Gibson Dark Fire System User manual

DARK FIRE OWNER’S MANUAL (version 122908)
This is a living version of the Dark Fire Owner’s Manual.
Developed from internal documents, this manual is being continuously updated, is only a preliminary
draft, and has not been proofed.
The full-blown version is currently being fine-tuned and will be made available on Gibson.com shortly.
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:
[I suggest we insert a photo and use callouts to identify these areas:]
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, so 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
Instantly Activated Tuning
To tune your guitar to A440Hz Standard Tuning, pull out the MCK. The Display Matrix will alternate between
the letters “S” (indicating Standard Tuning) and “G” the first initial of the Chameleon Tone setup which is
currently in use: Gibson Classic.
Standard Tuning is Dark Fire’s default tuning, and Gibson Classic is the default tone setup. There is no need to
select an LED symbol in this function; simply pulling out the MCK will begin 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 by using Chameleon
Tone Technology.
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
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 on.
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
the MCK 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
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 Out Toggle Piezo Out Toggle Piezo Out Toggle
(press once= on,
press again = on
+PEQ
press again= off)
(press once= on,
press again = on
+PEQ
press again= off)
(press once= on,
press again = on
+PEQ
press again= off)
C Chameleon Tone Chameleon Tone Chameleon Tone 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.

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 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

With a mono guitar cable, your Piezo signal will blend with your regular magnetic pickup’s 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 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.
[??The Piezo Blend function makes no sense at all to me. I can turn it on, and make it green, or blue, or dark,
but it will always go away and not shine that color as soon as I try another function. It seems that I can only turn
it off, or back on, and that the Chameleon Tone setup will decide what color it will be-sm]
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. Three presses should put enough tension on the new string for it to tune in any
tuning operation.
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
Gibson Classic 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 you select. Rotate the MCK to the letter C LED and press it
momentarily. The Peg Symbol will shine red and the C LED will shine magenta.
The Display Matrix will then spell out your current Chameleon Tone setup in a scrolling marquee.
You can now toggle the Piezo Out function on the I LED position:
Green Guitar Symbol: Piezo On, Piezo EQ Off
Blue Guitar Symbol: Piezo On, Piezo EQ On
Guitar Symbol off: Piezo Off
You can toggle the Pickup EQ:
Green Pickup Symbol: ?
Blue Pickup Symbol: ?
Pickup Symbol off: ?
[there is something WRONG with the pickup EQ selector. Enter Chameleon tone, go straight to the peg. You
can only turn it on and off. Turn it off and Classic Gibson and Blues will have no pickup EQ. But all the other
presets will have a Green pickup symbol. I can’t figure out what it means. –sm]
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. Note that when you store a new Chameleon Tone setup, you
also store the last tuning preset you used before entering Chameleon Tone.
LED TONE SETTING
E Gibson Classic
A Texas Blues
D Funky
G Twang
B Acoustic
e L5
(arrow symbol here) 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, the Display Matrix will remind you of your existing Chameleon Tone
setup by shining the LED that corresponds to your selected tuning, and then the first initial of the Chameleon
tone setup name.
All of these tones can be modified by turning the tone knobs and changing the position of the 3 position toggle
switch. [Do we also intend for the customer to do pickup coil switching et. al.?-sm]
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. A transformer is 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 charging 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
NOTE: After the Battery is charged fully, the charging circuit switches to trickle charge in order to keep the
Battery full. The blue light will stay on. We recommend to shutdown the system while charging because doing
so will decrease the charging time and at the same time will increase Battery lifetime significantly.

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.
1. If the MCK is pulled up turn it to any other position than the Peg and press it down in order to shutdown
the system.
2. If Chameleon Mode is activated exit Chameleon by pressing the C symbol and push down MCK.
3. If MCK is pushed down and you can see any symbol lid up, pull MCK, turn it to any other position than
the Peg and press it down in order to shutdown the system.
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. Tronical has provided a list of the
Setup Mode Functions and those follow my instructions on how Setup Mode works.
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 across the Matrix Display 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 across the Matrix Display 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.
A “click stream” is the term used to describe the order of execution and the values selectable in a Setup Mode
Function.
In each clickstream operation, the ‘#’ sign means to rotate the MCK fully counter-clockwise and press
momentarily. (It saves a lot of redundant text to use this abbreviation.)
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 [All this text is from Tronical, and I need to call them to clarify some points]
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 tune 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. This means, if you tune E-Mayor and switch off the
system it will come up next time with E-Mayor again.
Function: 3
Name: Piezo Out Status
Purpose: Setup up your Piezo Signal status
Factory Default: 1 (on if possible)
Clickstream: 3#0# or 3#1 (0=manual, 1=automatic on if possible)
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: Setup 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: Setup 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 did 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: Setup 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 up 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 is fast.
Precision 9 has an accuracy of approx. 0,2 cent takes a bit longer.

Function: 8
Name: Runtime Correction
Purpose: Setup 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 fits to the 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.
Type in the value in hertz. The resolution is a tenth of a hertz. This means you have to type in four digits, for
example 4380 for 438,0 Hertz.
Function: 11
Name: Inactivity

Purpose: not implemented yet
Function: 12
Name: Startup Message
Purpose: not implemented yet
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 sound presets (LED-E to LED-#b) a ticker
shows you the name of the sound.
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 here your favourite tuning.
Function: 15
Name: Mute while tuning
Purpose: Disabled
Function: 16
Name: Tune Count
Purpose: Setup how often the tuning process will be repeated

Factory Default: 1, (1=just one tuning process, 2=2 tuning processes)
Clickstream: 16#1# or 16#2#
This function is intended for 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: Setup Piezo Out Signal
Factory Default: 1, (0=no PO Signal on Tip when PO is switched ON, 1 = PO Signal routed to TIP)
Clickstream: 17#0# or 17#1#
Here you can configure, if the Piezo Signal is routed via the Toggle Switch to the Tip. If you don’t want the
Piezo Signal on the Tip type in 17#0#. This relates only to Piezo Out Mono where the signal of all 6 strings is
mixed. 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: Setup Piezo Out Signal
Factory Default: 1, (0=no PO Signal on Ring when PO is switched ON, 1 = PO Signal routed to Ring)
Clickstream: 18#0# or 18#1#
Here you can configure, if the Piezo Signal is routed to the ring. If you don’t want the Piezo Signal on the ring
type in 18#0#. This relates only to Piezo Out Mono where the signal of all 6 strings is mixed. Piezo Out Hex is
always routed to the ring
Function: 19
Name: not implemented
Function: 20
Name: Sound Setup
Purpose: Combine a tune preset with a coil configuration
Factory Default: 0, (0=Gibson Classic for all tune presets)
Clickstream: 20#PresetNumber#CoilConfigNr
Select the sound (coil configuration) you want to activate when selecting a tune preset.

If you want to combine Tune Preset Delta Blues (Green Bank, E) with Blues Sound type in
20#7#2#
This is exact what happens, when you select preset-E from green bank, activate Chameleon Mode, rotate MCK
to LED-A and store the sound with a long click.
Function: 21
Name: PEQ Settings for left channel (Pickups)
Purpose: Configure 4 Bank EQ for Pickups
Factory Default: depends on Sound
Clickstream: 21#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#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 PEG 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: Maximal 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 actual software version of the body.
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.
Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.
Function: 103
Name: Reset Presets