Timeline [BETA]

The Timeline allows you to stage audio files to play at specific times in relation to one another. You can place the files on separate tracks; each track going to a different output, or you can place the files end-to-end on the same track. You can choose WAV audio files (.wav) from those stored on the Q-SYS Core processor in the Messages, Preambles, and Audio subdirectories. Manage files in these directories using the Q-SYS Core Manager > Files page.

Note: This is a BETA component. Though it is functional, it is not feature complete and is subject to change.

Input Pins

This component does not have any input pins available.

Output Pins

Channels

Audio signal pins are represented by a () circle, and traditional wiring is represented by a thin black line. You can use Signal Names on audio signal pins.

By default, the Timeline [BETA] component is set to 8 output Tracks. This is configurable between 0 and 128.

Timeline [BETA] Properties

Output Count

Select the number of outputs (tracks) for playback, from 0 to 128 (default is 8).

Time Source

Select whether to enable an input pin for syncing with an LTC time source:

Hides the External LTC Input pin and enables the External Time control for selection in the Control Pins list. If you have External Sync enabled, use the External Time input pin to inject the time to use. This is the legacy, pre-version 8.3 behavior.

Selecting this option:

  • Exposes the External LTC Input pin. Connect this pin directly to the SMPTE LTC Generator component's output and turn on the External Sync Enable button.
  • Enables the External LTC Time control for selection in the Control Pins list. This control is read-only, and outputs the time value in seconds.

Tip: The LTC frame rate (fps) is automatically detected from the incoming source.

Pulldown Correction

This property is available only when LTC is selected as the Time Source. Select 'Yes' to allow the current time display to align with incoming 29.97 NDF (30 pull-down) LTC frame rates. Otherwise, select 'No' (default).

Graphic Properties

Label

Use the Label property to change the name of the component in the schematic. The Label property defaults to the component name. To learn more about renaming schematic elements, see Organizing Your Design.

Position

The coordinates reference a specific place in the schematic - for example,"100,100" (horizontal, vertical). 0,0 is the upper left corner of the schematic.

Fill

Sets the fill color of the component in the schematic.

Script Access Properties

Code Name

Displays the currently assign name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.

Script Access

Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.

Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.


 

Control

Function

1

Rewind button

Moves the time cursor back to the beginning of time – 00:00:00.0 (hh:mm:ss.frames) and stops.

2

Play button

Starts or restarts the time cursor moving forward. As it passes over an audio file, that file begins to play.

3

Pause button

Stops the time cursor at the point on timeline where Pause button is pressed.

4

Digital Readout

Indicates the position of the time cursor in hh:mm:ss.frames

5

External Sync Enable button

Click to enable time syncing with an external clocking source. Enable External Sync when:

  • The Time Source property is set to 'LTC' and you have connected the LTC pin to the SMPTE LTC Generator component.
  • The Time Source property is 'None' but you want to feed time into the External Time control.

6

Add Control Track

Adds a control track below the Tracks.

7

– button

Zooms the tracks out

8

+ button

Zooms the tracks in

9

Timeline

Horizontal marks indicating the position of the time cursor, and the position and length of the audio files placed in the tracks.

Double click the timeline, or click Pause to pause the playback, and control the time cursor with your mouse – your mouse pointer must be on the timeline itself.

10

Markers

Double-click the Marker row to place a Marker. After the Marker is in the row, you can move it (click and drag) as needed. The Markers allow you to Jump to another Marker, Pause, or load a Snapshot.

Hover over the Marker to display the Name and time position of the Marker. Click the Marker to open the Marker Dialog.

11

Marker Row

This row is used for adding Markers.

12

Time Cursor

Shows the current position of playback / pause in the timeline.

13

Fade In Marker

Indicates the end position of the clip's Fade In.

14

Track Name

Click the Track Name (default Track #) to enter a new name.

15

Clip

Representation of a Clip on the timeline.

16

– Track minimize /
+ maximize

Click the – to minimize the vertical size of the track, or the + to maximize the vertical size of the Track.

17

Control Selection

Allows you to choose which Named Conrol is being adjusted by the Control Track.

18

Fade Out Marker

Indicates the start position of the clip's Fade Out.

19

Clip Gain Line

Graphic representation of the Clip Gain. Click and drag up / down to adjust the clip's gain level.

20

Fade In / Out

Graphic representation of the Fade In / Out points on the Clip.

21

Clip Info

Opens the Clip Info Dialog

22

Volume Handle

Double click on the Volume Line to add Handles. The Handles allow you to change the volume of the audio at the spot of the Handle. You can position the Handle horizontally (time) or vertically (volume).

23

Volume Control Line

Double click in the Volume Track to display the Volume Line with a single "handle".

24

Marker Name

User-defined name for the Marker

25

Marker Color

User-selected color for the Marker

26

Marker Time

Indicates the position of the Marker in hh:mm:ss.frames

*

Marker Function

Defines what is going to happen when the time cursor reaches the Marker. Choices are None, Jump, Pause, Load Snapshot.

*

Marker Jump To

When the Marker Function is set to Jump.

This is a drop-down list showing all Markers currently defined. When the time cursor reaches this marker, it moves to the Marker selected here.

*

Marker Bank

When the Marker Function is set to Load Snapshot.

This is a drop-down list showing all Snapshot Banks currently defined in the design. When the time cursor reaches this Marker, the Snapshot is initiated.

*

Marker Index

When the Marker Function is set to Load Snapshot.

This allows selection of the available snapshots based on the selected Snapshot Bank.

27

Marker Ramp Time

When the Marker Function is set to Load Snapshot.

This sets the amount of time (in seconds) for the selected snapshot to load. Value 0 - 200

28

Clip Start Time

Indicates the position of the Clip start in hh:mm:ss.frames

29

Clip Gain

Indicates the Clip Gain as set by the Clip Gain Line.

30

Fade In Time / Type

Indicates the end position of the clip's Fade In. Selectable fade types are: Linear, S-Curve (default), 3dB, -3dB.

31

Fade Out Time / Type

Indicates the start position of the clip's Fade Out. Selectable fade types are: Linear, S-Curve (default), 3dB, -3dB.
* These properties are part of the Marker dialogs and not shown in the example.

The following Control Pins are available in Properties.

Pin Name Value String Position Pins Available

Data

Text - Tracks, Clip Info, Control Tracks, Markers

Output

Enable External Sync

0

1

false

true

0

1

 Input / Output

External Time

External LTC Time (when set to LTC in Properties)

 0 - 24*60*60 (one day in seconds)

Input \ Output

Output only

Frame Offset

(Available when Time Source set to LTC in Properties)

 0 - 10 Input \ Output

Is Playing

0

1

false

true

0

1

 Output

Reload

0

1

false

true

0

1

 Input \ Output

Reset Trigger

0

1

false

true

0

1

 Input \ Output

Start Trigger

0

1

false

true

0

1

 Input \ Output

Stop Trigger

0

1

false

true

0

1

 Input \ Output

Time

 0 - 24*60*60 (one day in seconds) Output