Philosophy of the console, Htp and ltp control rules, Different ways to use smartfade ml – ETC SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Page 23

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General Information

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Philosophy of the Console

SmartFade ML is simple to use, and still offers advanced functionality for a rig of

conventional lights, moving lights, scrollers and LEDs. There is a direct button for every

intensity and device parameter. These functions are accessed from the fader modes.

The back-lit buttons make it possible to run SmartFade ML without an additional screen.

They offer information about content, fader mode, intensities and color. For those who

would like the benefits of an external screen, though, the SmartFade ML console may be

connected via USB to a PC or Macintosh computer running the free SmartSoft software

application. Download SmartSoft from the ETC Web site at

www.etcconnect.com

.

The LCDs and the three wheels provide a powerful menu-driven editing functionality, and

direct control of device parameters.

HTP and LTP control rules

Intensities

Dimmer channels and Device intensity channels operate using Highest Takes Precedence

(HTP). This means that if an intensity is output from more than one fader, the highest level

will be the resulting output.

Intensity channels can be set to a level using the faders in INT A, INT B and DEVICE INT

mode. These channel faders operate in the Live fader of the Crossfader. They can be used

to take a level originating from the Crossfader either up or down. Set levels will fade out

when the Crossfader is operated.

Device Parameters

All device parameters operate exclusively live, using Latest Takes Precedence (LTP). This

means that they are always “stolen” by the last action.

When you control devices using the PARAM faders, you may see those parameters "jump"

to a level and then "catch up" to the fader's position. This is because a fader is always at

some level between 0% and Full. Because the first move of the fader is considered the last

action for that parameter, you will see these jumps when the fader does not match the

starting level for the parameter. To avoid this jump, use the encoders to control your

devices. Encoders only indicate a direction of change, not a fixed percentage level, so you

will not see the jump since there is nothing to catch up to.

A memory containing device parameters can be set to have the device parameters follow

the fader progressively, or not.

Different Ways to Use SmartFade ML

These are some different approaches to using SmartFade ML.

Manual control

Levels and device parameters are set directly using faders and encoders.

Single Scene crossfading

Set up intensities blind, and then crossfade into them Live.

See “Single Scene Crossfading”

on page 89.

Programming for improvised playback

Prepare groups, palettes, effects and store into memories and sequences.

Programming a Cue Stack or List for playback

Record a Stack with up to 199 steps and fade times for playback in the crossfaders.

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