Compulite Spark User manual

User’s Guide
for
Compulite R & D Version 4.1
May 1999

Table of Contents
Part 1 – General
Chapter 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................1-1
Using this User’s Guide....................................................................................................1-3
Setting up Spark..........................................................................................................1-3
New users ...................................................................................................................1-3
Common Terms................................................................................................................1-3
Editing terms...............................................................................................................1-3
Playback terms............................................................................................................1-4
Text conventions...............................................................................................................1-4
Chapter 2 General Operation................................................................................................2-1
The Editor Section............................................................................................................2-2
F keys .........................................................................................................................2-3
Programming memories...............................................................................................2-3
Editor color key...........................................................................................................2-3
Editor error trapping....................................................................................................2-4
Clearing the editor.......................................................................................................2-4
Parameter Control.............................................................................................................2-4
The wheels..................................................................................................................2-4
A/B Crossfader.................................................................................................................2-5
Controllers........................................................................................................................2-7
Soft Keys..........................................................................................................................2-8
Assigning the default mode..........................................................................................2-8
Assigning a temporary mode........................................................................................2-8
Using the Soft Keys for playback control.....................................................................2-9
Color code for Soft Key LEDs.....................................................................................2-9
General Master ...............................................................................................................2-10
Menus ............................................................................................................................2-10
Accessing menus.......................................................................................................2-10
Exiting the menu mode..............................................................................................2-12
Text & the Alphanumeric Keyboard................................................................................2-12
A page of text............................................................................................................2-12
Erasing text...............................................................................................................2-13
Using the text keyboard for programming..................................................................2-13
Getting Help...................................................................................................................2-14
System Status .................................................................................................................2-14
Chapter 3 Displays...............................................................................................................3-1
Display Control ................................................................................................................3-2
Display Formats................................................................................................................3-2
Selecting display formats.............................................................................................3-3
Customizing the display format ...................................................................................3-3
The Stage Display.............................................................................................................3-4
Channels.....................................................................................................................3-4
Spots...........................................................................................................................3-4
The Playback Display.......................................................................................................3-5
Messages and Commands .................................................................................................3-5
Output Color Key..............................................................................................................3-6
The X-Fade Exam Display................................................................................................3-6
Exam Displays..................................................................................................................3-7
Chapter 4 Quick Start...........................................................................................................4-1
Setting Up Spark...............................................................................................................4-2

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Configuring Spark............................................................................................................4-2
Patching...........................................................................................................................4-2
Patching dimmers to channels .....................................................................................4-3
Patching scrollers to channels......................................................................................4-3
Patching and addressing moving lights ........................................................................ 4-3
Creating homogeneous beam movement......................................................................4-4
Selecting Channels & Spots.............................................................................................. 4-4
Selecting channels & assigning intensity......................................................................4-4
Selecting scrollers & assigning frames.........................................................................4-4
Selecting spots & assigning parameter values ..............................................................4-4
Programming Memories ...................................................................................................4-5
Playback Memories on A/B..............................................................................................4-5
Playback Chasers..............................................................................................................4-6
Recording a Show File...................................................................................................... 4-6
Part 2 - Basic Editing
Chapter 5 Selecting and Editing Channels & Scrollers..........................................................5-1
Selecting Channels ........................................................................................................... 5-2
Changing the number default selection ........................................................................5-2
Selecting a single channel............................................................................................5-2
Selecting multiple nonsequential channels...................................................................5-3
Selecting a range of channels.......................................................................................5-3
Reselecting the last channel selection ..........................................................................5-3
Grabbing channels in the editor and on stage ...............................................................5-4
Assigning Intensity Levels................................................................................................ 5-4
Dimmer level assignments using @.............................................................................5-4
Repeating an intensity assignment...............................................................................5-5
Releasing a Channel from the Editor.................................................................................5-5
Selecting and Editing Scrollers ......................................................................................... 5-6
Color code for scroller channels .................................................................................. 5-6
Assigning frame values ..............................................................................................5-7
Releasing a scroller from a memory............................................................................. 5-7
Chapter 6 Selecting and Editing Spots..................................................................................6-1
Igniting Spots................................................................................................................... 6-2
Igniting DMX spots.....................................................................................................6-2
Igniting S-Mix, L-Mix, and High End protocol spots....................................................6-3
Ignition exam..............................................................................................................6-4
Selecting Spots.................................................................................................................6-4
Changing the number default selection ........................................................................6-4
Selecting a single spot................................................................................................. 6-5
Selecting multiple spots............................................................................................... 6-5
Recalling the last spot selection...................................................................................6-5
Selecting spots in the editor and on stage.....................................................................6-6
Spot display control.....................................................................................................6-6
Mix Editing of Spots.........................................................................................................6-6
Spot Parameters................................................................................................................6-7
Parameter wheels........................................................................................................ 6-7
Types of parameters.................................................................................................... 6-7
Selecting parameters and assigning values................................................................... 6-7
Returning to home values..........................................................................................6-13
Copying parameter values.........................................................................................6-13
Releasing Spots/Parameters............................................................................................6-15
Releasing a spot from the editor.................................................................................6-15
Releasing a parameter from the editor........................................................................ 6-15

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Chapter 7 Programming Memories.......................................................................................7-1
Programming Memories....................................................................................................7-2
Displays............................................................................................................................7-3
Programming with Channels.............................................................................................7-3
Programming with Scrollers..............................................................................................7-4
Programming with Spots...................................................................................................7-5
Storing spot parameters from tracking..........................................................................7-6
Using the Copy Function...................................................................................................7-6
Copying channel intensities from the editor..................................................................7-6
Copying channel intensities from a memory.................................................................7-7
Copying scroller frames from the editor.......................................................................7-7
Copying scroller frames from a memory......................................................................7-7
Copying all spot parameters from the editor.................................................................7-8
Copying selected spot parameters from the editor.........................................................7-8
Copying spot parameters from a memory.....................................................................7-8
Copying selected parameters from a memory...............................................................7-9
Programming a Blackout Cue............................................................................................7-9
Sequential Memory Programming...................................................................................7-10
Using the Call Function ..................................................................................................7-11
Using Call to store the current lighting state...............................................................7-11
Using Call and controller assignments .......................................................................7-12
Merging selected output sources ................................................................................7-13
Editing after Call.......................................................................................................7-13
Calling A/B...............................................................................................................7-14
Call and the General Master.......................................................................................7-14
Examining Memories, Channels, & Spots........................................................................7-16
Examining memories.................................................................................................7-16
Examining channels ..................................................................................................7-17
Examining spots........................................................................................................7-18
Text for Memories..........................................................................................................7-19
Programming in Blind Mode...........................................................................................7-20
Resetting the blind editor...........................................................................................7-20
Fade Times.....................................................................................................................7-21
Assigning fade times while programming memories...................................................7-22
Assigning fade times to a range of memories .............................................................7-22
Assigning fade times to non-sequential memories ......................................................7-23
Modifying time assignments......................................................................................7-23
Converting Memories to Editor Groups...........................................................................7-24
Converting a memory when the editor is empty..........................................................7-24
Converting a memory to a group when the editor is active..........................................7-25
Inserting a Memory.........................................................................................................7-26
Memory Operations in the Editor ....................................................................................7-26
Renaming and exchanging memories.........................................................................7-26
Copying memories ...................................................................................................7-27
Erasing memories......................................................................................................7-28
The Memory Operations menu........................................................................................7-29
Renaming memories..................................................................................................7-29
Copying a memory....................................................................................................7-30
Deleting memories ....................................................................................................7-30
Mask ..............................................................................................................................7-31
Selecting a mask........................................................................................................7-31
Selecting a range of masks.........................................................................................7-31
Assigning a mask to a controller ................................................................................7-32
Selecting channels/spots from assignment..................................................................7-32
Programming with Libraries............................................................................................7-32
Chapter 8 Loops & Links.....................................................................................................8-1
Loops ...............................................................................................................................8-2

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Programming an automatic continuous loop.................................................................8-2
Programming a manual continuous loop ...................................................................... 8-3
Programming a manual Loop.......................................................................................8-3
Programming a finite loop...........................................................................................8-3
Programming an autofollow loop.................................................................................8-4
Programming a follow-on cue...................................................................................... 8-4
Erasing loop assignments ............................................................................................8-5
Erasing an autofollow loop assignment........................................................................8-5
Link .................................................................................................................................8-6
Programming a link between two memories................................................................. 8-6
Programming a link among a group of memories.........................................................8-6
Erasing a link assignment............................................................................................8-6
Viewing links..............................................................................................................8-7
Chapter 9 Modifying Memories ...........................................................................................9-1
Basic Memory Modification .............................................................................................9-2
Using STORE STORE......................................................................................................9-3
STORE STORE modes ............................................................................................... 9-3
Storing to the first active playback device.................................................................... 9-4
Storing to the all playback devices............................................................................... 9-4
Storing to selected playback devices............................................................................ 9-5
Using Delta ......................................................................................................................9-5
Programming a delta via memory modification............................................................9-6
Replacing a delta with a new delta...............................................................................9-6
Programming a delta in the editor................................................................................9-7
Programming a delta via store store............................................................................9-7
Examining delta.......................................................................................................... 9-7
Applying delta ............................................................................................................9-8
Testing the delta........................................................................................................ 9-11
Erasing delta............................................................................................................. 9-11
Modifying delta ........................................................................................................9-11
Using Memory Range Modification................................................................................9-12
Modifying a channel over a range of memories.......................................................... 9-12
Adding a new channel to a range of memories...........................................................9-12
Releasing channels from a range of memories............................................................ 9-13
Releasing scrollers from a range of memories............................................................ 9-13
Releasing Channels, Spots, Scrollers from Memories ...................................................... 9-14
Releasing spots ......................................................................................................... 9-14
Releasing channels....................................................................................................9-14
Releasing scrollers....................................................................................................9-14
Part 3 - File Management and Printing
Chapter 10 Data Storage, Retrieval, & Printing...................................................................10-1
Recording Show Files.....................................................................................................10-2
Loading show files.......................................................................................................... 10-3
Load options............................................................................................................. 10-3
Warning Difference................................................................................................... 10-4
Deleting Show Files........................................................................................................ 10-5
Printing .......................................................................................................................... 10-6
Printing options......................................................................................................... 10-6
Using Print Screen .................................................................................................... 10-6
Programming a print command macro....................................................................... 10-7

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Part 4 - Playback
Chapter 11 The Crossfader.................................................................................................11-1
Overview........................................................................................................................11-2
Displays....................................................................................................................11-2
Assigning to the Crossfaders...........................................................................................11-3
Assigning memories..................................................................................................11-3
Assigning editor groups.............................................................................................11-4
Freeing assignments........................................................................................................11-4
Sequencing Memories.....................................................................................................11-5
The Playback Keys .........................................................................................................11-6
Automatic Go............................................................................................................11-6
Exiting a continuous automatic or manual loop..........................................................11-7
Modifying the Fade Rate.................................................................................................11-7
Moving the crossfaders manually...............................................................................11-7
Using the Rate Wheel................................................................................................11-7
Split crossfaders and moving lights.................................................................................11-8
Chapter 12 Controllers and Chasers....................................................................................12-1
Overview........................................................................................................................12-2
Displays....................................................................................................................12-2
Assign mode .............................................................................................................12-4
Controller LEDs........................................................................................................12-4
Control priority for spots ...........................................................................................12-4
Assigning Memories.......................................................................................................12-4
Assigning a range of memories to sequential controllers.............................................12-5
Assigning an unspecified range of memories to sequential controllers .......................12-5
Assigning masks........................................................................................................12-5
Assigning Editor Groups.................................................................................................12-6
Assigning channels....................................................................................................12-6
Assigning spots .........................................................................................................12-8
Assigning Scrollers.........................................................................................................12-9
Adding text to a grp assignment.................................................................................12-9
Examining a Controller Assignment..............................................................................12-10
Freeing a Controller Assignment...................................................................................12-10
Freeing multiple controller assignments................................................................... 12-11
Freeing all controller assignments............................................................................12-11
Using ‘Go Controller’...................................................................................................12-12
Fade times with ‘Go Controller’ ..............................................................................12-12
Chasers.........................................................................................................................12-13
Chaser displays........................................................................................................12-13
Assigning chasers to controllers.............................................................................12-15
Playing back chasers................................................................................................12-16
Modifying the chaser rate........................................................................................12-17
Assigning Controllers as Submasters.............................................................................12-19
Assigning controllers as inhibit submasters..............................................................12-19
Submastering playback devices................................................................................12-19
Sound-to-Light .............................................................................................................12-21
Turning on sound-to-light........................................................................................12-21
Turning off Sound-to-Light ....................................................................................12-22
Sound-to-Light display............................................................................................12-22
Controller response..................................................................................................12-22
Chapter 13 Control Priority................................................................................................13-1
Playback Control Priority................................................................................................13-2
LTP Playback Mode........................................................................................................13-3
Actions that change the control priority stack.............................................................13-3

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Enabling LTP control mode.......................................................................................13-3
Disabling LTP control mode......................................................................................13-4
Viewing the control priority.......................................................................................13-4
Part 5 - Advanced Topics
Chapter 14 Libraries .......................................................................................................... 14-1
Overview........................................................................................................................ 14-2
Color code for Libraries ............................................................................................14-2
Programming a Library................................................................................................... 14-3
Text for Libraries............................................................................................................ 14-3
Examining Libraries....................................................................................................... 14-4
Viewing the library list..............................................................................................14-4
Examining a selected library......................................................................................14-4
Viewing library assignments in memories.................................................................. 14-4
Programming Memories with Libraries...........................................................................14-5
Copying from a Library..................................................................................................14-5
Editing Libraries............................................................................................................. 14-6
Modifying a library................................................................................................... 14-6
Adding spots to a library ........................................................................................... 14-6
Removing spots from a library..................................................................................14-7
Updating a library using STORE STORE .................................................................. 14-7
Erasing a Library............................................................................................................ 14-8
Programming a Delta with Libraries................................................................................ 14-8
Chapter 15 Part Qs............................................................................................................. 15-1
Overview........................................................................................................................ 15-2
Part Qs display ............................................................................................................... 15-2
Programming Memories with Parts................................................................................. 15-3
Programming Parts with channels..............................................................................15-3
Programming Parts with scrollers..............................................................................15-4
Programming Parts with spots...................................................................................15-4
Programming Parts with selected parameters.............................................................15-5
Dividing a Memory into Parts.........................................................................................15-5
Adding a Part to a Memory.............................................................................................15-6
Modifying a Part............................................................................................................. 15-6
Removing channels/spots from a Part........................................................................15-7
Removing Part assignments.......................................................................................15-7
Modifying time assignments......................................................................................15-8
Using Parts as Editor Groups ..........................................................................................15-8
Assigning Parts to Controllers.........................................................................................15-8
Playing Back Parts..........................................................................................................15-8
Chapter 16 Events..............................................................................................................16-1
Overview........................................................................................................................ 16-2
The Event Menu............................................................................................................. 16-2
Programming an event...............................................................................................16-3
Adding operations to an Event...................................................................................16-3
Deleting an event ...................................................................................................... 16-4
Adding text to an event ............................................................................................. 16-4
Examining Events.....................................................................................................16-5
Operating Events............................................................................................................ 16-5
Assigning an Event to a memory ............................................................................... 16-5
Erasing an event from a memory ...............................................................................16-6
Operating an event using the editor............................................................................16-6
Chapter 17 Snaps...............................................................................................................17-1
Overview........................................................................................................................ 17-2
Programming a Snap ......................................................................................................17-2

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Adding Text to Snaps......................................................................................................17-3
Examining Snaps............................................................................................................17-3
Viewing the snap list.................................................................................................17-3
Examining a selected Snap ........................................................................................17-3
Erasing Snaps.................................................................................................................17-4
Operating Snaps..............................................................................................................17-6
Operating Snaps in non-forcing mode........................................................................17-6
Operating Snaps in forcing mode...............................................................................17-7
Using Snap to clear all assignments ...........................................................................17-7
Chapter 18 Macros.............................................................................................................18-1
Overview........................................................................................................................18-2
The Macro Menu............................................................................................................18-2
Programming Macros................................................................................................18-3
Modifying Macros.....................................................................................................18-4
Linking Macros.........................................................................................................18-4
Dedicated function Macros........................................................................................18-5
Adding text to Macros...............................................................................................18-6
Deleting Macros........................................................................................................18-7
Last 40 keypresses.....................................................................................................18-7
Using Teach Macro.........................................................................................................18-8
Programming with Teach Macro................................................................................18-9
Operating Macros ...........................................................................................................18-9
Operating Macros Using Soft Keys............................................................................18-9
Operating Macros using thenumeric keypad............................................................18-10
Part 6 - System Configuration and Patching
Chapter 19 System Configuration.......................................................................................19-1
Accessing Service Tools .................................................................................................19-2
Configuring in Service Tools...........................................................................................19-2
Passcode....................................................................................................................19-3
Navigating in the Config System................................................................................19-3
System Type..............................................................................................................19-3
CRT number .............................................................................................................19-3
Configuring control capacity......................................................................................19-3
Special functions.......................................................................................................19-4
Special Numbers .......................................................................................................19-6
System Parameters..........................................................................................................19-7
Operator definable parameters...................................................................................19-7
Print menu screen......................................................................................................19-8
Chapter 20 Channel and Scroller Patching..........................................................................20-1
The Channel Patch..........................................................................................................20-2
Patching dimmers to channels....................................................................................20-3
Patching dimmers to scrollers....................................................................................20-3
Patching channels to dimmers...................................................................................20-4
Clearing patch assignments........................................................................................20-5
Restoring the default patch ........................................................................................20-6
Proportional patching ................................................................................................20-6
Exchanging dimmers.................................................................................................20-7
Assigning dimmer curves ..........................................................................................20-7
Disabling General Master control...............................................................................20-9
Enabling General master control..............................................................................20-10
Examining soft patch assignments ...........................................................................20-10
Viewing free dimmers.............................................................................................20-11
The Scroller Patch.........................................................................................................20-12
Selecting a scroller ..................................................................................................20-13

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Patching scrollers to control channels...................................................................... 20-13
Patching DMX addresses to scrollers....................................................................... 20-14
Defining a dark gel frame........................................................................................ 20-14
Changing the number of frames............................................................................... 20-15
Setting up frames .................................................................................................... 20-15
Copying the scroller setup....................................................................................... 20-16
Chapter 21 Spot Management and Patching........................................................................21-1
The Mix Output Menu.................................................................................................... 21-2
Mix Output menu display..........................................................................................21-2
Patching spot numbers...............................................................................................21-4
Assigning output addresses........................................................................................ 21-4
Defining devices .......................................................................................................21-8
Editing parameter wheels assignments..................................................................... 21-12
Defining an external dimmer ................................................................................... 21-13
Creating a device library.......................................................................................... 21-16
The Spot Patch ............................................................................................................. 21-17
Assigning patch position ......................................................................................... 21-17
Returning to the default position.............................................................................. 21-18
Part 7- Communication Protocols
Chapter 22 MIDI in/out......................................................................................................22-1
Configuring the System for MIDI ................................................................................... 22-2
Configuring for MIDI in Service Tools......................................................................22-2
Defining the MIDI channel in System Parameters......................................................22-2
Enabling/Disabling MIDI ............................................................................................... 22-3
Turning MIDI on ......................................................................................................22-3
Turning MIDI off......................................................................................................22-3
The MIDI Menu............................................................................................................. 22-3
Enabling and disabling keys and controllers...............................................................22-4
Editing MIDI data for keys and controllers................................................................22-5
MIDI Macro................................................................................................................... 22-6
MIDI Sync ..................................................................................................................... 22-6
Setting up MIDI Sync in the master console...............................................................22-7
Setting up MIDI sync in the slave console..................................................................22-7
Enabling/disabling MIDI Sync ..................................................................................22-7
Standard MIDI codes......................................................................................................22-8
Chapter 23 SMPTE............................................................................................................23-1
Configuring the system for SMPTE ................................................................................ 23-2
Configuring the SMPTE/DMX Input connector......................................................... 23-2
Configuring the number of frames............................................................................. 23-3
Teaching SMPTE Time.................................................................................................. 23-3
Starting at a selected Event........................................................................................23-4
Exiting the teach function..........................................................................................23-4
Manual assignment and editing the SMPTE code............................................................ 23-5
Erasing a SMPTE time code......................................................................................23-5
Playback with SMPTE....................................................................................................23-6
Exiting SMPTE playback .......................................................................................... 23-6
Chapter 24 DMX Input ......................................................................................................24-1
Configuring Spark for DMX Input.................................................................................. 24-2
The DMX Input patch..................................................................................................... 24-3
Patching input channels.............................................................................................24-3
Clearing Input patch assignments .............................................................................. 24-4
Returning to the default patch....................................................................................24-4
Examining DMX input assignments .......................................................................... 24-5
Assigning macros to DMX input ............................................................................... 24-5

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Canceling a Macro assignment ..................................................................................24-6
DMX Input and patch 999...............................................................................................24-6
Ignoring Patch 999....................................................................................................24-6
Using DMX Input under Patch 999............................................................................24-6
Part 8 - Appendices
Appendix A Service Tools...................................................................................................A-1
Accessing Service Tools ..................................................................................................A-2
Main Menu......................................................................................................................A-2
Diagnostics......................................................................................................................A-3
Upgrading Software.........................................................................................................A-4
Using the Software Upgrade option ............................................................................A-4
Upgrading software under Disk Operations.................................................................A-5
Disk Operations...............................................................................................................A-6
Formatting disks.........................................................................................................A-6
Recording the system configuration............................................................................A-6
Loading the system configuration ...............................................................................A-7
Appendix B Patch 999......................................................................................................... B-1
Patch 999......................................................................................................................... B-2
Configuring for Patch 999 .......................................................................................... B-2
Programming and burning Patch 999 .......................................................................... B-3
Editing the file on a PC............................................................................................... B-4
Color key for Patch 999.............................................................................................. B-5
Examining Patch 999.................................................................................................. B-5

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This User’s Guide contains 24 chapters and 2 appendices. The User’s Guide is divided
into 8 parts.
Part 1 - General
•Chapter 1 Introduction
•Chapter 2 General Operation
A concise overview of operational features, such as the Editor, Playback Devices, Soft
Keys, Display Formats, and On Line Help.
•Chapter 3 Displays
Descriptions of the different displays available in Spark and operating instructions for
Display control.
•Chapter 4 Quick Start
This chapter provides operating instructions for the most basic functions on Spark. Its
purpose is to provide quick instruction to operators familiar with lighting consoles.
Part 2 – Basic Programming
•Chapter 5 Selecting and Editing Channels and Scrollers
Operating instructions for basic channel and scroller selection, advanced selection
sequences, and assigning dimmer and frame values.
•Chapter 6 Selecting and Editing Spots
Operating instructions for basic moving light (spot) selection, advanced selection
sequences, spot parameter selection, and assigning parameter values.
•Chapter 7 Programming Memories
Basic programming functions, including using the Call function, how to convert
memories to editor groups, assigning Fade Times, programming in Blind mode, and
inserting memories.
•Chapter 8 Loops & Links
Programming memories with Loops to run as Chasers on the controllers or on the
crossfader. Linking non-sequential memories.
•Chapter 9 Memory Modification
Operating instructions for basic memory modification, quick modification for
memories assigned to playback devices using the STORE STORE function, and Delta
tracking modification.
Part 3 – File Management and Printing
•Chapter 10 Data Storage, Retrieval, & Printing
How to Record and Load show files, and Printing options.
Part 4 - Playback
•Chapter 11 The A/B Crossfader
Making assignments to the A/B crossfader, playback using automatic Go commands
or manual operation, and automatic Rate control.
•Chapter 12 Controllers
Assigning memories, groups, and Chasers to the Controllers. Using the automatic Go
and manual playback operations. Rate control for Chasers.

Using this User’s Guide
Spark
1-2
•Chapter 13 Control Priority
A description of Spark’s default control and using LTP.
Part 5 – Advanced Topics
•Chapter 14 Libraries
Operating instructions for programming, modifying, and using Libraries.
•Channel 15 Part Qs
Programming memories with parts. Each Part can have unique delayand fade times.
•Channel 16 Event
Program events to operate multiple assignment and playback commands. Events can
be operated when assigned to memories sequencing on the A/B crossfader, in the
editor, or using SMPTE.
•Chapter 17 Snap
Store ‘snapshots’ of all playback device assignments and their fade status. Snaps are
analogous to preset pages for Controllers. Spark supports 99 Snaps.
•Chapter 18 Macros
Spark supports up to 999 Macros. Operating instructions for programming Macros
blind, in the Macro menu, or live using the Teach macro function.
Part 6 – System Configuration and Patching
•Chapter 19 System Configuration
General system Configuration in Service Tools and using operator definable system
parameters in the System Parameters menu.
•Chapter 20 Channel and Scroller Patching
The Channel Patch provides functions for soft patching dimmers and channels,
assigning dimmer curves, assigning proportional levels to dimmers, examining patch
assignments. The Scroller Patch provides easy functions for setting up frames,
assigning control channels to scrollers, and copying scroller set ups.
•Chapter 21 Spot Management and Patching
The Mix Output menu provides functions to patch moving light type to control
numbers, assign DMX output addresses, define device profiles.
Part 7- Communication Protocols
•Chapter 22 MIDI
Enable MIDI communication and edit MIDI codes in the MIDI menu. The MIDI
synch option allows a second lighting console to synchronize crossfade operations
with the main console.
•Chapter 23 SMPTE
Assign SMPTE time codes to Events using the live Teach function and enable Spark
for automatic operation using SMPTE transmission.
•Chapter 24 DMX Input
Patch DMX Input channels to operate local console channels or macros.
Appendices
•Appendix A Service Tools
Operating instructions for disk formatting, the Hardware diagnostics tool, and
software upgrade functions in Service Tools.
•Appendix C Dimmer Status and Patch 999
A description of the Dimmer Status reports available when using CMX protocol with
Compulite Dimmers. Instructions for editing Patch 999, which allows logical channel
patching.

Using this User’s Guide
Spark
1-3
Using this User’s Guide
Setting up Spark
If you are setting up the system for the first time, you may want to consult Chapter 19
System Configuration, Chapter 20 Channel Patching, and Chapter 21 Spot Management.
New users
If you are new to lighting consoles or are unfamiliar with Compulite consoles, familiarize
yourself with the information in chapters 2 – 12. These chapters provide you with general
information and give you the building blocks to create and modify memories (cues), and
play them back. Chapters 13 – 18 deal with more advanced functions.
Common Terms
Three major capabilities are basic to lighting consoles: editing, playback, and patching.
Editing is the ability to select channels, spots, and scrollers, assign intensity and parameter
values, and record the resulting stage picture as a memory or cue. All functions related to
the playback structure of the show, such as event assignments, snaps, loops, and links are
part of the editing functions.
Playback is the ability to replay all the show data that you have created while editing.
Playback can be manual and automatic.
Patching includes all of the patching functions, which instruct the system how to
communicate with conventional projectors, color scrollers, other DMX512 protocol
elements, and moving lights that are controlled by the lighting console.
Editing terms
•Channel - The control channel for DMX512 devices, which are not moving devices.
These include conventional projectors, color scrollers, smoke machines, etc.
•Intensity - Dimmer intensity of channels and spots.
•Present or active (in the editor) - Channels and spots that are displayed in white.
Everything present/active in the editor is included when recording a memory.
•Selected (in the editor) - Channels and spots that are displayed in red and therefore can
be assigned intensity or scroller values.
•Memory - is analogous to cue. The group in the editor, comprising the lighting state
on-stage, is stored as a memory. Memories are then played back.
•Libraries - Gobo, Color, and Position libraries form a database used when
programming memories.
•Spot number - The number by which moving lights are addressed.
•Parameters - The attributes of moving devices.
•Value - The numerical value assigned to a parameter or a dimmer.
•Store - Save the information in the editor.
•Erase - Delete selected data.

Text conventions
Spark
1-4
•Delta - A tool for memory modification.
•Modify- Change stored information and fade rates.
•Frame - Scroller frame.
Playback terms
•Go - Initiate an automatic crossfade, controller fade, or chaser run.
•Hold - Stop any fade or chaser in progress.
•Multifade - Initiate a fade to the next memory in sequence before the fade in progress
is complete.
•End Stop - When crossfaders or the controllers are at either 0% or 100%.
•Off the End Stop- When the crossfaders or the controllers are at more than 0% or less
than 100%.
•Rate - The rate at which channels and spots fade in or out during a crossfade. The rate
at which a chaser runs.
•Step - Manually moving from the current memory to the next memory of a chaser.
•Sequence - The numerical sequencing of the memories on the A/B or C/D crossfaders.
Text conventions
•Panel [KEYS] are in square brackets, all caps, and bold.
•Messages are in italics.
•# refers to a number entered on the numeric keypad.
•Command line refers to the sequence of keystrokes executed and displayed in the gray
line at the bottom of the display monitor. The keystrokes in the command line are
represented in italics.
•Prompt line refers to prompts occurring in menus; these are italicized.
•Desk, console, and system are used interchangeably.

CHAPTER 2
GENERAL OPERATION
The Editor Section
F keys
Programming memories
Editor color key
Editor error trapping
Clearing the editor
Parameter Control
The wheels
A/B Crossfader
Controllers
Soft Keys
Assigning the default mode
Assigning a temporary mode
Using the Soft Keys for playback control
Color code for Soft Key LEDs
General Master
Menus
Accessing menus
Exiting the menu mode
Text & the Alphanumeric Keyboard
A page of text
Erasing text
Using the text keyboard for programming
Locking/unlocking the keyboard
On-line Help
System Status

The Editor Section
Spark
2-2
The Editor Section
Editing keys are used to:
•Select channels
•Select spots
•Assign intensity and parameter values
•Program memories
•Manipulate the display.
•Assign memory attributes such as Loops, Links, and Part Qs.
Most keys are single purpose keys. Some keys however access two different functions. The
function in the lower half of the key is accessed using the [SHIFT] key.
The editors work in live or blind modes.
The numeric keypad is used for number selections. Some numeric selections may be done
on the Soft Keys.
Keystrokes appear in the yellow command line at the bottom of the display.
Spots and channels that are selected in the editor appear in red. Spots and channels that
appear in red are may be assigned parameter and intensity values.
Spots and channels that appear in white are present in the editor, but not currently
selected. They are included in any memory that is recorded.
The Editor operates in Live and the Blind modes. In Live mode any alterations made to
the stage picture are visible on stage. In Blind mode, memories are programmed or
modified without any interruption of the active stage picture.

The Editor Section
Spark
2-3
F keys
The Function (F) keys are multi-purpose soft keys, generally used while working in
menus. When the system is not in menu mode, F1-F5 offer immediate access to macros 1-
5. F6 accesses all the rest of the macros. In menu mode these keys access the convenient
menu functions and options. These keys are also used for Delta application and editing
SMPTE time codes.
Programming memories
Memories are programmed by selecting channels and assigning intensity values or
selecting spots and assigning parameter values, then storing the resulting stage picture.
Each memory may be programmed for the following information:
•Fade in and out time, from 'cut' to 999.9 seconds.
•Delay, wait -in, and wait out time, from 'cut' to 999.9 seconds.
•An automatic follow-on memory created by using the loop function.
•Loops containing any number of memories.
•Links between non-sequential memories.
•Event assignments that automatically operate multiple functions
•Parts
•Text
Editor color key
Color Status
Red field Spots and channels selected in the editor. Spots and channels
displayed in red can be assigned intensity levels and parameter values.
White field Spots and channels that are present in the editor. When storing an
editor group as a memory the spots and channels displayed in white
and red are included in the memory.
Dark blue Spots and channels selected under memory modification (see Chapter
9 Modifying Memories).

Parameter Control
Spark
2-4
Editor error trapping
Spark has efficient error trapping, meaning that you cannot go too far wrong. An illegal
key press is immediately recognized. If you make a mistake the system displays messages
such as Illegal Number or Invalid Sequence.
To get rid of this message and continue working, press the correct key. The correct
keystroke clears the error and allows the operation to continue.
Clearing the editor
You can clear the editor by pressing either [RESET] or [CLEAR].
Using RESET
Press [RESET] once to fade out the channels and spots in the editor in Default Fade
Time. The Default Fade Time can be modified in the System Parameters menu. (See
Chapter 19 - System Configuration).
Press [RESET] twice to bump out the channels and spots in the editor.
Using CLEAR
[CLEAR] works as a regressive clear function.
Press [CLEAR] once- the command line clears, leaving only the selection mode (channel,
spot, or memory).
Press [CLEAR] [CLEAR] - the output of selected channels and spots (displayed in red)
are cleared.
Press [CLEAR] [CLEAR] [CLEAR] - the selection mode is cleared from the command
line. The editor is now idle.
Parameter Control
Parameters are assigned values by either selecting a parameter on the Soft Keys in Param
mode and assigning a value using the numeric keypad or by using the wheels.
Using the wheels obviates selecting the parameter, as it is automatically selected when its
wheel is moved. When you select a parameter on the Soft Keys in param mode, the
appropriate wheel jumps to the wheel bank for the selected parameter.
[STEP UP] increments continuous parameters by bits and mixed or discrete step
parameters by steps.
[STEP DOWN] decrements continuous parameters by bits and mixed or discrete step
parameters by steps.
The wheels
The wheels operate in a 'non-collapsing' mode, meaning that the relative difference of the
values between different spots and channels is preserved when the spots and channels are
faded up or down.
Example: The editor contains spot or channel 1 at 75% intensity and spot or channel 2 at
85%. Select both of the spots (channels) and begin to wheel up. Spot/channel 2 reaches

A/B Crossfader
Spark
2-5
full intensity when spot/channel 1 is at 90%. If you continue moving the wheel until
spot/channel 1 is at full and then you fade both spots/channels down, spot/channel 1 will
begin the fade first. The 10% difference in the spots'/channels' intensities is always
maintained.
The above example uses the dimmer parameter, however the explanation is valid for all
the parameters.
Spark’s control panel has three horizontal parameter wheels, numbered Wheel 1, Wheel 2,
and Wheel 3. When editing channels or when the editor is idle, the wheel assignments
are: Wheel 1 - int intensity, Wheel 2 - frm frame, Wheel 3 - rate chaser or A/B rate. For
editing spots the wheels are organized into 9 Wheel Banks. Parameters can be assigned to
more than one wheel.
To move from one parameter wheel bank to the next press [WHEEL+] or [WHEEL].
A/B Crossfader
The A/B crossfader is the playback crossfader of the system.
Memories crossfade, sequencing in numerical order, when either an automatic Go
command is received or the crossfade is performed manually.
Fades are executed automatically (by pressing [GO]), according to prerecorded fade rates,
or by manual movement of the crossfader. The crossfade rate can be overridden at any
point in the fade progression by using the rate wheel.
ZKHHO 
ZKHHO 
ZKHHO 
1 - dim
1 - frm
1 - rt

A/B Crossfader
Spark
2-6
The A/B crossfader area of the console consists of: the A fader and the B fader, an LED
display for each fader that shows their current assignments, assignment keys and control
keys.
SEQ
AUTO
GO
TO HOLD
GO
BACK
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10
AB
B
A
crossfade
control keys
LED display
for fader A
fader A
fader B
LED display
for fader B
10 
9 
8 
7 
6 
5 
4 
3 
2 
1 
0
A/B
Assignment
ke
y
s
Figure 1 The A/B crossfader area
The Playback area of the Stage display(display formats 1,3,5,7) provides information as to
the current status of the A/B crossfader.
The X-Fade Exam is a display dedicated to the A/B crossfader and is generally used
during playback. (see Chapter 3 – Displays)
The A/B crossfader supports Part Qs, memory loops, links, and Event assignments.