The New Home for the BlueLite X1
Up to 16 DMX-512 Outputs (8192 channels)
The X1 system offers two basic interface options, the X1
Mini, with one USITT DMX-512 output (512 channels), and
the X1, with four USITT DMX-512 outputs (2048 channels).
Multiple interfaces can be attached to one X1 system for
up to 16 physical outputs total. In addition, the X1 offers a
direct or Ethernet connection to a number of third party
software packages, like ArKaos VJ, which allows these
products to be controlled without requiring a physical DMX
output.
A specialized interface option, the X1 Exhibit, with eight
USITT DMX-512 outputs (4096 channels) and the ability to
operate turnkey (no PC) is also available.
BlueLite X1 Show Control System
SMPTE Timecode
The SMPTE timecode reader accepts 24 fps, 25 fps,
29,97 fps drop-frame (color) and 30 fps non-drop
(black-and-white). Format detection is automatic. You
can even play pre-programmed shows with a timecode
format which is different from the one originally used for
programming.
DMX-512 Thru (X1 and X1 Exhibit only)
This USITT DMX-512 output mimics whatever DMX-512
signal is present on the X1's DMX-512 Input. This is an
active thru connection. In other words the X1's Thru
connector has its own full-current RS-485 line driver, which
is driven by the electrically decoded input signal.
DMX-512 Input
This is a standard USITT DMX-512 input. Users can select
a 24 to 47 channel block from this input to control the X1's
24 Submasters, XY Crossfaders, Grand Master, Presets,
and Event Lists. The block can be located anywhere in the
512 channel universe.
24 Submasters
On the X1, a Submaster is a fader (slider) on the Main or
'Console' window to which a Cue can be assigned. The X1
has 24 Submasters, which can be controlled using the
mouse, keyboard, or an external DMX-512 console.
24 Presets
On the X1, the term Preset has a very specific meaning. An
X1 Preset is a collection of Cue assignments for all 24 of the
X1's Submasters. Since the X1 has 24 presets, each of
which can remap all 24 Submasters, operators have
potentially very rapid access to 576 Cues for manually
operated shows.
1,000,000 Cues
Like many show control systems a Cue on the X1 is, at
its core, a collection of DMX-512 level settings. One
important difference is that unlike many lighting consoles
a X1 Cue does not automatically include level settings
for all 2048 available channels. A X1 Cue only affects
Devices that have specifically been added to it. Devices,
in turn, only affect DMX-512 channels to which they have
been assigned. This gives the operator great flexibility. A
Cue can be a complete stage look (all fixtures, effects,
etc.) or just a subset of the available Devices (laser
Cues, special effect Cues, etc.)
4 Event Lists, 10,000,000 Events
On the X1, preprogrammed shows consist of a series of
Events. An Event is a time (hours, minutes, seconds, frames
[1/30th of a second]), a Cue number, a fade out time, a fade in
time (if different) for the previous Cue, and an optional
comment.
A collection of events is called an Event List and can be
played back in several ways; in response to an internal clock,
in response to external SMPTE timecode, or manually single
stepping. The X1 has four available Event Lists and each can
be played concurrently using its own XY Crossfader pair. This
allows different aspects of a show (lasers, moving fixtures,
conventional lights, and special effects) to be preprogrammed
separately without having to be concerned about overlapping
event times or cross fades.
LivePanel
The LivePanel application is a sophisticated chaser
designed to be used with the computer keyboard. It utilizes
the BlueLite X1 Core, and stores over 1,000
chases/sequences into pages of 48 for single keystroke
recall. LivePanel features four independent
chasers/sequencers with unlimited steps, and includes a
random generator for dance floor and exhibit applications.
LivePanel also uses crossfaders and built-in fading logic for
smooth transitions in a single keystroke.
Expandable
The X1 includes a built in Automation API which allows it to be
easily extended and adapted. Samples include MIDI input,
Windows Media synchronization, a show scheduler, and the
powerful LivePanel (shown above), which includes 4 powerful
chaser/sequencers and single keystroke recall of over 1,000
chases or cues.
Unlimited Devices
On the X1, you do not directly access DMX-512
channels. Instead, you create named Devices that use
the X1's 2048 channels (4 universes) of DMX-512.
Rather than having to memorize that Mac 2000 #7 uses
channels 49 to 79 on universe 2, you create a Device
that occupies those channels and name it 'Mac2000 7'.
Devices are then referred to by name when editing
Cues, etc. One advantage to this approach is that you
can later move a Device to a different set of DMX-512
channels without losing any Cues you have already
created for it.
Devices have no channel limit. A Device can contain 1
to 512 channels. (A DMX-512 universe is limited to 512
channels by definition).
Unlimited Templates
Devices are created using Templates. Templates serve two
very important purposes. First, Templates control how a
Device looks in the X1 Cue Editor. For example, instead of
remembering that channel 3 on a particular fixture must be set
to 155 for green, you can pick 'Green' directly from a combo
box.
Second, Templates tell the X1 how the Device should
respond to cross fading, Grand Master input, and so on. On
complex fixtures, it is very common for multiple features to be
combined on a single DMX-512 channel and/or for values on
one channel to alter the behavior of others. This means that
crossfades between settings on a conventional lighting board
often yield unexpected results onstage from complex fixtures.
Templates allow the X1 to fade from 'forward color spin' to
'reverse color chop' seamlessly, comparable to a fixture
manufacturer's own dedicated, fixture-aware controller.
Template Editor
Although the X1 comes with a collection of pre-made
Templates for popular fixtures, it also has a built in Template
Editor so that you can create your own or modify existing
templates. You can also share Templates with other X1 users
at our User Forum
Unlimited Effects (Effect Generator)
Effects are available on any Device created from a Template
which includes a Position Control. Every Position Control has
its own build in effect generator. This means that every fixture
can be set to its own shape, direction, speed, gain, and
rotation.
Effect shapes can be crossfaded. That is, an Arc will slowly
morph into a Circle and so on.
Copyright 2011 Light in Motion Show Control, LLC | All Rights Reserved.