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NSI MELANGE Operation Manual

Memory lighting controller
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Summary of Contents for NSI MELANGE

  • Page 3 Software Revision 2.22 Document Revised: 8/15/91 Copyright 1990 NSI CORPORATION Wilsonville, OR...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    MELANGE Software Revision 2.22 Table of Contents Installation / Setup Power Supply Requirements............. . . 5 Dimmer equipment connection.
  • Page 5 MELANGE Software Revision 2.22 Recording Chases..............31 Submaster Cues..
  • Page 6 NSI Corporation Limited Warranty ........

  • Page 8: Installation / Setup

    Software Revision 2.22 Installation / Setup Power The Melange lighting controller requires a source of 15 volts DC (250 ma) in order to operate satisfactorily. When used with NSI dimming equipment, power may be provided through Supply the Micro-Plex microphone cord connection system when the console is connected to dimmers.

  • Page 9: Overview

    MELANGE Overview Software Revision 2.22 Front Panel Overview Front Panel 1. Submaster Controls These 8 sliders may be assigned to control memory lighting or chase effect levels. Channels affected by each submaster will combine with the greatest level having precedence.

  • Page 10: Rear Panel

    This connector allows access to eight of the console’ s macros. Inputs 4. Memory card socket The Non-Volatile memory card that is available for the Melange plugs in here. 5. MIDI in/out/thru These connectors allow for connection of the Melange to the many types of MIDI products.
  • Page 11 MELANGE Overview Software Revision 2.22 Rear Panel 11. Micro-plex These are 3 pin "XLR" type microphone connectors which transmit NSI micro-plex to NSI connectors dimmers. Channel Level Display Submaster Status Window ---------------------------- Melange Memory Console -------------------------- 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26...

  • Page 12: Main Display

    Overview MELANGE Main Display Software Revision 2.22 Main Display NSI CORPORATION...

  • Page 13: Quick Operation Guide

    Power The Melange lighting controller has a power switch located on the rear apron of the unit. When first turned on, the Melange will automatically perform a quick self test. The front...

  • Page 14: Recording Lighting Cues

    Recording Lighting cues are a collection of lighting levels with pre-programmed fade times that may be stored in the Melange’ s internal non-volatile memory for later sequential play back. Each Lighting cue may be set to be activated manually by an operator or cues may be linked to provide Cues.

  • Page 15: Play Back Lighting Cues

    MELANGE Quick Operation Guide Software Revision 2.22 Play back lighting cues Play To playback lighting cues follow these steps. back lighting cues Press the LOAD button. The monitor will now highlight the ‘ ‘ Nxt’ ’ position under the C crossfader display.
  • Page 16 Quick Operation Guide MELANGE Edit lighting cues Software Revision 2.22 EXAMPLE : Edit levels of cue 20. ® Set Grand Master at full and all submasters at minimum. ® Press the AUTOFADER LOAD button. ® Enter 20 then press ENTER.
  • Page 17 MELANGE Quick Operation Guide Software Revision 2.22 Edit lighting cues Editing Cue To edit or modify cue times, follow these steps. Times Press the Edit button, then select the F1: EDIT TIMES function key. Enter the cue number to modify and press enter.

  • Page 18: Submaster

    Quick Operation Guide MELANGE Submaster pages Software Revision 2.22 Submaster Submasters may be used to store and recall lighting levels directly from paged memory, to recall lighting levels previously stored in a cue, or to store and recall chase effects.

  • Page 19: Submaster Cues

    MELANGE Quick Operation Guide Software Revision 2.22 Submaster Cues. Repeat from (5) above until all steps of the chase are programmed. As many as 1 to 256 steps may be available per chase, depending on memory configuration at set-up. Press F4: CANCEL when done.

  • Page 20: Detailed Operation Guide

    Lighting As mentioned in the preceding Quick Operation Guide, the key to utilizing the full potential of the Melange Lighting Controller is learning to quickly enter lighting levels. Several means Level of doing this are provided on this console, such as using the key pad to make direct entry, Entry.
  • Page 21 MELANGE Detailed Operation Guide. Software Revision 2.22 Lighting Level Entry. Cursor Keys The cursor keys allow any channel levels to be easily adjusted up or down individually or as a group. To use the cursor keys, enter the desired channel or group of channels as described previously.
  • Page 22 Detailed Operation Guide. MELANGE Lighting Level Entry. Software Revision 2.22 To Load the Channel Window. Press the Submaster LOAD button. Select F1: Channel Window button. Move the highlighted window to the desired channel. Move the associated submaster slider to match the current channel level.
  • Page 23 Software Revision 2.22 Lighting Level Entry. Mouse or If configured properly, the Melange may be connected to a mouse or trackball type of pointing Trackball entry. device to make channel level entry very convenient. This also allows grouping and scaling of any channel which is always active.

  • Page 24: Cue Recording

    The Linked cue is the next cue to be automatically activated after a preset wait time. Cues may be linked back to an earlier cue in order to create a loop. Since the Melange will normally load the next cue in sequential order when using the GO button, it is not necessary to specify a cue number to link to in normal operation.
  • Page 25 A chase is a programmed sequence of lights that continually repeats itself. An example of a chase is the lights that flash around a marque. The Melange can be configured to allow up to 99 chases to be stored in it’ s memory. A chase number can be programmed into a cue so that the chase will automatically execute when the cue is executed.
  • Page 26 F3: Extensions function key to enter additional information. Enter cue to link to. Normally, the Melange will automatically load the next cue in numerical sequence as each cue is executed and then wait for a press of the GO button. Simply press ENTER here for normal operation.

  • Page 27: Cue Playback

    The Melange can allow cue nesting of up to 3 deep. The first cue will abort if an attempt is made to execute more than 3 cues at once on the same autofader. The last cue executed will always have precedence when is comes to channel levels.
  • Page 28 Detailed Operation Guide. MELANGE Cue Playback Software Revision 2.22 CANCEL These buttons are used to cancel the respective C or D autofaders and release all channel buttons levels affected. The CANCEL buttons must be held down for 1 second before they will have any affect.

  • Page 29: Manual Crossfaders

    MELANGE Detailed Operation Guide. Software Revision 2.22 Manual Crossfaders Manual The manual crossfaders A and B allow full manual control over cue crossfading. The A crossfader is at maximum at its fully up position, while the B crossfader is at its maximum Crossfaders at it’...

  • Page 30: Editing Cues Levels

    Detailed Operation Guide. MELANGE Editing Cues Levels. Software Revision 2.22 Editing Cues May be edited live or in the blind. Cues Levels. To edit cue levels live, the desired cue is first brought up on the screen using the autofaders, manual crossfaders, or submasters.

  • Page 31: Blind Cue Creation

    MELANGE Detailed Operation Guide. Software Revision 2.22 Blind Cue Creation. EXAMPLE: Edit levels of cue number 1 in Blind Mode. ® Press the Function Key labeled "Blind Mode". ® Enter the cue number and press ENTER. ® Modify lighting levels as necessary.

  • Page 32: Editing Cue Parameters

    Detailed Operation Guide. MELANGE Editing cue parameters Software Revision 2.22 Editing Any of the cue parameters, such as Upfade Time, may be modified by following these steps. parameters Press the EDIT button and press the F1: Edit Times function key.

  • Page 33: Renumber Cues

    MELANGE Detailed Operation Guide. Software Revision 2.22 Renumber Cues EXAMPLE: Copy cue 2.2 to cue 1. ® Press the EDIT Button. ® Press the F3: More function key. ® Press the F3: Delete Cue function key. ® Enter 2.2 and press enter.

  • Page 34: Submasters

    · The submasters may also be used to directly enter channel levels into the Melange. This allows extremely easy adjustment and blending of channel intensities for cue and page recording.

  • Page 35: Submaster

    MELANGE Detailed Operation Guide. Software Revision 2.22 Submaster Pages. The proceeding sections will discuss in depth, the operation of the page, chase, and cue submaster functions. The channel level entry is covered in the previous section on Channel Entry Window.

  • Page 36: Submaster Chases

    Submaster Chases. Software Revision 2.22 Submaster The Melange has the ability to assign any chase from the chase memory to any or all of the submasters. Chases are then available at any time for play back by simply raising the Chases.

  • Page 37: Submaster Cues

    MELANGE Detailed Operation Guide. Software Revision 2.22 Submaster Cues. Press F4: CANCEL when done. ® EXAMPLE:Record a 1-2-3-4 as chase number 1. ® Press the RECORD button. ® Press the F2: Record Chase function key. ® Make sure function key marked "Chase Num" shows 1.

  • Page 38: Softpatch

    Detailed Operation Guide. MELANGE Softpatch Software Revision 2.22 Softpatch Softpatching gives the user the ability to patch control channels to dimmers from the control console. Furthermore, patches can be done proportionally. For example, lets say that channel 1 is patched to dimmers 1 and 2. Dimmer 1 is patched at 100% and dimmer 2 at 80%.

  • Page 39: Keyboard Macros

    Press the F1: Set Options function key. Press the F3: Init Macros function key. Recording If this is the first time macros are to be recorded in the Melange, it is recommended to Macros erase all macros first to allow for best memory usage.

  • Page 40: External Macros

    Macros MELANGE External Macros Software Revision 2.22 The storage process may take a few seconds because the macro memory is variable length and other macros may have to be reshuffled. A message will appear on the upper left hand corner of the display while the macro is being stored.

  • Page 41: Input / Output

    Each of these is discussed below. Memory The Memory Card for the Melange is a 64K byte, battery backed-up solid state memory device. The Memory card may be inserted into the slot on the rear apron of the console at...
  • Page 42 Input / Output MELANGE Memory Card Software Revision 2.22 If the card already has a valid directory; the directory will be displayed. Else the invalid card warning will be displayed. Press the Function Key labeled "Execute" to start card preparation.
  • Page 43 MELANGE Input / Output Software Revision 2.22 Memory Card If console has more channels, dimmers, chases, pages, or steps than card; extra console data items will be filled with 0 levels. In the case of chases; programmed chases will remain intact.
  • Page 44 Xmodem File The Melange has the ability to selectively transfer memory data to and from personal computer Transfer. disk files. The transfer protocol that has been chosen for this operation is called "Xmodem".

  • Page 45: Rs-232 Port

    In order to save memory data to the card the user must follow these steps. to computer Connect the Melange to the computer as per diagram. Set up communications software to receive (download) xmodem file transfer. The computer will request a name for the file.
  • Page 46 ® Press "Cancel" to return to normal operation. ASCII Cue File The Melange has the ability convert cue memory data to and from a simple "English" format Transfer. known as ASCII. This gives the operator the ability to write or edit cues in a simple format when away from the console.
  • Page 47 Select #4: "Load Ascii from port" from the RS-232 menu, followed by pressing the function key labeled "Execute". The Melange will start waiting for the computer to transmit the file. Command the computer to start the file transfer, if you have not done so already.

  • Page 48: Midi Port

    The Melange transmits a short stream of data out of the MIDI OUT port whenever either GO button is pressed on the console. The format of the data is called a SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE and contains information about the cue number and the crossfader used.
  • Page 49 ® Wait for transfer to complete. ® Press "Cancel" to return to normal operation. Receiving The Melange will accept all memory data when receiving MIDI data transfers regardless Memory from of whether the memory configuration has been changed since the memory was stored MIDI to the MIDI device.

  • Page 50: Printer Operation

    Printer Operation. Software Revision 2.22 The Melange is ready to receive MIDI data transfers whenever the console is in it’ s normal operating mode and none of the Special Modes are active (such as input/output, configuration, softpatching or recording modes). For the most part, the operator has to do nothing to initiate a MIDI data transfer, but start the MIDI device sending the information.
  • Page 51 MELANGE Input / Output Software Revision 2.22 Printer Operation. When the printing is done, the report menu will return to normal. The function key labeled "Cancel" will restore the console to normal operation, or select another report. ® EXAMPLE: Print a Cue Sheet.

  • Page 52: Ascii Cues Implementation

    Each line must be terminated with a CR or CR/LF (carriage return/line feed or "hard return"). The file may be as big as the word processor or editor may allow. The file should end with a $END keyword to make sure the Melange records the last cue received.
  • Page 53 This keyword must be followed by a chase number from "1" to "99". If the chase number does not exist in the Melange’ s memory at the time of execution, then the cue chase will have no effect. The $CUECHS key must appear in proceeding cues if the cue chase is to be continued.

  • Page 54: Midi Implementation

    MIDI Implementation MELANGE MIDI Chart Software Revision 2.22 MIDI Implementation MIDI Chart Melange MIDI Implementation Chart Release 1.10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Function | Transmitted | Recognized | Remarks ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Basic Default | Channel Channel ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Default | Mode Messages Altered...

  • Page 55: Midi Cues

    MIDI cues MIDI cues MIDI can be used to control the Melange’ s cuing. Each time a GO button is pressed on the Melange, a system exclusive packet is transmitted. This packet contains the cue number and autofader identifier. The message can be recorded on a MIDI sequencing device in real time and played back to the Melange for synchronization with a MIDI sequence.

  • Page 56: Memory Allocation

    Memory Allocation Software Revision 2.22 Configuration Memory The Melange’ s memory is designed to be tailored to your needs. Memory can be allocated to channels, dimmers, chases, submaster pages and cues. The number of channels greatly Allocation affects the amount of memory needed for storage.

  • Page 57: Audio Operation

    To utilize Audio Sync: Connect a line level audio signal to the Audio Input jack on the back of the console. The Melange contains it’ s own internal automatic gain control and it will adjust the signal to provide proper synchronization.

  • Page 58: House Lights Mode

    NSI dealer. The interface will work in conjunction with NSI Remote Control panels which are installed in doorways and backstage. Any Remote control panel or the Melange can take control of house lighting at any time. The house lighting system is independent of standard control channels and dimmers and does not affect cue execution.

  • Page 59: Sample Printer Reports

    MELANGE Sample Printer Reports Software Revision 2.22 Cue List Sample Printer Reports Cue List Cue Number Down Delay Link Wait Chase Rate Macro 00:05.0 00:05.0 00:00.0 00:00.0 00:19.8 00:19.8 00:00.0 00:25.0 00:06.2 00:06.2 00:00.0 00:00.0 00:15.8 00:15.8 00:00.0 00:00.0 00:10.2 00:10.2...

  • Page 60: Cue Detail

    Sample Printer Reports MELANGE Cue Detail Software Revision 2.22 Cue Detail Cue Number Down Delay Link Wait Chase Rate Macro 00:19.8 00:19.8 00:00.0 00:25.0 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26...

  • Page 61: Soft Patch List

    MELANGE Sample Printer Reports Software Revision 2.22 Soft Patch List Soft Patch List Proportional Patch Channel 01: 01-03>FL Channel 02: 04>FL 05>85 Channel 03: 06>FL Channel 04: 07>FL Channel 05: 08>95 09-11>FL Channel 06: 12>FL Channel 07: 13>95 14>FL Channel 08: 15>FL Channel 09: 16>FL...

  • Page 62: Submaster

    Sample Printer Reports MELANGE Submaster Page Detail Software Revision 2.22 Submaster Page Detail Submaster Page Number 1 Submaster 1 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26...

  • Page 63: Chase Detail

    MELANGE Sample Printer Reports Software Revision 2.22 Chase Detail Chase Detail Chase 01 Step 01: 01 03 06 Step 02: 69 70 71 121 125 126 Step 03: 11 14 38 42 91 Step 04: 06 31 63 64 65 91 117...
  • Page 64 Sample Printer Reports MELANGE Macro Detail Software Revision 2.22 Macro Detail Macro 0: F4, F1, 1, 2, F1, 1, F1, F1, F4 Macro 1: F4, F2, F2, 1, 0, ENTER, 1, 2, AT/., FULL, F4 Macro 2: SUB8, SUB6, SUB4, SUB2, SUB1, SUB3,...
  • Page 65 MELANGE Sample Printer Reports Software Revision 2.22 Macro Detail Macro F1: NSI CORPORATION...
  • Page 67 Specifications MELANGE Console Specifications Software Revision 2.22 Specifications Console Specificati Cue Capacity (w/o expansion) 999, 16 channel cues. 212, 128 channel cues. Cue Capacity (with expansion) 999, 48 channel cues. 439, 128 channel cues. Maximum Channels Maximum Dimmers 512, DMX 512 interface...
  • Page 68 MELANGE Service Information Software Revision 2.22 Schematics Service Information Schematics NSI CORPORATION...

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