Jester Zero 88, Operating Manual

Page 1: ...JESTER OPERATING MANUAL ...

Page 2: ...found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual may cause harm...

Page 3: ...ls and Displays 5 Turning on the Desk 5 Numeric Entry 5 Preset Mode 6 Two Preset Operation 7 Wide Mode 9 Program Mode 11 Scene Memories 13 Chase Memories 16 Run Mode 21 Auxiliary Control 27 Super User Mode 29 MIDI Control 36 Other Features 38 Online Help 38 Software Updates 38 Glossary A to Z of the Jester 39 Technical Specification 49 Index 51 ...

Page 4: ... such as Auxiliary controls and concludes with sections on the SUPER USER functions and the technical specification of the desk As the Jester is available in two styles 12 24 and 24 48 this manual will refer primarily to the 12 24 model with variations for the 24 48 notated in brackets For example Preset B controls faders 13 24 25 48 The Jester The Jester lighting desk is a compact user friendly m...

Page 5: ...ti function button which adapts to the mode in which the desk is currently set In Preset mode the button is inactive although when set to wide mode it functions as a preset store button and is coloured yellow In Program mode the PROGRAM GO button functions as a program record button and is coloured red In Run mode the PROGRAM GO button acts as a go pause button and is coloured green Turning on the...

Page 6: ...aders which control individual channels 1 12 1 24 or channels 13 24 25 48 if the faders are switched to wide mode CHANNEL FLASH BUTTONS There are 24 48 CHANNEL FLASH buttons corresponding to the 12 24 PRESET A and 12 24 PRESET B faders These are used to flash individual channels These buttons can be disabled on the LCD or switched to SOLO mode A MASTER AND B MASTER In two preset mode the A MASTER ...

Page 7: ... desk changing 3 Set the B MASTER to full The scene set up on PRESET B is output live mixed with the scene on PRESET A 4 To remove the scene on PRESET A bring the A MASTER to zero Manual Fading between Scenes 1 Ensure that the FADE TIME control is set to Manual 2 Set up a scene using the PRESET A faders 3 Set the A MASTER to full and the B MASTER to zero The scene set on the PRESET A faders will b...

Page 8: ...RESET A without affecting the outputs 9 To crossfade to the scene on PRESET A quickly move the A MASTER to full and the B MASTER to zero The scene on PRESET A will fade in and the scene on PRESET B will fade out in the selected time The red FADING light will flash while the dipless crossfade is taking place and go out when the crossfade is complete Flashing Channels Two Preset Mode 1 Ensure that t...

Page 9: ...ED The temporarily stored scene will be cleared Storing and Cross Fading Scenes 1 Set the A MASTER and GRAND MASTER to full and the B MASTER to zero Set the FADE TIME control to manual 2 Ensure that the lights next to the PROGRAM GO button indicate A FADERS B STORED if no lights show you re not in Wide mode and if the lights indicate B FADERS A STORED press the PROGRAM GO button 3 Set up a scene u...

Page 10: ... to activate it press the up or down cursor keys to toggle between Off Flash and Solo 2 Press and hold an individual CHANNEL FLASH button The buttons below the PRESET A faders control channels 1 12 1 24 those below the PRESET B faders control channels 13 24 25 48 The corresponding channel is then added to the scene at the level set on the GRAND MASTER Dependant on the flash mode the other channels...

Page 11: ...on used to save the levels to memory Submaster Types Scenes and Chases can also be recorded onto Submaster faders These faders allow you to fade in scenes or chases on a single fader whilst in Run mode Pressing a channel flash button whilst in Program mode allows you to select the required submaster for programming The Jester has 2 pages of 12 24 submasters totalling 24 48 In Program mode PRESET A...

Page 12: ...vels CLEAR This button is used to clear a memory submaster or to clear a step from a chase memory submaster Hold the button for 1 second to delete a scene step hold for 1s with Shift to delete a chase and tap to backspace when entering names PROGRAM GO In Program mode this button is used to save the output levels and fade times into the selected memory or submaster no fade times are stored for sub...

Page 13: ...llow bar An unprogrammed memory has an asterix after the memory number An unprogrammed memory is always a scene memory but can be converted to a chase easily The up or down cursor buttons are used to select the required memory number to program Scene Memories Programming a New Scene Memory 1 Set up the desk for programming as described above 2 Use the up or down cursor buttons to select an unprogr...

Page 14: ... in the selected memory The original contents of the memory are overwritten The outputs remain unaltered Overwriting a Programmed Submaster 1 Set up the desk for programming as described above 2 Press the CHANNEL FLASH button below the submaster you wish to overwrite 3 Use the PRESET A and PRESET B faders to alter the output levels If a channel is higher than the current fader level push the fader...

Page 15: ...then press SHIFT COPY PASTE again at the prompt Hold SHIFT COPY PASTE for a few seconds Deleting a Scene Memory 1 Use the cursor keys to select the programmed memory to clear 2 Hold the CLEAR button for 1 second All the channel values in the memory will be reset to zero and the asterix will appear next to the memory number in the LCD to indicate that the memory is now unprogrammed Deleting a Scene...

Page 16: ... current outputs will be stored as step2 and the desk will increment to show step3 as the next available step 7 Repeat steps 6 and 7until all steps in the Chase have been programmed 8 Press the left cursor button to move away from the Step field and the chase will start to run sequentially Adjust the speed using the SPEED pot If required you can also adjust the DIRECTION Forwards Backwards Bounce ...

Page 17: ...ep number with an asterix indicating that it is unprogrammed 5 Use the PRESET A and PRESET B faders to set the required output levels for the new step The output will appear live 6 Press the PROGRAM GO button to save the output levels into the new step The asterix disappears from the LCD Deleting a Step 1 Use the up or down cursor buttons to select the required chase memory 2 Press the right curso...

Page 18: ...teps Programmed If an attempt is made to insert a step into the Chase when the maximum 999 steps have been programmed the LCD displays a warning The chase and outputs are unaffected Deleting a Chase Memory 1 Use the cursor up or down buttons to select the chase memory to be deleted 2 Press and hold SHIFT with the CLEAR button for 1 second The memory will change to an unprogrammed scene memory Dele...

Page 19: ...Ensure that the light in the COPY PASTE button is on 2 Use the cursor buttons to select a scene memory 3 Press and hold SHIFT and press the COPY PASTE button The memory data copied will be pasted into the scene memory Pasting into a Chase Step 1 Copy the required memory data from a scene memory or chase step as described above Ensure that the light in the COPY PASTE button is on 2 Use the cursor b...

Page 20: ...grammed SCENE memory or CHASE step the memory or chase step is now regarded as programmed Pasting to Programmed Memory Step If memory data is pasted into a programmed SCENE memory or CHASE step the original contents of the memory or step are overwritten The desk asks you to confirm the override DMX Input The Jester allows you to input a full universe of DMX and capture this to any memory allowing ...

Page 21: ...hich control submasters CHANNEL FLASH BUTTONS The 24 48 CHANNEL FLASH buttons corresponding to the 12 24 PRESET A and 12 24 PRESET B faders are used to flash individual submasters A MASTER AND B MASTER The A MASTER is used to control the maximum output level from the PRESET A faders The B MASTER fader is inactive in RUN mode MEMORY MASTER The MEMORY MASTER fader is used to control the output level...

Page 22: ...s currently active The crossfade can then be restarted by pressing the PROGRAM GO button again COPY PASTE The COPY function also works in RUN Mode to allow looks to be stored ready to PASTE into a memory submaster in PROGRAM Mode The red light in the COPY PASTE button is illuminated when there is data available To clear the buffer press the button again and the light will go out NOTES Remote Go Pr...

Page 23: ...utput The PROGRAM GO button is used in run mode as the GO button which will initiate a dipless crossfade between the current memory and the next memory The LCD automatically selects the next programmed memory and changes the current C memory to the one which is now being output The crossfade takes its time from the programmed Fade time for the incoming cue This crossfade time can be manually overr...

Page 24: ...t in software to the level of the submasters on that page In order to adjust these levels you must first grab the level that the submaster is currently at Once the level has been grabbed you can increase or decrease the brightness as required Note that if a submaster includes a chase this will automatically be started when you raise the submaster Outputting a Chase Memory 1 Use the cursor buttons ...

Page 25: ...tive See the Super User section of this manual for more information on activating the sound function 3 To use only the sound to trigger the chase set the SPEED control to Manual 4 To use a combination of sound and automatic set the basic speed with the SPEED control NOTES Insert Button The INSERT button is active at all times while a chase is running It can be used to advance the chase running on ...

Page 26: ...Select the memory you wish to preview by using the cursor up or down buttons The Preview field above the Outputs field displays the contents of the selected memory Previewing a Submaster An indication of the contents of a submaster can be obtained by previewing the submaster To do this press and hold SHIFT CHANNEL FLASH button under the submaster you wish to program The submaster will be previewed...

Page 27: ...ected field The values set will be output live so you can check your settings It is also possible to set the numeric values using the preset faders Again these are output live 5 When you ve finished altering your auxiliaries navigate to OK and press ENTER 6 Press and hold SHIFT MODE for 1 second to leave Super User For more information on setting up and patching Auxiliaries see the Super User sect...

Page 28: ...the Auxiliary into its new level until it is adjusted again In Flash or Solo mode the Auxiliary will return to its Off level as soon as the CHANNEL FLASH button is released Notes Auxiliary Lock It is possible to lock the PRESET A buttons to become Auxiliary buttons in Program Run and Preset modes To do this hold down SHIFT and press the PAGE A button AUXLOCKED appears on the monitor and the PRESET...

Page 29: ...e first two options in Super User Notes Hardware Revisions There are 2 versions of the processor board used in the Jester r1 and r2 There are no external visible differences you can see which version is fitted in the Super User Menu Software update JOS files will work on either version of hardware Showfiles are completely compatible between hardware versions The main operational difference is that...

Page 30: ...channel 1 could be patched to DMX channels 1 101 201 A desk channel may also be unpatched such that it is no longer patched to any DMX channel Each DMX channel can only have one desk channel or auxiliary assigned to it The DMX patch may be changed at any time without affecting the memory data stored in the desk The DMX patch is stored as part of the show data when the show is saved onto an externa...

Page 31: ...m the desk are turned off Releasing the button returns the channel s to their original values Go mode is a latching action where an auxiliary will turn ON with the first press of the CHANNEL FLASH button and OFF with the next This is useful for long term effects in a show which may need to be turned on or off for prolonged periods of time Setting the Auxiliary to Off mode will disable the auxiliar...

Page 32: ...er User menu If the desk is locked then you will be prompted to enter the 4 digit unlock code using the Submaster Flash buttons If this is entered correctly then the desk will be unlocked and you will be returned to the Super User menu Changes to the recorded data can now be made as normal If you forget the lock code for your Jester please contact Zero 88 Technical Support for assistance and have ...

Page 33: ...he cursor keys to select OK and press ENTER To disable remote input press SHIFT and ENTER with the button field selected The display will read Disabled Sound Input Super User allows you to enable or disable the Sound2Lite input on the back of the desk Use the cursors to select Sound Input and press ENTER Now press ENTER and use the up or down cursor keys to toggle between Enabled and Disabled Once...

Page 34: ...used for the system clock visible in the bottom right of the monitor output Displays Setup In the Displays Setup menu you can configure the brightness and contrast of the LCD Use the cursor keys to navigate to the required menu option and press ENTER to adjust it The default settings can be restored by pressing CLEAR If the LCD Backlight or Contrast have been set to unreadable values you will need...

Page 35: ... and press ENTER again Test Mode This option is provided primarily for factory and dealer servicing only It allows the hardware of the Jester to be tested in isolation from setup options or programming in the show data which can be useful in diagnosing some problems Pressing a button will display it s name on the Main LCD optionally toggle nearby LEDs and optionally display the level of a nearby f...

Page 36: ...ruments Transmit and Receive Channels MIDI has separate Transmit and Receive channels numbered 1 to 16 By setting Receive to a particular channel only the signals that are wanted will be received Alternatively Receive may be set to respond to all channels so that any MIDI information transmitted will be received The Transmit channel must be set to a specific value For two MIDI instruments to commu...

Page 37: ...oud p18 3 Summary MIDI instruments send a stream of signals from their OUT port The signals sent principally consist of Note On messages which consist of a Note On command followed by a variable number of pairs of Note Numbers and Velocities There may be the occasional Program Change signal if the voice is changed MIDI and the Jester The Jester is designed only to receive MIDI information It canno...

Page 38: ...t to keep the console up to date as often software updates may mean exciting new features as well as critical updates when required To perform a software update on the Jester first download the JOS file from the Zero88 website and extract it to a memory stick Next boot the Jester with the memory stick in the USB port and hold down the left and right cursor keys The update will begin after a few se...

Page 39: ... buttons Auxiliaries are not recorded in cues B Master The master fader which controls the levels of the channels on Preset B Backlight The level of the light behind the LCD Also a term for a light pointing downstage often used to create a halo effect on someones shoulders Backward Running a chase in reverse order so that the steps are output 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 Blackout All Channels at 0 This is toggle...

Page 40: ...n be recorded onto a submaster or as a memory in the stack Modifiers such as direction speed and attack are available for chases Clear The button used to delete memories submasters and backspace characters when naming items Contrast The difference between the dark areas and the light areas on the LCD This can be customised in Super User Copy The function on the Jester which allows you to temporari...

Page 41: ...dard communications protocol for dimmers and moving heads 512 channels of control are digitally multiplexed and sent down a cable to dimmers which listen for their specific data according to their start address DMX In The ability to take a DMX input see DMX 512 into the Jester and output it through the Jester s DMX output This allows you to add in the 24 48 channels of your Jester to the DMX signa...

Page 42: ...sion The US equivalent of CE Flash Pressing the flash button results in a temporary increase in brightness of the output for the duration of the flash button being held The intensity channels are sent to 100 when the Flash button is pressed This is a temporary action which is removed when the button is released Flash buttons can also be set to Solo Flash Disk A USB device with storage capabilities...

Page 43: ...IEC or referred to as a kettle plug Insert The button on the Jester which is used to add a memory between two scenes or to add another step to a chase Intensity How bright a light is Also known as Dimmer Jack The connector used for the Audio In and Remote connectors on the Jester The Jack used on the Jester is the inch stereo variety Jester The lighting control desk which you have infront of you K...

Page 44: ... of the memory being output Memory Stick Another name for a Flash Disk MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface A signal from a keyboard or other musical sampling device can be input to the Jester and be used to control the level of channels and submasters MSD Mass Storage Device See Flashdisk Mode The button which defines which mode the Jester is in Modifiers Often used to describe the options a...

Page 45: ...r programming when away from the desk Playback Another name for the sequential memory stack Also known as a Cue Stack Pot A potentiometer which can be turned to set various values between a given range The two Pots on the Jester are the Fade Time Pot and the Speed Pot Turning clockwise increases the speed time pot or increases the time on the fade time pot Preset The default mode for the Jester In...

Page 46: ...r of the desk for triggering a button press externally This is done by contact closure Run The mode of the Jester used to activate sequential playback of cues and submaster access In Run mode the PROGRAM GO button is GREEN and activates a crossfade to the selected next memory Shift An important button on the Jester The SHIFT button provides access to additional functionality and features such as A...

Page 47: ...y the memory will run Topset The ability to set a top level for a channel This is generally set on the dimmer itself The Jester does not allow you to set a top level for a channel USB Universal Serial Bus A standard for the transfer and storage of information The Jester has a USB port mounted on the front panel to allow storage of show files VGA Video Graphics Array The monitor output on the back ...

Page 48: ...5 pin used for DMX devices Note that you should never connect a device with a 4 pin XLR to any other device unless they were built to be used together Different manufacturers use different voltages on these pins and misuse could result in damage to one or both devices Yellow The colour of the PROGRAM GO button when the desk is in PRESET mode Zero 88 The manufacturer of the Jester ...

Page 49: ...connector Audio In Tip Left Ring Right Sleeve Ground The desk has an audio port on the rear panel in the form of a stereo inch jack sockets This is used for the Sound Input functions on the desk Remote Input A jack connector provides a remote switch Short tip to sleeve to simulate a button push MIDI MIDI Input MIDI Thru Pin 1 Not Used Pin 1 Not Used Pin 2 Not Used Pin 2 Signal Ground Pin 3 Not Use...

Page 50: ...t VGA is non interlaced 80x50 visible characters 640x400 visible pixels 800x449 total pixels 31 5kHz line rate 70Hz frame rate 64 colours An alternative monitor resolution may be available see Displays Setup in Super User for details DMX Input Pin 1 Ground Pin 2 Signal Pin 3 Signal Pin 4 Not Used Pin 5 Not Used The desk has a DMX Input interface via 5 pin XLR This is merged with the desk channels ...

Page 51: ...Step 17 Steps 18 LCD 12 34 Load 29 Lock Unlock 31 Low Memory 11 Memory Master 21 Memory Recovery 33 Memory Stick 50 MIDI 36 49 Setup 33 Mode 5 Online Help 38 Output Chase 24 Memory 23 Overwrite 15 Scene 14 Step 17 Submaster 14 Paste Chase 19 Scene 19 Submaster 19 Patch 30 Pause 23 Power Supply 49 Preset 24 Mode 6 Two 7 Preview Memory 26 Submaster 26 Program Mode 11 Program Go 5 6 9 12 22 Programmi...

Page 52: ...3 00 Issue 3 2 For news views and the latest software visit our website at www zero88 com Zero 88 Usk House Llantarnam Park Cwmbran Gwent NP44 3HD Tel 44 0 1633 838088 Fax 44 0 1633 867880 email sales zero88 com Web www zero88 com ...