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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
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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
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QLab is centered around the concept of cues, which are grouped into cue lists. A simple workspace might contain a single cue list with multiple cues, each of which plays back a single audio file. More complex workspaces may contain multiple cue lists, groups of cues, advanced timing control, and
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In addition to media files, some cue types are capable of targeting other cues. These cues, such as Fade cues and Start cues, enable advanced scripting and programming capabilities. To create advanced multimedia sequences in QLab, multiple cues are used in combination, linked together with
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Video output is available through a variety of protocols. QLab 5 utilizes multiple layers of abstraction in its video output system, allowing output devices such as screens and projectors to be split, combined, and manipulated. QLab can output video through the Mac's native video outputs,
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QLab offers multiple tiers of licenses, reflecting the broad feature set of the program. The free version of the program includes limited audio and video playback functionality, and separate licenses are available for fully-featured audio output, video output, and lighting control.
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QLab is capable of playing back multiple video formats, fully integrated with audio playback and other cues. In addition to video files, QLab can route and display video signals from cameras, through multiple supported protocols. A text editor is also available for
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for large installations. As of
November 2023, licenses are only sold for QLab 5; these licenses are also honored for QLab 4 installations. Perpetual licenses can be reassigned to different computers via an automated web interface.
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The concept for QLab originated in late 2005, when
Baltimore-based theater designer Chris Ashworth responded to a request from a small theatre company for audio playback solutions. The initial version of QLab utilized the
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54:, with additional abstraction and editing functionality. Each media file, such as a video or audio file, is referenced ("targeted" in QLab terminology) by its own cue. QLab contains advanced
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368:. The software also accepts MIDI signals as triggers for its own cues. MIDI signals can be sent to QLab from any other MIDI capable device, using a MIDI interface.
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All major versions of QLab are supported by smaller releases of bugfixes and additional features. As of
November 2023, QLab 4 and 5 receive these updates.
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functionality with its system of abstraction through cues. Any changes made to a cue are saved as part of the cue, and not the media file itself.
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and other applications, and video effects can be applied to any content. The video system in QLab supports advanced use cases such as
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QLab 4 was released in 2016, introducing lighting control functionality. QLab 4 controls lighting devices with the industry standard
197:, and incorporated their feedback into version 1.0, released in September 2006. Within a year of its release, QLab was in use on
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bi-directionally. QLab allows MIDI signals to be sent as a cue to trigger other devices, such as
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QLab 2 was released in 2009. Key features in version 2 include a revised interface; support for
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QLab 3, released in 2013, introduced a rebuilt video system, support for
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clicking a large GO button on the screen, or by pressing the space bar.
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QLab 3 show control: projects for live performances & installations
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QLab 5 was released in 2022. This version adds features for
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is a cue-based, multimedia playback software package for
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The latest version, QLab 5, supports 25 types of cues:
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QLab 4: Projects in Video, Audio, and
Lighting Control
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video adapters, and network devices over Syphon and
323:multiple files can be triggered at one moment.
62:pre-programmed or manually-triggered timing.
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488:. New York: Focal Press. pp. xxiv–xxv.
30:and live entertainment. It is developed by
16:Multimedia software for live performances
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553:"What's Trending: Andy Lang On QLab 4"
465:Ashworth, Chris (February 19, 2010).
420:(2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
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658:Figure 53 | QLab | Documentation
34:, an American company based in
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617:"QLab 5 Video: Video Output"
515:. 2012-01-11. Archived from
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534:"QLab 3.2.15 Release Notes"
442:"QLab 5 Fundamentals: Cues"
104:(voice messages, sysex, or
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259:for remote control on the
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416:Hopgood, Jeromy (2018).
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640:Figure 53 | QLab | Tour
577:"What's New In QLab 4?"
279:real-time collaboration
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56:non-destructive editing
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510:"QLab 2 User's Guide"
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381:References
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183:Core Audio
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292:Licensing
283:Metal API
111:MIDI File
42:Structure
32:Figure 53
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313:Features
255:, and a
222:timecode
203:West End
201:and the
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187:Mac OS X
166:Script (
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268:DMX512
244:, and
242:Python
208:Grease
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151:Target
144:Devamp
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140:Reset
134:Pause
128:Start
125:Group
73:Video
70:Audio
24:macOS
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490:ISBN
422:ISBN
362:MIDI
261:iPad
246:Ruby
228:and
226:MIDI
224:via
211:and
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160:Wait
148:Goto
137:Load
131:Stop
102:MIDI
93:Fade
79:Text
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350:NDI
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230:LTC
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