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MagicQ supports an extensive array of features to enable lighting designers to quickly and easily realise their innovative and imaginative designs.
MagicQ has been designed to be as flexible as possible so that it can be used equally well for pre-programmed shows / tours or for busking festivals. All parameters can be changed during run at the touch of a button.
Ease of use and speed of programming have been at the forefront of the design process ensuring patching and programming a show in the minimum amount of time without complex button sequences and multi level menus.
The first few chapters of this guide describe an overview of MagicQ including scenes, chases, fx and playbacks. If you wish to go straight into programming a show then turn to the Quick Start section.
MagicQ software runs on PCs, Macs and MagicQ consoles and has the same features and user interface on all systems.
MagicQ software enables shows to be pre-programmed on a PC (Windows, Mac or Linux) enabling Lighting Designers to design and program their shows in advance. Shows can be transferred between PC, Mac and MagicQ consoles using USB memory sticks, or via direct network connection.
MagicQ PC / Mac supports the same functionality and user interface as the physical consoles making it easy to move between the two products. MagicQ PC / Mac can also be used to run complete shows, either as a back-up to the main console or as console in its own right.
MagicQ consoles are available in several different models all using the powerful MagicQ software on a Linux operating system giving a reliable operating environment for programming and playback of shows. A show can be programmed on one model and then played back on a different model.
MagicQ supports 202 playbacks in total – which can be accessed through physical playbacks or through the touch screen. The different models in the MagicQ console series have different numbers of physical playbacks and buttons, enabling the size of console to be matched to the show.
Connecting MagicQ USB Connect products to MagicQ PC / Mac gives the playback and programming control of the MagicQ consoles (faders, encoders and buttons) but with a small low cost lightweight solution.
DMX512 serial outputs are available from MagicQ software on PC/Mac using the MagicDMX interface, directly from all MagicQ consoles and from the Stadium Connect, Compact Connect, Mini Connect, and older MagicQ wings.
MagicQ supports Art-Net I,II,III and IV, Pathport and streaming ACN network outputs from PC, Mac or MagicQ consoles. MagicQ consoles have multiple network ports for connecting to Art-Net, Pathport and sACN installations, any of these ports can be connected to for output of these protocols.
The MagicQ MQ500M+ Stadium is the latest control console from ChamSys designed to operate at the highest level of show control. MagicQ MQ500M+ Stadium enables shows to be designed from concept to reality including lighting, media, LED and scenic design. The MQ500M+ builds on the success of the MQ500 and MQ500M consoles.
MQ500M+ Key Features:
The MQ500M+ Predecessor the MQ500M console key features are:
The picture below shows the connections on the MagicQ MQ500 Stadium console.
The MQ500M+ rear panel has:
The MQ500M rear panel has:
In 2020 the MagicQ Compact series comprises the MagicQ MQ50, MagicQ MQ70, and MagicQ MQ80 consoles together with the MagicQ Extra Wing for more faders and buttons.
Previous models included the MQ40N, MQ60 and the original MQ70.
In 2024 the MagicQ series was expanded to include the MagicQ Rack a fully-featured rack mountable version of the MagicQ console designed for installations. It features the same operating system as MagicQ series consoles, but is designed to operate without physical user control, and supports all MagicQ features including scheduled events, OSC, UDP, and MIDI control.
Alongside this is the MagicQ DIN which provides the full power of the MagicQ software in a DIN rail mount.
The MagicQ DIN supports all MagicQ features, including scheduled events, UDP, OSC and other remote protocols, making it ideal for cabinet installation in control rooms and suitable for theatres, houses of worship, and any venue requiring powerful control that would benefit from the advanced capabilities of MagicQ such as pixel mapping and multi-element fixture control.
The MagicQ Mini Connect, MagicQ Compact Connect and MagicQ Stadium Connect products connect directly to a PC or Mac. The PC or Mac runs the MagicQ software and processes the Cues whilst the wing acts as a physical surface with faders, buttons and encoders and outputs DMX.
Previous models included the MagicQ Mini Wing, MagicQ PC Wing and MagicQ Maxi Wing.
All MagicQ consoles and SnakeSys interfaces have auto ranging power supplies and can accept 110V to 240V AC on the powercon socket.
MagicQ consoles support USB keyboards and mice. It is not necessary to connect the mouse. The mouse is only required if the touch screen becomes damaged.
Note that the power cable lead should be connected before other connectors and should remain connected at all time that other connections such as DMX, network, serial, USB or video are connected to the console. This ensures that the console is correctly grounded.
MagicQ consoles have 4 direct DMX outputs on the rear of the panel so you can connect your DMX cables direct to the console.
Alternatively you can connect to an Ethernet network using the Art-Net, Pathport or ACN Streaming DMX protocols and use external Ethernet to DMX converters to output the DMX.
The network ports on MagicQ consoles all have auto MDI/MDIX detection so a normal or inverted network cable can be used to connect to other network devices. Most modern laptops and computers also have auto MDI/MDIX detection.
ChamSys offer a range of Ethernet to DMX convertors branded SnakeSys. These can be used to convert any of the 200 Art-Net or ACN Streaming DMX universes to be output on DMX512 serial. For systems requiring all 200 universes on DMX512, multiple interfaces may be used connected via network switches.
To power up the console press the power switch on the rear panel. The blue LEDs on the ten S buttons will light up in turn. After a few seconds the screen will come to life and you will see the operating system quickly performing self tests. Once the self tests are completed the MagicQ application is started.
Note: Equipment shall be connected to branch circuit by means of power cable connected to a outlet with earthing connection or equivalent.
To power down the console it is necessary to quit the MagicQ application. The console operating system then performs an automatic shutdown and turns itself off when complete. To quit the MagicQ application, press the SETUP button and then the QUIT soft button. When asked for confirmation, press YES.
Note that just removing the power cord to the console will not have the desired effect since the internal UPS continues to provide power.
If for some reason you are unable to power off the console then you may need to reset it as below.
Note that the power cable should remain connected at all time that other connections such as DMX, network, serial, USB or video are connected to the console. This ensures that the console is correctly grounded. The power cable should be the last connection removed.
On MQ500 it is possible to press the rear power button to power off the console.
Under rare circumstance it may be necessary to reset the console.
To reset the console, press SETUP to go to the Setup Window and press SHIFT and QUIT. This performs an immediate soft reset of the console - the MagicQ application will be running the show again within about 2-3 seconds.
If for some reason the console does not respond to button presses then try pressing CTRL BREAK on the external keyboard (hold CTRL whilst pressing BREAK).
If s software reset has no effect then a hard reset may be required. Hard resets should be avoided as they bypass the operating system shutdown procedures and may cause problems with the file system.
To perform a hard reset, press and hold the reset button on the back panel for 5 seconds. On Compact consoles the reset button is inset, so a thin object like a pen is needed to operate the button.
To force the console to power off completely, press and hold the reset button on the back panel until it powers off (approximately 10 seconds.)
To force a MQ80 to power off, remove all the cables from the rear panel except the powercon connector. Then remove the powercon connector and then hold the reset button for 10 seconds. For safety reasons the powercon cable should be the last cable removed.
MagicQ MQ60, MQ70, MQ80, MQ250M, MQ500 and MQ500M consoles have an internal battery designed to protect the system against short term power losses on troublesome power supplies. The internal battery is not designed to support the running of the console for long periods of time. If the power is lost then the console will prompt the user to fix the problem or to shut down the console. The battery when fully charged will support the console for between 5 and 15 minutes.
To maintain the life of the UPS battery, the console should be run for a period of at least 12 hours constantly every 2 months to ensure the battery remains fully charged at all. Note that the console needs to be powered on and running MagicQ for the battery to charge.
If your version of the console does not have an internal battery then we recommend the use of a UPS (Un-interruptible Power Supply).
Lighting consoles are designed to be used on private networks which are assumed to be secured. Where consoles are used remotely over the internet we recommend the use of secure network tunnels to protect the lighting network from access from the internet.
ChamSys explicitly denies any responsibility for security of MagicQ consoles or their use in safety critical roles. Users must assure themselves of the security of their networks - if in doubt ensure the WIFI options are disabled and do not connect to the console network ports.
In situations where the network is not secure then we recommend ensuring that only the required network protocols are enabled in order to reduce the likelihood of unauthorised access. See the System Management → Security section in the MagicQ manual for full details.
Please be aware that ChamSys products must be disposed of in accordance with the WEEE disposal and recycling regulations. ChamSys products must not be disposed of through normal household waste. For non UK customers please contact your local distributor. For UK customers, please contact us on +44 (0)23 8023 8666, or email support@chamsys.co.uk.
WEEE Producer registration number WEE/FF5605UX.
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