When you're preparing for an upcoming show, there are a few key steps you can take to help ensure everything goes smoothly. One of the most valuable is doing a dry run. A dry run lets you confirm that your show—including any audio—runs as expected, and gives you confidence in your setup ahead of show day.
For additional steps you can take to prepare for your display, please see How Can I Prepare Before My Show?
In this article
What is a Dry Run?
How to Dry Run an Automated Show
How to Dry Run a Free-Shoot Show
What is a dry run?
A dry run means going through your show just like you would on show day—only without connecting any igniters or fireworks to your firing module(s). You’ll fire the show using the IGNITE App with your module(s) connected, and if your show includes audio, you’ll test that too.
How to Dry Run an Automated Show
Step 1: Open the IGNITE App and go to Modules.
Turn on and pair any modules you plan to use in your show. Here are some things to look out for:
- Confirm modules are connecting successfully. To learn how to pair a module, please see How to Onboard/Pair an IGNITE module to the IGNITE App.
- If you're firing a show created in Show Designer, you'll want to make sure the modules you're using match the colors you set for your events. To learn more about module colors, please check out What is a Module Color?
- Make sure there are no pending firmware updates. If you're unsure as to what this looks like, please head over to our guide on Updating the Firmware on your IGNITE i18 and i36 Modules.
Step 2: Import your show into the app.
If you've signed in to the IGNITE app with the same Google or Apple ID used on IGNITE Show Designer, the application will automatically import any automated show made in your account to your smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, a show can be imported using the 4-digit show code provided by IGNITE Show Designer or your local fireworks retailer. For more information, please see How to Import a Show into the IGNITE App.
Step 3: Confirm PYROCAST connection (optional)
If you plan to use PYROCAST for your show's audio, confirm that you have PYROCAST enabled. If you're interested in learning more about PYROCAST, please check out their FAQ page for more information.
Step 4: Set up your sound system.
If you're firing an automated show with accompanying music, you'll want to connect any speakers you plan to use for your show's audio. You can choose to connect to a speaker physically from the phone you'll be firing with, play through a separate mobile device using PYROCAST, or even a Bluetooth speaker.
Step 5: Navigate to the Shows screen.
Step 6: Test fire your show.
Locate the show you would like to dry run and tap Fire Show.
Step 7: Start your show.
Once all modules are Waiting to Fire, tap Start Show.
Step 8: Select what to do if the connection is lost.
You will be prompted to choose how the modules will behave if your phone or tablet is out of range. For more information, please see Will My Show Fire if I'm Out of Bluetooth Range? Select whichever you will be using in the show and tap Fire my Show.
Step 9: Monitor your show.
As your show runs, you can watch your modules fire cues—each time a cue fires, the module’s firework burst LED will light up white. If you're using the Quickplug 6-Cue Visualizers, they will also help to confirm that your show is firing as expected.
Be sure to also listen closely to your show’s audio during the dry run to confirm it’s playing clearly and staying in sync.
How to Dry Run a Free-Shoot Show
Step 1: Open the IGNITE app and go to Modules.
Turn on and pair any modules you plan to use in your show. Here are some things to look out for:
- Confirm modules are connecting successfully. To learn how to pair a module, please see How to Onboard/Pair an IGNITE module to the IGNITE App.
- Make sure there are no pending firmware updates. If you're unsure as to what this looks like, please head over to our guide on Updating the Firmware on your IGNITE i18 and i36 Modules.
Step 2: Navigate to the Free-Shoot screen.
Step 3: Test fire your modules.
Tap on the Module you would like to fire. If you only have one module connected, that module will be selected by default.
Tap on the cue number that you want to fire first. Then, tap the Red Button with the burst icon on the left-hand side of the screen to fire the selected cue. The selected cue will then turn red to indicate it has fired.
Tap another cue, or another module, to continue firing.
Fire your cues in the order that you plan to fire them during the show. Practice the speed at which you want to fire cues. Ensure that you leave enough of a delay between cues on the same module. For more information, please see Do I Need to Have Any Delays Between Cues on the Same Module?
For more information about how to use the Free-Shoot screen, please see How to Use IGNITE Free-Shoot.
Step 4: Monitor your modules as they are firing.
As you select and fire cues, you can watch your modules fire those cues—each time a cue fires, the module’s firework burst LED will light up white. If you're using the Quickplug 6-Cue Visualizers, they will also help to confirm that your show is firing as expected.
You're all set to fire your show!
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