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I'm putting this here as it probably applies to a number of legacy desks. There are a few posts re desks crashing or failing to boot where the recommended action is to "reseat the compact flash". I'm working on a Solution desk which failed to boot 1st time last winter (usually fine on 2nd attempt). It self-resolved before I could do anything then behaved normally ever since ... until this week. I've opened up & found the compact flash card; question how to remove. I've only ever slid cards into cameras etc, but it looks like this is a different kind of mount. Do I prise the card up out of the holder with a sharp implement or what? I was intending to hoik it out for a clean but is a good push sufficient? Simon

Given the serial number, in theory if the database still exists and the will is there with the new support arrangements, Vari-lite should be able to give you a master code (I would expect, but I don’t have experience of this product).

It's been a long time since my previous post. The upshot of the situation is that the rack has been swapped out with the fourth rack in the rig leaving 36 ways rather than the 48 of the original install. I now have to re-address the rack as DMX 1-12 but am locked out of the control unit by a code that no body at the school has a record of. I will have to try and find out what the over ride code is.

Try the following command in the SCS Control Send Cue, Device = zeros, OSC Message = /zeros/cue/go/4 . If you put /zeros/cue/go it will operate the next cue in the stack. SCS setup - Production Properties, Devices, Control Send , Device Type=Network Out, Name used in cues=zeros. In the lower panel Remote Device=Other OSC Device, Network Protocol = UDP (defaults to TCP), Network Role = SCS is a network Client, Dummy Connection = unticked, IP address matches the Desk , Port = 8830

Good luck Jon but I'm not surprised. TBH since the Varilight take over it's felt like the beginning of the end. The issue of the latest software will probably be the last so I hope we all got our wish list items sorted.

@Davidmk Thank you for your response. I'm not back in the theatre until Tuesday evening but will check out the Event Monitor then to see if anything is reaching the desk. All network connections are wired and the PC doesn't have WIFI so shouldn't be a network issue but you never know with networking.

So, @saitekx830, you seem to be doing the right things. If I was in this position I'd probably run Netscan (other network scanners are available) from the PC running your cueing software to just check that it can see itself and the desk. I'd expect that to work if the remote app is working but you never know. I use wired connections and find it helpful to disable WiFi to make sure the software isn't trying to use the wrong network. I guess, if you are using WiFi, you could disable any wired connections. Next, I'd go to the desk and after (like you) checking the network connections, I'd go to event monitor and send a few OSC commands. I do find that the first couple after switch on don't appear on the monitor (fine from about the 4th command and continues fine as long as the connection remains up) Now there are three possibilities, if you commands are not appearing then there is something wrong with the connection between your software and the desk, if they are appearing but with errors then they are just plain wrong (format, invalid commands or something) and if they appear without errors but don't do anything then they are valid but the thing (cue, playback, whatever) they should fire doesn't exist. If that didn't solve it then I guess the next step is to consult your neighbourhood witch or sorcerer. 😀

@kgallen Yep, seen it but busy ATM. @saitekx830 Settings both ends look good will give it some thought later.

Welcome! If I recall correctly, there are a few users on here with fairly elaborate OSC setups working. Typically I can’t find a good thread to link (there are some in the Beta forum but you won’t have access to that). Have a search of the forum, especially the FLX forum. Hopefully one of those users will be along to help. @Davidmk is probably one to look out for!

Hi Everyone. Has anyone had any experience in using OSC to trigger the Master Playback cues on the FLX S48. All the network settings are configured and OSC is enabled in the settings as can be seen in the images. We know the network is operating correctly as we can control the FLX S48 using the Remote APP. We have tried using SCS control software as well as terminal software but nothing seems to be working. Have tried the following commands: /zeros/cue/go /zeros/cue/go/0/4 /zeros/playback/go Any advice would be greatly received.

Yup, couldn't agree more. I guess the days of technical support here on the forum from official sources are done, hopefully we'll be shown otherwise.

I took "forum admins" to mean they sort out the forum when it dies and deal with inappropriate posts. So, yes, my assumption has been that the prompt and helpful days of Edward and Jon are over and we are, as you say, "on our own". I, for one, would be delighted to have this cynical and depressing assumption proved wrong. The newish thread - 16 bit intensity really 8 bit - is one that seems to require their attention (even though you have tried to help).

I notice the two support personnel Jon quotes above have a combined contribution of posts on this forum of exactly zero (since Sept/Nov 2024 when they joined). Looks like we're on our own folks, or they've got some work to do to establish their credibility and start making an active contribution - which I guess is part of what they are paid to do (unlike us). A 'hello' and a short resume would be a start…

Have you patched a fixture profile that has the intensity channels defined as 16-bit? i.e. the exact same correct 16-bit mode on the fixture and on the desk? Otherwise most fixtures have the intensity MSB as the "intensity" channel and you'll get 8-bit dimming as the "fine" LSB will just stay at 0. I think I might have the odd fixture with 16-bit intensity, maybe I could play sometime if I can find which one it is...!

I have some 16 bit capable fixtures which have channel 1 and 2 for intensity. I hoped to get some nicer smoother slow fade ups (at least to the capability of the fixture) by switching to 16 bit mode, but I don't seem to be getting a true 16 bit. So to follow, I bring the fader for the fixture to 100% then store to a playback. I then go into the setup for the playback, raise and lower tab then change the raise time to, for example, 255 seconds. When I watch the dmx output, I would expect to see the 1st channel stay at zero while the 2nd channel goes through 0-255 in 1 second, then the 2nd channel would reset to zero as the 1st channel increments to 1 and so continuing till in 255 seconds they both read 255 and 255. Instead, they increment as 0,0; 1,1; 2,2; 3,3; 4,4 and so on till 255,255 - in effect, only 8 bit duplicated over two channels as far as I can see. Am I missing something? I understand that the board only allows 0-100% control via the faders, in 1% increments, so it can never achieve even 8 bit control from a fader, but was hoping it may be able to automate it via raise time. For reference, I am on the latest version 8 firmware (build 8), running a FLX S24.

Thanks guys, saving a group with intensity is a great help. Confirmed it doesn't link the group level into the cue, so unlike a palette, changes to the Group levels don't affect existing cues. I also found the trick to turn off Smart Tag so I can save lights into the Group with zero intensity. Allowed me to clean up existing cues that were a bit randomly balanced so they're all identical. S

I expect I am one of the older (age) members of the Forum doing my first stage lighting in January 1975 when I was 19. In the 50 years since I have hired and owned many types of lighting desks including those from Zero 88. For 12 years I was using an American computer based desk which was fine untill the company was taken over and things started to change. Support staff left and software development slowed to a crawl. At this time I knew I had to change and along came the FLX S48 which a school I was working in had just bought. Afterwards I went to one of the Zero 88 roadshows at Exeter University and shortly afterwards bought my own because I liked it so much. Fast forward 6 years and I am sorry to see the main support team change so much. I wish everyone well in their new ventures. I hope this is not the thin edge of the wedge. Best wishes to everyone for their productions for 2025. I hope you all enjoy things as much as I do for many years to come. With kind regards Trevor Steer

@scottydog75 Yes, we're just a small village hall with an enthusiastic amdram group and a history of generous benefactors, hence the kit. My main issue is the lighting bars are only 10ft/3m above the stage so getting even lighting is all but impossible. Numbering isn't a problem. Back & front FOH bars with 8 each, over stage with 6 & upstage with 6c ycs. Heading down to try groups with intensity today/tomorrow. Will update. S

Absolutely! Also, don't forget, selection sequence matters when creating groups. Mostly for effects but for applying a spread of colours. So you may need more than one group for the same fixtures (eg start in the middle and work out 1,5,4,2,3 and the reverse 3,2,4,5,1) (Yes, I know an effect can be reversed, it's only an example 😀 )

Que dire de plus, sinon la même chose qu'à Edward : Merci Jon pour ta pédagogie, ta patience, la pertinence de tes réponses, cela a toujours été un plaisirs d'échanger avec toi, un grand professionnel qui m'a toujours bien aidé ... bonne continuation à toi

I'm a big convert of using groups as much as possible! Definitely speeds up programming no end, and as David has mentioned I'm 99.9% sure you can save intensity within a group. (From a FLX user) I've also found sensible fixture numbering really helps (although it sounds like your venue is fairly small) to pick up your Fresnels, PAR side lights, cyc etc. e.g. 1X fixture numbers for Fresnels, 2X numbers for PARs etc (add the hundreds digit as required..!) I'm not experienced on Solution to understand how this would translate, but I'd definitely be looking at doing syntax based control via keyboard if it allows. Copy/Paste of cues is obviously another big time saver for when you're moving back and forward between locations.

What? No! I only just discovered Edward had gone. Pantos will never be the same again. Many thanks for your above-and-beyond support for a little minnow. Simon in Wargrave.

Wow, is really the end of almost an era and of those I knew in Cymbran. Thank you for all your help and guidance over the years. Will miss catching up with you when I was driving by and also at the trade shows 😢 @Jon Hole all the best for the future

Ah, if I can save intensity in groups that might do it. Many thanks. S

Never tried it but you can save intensity in groups. Whether you can in pallettes I don't know, my guess is yes. Look up recording pallettes and be careful of SmartTag.