The Hot Keys function is extremely useful for Live Assist. It gives a custom array of audio files for quick and easy access. You can create any number of named pages for instant playback. They are also useful for creating a group of audio files that are repeatedly used in scheduled programs such as news, traffic, weather, sports, etc. Up to 10 Hot Keys can be played at the same time and can even be played from different Hot Key pages. These Hot Keys can also be assigned to play out specific sound cards.
Hot Keys can be used by all users, and can be assigned to specific user profiles.
these are custom windows that allow you to quickly access a set of audio files. These files can be sound effects, sound bytes, etc. You can create an unlimited amount of hot key pages, which can be extremely useful for your live shows.
To play a hot key, simply click on the desired hot key. The file will play till it is over, or you can stop it early by clicking on the hot key again.
To switch to a different hot key page:
In the Hot Keys window, select Open.
Click on one of the hot key pages from your user profile.
Or select a hot key page from a different user profile by clicking on the Other Users Hot Keys button, choose a different user and then select a hot key page from the selected user.
To edit a hot key array:
In the Hot Keys window, select Options.
Choose Edit Hot Keys and choose the hot key page you would like to edit.
Click on Edit.
In the Library window, select Add to Hot Keys.
Choose a position in the Hot Keys window that you would like to assign the audio file. Then click on an audio file from the Library window. This will add the selected file to the selected spot in the hot key page. You may do this for as many files as you would like.
When finished, click on the Options button on the Hot Key page, and select Finish Editing.
You may also have access to, and play any audio file from your audio library. To do this, click on the Library button from the Hot Key window. This will display your entire audio library.
To sort your audio library:
Click on the Sort button in the Hot Keys window.
You may sort by Ascending or Descending order.
You may sort by the following fields:
Cart Number
Title
Text / Artist
Runtime
You may click on the Previous or Next buttons on the bottom right. This will send you to the next set of files in your hot key page.
You may search your audio library for a specific file, or set of files that match criteria. To do this:
Click on Library within your Hot Keys window.
The default will search all fields. To search by a different field, click on Search.
Select All fields to search all fields. Select a different field to search by the specific criteria. This may be Runtime, by which you can create a range for length of files.
Enter the desired text in the search window. Results will automatically appear.
Select Clear All to clear the search results.
You may choose a subset of audio files by:
Click on Select in the hot keys window.
You may then choose to view by cart Types, or a set of Music Categories.
Click on Deselect to view all files again.
On the bottom of the hot key window, there are various functions available for the user:
PREVIEW - click on the Preview button, and then choose a file from your Hot Key window to send a copy of the file to the Preview Player window. You can now audition the file and listen to it off the air.
FILE INFO - use this button to send the selected file to the File Info screen. First click on File Info and then select the file from the hot key window.
ADD TO PLAYLIST - click on this button, and then choose a file from the hot key page. This will send the file to be played on your Playlist window.
FADE - click here to fade out the audio file that is currently playing on your hot key window.
PAUSE - click here to pause the currently playing audio file on your hot key window.
LOOP - click here to loop the currently playing audio file on your hot key page. To stop the loop, simply click on the hot key.
To add a new hot key page for a user:
In the hot keys window, select Options, and then choose Edit Hot Keys.
To create a new hot key page, type in a name into the Name field, and click on New.
To edit an existing name, select the hot key name you would like to edit, enter a new name into the Name field, and then click on Rename.
To duplicate a hot key page, select a hot key page, enter a new name, and then click on Duplicate.
DISPLAY METERS - click here to display VU meters for the hot key page.
DISPLAY SETTINGS - these settings will alter the appearance of the hot key page. These options are:
Number of Hot Keys - this option will allow you add or lower the amount of hot keys present on your hot key window. The more keys, the smaller the buttons will become.
Hot Keys Font Size - this adjusts the font size for the text within the hot key buttons. the default size is 10. You may make the text font larger or smaller by adjusting this number.
Button Font Size - this adjusts the font size for the buttons in the hot key window (examples: Preview, File Info, Add to Playlist, Select, etc). The default is 8.
Enable Hover Buttons - this places the Preview, File Info & Add to Playlist buttons over each hot key.
SETTINGS - these settings are for the Hot Key window only:
Select Sound Cards - choose which sound cards that the hot key player will play out. If you select multiple sound cards, it will then play out the first card, then the next in the list. It will always go in the order, starting with the lower numbered sound card. On the top, next to the Options button, there may be a label displaying which card it will play out next.
Channel Indicator - this option to see which sound card the file is playing out, along with which sound card it will play out next. This is useful for if you are using multiple sound cards.
Enable F-keys - when enabled, keyboard F-Key short cuts will trigger hot keys to start/stop. Simple press the assigned F-Key assigned to the hot key. You can see which F-Key by looking next to the cart number.
Logic In 3 Triggers (SATELLITE ONLY) - if you are using the APEX Satellite package, you can trigger hot keys via closures. When enabled, it will receive closures on the Logic In 3 input, and trigger the play of the hot keys. Wiring documentation can be found in the hardware manual.