Active Media Presents

Show Clock Pro Help

A practical guide to building show orders, running the performance timer, sending Crew Cues, receiving QLab OSC messages, printing cue sheets, and moving shows between iPhone and iPad.

Quick Start Crew Cues QLab OSC

Quick Start

  1. Add routines. Open the Routines tab and add each piece of the show with a name, duration, notes, color, and optional Routine Cues.
  2. Build the show order. Open the Show tab and tap routines in performance order. Reorder them as needed.
  3. Save the show. Use the Show menu and choose Save As New Show. After changes, use Update Saved Show.
  4. Perform. Open Perform, press Start, and use the timer, current routine panel, upcoming cues, and manual cue buttons.
  5. Print or share. Print cue sheets or export the show file for another device.

Routines and Routine Cues

A routine is one timed part of the show: an opener, trick, song, scene, volunteer segment, interlude, or finale. Routines are the building blocks that become the show order.

Editing routines

Double-tap a routine row in the Routines tab to edit its name, duration, notes, color, and cues.

Routine cues

Routine Cues live inside the routine. If the routine moves in the show order, its cues move with it automatically.

CSV import

Use Routines > Import/Export > Import CSV. The CSV format is name,duration,notes,colorHex. Duration can be MM:SS or minutes.

Routine Cue timing types

  • Start: fires when the routine begins.
  • Offset: fires at a specific time inside the routine.
  • End: fires when the routine ends.
  • Manual: appears as a button during that routine and only fires when tapped.

Saving, Exporting, and Importing Shows

Show Clock Pro saves data locally on the device. To move a show from iPhone to iPad, export a show file and import it on the other device.

  • Save locally: Show tab > menu > Save As New Show.
  • Update a saved show: Open the saved show, make changes, then use Update Saved Show.
  • Export: Routines tab > Import/Export > Export Current Show.
  • Import: Routines tab > Import/Export > Import Show File.

Exported show files include the show order, routines, routine cues, and Crew Cues. You can move them with AirDrop, Files, Messages, email, or a cable transfer.

Performance Mode

Performance Mode is the live show screen. It tracks total show time, current routine, routine elapsed and remaining time, upcoming automatic cues, and manual cue buttons.

  • Start: begins the show timer and resets cue fired states for the run.
  • Pause: pauses the clock without clearing progress.
  • Reset: returns the clock to zero and allows automatic cues to fire again.
  • Full Screen: focuses on the timer. In portrait mode, it also shows current routine, upcoming cues, and three manual cue buttons when available.
  • Menu: hides or shows the bottom navigation to maximize performance visibility.

Crew Cues and Show Clock Crew

Crew Cues let the master Show Clock Pro device send readable cue messages to crew phones running the free Show Clock Crew helper app.

  • Show Clock Pro hosts the local crew session.
  • Show Clock Crew connects locally and chooses a role such as Backstage, Sound, Lighting, Stage Manager, All, or Custom.
  • Cues sent to All appear on every connected crew device.
  • Role-specific cues appear only on matching crew devices.
  • The system does not require internet or login.

For the most reliable local connection, keep Show Clock Crew open and the crew phone screen awake during the performance.

QLab OSC Setup

Show Clock Pro can receive OSC messages from QLab on the same Wi-Fi network and forward those messages to Show Clock Crew devices by role.

  1. Open Show Clock Pro and go to Crew Cues.
  2. Note the displayed IP address.
  3. In QLab, create a Network cue pointed to that IP address.
  4. Use UDP port 53000.
  5. Send an OSC address beginning with /crewcue.

OSC examples

/crewcue/sound "Start audio cue 4"
/crewcue/lighting "Blackout" "Fire blackout now"
/crewcue "Backstage" "Stool" "Remove stool from stage"
/crewcue/all "Places" "Stand by for finale"

Supported role shortcuts include all, backstage, sound, lighting, lights, stagemanager, and sm.

Printing Cue Sheets

Use Show > Print Cue Sheets to create large, stage-readable paperwork.

  • Master Sheet: complete show order plus all timed and manual cues for the stage manager.
  • Role Sheets: cue sheets separated by crew role.
  • Full Packet: a combined master and role packet designed to open reliably on iPhone and iPad.

Troubleshooting

A saved show is not on my iPad

Shows are saved locally. Export the show from the first device and import it on the second device.

Crew phones are not connecting

Keep both apps open, use the same Wi-Fi when possible, and confirm Show Clock Crew has selected the correct role.

QLab cues are not arriving

Confirm the IP address shown in Show Clock Pro, UDP port 53000, and an OSC address beginning with /crewcue.

Automatic cues already fired during rehearsal

Press Reset before the show run. Reset clears fired cue states so automatic cues can trigger again.