J2 Attitude Solo User manual
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
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Table of Contents
1 Getting Started
Device Overview
Features
Connections
Display
2 Installation
Step-by-step Installation
3 Patch
Zones
Configuring Zones
Automatic Addressing
4 Shows
Selecting Colors
Show Types
Show Options
5 Events
Configuring Events
Event Processing
6 Trigger
Configuring the Trigger
7 Troubleshooting
8 Further Information
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
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1 Getting Started
Device Overview
Thank you for your purchase with J Squared Systems! We manufacture, sell,
and install full color LED lighting systems. All of our products support DMX-512,
the growing industry standard for lighting control. We aim to "be the hero" to
our clients in any way we can!
The Attitude Solo is our premiere standalone DMX lighting control system. This
all-in-one device provides all the features you need to get your DMX-512
lighting up and running in no time!
The all-new second-generation Attitude Solo has been redesigned from the
ground up, with an all new menu system, show designer, and events schedule.
An updated show engine with stunning new effect capabilities brings you the
creative freedom you need. Plus, no more buttons — a large 2.8" touchscreen
makes it easier than ever to configure your system!
Features
The Attitude Solo supports up to one full universe of 512 DMX channels. With a
total of 6 user configurable zones, the Attitude Solo can multi-task with ease!
Zones are configured by fixture type, making it easier than ever to get set up.
Simply select your fixture type and number of fixtures and you're done! The
Attitude Solo automatically calculates what start address the first fixture
should be programmed to internally via RDM. Also, each zone's name can be
customized, with a four character naming system supporting A-Z and 0-9.
PATCHING
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
Creating awesome shows with the Attitude Solo is easy! Simply select up to 4
colors, adjust the show type and options, and give your show a name. Seven
brand-new show types make it easier than ever to create epic lightshows. Plus,
options for each show type include speed, size, direction, and splits. Each
show's name can be customized with a four character naming system
supporting A-Z and 0-9, and the Solo can store a total of 12 shows.
Shows
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The Attitude Solo also provides a convenient low voltage trigger input. When
activated, zones each play a selectable show regardless of scheduling for an
adjustable amount of time.
TRIGGER
The second-generation Attitude Solo uses an events-based show scheduling
system. Schedule events to occur at set times, then configure what show each
zone should play at that time. Each zone will continue with its selected show
until another event occurs.
Events
Connections
The Attitude Solo has a simple set of connections: Power, DMX output, and
trigger input.
Power DMX output Trigger
The Power input supports 12 volt DC power, with the positive pin labeled V+
and the negative pin labeled GND.
The Attitude Solo is configurable via the onboard 2.8" touchscreen LCD display.
The blue title bar indicates the name of the current menu, and the list of white
items below indicate menu items. Each item can be tapped, which either
opens a sub-menu or pop-up. When inside a sub-menu, a white left arrow will
appear in the blue title bar, which can be tapped to exit the menu. Gray menu
items indicate disabled items which cannot be tapped.
Each menu item has a name on the left side of the screen and a value on the
right side of the screen. A menu item without a value indicates that tapping
that item will open a sub-menu. Tapping on a menu item with a value will
open a pop-up to edit that menu item's value. When inside a pop-up, a Save
button will appear to save and exit. Pop-up menus include blue arrows or
icons which can be pressed to manipulate the value inside the pop-up.
While on the main menu screen, after no activity has been detected for 30
seconds, the screen will go to sleep. The screen will appear black and a small
colored bar on the left side of the screen indicates that the device is still
powered on. To exit sleep mode, simply tap anywhere on the screen.
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Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
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The DMX output pins are GND (DMX ground connection), A+ (DMX positive
signal), and B- (DMX negative signal).
The Trigger input pins are IN (input) and GND (ground). To activate the trigger,
briefly close the connection between these two pins via a button or
momentary relay.
Display
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
2 Installation
Step-By-Step Installation
The Attitude Solo can be used with any 12 volt power supply. Cut and strip the
wire from your power supply and locate the positive and negative wires. Strip
about 1/4" of insulation off of the end of each wire. Unscrew each terminal of
the power input until there is space in the terminal for the new wire. Insert the
power supply wires into the terminal connector, making sure to establish the
correct polarity. Tighten the screws on the terminal until tight.
POWER SUPPLY
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The Attitude Solo supports standard DMX-512 output over a 3 pin connection.
To connect lighting fixtures to the Solo, identify each DMX wire. Strip about
1/4" of insulation off of the end of each wire. Unscrew each DMX output
terminal until there is space in the terminal for the new wire. Insert each DMX
wire into the proper terminal: the ground wire should go to the GND terminal,
the positive DMX signal wire should go to the A+ terminal, and the negative
DMX signal wire should go to the B- terminal.
DMX OUTPUT
The low voltage trigger on the Attitude Solo provides a convenient way to
manually select lights with specific shows. To activate the trigger, simply
create a momentary connection between the IN and GND pins on the Solo.
This can be done via a button or momentary relay system. Once activated, the
trigger will stay active for a configurable period of time.
TRIGGER
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
3 Patch
Zones
The Attitude Solo supports 6 unique Zones. Each zone can be used to control a
separate group of lights. For example, you might have all lights on the inside of
a building in Zone 1, and all of the lights on the outside of the building in Zone
2. With zones, the lights on the inside of the building could be set to white
while the lights on the outside of the building run a full color show.
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FLD - Magniflood
SCON - Magnisconce
BAR - Magnibar
TUBE - Magnitube
ROPE - Magnirope
SIGN - Magnisign
To set up a zone, from the Main Menu, go to the Patch menu, then select a
zone. Each zone can be given a custom, 4 character name (characters include
A-Z and 0-9). Next, select the fixture type from one of the standard J Squared
Systems Magnitude lighting fixtures.
Last, select the number of fixtures in this zone.
Configuring Zones
The Attitude Solo second-generation model also includes an automatic patch
option. Essentially, the Solo will automatically calculate the start address for
each zone based on the type and number of fixtures in the previous zone. To
toggle this option, go to the Settings menu and change the Addressing setting.
AUTO indicates automatic addressing based on the previous zone and MANU
indicates manual start address selection.
Automatic Addressing
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Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
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When in automatic addressing mode, the Attitude Solo will list what the start
address of the first fixture should be inside each Zone menu. In manual
addressing mode, the Solo will give an option to select the start address of the
zone as well as list the last address used by the previous zone.
Zone patch menu in manual addressing mode
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
4 Shows
The real power of the Attitude Solo lies in its versatile show engine, which
unleashes your creativity, allowing you to create an unlimited variety of
lightshows!
The Attitude Solo show engine processes up to 4 unique RGB colors and a set
of options (type, speed, size, direction and splits) to create beautiful light
shows. Behind the scenes, the powerful engine processes the given parameters
and calculates the RGB values for each individual fixture in the zone, refreshing
over 20 times per second to create clean transitions between colors.
The Solo includes 12 shows, each of which can be named and customized as
desired. Each show can then be used as part of the event scheduling system.
While editing an show, all lights will temporarily display the given show,
allowing users to preview what the show will look like.
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The Attitude Solo FX engine allows for up to 4 colors to be used as "steps" in
the show. Colors set to black will be ignored.
To set up a Show, from the Main Menu, go to Shows, then select a show.
Tapping the Name item brings up a pop-up menu where the show's name can
be customized to make it easily identifiable. The Options menu item leads to
the Options menu where show type, speed, and other parameters can be
configured.
To configure a show's colors, tap on any of the four color options (ex. Color 1).
The Set Color menu will appear with RGB sliders to select a color. To select a
color, simply drag any of the sliders to change the amount of red, green, or
blue light. A small square in the bottom corner of the screen will show the
resulting color, and all connected lights will temporarily override with that
color.
Selecting Colors
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Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
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For example, to create a Red/White/Blue fade chase effect, Color 1 would be set
to red, Color 2 would be set to white, and Color 3 would be set to blue.
The real power of the Attitude Solo show engine is in the variety of patterns
that can be created simply by selecting a show type and configuring options.
Inside the Options menu of any show, the Type option defines the type of show
that should be run. Show types are like a template for the desired effect, which
can then be customized. To change the show type, tap on the Type menu item
in the options menu and change the type using the arrow icons. Each type has
a four character abbreviation (listed below).
Show Types
The Static Color (STAT) show type does not involve any animation. Rather, the
lights are divided into segments based on the number of active colors (colors
not set to black). With a single color, the lights in each zone will all be that
same color and will not animate. With two or more colors active, the fixtures in
the zone will be divided by the number of colors and then each group will
output a color. For example, the first half of the zone would output Color 1 and
the second half of the zone would output Color 2. There are no additional
options for this show type.
Static Color
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Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
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The All Fade (FADE) show type fades all lights simultaneously across the
selected colors. All connected lights in the zone will illuminate the same color.
Lights will smoothly fade between each active color selected, sequentially
from Color 1 to Color 4 and then repeat. Any colors set to black will be ignored.
With the All Fade show type, the speed of the animation can be controlled via
the Speed option.
All Fade
The All Flash (FLSH) show type behaves similarly to the All Fade show type, but
rather than fading between colors, this show type cuts directly to the next
color. All connected lights in the zone will illuminate the same color, and the
lights will cut directly between each active color selected, sequentially from
Color 1 to Color 4 and then repeat (again ignoring colors set to black). With the
All Flash show type, the speed of the animation can be controlled via the
Speed option.
All Flash
The Chase (CHSE) show type involves animating colors across the number of
fixtures in the zone. Each active color chases sequentially through each fixture
in the zone, with a cut transition between colors (no fading). With the Chase
show type, the speed, size, and direction can each be customized.
Chase
The Fade Chase (FCHS) show type involves animating colors across the
number of fixtures in the zone, similarly to the Chase show type. However, with
the Fade Chase show type, there is a small fade between colors. Again, the
speed, size, and direction can each be customized.
Fade Chase
The Smooth Chase (SCHS) show type involves animating colors across the
number of fixtures in the zone, similarly to the Chase and Fade Chase show
types. However, with the Smooth Chase show type, there is a large smooth
fade between each color, creating a smooth gradient effect. The speed, size,
direction, and splits can each be customized.
Smooth Chase
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The Bounce (BNCE) show type is unique compared to all other show types.
With the Bounce show type, Color 1 is used as a default color for all lights. Then,
a segment of Color 2 animates across the zone, from one end to the other end
and back to the beginning. Then, the animation is repeated for each additional
active color. Color 1 can be set to black if desired. With this show type, the
speed and size can be adjusted.
Bounce
The Speed option defines how quickly the effect runs. Speed settings range
from 1-10, with 1 being the slowest speed, and 10 being the fastest.
Speed
Size defines how large the effect should be. For example, it defines how many
fixtures should be a given color with Chase, Fade Chase, and Smooth Chase
show types. Sizes range from 1-6 fixtures or 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, or the full number of
fixtures in the zone.
Size
LR - runs from left to right (first to last fixture in the zone)
RL - runs from right to left (last to first fixture in the zone)
Mid - runs from middle to ends
End - runs from ends to middle
The order option allows for the animation direction of the effect to be
customized.
ORDER
Show Options
Although this manual attempts to adequately describe the functions of each
show type and option, to best understand how the Attitude Solo show engine
works, we suggest connecting a Solo to some fixtures and playing with it. Try
changing each show type and option and see how the fixtures react. This is
truly the best way to understand how to take advantage of the Solo to create
amazing lighting effects!
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
5 Events
The Attitude Solo features a simple event based scheduling system. An event is
simply a way to configure what each zone should be outputting at a given
time. Events can be named, enabled or disabled, and set to a certain time of
day. Then, inside the Zones menu, each zone can be configured to play a
different show at that time.
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From the Main Menu, go to the Events menu, then select an event. Each event
has a 4 character name, which can be customized. Next, each event can be
enabled or disabled. To set the time at which an event will activate, simply set
the hour and minute (in local 24 hour time).
Event Setup
Configuring Events
Inside the zones menu is where each zone can be configured to play a show
when the event is activated. Tap on the Zones menu item to enter the Zones
menu. Each zone is listed by 4 character name. Tapping on any zone will bring
up a pop-up where a show can be selected. Additionally, zones can be set to
<>, which means that the zone will continue playing whatever show was
previously assigned to it based on any events that had previously happened.
Zones can also be set to OFF.
Zones
The Attitude Solo includes a built-in 24 hour clock, which is how events are
processed. To set the current time on the clock to match the local timezone,
from the Main Menu, go to the Settings menu, then set the Hour and Minute
to match the current time. Even if the device loses power, it will remember the
correct time. Note that the Attitude Solo does not support Daylight Savings
Time, so the built-in clock will occasionally need to be updated manually via
the Settings menu.
Setting the Clock
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The Attitude Solo's event based scheduling system can be somewhat
confusing at first, so it's worth understanding how events are processed.
Every 30 seconds or so, the Attitude Solo checks the time, and if the current
time matches the saved time for any event, it updates each zone based on
what show the event says that zone should play. This means that the actual
event number does not matter; event number 3 could be set to happen before
event number 1 without conflict.
Each zone will otherwise continue playing the last assigned show until the
next event happens, at which point each zone updates to play a new show (or,
if that zone is set to <> for that event, the current show continues to play).
If for any reason the Attitude Solo loses power, once power is restored it will
calculate, based on the current time, what events will have already happened
that day and update all zones to match what show they ought to be playing.
Additionally, the Attitude Solo will consider the previous day's events when
processing zones and shows. So if the first scheduled event is set to occur at
7:00 am, prior to that time, the Solo will continue playing the shows set from
the last event to occur each day. (And if, by chance, the last event from the
previous day includes a zone set to continue playing the previous show, the
Attitude Solo will figure out what that previous show was based on the other
events and update the zone to that correct show.)
Event Processing
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Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
6 Trigger
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The Hold Time menu option defines how many minutes the trigger should
remain active for. The minimum value is 1 minute and the maximum is 30
minutes. When the IN and GND pins are connected via a button or momentary
relay, the trigger will become active, and remain active for as long as the hold
time is set for. If the IN and GND pins are connected a second time while the
trigger is active, the trigger will be deactivated, regardless of hold time
remaining.
Hold Time
The Trigger allows for a temporary override to take place at any time. When
the IN and GND pins are momentarily connected, the trigger will activate, and
every zone will temporarily play specific shows for a customizable amount of
time.
In the trigger menu, the Zones menu item opens a sub-menu where each zone
can be configured to play a different show while the trigger is active. This
interface behaves the same as the Event Zones menu, where a show can be
selected for each zone. However, with the trigger, zones set to <> will continue
to play whatever show they were playing based on the events scheduling
system and ignore the trigger.
Previous models of the Attitude Solo have operated in a different manner,
where the trigger is only active while connected and that all zones showed a
single color with the trigger. Note that the Attitude Solo second generation
model does not operate this way, but rather as described above.
Zones
Configuring The Trigger
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
7 Troubleshooting
Device Not Powering On
Confirm the power supply is powered on and connected properly to the
power input connection on the Attitude Solo.
Confirm that the power supply outputs 12 volt DC power.
Reset the device by unplugging and plugging back in the power supply.
Confirm that the power supply is not defective by testing with a different
power supply or testing the power supply with another Attitude Solo.
Contact J Squared Systems.
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The following steps can help you troubleshoot your Attitude Solo device. For
further information or help troubleshooting problems not described here,
please contact J Squared Systems.
Glitchy Touchscreen or Slow Touchscreen
Power cycle the device.
Navigate to the Patch menu and ensure that the count for zones not being
used is set to 0.
Confirm that the total number of fixtures in all zones does not exceed 128.
Factory reset the device. Navigate to the Settings menu, select Reset
Device, then select Yes to confirm. Note that this will reset all parameters
to their factory default settings.
Contact J Squared Systems.
Connected Fixtures Not Lighting Up
Confirm that the connected fixtures are wired correctly to the DMX output.
Power cycle the device and all fixtures.
Confirm that the fixtures are patched correctly on the device.
Contact J Squared Systems.
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
Connected Fixtures Glitching
Confirm that the connected fixtures are wired correctly to the DMX output.
Confirm that there are no cross connections between DMX wires; check
that no copper wire strands are accidentally touching between pins.
Confirm that the fixtures are patched correctly on the device.
Try a different show. Open the Shows menu and select any show and see if
the lights behave properly. If so, one of your shows is configured in such a
way that the engine is unable to process the show properly. Try changing
that show's parameters.
Contact J Squared Systems.
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Connected Fixtures Showing Wrong Color
Confirm that the fixtures are patched correctly on the device.
In the Shows menu, open any show, then select Color 1. All lights should
show the color being selected. This method can help debug patch issues.
Contact J Squared Systems.
Trigger Not Responding
Confirm that your button or relay is wired properly to the trigger input.
Ensure that the trigger input is a momentary connection. For example, a
switch will close the connection between the trigger pins indefinitely.
Instead of a switch, use a device like a button to temporarily (think less
than one second) close the connection between the pins. This will properly
activate the trigger.
Power cycle the device.
Factory reset the device. Navigate to the Settings menu, select Reset
Device, then select Yes to confirm. Note that this will reset all parameters
to their factory default settings.
If for any reason the trigger input was accidentally connected to a power
source higher than 5 volts, the input has likely been damaged. Your device
will need to be repaired by J Squared Systems.
Contact J Squared Systems.
User Manual
Attitude Solo (2nd Generation)
8 Further Information
Contact
For questions regarding the content of this User Manual or your Attitude Solo,
please contact our Lead Research & Development Engineer at
For sales inquiries, please reach out to our team through the channels below.
[email protected] - (615) 933-1020
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Locating Your Serial Number
When corresponding with J Squared Systems, we may ask for the Serial
Number of your Attitude Solo device in order to help us further troubleshoot
issues. To locate the serial number of your device, first, unscrew the four screws
of the metal enclosure and open the device. On the inside of the bottom panel
of the device should be a sticker with the device's serial number, as well as the
assembly date. An example serial number would be AS-0020014.
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