In this Chamsys MagicQ tutorial, we’ll explain how to build a subtractive dim effect that will respect the sub-master that you’re using. As a bonus, we’ll talk about grouping effects on a cue stack too.
Quick Answer: Dim effects don’t always behave the way you expect when you have an active sub-master for the same fixtures. Subtractive dim effects work with a sub-master and function in a more intuitive way.
How To Build A Subtractive Dim Chase Effect In Chamsys MagicQ
Create a sub-master for a set of fixtures, record a regular dim chase effect on the next cue stack, and you may be surprised that things don’t work as you expect. You have to bring your sub-master down for the effect to work.
For a more intuitive experience, follow these steps to build a subtractive dim chase effect instead.
- Create a sub-master for your fixtures at full intensity
Select the fixture group > @ Full > Rec > Select cue stack for sub-master. - Clear the programmer
Hit the “clr” key. - Create a dim chase effect cue stack
Select the fixture group > Fx > Add fx > Intensity > Dim chase > change “plus” to “minus” in the “add” column > Rec > Select cue stack for effect. - Adjust playback settings
Setup > Playback > Intensity (HTP) FX can subtract > Yes.
How To Group Multiple Effects On A Single Cue Stack in Chamsys MagicQ
Using a single cue stack for each effect can take up a lot of real estate on your console. If you have a series of similar dim chase effects for the same group of fixtures, it’s a good idea to group them all on one cue stack.
- Record a series of subtractive dim chase effects on one cue stack
3 is the magic number of effects to group if you want to cycle to any of them at the touch of a button. - Set the cue stack to cue timing
Select the cue stack and hit “cue timing” in the top menu bar. If you don’t do this, the effects will cycle automatically. - Cycle through the effects
Raise the cue stack fader to see the first dim chase effect in action. This effect will remain until you cue the next one.
Play: Cyles to the next effect in the list
Pause: Cycles to the previous effect in the list
