Fairlight Prodigy User manual

Manual by: Andrew Bell/Ross Caston
Copyright © August 2000
Mix/Automation Manual
Software Version 3.1
Part Number: PR1101-C
ocument Number: 168

Page 2 User Manual
Important Notice
The material in this document is copyright to Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd, and
may not be quoted or reproduced in any form without written permission from
the company.
LIMITED SOFTWARE WARRANTY POLICY
All the software pro ided with, or purchased especially for, Fairlight
products has been tested for functionality. Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd will make its
best efforts to correct reported software defects for future releases subject to
technical practicabilities. Fairlight ESP will also replace any defecti e media on
which software has been deli ered pro ided that the item to be replaced is
returned to the dealer who supports the product within 90 days of purchase.
Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd makes no warranty or representation either ex-
pressed or implied with respect to the system's performance or fitness for a
particular purpose.
In no e ent will Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd be liable for direct or indirect dam-
ages arising from any defect in the software or its documentation. Further,
Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd will not accept any liability for any programs, sounds,
audio recording or sequences stored in or used with Fairlight products, including
the cost of reco ery of such data.
The warranties, remedies and disclaimers abo e are exclusi e and take
precedence o er all others, oral or written, express or implied, to the extent
permitted by law in the geographical area of the product's use. No employee of
Fairlight ESP, agent, distributor or employee of an agent or distributor is author-
ised to offer any ariation from this policy.
Copyright 2000
Fairlight ESP Pty Ltd,
Unit 2, 1 Skyline Place,
French's Forest, NSW 2086,
AUSTRALIA.
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Text and Graphics by Andrew Bell / Ross Caston
Updated by Owen Walker

User Manual Page 3
Contents
1. System Components ........................... 5
1.1 Prodigy Engine ................................. 5
1.2 isk rives for Audio Storage ............ 5
1.3 MFX Editing Console ......................... 5
1.4 MFX Video Monitor ........................... 5
1.5 Prodigy Mixing Surface ..................... 5
1.6 Surround Monitor Box ....................... 5
2. PRODIGY Mixer Overview .................. 6
2.1 Mixing System Overview ................... 6
2.2 Inputs and Outputs Overview ............. 7
2.3 Patching Inputs to Tracks ................. 7
2.4 Insert Sends and Returns .................. 7
3. Runnin the System ............................ 8
3.1 Powering on the system ................... 8
...................................................... 3.2
Running the Prodigy Editor ............... 8
3.3 Running the Prodigy Mixer ................ 8
4. Restartin the System ......................... 9
4.1 Restarting the Mixer .......................... 9
4.2 Restarting the PRO IGY Engine ....... 9
4.3 Running the System as an Editor...... 9
5. The Control Surface .......................... 10
6. User Interface ..................................... 11
6.3 System Modes ................................ 11
6.4 Mixer Screen Menu Summary........ 13
6.4.1 The Mix Menu ............................. 13
6.4.2 The Data Menu .......................... 14
6.4.3 The System Menu ..................... 15
6.5 Fader Screen Menus ....................... 16
7. Startin a Job .................................... 17
7.1 File Types ....................................... 17
7.1.1 Recording Fi es ......................... 17
7.2 MFX and Prodigy Communication ... 17
7.3 MFX User Interface ......................... 18
7.3.1 Creating a new project: ............. 18
7.3.2 Opening a project that does not
contain mix data. ....................... 18
7.3.3 Opening a project that contains mix
data. ........................................... 18
7.3.4 Using LOAD MIXDATA in the import
menu. ........................................ 19
7.3.5 C osing a project. ...................... 19
7.3.6 The UPDATE button on the Mixer.20
7.3.7 Extending Project containing embed-
ded Mixer Data. .......................... 20
7.3.8 Removing Embedded Mixer Data from
a project. .................................... 20
7.3.9 Notes ......................................... 21
8. Settin Up the Console ..................... 22
8.1 Buss Allocation ............................... 22
8.1.1 The Buss A ocation Screen ...... 22
8.1.2 Mono Aux Busses ...................... 22
8.1.3 Stereo Aux Busses .................... 22
8.1.4 Sub Busses .............................. 22
8.1.5 Main Busses ............................. 23
8.1.6 Mu titrack Busses ...................... 23
8.1.7 5.1 Format ................................. 23
8.1.8 So o ........................................... 23
8.1.9 C/R Monitor ................................ 23
8.1.10 Define Port ................................ 24
8.1.11 Free Mix Busses ....................... 24
8.2 Monitoring Setup ............................. 24
8.2.1 The Surround Monitor ............... 24
8.2.2 Interna Sources ........................ 26
8.3 Channel Configuration ..................... 27
8.3.1 Live Feeds ................................. 27
8.3.2 Track Feeds .............................. 27
8.3.4 Sources ..................................... 28
8.3.5 Insert Points .............................. 29
8.3.6 Copying Channe Configuration 29
8.3.7 Stereo Linking ........................... 29
8.3.8 Arming Tracks ........................... 29
8.3.9 Signa F ow ................................ 29
8.3.10 EQ/COMP/EXP buttons ............. 29
8.3.11 Mu titrack busses ...................... 29
8.3.12 MS Decoding/Input configuration
options ...................................... 30
8.3.13 Input Phase Reverse ................ 30
8.4 Buss and Group Assignment .......... 31
8.5 Naming Signal Paths ...................... 31
8.5.1 Tracks ........................................ 31
8.6.2 Live Feeds ................................. 32
8.6 Fader Sets ...................................... 32
8.6.1 Switching Between Sets ........... 32
8.6.2 Editing a Fader Set .................... 32
8.6.3 Saving Fader Sets ..................... 33
8.7 Meter Sets ...................................... 33
8.7 Editing a Meter Set .................... 33
8.7.2 Saving Meter Sets ..................... 34

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8.8 Talkback ......................................... 35
8.8.1 Operation ................................... 35
8.8.2 Setup ......................................... 35
8.8.3 Automatic Cue ........................... 36
8.8.4 Use of System Resources ........ 36
9. Operatin the Console Manually ..... 37
9.1 Fader Operation .............................. 37
9.1.1 Leve .......................................... 37
9.1.2 Pan / Ba ance ............................ 37
9.1.3 Trim / Surround ......................... 37
9.1.4 So o ........................................... 37
9.1.5 Mute ........................................... 39
9.1.6 Fader Sets ................................. 39
9.1.7 Faders To .................................. 39
9.1.8 Fader Groups ............................ 39
9.2 Stereo Faders ................................. 41
9.2.1 Setting up a Stereo Fader ......... 41
9.2.2 Leve .......................................... 41
9.2.3 Pan Pot ...................................... 41
9.2.4 Trim Pot ..................................... 41
9.4 Monitoring ....................................... 42
9.4.1 Basic Contro s .......................... 42
9.4.2 The CR Mon & Studio Screen ... 42
9.3 Custom Pan Laws ........................... 43
9.4.3 The Aux Masters Page ...................... 45
9.5 The Central Assignable Panel (CAP) 46
9.5.1 Introduction ................................ 46
9.5.2 Assigning a Signa Path ........... 46
9.5.3 The Equa iser ............................ 46
9.5.4 The Auxi iary Send Pane ........... 48
9.5.5 Dynamics .................................. 50
9.6 Joystick Operation .......................... 52
9.7 Writing Screen Macros ................... 52
9.8 The Cue List ................................... 54
9.9.2 Presets .............................................. 56
9.9.3 The Patch Library .............................. 56
9.9 VFX................................................. 57
9.9.1 Operating VFX ................................... 57
9.10.3 Setting ON Triggers .................. 58
9.10 Fader Starts (GPOs) ....................... 59
9.10.1 Setting up GPOs ....................... 59
9.10.2 Output Mode .............................. 59
10. Console Automation .......................... 60
10.1 Mix Control Buttons ........................ 60
10.1.2 Write Enab es ............................ 63
10.1.3 Mix Screen Menu Buttons .......... 63
10.2 Getting Started with Automation ...... 65
10.3 How to Change an Existing Mix ...... 66
10.3.1 Set Write Enab es ..................... 66
10.3.2 Write New Data ......................... 66
10.3.3 Correct Existing Fader Data ...... 66
10.3.4 Other Automatab e Parameters 66
10.4 How to Set Up for a new Scene ...... 66
10.4.1 Method 1 .................................... 66
Contents continued
10.4.2 Method 2 .................................... 66
10.5.1 Mix Processing Commands ..... 68
10.5.2 Snapshots ................................. 68
10.5 Mix Processing ............................... 69
11. Preferences ........................................ 70
11.1 Preference escriptions ..................... 70

User Manual Page 5
1. System Components
There are eight ma or subassemblies to the Prodigy system :
1.1 Prodigy Engine
This is an 8-unit rack mount device, normally located in a machine room away from the recording area. It provides
processing for all the audio recording, editing and mixing, as well as running the graphics display for the audio
waveform and editing screens.
1.2 Disk Drives for Audio Storage
These may be located inside the Prodigy Engine and on an external SCSI buss, if an additional SCSI card is fitted.
They may include fixed and removable hard disks, magneto-optical disks, and backup tape devices.
1.3 MFX Editing Console
This is built into the Prodigy Mixing Surface, and used for recording and editing functions.
1.4 MFX ideo Monitor
Connects to a 15 pin socket on the Prodigy Engine.
1.5 Prodigy Mixing Surface
Includes faders, Master section, touch screen and a built in automation system, controls the automation of the
console and displays the graphics on an external monitor.
1.6 Surround Monitor Box
The Surround Monitor Box is a 3 unit rack mount providing analog monitoring for Prodigy. Its use is fully described
in the section called Monitoring Setup.

Page 6 User Manual
2. PRODIGY Mixer Overview
2.1 Mixing System Overview
The PRODIGY mixer has a 36 into 12 digital core (please see diagram).
There are 36 input channels (or FEEDS). 24 of them are the outputs of the recorder / editor, known as Track Feeds.
The other 12 channels are called Live Feeds, and these have sources outside the system.
The 12 mixed outputs (or BUSES) are different combinations of the 36 FEEDS. They are used for Main mix outputs,
auxiliary sends, extra mix busses, solo and mix minus outputs and can be reassigned to any of these functions at any
time.

User Manual Page 7
2.2 Inputs and Outputs Overview
The 24 INPUTS are divided into A and B types.
The A Inputs are 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22.
The B Inputs are 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24.
When patching an INPUT to a FEED, certain restrictions apply:
1. Track Feeds can use both A and B Inputs as sources.
2. Live Feeds can use only A Inputs as sources.
3. Insert Returns can use only B Inputs as sources.
The 24 OUTPUTS are also divided into A and B types, with exactly the same numbers. When patching a signal path
to an output (this is called "Defining a Port" in the software), restrictions once again apply:
1. Busses can only use A Outputs.
2. Insert Sends and can only use B Outputs.
3. Monitor outputs can use either A or B Outputs.
4. Direct Outputs can only use B Outputs.
2.3 Patching Inputs to Tracks
There are two reasons for patching Inputs to Tracks:
 to record the input on to the Track
 to put the Track into Thru mode and use it as the equivalent of another Live Feed (this is done on the MFX
Console - click the Arm key, then click the Mode Soft Key until it shows THRU, then click the Track key(s)
of the appropriate track(s)).
Inputs are patched to Tracks on the Channel Configuration screen of the mixer. This is described later in this manual.
Note that it is possible to record a system BUSS into a Track, by patching it to the input of the Track (beware, this
can create audio feedback!). This is done on the Channel Configuration page.
2.4 Insert Sends and Returns
In PRODIGY there are 12 available insert points, which can be patched into any of the feeds. Creating the Insert Send
and Return can be done from the Channel Configuration page or from the Channel List Page.
Sometimes the system will only allow a limited choice of physical I/O ports for use as Insert Sends and Returns. This
is because its architecture dictates the allowable connections between the Physical I/O and the mixer. In all such
cases it is simply a matter of choosing which of the available ports you want to use.

Page 8 User Manual
3. Running the System
3.1 Powering on the system
a) First turn on the Engine, using the power button on the front panel.
b) Next turn on the Mixer Surface, using the power switch on the rear panel.
C) Turn on the surround monitor.
3.2 Running the Prodigy Editor
The Engine, once started, will boot up and launch the main software application.
Open or create a pro ect on the MFX Editor, See Section 7 for further instructions.
3.3 Running the Prodigy Mixer
Once the surface has been powered up and a pro ect has been loaded on the Editor, type -
prodigy
at the prompt, displayed on the external monitor, using the keyboard.

User Manual Page 9
. Restarting the System
4.1 Restarting the Mixer
If you have made a controlled exit from the mixer computer (by pressing the Quit to DOS button) you can restart it by
typing:
PRODIGY<ENTER>
If you wish to restart the mixer, and there is no response from the touch screen, you can hold down all of the follow-
ing keys:
<ALT>-CTRL>-<DEL>
This can normally be done without disturbing the Recorder/Editor. Then type PRODIGY<ENTER>.
After this you should load the Mixer Title, which will return you to the last point you saved.
4.2 Restarting the PRODIGY Engine
If the recorder/editor needs to be restarted, the best way to do it is to turn the power off on the front of the PRODIGY
Engine and PC, then on again, waiting at least 10 seconds in between.
It is usually best to save and then reload the Title from the mixer, so that everything is "in sync".
It is also possible to exit the Prodigy application by typing:
QUIT<RETURN>Y
This will take the machine to a command line interface known as the Shell where various OS9 commands can be
entered. If you have ventured into this area and wish to return to the PRODIGY environment, type:
PRODIGY<RETURN>
You should always restart the Prodigy application on the PC after restarting the Editor.
4.3 Running the System as an Editor
If you wish to run the system as an editor only, exit to the Shell as described above and type:
MFX3<RETURN>
This will cause the system to run as MFX3 this particular time, but next time it is booted it will start as PRODIGY
again. To make the system boot up as MFX3, boot it normally, then type:
BEMFX<RETURN>
then reboot. This can be useful if you wish to move the system to another room or connect it temporarily to another
mixing console. When you wish to change the system back into a PRODIGY, type:
BEPRODIGY<RETURN>
Note: the main differences between MFX3 and PRODIGY are:
 MFX3 is a multitrack editor whose tracks come out of individual outputs (or as a stereo mix from outputs 1
and 2)
 PRODIGY is a multitrack editor with a built in mixer. All outputs are mixes of the tracks and Live Feeds
(except those used as Insert Sends or Direct Outputs)

Page 10 User Manual
5. The Control Surface
Prodigy Keyboard
Used for entering text into the
Mix system and controlling the
Mix computer
Track Ball and Monitor Panel
Contains the Mix computer
Trackball and Monitor controls
Talkback Mic and Floppy
Drive Panel
Contains the Floppy Drive
and the Talkback Mic Input
Editing Console
Used to control all aspects of
recording and editing.
Described in more detail in the
PRODIGY Recording and
Editing Manual.
Joysticks
Used for Panning in Surround
Modes
Central Assignment Panel
Any signal path can be
assigned to this panel,
where its EQ, Dynamics and
Auxiliary send levels may
be altered and automated.
Master Control Section
Used for high level control of
configuration and displays.
Faders
Faders are used for
level control during
recording and mixing.