Page 2: Important Notice
In no event will Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd be liable for direct or indirect damages arising from any defect in the product or its documentation. Further, Fairlight...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Metering Input Levels ......... 28 Grab Menu Illustrated ........ 49 Entering Record ........28 The Nudge Menu ........51 Using the Prodigy Editor Record Button ..28 Range ............51 Timecode Track? ........28 Block Editing ........... 53 Playback ............. 28 The Dubber SubMenu ........
Page 4 How to Search for Clip Records ....85 Synchronisation - Detailed Explanation 114 Entering Data into Fields ......85 How the Prodigy Editor Synchronises ..114 Cycling through Values ......85 Digital Synchronisation Conflicts ..... 114 Capturing Current Values ..... 85 Pull-up and Pull-down ......
Page 5 Waveform List Filter ........144 Meter Settings ........... 144 Crossfade from Zero ......... 144 Fade Def on Butted Clips ......144 Prodigy Patching Options ......144 Auto-Update DL File ......... 144 Wave Menu Audio Format ......144 Automatic Extension ......... 144 Multi File Recording .........
Page 6 Page User Manual...
Page 7: Getting Started
Getting Started Connect a stereo audio source to analogue inputs 1 and 2. They are at the rear of the Prodigy Engine. Make sure the output from tracks 1 and 2 is not fed back to these inputs via your console.
Page 8: The Prodigy Editor
The Prodigy Editor Macro Keys When the Edit Macro key is lit, these play back Editing Mode Keys user-definable keystroke sequences that have Each Editing Mode key displays a set of choices on the LCD been recorded in the Edit Macro Menu.
Page 9: Console
Console Disable Key AudioBase Keys Used to disable tracks from When the AudioBase pro- Solo and Mute Keys playback. Differs from mut- gram is running, these keys ing in that disabled tracks Hold down key to dis- are used for special func- cannot immediately play soloed or muted...
Page 10: How The Disk Recorder Works
How the Disk Recorder Works When we record in Prodigy, the audio is turned into digital data and stored on hard disk, together with the other recordings we have made. It also appears as a clip on the screen, which is a “reference” to the “Master Recording”...
Page 11: Prodigy Editing Screens
Prodigy Editing Screens There are 10 user screens in the Prodigy Editor software. Some take up the top section of the screen and others the lower part. There are always one upper and one lower display on the screen. Displays are automatically changed in response to recording, editing and transport control commands, but they can also be placed on the screen by command.
Page 12: Prodigy Recording
Prodigy Recording The Disk Recorder Page is Prodigy’s display medium. It consists of a number of different sub-pages which are automatically changed to suit functions being performed. You can also force the display of a screen that you want Fade...
Page 13: And Editing Screen
and Editing Screen by pressing the Blue Key with certain keys on the Numeric Keypad. Several of the screens are shown or described in the next five pages. The Disk Recorder display page is always shown when the system is turned on. Zoom range Shows the Zoom number, from 1 to 16, Current Time...
Page 14: The Device
Name of domain, or working group of systems. Name of network node, which may be an Fairlight system, a server, or another compu ter. Unit, or hard disk disk drive, attached to system. Folder or directory on a disk drive.
Page 15: And File Pages
(e.g. Mag- tected. tem), FLFS or MDR-DOS n e t o - O p t i - (proprietary Fairlight file Sample rate of audio cal drive) systems) or NTFS (Win- in current project (see dows NT file system, only...
Page 16 NOTES Page User Manual...
Page 17: Starting A Project
Starting a Project A piece of work on the Disk Recorder is called a Project. When you wish to begin recording a Project must be open. By pressing the Project key you can see the directory of files in the system, and access file management functions. The Directory The Directory is arranged in a hierarchy as follows: Domain...
Page 18: The Project Menu
A - Z, a - z, 0 -9, _ (underscore) Although the Prodigy Editor will allow entry of Press this Soft Key to de- some other characters, you are advised NOT to use lete a File or Folder. You...
Page 19 File Cookies Each Prodigy Editor Project file contains a cookie, or secret number, which is placed in the file when created. This cookie is used to identify files and reopen them, even after they have been renamed or moved to another location.
Page 20: Project Menu 3Rd Level
Password Protection Any Prodigy Editor project may have a password which restricts access to the material. When there is no password, one can be applied by anyone who opens the file. There are three levels of access available to a file with a pass- word, one of which must be chosen when the password is created.
Page 21 Prodigy mixer information, which can only be inserted into a project by a Prodigy system. This function can be used to good effect if a Version 15.5 Prodigy project needs to be edited on a Version 15.1 MFX system.
Page 22: Multi-User File Access
Access Modes - Levels of “Openness” Prodigy Editor operates in a networking environment and therefore must prevent conflicts between users which could compromise the integrity of file data. To do this it defines five different access modes, which are listed below in order of ascending “openness”.
Page 23: The Clip
The Clip What you are creating when you record is called a “Master Recording” (you could be creating up to 24 at a time). It starts when you drop into record, and it ends when you drop out. You are also creating clips which are displayed on the tracks you are recording.
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Page 25 NOTES User Manual Page...
Page 26: Recording
Recording The Arm Menu Opens two submenus, ARM for arming tracks and INPUT for patching inputs to tracks. The Arm Submenu While the ARMING submenu is active, the Track Keys can be used to arm and disarm the tracks. Digi Import Proj Space...
Page 27 Prodigy Editor will try to automatically create a new project and continue recording. This can only happen if there is additional free space on the SAME DISK DRIVE on which the Prodigy Editor is currently recording. At the point where the project is extended there will be a split in the clips that were currently recording.
Page 28: The Input Submenu
The Input Submenu The Input Submenu is used to choose inputs for the tracks, as well as the type and gain of each input. In this submenu, the Track Keys are first used to select which tracks are having their inputs patched. Once the {patch} or {group} button has been pressed, the Track Keys are used to patch inputs to the selected tracks.
Page 29: Metering Input Levels
Analog to Digital Converter. If your audio source is lined up to give +4dBu output at 0 VU, this will correspond to -18 on the meters of Prodigy Editor. Maxi- mum output level is also +22 dBu, which occurs when the waveform amplitude is at maximum (0 dB on the Prodigy Editor meters).
Page 30: Punch-In Punch-Out
Punch-in Punch-out While playing, start recording by pressing the Record and Play buttons together. To drop out of Record, press the Play, Stop, Jog, Rewind or Fast Forward buttons. Each time you enter Record you will create a new clip on each armed track. These clips are placed “over” any other clips that they encounter on the same tracks.
Page 31: The Digi Menu
The Digi Menu The Digi Menu has two submenus which are accessed in turn by toggling the first Soft Key Choice. They are used to choose the source of Master Clock synchronisation, and to select the type of digital outputs that will be pro- duced by the system.
Page 32: Naming
Naming The Name Menu is used to give names to clips, tracks or the whole Project. Clips can also be automatically named. Press the NAME Mode key. The LCD gives you a menu as follows: Space B/Up TRACK Level Fade project track clip...
Page 33: Solo, Mute, Disable And Safe
Solo, Mute, Disable and Safe Disk Recorder tracks can be soloed and muted from the Prodigy Editor console. To choose which tracks are to be soloed or muted, hold down the SOLO or MUTE key, and use the Track Keys to make your selection.
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Page 36: Editing
Editing The Clip Editing in ProdigyEditor is achieved by performing operations on Clips. First we will explain the way a clip is structured. A clip is “born” when we record or by being copied from another clip. It contains information about the following: Master Recording Number This is a piece of audio stored on disk.
Page 37: Editing Stereo Clips
Editing Stereo Clips A stereo clip is a single object just like a mono clip. It is shown on a single track with a black line running along its length, and the left and right waveforms shown on either side. All editing commands apply equally to both sides of the stereo clip.
Page 38: Level
When clips overlap, the Fades become Crossfades. Level Every clip has an audio level. After fading in and before fading out, the clip plays at this level. While the clip is fading, the effects of the fades are added to the level. Every clip has a 4 band equaliser built in to its structure.
Page 39: Timecode Ranges
Timecode Ranges The Prodigy Editor allows two methods of choosing what to edit. One mode is called clip or object-based editing, and the other is called range or timecode-based editing. Some editing menus, such as Grab, work only in clip mode, while others, such as Block, work only in range mode.
Page 40: Range Persistence
From Point Cursor To Point While a Range Menu is latched: You can use the Jogger Wheel to move the end of the Range. You can use the Jump keys to move the end of the Range The video display highlights the Range that will be created if you press ENTER The Numeric Register shows the current value of the Range end that is being changed Pressing ENTER establishes the range and takes the system back to the previous editing mode.
Page 41: The Edit Menu (Cut & Paste)
The Edit Menu (Cut & Paste) The EDIT menu is the most powerful and flexible of the menus in the Prodigy Editor. It is used for Cutting and Pasting clips and parts of clips. It now has multitrack capability. To use the Edit Menu you must first press the Edit Mode key. Then: Select some audio and cut or copy it to the “clipboard”...
Page 42: Edit Commands With A Range
Page User Manual...
Page 43: The Copy Submenu
The Copy Submenu Cursor Original Clip Space B/Up COPY Level Fade clip head tail reverse Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit The clip is replaced by a reversed version of itself. This process cre- The audio from the Head of ates a new Master Re- the clip to the cursor is Cop- cording.
Page 44 Page User Manual...
Page 45: The Copy Submenu
The Copy Submenu Space B/Up COPY Overlap Level Fade range fill 0 fr b / f fill Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit The contents of the clipboard are pasted to fill the range, but every second copy of the clipboard is pasted in reverse (first a reverse version of the clipboard must be created.
Page 46: The Grab Menu
The Grab Menu The Grab menu is used for Slipping (resyncing) and Trimming (resizing). We GRAB some part of a clip (such as the Head, the Tail or the whole clip), move it somewhere and DROP it, using the ENTER key. This can be done so that the audio slips as you move the tranport (Slip commands), or so that it remains in sync (Trim commands).
Page 47: Trim Submenu
Trim Submenu Space B/Up TRIM Level Fade SLIP clip head tail sync Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Grabs the Sync Point. Toggles between Slip Press ENTER at any mode (sync is redefined) timecode and the Sync and Trim mode (sync is Point will be relocated fixed).
Page 48: Restore Trimmed Audio
Restore Trimmed Audio Trim head (or tail) is important because it is the only way to “put back” parts of a clip that have been removed by editing. SLIP / TRIM Toggle A new feature for this menu allows you to choose whether you want SLIP or TRIM to be the default choice when you enter the menu.
Page 49: Grab Menu Illustrated
Grab Menu Illustrated In each illustration, the first diagram shows the situation at the moment a Soft Key is pressed, and the second diagram shows the results of moving the cursor and pressing the ENTER key. Slip Clip Cursor Cursor Clip slips, maintaining its sync relationship to the Cursor Slip Head Cursor...
Page 50: The Nudge Menu
The Nudge Menu The Nudge Menu is used to slip clips forward or backward in time by a fixed small amount. This can be done while playing if desired so you can use it to synchronise tracks on the fly. In this case there will be a short interuption to the playback while the edit list is re-compiled.
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Page 53: Block Editing
Block Editing Block Editing is used for operations on multiple tracks, and always uses a range. A range is always started as soon as you enter the menu. When you use a block editing command, many clips may be trimmed, slipped, split or created, but you need take no account of this.
Page 54: The Dubber Menu Illustrated
The Dubber Menu Illustrated Original Track Layout DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB Range Cursor Erase DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB Audio is removed within the range. Move DDDDD CCCCC DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB AAAA BBBBB The audio in the range is removed, and relocated to the cursor position Copy DDDDD CCCCC...
Page 55: The Razor Submenu
The Razor SubMenu Space B/Up RAZOR Level Fade DUBBER delete splice duplicate insert Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit A period of silence, equal in length to the range, is inserted at the start of the range. This will remove all of the audio in the Range, and the A copy of the audio in the time as well, so the ends of the...
Page 56: The Razor Submenu Illustrated
The Razor Submenu Illustrated Original Track Layout DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB Range Cursor Delete DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB The Range is completely removed, and the audio on either side butts up together. Splice DDDDD DDDDD DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC...
Page 57: The Track Menu
The Track Menu The TRACK Menu is used for inter-track operations. The commands operate over a range like the BLOCK menu commands, and the Range is set up in exactly the same way. All TRACK commands involve two tracks, the Source Track, and the Target Track. For example the Copy com- mand will copy the audio from the Source Track to the Target Track.
Page 58: Original Track Layout
The Track Menu Illustrated Original Track Layout DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB The track in the foreground is selected Swap DDDDD DDDDD CCCCC AAAA BBBBB CCCCC DDDDD CCCCC AAAAA BBBBB Within the Range, the audio from the source track is swapped with the target track Copy AAAA BBBBB...
Page 59: Fades
Fades Each clip can be given a fade-in and fade-out. These are performed in the digital domain before the audio is converted back to an analogue signal at the output. When the fade of one clip is placed over another clip, a crossfade between the two clips occurs.
Page 60: Fades With A Range
Fades With a Range When a Range is established, the Fade Menu changes its behaviour, allowing fades across multiple clips. Space B/Up fadein fadeout Auto In Auto Out X-Level Level Fade range range 4 fr 4 fr -3 dB Name Track Grab Block...
Page 61: More About Fades
Crossfades and Channels During a crossfade, two clips are actually playing, one fading down and the other fading up. The Prodigy Editor can play crossfades on all tracks at the same time, but not for an indefinite period of time.
Page 62: The Level Menu
The Level Menu The Level Menu allows you to set an amount of attenuation for each clip. The range is from -99 dB to +99dB (zero is the default when a clip is first recorded). The clip fade-in and fade-out rise to and fall from this level. Range Many clips can be altered at the same time using a range.
Page 63: Blue Split
Blue Split The SPLIT function causes selected clips on the top layer of a track to be split into 2 clips, either at the cursor position or at the extremes of a range, if a range is defined. BLUE SPLIT, causes those splits to be executed right down to the bed of each track, ie any underlying clips are also split at these points.
Page 64: The Gate Menu
The Gate Menu The Gate Menu allows you to remove silence in a clip, by erasing ranges where the level is low. It has a number of parameters that allow you to achieve exactly the result you want. Like any editing function, gating is non-destructive, meaning that you can UNDO it, but a special form of the commit command is included in this menu (for more information about committing, see the Space menu).
Page 65: Gate Menu Illlustrated
Gate Menu Illlustrated Original Audio Example 1 Handles Threshold Hold Example 2 Handles Threshold Hold User Manual Page...
Page 66: Equalisation
The EQ Menu is used to change the equalisation setting of a clip. The behaviour of this menu is quite unlike any other in the Prodigy Editor system, as it provides real time feedback of the settings as you change them. After you have achieved the sound you want, press ENTER to write it into the clip.
Page 67: Notes
Print Gate Audio Base Export edit number level in/out Preroll Offset Edit Edit Loop Mark Once you have started editing Press to toggle the entire EQ for Allows you to set a level parameters, this Soft Key flashes, this clip on or off. If you press as part of the EQ.
Page 68: Time Compression And Expansion
Time Compression and Expansion The Prodigy Editor provides powerful DSP functions which allow you to perform the following functions: Stretch changes the duration of a clip without affecting its pitch Pitch changes the pitch of a clip without affecting its duration...
Page 69: Stretching Into A Range
An algorithm is a “method” used in software to achieve a desired result. Because time compression is complex, there are many ways of doing it, and many settings for the operating parameters. The Prodigy Editor has six varia- tions to allow for different types of source material.
Page 70: The Pitch Submenu
The Pitch Submenu Subv Disab Solo Mute Digi Import Proj Space B/Up Mode Semitones Scale Algorithm Level Fade PITCH 10.23 VOICE 1 Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Allows you to choose Press this Soft Key, then en- between the three Wave Allows you to choose a Determines the width of the fre-...
Page 71: The Varispeed Menu
Varispeed does exactly the same thing as changing the speed on a tape recorder - the pitch and duration are affected inversely. The Prodigy Editor offers two ways of setting up the varispeed ratio: one by pitch, and the other by duration (time).
Page 72: Using A Range
Using a Range If a range is set up, the Varispeed submenu will allow you to fit a clip to the range. The menu changes as follows: Subv Disab Solo Mute Digi Import Proj Space B/Up Mode Measure Level Fade VARI range TIME...
Page 73: Varispeed With Pitch Measurement
Varispeed with Pitch Measurement Subv Disab Solo Mute Digi Import Proj Space B/Up Mode Semitones Measure Level Fade VARI 3.01 PITCH Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Press this Soft Key, then enter the pitch Allows you to choose be- Press to toggle between TIME change for the clip.
Page 74: The Takes Menu
Notes on Layering of Clips Layering in an Prodigy Editor Project is done from the very first clip that is created in the project. Each clip is given a new layer number when it is created, with the most recent clip holding the highest number in the project.
Page 75: The Import Menu
Press the Import key. If you have already imported audio from another Prodigy Editor project during this session, The Prodigy Editor immediately opens that project. If not, the following menu is displayed:...
Page 76: More About Importing
Digi Import Proj Space B/Up Level Fade browse borrow keep lock Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Returns to the previous menu. Creates a temporary offset in the As “borrow”, except that the opera- Disk Recorder so that its current tion creates new Master Record- The selected clips are copied into the cur- position is in sync with the cur-...
Page 77: Building A Sound Library
Building a Sound Library It is very convenient to have Sound Effects arranged in special library projects so that they can easily be imported as needed into your current project. Here are some hints: Divide your library into separate small projects by useful categories. This has two benefits: (a) you will be able to fit the whole sub-library project on to a single hard disk (b) you will be able to manage the library easily and quickly on backup tapes, because you will only be saving and restoring the sections of...
Page 78 If any of the .WAV files encountered during the import process have the timecode CHUNK included, The Prodigy Editor will ask whether you want to place the audio at the timecode written into the file, or place it at the current cursor position.
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Page 81: Audiobase
AudioBase AudioBase is a clip database which allows you to search for sounds on all devices in your system, audition them, and bring them into your current project. AudioBase 2 is almost the same software, but works in the networked environ- ment.
Page 82: User Fields
User Fields There are two User Fields shown on the default AudioBase screen. It is possible to define up to 4 User Fields, give them customised names, and change the way the screen is laid out, so that they can be seen. This is explained in the section called Editing the Form.
Page 83: The Audiobase Menu
The AudioBase Menu Pressing the AudioBase key brings up the following menu: Audio Base Export AUDITION search edit ON/OFF paste file Preroll Offset Edit Edit Loop Mark Opens File Opens the Search Opens the Edit Submenu Submenu (see below), Submenu (see be- (see below), used for used to enter a Project’s low), used for find-...
Page 84: The Search Submenu
The Search Submenu Pressing the Search Soft Key brings up the following menu, used to enter Search criteria. Press the RETURN key to begin the search. Print Gate Audio Base Export AUDITION search edit ON / OFF paste options Preroll Offset Edit Edit...
Page 85: How To Search For Clip Records
How to Search for Clip Records To use the Search Form, type information into one or more fields, then press ENTER, and AudioBase will find all Clip Records matching your Search Criteria. For example, if you type FISH into the Clip Name field and press ENTER, all clips named FISH will be listed at the right of the screen.
Page 86: Use Of Operators
Use of Operators Operators are extra symbols used in Search Expressions to create complex “Search Expressions”. A Search Expres- sion is the text you enter in one field prior to searching. In general it is made of several Terms, joined by operators. Here is an example: cat&dog The operator &...
Page 87: The Edit Submenu
The Edit Submenu Pressing the Edit Soft Key brings up a menu used for editing Clip Records in the database. You may now move the cursor to any editable field (using M8 and M9) and type new information into it. As soon as you leave a field, any changes you have made to it are saved to disk permanently.
Page 88: The File Submenu
The File Submenu Pressing the File Soft Key brings up a menu allowing a number of options connected with publishing projects. If you choose publish, purge or export, the screen changes, allowing you to browse and choose a project for action (the currently open project is always the first to be highlighted, allowing you to choose it immediately).
Page 89: Publishing With A Text File
It can output, as part of the publication process, a text file containing all the editable information about the clips from the project that was just published. This file can be written to your Prodigy Engine hard disk, or can be exported via the Modem Port to another computer.
Page 90: Commands Using Text Files
Text File. You may choose either Browse, to find the file in the usual way, Auto, to tell the Prodigy Editor that the required identifica- tion data can be found in the Text File you are sending in, or C to Cancel.
Page 91: Example 2
Example 2 The task here is exactly the same, but this time we will allow the Prodigy Editor to create a text file which is then merged with the supplied database information. Record the sound into the Prodigy Editor. Using the Gate function, or by editing, divide the recording into individual sounds.
Page 92: Guide To Audiobase 2
This is beyond the scope of this manual, but is covered in the AudioBase 2 Installation Manual. While AudioBase runs inside the Prodigy Editor, AudioBase2 runs on a separate PC, using a commercial database called Microsoft SQL Server. Once installed, this behaves very much like AudioBase, but in the following paragraphs some small differences are noted.
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Page 95: Undoing Edits
Undoing Edits Undoing an edit means going back to the state the Project was in before you made it. Edits can be undone and redone on 64 levels, which means you can go back to how things were 64 edits ago if you want. Undo Togggling Pressing the UNDO key causes the system to toggle between the current edit version and the last one you had before now.
Page 96: Managing Disk Space
Managing Disk Space After recording for some time, you may fill the hard disk you are working on. If you wish to continue recording you may extend to another hard drive and continue (see Project menu), or throw out some rubbish from your work so far. Throwing Out Rubbish You may have a large amount of audio that was recorded but is not being used.
Page 97 More About Committing Commit is complex. Here are some examples intended to clarify its workings. A 30 second recording has just been made, and then the first ten seconds are trimmed off. Now we go the Space menu and press commit while the cursor is touching this clip, with Handles set to zero. The effect will be to remove the first ten seconds of audio data, with that disk space becoming free.
Page 98: Recovering Lost Clips
Recovering Lost Clips Sometimes the tragic happens. A clip is accidentally erased, and we don’t realise until later (so it’s too late to UNDO the erase). Worse still, there are no other clips that reference the particular Master Recording, so it is not even possible to copy another clip and place it where we think the erased clip was.
Page 99: Bulk File Handling - The Backup Menu
Bulk File Handling - the Backup Menu The Backup Menu provides four file handling commands, which all use the same scheme for choosing files. The commands are: Move moves all the marked files from their current locations to one target directory Copy copies all the marked files from their current locations to one target directory Backup...
Page 100 The Backup Submenu In this menu, files are marked for backup, and then the operation is started. During marking the Directory Browser is displayed so that files from any hard disk can be found and marked. Having pressed the backup Soft Key, the first thing to do is select the destination for the backup.
Page 101: Marking Attached Files
Project file Marking Attached Files If a Project file you mark has borrowed audio from other files, the Prodigy Editor will display a list of the files from which they are borrowed, allowing you to mark them as well.
Page 102: Backup Progress Display
At the same time a new menu is displayed: Space B/Up mark unmark Level Fade mark unmark Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Mark all the dis- Unmark all the dis- Mark the currently Unmark the currently played files. played files.
Page 103 Space B/Up start Level Fade restore mark unmark Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Press to mark a file for restore. A Press to start the re- dialog box will appear, asking for store when all re- Press to unmark a File. confirmation.
Page 104: More About File Management
Space B/Up start Level Fade copy mark unmark Name Track Grab Block Takes Wave Nudge Edit Press to mark a File or Folder. Marking a Folder marks all Files Press to unmark a File or Press to start the inside it, and those inside Folders inside it, down to as many Folder.
Page 105: The Export Menu
The CD submenu allows one track of stereo (or mono) audio to be written directly to a Yamaha CRW4416S Com- pact Disc writer (note: this model changes from time to time - please consult your Fairlight distributor if model unavailable). A range is set up to indicate the start and end of the Compact Disc, which cannot exceed 75 minutes in duration.
Page 106: Rules For Writing To Cd
Where a clip has a different name to the one before it, a new track will be started. Index markers can be created by placing normal Prodigy Editor Marks at the appropriate timecodes. Marks 0 and 999 will not produce index markers.
Page 107: The Print Menu
Details next page. When the Prodigy Editor prints a dubbing chart, the length of each clip is not necessarily shown in proportion to its duration (this is set using Compression - see next page). Instead, it depends on the space needed to display all the clip information (start timecode, name and end timecode), plus the space needed to show other clips that start or end while the first one is playing.
Page 108: Setting Printer Characteristics
Setting Printer Characteristics To change printer characteristics, display the System Page (type <BLUE>S). You may now use the mouse to choose 9,24 or 48 pin printers. You may also set the size of your paper ( if you want to print two pages of tractor feed paper with no header at the top of the second page, set the page length to double.) Use the mouse to click on individual fields, thus changing the displayed value.
Page 109: Printer Characteristics
Printer Characteristics The Prodigy Editor printer output supports only serially connected Epson compatible machines of the 9-pin or 24- pin protocol. Example: EPSON LQ1170 with IF C82305 or C82307 serial interface card. Baud rate = 19200 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, DTR handshake...
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Page 111: Machine Control
Machine Control The Prodigy Editor controls two machines (M1 and M2) plus the disk recorder, and generates timecode at all frame rates. The buttons shown below are used to set up and control these time display format and NTSC machines.
Page 112: Synchronisation - Quick Guide
(in order, the best are AES/EBU, Word Clock, Video). Make sure the sync signal is connected. This will govern the Prodigy Editor's digital sample rate, so stability of this signal has a direct effect on audio quality. If you are not synchronising to anything, choose Internal.
Page 113: The Mfx Menu
The MFX Menu This is used to select synchronisation fundamentals: timecode format of the Prodigy Editor, type of NTSC timecode etc. Reopening a project will recall the settings it had when last open. Export Display TC Format NTSC Baud Range Timecode 29.97...
Page 114: Synchronisation - Detailed Explanation
If the Position Reference and Motion References are not the same, it is possible that they will drift apart over time. This will be shown by a warning at the top of the Prodigy Editor video screen which indicates when an inconsistent timecode frame was encountered.
Page 115: Control Of Sony Machines
Conflict of Sync If the Prodigy Editor is being told to synchronise to one of its digital inputs (see Digi Menu), and also being told to chase LTC, there is a natural conflict. If ever this condition arises, the Prodigy Editor will issue an error message.
Page 116: The M1 And M2 Setup Menus
Sony 9-pin transport. It is always the timecode Master (see options below) LTC A or LTC B causes Prodigy to chase the timecode coming in either port A or B 9-pin Rem MFX3 emulates a Sony 9-pin machine and can be controlled from the...
Page 117: Entering Timecode Values
Displaying Subframes Timecodes in Prodigy are all accurate to the subframe (one-eightieth of a frame). But when you type timecodes you may choose to have them rounded to the nearest frame. The subframe key is the same as the Clear key in the Numeric Keypad, but you hold down the Blue key at the same time as pressing it.
Page 118: The Offset Menu
The Position of any machine when on line is defined as Prodigy position plus Offset. So if, for example, you give a machine a 30-second offset, it will immediately locate forward 30 seconds (unless it is the Master, in which case all the other machines will locate backwards by 30 seconds).
Page 119: The Generator Setup Menu
The Generator Setup Menu The Gen Setup Menu is used to enable the functions of the timecode and MIDI Timecode generators. Hold down the Blue key while pressing the Gen key3. MIDI A MIDI B MIDI C MIDI D The Generator Menu does not work in this software. LTC is generated in sync with the Disk Recorder playback whenever the Gen button is lit.
Page 120: The Preroll Menu
The Preroll Menu Each machine in the Prodigy Editor has its own preroll value. The actual value used at any time is the largest preroll of any of the online machines. This means that you can set the system to “slow down” to the performance of the slowest starting machine that is currently connected.
Page 121: User Manual
If you release the Record key without pressing any Soft key, no action results (there is no one-touch record in the the Prodigy Editor). Jump Keys The JUMP keys allow you to locate to convenient places quickly. Hold the key and select any item from the menu, or simply release the key to choose the default (the last item you chose from the menu).
Page 122: Special Transport Menus
Special Transport Menus The Play Menu head tail edit fade again Edit Loop Plays exactly Play SHUT PLAY STOP the same piece << >> > > The transport prerolls the lo- Menu as last time. cation of the last edit, i.e. the timecode where the transport As in Head, except the The transport prerolls the...
Page 123: The Jogger Wheel
The Jogger Wheel The Jogger Wheel is used for many purposes in operating the Prodigy system. These include transport functions, which are described below, and changing of parameter values, which is described with the appropriate menus. When JOG is selected on the Transport keys, circular motion of the wheel moves the system forwards (clockwise movement of wheel) and backwards (anticlockwise movement) in time.
Page 124: The Jump Keys
The Jump Keys The Jump keys allow you to move in either direction by convenient amounts, or to important “landmarks” in the project, only on currently selected tracks . Hold down a Jump button and select from the menu, or just press and release to repeat the last type of jump you made.
Page 125: The Goto Command
The GOTO Command GO TO is used to locate to SMPTE times, Marks (remembered timecode points), or named clips. It is a Supermode, which means that you will be returned to the mode you were in before the GoTo command. GoTo commands are terminated with the ENTER key if you want to locate, or with the Play key to preroll the selected point and go into play immediately.
Page 126: Marks
Marks Marks are remembered timecode points that you insert into the project as easy finders or as labels. To make a mark, press the Mark Key at any time. The current SMPTE time is captured and the new mark is given the next available number.
Page 127: Looping
Looping Looping means playing through a section, rewinding to the beginning and playing again continuously. To make a Loop play, press the Loop key. To set the start and end times for the loop, enter the SET LOOP menu by holding down the Blue key while pressing the Loop key.
Page 128 NOTES Page User Manual...
Page 129 NOTES User Manual Page...
Page 130: Automatic Dialog Replacement (Adr)
Automatic Dialog Replacement (ADR) MFX provides an environment for automatic recordings with the minimum of effort. Modes There are three modes for this menu, and it is always in one of them. They are Rehearse, Record and Playback. The behaviour of the commands depends on which mode is current. In and Out Points The From and To keys, and their menus, are used to set up the In and Out points for automatic recordings.
Page 131: The Adr Menu - Second Level
The ADR Menu - second level Export early Rec Out keep OPEN playing back Preroll Offset Edit Edit Loop Mark Returns to the previous level of the menu. Allows recording to be started Toggles between two states: PROG, May be initiated anywhere in the cycle. early.
Page 132: The Gpi Menu
The GPI Menu GPI means General Purpose Interface (sometimes known as GPO - General Purpose Output). It refers to 8 contact closure lines at the rear of the machine which can be used to trigger events external to the machine. GPI “Type”...
Page 133 GPI Types Type Description Some Uses Soft Key 2 Soft Key 3 Soft Key 4 Soft Key 5 GPI is inactive Switch OFF GPI is always e.g. recording session in progress SIMPLE Fires at a Machine starts Time Pulse copy Fire given timecode Timecode when the...
Page 134: Macros
Macros The Function Keys, labelled M1 to M15, can be turned into keystroke recorder/players by pressing the Macro key. When this key is illuminated, each Function key “fires” a sequence of keystrokes on the MFX. There are a further 15 macros accessed by holding down the SHIFT key and pressing a Function Key, and another 15 accessed similarly with the CTRL key.
Page 135 load save save as unload file Displays the names of macro files in Return to the first Save the currently loaded Save the currently loaded the upper LCD. Scroll through the macro Soft Menu macro file back to disk, macros as a new file(type list of names with the Jogger Wheel including any changes.
Page 136: Disk Information
Disk Information The following diagram illustrates some aspects of the way Prodigy uses a hard disk. A project is spread across a number of disk Project 1 Project 1 Project 2 segments, interspersed amongst data from other files. The operating system MDR-...
Page 137: Operations In The Space Menu
Operations in the Space Menu Dispose removes all clips which are Project 1 Project 1 Project 2 not used at all in the project. The space they occupied becomes available for further recording in this file, but not Unused Disk Space Free Project for other projects.
Page 138: Preparing Drives For Disk Recording
The first, called RBF (Random Block File) is the native file system of OS-9, the operating system used by Fairlight. It will support devices up to 4 Gigabytes. All boot drives must be in RBF format.
Page 139 system software Now type: upgrade<RETURN> substituting the correct numbers for your current system software The screen will change to show you a list of choices, and you should first choose the software version you want out of the listed choices. The system will then start the Media Daemon, which checks for available devices on the SCSI bus.
Page 140: Configuration Files
Configuration Files The Prodigy Editor uses a number of files to store setup information. These are normally set to sensible values at the factory, but in some cases you may need to change them. The Configuration files are stored in OS9 partitions on the boot drive, that is the drive with SCSI address zero. The names of the files, which are given below, include the disk partition and all elements of the directory tree that is needed to access them.
Page 141: The Sony_Id File
There is one line of importance that you can change: When Engine is emulating a 9-pin device, it replies to the controlling machine with a device ID. Normally this is set to the official Fairlight ID, which is FA. But many editors do not recognise this device name, because it is too recent, and it is then useful to be able to give a device name that is familiar to the editor or other controller.
Page 142: The Sync Configuration File
This file contains a number of things that you can change. But do not touch them unless you know exactly what you are doing, because you could stop the system from working properly. Fairlight will not take responsibility for changes made to this file without supervision.
Page 143: The System Page
The System Page This page is used for setting some system parameters. To reach it type <esc>S, that is type the <esc> key then an S or <Blue-S>. Your mouse is used to make changes on this page, then save them to disk if necessary. Whenever you wish to save the current configuration, click on the SAVE icon.
Page 144: Print Options
These are not used in MFX3. Auto-Update DL File Allows you to have the Prodigy Editor create a Dubber file automatically whenever a project is closed. Options are NEVER, ASK (you will be prompted each time a project is closed), or ALWAYS.
Page 145: Index
Index Symbols <ctrl-Q> ..........108 4 point edit ..........44 CAN’T ATTACH ......... 77 4T Screen ..........13 Capturing offsets ........119 9-pin setup ..........117 CD Red Book export ....... 106 Change input settings ....... 16 Clear error messages ........8 Access Modes ..........
Page 146 Dubber export ......... 106 ID number ..........77 Import Menu ..........76 Edit - AudioBase ........88 Inactive Waveform ........77 Edit Macro ..........135 Info, level and bit depth ......63 Edit Mark ..........127 Initialising drives ........139 Edit Menu ..........
Page 147 Modify Write ..........24 Monitor switching ........30 Range ............40 Mono / Stereo ........... 30 Range, automatic and manual ....41 Move Files ..........100 Range setting ..........40 Moving files ..........20 Range Size on screen ....... 12 Multi-User File Access ......
Page 148 Stretch ............69 Waveform display amplitude ..... 63 Subframe nudging ........50 Waveform Show Command ....... 99 Sync mark, edit menu ....... 42 Wildcards - AudioBase ......86 Sync Point ..........38 Writing to CD ........... 106 Sync point for slipping ....... 47 Synchronisation - Quick Guide ....

Fairlight Prodigy Edit User Manual

1 Getting Started

2 The Prodigy Editor

Console

3 How the Disk Recorder Works

4 Prodigy Editing Screens

5 Prodigy Recording

And Editing Screen

6 The Device

And File Pages

8 Starting a Project

9 Recording

10 Solo, Mute, Disable and Safe

11 Editing

12 Timecode Ranges

13 The Edit Menu (Cut & Paste)

14 The Grab Menu

15 The Nudge Menu

16 Block Editing

17 The Track Menu

18 Fades

19 The Level Menu

20 The Gate Menu

21 Equalisation

22 Time Compression and Expansion

23 The Takes Menu

24 The Import Menu

25 Audiobase

26 Undoing Edits

27 Managing Disk Space

28 Recovering Lost Clips

29 Bulk File Handling - the Backup Menu

30 The Export Menu

31 The Print Menu

32 Machine Control

33 The MFX Menu

34 Synchronisation - Detailed Explanation

35 The M1 and M2 Setup Menus

36 The Offset Menu

37 The Generator Setup Menu

38 The Preroll Menu

39 Transport Commands

40 The Jogger Wheel

41 The GOTO Command

42 Marks

43 Looping

44 Automatic Dialog Replacement (ADR)

45 The GPI Menu

46 Macros

47 Disk Information

48 Preparing Drives for Disk Recording

49 Configuration Files

50 The System Page

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Summary of Contents for Fairlight Prodigy