Learning ZerOs

[Chris Mower]

I have been trying to locate a resource for learning ZerOs but without much success. I have downloaded the manuals and have made some progress but it’s hard going as they don’t really start with the fundamentals of how ZerOs works.

My background is in amateur theatre and  I previously always used Strand desks, so Zero88 desks seem completely alien. I have used them on a couple of shows and although they were hard going I managed to program them, but never felt at ease because of the lack of basic understanding. However, what I saw of the desks intrigued me and I did feel that if I could get a good understanding of the fundamentals then I’m pretty sure I would really like them. To that end I bought a second hand Frog2 on eBay and have made a start. 

So I guess my question boils down to Is there a book or dvd or whathaveyou that teaches ZerOs for beginners?

 

[Edward Z88]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the Zero 88 Forum. 

The last ZerOS software version that was released for FROG2 consoles was ZerOS 7.8.2.39. This was released several years ago, and therefore many of the Zero 88 YouTube training videos which are for current ZerOS software won’t be applicable.

I would therefore recommend taking a looking at the FROG2 manual, which is available here...

http://support.zero88.com/975204871

The latest software for FROG2, can be downloaded here...

https://zero88.com/storage/downloads/a2345a88-70be-4fbc-8493-ac1522e20edc/ZerOS-7.8.2.39.zip

Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know. 

Edward

[Chris Mower]

Thanks Edward. 

I have the manual and the latest Frog2 O/S and although there seem to be a few bugs it seems to basically work OK. What I find is that although the manual seems to cover the topics it sort of assumes you are steeped in the way of the Zero88 methodology. What I was hoping to find was a sort of set of work-flow examples.

Take for example the theatres that I have run lights in, which for the most part have been Strand or similar desks, universe 1 has simple dimmer packs on the first 48 channels and universe 2 has the multicolour LED's. Each of the standard fixtures is mapped to the a fader so to set up a scene you simply adjust the faders and then record the cue. I'm sure that this must be possible on the Frog2 but I don't seem to be able to find a way to do it. I hev managed to program cues and have even got moving head and multi-color LED's programmed as cues, but often I struggle to remember just how I managed to do it.

I am gradually getting to grips with the desk, and as I said before I'm pretty sure that once I get the hang of it I will really get to like it. It's just that the learning curve seems quite steep at the moment. 

Chris

 

[Edward Z88]

Hi Chris,

When it comes to programming, the main thing to bear in mind is the three step programming process. This is, create what you want, press RECORD, and then choose where to store it to. A little way of remembering this is what I like to call Who What Where. 

3 hours ago, Chris Mower said:

Take for example the theatres that I have run lights in, which for the most part have been Strand or similar desks, universe 1 has simple dimmer packs on the first 48 channels and universe 2 has the multicolour LED's. Each of the standard fixtures is mapped to the a fader so to set up a scene you simply adjust the faders and then record the cue.

On FROG2, the only way of making the faders control individual fixture intensities is to program each fixture onto an individual fader. The main way of controlling intensities is using the syntax pad. For more information on syntax, see the article below...

http://support.zero88.com/1011387501

Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know. 

Edward

[Chris Mower]

Thanks Edward that is very useful. I have discovered how to assign the dmx channels to UDF’s so I can duplicate the methodology I normally use. By patching fixtures 1 to 48 as dimmers in universe 1 and then assigning fixtures 1 to 48 to UDF1 to 48 I can now set up the lights in the same way I usually do. The movers I have put in universe 2 and so far that seems to be working just fine also. 
One thing that I’m not sure about though, Is there a quicker way to assign the fixtures to the UDF without having to do each one separately? Sort of 1 THRU 48 RECORD UDF 1 and have it automatically save the rest?

chris

[Edward Z88]

Hi Chris,

43 minutes ago, Chris Mower said:

Is there a quicker way to assign the fixtures to the UDF without having to do each one separately? Sort of 1 THRU 48 RECORD UDF 1 and have it automatically save the rest?

No, unfortunately UDFs have to be programmed manually. 

Edward

[Chris Mower]

I suspected as much. Thanks for the help though, much appreciated. 
 

chris

[Edward Z88]

Hi Chris,

2 hours ago, Chris Mower said:

Thanks for the help though, much appreciated. 

No problem - if you have any other queries whilst using the console just let me know. 

Edward