ETC GDS CueSystem User manual

Copyright © 2016 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
All rights reserved. Product information and specifications subject to change.
Part Number: 7493M1200-4.0.4 Rev: A
Released: 2016-09
This product is intended for professional use only.
Read this entire document before using this product.
CueSystem
User Guide

ETC
®
is a registered trademark of Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. in the United States and other
countries.
GDS
®
is a registered trademark of Global Design Solutions in Bristol, UK.
All other trademarks, both marked and not marked, are the property of their respective owners.
ETC intends this document, whether printed or electronic, to be provided in its entirety.

Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Help from ETC Technical Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
PC Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Installing and Setting Up the System . . . . . 5
Installing Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Installing PC Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Configuring the IP Address of the PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Starting the Software and Connecting to the Network. . . . . . . . .5
Discovering and Configuring Devices
on the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
About Device IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Changing the IP Addresses of the Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Adopting Devices to the Local Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Adding Desks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Editing Desk Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Deleting Desks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Patching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Associating Desks and Patching Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Managing the Patch Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using the Overview Window . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sending Manual Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Sending a Standby Cue (Red Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Sending a Single Go Cue (Green Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Sending Multiple Go Cues (Amber Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Programming Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Creating Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

ii CueSystem
Playing Back Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Playback Using the CueSystem Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Connecting a Playback Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Adding a Cue List to a Playback Unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Playback Using a Playback Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Using Show Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Creating a New Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Saving Show Files on the Local PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Opening Show Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Setting User Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
User Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Introduction 1
Introduction
Welcome to the CueSystem User Guide. CueSystem provides simple, reliable cue-light control
for theatres, conference areas, and any venue that requires a cue-light system.
Document Conventions
This document uses the following conventions to draw your attention to important
information.
ETC’s user documents are designed for printed or electronic use. However, there are many
advantages to using the electronic (.PDF) versions. In addition to the benefits of a PDF (such
as word search, bookmarks, and commenting tools) you can click on headings in the Table of
Contents and jump to the desired page. Throughout this document, any cross-references
(indicated in blue italics like this: Introduction on page 1) are links that may be clicked to jump
to the specific part of the manual.
All of ETC’s documents are available for free download from our website:
www.etcconnect.com.
Please e-mail comments about this manual to: T[email protected].
Note:
Notes are helpful hints and information that is supplemental to the main text.
CAUTION:
A Caution statement indicates situations where there may be undefined or
unwanted consequences of an action, potential for data loss or an equipment
problem.
WARNING: A Warning statement indicates situations where damage may occur,
people may be harmed, or there are serious or dangerous
consequences of an action.
WARNING: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! This warning statement indicates situations
where there is a risk of electric shock.

2CueSystem
Help from ETC Technical Services
If you are having difficulties, your most convenient resources are the references given in this
document. To search more widely, try the ETC website at www.etcconnect.com. If none of
these resources are sufficient, contact ETC Technical Services directly at one of the offices
identified below. Emergency service is available from all ETC offices outside of normal
business hours.
When calling for help, please have the following information available:
• Detailed description of the problem
• Be near the equipment for troubleshooting
• Notification number if you have called in previously
Americas United Kingdom
Electronic Theatre Controls Inc. Electronic Theatre Controls Ltd.
Technical Services Department Technical Services Department
3031 Pleasant View Road 26-28 Victoria Industrial Estate
Middleton, WI 53562 Victoria Road,
800-775-4382 (USA, toll-free) London W3 6UU England
[phone] [phone]
[email protected] [email protected]
Asia Germany
Electronic Theatre Controls Asia, Ltd. Electronic Theatre Controls GmbH
Technical Services Department Technical Services Department
Room 1801, 18/F Ohmstrasse 3
Tower 1, Phase 1 Enterprise Square 83607 Holzkirchen, Germany
9 Sheung Yuet Road [phone]
Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong [email protected]
[phone]
[email protected]

Overview 3
Overview
CueSystem provides simple, reliable cue-light control for theatres, conference areas, and any
venue that requires a cue-light system.
CueSystem allows all hardware to be integrated into standard RJ45 Ethernet connections and
offers total flexibility in terms of patching and configuration on standard networks.
CueSystem desks come in either rack-mount or desktop configurations with 4-channel
(desktop only), 8-channel, and 12-channel versions available.
CueSystem consists of four main parts:
Desks
Provides the physical button inputs to control the outstations.
Multiple desks can be used on one network to create a larger
channel/output count.
CueSpider
outstations
Remote cue-light indicators provide real time red/green LED
indication and cue text information. Also provides dynamic feedback
to the desk.
PC application
Used for managing CueSystem options and patching. Also used for
advanced show control and cue lists. The PC is used for initial
configuration of the system. Once the system is configured and a
show file is created, a playback unit can be used instead of a PC for
playing back show files.
Playback unit (Optional) Provides show control of pre-programmed cue list. Also
allows for simple updating of existing cues.
Desk
PC Application
CueSpider
outstation Playback
unit (optional)

4CueSystem
Features
• Ethernet connectivity
• Real time feedback—the controller only lights if the CueSpider outstation does
• Single preset mastering and cancel options for all channels
• Configurable user options—adjust the behavior of the system
• Left-hand and right-hand mastering for all controllers over four channels
• Robust carry handle (desk version)
PC Requirements
The following is the minimum specification required for a PC to run the CueSystem software
application. The PC is used to configure the system initially and to control user options, if
required.
Operating system Windows®7 or higher
Processor 2 GHz or higher
RAM 1 GB or higher
Free disk space 1GB
Video resolution 1024 x 768
Software
•Microsoft
®.NET framework 4.6.1 or higher (installer will download if
not present)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer®11 or higher

Installing and Setting Up the System 5
Installing and Setting Up the System
Installing Hardware
See the CueSystem Control Desks & Playback Units Installation Guide and the CueSystem
CueSpider Outstation Installation Guide for installation instructions. CueSystem documents
are available for free download at www.etcconnect.com/cuesystem.
Installing PC Software
Download the PC software from www.etcconnect.com/cuesystem and run the installer.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software.
Configuring the IP Address of the PC
After you install the software, you must change the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway of
the PC to match the CueSystem network IP address scheme. For a single client PC, we
recommend that you use the following settings:
Starting the Software and Connecting to the Network
One CueSystem desk or playback unit must be assigned as a master controller, storing all
show file and setup information for the rest of the system. By default, this unit is a playback
unit. If no playback unit is present, the master controller must be a desk. For more
information, see Adopting Devices to the Local Network on page 8 and Controller on page
22.
After you start the software, you must enter the IP address of the master controller for initial
setup.
Step 1: Double-click the CueSystem icon on your desktop. The CueSystem software application
opens.
Protocol Address
IP Address 10.101.167.125
Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0
Gateway 10.101.1.1

6CueSystem
Step 2: Select File > Options, and then click the Controller tab.
Step 3: In the IP Address field, enter the IP address for the master controller, and then click
Save.
Step 4: Click the blue Connect button in the lower-left corner of the CueSystem window.The
application attempts to make a connection to the controller. If the connection is
successful this label changes to Online (in green).
Step 5: You are now prompted to load the show file from the controller. All CueSystem
hardware is shipped with a demo show. Click Yes to load the demo show from the
controller. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the system. In future sessions,
you will still see this prompt, but the show file on the controller will be the last one saved
rather than the demo show.
Note:
Your Windows display settings must be set to use text at 100% size in order for the
CueSystem software to display correctly. To set this, go to Control Panel > Display,
and then select the Smaller - 100% option.

Discovering and Configuring Devices on the Network 7
Discovering and Configuring Devices
on the Network
After you install the software and successfully connect to the network, click the Patch menu
to open the Patch window and configure your devices.
Click the Device Discovery button at the top of the Patch window. The CueSystem Device
Discovery & Configuration window opens and shows all devices on the network.
About Device IP Addresses
CueSystem devices are pre-configured with DHCP selected. In this mode, a DHCP server is
required (typically found on an Ethernet switch) to allocate an IP address to the CueSystem
device in order to communicate on the network.
If you choose to set up a static IP scheme for your CueSystem network or you do not have a
DHCP server, see the table below for suggested IP addresses for the units.
Changing the IP Addresses of the Devices
Step 1: Deselect the DHCP check box.
Step 2: Double-click on the device’s IP address and enter the new IP address for the device.
Step 3: Double-click on any other related network settings and enter the new settings.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1–3 for other devices, and then click Send all changes.
Desks 10.101.167.100
Playback Units 10.101.167.105
Note:
All IP addresses must be unique. If you have multiple devices of the same type (e.g.,
two desks), the IP address of at least one of the units must be changed before you
can use them together. Ensure that the default addresses do not conflict with other
devices on your IP network before you connect them.

8CueSystem
Adopting Devices to the Local Network
One CueSystem desk or playback unit must be assigned as a master controller, storing all
show file and setup information for the rest of the system. By default, the master controller is
a playback unit. If you do not have a playback unit, the master controller must be a desk.
In order for your CueSystem network to function correctly, you must point all devices (desks
and outstations) to that master controller. The process of pointing CueSystem devices to a
master controller is called adopting.
To adopt a device to the master controller, select the device in the CueSystem Device
Discovery & Configuration window and then click Adopt devices to local network. The
Controller IP field for the selected device is set to the IP address of the selected master
controller.
Note:
In order to adopt devices, the CueSystem PC software must be connected and online
with the master controller.

Adding Desks 9
Adding Desks
After you discover and configure the devices, you must add virtual desks within the software
to represent the hardware desks.
Step 1: Click the Program menu to go to the Cue Editing window.
Step 2: Click Add Desk. The Add Desk window opens.
Step 3: Type a name for the desk (20 characters maximum).
Step 4: Choose the number of channels on the hardware desk. For example, if you have a
12-channel hardware desk on the network, select a 12-channel virtual desk.
Step 5: Click Add Desk to create the desk. The desk displays in the Cue Editing window.
Step 6: Repeat steps 2–5 to add more desks as required. All desks are also shown in the Patch
window.
Editing Desk Names
Step 1: Click in the black area that contains the name.
Step 2: Edit the text and then press ENTER.
Deleting Desks
Step 1: Click Delete Desk. The Delete Desk window opens.
Step 2: Select the desk that you want to delete and then click Delete. The desk is deleted.
CAUTION:
When you delete a desk, any cues associated with that desk are also deleted.
Virtual desk (above) represents the hardware
desk (below) within the PC software

10 CueSystem
Patching
After you add virtual desks to represent the hardware desks, you must associate the virtual
desks with the hardware desks on the network and then patch the desk channels to
CueSpider outstations. You can patch one channel to multiple outstations, if required. Once
you have finished patching, you can use the system manually without further configuration.
Click the Patch menu to open the Patch window.
Desks appear on the left and outstations on the right. If a desk or outstation is dimmed
(greyed out), it means the device is not currently connected to the network.
Channels on both desks and outstations are represented by blue channel boxes. Each patched
channel box contains one or more alphanumeric codes that describe which channels are
patched to each other. For example, the blue channel box on an outstation that is patched to
channel 3 on desk 1 would display as [1,3]. A channel that is not patched is indicated by a
dash.
Outstation
A channel
on the
outstation
Channel
assignment
on the desk
Name of desk
Virtual desk
Offline virtual
desk

Patching 11
Associating Desks and Patching Channels
Step 1: If you do not see any virtual desks, create one or more desks (see Adding Desks on page
9). Outstations are automatically connected (if present).
Step 2: Select the virtual desk that you want to patch.
Step 3: Associate the virtual desk with the
hardware desk by choosing the
MAC address (preceded by a "D")
of the hardware desk from the
Connect to Hardware Desk
drop-down list on that virtual desk.
The virtual desk is now enabled
(shown in high contrast) and is
connected to a real hardware desk.
The same connected desk is also enabled in the Cue Editing window.
Step 4: To name channels on the virtual desk, click on a channel’s Title box, type a name for the
channel, and then press RETURN. A maximum of 10 characters is permitted. Repeat for
other channels as required. The channel name will also appear on the screen of the
associated CueSpider outstation.
Step 5: Click one of the blue (channel) boxes on the desk. The box turns amber to indicate it has
been selected.
Step 6: Click one of the blue (channel) boxes on the outstation. This box also turns amber, and
a pair of alphanumeric codes appear in the two boxes. This code corresponds to the
desk ID and channel being used to control the outstation (see the figure below).
Step 7: Repeat this process to patch other channels as required.
Step 8: To remove a channel patch, click the desk channel and then click the patched outstation
channel.
Step 9: When you have finished patching, click the Update Controller button to send the patch
configuration to the controller. A pop-up window indicates that any channels currently
active will be cleared. Click Yes to send the new patch information. You are now ready
to send manual cues (Sending Manual Cues on page 14) or to program cues (see
Programming Cues on page 15).
CAUTION:
When making any changes in the Patch window, you must click the Update
Controller button to send the new information to the network. Failure to do
this will result in all changes being lost.
This channel is
patched to
outstation ID AA This channel is patched
to desk ID 4, channel 1

12 CueSystem
Managing the Patch Window
To make the Patch window less cluttered, you can minimize the graphics for desks and
outstations so that you see only the name and type of the device. This is useful, for example,
when offline devices take up too much room on the screen and you only want to see the
connected devices. To minimize a device, click the icon in the top-right corner of the device.
Click Refresh System to request a database refresh. This is used for two purposes:
• To refresh the CueSystem software when you change the connected hardware in your
configuration and to read the new hardware configuration so that it appears in the software
• To discard any patch information changes that have not yet been sent (by clicking Update
Controller)
Click Delete Desk to delete database records of real hardware desks that are no longer
required (and are not currently connected). A window opens in which you can choose the
desk to delete.
Click Delete Node or Outstation to delete database records of outstations that are no
longer required (and are not currently connected). A window opens in which you can choose
the outstation to delete.

Using the Overview Window 13
Using the Overview Window
The Overview window provides a graphical representation of your real-world layout of
outstations. By importing a JPG or PNG image of your floor plan, you can overlay the
outstation graphics on top of the image.
During a show, you can use the overview screen as a monitor to provide real-time feedback
on the status of each outstation. When you activate CueSpider outstations using a hardware
desk or playback unit, the standby and go lights for those outstations also illuminate in the
Overview window.
Step 1: Click the Overview menu to open the Overview window.
Step 2: Click the Set Image button at the top of the window.
Step 3: In the window that opens, select a JPG or PNG image file from your computer to display
on the overview screen and click Open.
Step 4: Drag an outstation to its appropriate location on the imported image. Repeat as needed
for additional outstations.
Step 5: To delete an image, click the Clear Image button at the top of the window.

14 CueSystem
Sending Manual Cues
After configuration is complete, you can use CueSystem as a simple, manual operation
cue-light console with red buttons as standby lights and green buttons as go lights.
By default, red standby lights will flash on activation to allow the stage manager to take
advantage of the onboard acknowledge feature. If you prefer non-flashing standby lights,
you can change this setting in the Options window (see User Options on page 23.)
Sending a Standby Cue (Red Light)
Step 1: At the desk, press the red channel button to send the standby cue. The red light flashes
at the desk and on the CueSpider outstation.
Step 2: At the outstation, press the red flashing light to make the light solid at both the
outstation and the desk. This provides a visual indication to the stage manager at the
desk that the standby has been acknowledged.
Step 3: At the desk, press the red channel button. The red light goes off. Or, if you set the Red
Behaviour preference to Lose red on go, you can leave the red light on until you send
the go cue. See User Options on page 23.
Sending a Single Go Cue (Green Light)
Step 1: At the desk, press the green channel button to send the go cue. The green light is turned
on at the desk and on the outstation.
Step 2: Press the green channel button again. The green light goes off. You can change whether
the green light stays on or goes off when the button is released. See User Options on
page 23.
Sending Multiple Go Cues (Amber Light)
Use amber preset buttons to preset multiple channels in order to trigger all selected channels
to go at the same time by pressing the master [GO/CLEAR] button on the desk.
Step 1: Press the amber channel buttons for all channels required in the go cue. The amber
buttons are turned on.
Step 2: Press one of the master [GO/CLEAR] buttons (found at either end of the desk). The
respective green lights are turned on.
Step 3: To cancel all selected presets, press one of the [PRESET CANCEL] buttons (found on
either end of the desk). All preset lights are turned off.
Note:
The master [STANDBY CANCEL] buttons on each end of the desk turn off any active
red lights.
You can choose the flashing speed in the User Options window (see User Options
on page 23).
Note:
The master [GO/CLEAR] buttons on each end of the desk turn off any active green
lights. This action cannot be undone.

Programming Cues 15
Programming Cues
For more complex (or long-running) productions, CueSystem provides advanced
programming features allowing you to record cue light operation into a convenient cue stack
that can be replayed using a simple go button in either the PC application or the optional
playback unit.
Click the Program menu to open the Cue Editing window.
You can check your show by using the up and down arrows on your keyboard. As you select
each cue, it is output live to the connected CueSystem hardware.
About Cue Light States
On an active (connected) desk, channels display differently to indicate whether a channel is lit
or not lit.
Channel display options are:
•Crossed box: Channel is patched but disconnected. A disconnected channel is one that is not
physically connected to an outstation.
•Shadowed box: Channel is not lit.
•Bright box with no shadow: Channel is patched, connected and lit.
•Dimmed box: Channel is not patched, or desk is offline.
Patched but
disconnected, lit
Patched but
disconnected, not lit
Not patched,
lit
Not patched,
not lit

16 CueSystem
Managing the Cue Editing Window
To make the Cue Editing window less cluttered, you can minimize the graphics for desks so
that you see only the name and type of the desk. For example, you may want to minimize
some offline desks that are taking up too much room on the screen so that you only see the
connected desks. To minimize a device, click the icon in the top-right corner of the desk.
Creating Cues
Step 1: When you start with a new blank cue list, the first cue number is already entered. Click
in the description box to give the cue a description, and then press ENTER on your
keyboard.
Step 2: To add an additional cue, click Insert After. A second cue is inserted after cue 01.The
cue number is incremented by 1.Type a description for cue 02 then press ENTER. It is not
necessary to select the Insert After button after it has been selected once. The
CueSystem software will remember your selection to allow quick entry of additional
cues.
Step 3: To insert a cue somewhere in the middle of the cue list, select the cue and choose Insert
Before or Insert After as required.
Step 4: To define (or edit) a cue, select the desired cue, and do the following:
• Edit the description: Type in the Description box then press ENTER.
• Set the cue lights: Click the red and green buttons to turn the channels on/off. You
can set cue light channels either using the virtual desk in the Cue Editing window
or using a hardware desk (if connected and online).
• Optionally, specify a period of time before each cue light is turned off, in the Auto
Off panel. For example, to specify the red light to be turned off automatically after
10 seconds, type the value 10 in the Seconds box and select the Enabled box.
Step 5: Click Record Desk Changes to store the cue.
Step 6: To delete a cue, select it from the list and then click Delete Cue.
Note:
When you insert new cues between existing cues, the new cue will be allocated a
number with an additional decimal place (also known as a point cue). For example,
if you insert a cue between cues 01 and 02, the new cue has the number 01.50. To
renumber the cue list, click Renumber Cues. Note that cue numbers are changed
when you use this feature. In this example, the cues will now be numbered 01, 02,
03 (cue 02 is changed to cue 03). Do not use this feature if you wish to preserve cue
numbers.
Note:
You must store changes to the current cue using the Record Desk Changes button
before moving to a different cue. Otherwise, you will lose the changes you have
made to the current cue.
Note:
You are not prompted to confirm deleting a cue.