Request for basic newbie info...

Looking around on the AmericanDJ forum, I think I found an answer to my second question above about the different fade times. With NO being the answer, I'm slightly bummed, but I'll be able to work around it.

Manford

manford. Welcome to the forums. Yes sorry but the DMX op. Only allows for all or nothing fade or hold times. Now I own a op 192 and know how to use it on and out except for midi triggering. Any more questions hit me up here or on ADJ forums aswell. Sincerely, James.

Thanks for the welcome James. The answer I found was actually from a post of yours from the other forum, so I appreciate it!

Our music alternates between full tilt country (if there is such a thing) to moderately slow ballad type songs. I think what I may try is have the fast chases activate with the audio from the kick drum, and let the slow songs chase to the time set on the fader. More on this as I get further into it.

Again, thanks!
Manford

p.s. I've found a few simple videos out on youtube, but so far nothing past what is already explained in the manuals. I feel like trial and error might be the best path here.

ya i always reccommend that if your new or not learning the console is the best way to get your feet wet and quick. to me it is more fun programming then it is asking someone else to do it. unless im really in a jam i always try to figure it out my self first. and i kinda figured it was one of my post. LOL! sincerely,

Alright, the verdict is in.

I setup a simple chase, and activated it with both the audio and auto modes. Auto worked great, as I was able to set the speed to about 4 seconds, and the fade to around 3.8. All scanners moved nice and slow to the next chase step, just like I want. HOWEVER...

Activate the audio chase, and everything just sort of stayed in the middle, trying to catch up. Seems like the FADE still applies to the chases in audio mode as well.

Any way around this? Is there any method of FADE time deactivation?

If it were possible to assign SPEED and FADE times via midi, this would work, since the FCB1010 midi controller has two expression pedals. That would beat having to bend down to adjust the timing in between (or during) a particular slow song in our setlist. I didn't see any note values listed for SPEED and FADE in the midi table.

Once again, Thank you for listening.
Manford

Update!

I have come up with a hardwired (literally) solution to the issue with fade time deactivation. I'll try to explain as clearly as I can, and apologize ahead of time if I lose anyone along the way.

I'm using the Behringer FCB1010 to control the Operator 192 via MIDI. What I forgot about the 1010, is the ability to use the 2 built in "Switches" to control analog functions of amplifiers, just like a traditional stomp box that controls reverb/clean channel functions, etc. These are simple open/closed circuits, nothing major going on here. Keep this in mind, I'll expand on this in a moment.

I tore apart the 192's housing tonight (*gasp*, the thing is brand new!) and got out the multimeter. After locating the terminals for the FADE time fader, I powered up the unit and set the FADE time to 4 seconds, like I mentioned above. I then took a screwdriver and created a shunt across the terminals, and BLAM!, the fade time dropped to Zero. Remove the screwdriver and the time returned to 4 seconds. See where this is going? Mission accomplished, almost.

I soldered a wire to the terminals, drilled a small hole in the back of the 192's case, and ran the wire out the back. (I'll pick up a 1/4 input jack tomorrow after work, and clean up the mod.) Some quick configuration of the FCB1010 and I had the switch2 control turned back on and assigned to my Audio chase control pedal. I connected a standard 1/4 inch guitar cable to the FCB1010, twisted the leads from my wire hanging out of the 192, and tried it out. IT WORKS!

So, what this allows me to do, is run a chase in AUTO mode, with a nice slow fade between scenes. Say we come to the bridge or guitar solo of the particular song we are jamming, and I can hit the pedal assigned to AUDIO chase mode (at the same time deactivating the slow FADE time) and the scenes become abrupt and perfectly synced with our kick drum. After the fast chase, I tap the AUTO pedal again, the fade time goes back up to 4 seconds, and things are nice and slow once again. The cool thing about this, any scene that I need to be quick, I can assign the footswitch option to on the FCB1010. That way, situations like the start or end of a set, after a song is done, etc... I can pull up a new scene and not have to wait for it to settle in. Everything will be nice and snappy!

Yes, it is a homebrew hack, but in this case, it turns the Operator 192 into exactly what I'm looking for in order to have a controlled intelligent light show, that is run from stage. Just in time for the private party we have booked Saturday night. *WHEW*

Maybe somewhere down the line someone will read this and realize it might work for them, too. If only Elation had programmed a fade time control with midi values... oh well, maybe in the next version!

Manford

wow! nice job! The only problem is no warranty now! oh well! I like the idea! I'm working with midi a little bit and if you need some help with that then ill be glad to help!

jthtiger