SmartFade & SmartFade ML

SFML - Deleting FX

GYates — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:34 GMT

Hi,

Can anyone offer advice on how to delete a prerecorded effect under the 24 shape/linear options .

Thx G

Dimmer Issue with Smartfade ML

Chip Cooper — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:38:06 GMT

I currently use a Smartfade ML for our lighting and have come across the following issue. Four of my dimmer channels have mysteriously quit working. Channels 1-3 on one dimmer and channel 5 on another dimmer have quit working. I went to the patch by channel to check and the nonworking channels will not turn on when I go thru the patches in live mode.

I ran a new cable direct to the dimmers form the smartfade ML and it did not change anything. I switched the two dimmers addresses and the problem follows the dimmers. Channels 1-3 and 5 do not respond. The system is properly terminated but I wonder if I should reload the software or reset the Smartfade ML.

Chip Cooper

Issues and questions about my new SmartFade ML

Magikman — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:24:09 GMT

Basically learned the board in 4 days. During this crash course on learning some issues/questions came up that I'm hoping to get clarification on.

Memories & Sequences - The manual says there are 24 memories per page (faders 1-24) over 12 pages for 288 memories and there are 12 sequences per page (faders 13-24) over 12 pages for 144 sequences.

1. We programmed 24 memories on page 1 and then went to make sequences from them. When we pushed record sequence and selected fader 13 we got an error and it wouldn't let us do it. Come to find out we weren't able to record and sequences on faders that had memories in them. Is it supposed to be that way?

2. However if we first record a sequence for examples on fader 13 and then create a new memory and select fade 13 it allows us to save it.

So is it correct that you can't record sequences over memories but you can put memories over sequences?

3. With that being said how would you go about displaying the memory that is on the same fader as the sequence? When I push the MEMS buttong the fader glows yellow and there doesn't appear to be a way to recall the memory that is "under" it so to speak.

If all of this is correct then in all honesty you can't have 288 memories and 144 sequences then. One takes away from the other.

Copying - I was able to successfully copy sequences from page 1 to page 2 with no issues. However I wasn't able to copy memories from page 1 to page 2. I did the same process (COPY...SOURCE...then new location) and it wouldn't save on page 2. Should I be able to copy memories from one page to another?

Defective Fader - Fader 20 on my new board will not hold times for recorded sequences. I recorded a sequence and placed it on fader 20. All of the steps are there and the time was adjust for fades in between each. Set the sequence to Single Shot and ran it and it rapidly goes through all the steps and stops. However if I copy the sequence to another fader it works just fine and all the timing is there. If I copy it back to 20 the sequence doesn't work with the timing again. It's like fader 20 is defective and won't record/recognize the times. Has anyone else ever had this problem?

Any help is appreciated.

Strange behavior of "next"

arnof — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:43:44 GMT

Hi again,

I will try to explain something strange in "next" mode.

-The first thing is that "next" doesn't function in memory mode, however that could be useful when you want to playback scenes that are not in the stack, or when you use memories like sub groups.

-The behavior which seems to me strange is this one :

Let's take an example :

In next mode.

First scene : channels 1,2,3 at 50%

Press Go.

In live, you want to add channel 4 at 70%. So you press "next" to exit next mode and adjust fader 4.

Then to prepare the next scene, you press "next" again.

The next scene is 3 and 4 at 70%.

So you set 1 & 2 @ 0%, adjust 3 @ 70%, and do not touch channel 4.

When you press Go, channel 3 increase to 70%, but 4 decrease to 0%.

If you want channel 4 to stay at 70%, when preparing the scene, you need to go it down @ 0% then re-set it to 70% before pressing Go.

The problem is that it is extremely difficult to re-set a channel at the same value, and you are likely to see a difference beetween the two states that are supposed to be the same.

So, is this behavior wanted, or not? It could be useful that the levels of fader is considered when pressing "next".

Thanks for your answer.

Fullscreen

Viktor — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:54:47 GMT

Wouldn´t it be nice if smartsoft adapted to the computers resolution and went into fullscreen on any machine?

Deleting pallets on the ML

jmorris — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:56:55 GMT

I have been using the Smartfade ML for about a year and a half, and I can't find a way to delete pallets. I use this console in a showroom at a local casino for live shows, and over time I have created several pallets that I no longer need. Can I delete the unwanted ones? I have not had any luck in finding an answer to this question.

Default parameters

pierotec — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:27:21 GMT

Hello, it would be very useful to change some default parameters of the fixture library, you can do?

Thank

piero

Chauvet Colorstrip Flickers no matter what DMX Speed is used - happened after 2.0 upgrade

rwing — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:05:20 GMT

Hi,

I have a SmartFade 1248 controller with an eDIN 4-way Installation Opto Splitter. My 4 Chauvet Colorstrips are off of one leg of the splitter and they are the only thing on the line. As far as I know, everything is terminated properly.

Before we upgraded to 2.0 (from 1.7.1) we could fix the flicker by changing the dmx out speed. It didn't matter what we changed it to (medium or slow), we just needed to change it once per show and the flickering stopped. After we upgraded, the flickering continues no matter what DMX speed we used.

Has anybody seen this before? Did the upgrade of the software do anything to change the DMX speed? Could my splitter be causing a problem? I am very new to DMX, so I'm not sure where to go for help.

Thanks,

Rob

Lights on dimmers 1-24 not working

jack0129 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:38:42 GMT

Recently, we lost the ability to use our lights on dimmers 1-24. Wierd things are happening. Somehow, the top row seems to be linked to the bottom row. For instance, if I move slider 7 up, the red "Edit MEM" button fades up. The same thing happens if I use slider 19 (right below #7). If I move slider 20 up, the green "IND 1" button fades up. The same thing happens with slider 8 (right above #20). The bars in the display move up with the sliders, but no lights come on. Everything on dimmers 25-48 seem to work. When I push the green "1-24" button, the "<" button that is left of the wheel lights up. It goes off when I push the green "25-48" button. Any ideas?

Stack steps

xhpohanka — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:20:27 GMT

Hello,

I have one question. What is the difference between 'whole number' steps and point cues? Is there any difference in implementation or is it just an option to mark some steps as for ex 'minor scene changes'? Maybe I'm stupid but I cannot figure it out.

thank you for answer

LOOKING FOR A SFML PROGRAMMER - URGENT

Magikman — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:29:48 GMT

Hey everyone. I recently purchased a SmartFade ML and am in need of someone with experience on this board. Our prior light board died and we lost all of our show information. I purchased the SFML 2 days and have been doing my best to learn it. Our tour starts 1 week from today and I'm in need of someone to come help me program. I'm located just south of Milwaukee in Union Grove, WI. Is there anyone in the area with solid experience on this board that has time this weekend (10/23-10/24) to program? Please let me know. I appreciate any help that is available. I can be reached at tyme4magic@aol.com

Thank You,

-Bill

Personality Library Problem SmartFade ML

kevharr — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:38:57 GMT

SFML ver 2.1.1.9.0.11 Trying to patch American DJ MegaFlash DMX. Did NOT see the choice available in Patch Wizard. Had seen a forum note that MegaFlash had been supported in library release, so I assumed that I needed a new Library update. Found that I did not have latest Library update loaded. So, I downloaded Personality Library 5.5.2 from the web site. Copied PERSLIB.BIN file onto SD card and performed Load Show/Update Library. Now, however when I go to Patch Wizard, the left and right LCD's show up blank. Checked and under Software Version, the left display shows Personalities:5.5.2

Thought that maybe the file got corrupted, so I reformatted the SD card and format command responded that the file system was FAT. Copied the PERSLIB.BIN file on SD card again and performed again Load Show/Update Library and now Patch Wizard still shows blank on both LCD's but if I spin the left wheel, garbage characters show up in the brackets. It appears that the Personality Library is indeed corrupted.

Any help would be appreciated.

Smartsoft quickkeys?

MichaelBrown — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:23:06 GMT

Does the smartsoft software for the 2496 have any quickkeys to make programming easier? I've been looking but have yet to find any.

Capabilities connecting PC to console

MichaelBrown — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:48:32 GMT

Is it possible to do anything more than flash the console bios if I connect My laptop running the smartsoft software to the 2496 console? Is there a way to load a show from the pc software into the memory of the console using this connection?

Trouble with Technobeams and Qspots on Smartfade ML

kliler — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:06:09 GMT

We have a 4 technobeams and 3 Chauvet Qspots running on a Smartfade ML with the latest firmware. Everything seems to be working fine, then after a few hours, we start getting random effects. Does anyone have some suggestions or have you experienced this activity?

No output

RickR — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:52:08 GMT

We just had a client call with an odd problem on their SF2496. I've had some other calls with odd problems but they always come down to operator error, or at least thats what it seems to be!

Apparently the DMX just stopped. We checked the likely settings and patch and nothing changed. Channels would not come on - no green bumps, no bars in the LCD, no joy in mudville.

Our tech saved the show, reset the console - everything worked! Loaded the show back in - everything worked!!

They are happy but I am wondering if anyone else has seen a similar event?

Fixture Profile for Clay Paky 700 Alpha Spot HPE?

LAIA728 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:56:25 GMT

I'm looking for a fixture profile for the ML for some new Clay Paky stuff. I see there is a fixture for the 300 HPE spot but none for the 700 HPE spot.

Wondering if one will be made available.

thanks,

mike

Custom Moving Light Personalities

kliler — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:10:31 GMT

We are trying to control some Chauvet Qspots with our SmartFadeML controller. I worked on creating a customer moving light personality for the Qspot with little success. Has anyone done this for the Qspot? Are there any white papers or more detail documentation on creating customer personalities?

Any help is appreciated!

.ASC Import from Express

rhdgs — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:22:59 GMT

Hey all. I am doing a show that I programmed on an Express but the theater has a smartfade. I took the file from the console opened it on EOL 3.11 and exported the show onto a newly formated SD card. I can see all my show data by opening the show in notepad. However when i try to open the showfile on the smartfade I get an error that just says show not loaded. Whats up? What do I have to do to get this show into the cue stack on the Smart fade?

Any help I can get will be great!

Thanks.

-R

SmartFade ML Fixture Library Update now available!

sclausen — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:13:39 GMT

Hi all -

There is an updated fixture library available for download from the SmartFade ML Downloads page.

The following fixtures have been added:

Color Kinetics - iWBlast12Powercore
Color Kinetics - iW Blast 12 TR
Color Kinetics - iW Blast Powercore
Color Kinetics - iWCast14Powercore
Color Kinetics - iW Cove Powercore
Color Kinetics - iW Profile
Color Kinetics - iW Profile g2
High End Systems - XSpotCM/RG/IR Red
High End Systems - XSpotCM/RG/IR Std
Robe - ColorSpot1200EATM2

The following fixtures have been adjusted:

American DJ Rainbow PP II - Personality Changes:
Fade With Intensity for Slot 1 (Red/Cyan) turned OFF
Fade With Intensity for Slot 4 (Green/Magenta) turned OFF
Fade With Intensity for Slot 5 (Blue/Yellow) turned OFF

Chauvet ColorSplash 200B - Personality Changes:
Fade With Intensity for Slot 1 (Red/Cyan) turned ON
Fade With Intensity for Slot 4 (Green/Magenta) turned ON
Fade With Intensity for Slot 5 (Blue/Yellow) turned ON
DMX 6 moved from Slot 51 (Intensity fader) to 10 (Shutter/Strobe)

Chauvet ColorSplash Jr - Personality Changes:
DMX 1 moved from Slot 51 (Intensity fader) to 10 (Shutter/Strobe)

Chauvet MinSpot13channel - Personality Changes:
DMX 6 moved from Slot 51 (Intensity fader) to 10 (Shutter/Strobe)

Chauvet Q-Wash LED - Personality Changes:
DMX 7 moved from Slot 46 (Macro) to 9 (Colour FX/Sat#2)

Clay Paky AlphaWash1200 16bV - Personality Changes:
DMX 13 moved from Slot 27 (User 3) to 29 (User 5)

Clay Paky AlphaWash1200 ExtV - Personality Changes:
DMX 15 moved from Slot 27 (User 3) to 29 (User 5)

Clay Paky AlphaWash1200 StdV - Personality Changes:
DMX 13 moved from Slot 27 (User 3) to 29 (User 5)

Coemar ProSpot 250 LX - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 16 changed from 0 to 20

Coemar ProSpot 575 LX - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 16 changed from 0 to 20

Coemar ProWash 250 LX - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 14 changed from 0 to 20

DTS XM1200Spot30Ch - Personality Changes:
DMX 20 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

Elation DesignSpot575E16bt - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 15 changed from 0 to 255

Elation DesignWash250 16bt - Personality Changes:
DMX 1 moved from Slot 6 (Color wheel/Scroller/Hue#1) to 2 (Pan)
Default Value for Slot 2 (Pan) DMX 1 changed from 0 to 128
DMX 2 moved from Slot 58 (Cyan) to 49 (Pan fine)
DMX 3 moved from Slot 59 (Magenta) to 3 (Tilt)
Default Value for Slot 3 (Tilt) DMX 3 changed from 0 to 128
DMX 4 moved from Slot 60 (Yellow) to 50 (Tilt fine)
DMX 5 moved from Slot 2 (Pan) to 6 (Color wheel/Scroller/Hue#1)
Default Value for Slot 6 (Color wheel/Scroller/Hue#1) DMX 5 changed from 128 to 0
DMX 6 moved from Slot 49 (Pan fine) to 58 (Cyan)
DMX 7 moved from Slot 3 (Tilt) to 59 (Magenta)
Default Value for Slot 59 (Magenta) DMX 7 changed from 128 to 0
DMX 8 moved from Slot 50 (Tilt fine) to 60 (Yellow)
DMX 9 moved from Slot 54 (Focus time) to 33 (FX1)
DMX 10 moved from Slot 33 (FX1) to 21 (Zoom)
DMX 11 moved from Slot 21 (Zoom) to 10 (Shutter/Strobe)
Default Value for Slot 10 (Shutter/Strobe) DMX 11 changed from 0 to 255
DMX 12 moved from Slot 10 (Shutter/Strobe) to 51 (Intensity fader)
Default Value for Slot 51 (Intensity fader) DMX 12 changed from 32 to 0
DMX 13 moved from Slot 51 (Intensity fader) to 46 (Macro)
DMX 15 moved from Slot 46 (Macro) to 54 (Focus time)
NOTE: DMX Assignments Changed
"Lamp On" Device Command DMX channel moved from DMX 14 to 16
"Lamp Off" Device Command DMX channel moved from DMX 14 to 16
"Reset" Device Command DMX channel moved from DMX 14 to 16

Elation Design Wash 575E - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 10 changed from 0 to 255

Elation Power Spot 575IE - Personality Changes:
1 Device Command Added

ETC Revolution - Personality Changes:
DMX 21 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

ETC Revolution RWM/RWM - Personality Changes:
DMX 21 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

ETC Revolution SWM/RWM - Personality Changes:
DMX 21 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

High End Systems StudioSpot575CMY Z - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 17 changed from 0 to 255

High End Systems StudioSpot575Zoom - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 17 changed from 0 to 255

High End Systems XSpotCM/RG/IRStd - Personality Changes:
DMX 13 moved from Slot 46 (Macro) to 47 (Macro2)
DMX 35 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 19 (Gobo 2 rotate)

Martin Mac2000Wash DW 16 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 2 changed from 255 to 0

Martin TW1 Extdim Ext. - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 5 changed from 255 to 0
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 13 changed from 255 to 0

Martin TW1 Intdim Ext - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 5 changed from 255 to 0
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 13 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorMix575ATM1 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 11 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorWash1200EATM4 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 27 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorWash2500EATM4 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 27 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorWash575AT Zm1 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 16 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorWash575AT Zm3 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 18 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorWash575ATM1 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 19 changed from 255 to 0

Robe ColorWash575ATM3 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 21 changed from 255 to 0

SGM GiottoProf.400 16 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 18 changed from 0 to 127
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 21 changed from 0 to 255

SGM GiottoSpot250 16 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 23 (Iris) DMX 5 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 14 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 18 changed from 0 to 127

SGM GiottoSp400CMY16/8 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 23 (Iris) DMX 5 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 14 changed from 0 to 255
DMX 25 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

SGM GiottoSpot400 16 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 23 (Iris) DMX 5 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 14 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 18 changed from 0 to 127

SGM GiottoWash1200 16 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 11 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 13 changed from 0 to 127

SGM GiottoWash400 16 - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 11 changed from 0 to 255
Default Value for Slot 29 (User 5) DMX 13 changed from 0 to 127

SGM IdeaSpot575MkI14ch - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 12 changed from 0 to 255

SGM IdeaSpot575MkI16ch - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 21 (Zoom) DMX 14 changed from 0 to 255

SGM SynthSpot700 16HRT - Personality Changes:
DMX 26 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

SGM SynthSpot700 16HRV - Personality Changes:
DMX 27 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

SGM SynthSpot700 16LRT - Personality Changes:
DMX 24 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

SGM SynthSpot700 16LRV - Personality Changes:
DMX 25 moved from Slot 12 (BEAM 2) to 20 (Gobo 2 mode)

Showco Wash 575 - Personality Changes:
DMX 12 moved from Slot 9 (Colour FX/Sat#2) to 7 (Color wheel2/Sat#1)

VariLite VL2500 Spot - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 21 changed from 255 to 0

VariLite VL3000 Spot - Personality Changes:
Default Value for Slot 0 (Unused) DMX 27 changed from 255 to 0

SmartFade ML - Record a 'fade to black' into Stack

kevharr — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:53:31 GMT

SmartFade ML version 2.1.1.9.0.11

Simple church lighting system with traditional lighting instruments - PAR-cans and ellipsoidals, no moving lights or multi-parameter lights yet.

Now that I am getting up to speed on using the SmartFade ML (since purchasing in July) I am working on figuring out how to record a cue stack. I think that I have the basics down by recording a cue stack from already recorded memories. I have been looking through the manual and cannot find a reference to how to record a 'fade to black' into the stack. I stumbled across selecting a bump button memory that did not have anything recorded into it which I assumed would be no light levels - in other words a blackout. When I played back the stack, it did make the lights go to black. So, my question is: Is this a 'good' way to record a stack cue with a 'fade to black' or is there a 'better' or different way to do it? I have figured out that the SFML has more than one way to do most things (kinda like Microsoft Windows). I realize, of course that SFML provides both the Master fader and the 'black-out' button which either one can perform a black-out. But I want to be able to fade to black within the stack cue that I build for a show. Or is there something else that I am missing in the basic theory of the SFML? My apologies, I have been using 2-scene manual preset board for years and we just recently were able to upgrade to SFML after some power glitches damaged our old control board. Now, I am learning memory programming with SFML. Oh, and yes, I do have the tutorials and have gone through them once.

MSC on SmartFade

newsound — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:45:17 GMT

Hello,

Has anyone successfully used MSC on a SmartFade console? I've got General Midi turned off, and the MSC ID set and turned on, and I cannot get an MSC GO to fire (with or without a cue number and/or list). However, even with General Midi turned off, I can still get the next cue to go with a Program change #125. I am hoping to be able to fire specific cues via MSC (instead of just Next/GO). Has anyone been able to do this?

Thanks,

"Jumping" Cues with MIDI control bug?

newsound — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:08:57 GMT

Hello,

Since we cannot thus far get our console to respond to MSC only, we are using two Program changes to set and fire the cue. While cumbersome, it does work until you want to "jump" a cue, i.e. interrupt a running cue and jump to the next (or any) cue. For example, I may have a long sunrise cue (Cue 5) that I have intentionally written to take longer than scene. I then want to take a slow fade (Cue 6) whenever the actors finish the scene, which will always be before Cue 5 completes.

So, to start cue 5 I will send Program Change 4, followed instantly by Program Change 125 (GO)

When it is time to jump to cue 6, I should be able to send Program Change 5 followed by Program Change 125

I would expect for the console to immediately take Cue 6, (as all other ETC consoles I've used do), or to ignore the GO entirely. Instead, it jumps to Cue 6 being in the Live slot (without actually taking the cue) and GO'S onto Cue 7.

Where this behavior really becomes a problem is if the operator jumps a cue inadvertently, and ends up a cue ahead in the stack without knowing it.

Is this a bug, or is it a designed behavior?

Thanks,

Invert CMY-parameters in SmartFade ML

nivell — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:02:38 GMT

I use old Clay Paky scanners. This scanner has CMY-colormixing. The CMY-colormixing is at 0% at full color and at 100% open (no color). When I make a user personality I have the option to invert a parameter and when I invert CMY-colormixing by pressing the HUE-button (the HUE-button get lit).

But it don't works, the CMY-colormixing in not inverted.

I'm I doing something wrong or is his a fault in SmartFade ML?

Thanks en greetings

Nico Vellinga

Smart Fade ML Tutorials Available on YouTube

Amy Russell — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:49:07 GMT

Now playing on YouTube...a series of instructional videos for Smart Fade ML!

You can find them at www.youtube.com/ETCVideoLibrary

Please send any questions or comments to the ETC Education Center.