QLab
History
Qlab is a multimedia playback software created by a company based in Baltimore, Maryland, known as Figure53.[1] Version 1.3.5 of the software was released on May 25, 2007, for use on Macintosh OSX.[2] The current version as of February 10, 2011 is version 2.3.3.
Uses
Cues:
In Qlab, a cue is a marker for an action to take place in the program. When triggered, a cue executes an operation. The list of available cues is as follows:
Group
Audio
Fade
Video
Animation
Camera
MIDI
MSC
MIDI File
MIDI SysEx
MTC
Start
Stop
Pause
Reset
Devamp
Load
Script
Goto
Target
Wait
Memo
Arm
Disarm
Audio Playback
QLAB allows an end-user or designer to align audio files in a sequential order. Once the audio files are inserted into the cue list, the end-user can then manipulate it by looping it, changing the amplitude or volume, and adding fades in or out. Audio Cues can also be placed into groups, so that multiple files can be triggered at one moment.[3]
Video Playback
The video capability of the software in its most recent version allows a designer to add video files to their cue lists, allowing them to be time aligned with other cues, including audio files. Video files can be altered in real time in Qlab, by integrating a Quartz Composer file.[4]
MIDI Integration
MIDI is integrated into Qlab and is setup to be bi-directional. Qlab allows MIDI signals to be sent as a cue to trigger other devices, such as digital audio consoles. The software also accepts MIDI signals as triggers for its own cues. MIDI signals can be sent to Qlab from other computers running Qlab software, or any other MIDI capable device, using a MIDI Interface.[5]
Live Playback
A key software feature with Qlab is its ease of use in live playback situations. The designer of a cue sheet can save their show file, and lock it, preventing any changes to the cues. After doing so, an untrained user can run the software in a playback situation. By default, a cue is triggered by clicking a large GO button on the screen, or by pressing the space bar.[6]