ETC's CueSystems is a networked cuelight system for use in TV theater and live events.
No matter if it's a small one off event, or a long running nightly production,
CueSystem will transform the way you communicate with actors,
presenters, and production staff.
There are three hardware components to CueSystem.
The CueSpider, the playback controller, and the desk.
The desk comes in 4, 8, and 12 channel tabletop versions,
and 8 and 12 channel rackmount versions.
These components are configured using the CueSystem software.
CueSpider is a compact outstation for receiving standby and go commands from the stage manager or show caller.
CueSpiders connect using a standard power-over-ethernet switch,
so they can be used to your existing lighting network.
Multiple CueSpiders could be daisy-chained together for larger systems.
The multi-channel desk allows for direct single button operation of each CueSystem channel
There are red buttons for standby, yellow buttons for multiple channel presets,
green buttons for go, and a master button at both ends.
CueSystem controllers connect to outstations using the same network as the CueSpiders.
Pressing the red standby buttons on the desk causes standby lights to
blink on both the desk and the CueSpiders.
Pressing the red button on the outstation causes lights at both devices to change from blinking to on,
indicating that performer or operator is ready to receive a “GO” command.
To trigger more than one outstation in a single cue, select multiple channels using the yellow preset buttons.
This commands all preset outstations to “GO” with one press of the Master Go button.
In addition to outstations and controllers,
CueSystem also features free downloadable PC software that handles system setup an advanced programming.
The first thing you want to do with your cue lights
is patch which controller channel talks to which CueSpider outstation.
The device discovery utility goes out over the network, and looks for all CueSystem devices.
You can use this screen if you want to change from the default network settings.
On the main patch screen, you can see your controllers, or desks, on the left,
and your CueSpider outstations on the right.
Point and click to assign each outstation to a desk channel,
then press the update controller button, to send the new patch out to the network.
The PC app can also be used to pre-program and playback cue light sequences,
similar to cues on a lighting console.
This feature is particularly useful for a long-running or complex shows involving frequent cues.
The program function lets you record cue light sequences into a show file.
Select where on the list you want to insert the cue.
Choose whether you want to insert before or after the current cue and enter the cue’s name.
Now you can program what goes into the cue.
Select your cue lights by pressing the red or green buttons on the screen,
or by pressing the buttons on the connected desk.
Press the record desk changes button to save the information.
Once all of the cues are programmed, you can playback the show in the live screen.
This screen provides “GO” and “Back” buttons,
which will playback previously recording cues on the connected hardware.
If you prefer to run your show from a dedicated hardware interface,
you can use the optional CueSystem Playback Unit instead of a PC.
The Playback Unit is available in a rackmount or desktop configuration to fit any workstation.
In addition to recording and playing back cues,
the CueSystem software also lets you monitor CueSpider outstations on the network using the overview screen.
This feature lets you import an image, like this ground plan,
and drag each outstation into place to create a customized system layout.
As CueSystem channels are activated, the corresponding boxes flash on the overview screen,
showing you, at a glance, how your CueSpiders are responding.
No matter the scale of your production,
you can rely on CueSystem to keep everything running seamlessly.
With advanced features never-before-seen in a dedicated cue light system,
we're sure you'll love what CueSystem can do for you.
For more information, go to etcconnect.com.