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Electronic Theatre Controls Inc

Frontpanel Functionality in SmartFade

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This is an overview of the functionality of the frontpanel of your SmartFade console.

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.50.57 PM.png

General Buttons

All buttons have LED’s. Some are multi-color. They light up when active, and blink when they can be selected for the current function.

Power button

The power button is used to power up and shut down the system. See “Power-up and Shutdown Procedures”

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.53.42 PM.png

Clear button

The CLEAR button is used to clear intensities and set memory faders to zero (press 2-4 times). Nothing is deleted, it only sets levels to zero.

It can also be held with other buttons for some special functions, this is described in this manual where it so applies. See “Clear”

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.53.52 PM.png

Undo

The UNDO button is used to reverse some specific situations. This applies only to the last performed command, and there is only one level of undo.

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.54.17 PM.png

Faders & Bump buttons

There are 24 (48) faders. They can be set to control intensities or memories and sequences. These modes are set with the FADERS buttons.

1-24.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.55.53 PM.png  or  Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.56.33 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.56.43 PM.png

Each fader has a Bump button below it. This button will light up when there is content, and it will mimic the output of the content by varying its intensity. The button color will vary depending on the type of content.

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.57.29 PM.png ... Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.57.54 PM.png or Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.57.29 PM.png ... Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.58.49 PM.png

Bump Playback Modes

There are two Bump modes when a Bump button is pressed, Pile-on and Solo. Both use the level of the BUMPS fader. The SOLO button toggles between these modes. See “Bump Master”

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.08.45 PM.png

Note-Icon.png

Note: For intensity faders to control light output live, three things are required:

  • The Master Fader is over zero, and normally set to full (the topmost position).
  • The BLACKOUT button is off (not lit)
  • The NEXT button is off (not lit).

Master & Black Out function

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.14.27 PM.png

The Master fader proportionally limits all intensity outputs. The Blackout button instantly sends all intensities generated by the console to zero. See “Master & Black Out function”

 Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.16.20 PM.png

Independents

The two Independent buttons are separate control channels (IND 1, IND 2) that can control any outputs in a toggle or bump mode. These outputs can be separated from all other controls. See “Set up Independents.” 

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.19.04 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.19.13 PM.png

Crossfader

Screen Shot 2018-11-26 at 1.22.13 PM.png

The Crossfader consists of a Live and Next fader, plus the Crossfade transport buttons. It can be used for fading between the 199 steps of the programmable Stack, or for single- scene fading into intensities that are set blind in NEXT mode. Stack & Crossfader.

The following buttons are used together with the crossfader

 Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.22.42 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.23.15 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.23.37 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.24.00 PM.png

Sequence & Stack functions

These buttons are used to program and edit Sequences in the Mems faders, and the Stack of the Crossfader. See “Sequences." See “Stack.” 

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.27.46 PM.pngScreen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.28.01 PM.png 

Record & Edit functions

The row of buttons under the wheel offer recording and editing functions.

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.29.03 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.27.46 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.29.42 PM.png RECMEM.png  Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.30.01 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.30.09 PM.png

LCD & Wheel Functions

The LCD menu provides quick access to functions.

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.32.04 PM.png

Main functions

Action Console Feedback
Activate menus Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.18.52 PM.png image
Scroll through choices Wheel Choices are shown over the wheel. Use the Menu button again to move to subsequent levels, and to accept setting changes.
Previous choice Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.18.58 PM.png Return to previous menu level.
Exit Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.34.35 PM.png Cancels out of the menus.

LCD - Preview mode

In preview mode it’s possible to see programmed intensities for MEMS faders 1-24

Action Console Feedback
Activate preview mode Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 1.36.16 PM.png Bumps 1-24 start blinking. Press again to deactivate preview mode.
Select fader Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.57.29 PM.png ... Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 12.57.54 PM.png The selected Bump stops blinking. The LCD(s) will show intensities for the currently selected fader mode.
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