Ben Holmes
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VenueMagic 4.x Features

Experience the next evolution in show control with VenueMagic 4.0! Packed with innovative features and powerful enhancements, this release is designed to help you create more immersive, flexible, and dynamic productions than ever before. From breathtaking 3D audio and multi-monitor video playback to smarter event automation and seamless networking, VenueMagic 4.0 puts creative control at your fingertips.

Whether you’re a seasoned VenueMagic user or just getting started, you’ll find new tools and thoughtful improvements—many inspired by your feedback—that make designing and running your shows easier, faster, and more exciting. Explore the highlights below and see how VenueMagic 4.0 can elevate your next production!

Immersive Audio

VenueMagic 4.0 now brings your shows to life with immersive audio technology. Easily create stunning 3D soundscapes that move and surround your audience, using advanced speaker layouts and real-time spatial positioning. With intuitive controls and flexible configuration, VenueMagic’s immersive audio lets you deliver unforgettable experiences—whether you’re designing for theaters, attractions, or live events. Available in VenueMagic SC+ and above only.


Improved Audio Output Channel Control

VenueMagic 4.0 introduces the powerful new Audio Output Window, giving you complete control over every audio channel in your show. Instantly view real-time audio levels, mute or solo individual channels, and test speakers with static playback—all from a single, intuitive interface. Effortlessly adjust audio effects and bypass sound effects with one click. Organize your outputs with customizable tabs and groups, making setup and management easier than ever. Experience streamlined audio control and enhanced flexibility with VenueMagic 4.0!  Available only in VenueMagic DMX+AV and above.


Parametric Equalizer

Fine-tune your sound with VenueMagic 4.0’s new Parametric Equalizer! Available for both audio output channels and individual audio clips, this intuitive tool lets you sculpt your audio with precision. Easily adjust high-pass, low-pass, and band-pass filters, add or remove handles, and control frequency, gain, and bandwidth—all in real time. Instantly hear the results as you shape your mix, reduce unwanted noise, and enhance clarity. VenueMagic’s Parametric Equalizer puts professional-grade audio control at your fingertips! Available only in VenueMagic DMX+AV and above.


Randomized Events & Timeline Playback

VenueMagic 4.0 gives you new creative control over how events and timelines play back in your shows. Easily set up sequences where actions can happen all at once, one after another, or in a random or shuffled order—adding variety and excitement to every performance. You can even trigger specific actions based on external inputs, making your shows more interactive and dynamic. With these powerful new options, VenueMagic 4.0 makes it simple to design engaging, unpredictable experiences that keep your audience captivated!  Available in VenueMagic SC+ and above only.


Built-in Keycode Combination Function

VenueMagic 4.0 now features a powerful built-in keycode system, making it easy to add password, combination lock, and access control functionality to your shows. Assign custom codes to trigger specific actions, unlock special effects, or control access to restricted areas—all without external hardware or complex programming. Perfect for escape rooms, interactive exhibits, and secure show operations, VenueMagic’s keycode function lets you create engaging, puzzle-based experiences with just a few clicks. Available in VenueMagic SC+ and above only.

Play Up to 4 Videos at a Time

VenueMagic 4.0 now lets you play up to four* videos simultaneously across four different monitors—perfect for creating immersive, multi-screen experiences. Previously limited to a single video, you can now deliver dynamic visuals and content to multiple displays, all with the power and flexibility of VenueMagic’s show control platform. (*VenueMagic DMX+AV is limited to two simultaneous videos)

Improvements to VMNet

VenueMagic’s VMNet (VenueMagic Network) expands your show control capabilities by allowing multiple computers running different VenueMagic projects to communicate and share resources over a local network. With VMNet, you can remotely run and synchronize timelines, execute events, and share I/O between systems—making it easy to coordinate complex, distributed shows. This powerful networking feature increases scalability, letting you grow your production by simply adding more VenueMagic installations (each requiring its own license). Experience seamless collaboration and greater flexibility with the improved VMNet in VenueMagic 4.0! Available in VenueMagic SC+ and above only.

Little Features that Matter

This section is for our dedicated VenueMagic aficionados whose feedback and special requests help shape every release. While not every new or requested feature is listed here, VenueMagic 4.0 delivers a host of technical enhancements designed to streamline your workflow, improve integration, and give you even greater control over every aspect of your show.   

Audio                                                                                                              

Track Master Volume External Control

Allows you to control the master volume of individual audio tracks using external devices or automation in addition to the track slider, enabling real-time adjustments during playback. SC+ Edition only.

Global Audio FX Tails

Ensures that audio effects such as reverb or delay continue to play out naturally (the "tail") even after the source audio stops, providing smoother transitions and a more professional sound.

Send All Audio to Primary

Offers a quick option to route all audio outputs to the primary audio device, simplifying setup and troubleshooting when you want all sound to play from a single source.

Multi-Audio Output

Supports simultaneous playback of the same audio clip through multiple audio output devices on a single track, making it easy to create complex soundscapes or direct different audio tracks to different speakers or zones.

Set Video Playback Audio Channel

Choose which audio channel is used for video playback, giving you more control over your show’s sound.

Audio Clip Effects Exported to ShowNodes

When exporting your show, any effects applied to individual audio clips are now included in the ShowNodes, ensuring your sound design is preserved across different projects or systems. VenueMagic SC+ and above only.

Copy/Paste Audio Clip Effects

Copy just the audio effects from one clip and paste them onto another, streamlining your workflow and making it easy to apply consistent processing across multiple clips.

Events                                                                                                             

Event Condition Expressions

Create complex event triggers using flexible condition expressions, allowing you to combine multiple criteria for precise control over when events occur. VenueMagic SC+ and above only.


Value Changed Condition Events

Trigger events automatically when a monitored value or variable changes by a specified amount (rather than to a specific value), enabling responsive and dynamic show behaviors.

Copy/Paste Events

Easily duplicate events and their settings between different parts of your project, streamlining workflow and saving setup time.

Trigger Probability Setting in Events

VenueMagic 4.0 lets you add a touch of chance to your shows with the new trigger probability setting for events. Want an event to always happen? Set its probability to 100%—it will trigger every time the conditions are met. Prefer a little suspense? Try 50% and watch your event fire about half the time, keeping your audience guessing! With this feature, you can easily add more randomness and excitement to your productions.

Initialize Trigger State for Events

Set the initial state of event triggers at the start of your show, ensuring consistent and predictable event behavior every time.

Variable Table                                                                                               

Persistent Variables

Persistent Variables Keep your show’s state intact between sessions! With VenueMagic 4.0, variables in the Variable Table can be set as persistent, meaning their values are saved in your project file. This makes it easy to track progress, scores, or any other important data—even after closing and reopening VenueMagic.

Set Variable to External Input Value

Make your shows more interactive and dynamic! Now you can set a variable’s value directly from an external input or another variable, not just a fixed number. Snapshot dynamic variables and external inputs for later use.

Show Nodes v2 Hardware Information and Instructions

Components

  • Raspberry Pi 2 Model B or Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (www.raspberrypi.org)
  • PiFace Digital 2 Revision 2 (piface.org.uk)
  • SanDisk MicroUSB Card 16gb

Recommended Power Supplies

Primary evaluation criteria – Must supply at least 2 Amps of +5v to the Raspberry Pi and the appropriate voltage needs for your props.  We typically use the 24V version and use a step down converter as necessary for 12V props.

  • 24/5V Version – PSS0524-100 – RHINO switching power supply, 24 VDC (adjustable), 5 VDC output, 100W, 120/240 VAC or 125-375 VDC nominal input, 1-phase, aluminum housing, screw terminals.
  • 12/5V Version – RT-125A – 131 Watt AC to DC Triple Output Power Supply +5V/12A +12V/5.5A -5V/1A No longer recommended because it requires a minimum level of amperage pull to turn on.

Additional options for power include getting a single voltage power supply and down-converting to 5V for the Raspberry Pi or even just getting a separate power supply for both voltages. You need to make sure your down-converter can handle at least 2 amps.

I have used the following step-down converters:

And power supplies at 12 volt:

PiFace Digital 2 Jumpers

The PiFace Digital 2 is delivered with all jumpers in place.  This allows both us to test prior to shipping and you to test and and learn prior to placing into service. Normally we setup the PiFace to supply the primary power to the Raspberry Pi and Inputs. Jumper 3 determines whether when the power is supplied to PiFace Power Inputs. This jumper (Jumper 3) is very important, it literally means you can only plug in power to either the Raspberry Pi USB power port OR the PiFace. Connecting power to both the 5V in on the PiFace and the Raspberry Pi can easily cause an electrical problem and blow out one or both of the boards. This will be corrected in V3 of the ShowNodes hardware.

Once you get ready to place the unit into service and hook up something other than 5V, you will need to change the Jumpers. As soon as you move higher than 5V you will need to remove Jumper 4 (JP4). This Jumper connects a snubber diodes to prevent back voltage from the Outputs. Just remember, more than 5V remove Jumper 4 (JP4).

If you are not using the Relay 0 or Relay 1 you can disconnect them by removing either JP6 for Relay 0 or JP5 for Relay 1. We would also suggest removing JP7 if you are not using the relays. This jumper is for providing the power for lighting the LEDs and turning on/off the relays.

Our normal production setup of the jumpers is to have JP1 and JP2 on pins 1/2. JP4, JP5, JP6, and JP7 removed. This allows us to use multiple DC voltage levels on the outputs and doesn’t have the relays clicking for the first two outputs.

Wiring

Output

If using one of our recommended power supplies, you will run +5 volts to the +5 terminal in the black terminal connector of the PiFace. Run the 5V ground to one of the two GND terminals next to it. DO NOT connect USB power to the Raspberry Pi power port. To connect 24/12V Pneumatic Valves or other 24/12V props, connect the positive side of the power supply terminal to the positive side of the valve and then connect the negative side of the valve to the Output on the PiFace in this manner:

 

Diode Standard 1000V (1kV) 1A Through Hole DO-41

 

Input

The input terminals are basic contact closure inputs not for power driving inputs. They are internally pulled up to approximately 4.5 volts. To connect a standard switch you can simply connect one wire to the input pin and the other wire to the ground. To connect sensors and other non-5 volt input devices, you will need a Voltage Divider or Opto-Isolator circuit.

Tribute Show: “Neil Diamond – The Man, The Music”

Craig Stewart’s new amazing Neil Diamond Tribute Show: Neil Diamond – The Man, The Music.

Over two hours of Neil Diamond hits, synchronised with multiple projections and lighting.

Available for shows throughout Australia and beyond.

For more information contact craig@craigstewart.com.au or neildiamondthemanthemusic@hotmail.com

VenueMagic 2.6 Officially Released!

VenueMagic 2.6 Officially Released!

Thursday, 23 January 2014 16:23 | Written by Ben Holmes |  |  |

With special thanks to all of you who have worked so hard to help us test this new version of VenueMagic, we’re proud to announce the official release of VenueMagic 2.6.  We’ve added several new features that make VenueMagic more powerful than ever.  For a complete list of new features, click “Read More”.

 

 

New Features in VenueMagic 2.6

 

 

Important Note: Because of significant improvements made in VenueMagic 2.6, the old “Check for Updates” function will no longer work with older versions of VenueMagic.  You must download and install VenueMagic from links below.

 

New Features:

 

Scripts

Scripts are plug-ins that add features and capabilities to VenueMagic. Scripts may include:

• Macros for automatically configuring a project or timeline.

• Interfaces to hardware provided by other manufacturers.

• Special real-time playback effects.

• Keys to unlock additional VenueMagic features.

• Special customized functions.

Future versions of VenueMagic will allow users to create their own scripts using a built editor. For now, scripts are available for download only from the VenueMagic website.  More information on this will follow.

 

Monitor DMX Output Window

DMX output may now be monitored in a row-column format similar to the Monitor DMX Input window. The DMX Output Window also includes a new command line interface for DMX control.  DMX Command Interface allow you to Control DMX output manually using a simple command interface. Ideal for setup and debugging of DMX fixtures arrangements.

 

Precision Playback

The new Precision Playback Mode allows you to control lighting with a much higher degree of precision (30 fps +/- 2 ms).

(Not available in VenueMagic Express or Classic).

 

Audio Device Setup

The Audio tab of the Setup Devices window now allows more flexibility and features for setting up multi-audio outputs (not available in VenueMagic Express or Classic).

 

New DMX Devices Supported

VenueMagic has added support for the following DMX devices (not available in VenueMagic Express):

• Enttec USB Pro Mk2 (DMX only, MIDI not currently supported).

• DMXKing ultraDMX Pro (Note DMX2+AV or SC2+ editions required for 2-universe support).

 

Changes to Adjust Envelope Window

The Adjust Envelope Window now includes the additional settings:

• Gain center – specifies a center point for raising and lowering gain.

• Smoothing filter now allows separate settings for rising and falling edges of envelope waveform.

Also added was the ability to import and export presets for sharing with other projects.

 

Cue List Column Settings

You can now specify which time columns are displayed in the Cue List window, as well as the format for the time (Secs, Mins:Secs, Hours:Mins:Secs, SMPTE and Measure/Beat.

 

Follow Merge Type

The new Follow merge type lets you setup an output channel to shadow another output channel.

 

Improved Lamp Chaser Time Scaling

An additional time scaling parameter was added to Lamp chasers to provide more flexibility when using the Beat Tapper to control chaser speed.

 

Edge Snap Override

Temporarily override the clip edge snap feature by holding down SHIFT key while dragging clips.

 

Override Merge Mode

The Override merge mode is now available in track channel settings. This allows a track to completely take over an output channel during playback rather than merge it with other tracks.

 

No Trigger Events

Events in the Event Table now have a “no trigger” mode that can be used for events that are only activated by an Event Table Event.

 

Track Lock Security

Greater security flexibility was added to the track locking feature, including:

• Track passwords.

• Optionally allow sliding/sizing or property/envelope editing in locked tracks.

 

Foreground Playback Levels

Increased number of foreground playback levels from 10 to 20.

 

Custom Chasers Stored in Project

You are no longer required to copy the VMLib.dat file when moving a project to a different computer in order to keep custom chasers. A duplicate of custom chaser sequences is now saved in the project file.

 

Additional Fixes

• Fixed freezing of timeline videos played by playlist.

• Fixed incorrect DMX input addresses in Select External control window.

• Serial devices can now output (but not input) [$00] character.

• Fixed problems associated with deleting and modifying variable table variables.

• Fixed “jerkiness” problem with real-time recording of multiple (>1) channels into level control.

• Lamp Calibration Reset button now sets Ease in/out to 100 rather than zero.

• Fixed Telnet server login problem.

• Fixed 2-Universe Artnet problem in DMX2+AV and SC2+.

• Various crashes and lockups.

Last Updated (Thursday, 23 January 2014 16:50)

VenueMagic to be at IAAPA

VenueMagic shown at IAAPA

The VenueMagic team will be on-hand at the IAAPA Attractions Expo Nov. 13th-16th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL to demonstrate the esteemed VenueMagic line of Show Control software and debut new features and functionality!

You can find ESG/VenueMagic at Booth #967, where we will demonstrate the entire line of VenueMagic Show Control software: SC+, DMXAV, Classic, and Express as well as the VirtualDJ plugin with lighting, animatronics including a Skulltronix Skeleton (http://skulltronix.com), and computer interfaces such as VenueMagic’s own VM-DMXUSB-01 DMX interface.

Among the added features to be shown is VenueMagic’s new Yak Function. The Yak Function takes recorded audio and encodes a Yak track with animatronics gestures to make your creature come to life and talk! A Yak track can also be tweaked and edited to master the nuances of your character’s personality, and saved to a yak profile for later recall or for use of with new audio tracks!

Engineers will be on-hand to answer your programming questions and show you what is possible with VenueMagic controlling your audio, video, lighting, and animatronics.

So come visit us in sunny Orlando and see how VenueMagic makes your audio, video, lighting, and animatronics work in real-time.

For an appointment, contact our Vice President of Sales,

Barry Seiden:
biseiden@venuemagic.com

ScareCon Tradeshow May 10th

ScareCON LogoAdvanced Event Designs are pleased to announce that they will be present at ScareCON 2012- this year being held on Thursday 10th May at the Norbreck Castle Hotel Blackpool.  This is the foremost Convention of Horror and Scare Products , Acts, Theme Parks and Tours in Europe and is attended by Enthusiasts and Professionals alike.

Advanced Event Designs will be on hand to show the VenueMagic range of Show Control software, much of it developed for Halloween and “Fright Nite” shows.

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