K-Nine

Ironically enough, on the prototype desks, the keys were in a diamond configuration. They were changed as in that pattern they made the LCD really difficult to use ! As has been said in another thread, the desk usage has shifted quite a lot so we are looking once again at the user interfaces.

You can either use the Grand Master, or the Blackout button on the desk.... or have I missed something ?

There is currently no feature on the Frog range as you describe. It will be added to the suggestions database for review. Frog Reference 5398 - Ability to set chase speed using a "Beat Button".

How about a Golden Jubilee mug for the 50th registered user

Hi, Please could you clarify what you did when changing the fixture, ie did you change an exisitng fixture for a different type or add a new fixture into the setup ? Also was this done before or after editing the palettes ? Changing the desk setup re fixture assignments after memories, submasters and palettes have been programmed will have an effect on the fixture data. The actual result will depend on which mode the desk was in and also, if in partial mode, whether the fixture was tagged (programmed) in the memory, submaster or palettes concerned.

This is a known bug in the software, and will be fixed in the next software release. The desk does works correctly if you are working in Partial mode, and editing a palette will update the associated memories. In full mode, editing a palette will not update the memory due to a problem in the software.

Hi All, I have started a particular thread for this discussion, as I feel it's important that we get it right. Please post views and opinions in that thread.

Hi All, I have set this discussion up to talk specifically about partial memory recording issues. As I see it, there are 4 levels of recording that can take place on the console : - All (Full Mode) - Fixture level - Attribute level - Parameter level The existing software does the first 2. The choice of the others will have a major impact on the user interfaces and how we can represent the data. The method for recording partial data on the Frog desks is as described, ie if you change a fixture parameter, it will get tagged and all its parameters will be recorded into the memory/submaster data. Recording down to attribute level rather than fixture level would seem a reasonable request and could fit in nicely with the existing front panel and user interface philosophy (cf partial homing of fixtures). The main problem is not with how to record partial data down to various levels (fixture, attribute or even individual channels) but with making it easy for the user to be able to review the data afterwards to determine exactly what he has recorded, especially if he wishes to modify it later. On a fixture level this is quite simple, when you edit a memory or submaster, the fixtures which were tagged and recorded in the data will be indicated by the yellow LEDs flashing in their respective fixture buttons; it is then easy to add or remove fixtures from the data as required. So, the question is : Which do you guys want and need ?

What would you like the remote to do ? You can use the remote switches to call up memories on the console (6 in total) as a basic remote control. To be honest with you, the actual implementation of the electronics is not the biggest issue. We can usually find a way to connect and interpret the signals. The real question is what functionality does the remote need ? How much control does the operator want when away from the desk ? Any ideas, comments etc...

You are right in what you say, but I don't think that's the whole answer. You can edit a chase speed live as you describe, but that method means that the chase will be the only thing running. What several people have asked for is actually adjusting the speed of a chase while it is being output live either from the playback X or a submaster. This is NOT the same editing a chase. The live adjustment would only be a temporary thing, such that if the chase was output later it would run at it's previously programmed speed. Another thing to consider is that in extreme circumstances you can have up to 25 chases running simultaneously (on the Bull Frog), so if you were 'editing' a speed live, which of the 25 would it be?

:? Erm... yes... It's similar to the other desks in the range. Biggest difference is that there are no preset faders, for the desk is very much geared towards pure ML rigs, and big club rigs etc. Another key change is the addition of the 'SX' masters. These are, for want of a better description, like a faderless submaster. On each SX button, you can store a memory, chase or direct channel data, and have it work like a go button with fade times or like a flash button. It makes busking shows nice and easy. You can run up to 96 moving lights on the thing, with all the normal palettes etc. <end of sales pitch>

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One important thing to appreciate is that the user interface for the Frog was originally designed around the Main LCD, the four cursor keys and other front panel buttons. It was only when the naming of memories, submasters and palettes was added in Release 3.0 software, that it was deemed necessary to provide an external keyboard for text entry. The consequence of this, is that to new users of the desks, there is the expectation that the external keyboard can be used in all fields of all screens on the Main LCD. At the moment this is not the case, and there are obviously several areas where this functionality would make using the desk much quicker to use(eg selecting memories and DMX patching). Therefore, extended use of the external keyboard to allow numeric entry in appropriate fields on the main LCD, is one of the main features being considered for future software upgrades.

Hi All, We are currently looking at ways to implement attribute-level recording. Paul has raised some important issues which need to be addressed. SO, now is the time that this forum starts to come into it's own. You guys can provide us with important feedback as to how we can implement a feature that is being requested. As they say... Let's Talk.

1. Introduction The Frog Series Desk Software Release 5.0 contains the following additional functionality: * Real Time Triggers on Memories. * Jumps in the Memory Stack. * Remote Switches. 2. Real Time Triggers on Memories It is now possible to trigger a memory at a specified time (eg 9:00 am). Press the Memories button to display the Memories screen on the main LCD. This screen has been updated and contains the following modified and new fields: * Trigger – This field contains the trigger for the Next memory. Its value can be Go, Auto or Time. * Time – If the Trigger field is set to Time, this field is editable and contains the actual time at which the memory will be triggered. The format of the field is HH:MM:SS. To set a memory trigger to be real time, carry out the following operations: Use the up or down arrow keys to move the cursor onto the Trigger field. Use the + and – keys to set the Trigger to Time. Press the down arrow key once to move the cursor to the Time field. Use the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor through the hours, minutes and seconds fields, and the + and – keys to set the values for the required time (eg 21:30:00 equals 9:30 pm). 3. Jumps in the Memory Stack The new Jump function provides the facility to jump to a specified memory in the memory stack. Press the Memories button to display the Memories screen on the LCD. This screen has been updated and contains the following new field: * Jump – This editable field contains the memory number to jump to on completion of the memory. The default value is “None†indicating that no jump has been programmed. To program, edit or delete a jump in the memory stack, carry out the following operations: Use the + and – keys to select the memory which is the start point of the jump. Use the up or down arrow keys to move the cursor to the Jump field. Use the + and – keys to select the memory number to jump to, or “None†if no jump is required. 4. Remote Switches The remote socket on the back panel allows up to six remote switches to be connected to the desk. The remote switches are enabled and configured in the Desk Setup section of Super User. To enter Super User, press and hold down the + and – keys on the front panel, then press the Enter key. Select the Desk Setup option, then press Enter to display the Desk Setup screen on the main LCD. 4.1 Enabling/Disabling the Remote Switches Select the Desk Defaults option from the Desk Setup screen and press the Enter key. The Desk Defaults screen is displayed on the LCD Use the up or down arrow keys to move the cursor to the Remote Switches field. Use the + and - keys to adjust the value in the field to On or Off as required. Select the Exit button and press Enter to return to the Desk Setup screen. 4.2 Configuring the Remote Switches The default configuration for the remote switches is as follows: 1 Go 2 Not Assigned 3 Not Assigned 4 Not Assigned 5 Not Assigned 6 Not Assigned Select the Remote Switches option from the Desk Setup screen and press the Enter key. The Remote Switches screen is displayed on the LCD. For example: * REMOTE SWITCHES * Switch No: < 1 > Action: <Go Mem> Memory: <123.4 > The Remote Switches screen contains the following fields: * Switch No : Range 1 – 6 * Action : The action for the remote switch - None, Go or Go Mem. * Memory : If the Action field is set to Go Mem then this field contains the memory number to go to on pressing the remote switch. Use the up and down arrow keys to move through the various fields on the screen. Use the + and – keys to adjust the value in the selected field. Press the Enter key to exit the Remote Switches screen and return to the Desk Setup screen. 4.3 Remote Switch Pin Configuration The following table shows the relationship between the pin number on the remote switches socket on the rear panel of the desk and the remote switch number. 1 Not Used / Switch 6 2 Switch 1 / Switch 1 3 Switch 2 / Switch 2 4 Switch 3 / Switch 3 5 Switch 4 / Switch 4 6 Switch 5 / Switch 5 7 Switch 6 / Not Used 8 0V Common Ground / 0V Common Ground The first description is for desks with an ST1B Motherboard, the second is for ST2 Motherboard. Older Frog and Fat Frog desks were fitted with STMain 1/1B boards; the newer desks are fitted with STMain 2 boards. Note - All Leap Frog and Bull Frog desks are fitted with an STMain 2 board.

Hi Daniel, Please excuse my ignorance, but could you explain what you mean by a 'cracker' as this is not a term I have heard before. :?

We have spotted this on just recently. If you try to copy into Cue 0 (--) then the screen display is corrupted, this means that the memory list becomes very difficult to read, as you say memories 1-18 get blanked on the screen. The software team are investigating this problem. This bug will not corrupt the show data itself, but the screen will not be restored, even after a power cycle. The desk must be reset in order to clear the fault. As always, it is important to save your show to floppy regularly in case of any problems. It goes without saying that extra vigilance is needed when copying a memory that you don't copy to memory '--' The display fault can be cleared by forcing the desk to write it's show data to the internal Flash (the "saving show, please wait" message that pops up occasionally). For example, any of the following will make this happen: - Save the show to floppy and load it back again - Change the DMX patch - Assign a fixture - Change the remote button setup - Program a hundred or so memories (!) Another way to restore the display is to save the show onto a floppy disk, and then reload it... Frog Reference 5360 - fixed in Release 6.2.