An easy to use Cue Light system allows Outstations to be daisy chained on a single cable for fast setup.

2 Master Groups allow simple 1 button cues.

Continuously monitors cables for faults.

8 and 14 channel versions.

All metal, low profile Outstations have flush LEDs.

Relay and Beeper Outstations available.

RS232 Remote Control Interface option.

14 channel Master Station and remote Outstations. 

The system consists of a Master Control Unit and any number of Outstations up to a maximum of 14 per Master Unit.  The Master Unit is available in 8 and 14 channel versions. 
8 Channel Master Unit is model QLM8 Mk3
14 Channel Master Unit is model QLM14 Mk3
Outststions are available individually.
Up to 8 Master Units can be linked for larger systems providing a maximun of 112 Outstations.

8 channel Master Station. QLM8 Mk3

Outstations are digitally addressed and can be wired using either daisy chain, star and/or loop wiring topologies on a single 3 pin XLR microphone cable for fast and easy setup. The loop configuration allows the whole system to keep working even when a break in the cable exists. CAT5/6 cable may also be used with suitable adaptors. 
 

There are four varieties of Outstations available:

QLS Mk3	1:  Standard Outstation. Model QLS Mk3 Provides Go and Standby LEDs, and an Acknowledge button. The intensity of the Go and Standby LEDs is adjustable in 5 steps from 20 to 100%. It has the ability to signal the Master Unit.
QLS-SM Mk3	2:  Standard Outstation, small footprint.  Model QLS-SM Mk3 As per the Standard Outstation, but smaller.  It has a permanently attached 1m cable fitted with a 3 pin male XLR connector. Go and Standby LEDs are 5mm in diameter.
QLS-B Mk3	3:  Beeper Outstation. Model QLS-B Mk3 As per the Standard Outstation, but with an inbuilt beeper for use when the talent nods off. A discrete “click” sound or a longer beep can be triggered from the Master. The beep function can also be globally disabled on the Master. See “Master Setup” in the Maintenance section for details. It functions as a Standard Outstation at all other times.
QLR Mk3	4:  Relay Outstation. Model QLR Mk3 This Outstation has two relays with changeover contacts which are controlled by the Go and Standby buttons on the Master Unit.  Connenction to the voltage free relay contacts is via a locking 8 pin metal connenctor.  Two modes of operation are selected by a link on the 8 pin relay connector.  Mode 1: One relay is Momentary acting and the other is Latching. Mode 2: Cue Light Mode.

The address of any Outstation can be changed in a few seconds without the use of any tools or fiddly DIP switches.
 

QL-RS232

RS232 Remote Control Interface. Model QL-RS232 Provides remote control for up to 8 Cue Light Master Stations via RS232 from 3rd party show control software. With 14 channels per Master, that’s a total of 112 Outstations that can be indivually controlled.

 

Typical Operation

1:  Stage manager presses a Standby button on the Master Unit.
Standby LEDs on both Master & Outstation flash.

2:  The talent presses the Outstation’s Acknowledge button which causes the Standby LEDs to burn steadily.

3:  Stage manager presses the Go button. 
The Go LED lights. The Standby LED goes out if it was on.   After 3 seconds the Go LED starts to flash quickly. After a total   of about 12 seconds, the Go LED turns itself off.

The Go or Standby lights can be turned off at any time by pressing their respective buttons a second time. It is not necessary to use the Standby Light before activating the Go Light. Multiple tight Go cues are simply done by using the Go button only. Press Go to turn the Go Light on. Press it again a few seconds later to turn the Go Light off. Repeat for the next cue.
 
 
 

Master Unit

 Master Unit Controls.

Each channel on the Master Unit has 3 buttons and 5 LEDs. 
A white designation strip runs beneath all channels.

Go and Standby buttons.
Used to light a Go or Standby LED on an Outstation. The Go and Standby buttons have corresponding LEDs which respond to the data returned from the Outstations. They are not just an indicator that a button has been pressed locally. 

Group Function.
Any or all of the channels can be assigned to one of two group master Go and Standby buttons. The two group masters are designated A and B.
The group assignment for a channel is controlled by the grey Group button and two associated yellow LEDs. Pressing the grey Group button cycles through four possible group assignments: 
A, B, A+B and none.
Pressing either of the group master Go or Standby buttons, is exactly the same as pressing the corresponding button on any channel that has been assigned to that group master.

The channel's Go and Standby buttons still remain fully operational independent of any group assignment. The status of each channel’s Group button is saved in EEPROM and is restored when the Master Unit is powered up.
When multiple Master Units are used, the group master buttons can be linked via an expansion port on the rear panel. When linked, pressing any of the four group master buttons on any Master Unit will press the corresponding group master button on all linked Master Units.
Up to 12 Master Units can be linked for larger systems providing a maximum of 168 Outstations.
Note: The RS232 Interface unit can only control up to 8 Master Units, providing a maximum of 112 Outstations under RS232 control.

Fault LED.
A red Fault LED at the top of each channel indicates when an Outstation is not communicating with the Master Unit. This could be due to an unplugged Outstation or a cable fault.
The Fault LED has 3 states. On, off and flashing.
1:  The Fault LED is on if the channel has never had an Outstation connected. (unused channel)
2:  The Fault LED is off if the channel has an Outstation connected.
3:  The Fault LED flashes if the Outstation was connected but has failed or become disconnected.
If an Outstation which is no longer required is removed from the system, its Fault LED will flash unnecessarily. Cycle the mains power (turn if off & then back on) to reset that channel from a “was connected” to a “never connected” status. This will stop its Fault LED flashing.

The Master Unit and each of the Outstations are in continuous communication with each other, enabling prompt detection of cable faults or missing Outstations. Positive monitoring is used whereby all LEDs on the Master Unit are driven in response to replies from the various Outstations.
 

There are two special function buttons at the top right of the Master Unit. They work like a shift key in conjunction with a channel’s Go and Standby buttons.

Beep Button.
This function requires the Beeper Outstation (Model QLS-B) which is basically a standard outstation fitted with a beeper. It functions just like the standard outstation when the beep button isn’t pressed.
The beeper can be triggered to emit either a discrete “click” sound ( a very short beep), or beep for as long as the button is pressed, up to a maximum of one second.
The Beep button functions like the Shift key on a computer keyboard. 
Pressing both the Beep and Standby buttons sounds the very short beep. 
Pressing both the Beep and Go buttons sounds the long beep. 
All Outstations have any cues suspended and their LEDs turned off while the Beep button is pressed. The beep is accompanied by flashing of the Standby LED of the triggered Outstation(s). The Beep button can also be used in conjunction with the group master buttons.
The beep function can be globally disabled on the Master Unit. 
See “Master Setup” in the Maintenance section of the PDF file for details.

Dimmer Button.
The Outstation LEDs can be dimmed in five steps from 20 to 100%.
Press and hold the Dimmer button. Use the Standby button to increase intensity, and the Go button to decrease intensity.
Once 20% or 100% is reached, further presses are ignored. Four presses of the Standby button will set an Outstation to 100% irrespective of its initial setting. The Dimmer button can also be used inconjunction with the group master buttons.
The Go and Standby LEDs on the selected Outstation flash alternately as the intensity is adjusted.

The intensity can also be adjusted from an Outstation.
Press and hold the dimmer button.
Pressing the Acknowledge button on an Outstation starts the Go and Standby LEDs flashing alternately. Subsequent presses of the Acknowledge button increase the intensity by 20%. When 100% is reached, it rolls back to 20%.

The dimmer settings are stored in EEPROM in each of the Outstations.

When the Dimmer button is pressed, any active cues are cancelled. A short press of the Dimmer button by itself can also be used as a "cancel all cues" function.
 

Short LED.
The Short LED, just below the Power LED, indicates short circuits on the external XLR wiring. Fault current is electronically limited to approximately 1.5 amps.
If the short is maintained for more than 400mS, the power supply enters a hiccup mode to limit internal power dissipation.
 

Rear views of the Master Unit.

The Rear Panel.

Parallel male and female 3 pin XLR connectors are provided for connection to the Outstations using ordinary microphone cables.
Parallel 4 pin locking connectors are used for the expansion port which is used to link the group master buttons on multiple Master Units. When linked, pressing any of the four group master buttons on any Master Unit will press the corresponding group master button on all linked Master Units.  Up to 12 Master Units can be linked for larger systems providing a maximum of 168 Outstations.  The Expansion Port cables can be up to a total of 30 metres (100 feet) in length if required. The XLR cables to the Cue Lights can be at least 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) long. 
 
 

Outstations

	Standard Outstation.    Model QLS Mk3
	Small Footprint Outstation.  Model QLS-SM Mk3

• Anywhere from 1 to 14 remote outstations.
• Flush Acknowledge button and LEDs are virtually impossible to break or shear off.
• High intensity wide angle 20mm diameter LEDS for excellent  visibility and high reliability. Almost 180° viewing angle.
• Acknowledge button is back lit so you can find it in the dark.
• The back light only comes on when error free communication is   established with the Master Unit, providing a cable integrity check.
• Individually numbered to correspond to Master Unit’s channels.
• Has the ability to signal the Master Unit when idle.
• The address of any Outstation can be changed in a few seconds   without the use of any tools or fiddly DIP switches.
• Ability to daisy chain from one outstation to the next.
• Outstations can be wired up in any physical sequence. Outstation #2 does not have to follow #1 in a daisy chain.
• Outstations can be added or removed while the power is on.
• Die cast aluminium case has flanges top and bottom with a total of 4 mounting slots. 

Beeper Outstation. Model QLS-B Mk3
The Beeper Outstation is identical in appearance to the Standard Outstation with the exception of a small hole on the side of the case for the beeper. For use of the beeper see Beep Button under the Master Unit section.

Signalling the Master.
Any Outstation can signal the Master Unit when no cues are active.
Pressing the Acknowledge button will flash both Go and Standby LEDs on the corresponding channel on the Master Unit.
This signalling feature can be globally disabled at the Master Unit. 
See “Master Setup” in the Maintenance section of the PDF brochure for details.

Outstation Address.
The address of an outstation can be reprogrammed without the use of any tools. 
See the Maintenance section of the PDF brochure for details.
 

Cue Relay Outstation. Model QLR Mk3.
 

Relay Outstation.    Model QLR Mk3.

The Relay Outstation provides two changeover relays wired in parallel with small Go and Standby LEDs respectively.
The relays are controlled by the Go and Standby commands from the Master Unit.
The relay contacts are voltage free and are rated at 1amp 30 volts AC or DC. They are are brought out on a locking 8 pin metal connector on the side of the case.
There are two modes of operation determined by a link wired between pins 7 and 8 of the 8 pin Relay connector.

Latching/momentary Mode:  (No link fitted between pins 7 & 8)
Relay ‘A’ is controlled by the Standby button. It is momentary acting which means that it is energized as long as the Standby button is pressed.
Relay ‘B’ is controlled by the Go button. It is latching which means that it toggles every time the Go button is pressed.
What was the Acknowledge button on the Standard Outstation, is now only used for changing the unit’s address and for signalling the Master Unit. The Master can only be signalled when no relays are energized.

Cue Light Mode:  (Link fitted between pins 7 & 8)
The relays behave in the same manner as the Go and Standby lamps in a standard Outstation. In this mode, the button also functions as an ‘Acknowledge’ button.

Cue Relay front panel showing relay wiring diagram.

Relay Connector. Spare 8 pin plugs are  available from many  electronic suppliers. They are also available from  The Leon Audio Company  and from Altronics.  http://altronics.com.au  Product code P0952.

Wiring examples are given in the Cue Light PDF file.
 
 

Cables.

The Outstations may be wired using either daisy chain, star and/or loop wiring topologies.
The loop configuration allows the whole system to keep working even when a break in the cable exists.  Any combination of the above is permitted.

Acceptable wiring methods.

• The system is designed to use industry standard 3 pin XLR microphone cables although low loss 1 pair data cable is preferred for long runs and permanent wiring. 

Star Quad and multicore (snake) cables may be used. Digital snakes can not be used as they do not allow bi-directional data or power to be sent down the cable. CAT5/6 cable may also be used with suitable adaptors.
• The interconnecting cables are low impedance, balanced, transformer coupled and use FM modulation for maximum immunity to external interference. Even though the system is very resistant to interference, it is good engineering practice to install the Cue Light wiring away from mains wiring.  Install it as though it were a microphone cable.

It will also work with cables wired with pins 2 & 3 swapped.
• Maximum total cable length is 1000 metres.  Longer lengths may be used when using low loss data cables.   

For long runs and permanently installed wiring, use low loss data cable with low DC loop resistance. 
High loss cables such as PVC microphone cable can then be used for connecting Outstations to the fixed wiring without degrading the system's performance.
• More details on cables are in the Cue Light PDF file.
• For permanent installations, it is permissible to have dozens or even hundreds of sockets spread around a venue. The Master Unit can be plugged into any one of these sockets. Outstations are then connected to the nearest convenient socket.
• Outstations can be wired up in any physical sequence. Outstation #2 does not have to follow #1 in a daisy chain. They can be connected/disconnected while the power is on.

The Master Unit is mains powered. All of the remote units are powered from the Master Unit via the interconnecting cable.

An XLR to RJ45 adaptor will allow the use of CAT5 cable for connecting the Outstations.

Suggested CAT5 adaptor wiring.

CAT5 cable is fine for permanently installed wiring. It is also widely used for temporary wiring which  is not good engineering practice as CAT5 and its connectors are mechanically inferior to professional grade microphone cable and XLR connectors.
 
 
 

RS232 Remote Control Interface

RS232 Interface.   Model QL-RS232

Rear view of the RS232 Interface Unit.

RS232 Remote Control Interface.

The RS232 Interface accepts commands from an external controller via an optically isolated DB9 connector.
It connects to either of the 4 pin Expansion Ports on the rear of the Master Unit. 
Up to 8 Master Units can be controlled by daisy chaining their Expansion Ports.
All commands are in plain ACSII. Details are in the Cue Light PDF file.
These commands would usually be issued from a PC running show control software, and/or possibly via hardware such as AMX.
Data is fixed at 9600 baud, N, 8, 1.  The baud rate is not adjustable.
The RS232 Interface is wired as a DCE (Data Communication Equipment), so a serial lead fully wired straight through is all that is required to connect to a PC.

Commands can also be typed manually from Window's Hyper-terminal program or similar. 

USB interface.
To control the RS232 Interface unit from a USB port, a USB to RS232 adaptor lead is required.
Details are in the Cue Light PDF file.

Brochure

This file contains all of the above information plus further technical details.
 

8/14 Channel Theatre Cue Light system brochure.    14chcuelight.pdf (900Kb) in Adobe Acrobat format .

 

The 12 channel version is no longer available.

12 Channel Theatre Cue Light system brochure.   cuelight.pdf (490Kb) in Adobe Acrobat format .

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
 

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