 FADER TRAY
The Faders on 324 Live are of the 100mm motorised type. They will apply a gain range of -∞ to +10dBu for all input channels, and -∞ to 0dBu (Unity) on all output faders.
The input or output BANK to be affected by the faders is selected in the FADER BANK panel. Here, the operator may select either BANK A (Inputs 1-16), BANK B (Inputs 17-32), or the MASTERS BANK (all output masters except L/R).
In addition, a second press on the currently illuminated BANK switch will activate a fourth "hidden" mode of the faders: in this mode, the 16 faders will act as 16 Assignable MIDI Continuous Controller Masters. Up to 64 MIDI Controller Maps, or "Presets", may be stored in 324 Live for later recall.
 MASTER CONTROL SECTION
The Master section of 324 Live houses the controls for the internal Snapshot automation system, general console configuration, and the integrated Lexicon FX and Dynamics units.
AUTOMATION
The Automation system in a Live sound console needs to be intuitive, clear and sufficiently flexible to allow for the inevitable variances in the performance from night to night, show to show.
 324 Live's internal snapshot automation system allows up to 100 Snapshots of the console status to be created for later recall.
All primary digital audio parameters are reset, along with the parameters of both the FX and Dynamics units.
In addition to the console audio, 324 Live also permits up to 10 MIDI Events to be tagged onto each Snapshot. These Events may be Program Changes (ideal for resetting external FX or Sampler devices) or Note On messages (with duration and velocity, great for triggering Samplers to replay Sound FX).
This integration of MIDI with the Audio in the console means that 324 Live is equally at home either as the core of a completely automated sceneset / FX replay system for Theatre sound, or as the centrepiece of a PA rig with recall of external FX units.
Replay
Once snapshots are stored in the Cue List, they may be recalled in sequence using the NEXT and LAST switches. operator to activate the LOCKOUT Navigation Switches
The NEXT switch simply steps sequentially from one Cue to the next, and the LAST switch recalls the previously recalled cue. LAST is a "press and hold" function to help prevent accidental LAST Cue recall.
In addition to the Cue name and snapshot number in the main LCD, for clarity the current Cue number is also displayed in a large format LED display in the centre of the Master section. In order to avoid accidental erasure of important data, this display also includes an "E" to denote that a Cue slot is empty and may be safely overwritten. To the right of the main digits, an "o" symbol denotes the presence of MIDI Event programming in the Cue, so the user is alerted to the presence of MIDI in that Cue, and therefore the possibility of SFX being triggered by that Snapshot.
Cues may also be recalled out of sequence, using the CUE SCROLL function. Pressing CUE SCROLL reconfigures the PARAM encoder in the centre of the Master section as a Scroll wheel for the Cue list. This allows the user to move the cursor quickly through the Cue list. Pressing RECALL when the required Cue is shown will replay that data to the console.
Navigation Switches
To assist in fast navigation of the LCD screens, four Page Selection switches are placed around the display, which access key elements of the 324 Live Setup menu hierarchy. These allow direct access to the MIDI, Snapshot, Presets (FX, DYN and MIDI) and Menu switches.
Jump & Mark
Since it is often useful when programming to move back and forth between two pages (for example between the MIDI Continuous Controller programming page and the MIDI Event programming page), 324 Live uses a Jump and Mark concept, using the F1 and F2 keys as assignable page markers. Pressing and holding the F1 or F2 switch when the desired page is present on the LCD will result in the page location being stored into that F key. Pressing the F key at any point thereafter will return the user to the stored page location for that key.
Console Lock
It is often necessary for the operator to leave a Live Sound console unattended (pre-show, problemsolving during a show, etc.) and during that time, the control surface of a mixer can sometimes prove too much of a temptation for members of the audience. Pressing and holding the padlock symbol switch allows the function, which results in the illumination of the console surface being deactivated, and the faders being parked at the bottom of their travel.
Various levels of lockout are available, ranging from combinations of Faders or Automation to the whole surface, so the security level can be set as appropriate.
Audio will continue to pass when the console is in a LOCKED state.
Unlocking the desk is achieved either by pressing and holding the lock switch, or by cycling power to the console.
|