Cross fading between outputs (Urgent: Show starts Saturday!)

howartp · Post by **howartp** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:02 am

Hi,

I've got 4 outputs in SCS to individual speaker pairs. This is working fine.

However, I'm trying to fly a bird, helicopter style, from the back of the auditorium to the front, but I'm failing.

Description: Two audio files, BirdScreech and WingsFlapping. Both play simultaneously on a loop.

Attempt 1: One big cue with several subcues. The 2 audio files are sent to all four outputs, level zero. Next 2 subcue's (delay: 0) fade up the files to full in back speakers. Next 2 subcues (delay: 3) fade up files to full in middle speakers. Next 2 subcues (delay: 6) fade down files to zero in back speakers. Etc - subcues all delayed correct time to fade up and down the files to each speaker.

Problem 1: The subcue fades are not taking account of the volume changes made by previous subcues. Each subcue fade runs correctly, eg fading back speakers to full, but the next subcue assumes the back speakers are zero (as the original files are set to) so it jumps them back to zero whilst performing it's correct fade.

Attempt 2: I was kind of aware of this limitation of subcues, so I tried it with normal cues. Cue 1 plays 2x audio files (BirdScreech and WingsFlapping) at zero level. Cue 2 (autostart 3 seconds after cue 1) fades cue 1 back speakers to full. Cue 3 (autostart 6 seconds after cue 1) fades cue 1 mid speakers to full. Etc.

Problem 2: The cue's were starting to fade, then randomly setting their volumes to mid-way levels. One cue, fading both files, could set bird to 60% and the wings to 45%. (I'm working on how far across the slider-panel they were; can't recall actual volumes)

Attempt 3: Create four seperate cues, with 4 subcues each. Subcue 1, play bird inc 5-sec fadein, subcue2, play wings inc 5-sec fadein. Subcue 3+4 fade-to-zero-and-stop subcue's 1+2 respectively. Each cue is set to autostart together, with the subcue delays set so the volume's only change at the correct time. (To ensure the bird calls aren't on top of each other, cos it's only one bird...)

Problem 3: When the first cue fades-to-stop, the remaining cues throw an error, which unfortunately I didn't write down. Something to do with the fact that they are linked to (and counting down with) a cue which has stopped.

Attempt 4: Rather than fade-to-stop the cues as per Attempt 3, I faded them to zero and left them playing. This solved that issue. However, whenever I went into the editor, the LoopEnd and FadeIn times for the birdcall file had disappeared. I set them back and pressed the play button on the file within the editor, and the fadein just disappeared in front of my eyes - and nearly blew our ear drums in the process!!!

I'm using 9.3.2 tr. I just realised I should have run a trace and brought it home for Mike, but I was getting so frustrated (show starts Saturday) that I wasn't thinking straight.

Note to Mike: I've replaced the Terratec card which was causing the reboot's and BSOD's. I've also bumped up the memory from 512MB to 2GB - I haven't a clue why I only put 512 in when I built it - that was causing the slowdown / juttering, but the terratec card definitely caused the reboots/BSODs.

Are these known issues? Is there a stable version prior to 9.2 (maybe 9.1.5) that will work with my existing file (100 Cues) including subcues. I don't have any time-based cues or MIDI in it, just Audio, fade and stop.

Cheers,

Peter

Mike Daniell · Post by **Mike Daniell** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:12 pm

'Attempt 2' is the way I would tackle this, but I'm puzzled by the random settings of levels. I'm away from home at the moment and have limited facilities for checking the problems encountered with this and other attempts. I will, however, email you details of another version I have available that has some additional facilities in level change cues.

Thanks for the info about the Terratec card. More memory is always a bonus.

9.1 is still available in the Download Archive in the Members' Area.

howartp · Post by **howartp** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:35 am

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that.

I'll give it a try tonight.

Peter.

howartp · Post by **howartp** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:10 am

Hi again Mike,

I don't believe it but I've deleted the email you sent with the link to the file, and I can't recall what it was.

I've tried several combinations from memory, but none of them work!

Could you resend it please - I'll try again tonight with the current and archive versions anyway.

Peter

jkowtko · Post by **jkowtko** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:58 am

Peter, can you let us know how this production went (or is going?) I'm curious to hear what you finally came up with for your sound effect.

I am also experimenting with moving sound around 5 channels within a single cue ... works on my laptop but I have to test it in the theater and I will publish the results if I am successful

Thanks. John

howartp · Post by **howartp** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:18 am

Hi John, Mike

I'm sensing a touch of de ja vue here?

I did get it working, but I can't recall how. I'll try and remember to have a look on the PC when I go up tonight, and I'll post back.

Peter

Mike Daniell · Post by **Mike Daniell** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:23 am

Peter,

If you've still got your cue file (the .scs file) that would be a good starting point. If you don't have the whole show still set up (ie audio files, etc) then if you email me the cue file I'll see what I can work out from that.

howartp · Post by **howartp** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:47 am

Hi Mike,

Yeah I've still got the whole show set up on the PC at church - I have no problem with working out what I did once I get there, it's just remembering to look.

Not many people will have experienced the transformation which takes place between a Church and a Theatre - it takes 6 weeks to set up, from the stage going in to opening night, then the majority comes back out in 1.5 days. Then there's the fortnight when me and my dad are up there tidying up, doing this bit and that bit, and oh - don't forget to put that back and.....

Peter