ETC Express 48/96
The ETC Express 48/96, or more commonly just the ETC, is a lighting desk made by Electronic Theater Controls.
Designed for theatre lighting, it is used primarily by Mermaids - though on occasion Ents may commandeer it. It can occasionally be found touring on shows with the Mermaids.
Setting Up
Quick Start
The ETC uses its own proprietary power supply, which must be connected to the mains and to the back of the console. It should also be connected to the Optosplitter or Dimmers by 5-pin DMX, in the DMX 1-512 port. The desk is usually used with a monitor, so retrieve one of these and connect the VGA output. Turn the power switch on, and wait for the console to boot.
Loading Shows
To load a show from a floppy disk, first insert it in the slot on the right side of the rear of the console. Press the Setup key, followed by 3 and Enter. Finally, press 2 then Enter twice.
Saving Shows
Similar to loading, first insert your disk. Press the Setup key, then 3 and Enter. If you need to format (wipe) the disk first, press 4 then Enter twice. Then, to save, press 1 then Enter twice.
Programming the ETC
Patching Fixtures
Typically, each fader on the on the Channel bank will correspond 1-to-1 with DMX channel numbers.
It is possible to patch moving lights to this console, though we do not have a personality disk at present. More information on this can be found on Page 18 of the Quick Guide, available from ETC here.
Recording Submasters
To record a submaster, set your channel and submaster faders to the desired output. Press the Record button, follow by the Submaster button. Press the key below the submaster fader you wish to record to.
Recording Cues
To record a cue, set your channel and submaster faders to the desired output. Press the Record button, follow by the Cue button. Type the cue number you wish to save to, then press Enter.
Note that to insert cues before a cue you have already saved, you can use a decimal point. Always pick the point halfway between the cues you have already recorded, so that if you wish to enter more, you have space before and after this cue. For example, to record a cue between cues 10 and 11, record to 10.5. That way, you can record to 10.3 if you need to, and then 10.4.
You can adjust the fade up/down time of a cue by pressing Cue, typing the cue number then pressing Time. Type the up-fade time, press Enter, then type the down-fade time and press Enter again.
To begin your cue stack, press Cue, type the cue number to begin on, then press the Go button under either the A/B or C/D cross faders. Use the same Go key to advance.
Troubleshooting
If a channel appears to be stuck on (ie is Parked), try pressing the Rel key.
If you accidentally start a cue stack on both crossfaders, press the Clear key beside one to clear it.
If you accidentally press the Go key early, you can use the Hold key to pause the fade. You can then use the Back key to jump back to before the fade, or the Go key to resume.
If the console freezes, disconnect the DMX - fixtures will hold their positions and dimmers will hold their levels - and reboot the console. Once it has restarted, jump to the desired cue or output, then reconnect the DMX.
Links
ETC - The ETC Connect site
ETC Express Downloads - A link to the downloads section of the ETC site, including the Quick Guide, full manual and Off-line emulator