6th Sep 2007 - Frog Range Keeps On Evolving

In keeping with its tradition of ensuring that users of Frog products have the tools they need to create lighting for shows easily and with no limits, Zero 88 is pleased to announce the release of software upgrades for the Leap Frog and Frog 2 range of controllers.

Both consoles now have a common software base ensuring that users of the consoles benefit from all the latest features. Both consoles now benefit from the ability to swap fixtures within a show. This is particularly useful when touring and using house rigs in different venues each day. By simply swapping a Mac 500 for instance with a Robe 575 in the patch the show files will be updated to reflect the changes lessening programming time for each venue.

The program and channel view windows have been redesigned based on user feedback to provide the user with more information in an easier to read format.

Show files can now be swapped between any of the current Frog range of consoles, and files from any of the original Frog, Fat Frog and Bull Frog consoles can now be imported onto the Leap Frogs and Frog 2s. Upgrading to a new desk no longer means having to loose all your stored shows.

A key new feature is the bidirectional communications with the Zero 88 Light Converse visualisation software. It is possible for instance to create position palettes simply by clicking on an item within the visualisation package. This will update the DMX values for the selected fixtures on the console. It is also possible to use the colour picker within Light Converse to select colours for use on the desk. The ability to use Light Converse as a tablet can speed up programming time considerably and also means most programming can be completed before setting up in a venue.

There are also features that have been added specifically to the Leap Frog consoles. Key amongst these is the addition of a command line allowing users to use traditional theatrical syntax for programming if this is their preferred choice. Commands can be entered using an onboard keypad or via a USB keypad.

A full suite of remote triggers has now been added to the software. An optional upgrade board is needed to use MIDI Notes, MIDI Timecode or SMPTE Timecode. The addition of these control protocols means it is possible to use the Leap Frogs in stand alone environments such as museums where shows are triggered from a central show control mechanism.

Finally a new programming mode has been added to the Leap Frogs; ‘Smart Tagging’. This offers users all the benefits of tracking but with the desk handling all the tagging and selecting of fixtures during recording to ensure seamless transition between cues. This mode will allow users who are not familiar with the philosophy of tracking cues to manage their shows more effectively when editing or updating.

Finally changes have also been made to the Frog 2s, primarily to speed up the onboard touch screen and to monitor display layouts to provide users with more information in clearer formats. Additional fan modes and automatic palettes have been implemented.

All new software is available for download from the support section of www.zero88.com. Zero 88 also urges users to post feature requests and bugs within its support forums. This ensures that the development of software for Zero 88 consoles will continue to be driven by what users need.