Device Recording
Device Recording is a tool to record the incoming data streams of different Devices (DMX, Automation & MIDI) for later playback without needing the device attached.
Once a device recording is deleted, it cannot be retrieved. This is because treats recording files as content.
This can be useful for recording specific automation control data and enable the programmer to be able to play this data back into the system without the need of the operator being on hand.
Using Device Recording
There are three modes for Device Recording; Live, Play & Record.
Live: Only the incoming ‘Live’ data will be actively allowed into.
Play: Only the recorded data will be actively played back into.
Record: That device is primed to record the incoming data into.
To set it up:
- Add either a MIDI, DMX or Automation Device to your device list and set them up appropriately.
- Observe the change to the GUI: These headings are created in the d3state bar to show that there are devices that are able to be recorded. There is a little symbol next to each indicating the mode the device is currentlysitting in. As shown in the image above, these are currently set to live and will react to the incoming data. A small triangle ‘play’ symbol indicates the device is set to playback the recordings available, and a small circle indicates it is primed for recording.
- If you right click on the heading of the device you would like to set up for recording a new window appears. Here you see the list of MIDI devices that are ready for recording. The devices are listed to the left, with the current mode on the right.
- A right-click on the mode for each device will bring up another window where you can change the mode of the device. Whereas, the buttons along the bottom of the window are the global mode controls for the device type (changes all modes for the recorder).
- If we take the nanoKONTROL2 for example, it is currently set to Live and we want to record this devices input. To do this, right click on the mode for the device and set it to record. This will tell d3 we want to record this devices input.
- If you look to the transport controls on the timeline, you will notice an addition to the UI. A Small circle has been added next to the track change controls, this is the record button for Device Recording. With the device set up as above, this can be selected to prime the recording fully. If no device has been set to record, a pop up will appear alerting that this cannot be used as no devices are ready for recording. When it is primed successfully, it will turn red to show the change.
- Now the track is ready to record the input so simply hitting play will start the recording and you will notice a new layer being created as the input stream is being received. This will grow as the recording grows with it. When you have captured all the data you want to record, hitting stop will cease the recording. All device recordings are saved under this tab and individual tabs are created for each device that has made a recording. The recordings that have been made cannot output yet as they need to be set to ‘Play’ in the mode of the recorder.
- Each recording that is made has 3 settings when right clicked on; Disable (Stops outputting the recording), Reset (Puts the recording back to where it originated if it has been moved or edited) and Delete.
Recordings are saved as .rec files and are stored in the object folder under recordingfiles. These are treated just like any other asset however they are highly reliant on project specific settings such as sections, cues, notes etc so may not work in other projects. As with any asset, they will need copying over to other machines in the same network environment (for example, an Actor) for them to function correctly.