Life after Expression 3...to the Congo we go!

Well two weeks have passed, and here is how it has gone.

I am liking the syntax and the speed I am able to program, tho I have to admit when it gets late I slip back to my Expression 3 syntax from time to time, hehe.

I am still having some trouble with moving lights, I kinda cheated it by manually programming the parameters as presets and put them on faders, and I am sure this is not the best way.

Two questions, 1. What is the best way to add a patched device to the master faders ( I prefer using those over the wheels), and 2. how do I access the other 30 Master faders ( so far I only seem to be able to access pages 1 to 10 using the (+ and -) buttons. 

I am sorry if I seem like complete dunce, but I figure I'd give it a shot. But hey, the audio guy in my venue seems impressed. ;)

Hi Obie -

I'm glad you like your Congo jr!

1) You can place any parameter controls onto the masters directly - the faders would then behave like the wheels for the most part. To do this, first select a channel that corresponds to one of your movers. This will place the parameters on the encoder wheels. Then press and hold down an encoder wheel and while keeping it pressed down, press the master key for the fader you would like that parameter to be on. This moves manual control of your light onto a fader. However, there are some parameters that might be better controlled by using an encoder - especially functions that have ranges, like strobe, color wheels, gobos and the like - because you can press and hold down the encoder and see the individual ranges on the master wing or up on the direct select keys above the LCD display.. Have a play and see which way you like better.

2) I'm not 100% sure I know what you're asking, but here's some clarification on the master pages - Congo has 999 pages in a show file, we just pre-build the first 10 for you as a convenience thing. You can make a new page simply by typing the number you would like to use for that page, then press the PAGE key between masters 10 -11 or 30-31. Congo will throw a dialog box asking if you want to make that page. It doesn't matter which bank of faders you apply that page to, as you can use any page either the top or bottom faders. You can jump from page to page using the PAGE key as well, just type the number of the page you want to go to then press the PAGE key. Congo supports up to 80 masters, and the master wing alone will get you physical faders for masters 1-40. Masters 41-80 can be used with keyboard commands or for master links, or if you don't need them you can pretty much ignore them. Otherwise, if you get a second wing you can have hands on control over them as well. Controlling the masters is described in the help system on the console.

Does that help?

Thanks!

Sarah

Heh, Sarah, ETC should ship a tiny hologram version of you with each console...you rock.

I never even knew the circle wheels clicked! I guess the little things you miss in that whopping 1000 page user manual.

Thanks for those tips, some of them seem obvious now, I've always been more of a hands on guy instead of a bookworm. I learned everything I needed of the Expression 3 after running a single show in High school. 

Two more silly questions, every preset I make gets auto numbered, is there a way to number each preset to the number of my choosing? I went in the edit playback section and renamed some cues...I mean presets...and while the numbers changed their order did not fall back into numerical order. Example, the board automatically numbered presets 5, 6 and 7...I wanted to change 6 into 4..but when I did, it did not slide in front of 5. :(

And second question, is it impossible to manually edit Master presets while they are active? Example: I had Master preset fader up for 5 channels at full, I wanted to rerecord that preset with 4 channels at full, but while I selected and tried to lower the fifth channel it would not budge. On Expression I was always tweaking levels on my subs.

Again...you are a saint....what can I say.

I did get my iRFR remote to work on my ipad and iphone...funny it does not seem to use Congo syntax!

To choose a number, type it first then do the Record. By default ("Build" mode), it will automatically place the new Preset into the Main Playback in numerical sequence.

Eg: 123 [Record] - Congo offers to Record Preset 123 and put it into the sequence on Main Playback between Presets 122 and 124.
Hit [Record] again to confirm.

- If Preset 123 already exists then Congo will ask if you want to update it instead.

On re-numbering Presets:

Presets are just looks, the console doesn't actually care what order you play them back in.
So if you want to re-order Preset in a Sequence, easiest is to use [Copy/Cut] and [Paste] to move them around (this also keeps the timings!)

You can also use # [Insert] to insert a Preset into the Sequence List (even if that Preset doesn't exist yet).

On Masters:

Levels from the Masters are HTP with each other and the Main Playback.

If you want to modify the content of a Master - hold [Modify] and press the [Master_Key] for that Master and you'll get a live editor for it.
You can then hit [Update] to record the change, or just leave it if it's a temporary nudge 'for the moment only'.

This is an example of probably the most useful Congo command:

[Modify] & ["Thing"] - Opens an editor for the "Thing".

Another example of this is [Modify] & [Playback], which opens the editor for the sequence in the Main Playback.

To choose a number, type it first then do the Record. By default ("Build" mode), it will automatically place the new Preset into the Main Playback in numerical sequence.

Eg: 123 [Record] - Congo offers to Record Preset 123 and put it into the sequence on Main Playback between Presets 122 and 124.
Hit [Record] again to confirm.

- If Preset 123 already exists then Congo will ask if you want to update it instead.

On re-numbering Presets:

Presets are just looks, the console doesn't actually care what order you play them back in.
So if you want to re-order Preset in a Sequence, easiest is to use [Copy/Cut] and [Paste] to move them around (this also keeps the timings!)

You can also use # [Insert] to insert a Preset into the Sequence List (even if that Preset doesn't exist yet).

On Masters:

Levels from the Masters are HTP with each other and the Main Playback.

If you want to modify the content of a Master - hold [Modify] and press the [Master_Key] for that Master and you'll get a live editor for it.
You can then hit [Update] to record the change, or just leave it if it's a temporary nudge 'for the moment only'.

This is an example of probably the most useful Congo command:

[Modify] & ["Thing"] - Opens an editor for the "Thing".

Another example of this is [Modify] & [Playback], which opens the editor for the sequence in the Main Playback.

Thank you Richard! Its amazing how some little things make your life infinately easier.

I will start working with sequences tomorrow, I know that within sequences presets work as steps...but I am having problems having the presets follow each other automatically, and sequences cant seem to trigger quickly. Any tips? 

My girlfriend also sends her regards and promises to mail you guys home made brownies for all your patience. 

Obienator said:

I will start working with sequences tomorrow, I know that within sequences presets work as steps...but I am having problems having the presets follow each other automatically, and sequences cant seem to trigger quickly. Any tips?

For presets to follow on automatically use either follow on times or wait. I do prefer wait times. The difference is wait times start counting when the previous cue has finished. so you can alter the times of the previous cue without worrying about changing the follow on time ( they start counting with the go on the previous cue). This is easiest done in the seq-editor (you get to your seq in the playback by using Richards tip Another example of this is [Modify] & [Playback], which opens the editor for the sequence in the Main Playback.)
you can select multiple cells in there by holding down the metal select button and using the down arrow key. You then can put in wait or follow on times for all selected cells at once.

About the quick trigger I assume you are talking about the time in which a cue is played back. If you do not assign a time to a cue `Congo uses the Default Cue time which is set to 5s. You can alter that in setup. If you need real snap (i.e. 0s) you need to set the default cue time to 0, but be aware that all cues will than snap. Otherwise just select in and out times and set them to 0.1 in the playback editor.

Hope that helps

Thanks Flo! 

Now a really silly question...so far I have been working in Sequence 1....errrr...how do I make a brand new sequence of my choosing? Lets say I wanna make a chase and call it sequence 5....I swear I am not always this dense. :-(

Other than that, everything is falling into place and I am really liking the board....I saw my old Expression 3 in storage today...I felt a pang of guilt....its weird how we can get attached to inanimate objects sometimes. 

For chases you should look into the effects engine. (Tutorials are at the top of the forum)
If you want more Sequences you can press SEQ, then # insert e voila there is a new seq. For a "old-style" chase, whilst focused on the SEQ-list window press the wizzard button. You will see a window pop up where you can build basic chases.

Another way of building more complex chase is to record a SEQ to a Master:

1. Build the look for the first step in live
2. Press+Hold Record + MasterKey
3. Choose record SEQ
4. repeat 1+2 till you have all the steps you need
5. In the SEQ-list window change Type to Chase
6. Change times as described in my last post

Hope that helps...

Things have been going well, I have a music festival coming up and I am feeling pretty confident on the board now.

So final question ( I promise)....lets say I want 3 sequences...sequence 1 will be my regular conventional presets

sequence 2 I want to be just chases

and sequence 3 I want to program my moving lights to scan the audience.

I am able to make multiple sequences now, but how do I store certain presets of my choice in certain sequences?

Example: I want sequence 3 to just have presets 20-40.

Now even when I have separate sequences, any new presets I make only seem to save in sequence 1.

Can I only make my presets "wait" or "follow" in the sequence editor? Or can I assign them on the fly?

Again, you guys have been amazing...I dunno what I wouldve done without ya'll.

Hi,

The Congo has 1 main Sequence, which is what you assign to the large GO button, and as many other sequences as you like.
Each Sequence/Chase can be assigned to any master by typing the sequence number then holding Sequence button & tapping the master Button.

Basic Chases ( Old School chase) this is a step through series of presets.
In general terms:
Record your looks/presets for each step.
Enter the preset number in the sequence, in order
Change the Sequence to a CHASE
You then assign the Chase to a Master to make it function. Fader must be above 0 for it to go, fader controls the level (Flash buttons work too)
Theres a decent write up in the Manual on Page 311, as well as a guide to using the Chase Wizard.

While old school chases on the Congo are easy to understand, they have limitations. Uusing the Effects will give you much more versatility and control.

If you are using the desk as a Theatrical stack, i.e. using Go, you can jump around your preset list out of order.
type the Preset number and press GOTO to make it happen now, or type the Preset number and JUMP TO B to have it become the next 'cue' that happens when you press GO.
Note: If you are using the same preset number in your sequence list many times, this will always jump you FORWARDS to the next one.

Cheers,

Ric

Ric said:

 The Congo has 1 main Sequence, which is what you assign to the large GO button, and as many other sequences as you like.

Each Sequence/Chase can be assigned to any master by typing the sequence number then holding Sequence button & tapping the master Button.

Thank you Ric, the problem I am having is assigning specific presets to specific sequences. I must be missing a small step, but I cant get it working.

If you have the specific sequence you want open then type
# INSERT  

# is the preset number that you want to have as that step of the chase.

To further clarify this.

20 INSERT
21 INSERT
22 INSERT  ...etc

will place 3 steps in that sequence, 20, 21, 22.
You can move the placement up or down to insert steps between steps by clicking on the step you want to have a new step after.
i.e click on preset 21 and  type 25 INSERT and you will have placed preset 25 between 21 & 22

What may also be happening for you is that the default behaviour of the Congo is I believe, 'Build'. ( I don't have the desk in front of me at the moment to confirm the name)

Build  adds newly recorded presets into the current Main Sequence , this is assuming that you're building a Theatrical GO stack, and recording cues in your show. If your presets are not intended to be part of that sequence then you can edit the sequnce and remove the preset. Click on the step and press DELETE. You get a confirm dialogue box that will ask if you want to delete the actual preset itself (which you must check box tick to activate, so you don't automatically remove the actual preset), or just the step (reference to that preset).

You can use the same preset in many sequences or chases, and changing the preset itself will affect all references/uses of it in all sequences.

Cheers,
Ric

The way Ric suggested is great if you've already recorded the Presets, or you want to build them blind. (The Sequence List is a blind editor!)

However, if you don't have the Presets yet and want to build an extra sequence 'Live', you can build it on a Master Playback:

• Select the channels you want to record into the Preset
• # [Record] & [Master_Key] - records selected channels only into Preset #, put on the Master.
  
  • This will either put Preset # onto the Master, or if that Master has a sequence on it it will add that Preset to the Sequence.
  • If the Master already has a Preset, then Congo will offer to create a new sequence on that Master and add the Preset.

So if you like, you can work as follows:

Levels, # [Record] & [Master_Key], confirm, levels, # [Record] & [Master_Key], confirm, levels, # [Record] & [Master_Key], confirm...

One really big difference between Express(ion) Subs and Congo Master Playbacks is that Master Playbacks can be anything you want them to be - including channel faders, Subs, Presets, Sequences...

Thank you fellas, you all have been great. Jazz fest starts next week and I am confident I will give them a great show.

So lets say I have 5 presets, I want to hit "GO" and have 1 go through 5 automaticaly and then loop back to 1 on its own.

On Expression 3 I could do that with "Link and Follow"...but it seems it works different on Congo, any tips?

I am not sure exactly what you want.

If you want the main sequence to loop, then you can use the Sequence editor to add a follow and link to the presets.  WFA column (Wait, Follow, Alert).  I most often use Follow.

If you want a sequence on a master to loop through 5 presets, you can simply change it to a Chase in the Sequence List. or open the sequence and use WFA depending on what time of timing control that you are looking to have.

When I am programming, I usually keep the Sequence editor tab open so that I can make changes and additions quickly.

Have fun!

John

Ok, so I am using wait and follow like a boss, I have a great moving light sequence going.....except I cant stop it!

On Expression 3 you simply hit the "clear" button and playback stops, now even when hitting "clear&playback" it keeps on going

only way I figured out how to stop a sequence was hitting pause and then clear&playback...but surely there has to be a better way.

All this is still in Sequence 1...no matter what I do...I cannot load or playback anything I create in other sequences.

I can create other sequences just fine, and make new steps, add presets...no problem...but they wont play back...even when I load created sequences to a fader on my wing.

Ugh, fail. :(

The two consoles do the same when you've put that kind of Sequence/Cuelist onto the Main Playback(s) - however the syntax to remove the Sequence/Cuelist is different.

In Congo, [C/Alt] & [Playback] does a temporary blackout of Main Playback - Expression had no equivalent.
0 [Seq] & [Playback] removes the sequence from Main Playback - that's (sort of) the equivalent of [Clear] on Express(ion).

The core difference to remember is that Express(ion) had exactly one cuelist and two Playbacks (A/B and C/D) - while Congo has a thousand Sequences, 80 Master Playbacks and one Main Playback.

This means you will basically never want to put a 'chase' sequence onto the Main Playback - chases will usually go onto a Master.

To put Sequence 2 onto the Main Playback, type the following:

2, hold down [Seq] & press [Playback]

To put sequence 2 onto a Master it's:

2, hold down [Seq] & press the [Master Key] by the fader

If Sequence 2 doesn't exist, Congo will ask if you want to make it.

The LCD box by the master will now show "C2" or "S2", followed by the name of the Sequence.
- If it's an empty box then the Master is empty.

• The Fader is the Intensity of the Sequence - it must be up above 1% for the Sequence to do anything.
• The "Master Key" becomes the Go/Pause button.

If the Sequence is in Normal mode "S2", then it will wait for you to hit Go (the Master Key) before it steps onwards.

If the Sequence is in Chase mode "C2", then the chase will start when you move the fader up and stop when you pull it down.

Some general info (apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs):

We write out the syntax in the Congo manual and help like this:

• # indicates typing a number
• [KEY] is pressing a key
• [ACTION] & [TARGET] means holding down the [ACTION] key and pressing the [TARGET] key.

Most of the commands in Congo are of the form # [ACTION] & [TARGET]
- You can often miss out the number if you want the console to pick one for you.

The entire manual is built into the console:

• Hold down the [?] key and press any key to see help on that key.
• With Help open you can also press [Text] to get a search box.

There are also some tutorial videos both on the ETC website and included in the console - look in Browser > Media > Movies.

Thank you Richard....your patience is remarkable.

I think that is pretty much it, you guys have been awesome. The big Jazz fest is upon me and I am gonna make em dazzle!

PS: I have the iRFR app on my ipad now, I can check dimmers fine, but the "cue list" is blacked out, how can I play back Cues on my iRFR?

Good Morning Omar,

The playback buttons are disabled by default for safety.  To use the playback buttons, you must enable them in Settings in the iRFR.

Have you read the Wiki Instructions on How to use the iRFR yet? They are very informative with my photos explaining the functions.

It can be found on our online Wiki here:

http://community.etcconnect.com/wikis/products/irfr-getting-started-with-eos-ion-element.aspx

Good Luck!