30
7.13 - Advanced Surface Functions
These functions require just a bit more programming knowledge to implement correctly. The
function “surf_talk” is very powerful because it allows you to use all of the surface’s Automation
Control Interface (ACI) command set. The automation protocol is ASCII based which makes it
easy to incorporate ACI commands using the built in surface functions. Virtually every switch,
fader level, knob settings, etc. is accessible. The ACI commands are available on an “as needed”
basis for Wheatstone customers. Please contact a Customer Support representative for details on
acquiring this information.
surf_talk – use this to send ACI commands to a surface.
surf_reply – use this to retrieve the last reply received from a surface.
surf_string- use this to parse a reply string.
7.14 - Example surf_talk Commands
If you are reading this then your curiosity must be piqued so here are a couple of examples of the
syntax required for use with surf_talk.
surf_talk (1, “INPUT:7|FADER:192”) // sets fader 7 to 0dB on surface 1.
surf_talk (2, “INPUT:4|ON:0”) // turns channel 4 OFF on surface 2.
surf_talk (3, (“INPUT:5|CUE:1”) //puts fader 5 in CUE on surface 3.
The Surf ID used in the examples above comes from the list of Surfaces defined in Device
Properties.All of these ACI commands generate replies from the surface that may be stored,
parsed, and acted upon in your script. Fader values fall into the range of 0-256. Note that nominal
dB level conversions to integers suitable for use with “surf_talk” vary by surface type and may be
calculated using special set of equations, which are available on request along with the ACI
commands.