Power 3.00 Manual
Power 3.00 Manual
00 Installation
page 1-35
POWERVCA
MANUAL
version 3.00
User Manual PowerVCA 3.00 Installation
1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1. . Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2. Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.1. Installing Smart Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2.2. Making a DOS-flop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2.3. Example of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1.1. Menubar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1.2. Timecode bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.3. Status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.4. Mix section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2. Starting a Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4. Enhanced Mixing /Editing a Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1. Update in automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.1. Updating fader levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1.2. How to update mutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.2. Using the off-line editor (not available for Octagon!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.2.1. Keyboard shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5. Keyboard shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1. Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1.1. File menu (F1 or ALT+F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1.2. Set-up menu (F2 or ALT+S) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1.3. Tape menu (F3 or ALT+P) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.1.4. Group menu (F4 or ALT + G) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.1.5. Help menu (F5 or ALT + H) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.1.6. Display menu (F6 or ALT + D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.1.7. Edit menu (F7 or ALT + E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6. Switches Status Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7. Trouble shooting (FAQ) 27
8. Addresses 28
9. What’s new in Power VCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.............................................................................................
User Manual PowerVCA 3.00 Installation
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing D&R's PowerVCA Automation software. PowerVCA software gives you
automated fader mix-movements on your console. This software package contains a floppy with
PowerVCA software, a Midi Man Interface (not necessary with the Octagon console) ,
communication cable, and a manual.
Installation of this package needs as a minimum PC configuration,
a Pentium 2, 233 Mhz 32 Mb internal memory,
a free ISA slot, one free IRQ (2/9 or 3 or 5 or 7) and a VGA display adapter.
Note: There need to be no onboard Soundcard!!
PowerVCA software requires 1 MB of Harddisk space. Mixfile size depends on the configuration
of your console. (9.0 Gb harddisk is optimal)
PowerVCA software was exclusively written for users of D&R consoles. This software can record
(write) and play (read) your mix movements to and from your harddisk. As synchronisation with
your Music/Video, SMPTE (Timecode) is used. For simplicity you can compare this functionality
with a tape deck. Having recorded your mix it may be changed. With PowerVCA software you
have the tools to make changes in the mix. But you can only make changes in the mix where there is
timecode present. Timecode is precisely linked to recorded audio material and avoids unwanted
changes in mix data.
User Manual PowerVCA 3.00 Installation
Be sure you DO NOT use one of these programs at the same time.
While installing you need an empty floppy-disk . Get one prior to installation of PowerVCA.
1.1.
. Hardware Installation
Unpack your Midiman interface and connect the powerpack to the unit(10)
Then take the cable supplied wit the unit which should have on one side a 25 pole sub-D connector and on
the other side 4 Din type connectors.
Connect the din connectors of the enclosed cable to In-A (1) and Out-A (2) (Orion only) and also to
In-B(15) and Out-B (16) (Cinemix), as is labelled on the connectors.
Your PC is connected form the Host in (11) connector to its Serial port (Com1)
A connection should also be made between the SMPTE connectors(13/14) and your multitrack.
1. Now you have installed the hardware, turn on your console and PC
Caution: When SMARTDRV.EXE is located into another directory you can change these into
C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.EXE 2048 1024
The first number entered after SMARTDRV specifies the size (in kilobytes) of the memory cache in
MS-DOS. The second number specifies the size (in kilobytes) of the memory cache when Windows is
running.
The first number should be 2048 but when you want to reserve more memory for cache you
may increase this number. The second number determines the cache for Windows, PowerVCA doesn't use
this number. You can't execute PowerVCA using Windows!
You will have to adjust the drive and path for your computer when SMARTDRV is located in another
directory or on another drive.
The number specifies the size (in kilobytes) of the memory cache. If you have more memory in the computer,
you can increase the memory for SMARTDRV. If more memory is specified, larger mixfiles can be saved
more quickly. A good ratio between mixfile/cache size is 2:1
You can run DOSFLOP.BAT from your install disk to make a bootable floppy.
This floppy can be used instead of running Windows first. The computer can be started with software from
the bootable floppy-disk.
Check the directories of SMARTDRV and your mouse driver. You can eventually change these directories
to your custom directory names.
In the root of your floppy (A:\) you can find two file examples of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS.
These files give you an idea for your own start-up files.
We also added an ICON and PIF file. You can use these when you want to execute PowerVCA from
Windows 95. To do this you must copy Power.PIF from A: to the desktop.
. Getting Started
1.1. Introduction
When PowerVCA has been installed correctly, you can start "PowerVCA". This can be achieved by going
to [POWER] in the sub directory where PowerVCA has been installed, followed by an <ENTER>.
PowerVCA is now executed and will normally show the screen below. If the Music Quest interface card
cannot be found, the software exits with an error code. To solve this problem go to chapter
"Troubleshooting".
The mix screen is divided into four main sections; Menu bar, Timecode bar, Status bar and the Mix window.
. Positioned on the left side of the knob you see a red line. This line is only displayed when a console with
VCA faders has been connected to the computer. This line gives an indication of the actual VCA level inside
the console. The little white triangle on the right is called the memory pointer This triangle displays the
position / level of the VCA's in the mix. When you are recording it shows the previous VCA level, so you
can fade back to the old VCA level easily.
Direct under the fader the module number is shown of the fader/mute/select. This box shows a related group
colour when the fader is a group or master fader. This is selected in the menu "Groups (F4)".
The next button is the Select switch. A mouse click can change this state (depending on your set-up of
automation modes). You can also change this state by pressing the knob on the console.
The two little boxes display the local switch and fader modes. Now you can set-up the switches and faders
in the module section individually to On, Safe and Off.
The above instructions also applies for the master section. The master fader contains the same elements as the
channel faders. Also the mutes are working like channel mutes.
After this introduction you are ready for the real thing.
First check if your console is powered up and turn on your computer and start PowerVCA.
Press F5 and see what console type PowerVCA has installed. When these setting are wrong try to reinstall
PowerVCA and be sure to properly answer the questions of the installation program!
Use the escape key or right mouse button to exit to the main screen.
Now you're ready to start your first (new) mix.
Your first activity, when starting a new mix, is to choose the item “create dir” to create a new “work/project”
directory.Now select “NEW” form the file menu and select the right directory and press <ENTER> Type
here the filename of your mix. When the name already exists an error alert comes up and asks you to change
the name.
In the menu set-up you can change the number of backups. This determines how many old mixes (of the
current project) will stay on the harddisk. The backup number is saved in the extension; M01, M02, M03
etc. The highest number is the latest mix .
WARNING: you can have a maximum of 100 backups. Never use the backups like safety backups. Save or
copy your mixes with another name to a floppy for safety backups. When your mix files are greater than
1.44 MB they don't fit on a floppy. The files should be compressed with a compression program like
PKZIP, RAR or ARJ. Ask you local computer dealer for more information.
How to used PowerVCA with file management?
PowerVCA works with normal MS-DOS files. These files may be copied and moved using a DOS file
manager.
How to set-up the management system?
When you start a project make a directory for that project (in menu "File - Create Dir"). All your mixes and
backups/undo's of the specific project should be saved in the new directory.
In the SMPTE menu you must set-up the Time Code format you are working with. This is a very important
item because you could loose some valuable information. You can choose out of 24, 25, 30 frames and 30
drop frame.
You also can set-up your global switch and fader modes. The modes you can use are:
On, record and playback allowed. Safe, record not allowed and playback only.
Off, record and playback not allowed. (For your first mix On and Safe should be active).
After this whole set-up you can begin with your mix.
PowerVCA has been designed to work fast, when mixing it is never necessary to leave the main screen!
First press the shortcut ALT + W to set all modules into the automation mode called WRITE.
This mode is used to write a new mix or overwrite existing mixdata. The next step is to set the fader and
mutes to there initial values. When timecode runs PowerVCA responds and locks into automation.
NOTE:
It is absolutely necessary to start the initial recording of data at least 30 sconds before any sound is
coming from connected machines. This to avoid sudden level jumps.
The area in which timecode is displayed changes into red when locked in. When this does not happen please
go to chapter "Trouble shooting.". The initial fader and mute positions are saved and while timecode is
running you can change fader positions and switch mute's on and off . Now stop the tape and the following
message will be shown in a question box. Answer "YES" to save all fader and mute changes, now the version
number will be updated and you will return to the main screen. The select switches turn automatically to
READ (for safety). When the timecode is started again (after rewind) the mix is played back. When the
Select switches are in Read mode you cannot record anything. This is the procedure to start with a mix. To
further adjust this mix will be explained in the next chapter.
The picture below gives an example of a simple mix and is used as an example in the next chapter
After you have made your first mix, you can improve and correct your mix of course.
There are two methods to do this.
* You can edit the mix while in automation mode with time code running (dropping in your
new movements
* You can use the off-line editor (not available on the Octagon console) .
This editor gives you an event list where you can change events.
ISO No automation will be used, either in playback (read) and record (write).
The select box is grey with an 'I' inside.
In AUTO-write the select box on the screen is coloured red with an 'A' inside.
In AUTO-read the select box on the screen is coloured blue with an 'A' inside.
WRITE Mutes: The actual value overwrites the old value in the mix.
Faders: The current fader position overwrites the old one.
WARNING: When you drop in with WRITE the old value shall be
overwritten! This can give an jump in your audio!
The select box is red with a 'W' inside.
Its also possibly to activate the Select button for one or more Mutes or Faders. Use the global switch or
fader status.
When your faders are in the following modes you can expect the action shown below.
If the switches are set in these three modes you can expect the following behaviour.
Write to end
The write to end function writes the current data until the end of a mix and the tape stops.
This only happens for those channels that are in the “Write” or “Auto-write” mode at that moment.
Auto-write
The Auto-write function prevents the fader of having a release when the motorfader is untouched.
The fader stays in the “Write” mode until the tape stops or the Select switch is pressed.
Before updating faders be sure that the switches are in the Off or Safe mode. Now your switch (mute) data
will not be affected. Before updating we should have a look at the automation mode sequence. This
sequence determines which mode would be most likely to follow the current mode you are in.
First we have a look to the "READ - WRITE" sequence. The WRITE mode can be used to overwrite data
of the old mix.
We start with the basic mix, recorded in the previous chapter. You have to place all the faders in Read (ALT
+ R); start Timecode (before the point of requested change). When you reach the timecode position where
an update is necessary, press the Select button of the channel. Now the channel switches to the Write mode
and all data will be overwritten until the tape is stopped or the Select button is pressed again. When you
press that button your are going back to Read mode and the fader position returns to the old mix position
within a (user definable) release time.
See picture:
Results of an update:
First mix:
Now we shall have a look at the "READ - TRIM" sequence. The TRIM mode can be used to trim data of
the previous mix.
How to use this method?
Place all faders in TRIM (ALT + T); and start Timecode. When you want to change some fader movements
touch the motorfader. Trim mode with a motorfader causes a selected offset to be calculated through the
whole mix up to the end of the recording. The end of the recording is when you leave TRIM by pressing the
Select button (a fader release is introduced (user definable) in relation to the old fader data). You can also
stop the tape. Only when the "Total Trim" option is active the offset is calculated to the end of the mix.
With VCA faders the offset you give is relative to the fader position at the start of the TRIM mode (Fader
position when you enter the Trim mode). The relative dB value is added to the current memory
(pointer) position.
First mix
Before updating mutes be sure that the faders are in the Safe or Off status. Mostly used is the Safe mode, so
faders are in playback (Read) and not in record (Write)
The mutes can only be updated in the WRITE and TRIM mode because in all other modes Mutes will be in
READ mode. It is therefore that it is wise to use the automation mode sequence for Mutes to be "READ -
WRITE". This can be found on the status bar or in the menu 'F2 - SET-UP -> AUTOM MODE".
Before starting timecode put all of your channels in READ by pressing ALT + R, then start timecode.
While timecode is running the mix is read. But from the moment you want to update/change a mute, you first
must press the Select button and then you go to WRITE mode (because the automation mode sequence is
"READ - WRITE"). Now you can program your mutes by simply pressing the mute switches. To stop the
Mute programming press the Select button or stop the tape. Note: only data will be written related to
timecode that have been shown on your screen previously!
Here below you see three figures which give an impression of what's happening while updating mutes.
1.2. Using the off-line editor (NOT AVIALABLE FOR THE OCTAGON)
The Off-line editor is an external program written to change mix data (PWR_EDIT.EXE).
When the program has been started an event list is displayed. This list may be changed by adding and deleting
events.
In the first menu you have the options Save and Exit. Save is used to save the new mix and Exit to return to
the PowerVCA program.
The next menu "Search" gives the possibility to search for a specific timecode or the start/end of a mix. You
only have to enter the timecode in the format hours, minutes, seconds, frames.
In the item "Filter" you can make filter settings. With your keyboards "spacebar" you can change the filter
setting pro channel and pro item such as Master Fader, Mute, Aux Mutes, Inserts, Master mute. When an
"X" is display the item will be shown in de event list. or else this item isn't displayed.
The last menu is Edit. This menu can be used to add/delete data. The topic Undo in the menu "Edit" can be
used to restore the last action.
The next topic "Add" shows a dialogue box. In this box you can add data to insert into the mix.
The "Delete" topic enables you to delete events. With the option modify its possible to change events. The last
option in the "Edit" menu is Trim. You can use this option to give an relative trim (e.g. +10dB) on an range of
events. You may enter a start and end timecode, the offset is calculated within the timecode range.
Alt-X Exit
Alt-Backspace Undo
Insert Add event
Delete Delete event
Alt-M Modify event
1.1. Menu
F1 File This sub menu lets you manipulate getting and saving of mixes
F2 Set-up Defining parameters of PowerVCA such as the number of back-ups
F3 Tape Formatting (striping) of tape
F4 Groups Creating, deleting or changing group masters and slaves
F5 Help Information about software and the written manual
F6 DisplayChanging back ground colour schemes to personal taste
F7 Edit mode Changing channels individually or globally into another mode
(Read, Write etc.)
Alt-X Quit
Alt-R All channel into READ mode
Alt-W All channels into Write mode
Alt-A All channels into Auto Take over mode (AutoT)
Alt-I All channel into Iso mode
F9 Open file
CTRL-U Undo
Open/Del (F9) This menu lets you retrieve or delete a stored mix from hard disk
New This menu lets you create a new filename. The software will ask for the project name to
keep a well organised hard disk.
Save (Config) In this menu you save the configuration in the work directory of PowerVCA .
Everytime a new mix is made this configuration will be used!
Save as In this menu you can save mixes to other directories (floppies) then the PowerVCA
work directory.You can also choose to save from start or the curremt position.
Create Dir... In this menu you can create a directory to store more mix files.
UNDO Opens the previous mix and deletes the current mix.
BACKUPS In this menu you decide how many backups of your mixes will be stored onto hard
disk.
Page up (Pg Up) and Page down (Pg Dn) lets you set a number between 1 and 99.
The Enter key enters the chosen information onto PowerVCA's hard disk.
LABELS Information with a maximum of 40 characters can be typed for every channel fader.
Use Page up and Page down to move to the next page.
Use Alt-P to print the information. PowerVCA sends it information to LPT1 first.
If your printer is not hooked up to LPT1 it asks for LPT2.
SET-UP RELEASE
Set-up release.
When a channel changes from "WRITE" into "READ" (WRITE>READ,
TRIM>READ),
the VCA-level and Mute will go back to their old value. (The mem-pointer for the
VCA-level).
With "Release" you select the number of frames the fader (VCA) needs to go back to
its old level. The range is set from 1- 255 frames.
Note: The VCA 's or mutes will go back to their old value if there is old mix-data.
When you start a new mix, and a channel goes out of the "write" mode, it holds the
position from that moment. (See "Make changes in you mix").
SMPTE Here you can change the number of frames per second. (24,25,30D,30 Frames)
NOTE: PowerVCA reads all frames, but can only generate 30+30D at this moment.
FADERS This menu lets you decide if you want to store fader movements (ON) or just want
them to be replayed only (SAFE), or not doing anything at all (OFF).
You can also change the fadermode by pressing the left mouse button on the
"fader-mode" in the info box on the top right side of the screen
SWITCHES This menu is exactly the same as the faders menu. This menu lets you decide if you
want to store switch settings (ON) or just want them to be replayed only (SAFE) or not
doing anything at all (OFF). You can also change the switch mode by pressing the left
mouse button on "switch mode" in the info-box on the top right side of the screen.
AUTOMODES
This menu shows the status in which the channels can be set. There is a choice out of 6
combinations that will be active in that specific order by depressing the select switch in
the channels
1. ISO, Read, AutoTake over, Write
2. ISO, Read
3. ISO, Read, AutoTake over
4. Read, AutoTake over
5, Read, AutoTake over, Write
6. Read, Write
7. Read, Trim
To select one of the modes use the Page up and Page down keys. You can also change
the Automodes by pressing the left mouse button on "Auto Modes".
AUTOSAVE If autoSave is active (On/Off) PowerVCA stops asking you after every mix if
you want to Store your mix with "yes or no". (Y/N) (on your keyboard Y or N )
In cases where the filename already exists PowerVCA will ask for another file
name.
DROP OUT In this menu you decide how many frames will be generated automatically when there is a
drop out.
Slaves This menu lets you create slaves for a specific master fader. All chosen master faders
are displayed. The Tab key lets you move to the next screen, or click with the mouse
button on ">>"to go to the next screen.
A slave is selected by the arrow keys and coupled to the master by one of the numbers
1 to 8 as selected earlier in the masters menu. The slaves will get the same colour as the
master. To erase a slave use the spacebar.
Cr=accept settings, then exits.
Esc=cancel, exit.
Colours The background colour can be changed by using the Page up and Page down keys.
Display This menu lets you choose which fader section will be shown on the screen
Use the Tab key to go to the next screen and shift-Tab to go back.
1. 1-32 Chan+Mix
2. 33-64 Chan+Mix
3. 1-32 Chan
4. 33-64 Can
5. 1-32 Mix
6. 33-64 Mix
Master This menu lets you choose whether you want to display the master fader or not.
A not shown master fader will always be active in the automation sequences.
This menu lets you change the individual modes of a channel. Every channel can be put
into Read, Write, Autotakeover (AutoT) , or Iso mode individually.
Select a channel with the arrow keys and change the mode with the Page up or Page
down keys.
All selections in all the menus use the ENTER key to confirm and the ESC key to
cancel and leave the screen.
To Change the Automation mode of one channel:
Click with the left mouse button on the automation mode of that specific channel.
To change the fader- or Switch-mode of one channel.
Click with the left mouse button on the indicators under the automation mode.
POWER-EDIT
Start the off-line editor from the PowerVCA software. (File - Edit)
When a mix file was opened in PowerVCA the screen shows the timecodes with the events.
You can scroll with the up and down keys or Pg Up and Pg Dn or use the mouse (click with
left button to select a timecode) .To scroll with the mouse click on the upper and lower
horizontal lines. At the top of the screen you see the following commands :
Filter, Edit, Search, File These menu's have the following sub menu's
Set-up Filter
This menu allows you to put some channels or events on or off. At the top of the screen you
see the channels. When an 'X' is placed at the channel number, the data of that channel will be
shown. Select a channel with cursor keys or mouse. Toggle its value with the spacebar or left
mouse button.
You can also select what you wish to see. If you only want to see the fader movements,
select it. the same goes for the master fader, mutes etc
Edit-Undo (ALT-Backspace)
Undo the previous editor action
Edit-Add (Ins)
Select if you want to add a Fader move, Mute, Aux mute etc.
Edit-Add-Fadermove
Fill in the timecode where the fader move has to start. Select the Channel or Mix (toggle with
spacebar or mouse button) and number. Value gives the value of the fader at the point where
the fader move starts.
Fill in "End" the dB-value the fader move has to end. Fill in "Length" the length of the fader
move (seconds)
Edit_Add_Mute
Fill in the timecode where a Mute has to be active. Fill in, channel or mix (toggle with
spacebar) and number. Fill in "Mute" Yes or No to put a mute on or off.
When playing a mute ON, and the mute was already on, the second mute will not be
displayed, because it was already on and only changes are displayed.
Edit-Add-MasterMute
This is the same as Add-mute. Now you cannot select a channel or mix, but an Aux number
and Left or Right
Edit-Delete (Del)
Deletes the event you selected
Edit-Modify
Modifies the Fader value (dB) or modifies mutes (On > Off etc.)
F7 EDIT
Search Timecode
Fill in the timecode you are looking for. The editor will search for that specific timecode, or
when it does not exists, the next or previous one.
File-Save
Stores the mix file on disk. If the filename exists a new filename shall be asked for.
File-Exit
To exit the off-line editor correctly. You return to PowerVCA automatically. PowerVCA opens the latest
saved version of the mix file you have saved in the editor.
The switches (channel mute upper section , channel mute lower section , all auxiliary send mutes)
and faders of the console can be put in different statuses; “On” , “Off” or “Safe”.
When in the “On” mode the fader or switch is able to record and playback data , depending on the
automation mode (READ , WRITE , TRIM , etc.) that has been selected for that particular part of
the channelstrip.
When in the “Off” mode , the fader or switch is not reacting on any commands from the system. In
this mode the fader or switch will not follow commands that were recorded previously nor will it
record new data. The fader or switch is isolated from the system.
When in “Safe” mode the fader or switch will only follow previously recorded commands. In this
status it is not possible to record new commands.
The current status of the switches and fader of a channel is also shown in the channel’s fadersegment
on the PowerVCA screen.
At the bottom of the fadersegment two small square (LED like) boxes represent the Fader and
Switch modes.
The right box represents the channel’s Fader Mode. This box can change to three different colours ,
each different colour indicating a different status.
Grey: “On”.
Green: “Safe”.
Red: “Off”.
To improve visibility the line left of the faderknob (the fadertrack) will also be displayed in the colour
corresponding to the channel’s fader-status.
The left box represents the channel’s Switch Mode. This box also can change into the three different
colours for the three different status.
Grey: “On”.
Green: “Safe”.
Red: “Off”.
To improve visibility the channel’s Mute box (positioned at the top of the fadersegment) will also be
displayed in the colour corresponding to the chanel’s switch-status.
In the Status bar two global status modes can be accessed: Fader Mode and Switch Mode.
With these functions all faders (Fader Mode) and all switches (Switch Mode) can be set in a
different status globally (on the complete console).
The current status is indicated behind both functions. When the this indication is clicked on with the
mouse it will jump to the next status.
D&R Electronica Weesp B.V. Page 24
User Manual PowerVCA 3.00 Installation
For example:
The current status of the Fader Mode is “On” (Status bar shows: Fader Mode: On )
When clicked on once the Fader Mode will change to “Safe”. (Status bar shows: Fader Mode: Safe
).
Now all of the console’s faders are set in the “Safe” mode. They will only follow commands that
were previously recorded. It will not be possible to record or update new fadermovements.
If clicked on once more the status of the Fader mode will change to “Off” (Status bar shows:
Fader Mode: Off).
In this status all faders will not interact with any previously recorded commands. Neither is it
possible to record new movements.
Obviously the above also applies for the function “Switch Mode”. With this function all the console’s
switches (channel mute upper section , channel mute lower section , all auxiliary send mutes) will be
set to the “On” , “Safe” or “Off” status.
Note: The console’s mastersection is only connected to the global Fader Mode function. It will not
react on global Switch Mode settings.
The status of the masterfader mute can be changed by clicking on the boxes at the bottom of the
fadersegment of the mastersection.
Besides changing Fader and Switch status golbally it is also possible to select individual channels.
All local settings (upper and lower faders , upper and lower channel mutes , all auxiliary send mutes)
can be accessed in the Edit menu under F7.
The status of both faders and channel mutes can also be changed in the mixscreen by clicking on the
small square boxes positioned at the bottom of each fadersegment. The right box is for the
Fadermode, the left box is for the mode of the channel’s mute.
When the Edit mode is activated (press F7) a toolbar with the following modes will appear:
Automation.
Mute 1.
Faders.
Aux 1.
Aux 2.
Aux 3.
Each of these items can be selected by a double mouseclick or with the cursor and pressing
<enter>.
When an item is selected a pop-up screen will appear in the faderscreen (see figure)
The two rows of 32 boxes represent the individual upper and lower channels.
Each box indicates the current status of that particular channel (a simple legenda is given in the top
left of the pop-up screen).
In this case we have selected “Mute 1.” wich represents the channel mutes of the upper and lower
sections.
In order to change the mute status of a specific channel we first must move the cursor to the required
box. When the cursor is positioned we can toggle through the 3 different statuses using the Page Up
and Page Down functions on the computer’s keyboard. When the desired status appears we can go
to the next channel by moving the cursor to the next required box.
To leave the pop-up screen press “Escape”.
Following is an explanation of the field that can be selected at the Edit mode (F7):
Automation:
This field gives access to the AutomationMode settings of the individual modules
Mute 1.:
This field gives access to the channel mute statuses of the upper and lower channels.
Faders:
This field gives access to the fader statuses of the upper and lower channels.
Aux 1.:
This field gives access to the auxiliary send mute statuses of Aux.1 / 2 (displayed in the top row
boxes of the pop-up screen) and Aux. 7 / 8 (displayed in the bottom row boxes of the pop-up
screen).
Aux 2.:
This field gives access to the auxiliary send mute statuses of Aux 3 / 4 (displayed in the top row
boxes of the pop-up screen) and Aux 9 / 10(displayed in the bottom row boxes of the pop-up
screen)..
Aux 3.:
This field gives access to the auxiliary send mute statuses of Aux 5 / 6 (displayed in
the top row boxes of the pop-up screen) and Aux 11 / 12(displayed in the bottom
row boxes of the pop-up screen).
Example:
In the figure above the faderscreen with the pop-up screen of Aux 1 is given.
The Aux 1 pop-up screen displays the auxiliary send mute statuses of auxiliary 1 / 2 (top row boxes)
and auxiliary 7 / 8 (bottom row boxes).
In this figure two status boxes have been set in “Safe” mode , 10 bottom and 32 top.
This means that of module 10 , the mute status of aux send 7 / 8 is “Safe”.
Also, of module 32 , the mute status of aux. send 1 / 2 is “Safe”.
The automation modes of the input channels can be selected in two ways;
1) via global selecting ( for example: ALT+W for all channels in WRITE mode).
2) via individual “auto” select switches (the automation select switches positioned right of the +10dB
mark at every faderscale on the channels)
If the global selection is used (ALT+…..) the system will override all status settings that have been
programmed and put all of them in the “On” mode.
For this reason we will look at the “modus operandi” when using the individual automation select
switches on the module.
Each input module has two automation select switches. One is positioned near the upper fader ,
selecting the automation mode of the upper fader.
The other is positioned near the lower fader , selecting the automation mode of the lower fader.
These automation select switches are also effective on the aux. send mutes of the module.
All 6 aux. send mutes have been assigned permanently to the two automation select switches as
follows:
For example:
When auxiliary pair 1 / 2 is reassigned to the lower signalpath of the module , it will still react on the
automation modes as activated by the automation select switch of the upper signal path.
My select button don't respond correctly, I always stay in the READ mode):
1. Reinstall the PowerVCA software and answer the Question "Console is manufactured before 1
Nov. 1996" to Yes.
8. Contact address
We reserve the right to change specifications and features without prior notice.
9. What's new!
Thank you for using this new version of PowerVCA, version 2.15 gives you an incredible
performance. The new features are described in this file.
* Trim mode
The trim mode is working with a higher resolution (steps of 0.2 dB).
Groups
* The group feature is now really dB-relative we even have increased its resolution.
Faster Saving
* The Save procedure (leaving the automation mode) has been optimised to give you the
opportunity to record repeatedly on the same time codes.
2.18
* Write to end
* Auto write
* Octadump is implemented within Powerfade
* Undo
* Save as from current Timecode position
* Windows Pif file
* When a mix is saved the correct Tape setup (no of frames) is now saved
correctly.
* A beep occurring after saving a mix is removed
* The joystick select switches are now active again!
* Write to end
* Auto write
* Octadump is implemented within Powerfade
* Undo
* Save as from current Timecode position
* Windows Pif file