Express Support

Express is a great fit for projects requiring programming of DMX and/or DALI fixtures to static and dynamic scenes which will typically be activated by any of the following;

• Clock and Calendar events set on a Schedule
• User interaction via a touch station
• User interaction via Pharos Cloud

Express supports one active scene per space providing clear, easy to predict, straightforward playback. Pre-designed effects and presets are available with artistically chosen colours and parameters. Some limited parameter editing is possible.

If you need lots of programming freedom to cater for more complex requirements, you might want to consider Designer. Playback is completely flexible – multiple timelines, simultaneous playback and release hierarchies. Fully flexible presets with fully customisable and fully editable parameters.

Express uses a concept of Spaces to define the control hierarchy. Each fixture belongs to just one space, and spaces are organised in a parent – child – sibling structure.

In Designer a fixture can be included in many groups and be part of multiple matrices. For freeform, overlapping fixture grouping and mapping, Designer should be your choice.

As well as directly placing scenes in the Schedule, Express uses a concept of Tags to conveniently ensure the correct scenes will play at the right moment in time. Tags provide an intuitive way of programming conditional logic without the need to program for each specific case manually. Tagged scenes are primarily driven by scheduling, location (for sunrise/set) and user input via touch screens. Touch screens and the Touch mobile app allow end-user scene selection and intensity and colour override. There are also various interactions available including contact closures and relay out, receiving DALI commands, a built in HTTP API and via Pharos Cloud.

Triggering and integration options in Designer are much more flexible. With serial, Ethernet and IO module triggers, a Designer controller can act on many different inputs. The programmer is completely free to determine behaviour via the powerful trigger – condition – action principle and can use IO modules and scripting to realise show control and more complicated interactions. For themed environments, Designer systems can also support Video in, Audio In / Out, MIDI, and various linear Timecode.

Express Control operates as a standalone controller, for 512, 1024, 2048 or 3072 channels and a DALI bus for maximum 64 fixtures. There are no technical restrictions regarding having more than one Express Control on the same network, but they would operate independently with their own, unique project files.

Designer LPC capacities start at 512 channels which is one DMX universe. The LPC X supports up to 100 universes in one unit. Designer LPCs can be linked together in the same project file to act as one seamless system. Networked Designer RIO Ds can support up to 200 DALI buses on a single system. More details here

Express supports full control of colour and intensity, and the ability to set static levels in a scene for extended fixture parameters such as UV, zoom and focus. Full dynamic control of extended fixture parameters is only supported in Designer.