Gantom ColorPiano User manual

ColorPiano User Guide Version 1.0 –11/29/2016
ColorPiano USER GUIDE
What is ColorPiano?
ColorPiano is the easiest and most accessible way to record and playback a simple lighting show with a
Gantom fixture. Rather than needing an expensive lighting control system, you simply use an app to
record your desired effects directly into the light fixture. The fixture will remember the light show that
you recorded and play it back on a loop. You also have the option of using a triggered show, so the light
will only play its recorded show when a button or switch is pressed.
What is it for?
ColorPiano is for anyone who wants to create custom lighting effects but does not want the hassle and
expense of using traditional DMX theatrical lighting control systems. DMX will allow precise live control
of hundreds of fixtures, but this is not necessary if all you need is a short looping or triggered lighting
effect. ColorPiano takes the DMX lighting control out of the picture and allows you to record a short
show or effect directly into the light fixture itself.
Though it is technically possible to live control a light using ColorPiano, it is not recommended. Our
intention was for ColorPiano to be used to create short and simple prerecorded effects, not to be a
replacement for all the live functionality of a DMX theatrical light board.
What you need:
A ColorPiano compatible fixture from Gantom Lighting and Controls. Current supported fixtures
are the ColorPiano RGB and the BlinkFX MiniEmitter. Please note that there are also DMX
controllable versions of these fixtures, be mindful that you get the ColorPiano version when you
purchase your fixtures. If you think you may have the wrong version of the fixture, please
contact [e-mail] and we can help you out!
An Android or iOS device for running the app. Please note that a headphone port is required to
connect to the device to the fixture. The iPhone7 does work with ColorPiano, but you will need
to use the headphone port adapter that is included with the phone.
A male-to-male 3.5mm audio 3.5mm cable. This is the same type of cable that you would use to
connect your device to headphones or to an AUX port.
Power supply for the fixture. All Gantom fixtures accept 12v DC power. We recommend using
one of our PowerPak Mini units if you are just going to power a single fixture.
The free DMX Programmer app by Gantom. This can be found by searching “Gantom” in iTunes
for an Apple device or Google Play for an Android device

ColorPiano User Guide Version 1.0 –11/29/2016
GETTING STARTED
First, open the DMX Programmer app by Gantom. The app will
open to the screen you see here. From this screen, select
ColorPiano.
The app will then provide you instructions on how to connect the
light fixture to the tablet or smartphone. Please note the order in
which the cables should be connected. First connect the
headphone cable to the light fixture and to the tablet/smartphone.
Next, connect the power to the fixture. When prompted by the app,
tap the “Next” button and you will be taken to the ColorPiano
control screen.

ColorPiano User Guide Version 1.0 –11/29/2016
ColorPiano CONTROL SCREEN
Pictured to the left is the main ColorPiano control
screen. Note that the features have been numbered in
the image and will be described below.
1.Ambient Show selector –selecting this will allow you
to record or playback the fixture’s ambient show.
2.Triggered Show selector - selecting this will allow you
to record or playback the fixture’s triggered show.
3.Play button –this will play either the ambient or
triggered show that is currently recorded to the
fixture.
4.Record button –this will begin recording a new
triggered or ambient show to the fixture.
5.Brightness/intensity level –there are 4 options for
brightness level
6.Fade speed/effect speed–This controls how quickly
the light fades to a new color after a new color is
selected from the pallet. If you have one of the special
effects (buttons 8-10) selected, this will control the
speed of that special effect. For example, if I have the
strobe effect selected the Speed buttons will control
how fast the strobe is rather than control fade speed.
7.The color pallet –here you can select the color you
would like the light to be by tapping on the square for
that color. If you HOLD one color while TAPPING a
second color the light will flash the second color. You
can do many quick color flashes this way for a neat and quick effect.
8. Strobe special effect –Selecting this will make the light strobe in the color that has been selected on
the color pallet. You can also change the brightness and strobe speed by using the buttons labeled
(5) and (6).
9. Candle Flicker special effect –Selecting this will make the light smoothly flicker similar to how a
candle flame would flicker. You can do this with any color selected on the color pallet. You can also
change the brightness and flicker speed by using the buttons labeled (5) and (6).
10. Power Surge special effect –Selecting this option will make the light flicker erratically as though
from a power surge or lightning bolt. You can do this with any color selected on the color pallet.
You can also change the brightness and effect speed by using the buttons labeled (5) and (6).
11. Heartbeat special effect –Selecting this option will make the light pulse with a heartbeat rhythm.
You can do this with any color selected on the color pallet. You can also change the brightness and
effect speed by using the buttons labeled (5) and (6).
12. Settings –this button will open the advanced settings menu.

ColorPiano User Guide Version 1.0 –11/29/2016
RECORDING A SHOW
To record a show, all you need to do is select whether you would like to record the Ambient or the
Triggered show then hit the Record button. The recording will begin as soon as you press a button on the
pallet or select a special effect. The fixture can record up to 10 minutes of show time OR 40 key presses.
Ambient show vs. Triggered show:
With Colorpiano, you have the option of using two shows, one triggered and one ambient. The ambient
show runs as soon as the light is powered on, and repeats itself continuously. The triggered show will play
when a button or trigger is pressed. If there is an ambient show playing, the triggered show will interrupt
it and begin playing. When the triggered show is complete, the light will begin playing its ambient show
on loop again.
Making a simple trigger:
The light will play its triggered show when the TIP and SLEEVE of an audio cable that are connected to it
are shorted together.
A simpler way to do to do this is to cut the TRS connector off of an audio cable. This will leave you with 3
wires: Red, Green (or blue), and Black. You will then need to connect these wires to an NO (Normally
Open) Momentary Button like the one pictured above. On one of the poles you will need to connect the
Red and Green (or blue) wire. On the other pole you will need to connect the Black wire. The button
should now trigger the ColorPiano show when it is pressed. Please note that the wire colors for your audio
cable may be different from this guide.

ColorPiano User Guide Version 1.0 –11/29/2016
SPECIAL SETTINGS
To access the settings menu hit the gear icon in the top left of the screen. The following menu will
appear:
Select Color Palette - This will allow you to select either the
standard RGB color palette or the UV color palette. Please note
that the UV color palette is ONLY compatible with the Gantom
Torch Escape.
Tutorial –This brings up a series of video tutorials that are very
helpful for learning how to use ColorPiano
Options (Only for Gantom Torch) –This will allow you to set the
Persistence time (amount of time the Torch will continue
performing its action after it loses signal from the emitter). It will
also allow you to adjust the IR emitter power. This is useful if you
want to limit the IR signal to a small area.
Reset Setting –selecting this will reset the fixture to its default
factory settings. Do this if you are running into programming
issues.
Product Support:
We hope that this guide has been effective for learning how to use the ColorPiano application to
program simple shows and light cues directly into Gantom fixtures. However, if you run into a wiring
issue, a bug in the software, or just a light that doesn’t seem to want to cooperate, we at Gantom are
ready to help you out! Just send an email to [e-mail] and we will get back to you as
soon as possible.
Additionally, you may want to check out our video tutorials and walkthroughs. These can be found at
the following address:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds6oaUfZApI&list=PLEDyAE2uvSlsgAQmUm_D-JLXuT1RKy2q-
Distributor:
www.techni-lux.com
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]