Game show buzzers

[jo...@remedysound.com]

We are trying to build a game show buzzer system in QLab, using some USB buzzers that generate key triggers when pressed.

I have set up a different sound for each buzzer using the hotkey trigger function, and I can get each buzzer to trigger it's correct sound.

What I would like to be able to do is have it set up so that once a buzzer is pressed and the cue is played no other cue can be played for a set duration of time.

One way I've though of doing this is to add some silence onto the end of the sounds I'm using for the buzzers, but what I need to know is if there is a way to make Qlab only play one cue at a time?

I'd appreciate any input on this.

Joel

[Bradford Chapin]

It sounds like you'd like to first buzz-in to DISARM the other buzzers for a set duration.

I'd make each buzzer trigger a 'fire all' group cue that plays the correct buzzer sound and also disarms the other buzzer group cues (using the Disarm cue). Then inside each group, build another 'fire all' group cue that ARMS the cues you've just disarmed, and put a pre-wait on that subgroup of your preferred duration.

Or maybe it's more complicated than that; let us know.

[Phil Manson]

Here is my very basic BUZZER system, but shows the ARM/DISARM procedure.

There are 3 x BUZZER effects, triggered by hotkeys Z,X,A (which are actually triggered by oSC sent from Osculator, responding to Wii Remotes)

When a CUE is triggered, the buzzer plays, and then auto-continues in to a START CUE that does the following :

• Disarms the 3 x Buzzer SFX Cues
• Waits for 3 seconds (adjustable in the pre-wait of Cue 18) and then re-arms the 3 x Buzzer SFX Cues

Returns (using a GOTO cue) to the top of the list, just for tidiness

Simple, but works a treat.

Picture and ZIP Bundle attached

Best

P

[micpool]

If you have a video license a good addition is a titles cue which shows who won the buzz. You can also do a university challenge style voice over audio cue as well.

"Figure 53 -Ashworth" etc

A reset hotkey for faster resets than the standard wait time is also useful and allows reset if the ESC key is pushed while cues are disarmed.

Using fire all groups makes the programming a bit more readable, in my opinion.

Using network cue (custom OSC) with wildcards e.g /cue/PLAY*/armed 1 reduces the number of cues particularly if lots of buzzers are involved.

This would be another great application for QLab4 Carts. You could set the colour of the carts to indicate to the quizmaster who had buzzed and have control cart buttons to allow, for instance, individual or team rounds. If anyone wants to try to make one here are a couple of pointers. 

The carts will most likely be start or network  cues, with all the routines executed by each button, as group cues in another cue list.

You need to have a reset button in case ESC is pushed jamming your disarmed carts, temporarily changed cart  names, cart colours etc.

Mic

[Phil Manson]

They say, "you learn something new every day", and today is no exception !

Can't believe I've never stumbled across the "wildcard" functionality.... thank you so much for highlighting this,

So many applications where this will save time / cues / complexity.

Brilliant

Ta

P

[Phil Manson]

Updated my BUZZER set up, using the great tips/advice from micpool (above)

Makes for a much tidier & expandable workspace

Utilising the AUDITION window to show video cues as a visual prompt as to what buzzer has been pressed as well as names audio samples.

Escape and Rearm/Disarm set up as Hotkeys as well, in case of trouble (!)

Many thanks again,

P