Chauvet TFX-16CON Use and care manual

TECHNICAL REFERENCE & MANUAL
Stage Designer™ 16
with Foot Controller
TFX-16CON
CHAUVET
3000 North 29th Ct.
Hollywood, FL 33020 U.S.A.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.CHAUVETlighting.com

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 2
Table of Contents
BEFORE YOU BEGIN..........................................................................................................3
Unpacking Instructions........................................................................................................................................3
Installation ...........................................................................................................................................................3
Powering .............................................................................................................................................................3
Warnings .............................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................4
Product Overview................................................................................................................................................4
Technical Specifications......................................................................................................................................4
What is enclosed?...............................................................................................................................................4
Quick Reference Guide.......................................................................................................................................5
Section (A & C).......................................................................................................................................6
Section (B & D).......................................................................................................................................7
Section (D) .............................................................................................................................................8
Section (D) Continued............................................................................................................................9
Midi Settings...........................................................................................................................................9
Rear Panel ...........................................................................................................................................10
Foot Controller......................................................................................................................................10
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS...........................................................................................11
Run Pattern (chase mode)................................................................................................................................11
Run Pattern (loop chase mode) ........................................................................................................................12
Run Pattern (cross mode).................................................................................................................................12
Programming your own patterns.......................................................................................................................12
Assign Program.................................................................................................................................................13
Assign (Run Mode)............................................................................................................................................13
Patch Settings ...................................................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX .........................................................................................................................15
Maintenance......................................................................................................................................................15
Returns Procedure............................................................................................................................................15
Claims ...............................................................................................................................................................15
General Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................................16
Issue Date: December 2003
Rev. No. Version Date Description
01.20 Dec 2004 TFX-16CON Users Guide version 1.20: Author: V.M. at CHAUVET

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 3
Before you Begin
Unpacking Instructions
Immediately upon receiving a fixture, carefully unpack the carton, check the contents to ensure that all parts
are present, and have been received in good condition. Notify the shipper immediately and retain packing
material for inspection if any parts appear damaged from shipping or the carton itself shows signs of
mishandling. Save the carton and all packing materials. In the event that a fixture must be returned to the
factory, it is important that the fixture be returned in the original factory box and packing.
Installation
This fixture may be mounted in any position provided there is adequate room for ventilation. If equipped, it is
important never to obstruct the fan or vents pathway.
Powering
To determine the power requirements for a particular fixture, see the label affixed to the back plate of the
fixture or refer to the fixture’s specifications chart. A fixture’s listed current rating is its average current draw
under normal conditions. All fixtures must be powered directly off a switched circuit and cannot be run off a
rheostat(variable resistor) or dimmer circuit, even if the rheostat or dimmer channel is used solely for a 0% to
100% switch. Before applying power to a fixture, check that the source voltage matches the fixture’s
requirement. All fixtures must be connected to circuits with a suitable Earth Ground. Check the fixture or
device carefully to make sure that if a voltage selection switch exists that it is set to the correct line voltage you
will use.
Warnings
1. This product is intended for indoor use only!
2. Keep out of the reach of children!
3. Make sure power cord is never crimped or damaged.
4. Never disconnect power cord by pulling or tugging on the cord.
5. Always make sure that you are connecting to the proper voltage and that the line voltage
you are connecting to is not higher than that stated on decal or rear panel of the fixture.
6. Do not disassemble this electrical product; there are no user serviceable parts inside.
7. Always disconnect from power source before servicing or replacing fuse and be sure to
replace with same fuse type.
8. To prevent risk of fire or shock, do not expose fixture to rain or moisture.

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 4
Introduction
Product Overview
Thank you for the purchase of a TFX-16CON DMX controller. The TFX-16CON is a 16 channel
programmable console with MIDI & DMX interfaces. It features a 60 chase memory bank with 30 pre-built
chase patterns and 30 that are user programmable with 99 steps per chase. User can vary speed of chase, set
tempo with tap sync or let the music do the work by use of its audio (sound-to-light) mode. The provided
foot controller is a very handy tool for musicians, enabling access to full on, black out and chase changes.
Technical Specifications
Power Input DC 12 ~ 20V, 250mA minimum
DMX Output XLR 3-Pin Connectors
Audio Input RCA Jack, 100m V-1vpp
MIDI Interface 5 Pin multiple socket
Accessory Foot Controller
Dimensions 19in/482mm x 6.98in/177mm x 2.86in/73mm
Weight 5.07Lbs/2.4kg
Features 16 channel control via;
-(8) Faders
-(8) Latch Buttons
-(16) Flash Buttons
96 DMX channels, patchable
60 pattern(chase) memory
-(1-30) Programmable
-(31-60) Pre-programmed chases
Foot controller
Chase speed control
Fade speed control
Sound Activated
Tap Sync mode
Master output level control
Stand by (blackout)
MIDI-IN control
Cross Fade function
Add/Kill (Solo) feature
Warranty 2 Year Limited Warranty
What is enclosed?
Manual / Warranty Card
TFX-16CON Controller
AC ~ DC Power Adapter
9Pin serial cable
Foot Controller

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 5
Quick Reference Guide
Sections Page
A 7
B 9
C 7
D8, 9, 10
Midi Settings 10
Rear Panel 11
Foot Controller 11
A
B
DC

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 6
SECTION (A & C)
1. LED
Channel output indicators.
2. CHANNEL FADERS
Controls the output levels in Assign program mode and in Manual mode.
3. LATCH (Ch 9 – 16)
Buttons 9 through 16 provide permanent full level channel output in Manual mode.
4. FLASH (Ch 1 – 16)
When pressed they run in a “momentary state”. They are active for as long as you press the individual
button.
5. MASTER FADER
Functions as a master output for all channel faders and latch buttons. If Cross On mode is active, the
master fader will step through scenes in the active chase memory on both upward and downward
slides. Select Loop and it will hold the next step and toggle between adjacent scenes.
6. (M) LED
Indicates the MASTER output status for faders 1 to 8.
7. (A) & (B) LED
Indicates the MASTER output status of two adjacent steps while in Cross On mode.

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 7
SECTION (B & D)
8. LEVEL
In Chase mode it will function as master output for all current channels in a step. Where as the
MASTER fader will control output of all channels.
9. SPEED/FADE TIME
Controls chase speed between 10 steps per second to 1 step every 5 minutes and step fade time from
0.1 second to 5 minutes.
10. AUDIO
Manually adjust sensitivity to music during Audio Chase mode.
11. SEGMENT DISPLAY
Displays current operational function and mode information.
12. CROSS
Activates the Master (A & B) cross fade functionality. Only available if Cross On is enabled.
13. (F)PATTERN (chase memory)
Press to traverse chase memory in increments of 1. Hold down to traverse rapidly.
SHIFT + Button Setup
Toggles through the following functions, Channel Flash, Assign Kill, Assign Add
14. (H)PATTERN (chase memory)
Press to traverse chase memory in decrements of 1. Hold down to traverse rapidly.
SHIFT + Fade Time Setup
Toggles through the following operational functions, No Fade Time and Step Time.
NOTE!
The labels underneath the buttons represent
mode/function directly accessible upon
pressing stated button. Labels above the
buttons represent mode/function accessible
by pressing and holding down the SHIFT key.

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 8
SECTION (D)
15. (F)STEP
Press to traverse step (scenes) memory in increments of 1. Hold down to traverse rapidly.
SHIFT + Cross Setup
Toggles through the following operational modes, Cross Off and Cross On.
16. (H)STEP (scene)
Press to traverse step (scene) memory in decrements of 1. Hold down to traverse rapidly.
SHIFT + Blind
Enables the Blind operational function
17. ADD/KILL
When enabled, any program assigned to a FLASH button will be on “solo”. Meaning, all other
output levels in the console will be set to zero/OFF.
18. PROGRAM
Press and hold Program button until the LED to the left is turned on., repeat to disable. Use (F)
PATTERN (H)to select from 30 program memories. Set Channel levels and/or Latch selections
and press the Program button to record a step. (Memory position will auto-increment by 1)
19. ASSIGN
Press and hold the Assign button until the LED to the left is turned on. This mode allows you to set
and store Channel levels 1 through 8 and Latch 9 through 16 to any of the 16 Flash buttons. You
must hold the Assign button while selecting a Flash button. NOTE! Exit Assign mode by pressing
the Chase button.
SHIFT + DELETE PROGRAM
Deletes active programmable memory space while in Program mode.
20. PATCH
Press and hold Patch button until the LED to the left is turned on to enable and repeat to disable.
Patch allows you to patch console channels 1 through 16 to DMX output 1 through 96. (M)
PATTERN (N)will traverse console channel assignments while (N)Step (M)traverses DMX
outputs 1 through 96. You can turn off an individual patch to a DMX output when the left 2 digits
read 00 on the display or assign a constant full level output when it reads FF.
21. SHIFT + MIDI CHANNEL
Press and hold the SHIFT + Midi Channel button until the display reads CH:01 use (N)STEP
(M)to select desired MIDI channel. Repeat “press and hold” to deactivate.

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 9
SECTION (D) CONTINUED
22. FULL ON
Press to make channels 1 through 8 outputs at full intensity even while in Stand By.
23. LOOP
While in Chase mode press this button to enter Loop mode. The current chase will be defined as the
1st chase in the loop. Use (M)PATTERN (N)buttons to traverse additional chase programs and
add them by pressing the Loop button. You have 10 seconds to select and add additional chases to
the loop. If the display reads LC simply press Loop again to add.
SHIFT + LOOP EXIT (to exit mode)
24. CHASE
In this mode the Speed knob controls chase speed and the Level knob controls output levels for the
active chase.
SHIFT + AUDIO
Enables audio mode which will trigger steps within the chase based on sound.
25. TAP SYNC
While in Chase mode this function will capture the time between to consecutive presses or taps and
use it as the chase speed. Move the Speed knob to leave Tap Sync mode.
SHIFT + MANUAL STEP
In this mode you use (M)PATTERN (N)and (N)STEP (M)arrows to traverse chase and steps
accordingly.
26.STAND BY
In this mode all output is set to off. Please note that the Full On button will work in this mode.
MIDI SETTINGS
NOTE DATA
Note Number Velocity Function
22-81 Master level for the pattern LEVEL
Turn On/Off Patterns 1-60
82-97 Channel Dimmer Works same as FLASH 1-16
99 Full On
101 Traverse Patterns step at a time
102 Stand By
1. To receive MIDI signal, set MIDI
channel according to your device.
2. If MIDI signal disappears, settings are
dumped within 10 minutes.
3. The Patterns initiated by a MIDI
command are not controlled via the
LEVEL knob nor will they be visible in the
LCD display.

TFX-16CON Manual Version 1.20 10
REAR PANEL
1. DC Power Input
2. Power Switch
3. DMX Polarity Switch
Slide to select your particular signal polarity for DMX output.
4. DMX Output.
96 channels of DMX.
5. Midi Thru
Passes through midi data received via the MIDI IN port.
6. Midi In
Port to connect midi data cable.
7. Audio Line Input
Accepts RCA audio connector carrying audio signal ranging from 100MV to 1Vpp. When audio is
connected the built-in microphone is disabled.
FOOT CONTROLLER
FULL ON: Channels 1 through 8 are turned to full output. Stand By does not affect this button.
STAND BY: Will set console to blackout mode. All output will be turned off. FULL ON is still
functional.
PATTERN UP: Will traverse PATTERN (chase memory) in increments of 1. Press and hold to
traverse rapidly.
STEP UP: In Chase mode, will traverse STEPS in PATTERN (chase memory) in increment of 1.
Press and hold to traverse rapidly through all steps in chase at a maximum of 10 steps per second.
POLARITY SELECT
DC12V~20V,
250mA min.
DCINPUT POWER DMX OUT MIDI THRU MIDI IN
LINE INPUT
FOOT CONTROL
ON
OFF
12 3 4567 8
1=Ground
2=Data -
3=DATA+
1=Ground
2=Data +
3=DATA-
FULL ON STAND BY PATTERN UP STEP UP