Elation DMX DUO User manual

USER MANUAL
Version 1.3 24-004-1648-00
Elation Professional · Los Angeles, Ca 90058 · www.elationlighting.com

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Table of contents
1. General Introduction..........................................................................................................3
2. Safety Information & Maintenance...................................................................................3
3. Information Notice.............................................................................................................4
4. Front Panel Overview......................................................................................................4-5
5. Rear Panel Overview.........................................................................................................6
6. FX Buttons & FX Timer....................................................................................................6-7
6a. Manual On/Off control of FX buttons 1-8
6b. FX Timer
7. Recording Shows............................................................................................................7-8
8. Editing Shows..................................................................................................................8-9
8a. Adding steps to an existing show
8b. Deleting show steps
8c. Deleting shows
9. Strobe Function Assign...................................................................................................9
10. Show Playback...............................................................................................................10
10a. Sequencing show playback
10b. Mixed show playback
12. Strobe Playback.............................................................................................................10
13. Audio / Manual.............................................................................................................10-11
13a. Activating audio mode
13b. Activating manual mode
14. Fog Machine...................................................................................................................11
15. Send & Receive........................................................................................................11-12
15a. Transfer from Master to Slave
15b. Transfer from Master to PC or laptop
15c. Transfer from PC or laptop to Slave
16. Blackout Setup..............................................................................................................13
17. Erase all Memory...........................................................................................................13

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Section 1: General introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Elation DMX Duo. This unit is a professional DMX recorder and
playback device with high performance and advanced capabilities. This device was designed to
accept information from any universal DMX controller availible on the market today. Any group of
scenes that have been programmed into a universal DMX controller can simply be downloaded into
the DMX Duo for easy playback. In many cases, the DMX Duo is pre-programmed at the factory
when sold in system packages. This unit is made up of two control sections - one part for effect
lighting and the other for playback of dimmers and moving lights. The two parts run completely
independent of one another allowing you more flexibility when playing back shows or turning effects
on and off.
Every unit has been thoroughly tested and carefully packed before shipment. Unpack the shipping
carton and inspect thoroughly saving the carton and all packing materials for possible use later.
Check carefully and make sure your product is not damaged and that no included accessory is
missing. If your product appears to be damaged or missing something, please do not use it- contact
our customer support staff at [phone] ext-401 for instructions on what to do.
Section: 2 Safety Information & Maintenance
Please read through this manual carefully and thoroughly, as it gives important information regarding
safety, use and maintenance. Keep this manual with the unit for possible future reference. Please
read all instructions prior to mounting, and operating your DMX Duo. To protect against fire, electric
shock and injury to persons, please follow the safety precautions listed below and observe all
warnings in this manual and warnings printed on the console. The following rules give important
information regarding safety during operation and maintenance for long term use. If you have any
questions regarding operation of this console, please contact our customer support staff at (800) 322-
6337 ext-401.
xUse only a source of AC power that complies with local building and electrical codes
and has both overload and ground-fault protection.
xTo reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this unit to rain or high
levels of moisture. Do not use this unit near water.
xDo not operate this unit if the ambient temperature exceeds 45°C.
xRefer any service operation not described in this manual to a qualified technician.
xDo not dismantle or modify this unit as there are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer
all service related issues to a qualified technician.
xUse this unit only as described.
xHandle this unit carefully. Any strong shock or vibration may result in malfunction.
xDo not operate this unit when front face panel is removed.
xAny damaged or crimped AC cable should be replaced immediately. Protect the power
supply cable from being walked on or pinched.
xDo not allow children to play with this unit.
xKeep these instructions for future use.
xHeed all warnings.
xFollow all instructions.
xClean only with dry cloth.
xDo not install near any heat sources such as heaters, stoves, amplifiers or any other
heat generating apparatus.
xOnly use attachments and accessories specified by Elation Professional.
xUnplug this unit during lighting storms or when unused for long periods of time.
xIn order to keep your DMX Duo in good working condition, please follow these simple
steps for safety and maintenance.

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Section: 3 Information Notice
Product Modification Warning:
Elation Professional products are designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of United
States and International safety regulations. Modifications to the product could affect safety and render
the product non-compliant to relevant safety standards.
Updates & Changes:
Information and specifications in this manual are subject to change without notice. Elation
Professional assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in
this manual.
Copyright:
© 2004 Elation Professional
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without
permission in writing from Elation Professional.
It is of great benefit to keep this user manual for future reference.
Section 4: Front Panel Overview
1. Power switch- switches the units power on or off. Up position switches the unit ON and Down
position switches the unit OFF.
2. FX timer LED’s- indicate selected timer interval between 1, 3, 5 or 10 minutes. The built in timer
works in conjunction with the eight (8) FX light buttons. Selected timer interval will have its LED lit. (See
next section for additional information).
3. 1-8 FX switches- Switch effects ON or OFF. When an FX button is selected, corresponding button
illuminates. Therefore, corresponding effect or effects will switch ON. These buttons are also used to
select effects for timer interval automatic playback. (See next section for additional information).
4. Display- display’s show times and current operation mode.
5. Send Button- used to send memory data file to another DMX Duo or PC. (See next Section for
additional data transfer information).
6. Record Button- used to record show steps. Also used to engage record mode.
7. Speed Button- to adjust show hold times. When selected, a show hold time can be changed
with the UP/Down buttons.

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Front Panel Overview (Cont.)
8. Strobe Button- allows for a strobe effect to be programmed for quick access during playback. Any
selected show will incorporate a strobe effect when this button is selected.
9. Fog Machine Indicators- L.E.D’s indicate when connected fogger is “Heating“ or “Ready“ for use.
Red indicator L.E.D indicates that the fogger is heating and Green indicator L.E.D indicates that the
fogger is ready to be used.
10. 1-10 Show Buttons- used to store and playback shows. Up to 99 steps can be stored into each
show button. Shows can be played back in one of two modes- sequential or mixed. A show will
incorporate the same hold and fade time for each step.
11. USB Input- allows for a USB work light to be plugged into it such as the Elation USB LITE.
12. FX Timer Button- used to select desired timer setting between 1, 3, 5 or 10 minute intervals. The FX
timer works in conjunction with the 1-8 FX buttons.
13. UP Button- used to increase show step and fade times. Also used when in record edit mode to increase
selected show step.
14. Down Button- used to decrease show step and fade times. Also used when in record edit mode to decrease
selected show step.
15. Mode Button- used to select between DMX, Audio or Manual operation modes.
16. Receive Button- used to receive a memory data file from another DMX Duo or PC. (See next Section for
additional data transfer information).
17. Delete Button- used to delete show steps when in record or record edit modes.
18. Fade Button- used to adjust show fade times. When selected, a show fade time can be changed with
the UP/Down buttons.
19. Blackout Button- used to blackout all selected shows.
20. Fog Button- used to trigger a connected fog machine. Compatible foggers include: ADJ MB-1000,
Stallion, Vapor-Flow, Fog Storm-1200 and Fog Storm-1700.

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Section 5: Rear Panel Overview
1. Fog Machine 5 pin Input socket- connect to a compatible fog machine for onboard triggering. Use
any midi standard type cable to connect between DMX Duo and fog machine. Compatible foggers include
ADJ MB-1000, Stallion, Vapor-Flow, Fog Storm-1200 and Fog Storm-1700.
2. DB9 Pin RS-232 input connector- connect to a another DMX Duo, lap top or PC to transfer or load
a data file. Use a standard RS-232 serial lap link type cable to connect between DMX Duo and other
device. Must use Elation RS-232 software to transfer data between DMX Duo and lap top or PC- software
availible at www.elationlighting.com .(Seenext section for additonal data transfer information).
3. DMX Input- connect a universal DMX controller into this input for scene uploading.
4. DMX Output- connect to moving lights or dimmers for show playback of uploaded scenes.
This output works in conjunction with the 1-10 show buttons.
5. FX Output- connect to a switch pack such as the Elation DP-415 or PP-DMX20L. Up to 8 channels
can independantly be switched ON and OFF via this output. This output works in conjuntion with the 1-8
FX buttons.
6. Power Supply DC Input- plug the supplied 9VDC-1000mA minimum power supply into this input.

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6b. FX Timer
To select FX for timer sequence, press the “FX TIMER“ button until all green LED’s above FX Timer
button are off. Next, select the FX you want included into timer sequence by selecting FX buttons 1-8.
For example, if you select buttons 1, 3, 4 & 7, FX 1, 3, 4 & 7 will be the FX included into you timer
sequence. Finally, press the “FX TIMER“ button until the LED next to your desired timer interval is lit-
1, 3, 5 or 10 minute modes. (If no FX are selected, all FX 1-8 will automatically run one after another
based on the selected interval time- 1, 3, 5, 10 minutes. If only one FX is selected, the selected FX
will turn on and off to the selected interval time).
Section 9: Recording Shows
1. Connect from your DMX controllers output to the DMX input of your DMX Duo. (When
programming moving lights, it is recommended that you pre program scenes into your DMX controller
before recording shows into the DMX Duo. If your programming conventional dimmers, you can
record them in real time using your controllers dimmer channels).
2. Press and hold down the “Record“ button and simultaneously press show buttons 1, 6, 8,1, 6, 8 in
sequence. As a result, the record LED will illuminate. (Note: if you do not have a DMX controller
connected to the DMX input of the DMX Duo as described in the previous step, you will not be able to
access the Record mode).
Section 6: FX 1-8 On/Off Buttons & FX Timer
The FX 1-8 buttons are used to turn the corresponding DMX output channels ON or OFF. Up to two 4
channel power packs can be controlled via the 1-8 FX buttons. The first power pack should be set to
DMX channel one (1) and the second power pack should be set to DMX channel five (5). If your
packs incorporate dip switches, set dipswitch #1 ON for the first pack in line and dip switch #’s 1 & 3
ON for the second pack. This will give you control of channels 1-4 on your first pack and channels 5-8
on the second pack. The FX Timer includes five options which are represented by the LED’s above
the FX Timer button- 1 minute, 3 minute, 5 minute and 10 minute intervals can manually be selected
by repeately pressing the FX Timer Button. When all timer interval L.E.D’s are OFF, this means that
the timer is OFF.
6a. Manual On/Off Control of FX 1-8 buttons
To obtain manual on/off control of FX 1-8, press the “FX Timer“ button until all green LED’s above the
FX Timer button are off. You can then turn FX 1-8 ON or OFF as required.

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Recording Shows (Cont.)
3.SelecttheShowbutton1-10 that you want to record into. Once selected, the show LED will
continually flash and the LED will display the current show step- “SH:00“.
4. From your DMX controller, select the scene or manually adjust the channels you want included into
your first show step.
5. Adjust the steps hold time by pressing the “SPEED“ button. Next, use the “UP/DOWN“ buttons to
select the hold time ranging from 0.1 (one tenth of a second) to 10:00 (ten minutes).
6. Adjust the steps fade time by pressing the “FADE“ button. Next, use the “UP/DOWN“ buttons to
select the fade time ranging from 0.1 (one tenth of a second) to 10:00 (ten minutes).
7. To record the step, press “Record“. All eight show LED’s will momentarily flash and the LED will
display the next show step confirming that your step has been recorded.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 up to 99 times per show.
9. Press “BLACK-OUT“ twice to exit record mode.
Section 10: Editing Shows
10a. Adding steps to an existing show
1. Press and hold down the “Record“ button and simultaneously press show buttons1,6,8,1,6,8in
sequence. As a result, the Record LED will illuminate. (Note: if you do not have a DMX controller
connected to the DMX input of the DMX Duo as described in the previous step, you will not be able to
access the Record mode).
2. Select the show you want to edit by pressing show button 1-10. The show LED will continually
flashandtheLED will display the total amount of show steps included into the selected show-
“SH:xx“.
3. To view the previously recorded steps, press the same show button, both show and record LED’s
will be lit. Use the “UP/DOWN“ buttons to scroll to the step you would like to add a new step after.
Once you find the step, press the same show button again so that the show LED is flashing. (You
must exit this preview mode before you can record or add the new step).
4. From your DMX controller, select the scene to be added or manully adjust the channels to your
desired setting.
5. Adjust the steps hold time by pressing the “SPEED“ button. Next, use the “UP/DOWN“ buttons to
select the hold time ranging from 0.1 (one tenth of a second) to 10:00 (ten minutes).
6. Adjust the steps fade time by pressing the “FADE“ button. Next, use the “UP/DOWN“ buttons to
select the fade time ranging from 0.1 (one tenth of a second) to 10:00 (ten minutes).
7. To record the new step, press “Record“. All eight show LED’s will momentarily flash and the LED
will display the new show step confirming that your step has been recorded.
8. Repeat steps 3 -5 to add additional show steps.
9. Press “BLACK-OUT“ twice to exit record mode.

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Editing Shows (Cont.)
10b. Deleting show steps
1. Press and hold down the “Record“ button and simultaneously press show buttons 1, 6, 8,1, 6, 8 in
sequence. As a result, the Record LED will illuminate. (Note: if you do not have a DMX controller
connected to the DMX input of the DMX Duo as described in the previous step, you will not be able to
access the Record mode).
2. Select show you want to edit by pressing show buttons 1-10. The show LED will continually flash
and the LED will display the total amount of show steps included into the selected show- “SH:xx“.
3. To view the previously recorded steps, press the same show button, both show and record LED’s
will be lit. Use the “UP/DOWN“ buttons to scroll to the step you would like to delete. Once you find the
step, press the same show button again so that the show LED is flashing. (You must exit this preview
mode before you can delete the step).
4. Press the “DELETE“ button. All eight show LED’s will momentarily flash and the LEDwilldisplay
the previous show step confirming that the step has been deleted.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 to delete additional steps.
6. Press “BLACK-OUT“ twice to exit record mode.
10c. Deleting Shows
1. Press and hold down the “Record“ button and simultaneously press show buttons 1, 6, 8,1, 6, 8 in
sequence. As a result, the Record LED will illuminate. (Note: if you do not have a DMX controller
connected to the DMX input of the DMX Duo as described in the previous step, you will not be able to
access the Record mode).
2. Press and hold down the “Delete“ button, then press the show button 1-10 you want to delete. All
eight show LED’s will momentarily flash and the show button you selected will not be lit anymore
confirming that the show has been deleted.
3. Repeat step 2 to delete additional shows.
4. Press “BLACK-OUT“ twice to exit record mode.
Section 11: Strobe Function Assign
1. Press and hold down the “Record“ button and simultaneously press show buttons 1, 6, 8,1, 6, 8 in
sequ ence. As a result, the Strobe button LED will illuminate. (Note: if you do not have a DMX
controller connected to the DMX input of the DMX Duo as described in the previous step, you will not
be able to access the Record mode).
2. From your DMX controller, select a pre programmed strobe scene, including only the strobe
channel, or manually set your strobe or shutter channel to strobe at your desired flash rate. (For a
pre programmed strobe scene- it is important that you do not include any channel other than the
strobe channel when recording the scene into your universal DMX controller).
3. Press the “STROBE“ button to record and save. All eight show LED’s will flash momentarily
confirming that the strobe function has been saved.
4. To exit, press “BLACK-OUT“ twice.

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Section 13: Show Playback
Shows can be played back in two modes- “Sequence“ or “Mix“. Sequence mode allows for shows to
be played back one at a time. Ten shows can be selected at one time. However, the show with the
flashing LED is the only active show running at the given time. Once that show has finished, the next
selected show will automatically begin to run and it’s LED will begin to flash until it finishes. This
sequence mode will automatically loop both shows continuously. Mix mode allows ten shows to be
played back at any one time. This mode allows for the highest values to take effect over a given
channel. For example, if one show contains a value of 161 for channel 3 and the other show contains
a value of 223 for channel 3 then the show containing the value of 223 will take precedence because
it is a higher value. This mode works very well with moving lights.
13a. Sequencing show playback
1. Press show buttons 1-10. The active show LED will flash continuously and the LEDwilldisplay
the selected show number followed by the sequencing show steps- “S1-10:1-99“. (Note: in this mode
the shows will continue to loop from one to the other. Speed and Fade buttons do not have any effect
in show playback as speed and fade times were recorded in show record mode).
2. To disengage a show, press the show button you wish to turn off. The show button LED will turn off
confirming that it will no longer be included in the sequence.
13b. Mix show playback
1. Press and hold down any of recorded show buttons1-10, then press the other show buttonsand
release all simultaneously. All show LED’s will then flash continuously indicating that they are in mix
show playback mode.
2. To exit this mode, press each show button twice.
Section 14: Strobe Playback
The strobe function will mix with any current running show.
1. Press the “STROBE“ button when effect is desired.
2. Press the “STROBE“ button again when you want the strobe effect switched OFF.
Section 15: Audio / Manual
When running shows, you can also select between running them in audio or manual modes.
15a. Activating Audio Mode
1. While playing shows back, press the “MODE“ button. An indicator light will illuminate in the LED
next to the AUDIO silk screen. This confirms you are in audio or sound active mode. Your shows will
now be triggered to sound via an internal microphone in the DMX Duo.
2. To exit audio mode, press the “MODE“ button twice. Your shows will now return to the default speed
and fade times.