This is probably out of scope or intention for QLC but I'm putting it out there. Audio cues.
Create a cue that plays a sound file through the pc's audio out. I know we have shows but I am thinking about something subtly different. An audio cue (or audio scene) is independent of the dmx. The idea is to have one operator for the theatre show that easily handles both lights and sound. If the sound cues are incorporated into the cue list then this will be possible.
It is important that an audio cue does not terminate the current playing dmx cue, it just plays a sound file while keeping the current dmx signal as is.
This may be best handled by an audio scene, which allows me to map gun shots to button or canned laughter or similar effects.
I don't know how this will fit in with QLC architecture, but it already has sound capabilities.
Audio cues
Just tried and there's a solution:
1) go to Show Manager
2) create a Show, add an empty Scene, add an audio track
3) repeat 2 for each sound effect you need
4) when done go to Function Manager
5) create a Chaser, add all the Shows you created and possibly set hold to infinite (or few hours)
6) go to Virtual Console, create a Cue List and assign the Chaser created on #5
That should do the trick.
I can think of adding the audio function in Function Manager, so audio tracks can be added directly to chasers without creating any Show
1) go to Show Manager
2) create a Show, add an empty Scene, add an audio track
3) repeat 2 for each sound effect you need
4) when done go to Function Manager
5) create a Chaser, add all the Shows you created and possibly set hold to infinite (or few hours)
6) go to Virtual Console, create a Cue List and assign the Chaser created on #5
That should do the trick.
I can think of adding the audio function in Function Manager, so audio tracks can be added directly to chasers without creating any Show
I also tried this and it works, sort of. I make the scene of the show the same as the cue scene and then add the sound track to the show. I then add the show below the cue with the same scene. When I step into the show from the previous cue the dmx values are all killed momentarily, IOW there will be a blip in the lights.
Audio tracks added to chasers without creating a show and that does not affect the dmx signal is exactly what I had in mind.
Audio tracks added to chasers without creating a show and that does not affect the dmx signal is exactly what I had in mind.
Also the audio track must run to its end and not stop on the next cue. This way I can have scene, audio starts, cue to other scenes or manual buttons while the audio runs.
This may require introducing an audio stop button.
This may require introducing an audio stop button.
a good idea could be to assign a dmx chanel to control the track audio level and another one to play and stop the playing... maybe like a device...
Just for an example:
from 0 to 20 thrack stop, from 121 to 135 track play at normal speed, from 21 to 120 the track play slowly (time pitch negative) from 136 to 235 play fast (time pitch positive) 236 to 255 reserved for other use...
in this case the play and fade of the audio tracks can be controlled indipendently... exactly like a moving head and added in the cue list easly starting it together the lights
Just for an example:
from 0 to 20 thrack stop, from 121 to 135 track play at normal speed, from 21 to 120 the track play slowly (time pitch negative) from 136 to 235 play fast (time pitch positive) 236 to 255 reserved for other use...
in this case the play and fade of the audio tracks can be controlled indipendently... exactly like a moving head and added in the cue list easly starting it together the lights
I like the idea of using a dmx channel to control the audio a lot. A built in audio fixture. When we hook up QLC+ to the Behringer LC2412 desk we have, you can then control the output volume with a slider and stop play with a mapped button that sets the control channel to the appropriate value.
yeah! exactly what I've figured it!
and in the same way, we can add it in the cues to use it sincronizing autio and lights easly, with fades too if is necessary
and in the same way, we can add it in the cues to use it sincronizing autio and lights easly, with fades too if is necessary
I haven't checked the new audio cue yet, but it appears to me that with those audio cues, QLC+ could make a nice playback device for jingles/sound effects.
Just create an audio cue for each sound, then create matrix of buttons, possibly add some keyboard shortcuts and/or remote control and that's it.
If I find some time, I'll check this idea and write a HOWTO for it, but if someone manages to do it sooner, I won't mind at all
Just create an audio cue for each sound, then create matrix of buttons, possibly add some keyboard shortcuts and/or remote control and that's it.
If I find some time, I'll check this idea and write a HOWTO for it, but if someone manages to do it sooner, I won't mind at all
I've just finished experimenting with adding sound FX to a project using steps 1 - 4 as described by Massimo above with very satisfactory results.
After step 4 I attached the sound FX show to a button. The sound FX then plays to the end and turns itself off.
Another button in the same solo frame (or a second click on the original button) can be used to turn the sound off part way through.
It's very useful that several sound files can be replayed in the same show (or collection of shows) to create one complex sound effect.
Is there any way to add a level control to each sound file so that they can mixed at any required levels?
After step 4 I attached the sound FX show to a button. The sound FX then plays to the end and turns itself off.
Another button in the same solo frame (or a second click on the original button) can be used to turn the sound off part way through.
It's very useful that several sound files can be replayed in the same show (or collection of shows) to create one complex sound effect.
Is there any way to add a level control to each sound file so that they can mixed at any required levels?
At the moment the audio renderer in QLC+ supports just one stream at a time.
The idea I had was not to make QLC+ an audio sequencer, but to give a basic audio playback support to synchronize music and lights all with one software.
On May 27th I've added the possibility to add audio files from the function manager, so no more Shows are needed to just play some audio effect.
I will indeed add the possibility to control the audio volume some day. Lately though I'm quite busy on other matters, that's why a new version is taking so long to come out. I've got quite a bunch of new stuff to release but right now I'm stuck on the Cue list crossfade functionality
Have faith
The idea I had was not to make QLC+ an audio sequencer, but to give a basic audio playback support to synchronize music and lights all with one software.
On May 27th I've added the possibility to add audio files from the function manager, so no more Shows are needed to just play some audio effect.
I will indeed add the possibility to control the audio volume some day. Lately though I'm quite busy on other matters, that's why a new version is taking so long to come out. I've got quite a bunch of new stuff to release but right now I'm stuck on the Cue list crossfade functionality
Have faith
Thanks for the explanation Massimo. When you have time to add the audio volume control, it would be great if the audio volume could have fade in, fade out and wait (!) times. Would be particularly useful for synchronising longer sound effect such as wind and rain with lighting changes.