# Live Events & Concerts

This guide covers a typical live music or festival workflow: multi-screen output, beat-synced visuals, and real-time cue triggering by an operator.

## Typical Setup

```
Stage left screen   Stage center screen   Stage right screen
       │                    │                    │
       └────────────────────┴────────────────────┘
                            │
                    Exaplay 3 (backstage)
                            │
                   Operator laptop/tablet
                   (http://<ip>:8123/control)
```

## Phase 1 — Pre-Production (Days/Weeks Before Show)

### 1.1 Gather and Transcode Media

Convert all video assets to **HAP Q** (for 4K) or **HAP** (for 1080p) for best performance:

```bash
# Using FFmpeg
ffmpeg -i input.mov -vcodec hap -format hap_q output.mov
```

Organise media into clearly named folders:

```
media/
├── backgrounds/
├── artists/
├── transitions/
└── branding/
```

### 1.2 Set Up Output Screens

1. Open **Config → Outputs**.
2. Add one output per physical screen/projector.
3. Verify resolution and refresh rate match the display.
4. If using VIOSO, load the `.vwf` calibration files.

### 1.3 Build Compositions

Create a composition for each screen. A typical concert might have:

* **MAIN** — full-stage content; 3–4 layers (background loop, artist video, overlay/logo, spare)
* **LED\_LEFT** and **LED\_RIGHT** — flanking screens with complementary or mirrored content
* **FLOOR** — floor projection (if applicable)

### 1.4 Import Media and Build the Cue List

For each song or show segment:

1. Drag the background loop to **Track 1** (loop enabled).
2. Drag the artist-specific content to **Track 2**.
3. Drag the transition/sting to **Track 3** (or add it as a crossfade).
4. Create a **Cue** in the CueList:
   * **Name:** Song title (e.g. "Set 1 — Song 3")
   * **Action:** `Go to timecode` (or `Play composition` for separate comps)
   * **Hot Key:** `F1`–`F12` for quick keyboard access

***

## Phase 2 — Day of Show (Venue Setup)

### 2.1 Load the Show

```
exaplay3.exe -f "C:\Shows\Festival2026\main.vpp" -ui
```

Or double-click the `.vpp` file (it's registered with Windows).

### 2.2 Verify Outputs

1. For each screen, use **Config → Outputs → Show Test Pattern** to confirm signal, resolution, and alignment.
2. Disable test patterns before doors open.

### 2.3 Calibrate Projectors (if applicable)

If using projection mapping:

1. Open the **PLAN** tab to verify projector placement.
2. Open the Warp Editor for each output and fine-tune control points on the actual surface.
3. Enable **Edge Blend** if projectors overlap.

### 2.4 Soundcheck

1. Start Exaplay playback on a test loop.
2. Confirm audio is routing correctly to the PA system.
3. If using LTC sync, verify **TC: Locked** appears in the Transport bar.

***

## Phase 3 — Show Operation

### During the Show

The **Operator Control View** (`/control`) is the primary interface during performance:

* The operator uses **Space** or the **Go** button to step through cues.
* **F1–F12** (if hot keys are assigned) let the operator fire cues without looking at the screen.
* The **screen status grid** gives an at-a-glance check of all outputs.

### Emergency Procedures

| Situation       | Action                                                                                                 |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Wrong cue fired | Press **Backspace** to step back, then press **Go** for the correct cue                                |
| Blank output    | Check **DiagnosticsPanel** for errors; press **Stop**, then **Play** to restart                        |
| Audio dropout   | Check volume fader; verify ASIO buffer is not overrunning                                              |
| System freeze   | If Auto-Heal is enabled, the watchdog will restart Exaplay automatically (typically within 10 seconds) |

***

## Phase 4 — After the Show

1. Press **Stop** to clear all outputs.
2. Save the project (`Ctrl+S`) with any last-minute changes.
3. Use **Export Project** to create a portable archive.
4. Review the engine log (`Documents\Exaplay3\logs\`) for any errors to investigate.


---

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