Macros
User Macros
Custom user Macros can be programmed, to record either sequences of button presses or syntax commands. Macros can then be recalled and played back via various methods.
FLX can store up to 240 user macros.
Recording Macros
To start recording your own sequence of button presses or commands as a macro, you can first choose the macro number you wish this macro to be recorded to. You can use either of the following methods:
Record Macro 1 5 Enter
Record Macro 15
Record Macro tap an empty macro tile marked with an asterisk in the macros window.
Record Macro
If the Macro window is already displayed, you can simply tap Record, and then the empty macro tile you wish to record to.
After doing this, you will receive the following message, allowing you to record either "Keys" or "Commands":
- Keys will record any physical button presses you make on the console, Wings, or USB keyboards. It will capture key presses, repeats, and releases, meaning press-and-hold commands can be captured.
- For example holding CLEAR and tapping Fader Funct. can be recorded into a macro to create a "Release All" button.
- Commands will record just the text being typed into the command-line.
Therefore if you are simply recording a string of syntax, both Keys and Commands would record the same information, just in a different way.
Commands is the pre-selected option, meaning if you press Enter, this will be chosen.
After choosing either Keys or Commands the console will now start recording your macro. The LED in the Macro and Record button will be flashing to indicate this.
You can then type in the series of key commands from the front panel.
Once you have finished typing your button sequence, press the Macro key to complete recording the macro.
You may with to record a macro that triggers another macro. Therefore when recording a macro, holding Shift and tapping Macro can be used to add "Macro" onto the command-line. This allows you to include fixture macros in user macros, by holding Shift and tapping Macro, followed by entering a fixture macro's ID.
Macros can be used for many scenarios. The "Commands" example below, can be used to record the syntax string required to create a blocked blackout in the next available cue:
Record Macro 2 0 Enter Commands 1 Thru @ . Record Enter Macro
The "Keys" example below, will record a macro of the faders "Page Up" key being pressed. This macro can then be triggered from a cue. When you go into that cue your MFFs will then automatically change page for you.
Record Macro 2 Enter Keys Page Up Macro
Naming Macros
Both user macros and fixture macros can be named using syntax by typing one of the following commands:
Macro 4 8 Name
Macro 48
This displays an onscreen keyboard to name Macro 48.
Name Macro 7 Enter
Name Macro 7
This displays an onscreen keyboard to name Macro 7.
Name Macro tap the macro you wish to name.
Name Macro
This displays an onscreen keyboard to name whichever macro you touch on the touch screen. You do not need to press the “macro” button if the Macro window is already displayed.
The Macro Settings allows you to use the Playback Mode drop down to toggle between Fast or Slow. Fast is the default, and will be suitable for almost all macros. Some macros that take you in and out of Setup for example, may require to be played back at a slower rate.
Deleting Macros
To delete any macro, press Delete followed by touching the relevant macro tile on the touchscreen. Macros can also be deleted using syntax by typing one of the following commands:
Macro 4 2 Delete
This deletes macro 42.
Delete Macro 7 Enter
Delete Macro 7
This deletes macro 7.
Delete Macro tap the macro you wish to delete.
You do not need to press the “Macro” button if the macro window is already displayed.
After choosing a macro to delete, the console will ask you to confirm this action before the command is executed. Once deleted, a macro cannot be recovered but can be recreated manually if required.