Avolites Pearl Expert Titan Operator's Manual
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Avolites Pearl Expert Titan Operator's Manual

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Pearl Expert Titan
Operator's Manual
Version 2.0

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  • Page 1 Pearl Expert Titan Operator’s Manual Version 2.0...
  • Page 2 PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...
  • Page 3 Pearl even if Avolites Ltd. has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.
  • Page 4 This manual was written by Tim Mitchell, Sabre Technology Ltd http://www.sabretechnology.co.uk PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...
  • Page 5 Reference Manual Contents - Page 5 S E C T I O N S SETTING UP THE CONSOLE PATCHING CONTROLLING DIMMERS AND FIXTURES PALETTES SHAPES CUES CHASES CUE LISTS RUNNING THE SHOW 10. REMOTE CONTROL 11. USER SETTINGS AND OTHER OPTIONS 12.
  • Page 6 Page 6 – Reference Manual Contents PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    Reference Manual Contents - Page 7 C O N T E N T S Setting up the console Guide to the console .............. 13 Connecting up............... 16 1.2.1 Connecting mains power ................. 16 1.2.2 Starting up and shutting down ..............16 1.2.3 Connecting DMX lines ................
  • Page 8 Page 8 – Reference Manual Contents Create ................. 47 4.1.1 Palette values stored as a reference ............47 4.1.2 Which attributes are stored in palettes ............47 4.1.3 Storing a palette ..................47 Playback ................49 4.2.1 Recalling a palette value ................. 49 4.2.2 Palette pages..................
  • Page 9 Reference Manual Contents - Page 9 Chases Create ................. 69 7.1.1 Programming a chase ................69 Playback ................70 7.2.1 Playing back a chase ................70 7.2.2 Connecting a chase for control ..............70 7.2.3 Setting speed and crossfade for a Chase ........... 71 7.2.4 Manually controlling the steps of a chase...........
  • Page 10 12. Working with Fixture Personalities 12.1.1 Downloading fixture personalities from Avolites........111 12.1.2 Updating the personality cache on the console ........112 12.1.3 Requesting a new fixture personality............112 12.1.4 Reporting a personality bug to Avolites ..........112 12.1.5 In an emergency .................112 13. Networking 13.1 Setting the Pearl’s IP address ..........
  • Page 11 Reference Manual Contents - Page 11 13.8.1 Setting your IP address................125 13.8.2 Subnet Masks ..................126 13.8.3 Choosing an IP address and Subnet Mask ..........126 13.8.4 Automatically assigning IP addresses (DHCP)..........127 13.8.5 Private IP address ranges ..............127 13.9 Repairing a Network Connection ..........127 14.
  • Page 12 Page 12 – 1. Setting up the console PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 13: Setting Up The Console

    VDU windows; guide to where everything is on the console; loading and saving shows. This manual applies only to the Pearl Expert Titan console but we’ll refer to it simply as “the Pearl”. If you are using the classic Pearl Expert, or the Pearl 2008, 2004 or 2000 consoles, they have their own manuals as the operation is significantly different.
  • Page 14 Page 14 – 1. Setting up the console The main controls Mode select keyswitch Preset faders / handles Master faders Playback page select rollers Menu Command Main display softkeys buttons Control Playback faders & Numeric Fixture page wheels Attribute flash buttons keypad and buttons select buttons...
  • Page 15 1. Setting up the console - Page 15 • The Menu softkeys (labelled A – G) are used to select control options. The display next to the buttons shows what each one will do. The options for each key change depending on what the console is doing. Softkey commands are shown in the manual with square brackets like this: A [Edit Times] •...

  • Page 16: Connecting Up

    DMX over Ethernet and wireless Ethernet systems to allow connection to remote DMX Ethernet nodes and to the Avolites Console DMX Interface (ACDI) system which is used to connect visualiser applications. When you patch a dimmer or fixture you tell the Pearl which of the 12 DMX universes it is on.

  • Page 17: Connecting Vdu Monitors

    DMX-over-ethernet system. A 3-pin XLR socket for a desk lamp is provided on the rear edge of the console. Suitable lamps are available from Avolites. The lamps are 12 volt, wired from pins 1 and 2 of the XLR.

  • Page 18: Using The Displays And Menus

    Page 18 – 1. Setting up the console 1.3 Using the displays and menus The Pearl Expert has many useful features on its onboard display and on the VDU. 1.3.1 The onboard display Information window Fixture intensities Menu softkeys Wheel A/B attributes Current Current...

  • Page 19: The Vdu Desktop

    To access Windows functions such as File explorer (to move files around), Control Panel (to setup hardware), and to stop or restart the Pearl application or run other programs, icons are provided in the Avolites toolbar on the right hand side of the VDU screen. USB expert Folder browser...
  • Page 20 Page 20 – 1. Setting up the console normally accessed from the panel. Use the Virtual Panel icon on the Avolites toolbar to show this. The Intensity view shows you the intensity output of all patched fixtures. The brightness of the graphic...

  • Page 21: The Heads-Up Display (Hud)

    Fixtures are highlighted in dark blue if in the programmer and in light blue if selected. 1.3.4 Visualiser The Pearl Expert runs Avolites Visualiser internally. This allows you to view the output of the console if you can’t...

  • Page 22: Key Profiles

    Page 22 – 1. Setting up the console (right of numeric keypad) then A [Show/hide Visualiser]. You need to select the “Simulator” option on Visualiser to make it read the output of the Pearl. The operation of Visualiser is not covered in this manual, please refer to the Visualiser manual.

  • Page 23: Loading And Saving Shows

    You can save any number of different shows on a USB drive or the Pearl’s internal hard disk. The Pearl will also autosave the show periodically. Note: You cannot transfer shows between the Pearl Expert Titan and other versions of the Pearl or Pearl Expert as the showfile format is different. 1.4.1 Autosave The Pearl will automatically save your show to its internal hard disk when you shut it down.

  • Page 24: Backing Up A Show To Usb Drive

    You can also use the VDU and mousepad to select options from the Pearl Expert Titan window on the VDU as described below. 1.5.1 Backup existing show files to USB pen drive To backup existing show files to USB drive you need to copy the...

  • Page 25: Rebooting Into Original Pearl Expert Mode

    1. Setting up the console - Page 25 4> Press Exit to leave Disk mode. • There is also an option E [Wipe] in the System menu (when the key is turned to System) which has the same function, and is located in the same place as on the “classic”...
  • Page 26 Page 26 – 2. Patching PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 27: Patching

    2. Patching - Page 27 Patching This chapter contains: patching dimmers; patching moving light fixtures; checking the patching; changing the DMX address; deleting a patched fixture; patching options. Patching is the process where you tell the Pearl • What type of lighting units you have connected to it •...

  • Page 28: Patching Dimmers

    If the Pearl does not have the personality for your fixture, you can download further personalities from the Avolites website or Avolites can create one for you. See section 12 on page 111 for details of how to find personalities.
  • Page 29 2. Patching - Page 29 1> Press Patch (bottom right of console). 2> Press B [Fixtures]. 3> Select correct fixture manufacturer from the softkeys (F and G page through the list of manufacturers). Or use Quick Search and type the first few letters of the manufacturer’s name on the keyboard to find the one you...

  • Page 30: Visualiser Auto Patch

    Page 30 – 2. Patching patch at the beginning of the next line. For example if you try to patch a Mac500 at channel A510, it will actually be patched at B1. 2.1.4 Visualiser Auto Patch If you want to use Visualiser on the console, start Visualiser by pressing View then A [Show Visualiser].

  • Page 31: View Fixture Patch

    2. Patching - Page 31 Legend menu. The first fixture will have the User Number you entered, and the other selected fixtures be given a number increasing by 1 for each fixture. • You can set a legend for the current page of fixtures using the [Set Legend] function from the main Program menu.

  • Page 32: Delete

    Page 32 – 2. Patching if set to [Don’t copy legends], the Pearl will generate a new legend. 3> Press the Select button of the fixture you want to copy. 4> Press the Select button of the empty Preset where you want to patch the copy.

  • Page 33: Advanced Options

    2. Patching - Page 33 • Softkey C selects [Retain Layout] or [Bunch Up]. This is used when moving a group of fixtures with empty handles in the group – you can either keep the empty handles, or bunch up the used handles together.
  • Page 34 Page 34 – 2. Patching Cues recorded with absolute values direct from the fixture(s) will need to be re-recorded, preferably using palettes. Links from the palettes to groups, cues, chases and cue lists will also be preserved, so the show can be easily recreated by updating your palettes as normal.
  • Page 35 2. Patching - Page 35 means that this fixture has been assigned to an illegal DMX address. 7> Repeat steps 2 – 6 to exchange other fixture at the same time. 8> Once all the changes have been made click Exchange Note: After exchanging fixtures you will have to update the palettes which used those fixtures.
  • Page 36 Page 36 – 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 37: Controlling Dimmers And Fixtures

    3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures - Page 37 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures This chapter contains: Selecting fixtures and dimmers for control; changing attributes of the selected fixtures; using groups. When you are programming a show, and sometimes when you are running a show, you need to manually control the fixtures and dimmers to set the intensity, position, colour, etc.

  • Page 38: Setting Fixtures To A Start Position

    Page 38 – 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures change with the fixture page. • If a preset is active (the fader is raised) when you change page, you may want to control a fixture on the new page using the same preset.

  • Page 39: Changing Attributes Using The Wheels

    3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures - Page 39 • D [Clear Options] opens a submenu showing some further options (described below). • E [Clear All Fixtures/Selected Fixtures] sets whether all fixtures will be cleared from the programmer, or if only currently selected fixtures will be cleared.
  • Page 40 Page 40 – 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures 3> Repeat from 1 to change other attributes of the selected fixtures. Some other things to know about attributes: • If an attribute is in the programmer, it is inverted (as shown with the “Green” setting in the screen picture here).

  • Page 41: The Colour Picker

    3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures - Page 41 3.1.5 The colour picker If the fixtures you’re using can do CMY or RGB colour mixing, you can pick a colour from an onscreen palette using the mouse. 1> Select the fixtures whose colour you want to set and locate them 2>...

  • Page 42: Selecting Using A Pattern

    Page 42 – 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures • To select more than one fixture, press D [And] between each number. For example 1 And 2 And 5 Enter will select 1, 2, 5. • To select a range of fixtures, press F [Through]. For example 1 Through 8 Enter will select 1-8.

  • Page 43: Using Fixture Groups

    3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures - Page 43 have similar effects, using the letters IPCGBES. I-Intensity (dimmer, strobe shutter) P-Position (pan, tilt) C-Colour (colour wheel, CMY mixing) G-Gobo (gobo wheels, gobo rotate, gobo position) B-Beam (iris, focus, zoom, beam shaper) E-Effects (prism) S-Special (motor speeds) These groups are used to select which attributes you want to work with...

  • Page 44: Highlighting The Selected Fixture

    Page 44 – 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures This mode uses the Prev/Next/All/Hilight buttons to the right of the Go button. 1> Select a range of fixtures or a group. 2> The Prev and Next buttons will select the fixtures in the range one at a time (in the order you selected them).

  • Page 45: Advanced Options

    3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures - Page 45 As with shapes, the order in which you select the fixtures sets how the fan effect works. The fixtures you select first and last will be the ones which change most. If you use a group to select the fixtures, the order you selected the fixtures when you recorded the group is used.
  • Page 46 Page 46 – 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 47: Palettes

    4. Palettes - Page 47 Palettes This chapter contains: About palettes; shared and normal palettes; recalling a palette; storing a palette; palette masks. When programming a show you will find that you frequently use certain positions, colours, etc. The Pearl lets you store these settings so you can recall them at the touch of a button rather than having to find them on the wheels every time.
  • Page 48 Page 48 – 4. Palettes fixture in each palette entry. 4> Press the blue Store Palette button 5> Select which attributes are to be recorded in the palette using the Attribute Bank buttons – anything lit up will be saved. This is called the palette Mask.

  • Page 49: Playback

    4. Palettes - Page 49 existing palette. [Replace] will erase the palette and save only the latest changes you have made. [Merge] will combine your changes with the palette. This allows you to add settings for additional types of fixtures to a shared palette. 4.2 Playback 4.2.1 Recalling a palette value To recall a palette value, this is what you do:...

  • Page 50: Setting Legends For Palettes

    Page 50 – 4. Palettes palette entry. The Pearl will give you options on the softkeys to Replace or Merge the palettes. If you select Merge, anything you haven’t changed will not be affected, values you have changed or added will be amended.

  • Page 51: Delete

    4. Palettes - Page 51 • You can copy multiple palettes by holding down the first button of the range then pressing the last button of the range. • Option C [Copy Legends] can be changed to [Don’t copy legends] so that the copied palettes are given default legends.

  • Page 52: Master Time For Palettes

    Page 52 – 4. Palettes next cue will override the palette and play back as intended. Additionally you can set Fixture Overlap, which means that if you recall the palette to a group of fixtures, the change will be applied in sequence to each fixture in the group.

  • Page 53: Shapes

    The Pearl, in common with other Avolites consoles, has a shape generator (sometimes known as an Effects Generator on other consoles). This allows you to quickly create exciting light shows using lots of movement and changes, with the minimum of programming.

  • Page 54: Changing Size And Speed Of A Shape

    Page 54 – 5. Shapes 3> Press A [Create] to start a new shape. 4> Press a softkey to select the attribute type to use in the shape or press H [All shapes] for a full list. 5> Press a softkey to select a shape. You can type a search word on the Qwerty keyboard to search for a particular shape.

  • Page 55: Changing The Phase Of A Shape Across Multiple Fixtures

    5. Shapes - Page 55 change. The HUD shows the individual shape parameters for each fixture. 5.1.3 Changing the phase of a shape across multiple fixtures Shapes get more interesting (and look more impressive) when you apply them to multiple fixtures. The Pearl lets you control how a shape is phased across several fixtures.

  • Page 56: Edit

    Page 56 – 5. Shapes 5.2 Edit 5.2.1 Editing shapes which are running If more than one shape is running, you can select which one is connected to the control wheels using Shape option B [Edit]. 1> If you are not in the Shape menu, press the C [Shape Generator] at the top menu.

  • Page 57: Cues

    6. Cues - Page 57 Cues This chapter contains: HTP and LTP channels; how the Pearl works when programming; recording a cue; playing back a cue; changing playback pages; setting fade times for a cue; copying and deleting cues; the include function; editing cues; the “off” button; blind mode; using shapes in cues.

  • Page 58: Creating A Cue

    Page 58 – 6. Cues 6.1.2 Creating a cue 1> Press Clear to clear the programmer. This ensures that you are starting with a clean slate. 2> Set up the look using the fixtures. You can save shapes in a cue. Remember that only the fixtures you have selected will be saved in the cue.

  • Page 59: Htp And Ltp

    6. Cues - Page 59 time, the Pearl has to have rules on how it combines the output from different cues. These are called HTP and LTP rules. 6.2.1 HTP and LTP The Pearl treats control channels in two ways: •...

  • Page 60: Releasing Running Playbacks

    Page 60 – 6. Cues previous page, lower the fader to zero then raise it again. The cue from the previous page will stop and the cue from the new page will fire. • If you return to a page with an active playback, the fader will not resume control of the playback until it matches the current level of the playback.

  • Page 61: The Include Function

    6. Cues - Page 61 6.3.2 The Include function The Include function lets you load selected parts of a cue back into the programmer. (Normally, only manual changes to fixtures are put in the programmer). You can then use this to make a new cue. This is useful if you want to make a cue which is similar to one you already have, or to build a new cue from various parts of other cues.

  • Page 62: Copy

    Page 62 – 6. Cues 2> Press the blue OFF button to display the Off menu. 3> All fixtures in the cue will be selected. If you don’t want to change them all, deselect the fixtures you don’t want. 4> Use the softkeys to select which Attributes you want to remove.

  • Page 63: Timing

    6. Cues - Page 63 1> Press the blue PhotoCopy button 2> Press A to select [Move] option 3> Press the Swop button of the cue to be Moved. 4> Press the Swop button of the playback (or the Select/Swop button of the preset fader) you want to Move it to.
  • Page 64 Page 64 – 6. Cues The times are set like this: 1> Press A [Edit Times] at the top level menu. 2> Press the Swop button of the cue. 3> Press E [Fade Mode x] to set the cue mode. This sets how the times are used, see below.

  • Page 65: Changing Fixture Order

    6. Cues - Page 65 groups, and for each individual attribute, see next section for details of this. The times you enter are affected by the cue mode which is set using E [Fade Mode]: • Mode 0 – Channels will fade in as set by the fade time. The Fade Out time is ignored.

  • Page 66: Setting Attribute Fade Times For A Cue

    Page 66 – 6. Cues 6.7.3 Setting attribute fade times for a cue You can set individual fade times for each attribute group (such as Position). If you set a time, it overrides the normal times. To set an attribute group fade time: 1>...

  • Page 67: Handle Paging

    6. Cues - Page 67 6.8.4 Handle Paging This option allows you to lock the playback on a handle so that it always appears on that handle no matter what page is selected. This is useful if you have some general playbacks you want on every page, without having to copy the playback onto each page.
  • Page 68 Page 68 – 7. Chases PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 69: Chases

    7. Chases - Page 69 Chases This chapter contains: Programming a chase; running a chase; setting speed, crossfade and direction; manually controlling the chase steps; setting step times and unlinking; editing a chase using unfold; editing a chase which is running; copying chases; chase options. As well as being used to store static cues, the playback faders on the Pearl can also be used to store chases (sequences of cues).

  • Page 70: Playback

    Page 70 – 7. Chases and have not modified it) • You can set a legend for the chase by pressing Set Legend, then pressing the Swop button for the chase and entering the legend, as with cues. • There is no limit to the number of steps in a chase. 7.2 Playback 7.2.1 Playing back a chase To fire a chase, raise the fader of the playback.

  • Page 71: Setting Speed And Crossfade For A Chase

    7. Chases - Page 71 setting is saved. However you can set this change to be temporary, so that when the show is reloaded the speed and fade will go back to the previously saved settings. Go to User Settings (Avo button + A [User Settings] and set option C to [Connected View Sets Temporary Chase Speed].

  • Page 72: Manually Controlling The Steps Of A Chase

    Page 72 – 7. Chases Units Beats Per Minute (BPM)]. 7.2.4 Manually controlling the steps of a chase You can pause a chase, if the chase is connected to the wheels, by pressing the Stop button next to the wheels. Press the red Go button to resume playback of the chase.

  • Page 73: Copy

    7. Chases - Page 73 4> Various Unfold options are available, the details are below. 5> Press Unfold again to get out of unfold mode. • To edit the contents of a cue: Press Clear to empty the programmer, raise the fader to output the cue, make the changes, press A [Record Step], then the Swop button for the cue number.

  • Page 74: Moving

    Page 74 – 7. Chases Press Exit to leave latched delete mode. 7.6 Moving 7.6.1 Moving a chase To move a chase to a different playback: 1> Press the blue PhotoCopy button 2> Press A to select [Move] option 3> Press the Swop button of the cue to be Moved.
  • Page 75 7. Chases - Page 75 hardly any programming. The best way to learn about overlap is to program a chase with two cues involving several fixtures, then experiment with the overlap settings to see the various “roll” and “peel off” effects which result. The following diagram shows you the effects of cue overlap, fixture overlap and attribute overlap in chases.

  • Page 76: Individual Cue Times In Chases

    Page 76 – 7. Chases will start fading when the first one is half way through its fade. The order of the fixtures is set by the order you selected them when the cue was saved; you can change the order using Unfold. 7.7.2 Individual cue times in chases You can configure each cue in a chase to have its own timing information.

  • Page 77: Advanced Options

    7. Chases - Page 77 7.8 Advanced options To set options for a chase, press B [Playback Options] on the root menu, then press the swop button of the playback to be edited. The same options are available as for Cues (see section 6.8 on page 66), with some additional options for Chases.
  • Page 78 Page 78 – 7. Chases PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 79: Cue Lists

    8. Cue Lists - Page 79 8. Cue Lists This chapter contains: Programming a cue list; running a cue list; editing, copying and deleting cue lists; setting fade times; cue list options. Cue Lists allow you to record a sequence of cues, each of which can have its own timings and can be triggered by the Go button or run automatically to the next cue.

  • Page 80: Changing Legends For Cues In A Cue List

    Page 80 – 8. Cue Lists sure to record the whole console output. 4> Set the default Fade and Delay times, and automatic cue linking, using E [Set Times]. These settings will be allocated to every new cue. 5> Set up the look for the first cue, either manually or by using “Include”...

  • Page 81: Autoloading A Playback Within A Cue List

    8. Cue Lists - Page 81 1> Press C [Set Legend] in the top level menu. If you are setting legends for several cues, press ML Menu to latch the Set Legend menu. 2> Press the Select button of the Cue List. 3>...

  • Page 82: Playback

    Page 82 – 8. Cue Lists 8.2 Playback 8.2.1 Running a cue list Raise the fader of the cue list and press the Go button to run the first cue. The bottom section of the display shows the cue list; the current cue is highlighted in white and the next cue has a box round •...

  • Page 83: Edit

    8. Cue Lists - Page 83 8.3 Edit 8.3.1 Editing a cue list using Unfold The Unfold button places each cue of the cue list on one of the playback faders. This allows you to fire and edit each step individually as if it was a stand-alone cue.

  • Page 84: Editing A Cue List While Recording

    Page 84 – 8. Cue Lists 2> Use Wheel A to select the cue number you want to change then ↔ the white button above the Snap Back button to jump to it. 3> Press the Live Time button to set the times for the current step, or the Next Time button for the next step.

  • Page 85: Delete

    8. Cue Lists - Page 85 the chase or cue list. • To create a linked copy, after pressing Photocopy press A to select the option [Link] - or press PhotoCopy twice. The linked chase will have the same cue information in it, but can have different timings and playback options.

  • Page 86: Individual Attribute Fade Times

    Page 86 – 8. Cue Lists active using Wheel A or softkey A of the Edit Cue List Cue Times menu. See the diagrams in section 6.7.1 on page 63 and section 7.7.2 on page 76 for more information about overlaps and fade times. 1>...

  • Page 87: Fixture Overlap

    8. Cue Lists - Page 87 group. 8.7.3 Fixture overlap For each cue you can set a (linked together) fixture overlap, which causes the Pearl to apply the settings in the cue to each fixture sequentially giving a “rolling” change across the fixtures in the cue. This can create some great effects without much programming on your part.

  • Page 88: Advanced Options

    Page 88 – 8. Cue Lists 4> Press D [Record]. 5> Start the timecode source. If using internal timecode, press E [Play] to start it. 5> Press the Go button to step each cue at the time you wish the cue to start.

  • Page 89: Autoload

    8. Cue Lists - Page 89 select the cue number to edit, press softkey A then enter the cue number on the numeric keypad. • B [Curve] allows you to set a different fade curve for the cue; this affects how the fade progresses from one cue to the other (for example you can select a fade which starts off slow, speeds up in the middle and then slows down at the end).
  • Page 90 Page 90 – 8. Cue Lists PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 91: Running The Show

    9. Running the show - Page 91 Running the show This chapter contains: Operating modes, master faders, manual control during a show, page shortcuts 9.1 Playback 9.1.1 Back up the show At regular intervals while you are programming, and when you have finished programming (or you’ve run out of time) and it’s showtime, the most important thing is to back up the show to USB pen drive or floppy disk.

  • Page 92: Playback Priority

    Page 92 – 9. Running the show can also allocate Go and Stop buttons for cue lists and chases. To quickly change the key profile, hold Avo Shift and press C [Edit Key Profile]. 9.1.5 Playback priority You can set playbacks to high priority if you do not want them to be overridden by other playbacks using the same fixtures.

  • Page 93: Vdu Views

    The following options are available: • A [Show Visualiser] The Pearl Expert runs Avolites Visualiser internally. This allows you to view the output of the console if you can't use the real lights, enabling you to make changes to your show at home or off stage.
  • Page 94 Page 94 – 9. Running the show Or to move a range of items 1> Press the blue "Move" Button. 2> Press A to select [Move] mode. 3> Select a range of items 4> Press the blue Swop (or grey Flash) key of the destination of the first item in the range.

  • Page 95: Remote Control

    10. Remote control - Page 95 10. Remote control This chapter contains: Setting up the remote control; using the remote control. With the addition of an external Wireless Access Point, the Pearl can be remote controlled using Wi-Fi from an iPod Touch or an iPhone.

  • Page 96: Console Setup

    192.168.0.3 and type in a subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Finally exit iPod settings. 10> Test that the iPod is connected to the Expert: From the Avolites toolbar on the console VDU, open Command Prompt. Type in “ping 192.168.0.3” and then press return.

  • Page 97: Operating The Remote

    10. Remote control - Page 97 remote or to delete it from the system. 10.2 Operating the remote To connect to the console, open the Safari browser and type in the address of the console; if set up as described above this will be: http://192.168.0.2/Remote/ The remote screen always shows a header with a view selector, to choose which options to view, and a clear button.

  • Page 98: Fixture List

    Page 98 – 10. Remote control want. For example to reset fixtures 1 to 10 you would press 1 Thru 10 More Macro Reset 10.2.2 Fixture List The fixture list view shows you all the fixtures in a familiar spreadsheet style, including the user number, fixture type, DMX address and legend.

  • Page 99: Settings Screen

    10. Remote control - Page 99 list will immediately perform the action. Again you can sort and filter the playbacks using the Filter box to filter by legend, or the column headers. The “Back” and “Go” buttons are used for CueLists which will be enabled in a future software release.
  • Page 100 Page 100 – 10. Remote control PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 101: User Settings And Other Options

    11. User Settings and other options - Page 101 11. User Settings and other options This chapter contains: Setting the Pearl options using the VDU menu; the Utilities menu; Key Profiles; Curves; upgrading the software. The Pearl has a large number of options to help you set it up just the way you like it.

  • Page 102: Key Profiles

    Some “system” options on the Pearl can also be set from the Tools menu on the VDU screen. 11.2.1 Virtual Panel The virtual panel will be accessed from the Avolites shell toolbar and this option is obsolete. PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 103: Visualiser

    11. User Settings and other options - Page 103 11.2.2 Visualiser This option displays the visualiser. 11.2.3 VDU User settings The user settings menu on the VDU allows you to configure a few options you can’t set using the console. If the console has different users, each user can have their own option settings.

  • Page 104: Factory Settings

    Show heartbeat on LED: No effect on this console • Log panel keypresses: All keypresses are logged to a file on the hard disk. This enables Avolites to reconstruct what you’ve done, should a problem occur. • DMX Properties..: Allows you to modify the timing of the DMX generated by the console, if you have problematic devices which need specific timings.

  • Page 105: Setup Dmx Outputs

    11. User Settings and other options - Page 105 11.2.6 Setup DMX outputs This option allows you to setup how the 12 DMX universes produced by the console are output. This is described in detail in section 13 starting on page 115. 11.2.7 Hotkeys You can assign panel function keys to keys on the QWERTY keyboard using this option.

  • Page 106: Key Profiles

    Page 106 – 11. User Settings and other options 11.3 Key Profiles The Pearl allows you to reconfigure how the front panel buttons work to suit your method of working. You can save your settings as a Key Profile. Different profiles can be selected for different users or to enhance the operation of the console for a particular use.

  • Page 107: Selecting A Key Profile

    11. User Settings and other options - Page 107 11.3.2 Selecting a key profile A Key profile is selected in Run mode by pressing Softkey B and selecting the desired profile from the list. In Program mode, hold the Avo Shift button and press [Select Key Profile]. 11.3.3 Individual Key profiles for playbacks Each playback can have an individual Key Profile allocated to it.
  • Page 108 Page 108 – 11. User Settings and other options PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...
  • Page 109 11. User Settings and other options - Page 109 PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 110: Upgrading The Software

    Page 110 – 11. User Settings and other options 11.5 Upgrading the software The Pearl Expert Titan operating software is under constant revision by the Avolites team. You can always download the latest version of the software from the Avolites website: http://www.avolitesdownload.com...

  • Page 111: Working With Fixture Personalities

    If there is a personality listed for your fixture on the Pearl Expert Titan, download it by clicking on the Disk icon. This will download a copy of...

  • Page 112: Updating The Personality Cache On The Console

    12.1.3 Requesting a new fixture personality If a personality does not exist for your fixture, Avolites will create one for you. Click on the “Request” link on the above web page to submit your request. A list of current requests is shown.
  • Page 113 12. Working with Fixture Personalities - Page 113 changers. This offers 5 modes: 1=Dim 2=R 3=G 4=B VDim 1=R 2=G 3=B 1=R 2=G 3=B 4=Dim VDim + 4xRGB 4xRGB. VDim is a virtual overall dimmer channel for fixtures without a DMX dimmer control.
  • Page 114 Page 114 – 13. Networking PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 115: Networking

    13. Networking - Page 115 13. Networking This chapter contains; Connecting to a Simulator with ACDI; Connecting to fixtures with ArtNet, eDMX and EzDMX; AvoTalk; explanation of IP addressing. There are a number of ways for the Pearl to communicate with lighting fixtures beyond the traditional DMX sockets on the back of the console, which are described in this chapter.

  • Page 116: Setup Dmx Outputs Screen

    DMX line to a single node, as this can cause problems. 13.3 Connecting to a simulator with ACDI ACDI is Avolites' Application for Interfacing Consoles and Simulators with lighting software such as Visualiser, Capture or Show designer. PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 117: Acdi

    13. Networking - Page 117 13.3.1 ACDI If you are using the Pearl Simulator with the Avolites Visualiser, running on 2 separate computers, you will need a separate Dongle connected to each computer. Computer running Pearl Simulator The network link connection can be made through either a crossover cable, or through a network hub.

  • Page 118: Artnet

    13.4.1 A simple ArtNet system In the following diagram, an Art Net compliant Console (such as the Pearl Expert Titan) is connected via a network hub to an Art Net compatible dimmer and 2 DMX conversion boxes. Once the system is connected together, the different outputs (or Nodes) can be configured.

  • Page 119: Setting Up An Artnet System

    13. Networking - Page 119 You can then specify which console line is assigned to each node. A console line can be assigned to multiple nodes (this will duplicate the DMX universe), but each node should have only one console line assigned to it.

  • Page 120: Additional Artnet Resources

    IP address. 9> Click OK 10> Select a DMX line for the Pearl Expert Titan 11> Select the ArtNet node that you want to connect to 12> Click on Add Node. This will add an ArtNet node to that DMX output.

  • Page 121: Setting Up Edmx

    Wireless Access Point and all other Tubes on the same network for every device to function accordingly. The default SSID is “avolites” (note that this is all lower case) • IP Address This is the IP address of the unit. One of the benefits...

  • Page 122: Module Setup

    Pearl. These were selected during the installation process. If you are running the Pearl simulator, some (or all) modules may be missing, depending on what Avolites hardware you have attached. You can only use different modules (i.e. Art Net and eDmx) if you have several network adapters, or by re-configuring the IP addresses of the PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 123: Installing Additional Modules

    13.7 AvoTalk AvoTalk allows devices on a standard network to communicate and share information. In the case of Avolites consoles it allows the console to talk to fixtures and to retrieve and change information such as personalities and Mode information.

  • Page 124: All About Ip Addressing

    Page 124 – 13. Networking cable. Note that there may be a cable already connected to the network port on the Hippotizer that comes from within the unit. This is connected to the DMX box on the front, and can be disconnected.

  • Page 125: Setting Your Ip Address

    13. Networking - Page 125 unique DMX address, for IP addresses the same is required. 13.8.1 Setting your IP address The Pearl has a setup function to quickly set its IP address as described on page 115 You can also set your IP address in the same you would on a Windows XP computer.

  • Page 126: Subnet Masks

    Page 126 – 13. Networking 13.8.2 Subnet Masks These are best kept simple. All devices or nodes on a network who wish to communicate with each other must have the same subnet mask. The mask determines which parts of the IP address are unique in that network to each node.

  • Page 127: Automatically Assigning Ip Addresses (Dhcp)

    This is a simple windows function that can be accessed by doing the following: 1> Go to the control panel using the spanner icon on the Avolites sidebar. 2> Double Click on Network Connections 3>...
  • Page 128 Page 128 – 13. Networking PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 129: Titan For Pearl Users

    Titan console into the normal Pearl Expert mode. See section 1.7 on page 25. Note: Pearl Expert Titan shows aren’t compatible with the standard Pearl Expert, or a standard Pearl console, because the show file has a different format.

  • Page 130: New Programming Features

    Page 130 – 14. Titan for Pearl users 14.2 New programming features There are some great new programming features which previously were only found on the Diamond 4. Fixture overlap, Attribute overlap, Cue overlap The overlap functions allow you to sequence the way a cue plays back. Normally when you fire a cue, everything would move to its programmed setting all together.

  • Page 131: Changes In Version

    An automated upgrade path from version Pearl Expert Titan 1.2 is provided. Upgrading from any other version requires the running of a Pearl Expert Titan 2.0 recovery disk. You can download the latest Pearl Expert Titan software fromAvolites download Please save the software to a USB stick or other media and follow these instructions.
  • Page 132 Page 132 – 15. Changes in version 2.0 indicate the different state of items on the handle. This can be useful if you are in a bright environment and can not see the LEDs properly. To set the intensity of the LEDs go to User Settings and select "LED Levels".
  • Page 133 15. Changes in version 2.0 - Page 133 Lock Playback: You can now lock a playback so it always appears on the current page no matter which page is selected. To lock a playback select [Playback Options] and then the playback you want to lock. Change the "Handle Paging"...

  • Page 134: Improvements In V2.0

    Page 134 – 15. Changes in version 2.0 menu and all palettes applied will default to fading in that time unless you type a time manually. Pattern Selection: You can now apply a pattern to your selection to work on certain fixtures within your selection. Select some fixtures and press [All] then select a pattern from the softkeys.
  • Page 135 15. Changes in version 2.0 - Page 135 time and select the palette. To set the overlap you need to type the overlap first fix it using the overlap button and then type the fade time followed by selecting the palette. Patch view park option: If you are re-assigning DMX addresses in patch view and you try to assign a DMX address which is in use by another fixture it now asks you if you want to park that fixture.

  • Page 136: Changes In V2.0

    Page 136 – 15. Changes in version 2.0 Next and Previous Cue in Edit Times and Playback Options: In Playback Options and Edit Times when a Cue List is selected you can now use the Next [->] and Previous [<-] Cue buttons as well as the wheel to select the cues in the list.
  • Page 137 15. Changes in version 2.0 - Page 137 Recording empty chase or cue list: Recording a cue list or chase with no steps would cause the console to behave strangely with those playbacks. The rest of the desk would continue to run normally due to the error recovery system.
  • Page 138 Page 138 – 15. Changes in version 2.0 Grand master and Locate: If a fixture was in the programmer or located the Grand Master would not correctly scale the output level. All outputs are now mastered by the Grand Master. PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...

  • Page 139: Glossary Of Terms

    16. Glossary of terms - Page 139 16. Glossary of terms ADDRESSES The DMX Channels occupied by individual Fixtures. The first Channel occupied is usually encoded onto the Fixture somehow (often by switches or using a menu) and called its ADDRESS. ALIGN A means of copying Attribute characteristics from the first Fixture selected to other selected Fixtures,...
  • Page 140 Pan and Tilt positions for each point on stage, and FLIP will alternate between them. FOCUS What Palettes are called on other Avolites consoles. See PALETTE. May also be used in connection with moving fixtures to focus (set the sharpness) of a gobo projection.
  • Page 141 They can allow you to reset the Fixture for example. The DMX command sequences are defined within the Personality File. Also used on the Pearl Expert Titan to refer to a stored sequence of button presses. MEMORY The name for a Cue on other Avolites consoles.
  • Page 142 The faders across the top of the console which are used for controlling individual fixtures or dimmer channels. PRESET FOCUS What Palettes are called on other Avolites consoles. See PALETTE. PROGRAMMER The part of the console which contains Channel information which has been changed by the user, prior to recording.
  • Page 143 16. Glossary of terms - Page 143 TRAINING The process of recording points on a stage so that the console can work out the TRACKING for Moving Lights. TRIGGER POINT The level set in the User Settings which determines at which point a Playback Fader triggers the LTP Channels programmed onto it.
  • Page 144 Page 144 – 16. Glossary of terms PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00...
  • Page 145 16. Glossary of terms - Page 145 Index Softkey Menu items are indicated with capital letters (for example “Activate A Timecode Cuelist”) clear button · 38 Clear button · 57 clearing the console · 24 colour picker · 41 connect button · 70 acceleration mode of wheels ·...
  • Page 146 Page 146 - Index DMX outputs · 16 hotkeys · 105 DMX View window · 20 HTP and LTP, explanation of · 58 Edit Times · 63 Include button · 61 editing a cue · 60 Insert (in unfold mode) · 83 Editor ·...
  • Page 147 16. Glossary of terms - Page 147 midi connections · 17 mode 0 - 3 for cues · 65 mouse, external · 17 move function · 93 random chase · 72 move palette · 51 reboot into standard mode · 25 Moving fixture ·...
  • Page 148 Page 148 - Index sorting columns in windows · 20 view fixture patch · 31 view menu · 93 viewing key profiles · 106 unfold virtual dimmer · 40 cue list · 83 Visualiser · 21 Unfold button · 72 Unknown fixtures ·...
  • Page 149 8200-???? Price £30 Additional copies of this manual, together with other useful spares etc. can be purchased through the Avolites On line shop. Visit http://www.avolites.com then navigate to Avo Shop from the links on the left hand side.

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