Pearl DLC-C003 Operator's Manual page 6

1.3 The DLC-C003 simulator
You can download a free DLC-C003 simulator from the DORTRON's
website, which runs on a PC. This allows you to work on the DLC-C003
even when you haven't got the real console with you. You can patch the
desk, and program shows using the DORTRON's Visualiser, then save
the show to disk and load it into the real console. The simulator
operates almost exactly like the real DLC-C003.
1.4 What you'll need for the tutorial
The rest of the first part of this manual is a hands-on tutorial. If you
have never used an DORTRON's console before, by working through the
rest of the tutorial section you should be able to get the DLC-C003 up
and running, and be well on the way to programming and running a
show with it.
The tutorial is organised in the order you'll need to do things to get the
console set up and working, so try to work through it in sequence. To
make the most of it, you will need a few lights set up to play with; a
couple of moving lights and a few dimmers would be best. If you can't
lay your hands on any real lights, you can use DORTRON's Visualiser to
simulate some lights.
When you are preparing to start programming a new show, it's handy
to have the following things.
• A lighting plan of your rig which you can scribble on
• Some blank floppy disks to save your work
• Some white or clear tape and a fine black marker pen to mark up
the console so you know what's where
• Paper & pen to make notes (or a laptop, depending on how
technological you are)
• Manuals or DMX tables for the fixtures you're using
• A supply of beverages of your choice
If you are new to intelligent lighting, or even new to lighting altogether,
read chapter 12, "Introduction to intelligent lighting". This explains the
concepts behind digital control of lighting and will help you to
understand what we are going on about in the rest of the manual.
There is also a Glossary at the end of the Reference Manual which
explains some of the obscure lighting words we have used in the
manual.
If you are used to older DLC-C003 software, read chapter 14, "Changes
in the latest DLC-C003 software", which gives you a quick rundown on
the differences between the two consoles.
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