Long Time Programmer, First Time on Eos

Several times I’ve been approached by programmers of MA, Onyx, Chamsys or Hog who find themselves on an Eos console.  Typically, I’m contacted as they are driving to the gig and they need brief insight into how to make the desk work.  Over time, I’ve assembled a top list of things they need to know.  Please note this is not and cannot be a complete list.  Obviously, if you knew you were going to operate an Eos for a while, you would study it.  This is “I’m bailing out a friend” level of information to help you get through the day.

Eos will record everything that is playing back by default.  If you want it not to, you should command line filter.  Channel Parameter(s) Record Target.

Lower right hand corner are contextual buttons.  They will have different options based off of what is on your command line.

To clear something from the programmer, you want to use Sneak.  No selection Sneak Enter will release all fixtures to their background state.  Channel Sneak Enter will restore the channel to its background state.  Channel Parameter Sneak Enter will restore just the parameter to its background state.  Look in the lower left hand corner of the main screen and you’ll see all these parameter tiles.  That’s the most visually obvious ways to put a parameter on the command line.  You can also press the center button of the encoder to post the parameter onto the command line.  

If you want to remove hard data (not tracked data), Channel Parameter At Enter is what you are looking for.

There is no Record in Blind.  It’s instantly recorded.

Flexi (a button located to your right) will filter what you are seeing.  Press and hold that button and notice all the different versions of Flexi are in the lower third of the primary screen.  Make a note of Flexi Patch, which will filter what you are viewing only to patched channels. 

Eos is optimized around a single or main cue list work flow.  To record a cue, make the look you want, press Record Cue Number Enter.  You don’t have to choose a Master, because Cue List 1 is that default list.

I urge you to avoid multiple cue lists if you don’t know Eos well.  It will fight you.

If you need something on a handle, record what you need to a Sub(master).  Channel, Parameters, Record Sub # Enter.  The sub will not be assigned to fader automatically.  Type Sub # and the hit the Load button atop the fader.  If your faders only have two buttons, hit both buttons at once.  Shift Load will unload the sub.

Since all data that is playing back is recorded, maybe take a moment to double tap Sub and look to the lower right hand of the screen for Record Exclude and touch that to not record your sub into every cue.

Focus means Position in Eos.

If you want to see a category, such as Groups, double tap the group button and it automatically open that category.  Hit Live to go back.

To create or edit in blind (you may be irritated with how often Eos puts you in blind), select the item (Group 1 Enter), and then you can edit the contents by simply typing the channels.  This is consistent throughout the console except for Macros.  Every time you hit the Macro button, Eos is about to run a macro once you select the number and press enter.  As with any console, don’t touch the Macros area without the manual open.

I believe on every desk, you must read the Patch section in the manual.  It’s too important, so at least have it open when you need to patch.

This is the list.  Many things are missing, but I’ve attempted to tell the programmer the most vital things that are different from what they are used to.  What would you add or subtract from the list?  Hit me in the comments.

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