Using This User's Guide; Setting Up Spark; New Users; Common Terms - Compulite Spark User Manual

Using this User's Guide

Setting up Spark

If you are setting up the system for the first time, you may want to consult Chapter 19
System Configuration, Chapter 20 Channel Patching, and Chapter 21 Spot Management.

New users

If you are new to lighting consoles or are unfamiliar with Compulite consoles, familiarize
yourself with the information in chapters 2 – 12. These chapters provide you with general
information and give you the building blocks to create and modify memories (cues), and
play them back. Chapters 13 – 18 deal with more advanced functions.

Common Terms

Three major capabilities are basic to lighting consoles: editing, playback, and patching.
Editing is the ability to select channels, spots, and scrollers, assign intensity and parameter
values, and record the resulting stage picture as a memory or cue. All functions related to
the playback structure of the show, such as event assignments, snaps, loops, and links are
part of the editing functions.
Playback is the ability to replay all the show data that you have created while editing.
Playback can be manual and automatic.
Patching includes all of the patching functions, which instruct the system how to
communicate with conventional projectors, color scrollers, other DMX512 protocol
elements, and moving lights that are controlled by the lighting console.

Editing terms

• Channel - The control channel for DMX512 devices, which are not moving devices.
These include conventional projectors, color scrollers, smoke machines, etc.
• Intensity - Dimmer intensity of channels and spots.
• Present or active (in the editor) - Channels and spots that are displayed in white.
Everything present/active in the editor is included when recording a memory.
• Selected (in the editor) - Channels and spots that are displayed in red and therefore can
be assigned intensity or scroller values.
• Memory - is analogous to cue. The group in the editor, comprising the lighting state
on-stage, is stored as a memory. Memories are then played back.
• Libraries - Gobo, Color, and Position libraries form a database used when
programming memories.
• Spot number - The number by which moving lights are addressed.
• Parameters - The attributes of moving devices.
• Value - The numerical value assigned to a parameter or a dimmer.
• Store - Save the information in the editor.
• Erase - Delete selected data.
Using this User's Guide 1-3
Spark