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creativecontrol 11-20-2020 11:24 AM

Folder Spill Part A
 
[FOLDER SPILL]

One of the banner new features in S4/S6 20.11 is Folder Spill. In exactly the same manner as with VCA Masters, the contents of a Basic or Routing Folder can now be spilled onto the desk, either in place or into user defined Spill Zones. Routing Folders provide an organizational structure for the elements contained within, but also provide the functionality of an Aux Input track which allows you to compress, filter or generally process all of the members of that particular folder at the same time.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrms95xrhf...ting.png?raw=1

When the size and complexity of the project starts to swell, that is precisely when folders become invaluable. The example post session we are working with includes a main SFX Routing Folder. Nested under that routing folder, in additional routing folders, are A FX, B FX, C FX, D FX, E FX, and F FX. Obviously inside of each of those subfolders are the individual units - audio tracks which are all color coded. Just like with nested VCA Masters, I can use Auto-Spill to dive down into nested folders then use the Menu switch to return back up the tree. Once you find the element you need - simply Attention it - and now the dedicated Dyn, EQ, Pan and Master Module sections are illuminated to focus on that particular element.

S4 Folders Part A


Jeff

creativecontrol 12-02-2020 10:10 AM

Folder Spill Part B
 
[WORKING WITH FOLDERS]

Let's dig back into Folder Management, Spilling and general workflow using EUCON 20.11 on the S4/S6. Folders can be accessed, opened or closed, and spilled - either from a standard Banking view, from Track Layouts or by taking advantage of Track Type views - especially within Spill Zones.

Use Attention + (Input) to Open or Close a folder from the channel strip.

Use Menu + Zone L or Zone R to place the folder members into a specific Spill Zone.

Under Settings > User > Automatic Spill of Attentioned Folder can be set to place the members of a Basic or Routing folder into the predefined Spill Zone of your choice when the Attention button is pressed. You can choose the same or different Spill Zone locations for both VCA Masters and Folders. Experiment and see what works best for your workflow.

Enable Synchronize Folder State With Spill under Settings > User to have Pro Tools Mix and Edit Window views follow the state of folders being opened or closed when triggered from the surface.

Use the dedicated Folder Tracks Soft Keys accessed from the Extras page on the Automation Module to perform global folder operations such as Opening or Closing of all Siblings.

Use Basic folders to simply provide an organizational structure for a group of elements. Use Routing folders to provide organization as well as the ability to Attention the folder and access processing functions such as EQ, Dyn, Sends, etc for that group of contained members.

Working with Folders


Jeff

creativecontrol 12-03-2020 07:25 AM

Renaming Tracks
 
[RENAMING TRACKS]

Here's a super simple addition to EUCON 20.11 which is also quite useful. Tracks can now be renamed directly from the surface. This is accomplished by accessing the Home page on the Master Module.

First, Attention a track - either from the Tracks page or by pressing any Attention triangle for a Channel Strip. Optionally, set Show Home Screen on Strip Attention from Settings > User or Show Home Screen on Track Attention from Tracks > Local Options to trigger automatic paging to the Home screen on Attention.

Simply Double-Tap the Track Name above the function scroller to highlight the field and bring up the on-screen keyboard. If this is an operation you find yourself performing frequently, consider adding a low-profile QWERTY keyboard to the Master Module. Tracks can be renamed on stop, play, when in record, or while adjusting or automating parameters.

To jump to an adjacent track, simply use the lower track scroller or Attention another channel on the surface from its strip.

Renaming Tracks


Jeff

creativecontrol 12-04-2020 09:52 AM

Transport Soft Keys with Modifiers Part A
 
[TRANSPORT SOFT KEYS]

Let's take a closer look at navigation and working with clips by leveraging the default Transport Soft Keys and by applying modifiers using the Track Color switches.

Previous / Next: Select Next or Previous contiguous clip
Previous / Next + Shift: Extend selection to Next or Previous clip
Previous / Next + Ctrl: Tab between clip boundaries
Previous / Next + Opt: Snap Clips to Previous or Next

Down Arrow (below counter): Clear Selection
Down Arrow + Shift: Restore Last Selection

LOC: Zoom Toggle
LOC + Shift: Zoom to Selection

Transport Soft Keys


Jeff

creativecontrol 12-07-2020 09:42 AM

Display Module Improvements
 
[DISPLAY MODULES]

Let's take a closer look at some of the improvements for information presented on the Display Modules. We'll focus specifically on the channel modules this time - not the Master Meter or Master Post Display Meters - which we will cover in an upcoming tip.

We are presenting our post session once again which includes a combination of Basic and Routing folders. Routing folders are indicated on the display modules with an included down arrow (just like an Aux Input) to distinguish them from Basic folders. The Open / Close state of both of the folder types is also represented visually.

Once we dive down into our nested folders and get to the B FX - we can examine the new automation mode indicators on the display modules. We now show the automation mode, trim state, indication of automation Preview as well as actively writing or Primed tracks in a writeable mode.

As always, use Command + Control while touching a Fader to display automation breakpoints. To view all tracks in an automation breakpoint view for volume, use Command + Control + Option + Fader (touch). Use Command + Control while touching a channel's Select switch to return to a default Waveform View.

Display Module Improvements



Jeff

creativecontrol 12-09-2020 08:20 AM

Collect Support Files
 
[COLLECT SUPPORT FILES]

Let's take a closer look at the process for quickly providing Avid support with the necessary diagnostic files we require to help resolve any issues with S4 or S6 systems.

From the WSControl app, simply click on Collect Support Files. This will bring up a window where you can harvest and zip contributions from all of the following:
Master Module-> EUCON Files & Logfiles
Up to 8 connected Workstations -> EUCON Files & Logfiles
Additional Local Items-> Crash Logs or other supporting items to include in the zip such as Pro Tools session files.

So, although you can still trigger Collect Files from Settings > About on the Master Module, it's now far easier to simply perform a global collection directly from one of the Workstations.

Collect Support Files


Jeff

creativecontrol 12-21-2020 09:01 AM

Automation Overview
 
[AUTOMATION OVERVIEW]

One more for 2020. Let's take a tour of basic and advanced automation functions on the console. We'll be using S4 once again - however these functions are also identical on S6 systems.

We will be performing the vast majority of the moves while accessing the 1st automation QuickJump by holding Shift on the track color switches (from any Fader Module or Channelstrip Module) while pressing 1 on the numpad of the Automation Module. This give us access to all of the essential and advanced functions for changing automation modes, invoking Preview, Capture, Write to's and more.

A few handy navigational functions to consider when working with automation and mixing:

From the top level of the Soft Keys Extras page toggle Insertion Follows Playback.
Use the Back or Back + Play switches on the transport while Insertion Follows is active.
Use the Trim button left of the wheel to quickly move the playhead.
Use the Down Arrow to clear an existing selection range.
Use Mark In and Mark Out (above the numpad) plus the wheel to define a selection.
Use Auto Match from the Auto 2 Soft Keys to un-prime parameters while in Latch.

Automation Overview


Jeff

creativecontrol 01-05-2021 10:12 AM

Surface Configuration & Addition
 
[SURFACE CONFIGURATION & ADDITION]

Welcome back. Let's take a look at configuring and altering the modules associated with your S series surface. Again, we will be working with S4, however the process is identical on S6.

If it's a new deployment, start by accessing Settings > Surface then touch Config > Surface.

The first decision pertains to the total width of the surface. We're going to start with a simple 16 fader split console arrangement. The maximum width for a S4 system is 5' while S6 can be expanded significantly wider in addition to optional expanded depth.

Drag down the modules from the icon row to replicate your physical arrangement. Swipe from Right to Left to expose more icons on the scrollable row. Touch Next then respond by physically touching the flashing module on the desk by touching any Knob or Fader contained within that module. Touch Next. Drag the numbered Display Module icons down to correlate with what you see on your displays. Don't simply assume that they are all in a proper numerical sequence. Touch Done.

Now let's grow our surface by again touching Surface > Config then choosing 4 to add a bucket to our existing 3' frame. The existing configuration will be preserved and a bucket will simply be added to the right side. We'll swipe Right to Left to find the stack which contains dual Knob Attention Zones plus a Panner Module and drag it down. Repeat the process of touching in to confirm the new module additions. Touch Next, then drag down the remaining Display Module - which in this case is number 2. Touch Done.

Let's expand once more to 5' and add a Master Post Module to an empty bucket. My Post Module is not actually living in the physical frame - but the console doesn't care. It's relatively common for folks to also do this with the Panner Module - where it is extracted out of the frame and placed on a tether. Once the Post Module has been added - we can now allocate our 3rd Display Module as a dedicated meter for the Post Module - a Master Post Display Module.

Choose Config > Display then touch the display module to correlate. Now flip one of the paddles on the Post Module to complete the assignment. With multiple assigned Display and Post Modules - each pair will show a correlated numerical index in the surface configuration. To revert the display module back to a Master Meter Module, simply return to Config > Display, Touch the display, then touch an illuminated Fader or Knob on the Automation Module to change the module back to a MMM.

** It is recommended to detach (drag from Connected to Network on WS page) any Workstations before making changes to your surface configuration.**

Surface Configuration & Addition


Jeff

creativecontrol 01-08-2021 03:16 PM

Diagnostics
 
[DIAGNOSTICS]

Let's examine a few ways to solve problems that may arise on the console by leveraging the available diagnostics.

Settings = access the primary options for Settings > User
Shift + Settings = access the global options for Settings > System

Diagnostic Mode: Hold the upper two leftmost switches on a module. For a Fader Module hold Select + Focus on S4 (Select + Swap on S6) on the first strip for a few seconds until AVID logos appear. While in Diagnostic mode, use System > Network to interrogate the module's IP Address.

From Settings > Surface touch any module to interrogate its Endpoint, Firmware version, Status and more. If the module is unresponsive, you can touch Reboot to cycle the module. If that doesn't resolve the issue, it may be worth a shutdown (Settings > About > Shutdown ) then kill the mains and power everything back up.

Use Settings > Surface > Fader to calibrate the Faders. (Touch the module)
Use Settings > Surface > Joystick to calibrate the Joysticks.

Diagnostics


Jeff

creativecontrol 01-14-2021 12:25 PM

Banking
 
[BANKING]

Let's take a look a several different methods for Banking tracks on the S series consoles.

The primary Bank and Nudge functions are located on dedicated switches on the Master Module below the touchscreen.

Use Shift + Bank Left to Bank to Home
Use Shift + Bank Right to Bank to End

Determine whether you wish to bank in chunks of 8 Strips or by the Whole Surface from Settings > User > Banking.

Use the Track Color Switches below the Faders - specifically User1 and User2 to bank either standard tracks or tracks contained within a Spill Zone.

Enable Auto-Bank to Attentioned Track from Tracks > Local Options (gear) to cause the desk to Bank when any track is touched from the Tracks page while in Attention mode.

Set the Banking Justification Mode preference from Settings > User > Banking to choose the location on the desk to justify the banked track to. In my example, I have it set to Left of Master Module.

Use the dedicated Bank Home switch from the Extras page of the default Soft Keys located on the Automation Module.

Use Scroll to Track from the same section to bring up a type-ahead dialog to start typing in Pro Tools the name of the track to find and Bank to. Make sure in Pro Tools > Setup > Preferences > Mixing you have enabled the option for "Scroll to Tracks" Banks Controllers.

Use Shift + Enter to access the dedicated Banking QuickJump on the Automation module Soft Keys:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2kiv6wkim6...g_QJ.png?raw=1

Banking

Jeff


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