Gibson Second-Generation Robot Tuning Functions User manual

Dear Dark Fire owner,
One of the best aspects of Dark Fire is that it is
software-based. As the Dark Fire community makes
suggestions, and Gibson enhances functionality, these
changes can be incorporated into Dark Fire without
the need to return the guitar to the factory or hire a
technician. As a result, the documentation will be
updated over time to reflect these changes.
he Dark Fire manual currently consists of “mini-
manuals” for various aspects of the guitar: Second-
generation Robot uning, Chameleon one
echnology, RIP Interface, etc. his section covers
Second-Generation Robot uning. Remaining sections
of the completed documentation will be posted soon.
Meanwhile, there is preliminary documentation for
most aspects of Dark Fire on the Dark Fire site.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions at
www.gibson.com/darkfire, and greatly appreciate
your choosing Gibson to help you realize your musical
dreams.

Second-Generation
Second-Generation
Robot Tuning Functions
Robot Tuning Functions
Owner’s Manual ersion 1.01

Chapter 1: he Master Control Knob
The Master Control Knob (MCK), a highly sophisticated “push-pull” knob with an illuminated
interacti e display, has two main modes:
When pushed in (closest to the guitar body), the MCK works like a regular tone knob.
Pulling the MCK out (furthest from the guitar body) acti ates it. You can rotate the MCK to
make arious selections, and “enter” your choices in two ways: Some functions require short,
momentary presses on the MCK's Display Matrix, while others require a longer, sustained
press (but don't press too hard, as this will mo e the MCK all the way in to the off position).
The MCK has fi e distinct elements:
Position/String LEDs. These 10 LEDs surround the MCK's edge. After pulling the MCK out,
rotating the knob to select a particular LED chooses a specific sound or function. In tuning
mode, six of these LEDs indicate string acti ity, indicated as (low to high) E A D G B e.
b# symbol. Select to access the tuning preset banks. Rotate the MCK full counter-clockwise
to acccess this position.
Guitar symbol. Shows the status of the piezo pickup, e.g., whether it's a ailable to be blended
in with the magnetic pickup.
○Green: Piezo signal is enabled.
○Blue: Piezo signal and Equalizer are enabled
○Off: Piezo signal and any equalization are switched off
Picku symbol. This indicates the status of Dark Fire's magnetic pickups—whether they're in
series, parallel, tapped, etc.
○Green: Coil Switching is acti e (pickups are switched differently compared to a standard
Les Paul)
○Blue: The onboard equalization for the magnetic pickups is acti e
○Off: Equalizer is disabled and pickups operate in Gibson Classic mode
Variable color Dis lay Matrix. This pro ides feedback on se eral aspects of Dark Fire: For
example, it changes color to indicate which bank of alternate tunings is selected.

Chapter 2: Dark Fire Robot II uning Functions
To get started, pull the MCK out. This initiates default mode, where Dark Fire is ready to tune to
standard tuning, and the selected Chameleon Tone is Gibson Classic. To indicate this, the MCK
Display Matrix alternates between the letters “S” (Standard Tuning) and “G” (Gibson Classic).
Caution: Never use a motorized key winder or manual key winder tool on Dark Fire's
Powerhead tuning keys, because a lying these mechanical devices could cause damage to
the Powerhead’s internal arts.
Instantly Activated uning
Once in default mode from pulling the MCK out, here's how to tune to standard tuning (A=440Hz).
1. Strum all six strings normally—not too hard, not too soft.
2. The Powerheads will turn robotically and the MCK's String LEDs will shine arious colors to
indicate tuning status. Here's what the colors mean:
Red (solid): String not in tune, or not yet tuned
Red (flashing): Measuring string frequency
Blue (solid): Signal is clipping (the strum was too hard; strum more softly))
Yellow flashing: Powerheads turning to tune string
Pur le solid: String frequency at extreme end of range
Green: Indi idual string in tune
All LEDs off, exce t one LED solid blue: Tuning is complete
White (blinking): Short circuit detected. Check if the string touches the tail piece, the bridge, a
fret, or another string. Check that the string is cut close to the posts, and also check that it is in
the center of the bridge saddle..
3. When the guitar is in tune, all LEDs will turn off except for the currently selected LED position
(either E, A, D, G, B, or e), which will shine solid blue.
4. If all the LEDs don't turn off as described in step 3, strum all six strings again. This may be
necessary if the guitar is considerably out of tune. It should take only one or two strums for
Dark Fire to be in tune.
5. Push the MCK back in—you're ready to play.
Note: You can change your desired Instantly Acti ated Tuning (for example, to an alternate tuning),
and e en the Calibration, as described in the Setup Mode section. You can also change the default
Chameleon Tone.

Manual Powerhead uning
Dark Fire’s Powerheads can be turned by hand or by Robot tuning technology. Unlike con entional
tuning keys, they all turn in the same direction. The Powerhead tuner posts ha e 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 manual or
mechanical string winding tool as this can damage the Powerheads.
Robot technology includes special options for changing strings (described later), as this is much
faster than doing manual tuning when changing strings.
Alternate uning Function Basics
Dark Fire has three banks (each with six presets) of alternate tunings. Dark Fire comes with 18
factory presets loaded in these banks, but you can replace any of these with custom presets.
The three banks are indicated by the colors of the dots in the center of the Display Matrix:
Blue (the default bank when you first pull the MCK out)
Green (additional alternate tunings)
Red (special low tunings that are optimized for use with different strings than the standard
guitar set)
The Blue Bank is intended to be your main, “go-to” bank for alternate tuning presets. Therefore, it is
the easiest to access. Howe er, accessing the other banks requires only slightly more steps.
Selecting a Preset from the Blue Bank
To choose a particular tuning preset from the Blue Bank (“Robot Classic” bank as used in the original
Robot Guitar):
1. Pull the MCK out; the Blue Bank appears by default.
2. Turn the MCK to the string LED that represents the tuning you want (refer to the following
chart), then press momentarily on the center of the Display Matrix (but not hard enough to
push the MCK back in) to “lock in” your choice.
3. Strum the strings, and the Powerheads will tune Dark Fire to the pitches required for the
selected alternate tuning.
4. The string colors indicate the tuning status.
5. When Dark Fire is tuned, the String LED you selected will shine solid blue and the other String
LEDs will turn off.
6. Push the MCK back in—you're ready to play.

Blue Bank Presets Reference
String LED
Name Tuning (low string to high)
E
E Ma or
E B E G# B e
A
DADAGAD
D A D G A D
D
Dropped D
D A D G B e
G
Delta Blues
D G D G B D
B
E Flat
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb eb
e
Double Dropped D
D A D G B D
Selecting a Preset from the Green or Red (Low unings) Bank
To use Presets in other banks, use the Bank Selection function. You'll also need to use Bank
Selection if you're in any Bank and want to go to any other Bank. Caution: When using extremely
low tunings, such as the “C” or “B” tunings in the Red Bank, use heavier gauge strings
(e.g., .013” to .062”) for best results. However, do not use the Green and Blue Bank resets
with heavy gauge strings, as the extreme tension may damage Dark Fire.
1. Pull the MCK out and turn it fully counter-clockwise. The Display Matrix and the b# symbol will
shine blue, because Dark Fire’s default Bank is the Blue Bank.
2. Press the center of the MCK's Display Matrix momentarily (don't press hard enough to push
the MCK knob back in). Each press cycles through the Banks in the following order: Green,
Red, Blue, Green, Red, Blue, etc.
3. When the Display Matrix shows the color for the desired Bank, turn the MCK to the string LED
that represents the tuning your want (refer to the following charts).
4. Press the center of the MCK's Display Matrix once more to “lock in” your choice.
5. Strum the strings, and the Powerheads will tune Dark Fire to the pitches required for the
selected alternate tuning.
6. The string colors indicate the tuning status.
7. When Dark Fire is tuned, the String LED you selected will shine the same color as the current
Bank, and the other String LEDs will turn off. Push the MCK in—you're ready to play.
Green Bank Presets Reference
String LED
Name Tuning (low string to high)
E
Delta Blues (G)
D G D G B D
A
Delta Blues (Ab)
Eb Ab Eb Ab C eb
D
Delta Blues (A)
E A E A C# e
G
E Ma or
E B E G# B e
B
E Flat Ma or
Eb Bb Eb G Bb eb
e
Open D
D A D F# A D

Red Bank Presets Reference
String LED
Name Tuning (low string to high)
E
Eb
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb eb
A
D
D G C F A D
D
C#
C# F# B E G# C#
G
C
C F Bb Eb G C
B
B
B E A D F# B
e
Dropped Db
Db Ab Db Gb Bb eB
Standard uning Shortcut for All Banks
While in any Bank, you can go instantly to the Robot standard tuning function for A=440 (low string to
high, E, A, D, G, B, e). Howe er, as mentioned pre iously, you can calibrate to other frequencies
during the setup procedure—see later.
1. Turn the MCK fully clockwise to the Peg symbol. It will show the color of the currently selected
Bank.
2. Momentarily press the center of the MCK's Display Matrix.
3. Dark Fire is now in the standard A=440 Robot tuning mode. Proceed as normal—strum the
strings, and obser e the LEDs to know when Dark Fire is tuned.

Chapter 3: String Changing with Robot II echnology
Because each key turns extremely slowly when tuned by hand, Dark Fire includes three modes to
speed up, and automate, the string-changing process. Caution: Do not use manual or
mechanically- owered “string winder” tools—turning the Powerhead keys too quickly can
damage the Powerheads.
There are three primary functions that help you change strings:
String U Mode (for changing all strings at once)
Single String U Mode (for replacing indi idual strings)
String Down Mode (for remo ing a string)
Please note:
You may want to “break in” your strings by tugging gently on them, and also perform multiple
tunings until they ha e stabilized—just as you would when changing strings on a con entional
guitar.
When all strings are close to pitch, exit String Up Mode and tune the strings by selecting your
desired tuning.
Installing Strings: General Guidelines
1. Guide each string through your tailpiece, o er the center of each saddle (where contact is
essential), through the nut slot, then straight through the post hole.
2. Pull the string slightly to take up any slack, then tighten down the locking nut on the post hole.
3. Cut the extra length off each string close to the post; if one string contacts another, the system
may function improperly. Also, do not use any strings which ha e frayed wraps at the ball end
—Dark Fire will not function if any part of the string touches beyond its insulated holder—and
don't let steel bottleneck slides contact the strings during tuning operations.
Note that you can change all strings simultaneously (String Up Mode), or one string at a time (Single
String Up Mode).

String Up Mode (All Strings)
Here's the procedure for changing all strings at the same time.
1. After installing all strings as described pre iously, pull out the MCK and turn it counter-
clockwise until the b# symbol lights blue. The Display Matrix will also shine blue, because Dark
Fire is in the Blue Bank.
2. Press the Display Matrix momentarily. It will shine green to indicate Dark Fire is in the Green
Bank.
3. Turn the MCK to the Re ol ing Arrow position.
4. Now press the MCK's Display Matrix and hold it in the pressed state until the String LEDs all
shine red. Gently tap the strings against their Piezo saddles, and their corresponding
Powerheads will start to turn and place tension on the strings.
5. Once there is enough tension on the strings for them to approach pitch, gently strum the
strings. Pause briefly between strums to allow the Powerheads to turn. The strings' LEDs will
change colors to indicate status until they turn green, which indicates the strings ha e reached
pitch.
6. Push the MCK all the way in to turn off, then pull the MCK out to go into Instantly Acti ated
Tuning mode. Go through the standard tuning procedure to “touch up” each string and achie e
final tuning.

Single String Up Mode
This mode is for replacing only one or two strings (e.g., replacing a broken string).
Caution: Unlike String U Mode, Single String U Mode does not target any itch but exists
sim ly to ut tension on the string. Be careful not to ress the MCK too many times in Ste (5)
below, or the string could sna from over-tightening. Three resses should ut enough
tension on the new string for it to tune in standard tuning o erations.
1. After installing a string as described pre iously, pull out the MCK and turn it counter-clockwise
until the b# symbol lights blue. The Display Matrix will also shine blue, because Dark Fire is in
the Blue Bank.
2. Turn the MCK to the Re ol ing Arrow position, and press the Display Matrix until a green
“arrow up” symbol shows in the center of the Display Matrix.
3. Stop pressing on the display; the Re ol ing Arrow LED will shine blue and all string LEDs will
shine green.
4. Turn the MCK to the string LED that corresponds to the string you are replacing. The LED you
select will shine red.
5. Press the MCK's Display Matrix 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 ha e a pitch, push the MCK all the way in.
String Down Mode
When changing an entire set of strings, String Down Mode causes all Powerheads to de-tension all
strings at the same time so that you can remo e them all.
1. Pull out the MCK and turn it counter-clockwise until the b# symbol lights blue. The Display
Matrix will also shine blue, because Dark Fire is in the Blue Bank.
2. Press the MCK momentarily twice, and the Matrix Display will shine red. Now you are in the
Red Bank.
3. Turn the MCK to the Re ol ing Arrow position.
4. Press on the MCK's Display Matrix, and hold it in until the string LEDs start to flash and the
Powerheads start to unwind. All 6 Powerheads will unwind their strings.
5. When the Powerheads stop turning, release the locking nuts on the tuner posts and you can
easily remo e all strings.

Chapter 4: Advanced uning echniques
You can create your own custom alternate tuning presets, and store them in one of the three preset
tuning banks. Although this o erwrites the factory preset in that location, you can always re ert to the
factory defaults, as described in the Setup Mode section. Furthermore, you can choose a reference
pitch other than A=440.
Creating Custom Alternate uning Presets
To create a custom alternate tuning preset:
1. With the MCK pushed in, tune Dark Fire manually to the pitches you want (remember: all
Powerheads turn in the same direction). Caution: Make sure the guitar is in tune—if you
ha en to save this as the default “Instantly Activated Tuning,” then the default guitar
tuning will be out of tune. If this ha ens, refer to the Setu section for information on
restoring the factory resets.
2. Pull the MCK out and turn it clockwise to the Peg symbol.
3. Press on the MCK's Display Matrix and hold it in the pressed state until the Peg LED shines
cyan (I.e., greenish-blue). Symbols E, A, D, G, B and e will shine red.
4. Strum each string indi idually, one by one (don’t strum too hard!); when each string’s
frequency has been measured and registered, its LED will turn green. If necessary, re-pluck
any strings that remain red until they are measured and turn green.
5. When all string LEDs ha e turned green, they will turn off and the Peg LED will start flashing,
indicating your Custom Altered Tuning is ready to store.
6. To store a reset in the Blue Bank: As Dark Fire is currently in the Blue Bank, storing to the
Blue Bank is easy. Select a string LED position, then press the Display Matrix momentarily and
the string LEDs will flash red 4 times, indicating your custom alternate tuning is now stored in
that position.
7. To store a reset in the Green or Red Bank: As Dark Fire is currently in the Blue Bank,
rotate the MCK until the b# symbol shines blue. Press momentarily on the Display Matrix to
select the Green Bank, and press again to select the Red Bank. After selecting the desired
bank, select a string LED position, then press the Display Matrix momentarily. The string LEDs
will flash red 4 times, indicating your custom alternate tuning is now stored in that position.
uning to Pitch References Other han A=440Hz
Although the most common tuning reference is A=440Hz, some orchestras tune to A=442 or
A=445Hz; Baroque ensembles often tune to A=435Hz. You may also be at a session where a piano
is in tune with itself, but not turned exactly to A=440Hz. For these and similar situations, Dark Fire
allows tuning to any arbitrary reference, within reason; here's how.
1. Select the desired Preset to hold the custom tuning, and tune to standard pitch by strumming
the strings.
2. Select one string and manually tune it to the desired reference pitch.
3. Pull the MCK out and turn it counter-clockwise until the b# symbol shines blue. The Display
Matrix dots will also shine blue, because you are in the Blue Bank.

4. Press the MCK's Display Matrix momentarily and the Display Matrix dot's will shine green. Now
Dark Fire is in the Green Bank.
5. Turn the MCK to the Peg position.
6. Press the MCK's Display Matrix, and hold it in the pressed state until the LED symbols E, A, D,
G, B and e shine red. At this point the Peg LED will be shining magenta.
7. Strum the string which will ser e as the basis for your Reference Tuning until its LED turns
green, which confirms that your reference frequency has been measured and registered.
8. Now strum all strings, and the remaining LED symbols will beha e as during a normal tuning
operation. Dark Fire will tune to the selected tuning with respect to your new reference pitch.
9. When tuning is complete, the string LEDs will turn off.
You can store your changed reference tuning as a custom alternate tuning preset. Push the MCK all
the way in, and perform the procedure described in Creating Custom Alternate Tuning Presets,
including the procedure for storing the tuning in a preset position.
Note: An alternati e method to use a reference other than A=440Hz is to change Dark Fire's
calibration, as described in Setup Mode.