Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

ZERO 88

SIRIUS 24 & 48 Lighting Desks

Step-by-Step Guide 4th Edition

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

Hello User, Welcome to this 4th edition of the Sirius Lighting desks step by step user guide. The original operators guide that comes with the Zero 88 Sirius Lighting desks can be a little confusing, especially to one who is not sure of the basic functions and operation of the Sirius Lighting Desks. This step by step guide is aimed at making the programming and running of the desk a lot easier, even for the most simple minded when it comes to electronics and computers. If this booklet is used in the correct way, the programming and running of shows should be come as easy as 1-2-3, quite literally. All you have to do is follow each instruction carefully, making sure all the details are covered. Once you have programmed the desk a few times, it should become easier for you. Included in the back of this guide is a “Quick Guide”, designed at the more confident user, where just the necessary instructions are included, in a more short hand form. After a couple of shows have been completed using these types of desk, you should be able to manage without any literature, such as this guide, due to the desks user friendly design and simplicity of operation. It will help to keep this guide in a safe place though for new people joining your team, or in case you forget how to use one of the less common functions. I hope this guide will make your programming and running life so much easier, and reduce the time needed too sort out shows by a considerable amount. I hope that this show, and the many in the future that you are programming, go as smoothly as possible, without upsetting the Director and Performers too much with slow programming, due to a complicated list of instructions. Have Fun!.

Paul Phillips (Creator and Author of this Guide).

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

Contents 1.

Preparation for a new show:

2.

Programming the Memory Autofade Times

3.

Running Memories Changing Memories Editing a Memory

4.

Programming a Chase

Clearing the Desks Memory. Clearing the memory card.

Running a Chase 5.

Running a Chase (cont.)

6.

Making a Chase a Memory Deleting a Memory Inserting a Memory

7.

Toplevel Set Send to Card

8.

Verify Card Read in Card

9.

Output Patch Manual Masters Recovery Mode

Q1.

Quick Guide Page One

Entering Super Use Clearing the Memory Programming a Memory Autofade Memory Times Running Memories Edit Memories Manual Masters Programming a Chase Toplevel Set

Q2.

Quick Guide Page Two

Running a Chase Inserting a Chase or a ‘Point’ Memory Deleting a Memory Send to Card Read in Card Verify Card Output Patch Recovery Mode

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to a Sirius Lighting Desk Sirius 24 = 24 Channel Lighting Desk, Sirius 48 = 48 Channel Lighting Desk. Both desks, if used digitally, have the capacity to operate 512 channels, but only 24 or 48 groups can be used, the additional channels must be slotted onto a manual channel.

1. 2.

Turn the desk on by the switch, situated at the back of the desk on the right hand side.. Clear ALL memories by : i) Turning the KEYSWITCH to ´PRESETS ONLY’. ii) Hold down the EFFECTS + & - buttons. iii) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’. iv) Release the EFFECTS + & - buttons. v) The display now reads “SUPER USER”. vi) Use the ‘MEMORY’ + & - keys to find the display “CLEAR ALL”. vii) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button. viii) The display now reads “ARE YOU SURE”. ix) If you are, press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button again. x) The display reads “CLEARING” xi) When it has finished it will return to “CLEAR ALL”.

3.

All the memories on the desk are now clear. Clear the memory card (if used ) now by:

i) Inserting the card into the appropriate hole on the back of the desk. ii) Remain in “SUPER USER” mode iii) Find the display “SEND TO CARD”. by using the ‘MEMORY’ + & - buttons. iv) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button. v) The display now reads “ARE YOU SURE”. vi) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button again. vii) The display reads “SENDING” viii) When it has finished, the display returns to “SEND TO CARD”. ix) If the display shows “PROTECTED” then the Memory card is Write-Protected. Change this, by moving the little knob at the back of the card with a sharp point. x) Continue with steps iii) to viii). Note: What this is doing, is sending the clear memory of the desk onto the memory card, to clear all memories on the card. The ‘CLEAR ALL’ command does not clear the card. Both the desk and the memory card are now clear, ready for programming the show.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

1.

NOTE: Make sure the ‘GRAND MASTER’ is at 10 throughout Programming & running the show. i) Turn the ‘KEYSWITCH’ to ‘PROGRAM’. ii) Press the MEMORY section ‘PREVIEW’ button. iii) Select the memory you wish to program by using the ‘MEMORY’ + & - keys. NOTE: I always start at 8 or 9. Then you can program ‘special’ lights on memories 1 to 6 that can then be transferred and controlled by the ‘MANUAL MASTERS’. My memories therefore read as follows: 1. SPECIAL 1 2. SPECIAL 2 3. SPECIAL 3 4. SPECIAL 4 5. SPECIAL 5 6. SPECIAL 6 7. HOUSE LIGHTS ON(OR Pinks on Curtain) 8. HOUSE LIGHTS FADE (OR Pinks Fade) 9. OPENING SCENE. iv) v) vi) vii) viii)

Set-up the lighting scene required on the BLUE or ‘B’ Presets. Put MASTER B at the required level. Record this into the memory by pressing the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button. Make a note of the fade up time for each memory. If you only have a short time to set the lights and program each scene, you can enter fade times later, or if you have plenty of time, you can enter the times as you go along. Use the ‘MEMORY’ + & - buttons to select the next memory to be programmed. Repeat steps ii, iv, v and vi for all memories required.

1. 2.

Autofade times are put in so that each memory fades in and out for the length of time desired. i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’. ii) Press the MEMORY section ‘PREVIEW’ button. ii) Select the memory to add the time to by using the ‘MEMORY’ + &- buttons

3.

To add the UP FADE time i) Press the ‘FADE TIME’ button until the LED next to ‘UP’ comes on. ii) Input the fade time by using the Minutes, Seconds and Tenths Buttons. Note: For a normal ‘ON’ lighting status, I use a 2.5 second fade time. iii) Press the ‘PROGRAM TIME’ button.

4.

To add a DOWN FADE time i) Press the ‘FADE TIME’ button until the LED next to ‘DOWN’ comes on. Note: After programming the UP FADE time, it automatically moves onto ‘DOWN’. ii) Input the fade time by using the Minutes, Seconds and Tenths Buttons. iii) Press the ‘PROGRAM TIME’ button. Note: For ‘Crossfades’ the up fade and down fade times must be identical on adjacent memories I.E. Memories 66 > 67. The down fade time of 66 must be the same as the up fade time of 67. For ‘Dipless Crossfades’ or for memories where certain lights stay on, as others go off, the down fade time must be longer than the up fade time. I.E. Memories 66 > 67, the down fade time of 66 > must be at least 4 seconds, if the up fade time of 67 is 3 seconds.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

1.

i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘RUN’. ii) Select the first memory you wish to run by using the ‘MEMORY’ + & - buttons. iii) Press the ‘GO’ button. The Memory will then fade into the scene programmed, using the UP FADE time that you entered. NOTE: The desk uses the highest level for the output, so make sure both PRESET masters are at ‘0’ before running a memory. When the ‘GO’ button is pressed, the ‘NEXT MEMORY’ display automatically moves on a memory, so that when the ‘GO’ button is pressed again, the next memory in the list will run.

1. If most of the settings on a memory are th be changed, then set up the old memory onto PRESET B, make any changes, and the re-program the memory. This can be done by: 2.

i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi)

vii) viii) ix) x)

Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘RUN’. Select the memory you wish to set up, using the ‘MEMORY’ + & - buttons. Press and hold the MEMORY section ‘Preview’ button. After a few seconds, press the ‘BLIND’ button, and release all. All the preview LED’s will now be on. For each channel, follow the LED as a guide. If the channel is LOWER than the memory level, the LED will flash Slowly. If the channel is HIGHER than the memory level, the LED will flash quickly. If the Channel is at the correct level, the LED will be on and not flash. Make any alterations Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’. Make sure the correct memory is selected. Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button.

1. If a single or few channels are to be altered then those levels can be changed without having to re-program the whole memory. 2. i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’. ii) Select the memory you wish to edit using MEMORY + & - buttons. iii) Put PRESET ‘B’ master to 10 iv) Put the faders of the channels you wish to edit to the new position. v) Press the FLASH buttons of the channels you have changed.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

1. Chases can be programmed in so that a sequence of lights can be programmed, either to sequence automatically, or to the beat of music, via the ‘AUDIO INPUT’ on the back of the desk. 2.

To program the chase i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’. ii) Press the ‘PREVIEW’ button in the EFFECTS area on the left of the desk.

3.

The effects section moves through a series of steps, programmed by you i) Set-up the first STEP on PRESET B, making sure MASTER B is at the correct level ii) Press the ‘PROGRAM STEP’ button iii) Press the ‘ADD STEP’ button. iv) Set-up the next step on PRESET B v) When you are happy with that step, press the ‘PROGRAM STEP’ button again. vi) Continue to program further steps, by following steps iii) to v). vii) When you have finished, turn the KEYSWITCH to RUN.

1.

i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘RUN’, if it is not already there ii) Using the ‘EFFECTS’ + & - buttons, select the chase you wish to run. iii) Press the ‘TRANSFER’ button. iv) Move up the ‘EFFECTS MASTER’ fader to the desired level. There are a number a changes to make to the chase, these do the following. i) The button with three LED’s next to it labelled “AUTO” “VARY SPEED” “BASS” changes the type of speed at which the chase runs.

2.

Using “AUTO”, the chase will run at the speed that is selected by the SPEED control knob in the EFFECTS section. Using “VARY SPEED” the chase will run at different speeds. Using “BASS” the chase will only move on a step, if there is an audio input, and the music is playing, with a decent bass rhythm. ii)

The button with three LED’s next to is labelled “>.” “.”

Changes the direction that the steps follow each other in sequence. The “>.” Sign means that the chase will run forwards, in the order that you programmed the chase. The “.” Sign means that the chase will run in one direction and then when it has got to the end, it will come back in the other direction.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

iii)

The button with the three LED’s next to it labelled “ .” “ .” “ .” Changes the attack of each step of the chase. The “ .” sign means that each step will come straight on, and then straight off. The “ .” sign means that each step will come straight on, and then fade off. The “ .” sign means that each step will fade on and fade off. NOTE: After each change made using the information above, the ‘TRANSFER’ button must be pressed to make the change affect the chase. If the ‘TRANSFER’ button is not pressed, the changes will not work. This includes changing the speed of the chase. When the SPEED control knob is turned, the ‘TRANSFER’ button must be pressed for the speed change to take place. 3.

Manual Operation. This is used so that you have control of each step’s movement i) Find the correct chase pattern ii) Select the attack mode iii) Press the ‘START/STOP’ button iv) Set the speed of the attack v) Press ‘TRANSFER’ vi) Put the ‘EFFECTS MASTER’ to the desired position. Everytime you press the STEP button, the chase will move onto that step. This is particularly useful when timing of each step is very important Scrollers The easiest way to control the changing of scroller colour, is to program each change onto a different step of a chase, and then control the chase manually, to change to the next colour. This way the scroll will be at the correct colour when the light fades up, and also you do not have to worry about the scroller moving with fade down times. Set up the effect section: i) Select the correct chase. ii) Select ‘AUTO’, ‘>’ & ‘ ‘ iii) Put the speed to approximately one quarter. iv) Press the ‘START/STOP’ but so that a step number appears in the STEP display. v) Press’ TRANSFER’ vi) Put the ‘EFFECTS MASTER’ to 10. 4.

Live Operation This means changes can be made as you go along, and you do not need to keep ‘TRANSFERRING’ them i) When you have transferred the effect, press and hold the TRANSFER button for at least two seconds. ii) ‘THIS EFFECT’ display should read ‘L’ iii) This is LIVE operation. iv) Make changes to suit. They will have effect immediately.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

1. A chase can either be run in the show, by either inserting a blackout into a memory, and then manually moving the effects fader up, or the effect can be made a memory itself, so that when the ‘GO’ button is pressed, the chase automatically starts. This can be done by:i) Turning the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ ii) Press the MEMORY section ‘PREVIEW’ button. iii) Select the memory before you wish to put the chase using the MEMORY + & buttons. i.e. If the memory wants to look like this: 39 - C1 - 40 (C1 = Chase 1) you would select memory 39. iv) Select the chase required and all the options needed, as explained in “Setting up a CHASE for running” v) Make sure the TRANSFER button has been pressed. vi) Now hold the INSERT button, and whilst you are doing this, press the TRANSFER button. vii) The display should now read C1.

1.

i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ ii) Press the MEMORY section ‘PREVIEW’ button. iii) Select the memory you wish to delete using the MEMORY + & - buttons. iv) Put Master B to “0” v) Press and hold the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button until a small DOT appears in the bottom right of the display.

1. Sometimes memories are left out, or halfway through the week you decide that an extra memory is needed. There is not a problem with this, we simply add an ‘INSERT’ or ‘POINT’ memory. 2. POINT memories are labelled from 0.1, the numbers do not correspond with the old memory number either before or after the inserted memory. i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ ii) Press the MEMORY section ‘PREVIEW’ button. iii) Select the memory before you wish to insert the new memory, by using the MEMORY + & - buttons. iv) Press the ‘INSERT’ button. v) The display will now read ‘0.1’, providing it is the first point memory that you have inserted. v) Program this memory in exactly the same way as a normal memory.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

1.

This is used so that any selected channel will not rise above a certain level, even if it is programmed in to go higher. This can be used if a bulb has blown, and it is being fixed during the show, or if a fuse needs to be replaced, or for any other reason that a channel should be kept below a certain level, or off.

2.

i) ii) iii) iv)

3.

To exit ‘TOPSET’ mode: i) Press and hold the ‘TOPSET’ button until the light goes off.

Set MASTER A to zero Put all PRESET A faders to full Press and hold the ‘TOPSET’ button until the light comes on. Put the channel you wish to turn off to zero

4. With the faders at the top (10 or max.) position, it will be possible for each channel to go on to full power providing this is programmed into the memory, or set on Preset B. As you pull the faders down, the maximum level of that channel is reduced, so if you set channel 48 at level 5, even if that channel is programmed to come on to level 10, it will not increase over level 5.

1. 2. 3.

The information on the Desk’s own memory can be backed up using the extra Memory Card. Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PRESETS ONLY’ i) Insert the card into the appropriate hole on the back of the desk. ii) Enter “SUPER USER” mode by pressing and holding the EFFECTS + & - buttons and turning the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ iii) Release the EFFECTS + & - buttons iv) Find the display “SEND TO CARD”. by using the ‘MEMORY’ + & - buttons. v) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button. vi) The display now reads “ARE YOU SURE”. vii) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button again. viii) The display reads “SENDING” ix) When it has finished, the display returns to “SEND TO CARD”. x) If the display shows “PROTECTED” then the Memory card is Write-Protected. Change this, by moving the little knob at the back of the card with a sharp point. xi) Continue with steps iii) to viii).

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

NOTE: CHECK did you send the last changes you made on the desks memory to the card, if not this could be the reason why the card and memory are different. If the desk is wrong, then the information off the card should be read onto the desk. 1. This allows you to check that the information on the memory card, is the same to what is on the lighting desks memory. 2. I do this after sending information to the card, and before each show, to check nothing has gone wrong with the desk, or that nobody has touched the settings. 3. i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PRESETS ONLY’ ii) Press and hold the EFFECTS + & - buttons iii) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ iv) Release the EFFECTS + & - buttons v) The display now reads ‘SUPER USER’ vi) Use the MEMORY + & - buttons to find the screen ‘VERIFY CARD’ vii) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button. viii) The display reads ‘VERIFYING’ ix) After that the screen with either return to ‘SUPER USER’ or ‘DIFFERENT ??’ If the screen says ‘DIFFERENT ??’, then the memory on the Card and the Desk are different, check what might be wrong on the desk.

1.

1. 2.

i) ii) iii) iv) v) viii)

Insert the card into the appropriate hole on the back of the desk. Enter “SUPER USER” mode as explained above Find the display “READ IN CARD”. by using the ‘MEMORY’ + & - buttons. Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button. The display now reads “READING”. When it has finished, the display returns to “READ IN CARD”.

This can only be used on Digital desks using the DMX output. It has two main uses. i) So that ONE channel on the desk can operate more than one dimmer channel. ii) Memories do not all have to be re-programmed if a dimmer channel fails. The lanterns can be moved to any free channel, and then that channel can be made to think that it is the dimmer channel that failed. 3. Making the changes. i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PRESETS ONLY’ ii) Enter ‘SUPER USER’ mode, by pressing and holding the EFFECTS + & - buttons and turning the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ iii) Release the EFFECTS + & - buttons. iv) Find the screen ‘OUTPUT PATCH’ by using the MEMORY + & - buttons. v) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button vi) Choose the channel you wish to move, using the MEMORY + & - buttons. vii) Press the FLASH button on the channel you wish to insert the moving channel too.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

1. ‘MANUAL MASTERS’ are used to transfer memories to, so that they can be used on a fader, for manual control, instead of relying on the automatic time when the ‘GO’ button is pressed. They can also be used to control individual “Special” lights, by first making that light a memory, and the transferring it as explained below: 2.

i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘RUN’. ii) Press the MEMORY section ‘PREVIEW’ button iii) Select the memory you wish to transfer to a MANUAL MASTER, using the MEMORY section + & - buttons iv) Press the ‘TRANSFER’ button of the MANUAL MASTER you wish that memory to be controlled by. v) When you have finished turn the keyswitch to ‘RUN’ 3.

Move the master up and down to control the light(s).

4. You will have to transfer the memories, each time you enter ‘RUN’ mode from ‘PRESETS ONLY’, or when you switch on the desk.

1.

2.

‘Recovery’ mode is an excellent ‘Super User’ function that in the event of a power failure, or power to the desk being lost for some reason, the desk will automatically return to the same scene and setup that is was at when the power is returned.

i) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PRESETS ONLY’ ii) Enter ‘SUPER USER’ mode, by pressing and holding the EFFECTS + & - buttons and turning the KEYSWITCH to ‘PROGRAM’ iii) Release the EFFECTS + & - buttons. iv) Find the screen ‘OTHER THINGS’ by using the MEMORY + & - buttons. v) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button vi) Now find the screen ‘NO RECOVERY’ vii) Press the ‘PROGRAM MEMORY’ button viii) The screen will now read ‘RECOVERY ON’ ix) Turn the KEYSWITCH to ‘PRESETS ONLY’. x) Recovery is now switched on.

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

Quick Guide Page One 1. 2. 3.

Entering SUPER USER mode Turn the KEYSWITCH to PRESETS ONLY Press and hold the EFFECTS + & - buttons Turn the KEYSWITCH to PROGRAM

1. 2. 3. 4.

Enter SUPER USER mode Select CLEAR ALL Press PROGRAM MEMORY button Clear card by sending this blank memory to the card(See ‘Send to Card’ Later)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turn the KEYSWITCH to PROGRAM Press the memory section PREVIEW button Select the memory you wish to program Set up the scene on PRESET B Press the PROGRAM MEMORY button

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turn the KEYSWITCH to PROGRAM Select the memory you wish to add the FADE TIME too Change the UP FADE time to that desired Press the PROGRAM TIME button Program in the FADE DOWN time

1. 2. 3. 4.

Turn the KEYSWITCH to RUN Select the memory you wish to run Put the AUTOFADE master to 10 Press the GO button

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Edit Memory Turn the KEYSWITCH to PROGRAM Select the memory you wish to edit Put MASTER B to 10 Make the amendments on the individual channels that need altering Press the FLASH button of the channel(s) you have altered

1. 2. 3.

Turn the KEYSWITCH to RUN Select the Memory you wish to move to a manual master Press the FLASH button of the manual master you wish that memory to be controlled by

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Turn the KEYSWITCH to PROGRAM Press the effect section PREVEIW button Put Master B to 10 Set up the first step on PRESET B Press the PROGRAM STEP button Press the ADD STEP button Add further steps.

1. 2.

Put all PRESET A faders to 10 and MASTER A to zero Press and hold the TOP SET button for at least 2 seconds

Clearing the Memory

Programming a Memory

Autofade Memory Times

Running Memories

Manual Masters

Programming a Chase

Toplevel Set

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

Quick Guide Page Two

Running a Chase 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turn the KEWSWITCH to RUN Select the memory you wish to run Change the settings as required Press the TRANSFER button Put the EFFECTS master to the required level

Inserting a Chase or a ‘Point’ Memory Chase 1. 2. 3. 4.

Turn the KEYSWITCH to PROGRAM Press the memory section PREVIEW button Set up the chase as desired Press and hold the INSERT button and press the TRANSFER button

‘Point’ Memory 1. Turn the KEWSWITCH to PROGRAM 2. Press the memory section PREVIEW button 3. Press and hold the INSERT button until a new figure appears in the NEXT MEMORY display 4. Program as you would a normal memory

Deleting a Memory 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turn the KEWSWITCH to PROGRAM Press the memory section PREVIEW button Select the memory that you wish to delete Put MASTER B to zero Press and hold the PROGRAM MEMORY button until a dot appears in the bottom right of the display

1. 2. 3.

Enter SUPER USER mode Select SEND TO CARD Press the PROGRAM MEMORY button

1. 2. 3.

Enter SUPER USER mode Select READ IN CARD Press the PROGRAM MEMORY button

1. 2. 3.

Enter SUPER USER mode Select VERIFY CARD Press the PROGRAM MEMORY button

1. 2. 3. 4.

Enter SUPER USER mode Select OUTPUT PATCH Select the channel that you wish to move Press the FLASH button of the channel you wish to move the selected channel too

1. 2. 3. 4.

Enter SUPER USER more Select OTHER THINGS Select NO RECOVERY Press the PROGRAM MEMORY button

Send to Card

Read in Card

Verify Card

Output Patch

Recovery Mode

Zero 88 Sirius Lighting Desks Step-by-Step Guide

Well, eventually that’s it, everything you really need to know!!. This was put together by: Paul Phillips Romanby Grange Northallerton North Yorkshire DL7 9EN Telephone (01609) 774016 or 07740 786377 E-mail: [email protected]

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ring!.