Hidden Modes, Demonstration mode, Lock mode | Alesis DEQ830 specification

3 Basics of Equalization

The "Hidden" Modes

There are a couple of sub-levels of operation that can be accessed by pressing different buttons. We covered a number of modes on the preceding pages; here are two more “hidden” modes:

Demonstration mode

Sometimes it’s fun to have a lot of little lights flashing from the stage or in the studio. The DEQ830 has a special key combination that will activate a “fireworks display” for the entertainment of your clients, audience, or children. In this mode the DEQ830 automatically cycles through the first 25 programs at a rate of 1 per second. To begin the pyrotechnics, first make sure you are in Program mode. Once you are, simultaneously press the [UTILITY] button and the [CHANNEL SELECT] button for Channel 6.

To help prevent an accidental exit from Demonstration mode, only a few controls are active in this mode. The [MONITOR SELECT], [BYPASS] and [BYPASS ALL] buttons work the same way they do in Program mode (audio is bypassed by default). The [CHANNEL SELECT] buttons can be used to switch channels.

To exit Demonstration mode, press the [PROGRAM] button.

Lock mode

To access Lock mode, first you must turn off the DEQ830. Then turn the unit back on, wait until you see the letters “DEQ830” in the display, and then hold down the [UTILITY] button. After a couple of seconds you will see the word "Lock" appear in large letters above the [BAND SELECT] buttons. This mode allows you to do one simple thing—lock the DEQ830’s controls. To do this, use the [VALUE] encoder to select “On” for the Lock function. Default is “Off,” of course.

This function enables you to choose a particular program as the only one that can be selected once the DEQ830 is powered on. After this has been done, pressing any button besides the [POWER] button will cause the Numerical LED Display to show “Lo” for “locked.” This is handy for environments in which the DEQ830 is used for tuning a room, for example, or whenever you don't want someone calling up a different program, editing the current program, and/or storing a different program on top of the one you have created for a particular application.

It's simple to restore the DEQ830 to full functionality (i.e., “unlock” it). Just turn the unit off and power it up in Lock mode again (turn the unit on and then hold the [UTILITY] button). Then use the encoder to turn this feature off. The next time you power up the DEQ830, it will operate normally.

Before you try this feature, make sure you’re happy with the program you had selected prior to turning the unit off. It will be the program you are “stuck” with when you turn the unit back on after enabling the Lock feature.