1: You don't record anything. You make it. Make a scene wiht no values. Save it. You can do this as simple as making a NEW scene, calling it BLACKOUT and saving it. Done. Time to move on with that topic.
2: Why do some fixtures say "Free"? Ask the company that makes the light.
3: Can you group certain faders? There is a "yes" method and another "yes" method. I only recall one method. If you shift-click(or maybe it's option-click) after moving a channel on a fixture, the rest of the same fixtures will move the same on that channel together. Definately very handy. Say, in my case, I have 8 Mega Bar 50's, each individually addressed. I can easily change the dimmer value by using this method on all 8 just by snagging any one lights dimmer by holding shift or option(Again, can't remember which) and then keep moving. Remember, move FIRST before holding the modifier! This only works with identical fixtures. I can't group my 64 LED Pros, my Mega Panels and my Mega Bars together to do this.
4: MyDMX is very much like the DMX192. You set your values, save it and there you go. The thing is that the DMX192 is 1-step per scene, while MyDMX can hold thousands of steps per scene, so it can therefore handle complex movements when using moving yoke fixtures and scanners. It can also handle complex washes and other FX easily.
I don't think it's the fact that you're DMX knowledgable. I think your problem might be is you're under the gun, in a rush and don't have the time to learn the product, or for whatever reason, you're having a hard time wrapping your head around it.
Use the 3D Visualizer, set your stage in it at least to the point where you can see your lights working in the environment, even if it's a generic set up. Make your universe, set your fixtures, then start programming. Make a scene, dial-in your configuraiton, and you're good. Repeat as necessary.
