Offline Editor JES-515 - Numeric entry of fade times The Jester was designed to use USB lamps, we took a value judgement that the cost of fitting an additional XLR lamp socket was not justified on this desk. Unfortunately this isn't possible on the Jester - see THIS TOPIC. As an aside, on the JesterML, the Copy/Paste feature is replaced with an Edit feature which allows you to do this.

For some general background on lighting terminology, you might like to look at the Blue Room Wiki. There are also a number of Lighting Books recommended there. If you have any specific questions on the Jester or JesterML, please feel free to post them here. There is a picture of the Jester front panel in THIS TOPIC, and a picture of the JesterML front panel in THIS TOPIC.

1. In Program Mode - the position of the Speed Pot shows you the chase speed when programming a new chase. When editing an existing chase, the pot needs to be moved to the previous speed to pick it up before adjustment can take place. The LED next to the pot flashes to indicate if the programmed speed is faster or slower than the current pot setting. In Run Mode, the selected chase is previewed on the external monitor running at the programmed speed, so you can check and adjust it before outputting it if required. 2. The suggestion of an offline editor has been logged for future consideration: JES-547 - Offline Editor 3. The suggestion for an indication of the memory stack crossfade progress has been logged for future consideration: JES-1949 - Indication of memory stack crossfade progress Glad you like the desk otherwise!

Brightness values on the Frog series are always shown as percentages, the only exception being the DMX Output screens. There is no setup option to change this.

Pan/Tilt Invert and Swap (as added in Frog Release 9) is not a feature currently implemented on the JesterML. The suggestion has however been logged for consideration in a future software update: JES-1925 - Pan/Tilt Invert and Swap

The P1 and P2 indications refer to 2 different patches that the desk can store. Only one of them can be used at a time though. When a desk channel is patched to multiple DMX channels, then those DMX channels are all controlled together, they cannot be controlled individually. The manuals for the XL and XLS can be downloaded HERE.

On the JesterML(24), the rules for recording DMX-In are as follows: Generic Channels: Mixed HTP with the presets on the desk, so can be faded when replaying. Fixture Channels (HTP+LTP): Ignored. Unpatched Channels: Recorded, and snapped LTP when replaying. The Generic Channels can be faded on replaying, the Unpatched channels are snapped onto the outputs when a memory/submaster is replayed. Because Fixture Channels are not recorded, it is recommended that when using the JesterML(24) as a backup desk, that no fixtures be patched.

The designed function of moving the Grand Master fader is to tag all HTP channels (since LTP channels are unaffected by the Grand Master fader). This behaviour is unmodified by the WheelGroup button. You have the following options available for untagging: Parameter: Hold WheelGroup and move the wheel. Attribute: Hold WheelGroup and hold the attribute button for a couple of seconds. Fixture: Hold the fixture selection button for a couple of seconds to toggle the tag state. The hold first+last operation also works in this case for multiple fixtures. Generic channel: Hold WheelGroup and move the fader. All generic channels: Hold WheelGroup and move the A/B Master faders. All fixtures (Mambo Frog only): Hold the ClearAll button for a couple of seconds.

You can plug it in that way round, but it's not the best way to do it. The Jester 24/48 records all the LTP channels (moving light parameters) and will snap them onto the outputs when the memory/submaster is replayed. HTP channels (determined by looking at the DMX patch) are mixed HTP with the presets on the desk, and so can be faded when replaying. You won't be able to record fades for LTP channels or movement effects.

Yes you can use a USB Lamp with the desk - the desk can supply 0.5A on the USB Port. Unfortunately memory sticks or keyboards will not work on the other side of the hub.

Version 9.8 can still be downloaded HERE. However if you look at what's new and been fixed in 10.9, I don't know why you'd want to go back. The new stuff in version 10 (parameter level programming, brightness tagging, tracking, replay tagging) is now all optional, so you can set the desk up to work just like 9.8 did (by default it mostly does this anyhow), but with lots of other general improvements and definitely less bugs.

The error code and the loss of submasters suggest that the desk isn't seeing the Channel Presets PCB. This could be a connection problem with the ribbon cable inside the desk connecting the PCBs, or it could be the DIP switches on the back of the Channel Presets PCB set incorrectly. Unfortunately there isn't an offline editor for the Jester or any PC tools which would allow you to export the show data, the idea has been logged for future consideration though: JES-547 - Offline Editor

Version 10.9 of the Frog series software has been released, which includes additional setup options to allow the tagging and tracking behaviour to be fully configured, plus a number of other improvements. CLICK HERE for details. This topic is now closed - if there are any issues in 10.9, please feel free to open a new topic.

Frog Series Software - Version 10.9 We have released Version 10.9 of the Frog Series Software. The new operating software, offline editor (Phantom Frog) and release notes can be downloaded from the Zero 88 Support Centre: CLICK HERE This version adds setup options to allow the tagging and tracking behaviour to be fully configured, and also includes a number of other improvements. Full details can be found in the release notes. See THIS TOPIC for instructions on installing the software.

The Offline Editor for the Frog series is called Phantom Frog, you can download it HERE. Phantom Frog works just like the desk itself, but you can't use it with any DMX output hardware or visualisers. Right click with your mouse to hold a button down. Any other questions, do ask.

JesterML Operating Software version 1.1 has been released, and is available for download from the Zero 88 support website. CLICK HERE. This version contains a number of important fixes, and it is recommended that all JesterML desks running version 1.0 be upgraded to this version. Instructions for performing the update are available from the link above. Changes... [JES-1797] - Fixed false out of memory error with large numbers of fixtures assigned. [JES-1862] - Assign Fixtures from USB now works. [JES-1863] - Fixed long fixture names causing desk to hang. [JES-1866] - Pressing Go mid-fade now fades correctly from current outputs. [JES-1867] - Clear Mems/Subs no longer corrupts palettes. [JES-1868] - DMX Patch numeric entry - now clears fixture LED properly. [JES-1869] - Memory Stack now fades to Partial Memories correctly. [JES-1870] - Changing from Run Mode to Program Mode no longer causes a brightness output change. [JES-1879] - New USB Host firmware (03.61) reduces initialisation time with large USB memory sticks. Upgrade from USB Host menu in Setup. [JES-1880] - Fixture page is now displayed correctly in Assign Fixtures and DMX Patch.

The transformer used in early XL's was: 5521000 Transformer 11+17v 22VA was: 4347 B2554, 0-120-240, 17.5-10.5-0 This later changed to: 5525000 Transformer 11 + 17v 22VA B2749 22VA (Prim. 240/117/0, Sec. 17.7/11.0/0 & 11.0/17.7 & 0/11.5) Sounds like you have the first version. Unfortunately we can't get either of these transformers any more. The connector on the PCB goes 17-11-0-11-17, not sure which transformer wire colours that relates to though. Hope this helps, Paul.