11
RECALLING PRESETS
To add a preset to the current scene on stage, first select the fixtures that you want to control with the
preset. Next, press the “Color” or “Beam” switch, select the page of the desired preset then use the
number switches to select 1 of 16 presets on that page. Unlike scenes, you can have as many presets
turned on as you want as long as the presets are controlling different channels. If two presets control the
same channels, the last preset that was turned on will have control. If a preset has been completely
canceled by another, it will automatically be switched off. Likewise if a chase has been completely
canceled by a preset it too will be switched off automatically. When you turn a preset off, any channels
that are being controlled by the preset will be set to 0.
A fixture must be enabled to include it in the preset even if it was part of the preset when you recorded it.
This allows you to put all fixtures into a preset but only control selected ones as needed. For example you
could create a preset called “Red” that sets all color channels of every fixture to the color red. Then you
can select the fixtures you want to be red by calling the “Red” preset which will change only those
fixtures.
When selecting preset page 0 the letters “FP” for “factory preset” will appear in the page display. These
presets give you quick access to colors and gobos and are only available for certain fixture types. They
are prerecorded and can’t be erased or changed.
CHASES
Show Designer allows you to record up to 256 chases and in addition provides 16 pre-recorded chases
referred to as “factory chases”. A chase is a sequence of steps that can be played back creating motion or
quick repetitive changes on stage. Each chase step is a recording of selected channel levels and or presets.
The steps are then played back in a continuous loop at a programmed chase speed.
Unlike scenes, chases do not affect the entire stage but only the channels that you select. This allows you
to chase things such as colors, gobos or beam positions. You can run as many as 8 chases at the same
time allowing you to combine them into one scene.
Note:
Factory chases are available starting with revision 1.10 of the Show Designer software. If you
have an earlier version, download version 1.10 or later from the American DJ website and install it. Refer
to the software update installation instructions in this manual.
RECORDING CHASES
Before recording a chase you must first do some preparation. In order to be able to view features such as
colors or gobos or to be able to see beam positions for moving lights, you will first need to set some
channel levels. Do this by selecting the fixture or fixtures to be used and then turn up the dimmer levels or
open the apertures as needed. These things will not be recorded into the chase if they are done before
recording.
To start recording the chase press “Record”, its LED will flash. Next press “Chase”, the chase LED will
also flash. The page display will light and any number LEDs that already contain chases will also light.
There are 16 pages of memory locations available. Page 0 is reserved for factory chases and can’t be
recorded on.
The display will show the number of the current chase step being recorded on the top line and the default
speed and fade rate on the bottom line.
