Using Playback for House and Haze Control

[Lozo]

Hello

I'm looking for instructions on how to make a playback a very simple house light, we have 2 of our house lights on separate dimmers, but we want to be able to control them all using just one playback, we also want this playback to not interfere with anything going on under the memories cue list, so in the event the show has to stop we can simply put the fader up and the main memory will continue with the exception of the house lights on, we also want this playback up during technical rehearsals, but we do not want house lights included in any memories while recording, we basically want anything turned up on this playback to be ignored in recording any memories.

We are looking to also do the exact same thing with all of our 3 hazers, using a separate playback for each one, we do not want any interference with memories while they are up and when this playback is up to be not be included in any memory cue recordings.

I hope this all makes sense, we did have training from Edward before the pandemic started which we all found very useful, but this is something none of us can remember how to do and I am hoping to find the solution, we are using a Leapfrog 96 with the latest Zeros software installed.

Thank you.

Lawrence

[kgallen]

I'll try and find some related threads as this is asked a bit. Edward or Jon will probably answer properly when they come along.

This is probably the most obvious thread:

(Ignore my ramblings at the beginning).

 

[Edward Z88]

Hi @Lozo

Welcome to the Zero 88 Forum. Hope you're well.

1 hour ago, Lozo said:

we also want this playback up during technical rehearsals, but we do not want house lights included in any memories while recording, we basically want anything turned up on this playback to be ignored in recording any memories.

The most common way to do this, is to ensure that SmartTag is disabled whilst programming with the house light playback up. When SmartTag is disabled and you record a cue, the console will only store the manual value changes. It will therefore not store values that are currently coming from another playback on the console.

To disable SmartTag, tap the RECORD button, to open the Record Options window. Ensure that the SmartTag button top left of the window has a blue strip, meaning disabled. If it has a red stripe, tap the button. You can then tap RECORD to save and close.

Now, any future cues you program, will not include your house light playback or any other playbacks that may be active.

For more information on SmartTag, see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/cues-playbacks/record-options/snapshot-smarttag#smarttag

The other option, is you can "Park" your house lights on whilst programming, rather than using a playback to bring them on. The "INSERT" key on Leapfrog consoles can be configured to be a Park/Unpark key. If a fixture has been parked, and you record a cue, the parked value will not be stored in the cue.

For more information on Parking, and how you can configure your Insert key (known as a UDK in the manual), please see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/user-definable-keys/advanced-udks/parking

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Edward

[Jon Hole]

Worth noting that there's a current thread discussing and voting for new features in ZerOS. One of the options is "Exclusive Playbacks", which is what you're describing.

 

[Lozo]

22 hours ago, Edward Z88 said:

Hi @Lozo

Welcome to the Zero 88 Forum. Hope you're well.

The most common way to do this, is to ensure that SmartTag is disabled whilst programming with the house light playback up. When SmartTag is disabled and you record a cue, the console will only store the manual value changes. It will therefore not store values that are currently coming from another playback on the console.

To disable SmartTag, tap the RECORD button, to open the Record Options window. Ensure that the SmartTag button top left of the window has a blue strip, meaning disabled. If it has a red stripe, tap the button. You can then tap RECORD to save and close.

Now, any future cues you program, will not include your house light playback or any other playbacks that may be active.

For more information on SmartTag, see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/cues-playbacks/record-options/snapshot-smarttag#smarttag

The other option, is you can "Park" your house lights on whilst programming, rather than using a playback to bring them on. The "INSERT" key on Leapfrog consoles can be configured to be a Park/Unpark key. If a fixture has been parked, and you record a cue, the parked value will not be stored in the cue.

For more information on Parking, and how you can configure your Insert key (known as a UDK in the manual), please see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/user-definable-keys/advanced-udks/parking

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Edward

Thank you @Edward Z88, this is very informative and we shall defiantly try these steps when I'm back in front of our desk, this is going to be very useful for future projects and events.

15 hours ago, Jon Hole said:

Worth noting that there's a current thread discussing and voting for new features in ZerOS. One of the options is "Exclusive Playbacks", which is what you're describing.

 

@Jon Hole, I've gone ahead and voted on your poll, I look forward to future updates.

Thank you all, I shall report back if this works or not once we have given it a try.

Lawrence