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USB 1 to the computer

USB data cable into USB 1 and into the computer. The FrenschPress starts up, the keys light white. On macOS, Windows and Linux it registers as a standard MIDI device without drivers.

USB 2 to the backup computer

If the show runs redundantly, the second computer goes on USB 2. Both systems get every command at the same time.

Never connect both USB ports to the same computer.

Ethernet into the show network

You need the network cable into the show network for OSC, HTTP, TCP, Art-Net, sACN and RTP-MIDI, and for the web interface where you set everything up.

Just power and network

On the network the FrenschPress needs no computer: a stable 5 V / 1 A power supply into a USB-C port, Ethernet into the console network. Macros and mappings run on the device.

One cable from the PoE switch

If your switch provides PoE, a single network cable is enough: a PoE splitter with RJ45 and USB-C outputs separates data and power. RJ45 goes into the Ethernet port, USB-C (5 V) into a USB port. No power supply on the device needed.

Open the address in the browser

Connect Ethernet, put the computer on the same network: the FrenschPress ships with 192.168.1.10, your computer for example 192.168.1.20, mask 255.255.255.0. Then open http://frenschpress.local, or http://192.168.1.10 if that fails.

Via the access point

The LEDs light magenta and the FrenschPress opens its Wi-Fi FrenschPress_Config, password 12345678. Connect, then open http://frenschpress.local, or http://192.168.4.1 if that fails. If the device reports “no internet”: stay connected.

Create an account

On the first visit you create an account on the device: Username, Password (at least six characters), repeat the password, create, log in. It protects the settings and is not an online account.

Remember me keeps you logged in in the browser. Add the address to the home screen on your smartphone and the web interface sits there as an app tile.

The pages

Settings for device and network, Device Mode for mode and mapping, Streamdeck as soon as one is detected, Timeline for timecode cues, Network Targets for your target devices and Plugins for ready-made commands.

Ethernet and Wi-Fi

Use DHCP gets the address from the DHCP server. For a fixed address turn DHCP off, Manual IP Settings → Open, enter IP, mask, gateway and DNS, Apply. The device then restarts.

Wi-Fi: Use WiFi, Scan & Connect, pick the network, password. Ethernet takes priority. Give each unit a unique Device Name when there are several on the network.

Backup and update

Give it a Backup Name, Export Backup. You get a JSON file with settings, macros, presets, plugins, targets, timelines and Stream Deck configuration. Restore with Select File → Import Backup.

New firmware shows up on the update card: What's new, then Update Now. The computer needs internet for this.

QLab, Custom, Companion

QLab: plug & play via MSC or OSC, LEDs white, PAUSE lights orange when paused. Over OSC, GO also turns green while cues are running. Custom: every key and every encoder gesture is freely assignable, LEDs gold. Companion: as a satellite of Bitfocus Companion. You enter the host IP, the colours then come from Companion. Without a host the LEDs flash red.

Play key = GO

Every press starts the next cue. The key is mechanical with a clear actuation point, so an accidental double GO hardly ever happens.

Pause and resume

PAUSE pauses running cues and lights orange. A second press resumes them exactly where they were.

Stop

STOP ends everything that is running. STOP and PAUSE can be locked individually in the web interface when only GO is allowed on stage.

Select cues

Turning jumps to the previous or next cue. That way you correct the playhead without reaching for the keyboard.

Switch to OSC

On the device: hold the encoder for 5 s, and the FrenschPress searches the network for QLab. Blue chase: searching. Green flashing: done. Red flashing: no QLab found, it stays on MSC.

In the web interface: in QLab Mode turn on Network Control and pick the master and, optionally, backup target. Or use Tools & device → QLab/GoButton Scan.

Over OSC you get feedback: GO green while cues are running, PAUSE orange when paused.

OSC must be enabled in QLab.

Create network targets

A target is a named destination such as “QLab Master”, “Lighting console” or “Media server”, with address, port and protocol. Create it once and use it in as many macros as you like. Plugins bring matching commands with them.

A single command in seconds

Click the key in the device view, open the library in the Macro field, Quick-Create. Then pick protocol (MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP, Art-Net, sACN), target and command. Save Changes, confirm the name: the macro sits on the key and in the library under Custom.

Test fires it once without assigning it.

Sequences and toggles

Several steps in a row, sorted by drag & drop, with a Delay in between. Three sequences per macro: On Press, On Next Press for every second press (on/off, mute/unmute) and On Release when you let go.

Three mappings per key

Every key and every encoder gesture has three button sets: Set A, Set B, Set C. The LED colour shows the active set and can be changed per key and set.

Eight controls can be assigned: < LEFT, RIGHT >, PUSH + LEFT, PUSH + RIGHT, PUSH, STOP, GO, PAUSE. You save complete mappings as a Preset.

The FrenschPress as a surface

Device Mode to Companion, enter the Companion IP, Save Settings. The FrenschPress registers as a satellite (port 16622) and shows up in Companion under Surfaces. Until the first connection the LEDs flash red.

Texts and colours from Companion

You set the start page and assignment in Companion. Colours and feedback of the keys come from there, and the preview in the web interface shows the button texts it receives. A connected Stream Deck comes along with Stream Deck as Companion surface.

Companion operates the FrenschPress

Load the module (.tgz) under Settings → Modules → Import module package, then add a connection FrenschConnection FrenschPress. The device appears under Discovered devices. If not, enter host and OSC port 53001 by hand.

One button, everything at once

On any Companion button you put actions such as Switch button set, Set LED colour, Run a macro or Arm timeline, for example start a video and switch to Set B at the same time. Feedbacks such as Mode is or QLab has running cues colour the Companion buttons.

Get the plugin onto the console

Copy FrenschPress Plugins.xml to a USB stick under gma3_library/datapools/plugins/FrenschPress/, then on the console Show Creator → Import → Plugins. FrenschPress Setup, FrenschPress Feedback and FrenschPress Encoder appear in the pool. With the last one, the FrenschPress encoder drives the console’s attribute encoders.

Requirements: FrenschPress firmware 1.5.2 or later, grandMA3 2.5.1 or later, and the “grandMA3” plugin 1.8 or later on the FrenschPress. Console and FrenschPress must be on the same network.

Connect in three steps

On first start the assistant asks: CONNECTION: IP of the FrenschPress (192.168.1.10 out of the box) and its login, CONNECT checks the connection. GRANDMA: console IP, OSC port 8012 and feedback port 53001 are detected. FINISH SETUP creates the OSC line and starts the feedback. Optionally TEMPLATE loads a preset with layout.

Executor on the key

Tap a control, pick a type: Executor Key, Fader, Encoder, Speedmaster, Raw command or Sequence from pool. Fastest: LEARN FROM CONSOLE and press the key on the console. The Appearance gives the LED and deck key their colour, SAVE TO FRENSCHPRESS writes everything to the device.

Keys light up with the console

FrenschPress Feedback reports the state back: executor keys light while their executor runs, fader mappings above 0, speedmasters flash in tempo. With a Stream Deck, a short press on the TOOLS key opens the editor on the console.

Generate your own timecode

In Custom Mode create a macro step of type TimeCode and put it on keys: Start, Pause / Continue, Stop, plus restart and winding. Start at sets the start position, and optionally the run ends at Stop at. The output is MTC at 30 fps over USB 1 and USB 2, and Art-Net timecode if you like.

It’s quicker with the system preset TC Master Clock. The key shows the state: flashing green running, orange paused. While paused, the encoder winds forward and back, and Continue carries on from the new position.

Pass timecode on

When timecode comes in from outside, the FrenschPress passes it on automatically: MTC from USB 1 to USB 2 and back, and with Art-Net TC active, onto the network too. Art-Net timecode goes back to USB MIDI the other way. The first source wins; if it drops out for three seconds, another may take over.

LTC comes in via the FrenschConnection dongle on USB 2. 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps are received.

Cues on timecode

Timeline page: set name, Timeline Start and frame rate. Move the playhead to the spot, ＋ Cue at Playhead, assign a macro. Picker, Quick-Create and Multi-Step work just like on the keys. Markers can be dragged along the track, and Test fires a cue immediately.

Any timecode the device sees can be the source: MTC, Art-Net, LTC or its own master.

Armed or disarmed

Enable Cue Playback decides whether the cues are really fired. The state is saved immediately, even in the middle of a show. Several timelines can be armed in parallel. If you only want to edit, switch it off.

Without a browser too: Stream Deck → Tools → TIME CODE → TIME LINE, or via OSC /fpress/timeline/arm. The running timecode is always shown at the top of the web interface’s title bar.

Create a snapshot macro

Click the key in the device view and in the macro picker choose Snapshot for Art-Net or sACN. Set Universe Start and Universe End. Art-Net counts from 0, sACN from 1, ten universes at most. Add unicast with target IP, Fade Duration (ms) and, for sACN, the Priority.

Trigger Mode: Toggle switches on and off with each press, Temp only acts while you hold. After that the console comes through again.

Hold the key for five seconds

Bring up the look you want on the console, then hold the assigned key for five seconds. The FrenschPress stores all received channels; green flashing confirms the recording.

With Hold to re-record, a long hold records again. Turn it off if a long-held temp look shouldn’t overwrite the stored look.

One press, lights on

The console can be off: one press fades the snapshot in with the set fade time, a second press fades it out. If it is also on the encoder push, turning becomes a master fader for exactly this snapshot.

Via OSC too: /fpress/macro "Act 1" on, off or toggle.

Monitor and correct

Monitor next to the macro shows the stored values without firing anything. Choose a universe; Non-zero only hides empty channels. You correct single channels in the editor under Levels to apply, for example 1-12@50, 20@100, then Apply. The rest stays as recorded.

Snapshots can’t be duplicated. Keep important looks safe with a backup.

With the DoppIO

The Stream Deck goes on USB 2, and the FrenschPress supplies no power there. The easiest fix is the DoppIO: it plugs into both USB-C ports on the back, and the Stream Deck and the cable to your computer or power supply plug into it. That also powers the deck.

Without a DoppIO, use a USB OTG Y adapter cable or a powered hub on USB 2: one branch to the Stream Deck, one to a power supply.

USB 2 is then no longer a MIDI port. MIDI keeps running over USB 1, RTP-MIDI and the network.

Turn on USB host

Settings → USB Host Support → Enable USB Host support → Save & Restart USB 2. The status shows the detected deck, and the Streamdeck page appears in the navigation.

Assign keys

In the web interface click a key in the grid: macro, label, colour or image for idle and active state, feedback. Or right on the deck: hold an empty key for 2 seconds and the macro list appears.

Up to four pages and layouts to switch between.

Timecode, transport, QLab

Under Display options, three displays take over their own rows of keys: Timecode: source plus HH MM SS FF, digits white (stopped), green (running), orange (paused). STOP/GO/PAUSE mirrors the device keys in their LED colour. QLab standby: link, standby cue in its colour and running cue with remaining time.

QLab standby needs the OSC connection to QLab. Reserved keys don’t run macros. Their mapping comes back as soon as the display is off.

Settings on the deck

The bottom-right key is reserved. Hold it for 2 seconds to open the Tools menu: network, timecode, mode, display, MIDI, OSC, MAP for assigning, and brightness. EXIT closes it.

Four dials and a touch strip

Each dial gets its own macros for press, turn right and turn left, fired per detent. The touch strip shows the labels and reacts to tap, long tap and swipe. Swiping cycles the display: encoder labels, timecode, STOP/GO/PAUSE, QLab.

Enable RTP-MIDI

Under Settings → RTP-MIDI turn on Enable RTP-MIDI and Save Settings. The session name follows the device name. Sessions & status opens connections and the live display.

Responder or initiator

Responder waits until the computer connects. Initiator sets up the connection itself, also after a restart or network outage. For that, enter up to two peers with IP and control port (usually 5004), or Refresh peers and select. Save connection settings applies it.

Connect in Audio MIDI Setup

In responder mode, open Audio MIDI Setup → MIDI Network on the Mac, select the FrenschPress in the directory and connect it to the session. On Windows an RTP-MIDI application does the job. The status changes to Connected; select the MIDI input and output in your show software.

Enable USB Network

Under Settings → USB Network turn on the switch and Save & Reboot. Or on the Stream Deck under NET → USB NET ON, confirm with a second press. The computer then sees MIDI and a network adapter at the same time. No drivers needed if the operating system supports CDC-NCM.

Bridged into the show network

With an RJ45 cable plugged in, the FrenschPress bridges the connection to the Ethernet port: the computer sits on the show network via USB and gets its address there by DHCP, or a fixed one. The FrenschPress stays reachable at its Ethernet address.

Only ever one route into the show network: disconnect the computer’s Wi-Fi or its own LAN port on the same network first, because two routes make the connection unreliable. That is why USB Network is off out of the box.

Directly on the computer

Without a network cable it stays a direct connection. Give the computer a fixed address in the same subnet (FrenschPress 192.168.1.10, computer 192.168.1.20, mask 255.255.255.0, no gateway) and open http://frenschpress.local, alternatively http://192.168.1.10.

Enable HID Mode

Under Settings → HID Mode turn on the switch and Save & Reboot. The FrenschPress restarts and registers as keyboard and mouse. GO lights blue, STOP and PAUSE yellow.

While HID Mode is active there is no USB MIDI, no macros and no Companion Mode.

Key, click or scroll

The HID Key / Mouse Mappings table appears on Device Mode. Each key sends a keystroke with modifiers or a mouse click, the encoder scrolls. Capture takes the next key you press, regardless of keyboard layout. Changes apply immediately.

Advance slides

GO on →, STOP on ←, PAUSE on B for black. With that the FrenschPress controls Keynote or PowerPoint on any computer, without drivers.

Change mode

Each tap moves on: QLab → Custom → Companion → QLab. The LEDs show the mode: white for QLab, gold for Custom. In Companion mode they flash red as long as no host is connected. After that the colours from Companion apply.

Brightness

Darker for the black box, brighter for a daylight open air. A paired Stream Deck follows along.

Lock and unlock

When locked, the LEDs breathe and no press triggers anything. Handy during a changeover. The same combination unlocks it.

DHCP or fixed IP

Switches Ethernet between DHCP and a static address, green flashing confirms. Handy when the device goes onto someone else’s network.

Access point for the web interface

The LEDs light magenta. Join the Wi-Fi FrenschPress_Config (password 12345678) and open http://frenschpress.local, alternatively http://192.168.4.1. Works from a smartphone too.

Reset credentials

Orange confirms. Then you create a new account in the web interface; the show configuration is kept.

Factory Reset

The LEDs show the sequence: 3 s blue, 3 s red, then white and finally flashing green, and the reset is done. Configuration, macros, presets, plugins, targets, timelines and Stream Deck images are reset.

Export a backup in the web interface first. Disconnect all power, otherwise a second USB cable keeps the device powered.

Quick reference