Gibson Dark Fire System User manual

DARK FIRE OWNER’S MANUAL- 3.0
ThisisyourguidetotheoperationandfeaturesofDarkFire,themosttechnologicallyadvancedroboticguitar
everproduced.
DarkFireisaself‐tuninginstrumentthatcanemployupto18differenttuningpresets,buttherearemany
finerpointsofitsfunctionsthatyouwillwanttoexplore,particularlyitsChameleonToneTechnology,whichis
yourgatewaytoanarrayofsoundsneverbeforepossibleinasingleinstrument.WewilldetailallofDark
Fire’smanyfunctionsonthissiteandupdatethismaterialassoftwareandhardwareupgradesaremade
availableinthecomingmonths.
TheMasterControlKnob
AttheheartofDarkFire’soperatingsystemistheMasterControlKnob(MCK).Itisahighlysophisticated
“push‐pull”knobwithanilluminateddisplay.Thedisplayisinteractiveandwillcommunicatewithyouasyou
utilizeDarkFire’smanyfunctions.YouwillnoticethattheMCKhasavariablecolorlightpipeDisplayMatrixin
itscenter,withLEDsymbolpositionsarounditsperimeter.Italsohasaguitarsymbolwhichindicatesthe
statusofthePiezoblend,andapickupsymbolwhichindicatesthestatusofDarkFire’smagneticpickups.
Inthe“in”position,theMCKbehavesasaregulartoneknob.Whenpulledout,theMCKbecomesactivated,
anditsmanyfunctionscanbeaccessedandinsomecases,modified.WhentheMCKispulledout,selecting
theLEDsymbolpositionsnavigatesthroughvariousfunctions.WhenusingtheMCKtoexecuteanycommand,
sometimesshort,momentarypressesarerequired,andatothertimesalonger,sustainedpressisrequired.
DetailsoftheMCKdisplay:
DisplayMatrix
PositionLEDs/StringLEDs
PickupSymbol
GuitarSymbol
#bsymbol

FeaturesList[Irecommendthateachoftheseheadingsbeahyperlinktothesectionheadingofthesite
wherethatfeature’sdescriptionisfound,hencethe‘featureslist’willservebothasaTableofContentsand
sitenavigationtool.Ialsorecommendthateverytimeafeature’sinstructionscross‐referenceanother
feature,thatthecross‐referencedfeaturenamealsobeahyperlinktothatfeature’smainheading.Directing
hyperlinksareinpurple,targethyperlinksareincyan‐sm]
•InstantlyActivatedTuning
•StringLEDsDisplayActionsDuringTuningOperations
•Powerheads
•BankSelectionandFactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresets
•MoreonBankSelection
•DarkFirePrimaryFunctionsTable
•A440HzStandardTuning

•GeneralGuidelinesforInstallingStrings
•StringUpMode
•SingleStringUpMode
•NotesRegardingStringUpModeandSingleStringUpMode
•StringDownMode
•CustomAlteredTunings
•ReferenceTuning(StandardTuningtoaSelectedReferencePitch)
•ChameleonToneTechnology
•PiezoBlend
•IntonationMode
•ChargingandBatteryInformation
•DisplayChargeLevel
•ChargingDarkFire’sBatteryPack
•SetupMode
•SetupModeFunctions

InstantlyActivatedTuning
TotuneyourguitartoA440HzStandardTuning,pullouttheMCK.TheDisplayMatrixwillalternatebetween
theletter“S”(indicatingStandardTuning)andthefirstletteroftheChameleonTonesetupwhichiscurrently
inuse.“G”(ClassicGibson)isthedefaulttonesetup.ThereisnoneedtoselectanLEDsymbolinthis
function;simplypullingouttheMCKbeginsInstantlyActivatedTuninginA440HzStandardTuning.Nowstrum
all6strings.ThePowerheadswillturnroboticallyandtheStringLEDsontheMCKwillshinevariouscolors.It
shouldonlytakeoneortwostrums,andthereisnoneedtostrumhard.Whenyouareintune,allLEDswill
turnoffexceptfortheLEDpositionyouarein.TheLEDofthepositionyouareinwillshinesolidblue.Push
theMCKbackinandyouarereadytoplay!

Note:YoucanalsochangeyourdesiredInstantlyActivatedTuning,andevenyourCalibrationasdescribedin
theSetupModesection.YoucanalsochangeyourchoiceofInstantlyActivatedTuninginChameleonTone.
StringLEDsDisplayActionsDuringTuningOperations
DuringInstantlyActivatedTuning,andallothertuningoperations,theStringLEDswillchangecolorsandflash
asthePowerheadstune.HereisatableofwhattheLEDcolorsyouseesignify:
Stringnotintune:solidred
Measuringfrequency:redflashing
Powerheadsturning:yellowflashing
Presetintune:solidcolorLEDforthatpresetposition
StringFrequencyatExtremeRange:solidpurple
IndividualStringinTune:green
Allstringsintune:StringLEDsturnoff,withsolidcolorpresetpositionremaining.



Powerheads
DarkFire’sPowerheadscanbeturnedbyhandorbyRobottuningtechnology.Unlikeconventionaltuning
keys,theyallturninthesamedirection.ThePowerheadtunerpostshavelockingnutstosecuretheendof
eachstringduringtuningoperations.
EachPowerheadhasapowerfully‐gearedmechanicaltransmissioninsideit.Neveruseamotorizedkey
winderormanualkeywindertoolonyourPowerheadtuningkeys,becauseapplyingthesemechanical
devicescouldcausedamagetothePowerhead’sinternalparts.Pegwindertoolsarenotneeded.Thereare
3PrimaryFunctionsintendedtohelpyouchangestrings:StringUpMode,SingleStringUpMode,andString
DownMode.Thesefunctionsaretheonlypracticalmeansofchangingstrings,becauseeachkeyturns
extremelyslowlywhenturnedbyhand.
BankSelectionandFactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresets
DarkFire’sfeaturesareaccessedbynavigatingthrough3banksofPrimaryFunctions.ThereisaBlueBank,a
GreenBank,andaRedBank,andtheLEDsymbolpositionsvaryinpurposeineachdifferentBank.TheBlue
BankisthedefaultBankwhentheMCKispulledout,andanyBlueBankfunctioncanbeselectedbydialing
directlytothatfunction’scorrespondingLEDsymbol.
EachoftheBankscontainssixFactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresets,whicharedetailedlaterinthissection.
TheseTuningPresetscanbemodifiedasyoudesire.IneachBank,FactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresetsare
foundatLEDpositionsE,A,D,G,B,ande.(TheseLEDsarealsocalledtheStringLEDs.)
Here’showtoactivatetheFactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresetyouwanttouse:
PullouttheMCKandyouwillbeintheBlueBankbydefault.IfyouareselectingaFactoryDefaultAltered
TuningPresetfromtheBlueBank,simplyturntotheBlueBank’scorrectStringLEDandpressthedisplay
momentarily.Strumthestrings,andthePowerheadswilltuneDarkFiretothepitchesrequiredforthat
alteredtuning.YouwillseetheStringLEDsdisplayactionsasthetuningprocessoccurs.Whenthetuning
processiscomplete,theStringLEDyouselectedwillshinesolidblueandtheotherStringLEDswillturnoff.
PushtheMCKbackin.YouarereadytoplayintheAlteredTuningPresetyouchose.
BankSelection
IftheTuningPresetyouwanttouseisinaBankotherthantheBlueBank,youwillneedtoperformBank
Selection.PullouttheMCKandturnitallthewaycounter‐clockwise.TheMatrixDisplaydotandthe#b
symbolwillshineblue,becauseDarkFire’sdefaultPrimaryFunctionBankistheBlueBank.Pressthedisplay
momentarily,afewtimesinsuccession.NoticehowtheDisplayMatrixdotalternatesbetweenblue,green,
redandbacktoblue:youareswitchingbetweenthe3PrimaryFunctionBanks.StoponthecoloroftheBank
youwanttopickapresetfrom.NowturntheMCKtotheLEDthatcoincideswiththeTuningPresetyouwant.
Pressthedisplaymomentarilyoncemore,andgentlystrumyourstrings.DarkFirewillquicklytuneitselfto
theFactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresetyouchose.Again,your“in‐tune”confirmationsignaliswhenallthe
StringLEDsgodarkexceptfortheStringLEDyouselected(itwillshineinthecoloroftheBankyouarein).
PushtheMCKbackin,andyouarereadytoplayinyourchosentuning.

HereisthelistoftheFactoryDefaultAlteredTuningpresetswhichcorrespondtotheStringLEDsontheMCK’s
perimeter:
FactoryDefaultAlteredTuningPresets

BlueBank(RobotClassic)
1. E–EMajor: EBEG#Be
2. A–DADGAD: DADGAD
3. D–DroppedD: DADGBe
4. G–DeltaBlues: DGDGBD
5. B–EFlat:  EbAbDbGbBbeb
6. e–DoubleDroppedD:DADGBD
GreenBank
7. E–DeltaBlues(G):DGDGBD
8. A–DeltaBlues(Ab):EbAbEbAbCeb
9. D–DeltaBlues(A): EAEAC#e
10. G–EMajor: EBEG#Be
11. B–EFlatMajor: EbBbEbGBbeb
12. e–OpenD: DADF#BD
RedBank(LowTunings)
13. E–EFlat:  EbAbDbGbBbeb
14. A–D:  DGCFAD
15. D–C#:   C#F#BEG#C#
16. G–C:  CFBbEbGbC
17. B–B:  BEADF#B
18. e–DroppedDb: DbAbDbGbBbeb
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Note:Whenusingextremelylowtunings,suchasno.16“C”orno.17“B”,useheaviergaugestrings(e.g.,
.013”to.062”)forbestresults.Ifyoudochangetoheavygaugestringsthisway,doNOTusetheGreen
andBlueBankpresetsasyoumayriskdamagetoDarkFire.
YoucanstoreyourownCustomAlteredTuningPresetsinanyposition1through18.Forinformationonhow
todothis,seethesectiononCustomAlteredTunings.
MoreonBankSelection
SelectingBanksandLEDPositionscandomorethanjustrecallDarkFire’s18TuningPresets.Thefollowing
chartwillshowyouthePrimaryFunctionsaccessibleinthe3Banks,andallofthesefunctionswillbeexplained
inthismanual.Noticehowinsomecasesashort,momentarypressoftheMCKwillhaveadifferentresult
thanalonger,sustainedpress.
TheBlueBankisactivebydefaultwhenyoupullouttheMCKandallitsPrimaryFunctionscanbeselected
withouthavingtoperformBankSelection.ToselectadifferentBank,pulltheMCKoutandturnitalltheway

counter‐clockwisetothe#bposition(whereyouwillseetheDisplayMatrixshowabluedot).Nowshort,
momentarypresseswillscrollyouthroughthedifferentbanksandyouwillseetheDisplayMatrixdotchange
colorfromblue,togreen,tored,andbacktoblueagain.WhenaBankhasbeenselectedtheDisplayMatrix
dotwillshineintheselectedBank’scolor,andyouareabletochooseyourdesiredfunctioninthatBankby
dialingtheMCKtotheproperLEDpositionasindicatedontheDarkFirePrimaryFunctionsTable.Again,
noticeinthePrimaryFunctionstablehowinsomecasesashort,momentarypressisrequiredtoactivatea
function,andinothercases,alonger,sustainedpress(about2seconds)isnecessary.
DARKFIRE
PrimaryFunctions
Table
Activation:shortpressshortpressshortpresslongpresslongpresslongpress
Bank:   
LED    
PEGStandardTuningStandardTuningStandardTuning
CustomAltered
TuningReferenceTuning
Intonation
Mode
     
IPiezoon/offPiezoon/offPiezoon/off   
     
CChameleonToneMatrixChameleonToneMatrixChameleonToneMatrixDisplayChargeLevelDisplayChargeLevel
DisplayCharge
Level
     
ETuningPreset1TuningPreset7TuningPreset13   
ATuningPreset2TuningPreset8TuningPreset14   
DTuningPreset3TuningPreset9TuningPreset15   
GTuningPreset4TuningPreset10TuningPreset16   
BTuningPreset5TuningPreset11TuningPreset17   
eTuningPreset6TuningPreset12TuningPreset18   
     
Revolving
Arrow  SingleStringUpModeStringUpMode
StringDown
Mode
     
#bBankSelectionBankSelectionBankSelectionEnterSetupModeEnterSetupMode
EnterSetup
Mode
    


A440HzStandardTuning
Inanybank,turningtothePegsymbolandmomentarilypressingthedisplaywillactivateStandardA440Hz
Tuning.DarkFire’sfactorydefaultfundamentalreferencefrequencyisA440Hz.However,DarkFiredoesnot
havetobecalibratedto440Hz.YoucanchangeyourcalibrationinSetupMode,underFunction10.
CustomAlteredTuning
TocreateyourownCustomAlteredTuning,tuneDarkFiremanuallytothepitchesyouwant.(Remember:all
Powerheadsturninthesamedirection!)ThenpullouttheMCK.YouwillbeintheBlueBankbydefault.Turn
theMCKtothePegLED.PressinthedisplayandholdituntilthePegLEDshinescyan.SymbolsE,A,D,G,B
andewillshinered.Now,strumeachstringindividually,onebyone(don’tstrumtoohard!)andwheneach
string’sfrequencyhasbeenmeasuredandregistereditsLEDwillturngreen.WhenallstringLEDshaveturned

green,theywillturnoffandthePegLEDwillstartflashing,indicatingyourCustomAlteredTuningisreadyto
store.
TostoreyourCustomAlteredTuningasaTuningPreset,selectaStringLEDpositioninanyBank.Pressthe
displaymomentarilyandtheStringLEDswillflashred4times,indicatingyourCustomAlteredTuningisnow
storedinthatposition.Thiswillover‐writetheFactoryDefaultTuningPresetforthatposition,butyoucan
restoreallyourFactoryDefaultPresetsinSetupMode.
ReferenceTuning(StandardTuningtoaSelectedReferencePitch)
Youmayfindthesituationwhenyouwanttotunetoa“referencepitch”,perhapswhenplayingalongwitha
piano,orduringarecordingthatisnotusingA440Hzasitsfundamentaltuningfrequencyreference.Here’s
howthiscanbedone:Selectonestringandmanuallytuneittothedesiredreferencepitch.Next,pulloutthe
MCKandturnitcounter‐clockwiseuntilthe#bsymbolisilluminatedblue.TheMatrixDisplaydotwillalso
shineblue,becauseyouareintheBlueBank.PresstheMCKmomentarilyandtheMatrixDisplaydotwill
shinegreen.NowyouareintheGreenBank.Atthispoint,turntheMCKtothePegposition.Pressinthe
displayandholdituntiltheLEDsymbolsE,A,D,G,Bandeshinered.ThePegLEDwillbeshiningmagentaat
thispoint.NowstrumthestringwhichwillserveasthebasisforyourReferenceTuninguntilitsLEDturns
green.Whenthatstring’sLEDhasturnedgreen,thisisyourconfirmationthatyourreferencefrequencyhas
beenmeasuredandregistered.Strumallstringsatthispoint,andtheremainingLEDsymbolswillbehaveas
duringanormaltuningoperation.DarkFirewilltunetoStandardTuning(EADGBe)withrespecttoyournew
referencepitch.Whentuningiscomplete,thestringLEDswillturnoff.
YoucanstoreyourReferenceTuninginthesamemannerasaCustomAlteredTuninginanyBank’sStringLED
position.YoumustexecutetheentireproceduredescribedintheCustomAlteredTuningsection.Pushthe
MCKbackin,andperformtheCustomAlteredTuningfunctioninfull,includingtheprocedureforstoringthe
tuninginapresetposition.
Note:AnalternativetohavingadifferentfrequencyotherthanA440Hzasyourfundamentalreferenceisto
changeyourCalibrationinSetupMode.
PiezoBlend
DarkFire’stoggleswitchpickupselectoralsoactsasavolumeknobtoblendinthepiezoelectricsignalfrom
thetune‐controlbridge.ToactivatethePiezosignaloutput,pulltheMCKoutandturnittotheCLed(inany
bank)andpressmomentarily.Then,turntheMCKtoittoLetter“I”LEDandpressthedisplaymomentarily.
Theguitarsymbol[targetDetailsoftheMCKDisplay‐sm]ontheMCKwillalternateasfollows:
GuitarSymbolShinesBlue:PiezoBlendplusEQisactive
GuitarSymbolShinesGreen:PiezoBlendwithnoEQisactive
GuitarSymbolturnsoff:Piezosignalisoff

TurntheMCKallthewayclockwisebeforepushingitbackintokeepyourPiezooutputactive.


Withamonoguitarcable,yourPiezosignalwillblendwithyourregularoutputatthetipofthecable’splug.
Whenastereocableisconnected,thePiezosignalroutesindependentlytothesleeveoftheplug,andthe
DarkFire’smagneticpickupsareroutedtothetipoftheplug.ThusthePiezosoundisheardinoneofthe
stereooutputsandtheelectromagneticpickupscanbeheardintheotherChannel.Youcanthenuseyour
RobotGuitarIIcharger/signalsplittertosendeachrouteeachsymboltoadifferentinput.
WhennotusingyourDarkFireguitarforanyperiodoftime,makesurethePiezoBlendisoff.ThePiezoblend
willdrainDarkFire’srechargeablebatterypackin10‐12hoursifthePiezoblendisleftonwhennotinuse.
FollowtheinstructionsforSystemShutdownbeforeputtingyourguitaraway.
GeneralGuidelinesforInstallingStrings
Guideeachstringthroughyourtailpiece,overthecenterofeachsaddle(wherecontactisessential),and
throughthenutslot,andthenstraightthroughtheposthole.Pullaslightamountoftensiononthestring,
andtightendownthelockingnutontheposthole.Cuttheextralengthoffeachstringclosetothepostso
thattheywillnotmakecontactwithotherstrings,asthatwouldcausethesystemtofunctionimproperly.
Also,donotuseanystringswhichhavefrayedwrapsattheballend,becausethatcouldshortcircuittheData‐
TransmittingTailpiece.ItwillnotdamagetheTailpiece,butDarkFirewillnotfunctionifanypartofthestring
touchesbeyonditsinsulatedholder.
StringUpMode
Whenputtingonanewsetofstrings,DarkFirecanautomatically‘stringitselfup’byusingtheStringUpMode
function.ThisistheonlypracticalwayofstringingDarkFire,asthePowerheadscanonlybeturnedvery
slowlybyhand.Theuseofmanualormechanically‐powered“stringwinder”toolsisnotadvised,because
turningthePowerheadkeystooquicklycancausedamagetothePowerheads!
HereishowtoperformStringUpMode:
Afterinstallingyoursetofstringsinthemannerpreviouslydescribed(GeneralGuidelinesforInstalling
Strings),pullouttheMCKandturnitcounter‐clockwiseuntilthe#bsymbolisilluminatedblue.TheMatrix
Displaydotwillalsoshineblue,becauseyouareinthebluebank.PresstheMCKmomentarilyandthedotwill
shinegreen.NowyouareintheGreenBank.Atthispoint,turntheMCKtotherevolvingarrowposition.
NowpressthedisplayandholditinuntiltheStringLEDsallshinered.Beginbygentlybeingtappingthe
stringsagainsttheirPiezosaddles,andtheircorrespondingPowerheadswillstarttoturnandplacetensionon
thestrings.Oncethereisenoughtensiononthestringsforthemtodeliverpitch,gentlystrumallstrings.
Pausebrieflybetweenstrumstoallowtheheadstoturn.ThePiezosaddleswillnowbedetectingstring
frequenciesandthePowerheadswillwindthemselvesuntileachstringiswoundtoA440Hzpitchasyou
continuestrumming.Duringthistime,thestringLEDswillbechangingcolorsreduntileachstringreachesits
pitch,whichwillbeindicatedbythatstring’sLEDturninggreen.AfterallPowerheadshavestoppedturning,
allthestringLEDswillstopshining,indicatingyourstringsaretensionedtoStandardA440Hztuning.



SingleStringUpMode
Whenreplacingonlyoneortwostrings(asinthecaseofreplacingabrokenstring),SingleStringUpMode
shouldbeemployed.Attachthestringorstringsthatyouareinstallinginthemannerpreviouslydescribed
(GeneralGuidelinesforInstallingStrings).PullouttheMCKandtheDisplayMatrixwillshineblue,because
youareintheBlueBank.NowturntheMCKtotheRevolvingArrowandpressitdownuntilagreen“cross”
symbolshowsinthecenteroftheDisplayMatrix.ReleasethedisplayandtheRevolvingArrowLEDwillshine
blueandallthestringLEDswillshinegreen.NowturntheMCKtotheStringLEDthatcorrespondstothe
stringyouareworkingwith.TheStringLEDyouselectwillshinered.Pressthedisplaymomentarily,afew
timesinsuccession,andthecorrespondingPowerheadwillstarttoturnandplacetensiononthatstring.
Oncethereisenoughtensiononthestringforittodeliverapitch,PushtheMCKbackin.UnlikeStringUp
Mode,SingleStringUpModedoesnottargetanypitch,sobecarefulnotpresstheMCKtoomanytimes,or
thestringcouldsnapfromover‐tightening.
Note:SingleStringUpModecanbeperformedformorethan1stringduringthesameoperation.
NotesRegardingStringUpModeandSingleStringUpMode
Youmaywantto‘breakyourstringsin’inmytugginggentlyonthemandalsoperformingmultipletunings
untiltheyhavestabilized,forthesamereasonsyouwouldwhenchangingstringsonaconventionalguitar.
Also,ifyouhavechangedyourCalibrationinSetupMode,thetargetpitchesforStringUpModewillbe
referencedtothesettingyouselectedinthosefunctions.
StringDownMode
Ifyouarechangingoutyourentiresetofstrings,StringDownModewillcauseallPowerheadstode‐tension
allstringsatthesametimesothatyoucanremovethemall.ToutilizeStringDownMode,pullouttheMCK
andturnitcounter‐clockwiseuntilthe#bsymbolisilluminatedblue.TheMatrixDisplaydotwillalsoshine
blue,becauseyouareintheBlueBank.PresstheMCKmomentarily2times,andtheMatrixDisplaydotwill
shinered.NowyouareintheRedBank.Atthispoint,turntheMCKtotheRevolvingArrowposition.Now
pressthedisplayandholditinuntiltheStringLEDsstarttoflashandthePowerheadsstarttounwind.All6
Powerheadswill‘unwind’theirstrings.WhenthePowerheadsstopturning,releasethelockingnutsonthe
tunerpostsandyoucaneasilyremoveallstrings.
IntonationMode
DarkFirehasabuilt‐inIntonationModesothatyouareabletointonateyourinstrumentorcheckits
intonationwithonlytheadditionalrequirementofasmallscrewdrivertoadjustthesaddlescrewsintheTune‐
ControlBridge.
BeforestartingIntonationModewerecommendthatyouperformStandardTuning(A440Hz).Afteryouhave
tunedyourinstrument,pullouttheMCKandturnitcounter‐clockwiseuntilthe#bsymbolisilluminatedblue.
TheMatrixDisplaydotwillalsoshineblue,becauseyouareintheBlueBank.PresstheMCKmomentarily2
times,andtheMatrixDisplaydotwillshinered.NowyouareintheRedBank.TurntheMCKtothePegLED

position.PressthedisplayandholditinuntilthePegLEDshinesorange.AlltheStringLEDswillshineredat
thistime.
GentlystrumthelowerEstring.When“E”StringLEDshinesorange,fretthestringatthe12thfretandgently
strumitagain.WhenthepositionofthePiezosaddleneedstobechanged,theMCKwilldisplaythenumber
ofhalf‐turnsyouhavetoapplytotheintonationscrew.Turnthescrew½turnclockwiseforeachLEDshining
red,andor½turncounter‐clockwiseforeachLEDshininggreen.Afteryouhavemadeanadjustment,strum
thestringagainopenuntilitsLEDturnsorange,andthenre‐checkbyfrettingthe12thfretagainandgently
strumming.Onceintonationforastringiscorrect,itsLEDwillshinesolidblue,andyoucanproceedtothe
nextstring.Whenallstringsareintonated,theywillallshineblueforamoment,andturnoff.Intonationis
complete.
ChameleonToneTechnology
DarkFire’sChameleonToneTechnologycanbeactivatedinanyBank.TheDefaultChameleonTonesetupis
ClassicGibsonwithStandardEADGBetuning.

IfyouaregoingtoselectaChameleonTone,pullouttheMCK,chooseapreset,andtunetheguitar.This
tuningwillbeappliedtotheChameleonTonesetupifyouchoosetostoreone.RotatetheMCKtotheletterC
LEDandpressitmomentarily.ThePegSymbolwillshineredandtheCLEDwillshinewhite.
TheDisplayMatrixwillthenspelloutyourcurrentChameleonTonesetupinascrollingmarquee.
YouwillseeyourpickupconfigurationsontheDisplayMatrixonthefollowingtable.
ToselectanewChameleonTonesetup,rotatetheMCKtooneofthe8positionsinthefollowingtable.In
eachposition,theDisplayMatrixwillspelloutthenameofthecorrespondingsetting.Ashortpressofthe
MCKwilltemporarilyselectatonesetting.PushtheMCKbackintousethetemporarilyselectedtonesetting.
AtemporarilyselectedsettingwillremainineffectuntiltheMCKispulledoutagain.Asustainedpressonthe
displayatoneofthe8positionswillstorethatChameleonTonesetupasyourdefaultanditwillbeactivated
automaticallyonnextstartup.TheDisplayMatrixconfirmsyourselecteddefaultconfigurationhasbeen
storedbyspellingtheword“STORED”ingreenletters.Rotatetheknoballthewayclockwiseafteryouhave
storedyoursetup,oryouwillnotgetPiezooutput.
LEDTONESETTING
EClassicGibson(Default)
ATexasBlues
DFunky
GTwang
BAcoustic
e L5
arrowsymbolSolidRock
#bMetal
ClassicGibsonwithPickupEQandPiezoEQisthedefaultsettingforDarkFire.

ThenexttimeyoupulltheMCKoutandturnittotheCLED,theDisplayMatrixwillremindyouofyourexisting
ChameleonTonesetupasindicatedinthefollowingtable.WhenyouenterChameleontone,theDisplay
MatrixwillshinetheLEDthatcorrespondstoyourselectedtuning,followedbyfirstinitialoftheChameleon
tonesetupname.
C O I L S
Preset Letter G B F T A L5 R M
Display Color Code
Preset Name Classic
Gibson Texas Blues Funky Twang Acoustic L Solid Rock Metal
GREEN = coil on
on on on on on on on on
RED = coil off
P90H
off off off off off off on on
White = parallel non-
humbucking
on on
sgl
par
off on off on
BLUE = parallel humbucking
BB 3
on on
sgl
par
on on on on


Allofthesetonescanbemodifiedbyturningthetoneknobsandchangingthepositionofthe3positiontoggle
switch.
IfyouwanttobypasstheChameleonTonesetupsentirely,enterChameleonModeandswitchoffthePiezo
signalwiththe“I”LEDandthenswitchoffthepickupsignalbyusingthePegLED.Asustainedpressonthe
displaywillscrolltheword“STORED”again,andyouhavebypassedChameleonMode.Remembertorotate
theMCKallthewayclockwisebeforepushingitbackin.
ChargeLevelDisplay
YourDarkFireguitarshouldbeabletoperformupto500tuningswithoutneedingrecharging.
YoucancheckthelevelofchargeinDarkFire’son‐boardre‐chargeablebatterypackattheCLEDpositionof
anyBank.PullouttheMCKandturnittotheCLED.PressthedisplayuntiltheDisplayMatrixshowsagraphic
depictionofyourchargelevel.
1or2redbars=lowchargelevel
2redbarsplus1or2yellowbars=mediumchargelevel(chargingisnotabsolutelynecessarybutwillimprove
performance.)
2redbars,2yellowbars,oneor2greenbars=highchargelevel(recommendedforbestperformance.)
TheHumbuckingPickupsymbol(nexttotheguitarsymbol)nexttotheDisplayMatrixwillalsoindicatecharge
level.Itwillshineorangewhenthesystemhasonlyanother30minutesofoperationleftonitschargelevel.

Itwillshineredwhenthechargelevelistoolowforthesystemtooperateproperly,andchargingisrequired
immediately.
ChargingDarkFire’sBatteryPack
DarkFirecomeswithahigh‐qualitystereocablewhichplugsintotheRobotGuitarIIcharger/signalsplitter
boxprovidedwiththeinstrument.Atransformerisalsoprovidedtopowerthecharger.
TochargeDarkFire’son‐boardrechargeablebatterypack,pluginthetransformerandconnectittoyour
RobotIIcharger/signalsplitterbox.NowpluginthestereocabletoconnectDarkFiretotheinputjack
nearestthetransformerplug.AbrightbluelightshinesontheRobotGuitarIICharger/SignalSplitterboxto
indicatechargingisinprocess.
YoucancontinuetoplayDarkFirewhilechargingisinprocess.RunanoutputguitarcablefromtheRobotII
Charger/SignalSplitterboxfromthe‘Amp’outputthebacksideofthebox.TheindependentPiezoOutisnot
availableforuseduringcharging,becausethechargeisbeingconductedonthesleeveofthestereoplug.If
youareusingPiezosignal,itwillbeblendedinmonowithyourregularpickupoutputatthetipoftheplug,
anditwillalsopassthroughtheAmpoutput.
Tomonitoryourchargingprocess,pullouttheMCKandturnittoCinanybank.Applyasustainedpresson
thedisplayuntilyoucanseemovementontheDisplayMatrix.Theprogressofthebatterychargingwillbe
displayedasthechargelevelbarsmove.2Redbarswilllightfirst,thenthe2yellowbars,thenthe2green
barsasthechargingprocessoccurs.Whenchargingiscomplete,all6barswillbeilluminated.Afullcharge
shouldtakenomorethan60minutes.
SystemShutdown
ItisrecommendedthatthesystembeshutdownwhenDarkFireisnotinuse.Thispreventsdrainonthe
BatteryPack.
PullouttheMCKandturnitclockwiseallthewaytothePEGLED.ThePEGLED,andtheGuitarandPickup
symbolswillshineblue.
NowturntheMCKcounter‐clockwisetotheALED.PresstheMCKin,andtheRobotSystemandPiezooutput
areturnedoffandwillnotdrainthebattery.MakesurethatnoLEDisshininganymore‐theMCKdisplay
shouldbeoff.

NOTE:Anyfurtheractivitywillturnthesystembackon.DonotpullouttheMCKagain,oryouwillre‐activate
thesystem.

SetupMode
InSetupMode,manyofDarkFire’ssystemparametersareuser‐definable.ThereisalistofSetupMode
Functionswhichfollows,buttoutlizethemyoumustfirstenterSetupMode.
ToenterSetupMode,pullouttheMCKandturnittothe"#b"symbolinanyBank.Pressthedisplayuntila
pink"Enter"symbolisdisplayed,thenreleasetheMCK.NowpressdowntheMCKagainuntilacyan"Enter"

symbolisdisplayed.YouarenowinSetupMode.Youwillseeacyan“Enter”symbolandthe”b”LEDwill
shineyellowasconfirmation.
HowtoselectaFunctionNumber
EnterSetupModeasdescribedabove.RotatetheMCKtoselecteachdigitofanumber(intherangeofone
through9),followedbyamomentarypressofthedisplay.Eachnumberselectedwillflashredtoconfirmit
hasbeenentered.WhenallthedigitsoftheSetupFunctionno.havebeenentered,rotatetheMCKfully
counter‐clockwiseandpressmomentarily.MCKwillgiveaconfirmationsignalasdescribedbelow.TheMCK
willshowacyan“Enter”symbolandthe“#”LEDwillshinemagenta,indicatingthatyounowcanenteryour
desiredvalueforthatfunction.Valuesarealsoselectedonedigitatatime.Afterthedesiredvalueforthe
Functionhasbeenselected,rotatetheMCKfullyandpressitmomentarily.TheMCKwillgiveaconfirmation
signalasdescribedbelow.
Forexample,toselectFunctionNumber16andgiveitavalueof“2”:
1. EnterSetupMode
2. RotateMCKuntilthenumber“1”isdisplayed.Momentarypresscausesthe“1”toflashred—ithas
beenentered.
3. RotateMCKuntilthenumber“6”isdisplayed.Momentarypresscausesthe“6”toflashred—ithas
beenentered.
4. NowrotatetheMCKallthewaycounter‐clockwiseandgiveamomentarypress.The“Enter”symbol
flashesredandbacktocyan.TheselectedFunctionNumberwillscrollbyinyellow.Nowyouare
readytoselectyourvalue,indicatedbytheshiningmagenta“#”sign.
HowtoselectthevalueforFunctionnumber16to“2”:
1. Completetheprocessdescribedinnos.1‐4above.LeaveMCKout.
2. RotatetheMCKtothenumber2andgiveamomentarypress.Momentarypresscausesthe“2”to
flashred—ithasbeenentered.
3. NowrotatetheMCKallthewaycounter‐clockwiseandgiveamomentarypress.PerimeterLEDson
theMCKflashgreen3times,andthevalueselectedscrollsbyinYellow.
4. Notethatthe“b”symbolshinesyellowagain,indicatingyoucanaccessanotherSetupMode
Function.IfyouaredoneandwanttoexitSetupMode,pushtheMCKbackin.Yournewvaluefor
theFunctionyouselectedwillbeoperativeuntilyouchangeitbyeitherselectingitindividuallyin
SetupModeagain,orbyRestoringFactoryDefaultsinSetupMode.






ThefollowingdocumentationshowsthevariousFunctionsinSetupModeandthe“clickstreams”requiredto
executethem.
“Clickstream”isthetermfortheorderofexecutionandthevaluesselectableinaSetupModeFunction.
Note:Ineachclickstreamoperationthatfollows,the‘#’signmeanstorotatetheMCKfully
counter‐clockwiseandpressdisplaymomentarily.
UtilizingeachFunctionbeginsbyEnteringSetupMode,selectingtheFunctionnumberfollowedby#,then
selectingavaluetoapplytothatfunction,followedby#.
Somefunctionsarethe“on/off”type,andsomehavearangeofvaluestoselectfrom.“Reset”functionsalso
haveasafetyfeaturewhereonemustpressared“Y”onthedisplay.ThisisthesamesortofsecuritythatPCs
employwhenasking“AreYouSure?”

Setup Mode Functions
Function: 1
Name: Instant Activated Function
Purpose: Control Start behaviour
Factory Default: 0
Clickstream: 1#0# or 1#1# or 1#2#
If you want that the system to start with Instantly Activated Tuning choose 1#0#
If you want that the system to start with Chameleon Mode choose 1#1#
If you want that the system to start with Main Menu 1#2#
Function: 2
Name: Instant Activated Tuning
Purpose: Select your tuning when system starts up
Factory Default: 0
Clickstream: 2#0# up to 2#2
Here you can change which tuning is activated on startup (if function 1 is set to 0=tune).
Type 2#0# if you want to tune Standard EADGBe.
Type 2#1# if you want to tune another tuning (see Function 14)
Type 2#2# if you want to tune the last completed tuning. For example, if you have just used a preset to tune to e
E-Major and switch off the system it will come up next time with E-Major again.
Function: 3
Name: Piezo Out Status
Purpose: Set up your Piezo Signal status
Factory Default: 1
Clickstream: 3#0# or 3#1 (0=manual, 1=automatic on)
Here you can setup the Piezo Out Signal.
If you choose 3#0# the Piezo Signal will never be switched on automatically. You have to control it manually
by clicking on LED-I.

If you choose 3#1# the Piezo Signal will be switched on automatically whenever possible. It is switched off
automatically during tuning (because Powertune needs the Piezo output for frequency detection). It is switched
on again when the tuning process is done.
Function: 4
Name: PEQ Status
Purpose: Set up up your PEQ status
Factory Default: 1 (on)
Clickstream: 4#0# or 4#1 (0=manual, 1=automatic on)
Here you can setup the PEQ Status.
If you choose 4#0# the PEQ will never be switched on automatically. You have to control it manually by
clicking on LED-PEG in Chameleon Mode.
If you choose 4#1# the PEQ will be switched on automatically on startup.
Function: 5
Name: Coil Switching Status
Purpose: Set up your Coil Switching behaviour
Factory Default: 1 (automatically switched)
Clickstream: 5#0# or 5#1# (0=Standard Coils on startup, 1=automatic switched)
If you choose 5#0# the Coils will be switched to Gibson Classic on Startup no matter what you have done
before.
If you choose 5#1# the Coils will be switched to your last selected sound in Chameleon mode.
Function: 6
Name: Coil Preset Switching
Purpose: Set up your Coil Switching behaviour when you select a Tuning Preset
Factory Default: 1 (automatically switched)
Clickstream: 6#0# or 6#1# (0=Coils are not switched, 1=Coils are switched to the sound which was stored
with the selected preset.
If you choose 6#0# the Coils will not be changed when you select a tuning preset.
If you choose 6#1# the Coils will be switched to your desired sound when you select a tuning preset.
Function: 7
Name: Tuning Precision
Purpose: Setup the precision/tuning performance
Factory Default: 5 (approx. 1 cent)
Clickstream: 7#0# to 7#9#
Precision 0 has an accuracy of approx. 2.5 cent, and the system will tune very fast.
Precision 9 has an accuracy of approx. 0.2 cent and takes a bit longer for tuning.

Function: 8
Name: Runtime Correction
Purpose: Set up Powerhead Runtime Correction
Factory Default: 1 (on)
Clickstream: 8#0# to 8#1#
If you activate Runtime Correction the movements of the Powerheads are monitored and a correction is
calculated. It takes up to 10 tunings before the Powerhead movement adjusts to your preferred string gauge.
Function: 9
Name: E-Function Correction
Purpose: Enhancing Tuning
Factory Default: 1 (on)
Clickstream: 9#0# to 9#1#
If you activate E-Function Correction the frequency detection integrates the amplitude of the string during pitch
detection. If you switch it off you should strum the strings gently during tuning.
Function: 10
Name: Calibration
Purpose: Global Calibration Factor
Factory Default: 440.0 Hertz
Range: 430.0 up to 449.9 Hertz
Clickstream: 10#4400# or for 438.50 Hertz type in 10#4385#
Here you define the global calibration for the system. It will be applied to all presets.
Enter the desired value in hertz. The resolution is a tenth of a hertz. This means you have to type in four digits,
for example “4,3,8,0,” for 438.0 Hertz.
Function: 13
Name: Tutorial Mode
Purpose: Shows the name of a sound in Chameleon Mode
Factory Default: 1 (on)
Clickstream: 13#0# to 13#1#
When you enter Chameleon Mode and you rotate the MCK to the tone setup presets (LED-E to LED-#b) the
name of the setup scrolls on the Display Matrix.
Type in 13#0 to switch off this behaviour.
Function: 14
Name: Default Tuning
Purpose: Select Default Tuning on Startup
Factory Default: 0, (0=EADGBe, 18 = red bank e)
Clickstream: 14#0# to 14#18#
If you have set Function 2 to the value 1, you can select your default Instantly Activated Tuning with this
function. .

Function: 16
Name: Tune Count
Purpose: Set up how often the tuning process will be repeated
Factory Default: 1, (1=single tuning process, 2=2 tuning processes)
Clickstream: 16#1# or 16#2#
This function is intended for increased accuracy in very low tunings. When you set the tune count value to “2”,
the tuning process restarts automatically when all 6 string LEDs are green.
Function: 17
Name: Piezo Out Mono on Tip
Purpose: Set up Piezo Out Signal Routing
Factory Default: 1, (0=no Piezo out signal on tip when Piezo out is switched ON, 1 = Piezo Out signal routed to
tip)
Clickstream: 17#0# or 17#1#
This function configures if the Piezo out signal is routed via the Toggle Switch to the “tip’ of your stereo output
cable . If you don’t want the Piezo Signal on the tip of your stereo cable, type in 17#0#. This relates only to
Piezo out Mono where the signal of all 6 strings is combined. Piezo out Hex is never routed to tip because you
need the RIP to make it audible.
Function: 18
Name: Piezo Out Mono on Ring
Purpose: Set up Piezo Out Signal Routing
Factory Default: 1, (0=no Piezo out signal on ring when Piezo out is switched “on”, 1 = Piezo out signal routed
to ring)
Clickstream: 18#0# or 18#1#
This function configures if the Piezo Signal is routed to the ‘ring’ of your stereo output cable. If you don’t want
the Piezo signal on the ring of your stereo cable, type in 18#0#. This relates only to Piezo out Mono where the
signal of all 6 strings is combined. Piezo Out Hex is always routed to the ring
Function: 20
Name: Sound Setup
Purpose: Combine a tuning preset with a Chameleon Tone configuration
Factory Default: 0, (0=Gibson Classic for all tuning presets)
Clickstream: 20#Preset number, #Chameleon Tone configuration number
Select the Chameleon tone setup you want to activate when selecting a certain tuning preset.
For example: if you want to combine Tuning Preset Delta Blues (Green Bank, “E” LED) with Blues Chameleon
Tone, your clickstream would be:
20#7#2#
This is the same as what would happen if you selected preset LED “E” from the Green Bank, and then activated
Chameleon Tone Mode, and rotated the MCK to LED-A and stored the sound with a sustained press on the
display. (Chameleon Tones when stored always store in conjunction with the last tuning preset used.)

Function: 21
Name: Pickup EQ Settings
Purpose: Configure on-board 4 Band EQ for magnetic pickups
Factory Default: depends on Sound
Clickstream: 21#Chameleon Tone Setup No. #Band No. #ConfigData
Configure the left channel, Band1 of PEG for Gibson Classic sound
21#0#1#16
You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct ConfigData.
Function: 22
Name: PEQ Gain for left channel (Pickups)
Purpose: Configure 4 PEQ Gain for Pickups
Factory Default: depends on Sound
Clickstream: 22#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#GainData
Configure the left channel, Band1 Gain of PEG for Gibson Classic sound
22#0#1#0
You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct GainData
Function: 23
Name: PEQ Settings for right channel (Piezo)
Purpose: Configure 4 Bank EQ for Piezo
Factory Default: depends on Sound
Clickstream: 23#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#ConfigData
Configure the right channel, Band1 of PEQ for Gibson Classic sound
23#0#1#16
You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct ConfigData.
Function: 24
Name: PEQ Gain for right channel (Piezo)
Purpose: Configure 4 PEQ Gain for Piezo
Factory Default: depends on Sound
Clickstream: 24#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#GainData
Configure the right channel, Band1 Gain of PEG for Gibson Classic sound
24#0#1#0
You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct GainData

Function: 30
Name: Set Stepper Speed
Purpose: Set the maximum speed for each Powerhead individually
Factory Default: 5
Clickstream: 30#1#5#
You can set the maximum speed of each Powerhead individually.
Function: 31
Name: Maximum concurrent steppers
Purpose: Set the maximum number of Powerheads running at the same time
Factory Default: 6
Clickstream: 31#1# to 30#6#
Function: 32
Name: Set Stepper Acceleration
Purpose: Set the acceleration for each Powerhead individually
Factory Default: 5
Clickstream: 32#1#5#
You can set the acceleration of each Powerhead individually.
Function: 37
Name: Set Powerhead Speed for all Powerheads
Purpose: Set the maximum speed for all Powerheads
Factory Default: 5
Clickstream: 37#5#
Here you can set the maximum speed of all Powerheads at once.
Function: 38
Name: Set Powerhead Acceleration for all Powerheads
Purpose: Set the acceleration for all Powerheads at once.
Factory Default: 5
Clickstream: 38#5#
Function: 99
Name: Display Software Version
Purpose: Displays the software release number of the body CPU.
Clickstream: 99#
Function: 101
Name: Reset Configuration Data
Purpose: Reset Configuration (Standard Tuning, Precision, Standard Function etc.)
Clickstream:
101# wait for red “?”
Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display momentarily.
Rotate MCK back to ‘Enter’ symbol, press display momentarily.

Function: 103
Name: Reset Factory Altered Tuning Presets
Purpose: Reset Factory Altered Tuning Presets (in all Banks).
Clickstream:
103# wait for red “?”
Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display momentarily.
Rotate MCK back to “Enter” symbol, press display momentarily.
Function: 105
Name: Reset Modifier
Purpose: Reset Runtime Correction Data, Calibration Data
Clickstream:
103# wait for red “?”
Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display momentarily.
Rotate MCK back to “Enter” symbol, press display momentarily.
Function: 106
Name: Reset Neck Configuration
Purpose: Reset Speed and Acceleration of Powerheads
Clickstream:
105# wait for red “?”
Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display momentarily.
Rotate MCK back to “Enter” symbol, press display momentarily.
Function: 107
Name: Reset Pickup EQ Settings
Purpose: Reset all Pickup EQ Data
Clickstream:
106# wait for red “?”
Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display momentarily.
Rotate MCK back to “Enter” symbol, press display momentarily.
Function: 109
Name: Reset all
Purpose: Resets all configuration data to factory default.
Clickstream:
109# wait for red “?”
Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display momentarily.
Rotate MCK back to “Enter” symbol, press display momentarily.