Hello everyone
Since the add of sub-masters in 4.6.0, I have been experimenting with various ways to implement them into my console. The obvious ways are to control clusters of channels and scene based button functions and chases. This in my opinion was a great add to QLC's increasing flexibility and design.
Another great (retro) add was the playback fader. Not only can it control values of a said button or function, it can be used to add contrast or automation to your project.
In an earlier post I talked about creating a fade transition setup based on my Master Scene (for ambient light). With the add of sub-masters I put the master scene button in a frame with a sub-master. My goal was the engage the scene but be able to back its intensity off to prevent the ambient light from drowning out my chases and other functions. Turning the master scene completely off would mean the musicians were left in the dark but too much makes chases dull.
Now the sub-master sounds like the perfect solution for this, but in fact I found a playback slider to be a better choice. The reason why is the sub-master works only while the function is active. If you click the relative button and then adjust the the sub-master to a desired value it only hold that value as long as the function is active. If you reset the function then it returns to its programmed value despite the sliders position.
In the case of the playback fader in the same scenario, when you select the relative function the fader goes from 0 to 100%. You can then adjust the value accordingly as with the sub-master. The difference is that the slider responds to the functions max value rather than staying where it was with no affect to that value.
Now you might be thinking why not use channel faders and use the grand master to do this? For one it would affect other functions as well,and its that I am running live sound and lights at the same time so i need things to be as one touch as possible to make my night easier. So keep in mind the shortest point of resistance so to speak.
So when choosing to use a playback slider or a sub-master, keep in mind what each feature is actually doing and what exactly your trying to do with them. They are equally powerful tools.
DaveyD
Playback faders vs. sub-masters
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Michael Clements
Hi everyone,
Thanks, Davey, for pointing out the behaviour of the submaster with regard to non-running functions in the same frame. I submitted a proposal for automating submasters here:
https://sourceforge.net/p/qlcplus/discu ... a27d/#2bdd
which won't work properly unless the submaster behaviour is changed. (At its simplest, the idea was that a single button press would produce a timed fade in of running functions controlled by a submaster. Releasing the button would result in a corresponding fade out.)
So what I would like to see is that the submaster always acts on all functions in its frame and holds its level unless acted on manually or by timed fade in / hold / fade out
Starting a scene with the submaster at, say, 45% would result in the scene fading in following its usual fade in time but only reaching 45% of all its intensity channel level. Similarly for fade out from 45% down to zero.
There would be no output from non-running functions.
The Grand Master produces exactly this behaviour, but obviously acts on everything.
Thanks, Davey, for pointing out the behaviour of the submaster with regard to non-running functions in the same frame. I submitted a proposal for automating submasters here:
https://sourceforge.net/p/qlcplus/discu ... a27d/#2bdd
which won't work properly unless the submaster behaviour is changed. (At its simplest, the idea was that a single button press would produce a timed fade in of running functions controlled by a submaster. Releasing the button would result in a corresponding fade out.)
So what I would like to see is that the submaster always acts on all functions in its frame and holds its level unless acted on manually or by timed fade in / hold / fade out
Starting a scene with the submaster at, say, 45% would result in the scene fading in following its usual fade in time but only reaching 45% of all its intensity channel level. Similarly for fade out from 45% down to zero.
There would be no output from non-running functions.
The Grand Master produces exactly this behaviour, but obviously acts on everything.
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Ulf
Hi all,
+1 on Michael:
For example, if you had a soloframe for different chasers or scenes for - let's say - LED Pars (which can change colours), I would like to be able to switch between different scenes or chasers/colours, but keeping the brightness chosen by the submaster slider. Having a playback slider for each scene would not be appliceable, as I needed to assign just one slider on the midi-board for brighness of that led fixtures where sliders are rare. This way, I am able to choose different scenes quickly by just pressing a button.
Cheers,
Ulf
+1 on Michael:
For example, if you had a soloframe for different chasers or scenes for - let's say - LED Pars (which can change colours), I would like to be able to switch between different scenes or chasers/colours, but keeping the brightness chosen by the submaster slider. Having a playback slider for each scene would not be appliceable, as I needed to assign just one slider on the midi-board for brighness of that led fixtures where sliders are rare. This way, I am able to choose different scenes quickly by just pressing a button.
Cheers,
Ulf