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ML4000
User Guide
SNAPSHOT MEMORIES
Snapshots Explained
Note:
This function is not available from the
console control surface. It is an ‘extra’ feature
accessed via the MIDI or RS232 port using a PC
running the Allen & Heath ML4 Archiver program.
This can be downloaded from the Allen & Heath
Internet site. Full details and instructions are
provided with the program.
The mute and VCA assignment settings can be
stored in the 128 console ‘snapshot’ memories.
This is similar to taking a ‘picture’ of the settings.
These can be recalled for scene or song changes
during live performance. Patch changes can be
linked to external sequencers and effects devices
using MIDI for sophisticated show control and
archiving of the memories.
Channels made safe are not affected by the
snapshots. Memory data is retained on power
down.
The following capability is provided:
•
128 Snapshot memories
•
Channel automation safes
•
Store console settings to the snapshots
•
Recall to overwrite the console settings
•
Auto increment on recall
•
Disable store to protect the memories
•
MIDI program message send and receive
•
MIDI dump in/out for archiving
•
MIDI channel number select
•
MIDI / RS232 activity indicators
A Note on Snapshot Mutes
The input and output channel mutes can be stored
and recalled from the snapshot memories. The
VCA group and Mute group mutes cannot.
However, those channels muted by the groups, and
not made automation safe, at the time the snapshot
is stored will be stored and recalled.
Recalling a snapshot does not turn off any mutes
which have been turned on by the Mute and VCA
groups. The groups always take priority.
Channel Safes Explained
A channel is referred to as being made ‘safe’ when
it is protected from being overwritten or affected by
an automated process.
Selected channels can be made safe from the
automation so that they are not overwritten by the
snapshots and MIDI messages. This is useful when
channel allocations are changed ‘on the fly’ during a
pre-programmed show. Input and outputs can be
made safe.
EDIT SAFES
. Press this switch to enter edit safes
mode. The red LED flashes to warn that you are in
edit mode.
Making a Channel Automation Safe
From normal console mode press EDIT SAFES.
The red LED flashes. Now press the mute switches
on the channels you want to make safe or restore to
automation. The channel SAFE/EDIT LED lights if
the channel is safe. Press EDIT SAFES again to
return to normal console mode.
Using Snapshot Memories
The snapshot memories provide a powerful
automation tool. Decide first if and how you wish to
use the system:
Automated Mutes and VCA assignments
. This
adds a powerful new level of automation. Attaching
the VCA group assignments to the snapshot system
means that which channels are assigned to the
VCA groups can change scene by scene or song by
song. For example, a VCA fader may be assigned
as ‘lead vocal’, another as ‘chorus’. A performer
may sing lead in one song and chorus in the next
while a different singer (channel) takes the lead.
The same group faders adjust the lead and chorus
levels. This may also apply when mixing different
bands on the same faders, or applying different
effects to different songs.
For more automated control you can connect a
MIDI sequencer or show controller to sequence and
trigger the memories according to programmed
cues.
Refer also to the section on MIDI /RS232 for details
on archiving the console settings and memory
contents.
