ChamSys Ltd www.chamsys.co.uk
MagicQ User Manual 153 Version 1.4.9.0
In general MagicQ show files are backwards and forwards compatible. Thus you can load any show into
any version of software. Loading shows created and modified on newer software versions into older
software versions may result in some features not being supported or not working exactly as expected.
In March 2006 new MagicQ consoles were changed from 6 universes to 12 universes. MagicQ software
version v1.2.5.4 and above supports 12 universes. In December 2007 ChamSys launched the Pro range of
consoles with software version v1.3.4.3 which supports 18 universes.
18.14.1 Configuring number of Universes
To enable 12 or 18 universes, go to Setup Window and VIEW DMX I/O and select “SET NUM
UNIVERSES” soft button. It is necessary to restart MagicQ before the changes take effect.
Show files are compatible – except that it is not possible to load a show using more universes than the
console is set to. So, if a show has channels patched to universes 7 to 12 it will not be loaded into a
console set to support 6 universes.
Shows that only use universes 1 to 6 can to be loaded into consoles set to either 6,12 or 18 universes.
MagicQ MQ100, MQ200, MQ300 consoles purchased before March 2006 require a hardware upgrade to
safely run 12 universes – this increases the processor power to guarantee performance. MagicQ MQ50
supports only 6 universes. MagicQ Pro consoles support 18 Universes. ChamSys does not guarantee
performance if consoles are set to support higher numbers of universes than the hardware supports.
MagicQ PC can support 18 universes – performance will depend upon the specification of the PC. Latest
PCs can easily support 18 universes fully loaded.
18.15 MagicQ profiles
MagicQ supports different profiles – a profile is the entire set-up of the console including the console
specific settings (like IP address, media settings etc…) and the show file. This enables the console to be
used to control different venues with easy swapping between venues.
Profiles are loaded and saved from the Setup Window – in View Settings, press SHIFT and LOAD
PROFILE or SAVE PROFILE. Profiles are saved to .mpr files in the show folder – note that profile does
not contain the show data – it only references it – so if you are backing up you need to store both .shw
files and .mpr files.
It is possible to set the console to request profile selection on start-up. To enable this you must put an
empty text file “selectprofile.txt” into the main MagicQ folder (MagicQ PC on MagicQ PC). On start-up
the console will then request which profile you wish to use before it loads the show and enables the
outputs. This is useful in a studio environment where MagicQ can control any one of several studios over
Art-Net. When you start up the console you choose which studio to control.
18.16 Changing MagicQ Console Software
On MagicQ consoles the software upgrade utility can be entered on start up, by pressing a key when
prompted on the screen.
From software version 1.3.4.9 it is possible to change software without powering the console down. In the
Setup Window, select View System, View Status and select CHANGE SOFTWARE. The software
upgrade utility can also be entered on start up, as before.
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