Avolites Pearl 2000

Avolites Pearl 2000

The Avolites Pearl is the most common lighting desk used by the Ents Crew. It is best suited to Bops and Live band events. While it can do theatre lighting, other desks like the ETC are better suited.

Setting Up

Quick Start

The Pearl takes an IEC input for power. She must also be connected to the Optosplitter via 5 pin DMX. When being used on a single universe (our usual setup) this will be connected to Output 2. If using 2 universes, the Dimmers are usually connected to Output 1, while the intelligent lighting optosplitter is usually output 2.

Loading Shows

We have a collection of floppies with saved shows on them. To load one, press the blue Disk button on the left hand side, insert your floppy disk and press the Load Show softkey. Wait for the load to finish, then press the Exit key. Once the Pearl has Energised, she will be ready to use.

Saving Shows

Saving is a similar process to loading - press the blue Disk button on the left hand side and insert your floppy disk. Now choose the Format Options softkey, followed by the Format a 1.4MB Disk Then Save Show, and then the Enter key. Finally, once the show has saved, press the Exit key twice to return to normal mode.

You should now eject your floppy, and mark it with the contents of the disk - eg the event name - and the date it was saved.

Patching Fixtures

Before anything can be done with the Pearl, she must have fixtures patched. Press the blue Patch button on the left hand side then choose the type - Dimmer for Generics, or Choose A Fixture for Intelligents.

TODO: Finish

Quirks

The physical model of the Pearl is that of a Pearl 2000. However after repeated breakdowns, it was installed with the 2004 operating system.

The Pearl is sensitive to Radiowaves - if it is going wrong - check your phone is off!

She is also very moody, and often breaks down just before/during events if she is not treated kindly. It is highly recommended that you talk to her, stroke her, and complement her to keep her in a good mood. If this fails, you may need to turn her on, push her buttons, and insert a floppy disk. She is also very picky about who is operating her, and she often crashes for people she does not know, or does not like.

Troubleshooting

Intelligent lights are not responding

1. Select the fixture(s) using the blue swop keys. Press the grey "ML Menu" key beside the LCD. Press the "Locate Fixture" softkey.
2. Check the address and personality of the patched fixture match the physical fixture.
3. Make sure the fixture has power and DMX, and the DMX run is properly terminated
4. If possible, check the DMX cables with a cable tester

Intelligent lights will not shine

1. Select the fixture(s) using the blue swop keys. Press the grey "ML Menu" key beside the LCD. Press the "Locate Fixture" softkey.
2. Select the fixture, then press the "Dimmer" attribute button (on the right hand side). Use the Wheels to set the intensity to 100%. Press the "Shutter/Iris" attribute button, and slowly scroll forwards and backwards - the shutter may have fallen and sometimes doing this can get it back.
3. Select the fixture, and press the "ML Menu" key. Press the "Lamp On" softkey. You may need to wait a few minutes.
4. Select the fixture, and press the "ML Menu" key. Press the "Reset" softkey. You may need to wait a few minutes.
5. Check the lamp has not blown.

I dont recognise the menu I am in

1. Press the "Exit" and then "Clear" keys. Repeat once or twice.
2. Check the mode key is in the correct position - usually, this should be "program"
3. Press the "View" key and select a different view using the softkeys.

Intelligent lights are a different colour/gobo from that which I've selected

1. Select the fixture(s) using the blue swop keys. Press the "Gobo" or "Colour" attribute key. Use the wheels to try selecting a different gobo/colour.
2. Select the fixture(s) using the blue swop keys. Press the grey "ML Menu" key beside the LCD. Press the "Locate Fixture" softkey.
3. Select the fixture, and press the "ML Menu" key. Press the "Reset" softkey. You may need to wait a few minutes.

Lights are not responding or have all gone dead

1. Check the Master faders, at the bottom left, are all at 100%
2. Make sure that no DMX cables have been disconnected
3. Make sure there is still power to the desk, the lights/dimmers and the optosplitter
4. Check if the Pearl has frozen. Restart her if necessary.
5. Check you are on the correct fader page, and that fixtures are patched on the program you are using. If necessary, patch them or load a show from a disk.
6. Check if the fader itself is damaged.

Links

Avolites - The manufacturer of the Pearl

Manual - A link to the manual from Avolites (can also be found in Lighting Manual drawer or on Entsputer)

Personalities - The Avolites Personality Library