Leviton MLC128R User manual

User Guide
MLC 128R
MOTORIZED LIGHTING CONTROLLER
Software revision 2.06 and above
Device Group 1 2
Pattern ShowScene
345678
9 10111213141516
Solo
Add Copy
Power
Blackout
MorePage
RS-232
Record
Edit
Hold
Tap Sync Audio
Joystick
Default

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Leviton MLC 128R Motorized Lighting Controller i
Table of Contents
O VERVIEW
Devices..................................................................................... 1
Groups...................................................................................... 1
Scenes...................................................................................... 2
Patterns.................................................................................... 2
Shows....................................................................................... 2
C ONSOLE
Front Panel ............................................................................... 3
Rear Panel ............................................................................... 4
LCD Display............................................................................... 5
I NSTALLATION AND S ETUP
Power Supply ............................................................................ 6
DMX512 Output......................................................................... 6
Micro-Plex Output...................................................................... 6
Using Audio Input...................................................................... 7
Enabling Safety Locks ................................................................ 7
C ONFIGURATION
Assigning Devices...................................................................... 8
Inverting Traits............................................................... 9
Defining Devices........................................................................ 9
Creating a New Device Definition................................... 10
Assigning Additional Attributes to Traits.......................... 11
Assigning and Editing Groups .................................................. 14
Setting the Maximum Dimmers................................................. 14
Setting the Interbyte Delay ...................................................... 15
Adjusting Joystick Sensitivity .................................................... 15
Setting Mouse Resolution......................................................... 16
Entering Test Mode.................................................................. 16
Clearing and Initializing the Console Memory............................. 17
Resetting the Console ............................................................. 18
U
PLOADING AND D OWNLOADING F ILES /RS-232
Overview ................................................................................ 19
Configuring the Console’s Communications Port......................... 19
Uploading Programming from the Console to a Computer........... 20
Uploading Programming from a Computer to the Console........... 21
Downloading New Software Code ............................................. 22

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Leviton MLC 128R Motorized Lighting Controller ii
P ROGRAMMING
Overview ................................................................................ 23
All Traits Mode ............................................................. 23
Selective Traits Mode.................................................... 23
Recording Scenes .................................................................... 23
Recording Scenes in All Traits Mode............................... 23
Recording Scenes in Selective Traits Mode...................... 24
Scene Record Shortcut.................................................. 24
Editing Scenes........................................................................ 25
Recording Patterns .................................................................. 25
Recording Patterns Using Scenes ................................... 25
Recording Patterns Using Manual Control ....................... 26
Editing Patterns....................................................................... 27
Inserting or Deleting Pattern Steps ........................................... 27
Using Real Time Record ........................................................... 28
Recording Shows..................................................................... 28
Editing Shows.......................................................................... 29
P LAYBACK
Playing Back a Scene ............................................................... 30
Playing Back a Pattern ............................................................. 30
Playing Back a Show................................................................ 30
Modifying Devices and Groups in Blind Mode ............................ 31
MIDI Activating MIDI ....................................................................... 32
Setting the MIDI Channel......................................................... 32
Default MIDI Assignments........................................................ 32
Editing Default MIDI Command Sequences................................ 33
T ROUBLESHOOTING
Reporting Problems ................................................................. 34
Lockups .................................................................................. 34
Bugs....................................................................................... 35
Software Updates .................................................................... 35
Troubleshooting Checklist......................................................... 35
A PPENDIX
ASCII Formatting Guide ........................................................... 37
Overview...................................................................... 37
Device Definition Language ........................................... 37
Device Assignment Formats........................................... 42

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Leviton MLC 128R Motorized Lighting Controller iii
Scene Formats.............................................................. 43
Pattern Formats............................................................ 45
Show Formats .............................................................. 47
How to Configure Hyperterm to Send & Receive Files
to the MLC 128..................................................................... 48
How to Receive Files From the MLC 128 Using Hypterm ............ 51
How to Send Files to the MLC 128 Using Hypterm..................... 53
S PECIFICATIONS
Console Specifications.............................................................. 55
W ARRANTY
Limited Warranty..................................................................... 56

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Leviton MLC 128R Motorized Lighting Controller iv

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Overview
With the MLC 128R Motorized Lighting Controller you can control up to 128
different devices. You can control any device that uses DMX512 as its control
signal. A rich Device Definition Language (DDL) enables virtually any device
personality to be defined. Many popular personalities have already been defined
within the console's nonvolatile flash memory. Using the RS-232 ports you can
also download personalities from the 3.5” floppy disk provided with the console.
As new definitions become available, you can download them from our Web site
(www.nsicorp.com).
This User Guide contains information about MLC 128R features, and instructions
for recording and editing, and configuring the console.
Playback involves three types of memories:
•
Scenes. Static memories that can be recalled at any time to set the look of the
stage or to modify a portion of it.
•
Patterns. Linked memories that include fade times and hold times. As with a
scene, the pattern can control the whole stage or just parts of it. For example,
one pattern can control color while another running at the same time can
control pan and tilt.
•
Shows. Patterns linked together to form complex events that can be activated
with the press of a single button. Shows can run through one sequence or loop
continuously.
Devices, groups, scenes, patterns, and shows can be layered in different
combinations to create various looks.
Devices
Whenever the Device button LED is on, the 16 Select buttons are in Device
mode. The Page buttons provide access to 8 pages of devices, providing
control of up to 128 devices. To activate a device press the Device Select button;
the LED on the button lights green if there is a device assigned to that location.
When you hold down the button the LCD display shows the name of the device
personality. Once active, the LCD display shows the traits of the personality
assigned to each Device button, four at a time, along with their current values. To
modify a trait, turn the corresponding Modify wheel. Turn the wheel clockwise to
increase values, and counterclockwise to decrease values.
Most devices have more than four traits. Press the More buttons to show
the previous or next set of traits on the LCD display.
Traits can be assigned to either axis of the joystick; pan and tilt are commonly
assigned with this feature. If this is the case, these traits will be modified
whenever the joystick is operated.
Groups
Whenever the Group button LED is on, the 16 Select buttons are in Group mode.
The Page buttons provide access to 4 pages of groups, for a total of 64.
Groups allow multiple devices, even different models from different
manufacturers, to be grouped together using similar traits. Common traits can be
controlled simultaneously when the group is activated.

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Scenes
Whenever the Scene button LED is on, the 16 Select buttons are in Scene mode.
The Page buttons provide access to 64 pages of Scenes, for a total of
1024. Each Scene is a static memory. You can use scenes to set the look of the
entire stage with a single press of a button, or you can selectively choose which
device traits are recorded into each scene. You can use a scene to modify, for
example, the color or gobo of some of the devices while some other scene,
pattern or show continues to control the rest of the stage.
You can also use scenes to build trait palettes or templates that can be used for
pre-focus or position memories where pan and tilt can be quickly edited within a
pattern and show.
Patterns
Whenever the Pattern button LED is on the 16 Select buttons are in Pattern
mode. The Page buttons provide access to 16 pages of patterns, for a
total of 256. Patterns allow scenes or looks to be linked together at programmable
times, creating complex movements and effects. These static memories and their
associated fade, delay, and hold times are called steps. The Real Time Record
option allows you to set the fade time between steps in real time.
By activating devices or groups in the Pattern Record mode, you can record “live”
steps in a pattern.
Shows
Whenever the Show button LED is on the 16 Select buttons are in Show mode.
The Page buttons provide access to 16 pages of patterns, for a total of
256. Shows allow patterns to be linked in any order, one after another. You can
determine how many times each pattern will play back, from 1 to 250 times, and
determine how many times the show will play back. A show can play 1 to 250
times, or loop infinitely.

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Console
Front Panel
•Device button. Places the 16 Select buttons in Device mode, for selecting or
programming devices.
•Group button. Places the 16 Select buttons in Group mode, for selecting or
programming groups.
•Scene button. Places the 16 Select buttons in Scene mode, for selecting or
programming scenes.
•Pattern button
. Places the 16 Select buttons in Pattern mode, for selecting or
programming patterns.
•Show button. Places the 16 Select buttons in Show mode, for selecting or
programming shows.
•
Select buttons (1-16). Allow you to select devices, groups, scenes, patterns,
and shows for programming or playback (or manual live control).
•Solo button. Blacks out all devices except the one selected. Push the button
again to return the blacked out devices to their proper intensities.
•Add button. Allows you to access more than one device at a time. All devices
must be the same type. Added devices will immediately move to the exact
settings of the original device.
•Copy button. Copies the values of one device to another device of the same
type.
•Power switch. Turns power to the console on and off.
•Blackout button. Blacks out all devices and exits the programming menus.
•Record button. Initiates programming of scenes, patterns, and shows.
•Edit button. Allows you to edit devices, scenes, patterns, shows, and Console
Setup menus.
•Page buttons. Provide navigation through the pages of devices,
scenes, groups, patterns, and shows.
•Function buttons (1-4). Allow you to select items that appear on the LCD
display.
•LCD display.
Device Group
Scene Pattern Show
Page
Record
Edit
More
1234
910111213
5678
14 15 16
Solo
Add Copy
Joystick
Hold
Tap Sync Audio
Power
Blackout
RS-232
Default
LCD contrast adjust
Select buttons 1-16
Function buttons F1-F4
LCD display
Modify wheels 1-4
F2F1 F4F3
2
14
3

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•Default button. When a device is selected, sets all parameters to the default
values assigned to that device personality.
•More buttons. Provide access to additional device traits and menu
options. Holding down either button deactivates all of a device’s traits.
•Hold button. Holds the current look in a pattern or show.
•Tap Sync button. Overrides any preprogrammed step times at the rate the
button is tapped.
•Audio button. Allows audio input to override the preprogrammed step times.
•RS-232 connector. Remove the cover to access the RS-232 connector, which
allows you to upload and download programming data. (Cannot be used at the
same time as the rear panel RS-232 connector.)
•Modify wheels. Allow you to make changes to items on the LCD display.
•Joystick. Controls the pan and tilt of devices. Press it to activate or deactivate
the joystick. When the LED is on, you have active control of the devices.
•LCD contrast adjust. The small hole located between F2 and F3 provides
allows you to adjust the contrast of the LCD display. Use a small flat-blade
screwdriver to carefully make adjustments.
If you encounter a problem with a front panel control, you can place the
console in Panel Test mode, which runs a diagnostic routine for
debugging the front panel hardware.
To place the console in Panel Test mode:
1 Turn the console on while pressing the F1 and F4 simultaneously.
Once active, the test mode sequences the front panel LEDs so that you
can check for any outages.
2 Press a button or move the joystick to display its name on the LCD.
Moving a Modify wheel increases or decreases a number on the LCD.
3 Turn the console off to clear the Test mode.
Rear Panel
•Power Input. Connects with female end of the AC power cable supplied with
the MLC 128R.
•MIDI In, MIDI Out, MIDI Thru. 5-pin DIN connectors connect to a MIDI
sequencer or other MIDI controller.
PowerInput In MIDI
Out Thru MicroPlex DMX512
RS-232
+12Vto+20VDC Pinout
1-Common
2-+15VInput
3-Signal
Pinout
1-Common
2-Data-
3-Data+ 2-Data- 3-Data+
Audio Input

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•DMX 512. DMX512 output using a 3-pin XLR for connecting to equipment
using this style of connector.
•Micro-Plex. 3-pin XLR output for connecting to equipment using this protocol.
•Pinout. Reverses pins 2 and 3 of the DMX512 connector.
•RS-232 connector. Allows you to connect a peripheral mouse, or upload and
download programming data. (Cannot be used at the same time as the front
panel RS-232 connector.)
•Audio Input. Accepts a line level audio signal to trigger steps in patterns and
shows based on the beat of the audio source.
LCD Display
When you turn on power to the console, the LCD display shows the current
release version and build number of the software, followed by the MLC 128 Main
Screen.
The upper left portion of the display shows your current location. The above
example shows that you are on page 1 of the Scene mode.
The lower portion of the display shows several values that you can modify from
this screen:
•
Fd: To set the master fade rate for all scenes played back, turn Modify wheel 1.
You can set the fade rate from 0 to 27:00.0.
•
Aud: To adjust the audio gain, turn Modify wheel 3. Use this to fine tune the
console’s response from a line level audio signal input active in the Audio mode.
•
GM: To raise or lower the console’s Grand Master level, turn Modify wheel 4.
This only controls traits that are assigned to the Grand Master in the device’s
definition. Typically this is used as a master control for all device dimmer traits.
All procedures in this User Guide begin at the MLC 128 Main Screen. You
can return to the MLC 128 Main Screen from any of the Record or Edit
menus by pressing the Edit or Blackout button.

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Installation and Setup
Power Supply
The MLC 128R requires a 12 VDC power supply (included) to operate. To turn the
console on:
1 Connect the female end of the supplied AC power cable to the power
input connector on the rear panel of the MLC 128R.
2 Connect the male end to a source of AC power.
3 Press the Power switch located on the front panel.
DMX512 Output
Leviton ships the MLC 128R console with a 3-pin XLR connector for DMX512
output. The Pinout switch on the back panel allows you to reverse Pins 2 and 3 to
match the signal polarity of your devices.
The DMX512 digital signal provides the highest speed, precision, and noise
immunity. When connecting DMX512:
•Use cable that is specified as RS-485 or RS-422 compatible (shielded, 1 or 2
twisted pair) and use the largest gauge available (22-18 gauge is good for long
runs of 1000 ft).
•Daisy chain the cable only (no star or home runs) and terminate the end of the
cable with a 120-ohm resistor. (See the device’s manual for proper terminating
practices).
Micro-Plex Output
Leviton also ships the MLC 128R console with a 3-pin XLR connector for
Micro-Plex output. Use this connector to control any Micro-Plex-compatible
dimmer or relay pack.
Warning! Do not plug a powered Micro-Plex product into the DMX XLR
connector. Pin 2 of Micro-Plex is +15 VDC.
When connecting Micro-Plex:
•Use standard microphone cable. Leviton recommends 18-gauge cable for
distances of more than 100 ft between the controller and the last device.
•Daisy chain the cable only.
•Do not terminate any Micro-Plex chain.
DMX512 and Micro-Plex share the same universe. Therefore channels
1-128 on Micro-Plex and channels 1-128 on DMX output identical levels.

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Using Audio Input
You can use a line level audio signal from an audio source such as a CD player or
mixer to trigger steps in patterns and shows based on the beat of the audio
source. When a line source is present (connected with a standard 1/4-in. RCA
jack) and the Audio button LED is on, Audio mode is active and will override hold
times programmed in patterns. You can control the audio gain using Modify
wheel 3 and the LCD display. A higher value increases the gain.
Enabling Safety Locks
The MLC 128R console allows you to set three safety locks:
•
Record lock. Disables the Record button and prevents editing of patterns and
shows.
•
Setup lock. Prevents access to the Setup menus or the RS-232, device, and
console functions. The default code is
ABCD .
•
Device lock. Prevents access to the Device Define functions. The default code is
abcd .
To enable safety locks:
1 Press Edit.
2 Press F4, above Setup.
3 Press F3, above Console.
4 Press More five time,
or press More three times.
5 Press F4, above Edit.
6 Turn Modify wheel 1, below Rec to select Yes, enabling the Record lock.
7 Turn Modify wheel 2, below Setup, to select Yes, enabling the Setup
lock.
8 Turn Modify wheel 3, below Dev, to select Yes, enabling the Device lock.
9 Turn Modify wheel 4 to select <Save> or <Cancel>.
10 Press F4, above <Save> or <Cancel>.
The locks are enabled or cancelled.
With any of the safety locks enabled, you will be prompted to enter the lock code
when attempting to access the buttons or functions.
To enter the 4-digit lock code:
1 Turn Modify wheel 2 to move the cursor.
2 Turn Modify wheel 3 to change the character.
Once you have entered the lock code, the lock is released, and the menus
and/or functions are immediately available.

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Configuration
Assigning Devices
The first time you use the MLC 128R, you must assign device personalities to the
Select buttons corresponding to the devices you are using.
To assign a device from the Device Definition Library (DDL):
1 Press Edit.
The LCD display shows a menu of Edit commands.
2 Press F4, above Setup.
3 Press F2, above Device.
4 Press F3, above Assign.
5 Turn Modify wheel 1, and press the Page buttons to select the
device location number.
6 Press F4, above Select <Edit>.
7 Turn Modify wheel 2 to select the device type.
If the device you want to control is not in the onboard library, try to find it
in the Device Definition Library (DDL) included with the console (see
“Configuring the Console’s Communications Port” on page 19). If the
definition is not on the DDL disk, see “Creating a New Device Definition”
on page 10.
8 Turn Modify wheel 3 to select the control channel number.
9 Press F4, above Select <Save> to save the assignment.
The device has been assigned.
10 When you have made all the necessary assignments, press Edit or
Blackout to exit Edit mode.
A Device Overlap Error! message means that control channels
overlap, or two devices are on the same channel, which will cause
unexpected behavior. If this happens, calculate what the next available
channel is, by adding the number of channels the previous device uses to
its starting channel. This will give you your next available channel to
assign a device to. Remember to change the starting channel on the
device also.

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To gain live control over a new device and verify the assignment:
1 Press Device.
2 Press the Device Select button corresponding to the location where you
assigned the device.
The LCD should show four of the device’s traits or attributes. Or, press
and hold the
Select button to view the device name.
Inverting Traits
You can invert individual continuous traits of an assigned device using the Assign
Device menu. Traits of a device assigned to more than one Device button can
operate opposite from each other.
To make changes:
1 Press Edit.
2 Press F4, above Setup.
3 Press F2, above Device.
4 Press F3, above Assign.
5 Turn Modify wheel 4 to move from Edit to Invert.
6 Press F4, above Select <Invert>.
7 Turn Modify wheel 2 to scroll through the device traits.
Only continuous traits can be inverted. This inversion is in addition to any
defined within the device definition and will revert any trait that is
inverted in the definition. For example, if pan is inverted in the device
definition and then inverted again at assignment, it will operate as if it
were not inverted at all.
8 When the desired trait is shown on the LCD display, press F4, above
Select <Edit>.
9 Turn Modify wheel 3 to choose Yes or No.
10 Press F4, above Select <Save>,
or turn Modify wheel 4 to Select <Cancel> to cancel the action.
11 When you have inverted all the desired traits, press the Blackout or Edit
button to exit Setup mode.
Defining Devices
One of the keys to the ease of use of the MLC 128R is the ability to define
personalities for devices you wish to control. Instead of having to remember that
a device starts on channel 50 and that the dimmer trait is the seventh channel of
the device, making it channel 56, you simply have to press the assigned Device
button and rotate the Modify wheel labeled Dimmer until the desired value has
been reached.

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Creating a New Device Definition
Many of the devices you use are already defined within the MLC 128R or on the
DDL floppy disk provided with the console. If not, or if you want to create a new
device of multiple fog machines or PAR devices for example, you need to use the
Device Definition Setup mode. From here you can enter a unique name for the
device and define the personality traits of each channel.
To enter the name of a new device:
1 Press Edit.
2 Press F4, above Setup.
3 Press F2, above Device.
4 Press F2, above Define.
5 Turn Modify wheel 4 clockwise to select New.
6 Press F4, above Select <New>.
You can now enter the name.
7 Turn Modify wheel 2 to move the cursor.
8 Turn Modify wheel 3 to change the character.
9 Once you have entered the name, press F4, above Select <Save>.
You are ready to add personality traits to the device you have named.
To add personality traits to the device definition:
1 Turn Modify wheel 2 until the LCD display shows the name of the desired
device. (If your new name appears, go directly to the next step.)
2 Turn Modify wheel 4 until the LCD display shows <Traits>.
3 Press F4, above Select <Traits>.
4 Turn Modify wheel 3 to choose Continuous, Indexed, Union or End
Union.
Continuous traits move continuously from a minimum value to a
maximum value. Indexed traits do not move continuously; discrete values
are assigned to each index along with a unique label. These are most
often used to describe the positions of such things as gobo and color
wheels. Unions are made of combinations of both continuous and indexed
Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7
123 510 511 512
. . . . . .
50 51 52 53 54 55 56
Pan DimmerTilt Color Gobo
DMX512 dimmers

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traits. An example of a union would be a color wheel that uses a
continuous range of DMX512 values for spins and then indexed values for
fixed color positions. The end union trait is used to flag the end of the
union structure. For example, if you were to define a color wheel as
described above, you would first insert a union trait, then insert
continuous and indexed traits as needed, followed by the end union trait.
5 Turn Modify wheel 4 until the LCD display shows <Save>.
6 Press F4, above Select <Save> to save the type.
Now you can assign a label to this trait.
Several attributes can be assigned to the traits once their type has been
determined. The first is a label, which can be up to eight characters long. You can
select from a table of predefined labels, or you can create your own. This provides
up to 256 Trait Labels from which to choose.
To assign a predefined label to the traits:
1 Press F4, above Select <Edit>.
2 Turn Modify wheel 3 to select the desired label.
3 Press F4, above Select <Save>.
To create a new label for a trait:
1 Turn Modify wheel 4 to select New.
2 Press F4, above Select <New>.
3 Turn Modify wheel 2 to move the cursor.
4 Turn Modify wheel 3 to change the character.
5 Once you have entered the label name, press F4, above Select
<Save>.
It will take 5 or 6 seconds to save the new label name.
Once the label has been selected, you can assign the other attributes of a trait.
Assigning Additional Attributes to Traits
To assign additional attributes to a trait:
1 Turn Modify wheel 2 to scroll through the attributes.
2 Press F4 to edit an assignment.
3 Turn Modify wheel 3 to make the desired changes.
4 Press F4 to save the changes.
5 Continue until you have assigned all attributes for this trait.
You can modify the following parameters for continuous traits:
•
Channel. Determines which channel of the DMX512 stream should be used for
this trait. This is a relative number that is added on to the base address of the
device once it is assigned to a Device button.

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If device 1 is assigned to DMX512 channel 20 and a trait is assigned to
channel 1, it will end up being assigned to channel 20 not 21.
•
Size. Determines whether the trait will use one or two channels of the DMX512
stream. Choices are 8Bit or 16 Bit. 16 bit is mostly used for pan and tilt of
high-resolution devices.
•
Invert. Inverts a continuous trait such as pan so that it moves in the opposite
direction as intended.
Inverting can also be done at assignment time on a per trait basis.
•
X axis and Y axis. Assigns a trait to the X or Y axis of the joystick. More than
one trait of a device can be assigned to either axis and a single trait can be
assigned to both axes. X is usually horizontal or pan; Y is usually vertical or tilt.
•
B/O (Blackout). Sets the trait to the assigned Blackout value whenever the
Blackout button is pressed.
•
BoValue (Blackout Value). Assigns the value a trait is at when the Blackout
button is pressed.
•
Master. Assigns a trait to the Grand Master control.
•
Default. Assigns a default value to a trait; pressing the Default button causes
the default value to be applied whenever a device is active.
•
Max and Min. Assigns maximum and minimum values to a continuous trait.
This is useful when a device does not use the full range of DMX512 values, or
when a continuous trait is part of a union.
Indexed traits are made of index values, which can be changed at any time. Each
index can be assigned a specific label just as each trait can be assigned a specific
label.
You can modify the following parameters for indexed traits:
•
Channel. Determines which channel of the DMX512 stream should be used for
this trait. This is a relative number that is added on to the base address of the
device once it is assigned to a Device button.
•
X axis and Y axis. Assigns a trait to the X or Y axis of the joystick. More than
one trait of a device can be assigned to either axis and a single trait can be
assigned to both axes. X is usually horizontal or pan; Y is usually vertical or tilt.
•
B/O (Blackout). Sets the trait to the assigned Blackout value whenever the
Blackout button is pressed.
•
BoValue (Blackout Value). Assigns the value a trait is at when the Blackout
button is pressed.
•
Default. Assigns a default value to a trait; pressing the Default button causes
the default value to be applied whenever a device is active.
•
Indexes (Number of Indexes). Specifies the number of indexes used by the
trait.
•
IL (Index Label). Assigns a label to the trait. Index labels are stored separately
from the Table of Trait Labels, providing another 896 labels to choose from or
create.

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•
IV (Index Value). Assigns a value to the trait.
•
IL2-ILX (Index Label 2-X). Assigns the number of index labels the console
provides, based on the number of indexes specified.
•
IV2-IVX (Index Value 2-X). Assigns the number of index values the console
provides, based on the number of indexes specified.
Union traits act as a header to group continuous and indexed traits together. The
end of the group is marked by inserting an end union trait.
You can modify the following parameters for union traits:
•
Channel. Determines which channel of the DMX512 stream should be used for
this trait. This is a relative number that is added on to the base address of the
device once it is assigned to a Device button.
•
B/O (Blackout). Sets the trait to the assigned Blackout value whenever the
Blackout button is pressed.
•
BoValue (Blackout Value). Assigns the value a trait is at when the Blackout
button is pressed.
•
Default. Assigns a default value to a trait; pressing the Default button causes
the default value to be applied whenever a device is active.
Be sure to always include an end union trait with a union trait, or
unpredictable behavior could result.
Once you have set the attributes for your first trait, you need to add the rest of
the traits to your device definition.
To add additional traits:
1 Turn Modify wheel 4 until the LCD display shows <Insert>.
2 Press F4, above Select <Insert>.
When inserting and deleting device traits, be patient; it can take several
minutes for the console to complete this process.
3 Press F4, above Select <Edit>.
4 Turn Modify wheel 3 to select a label.
5 Press F4, above Select <Save>.
6 Continue adding additional traits and assigning their attributes until the
device is defined.

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Assigning and Editing Groups
Devices that share common traits can be assigned to Group button pages.
Each Group button then becomes a kind of virtual device combining the common
traits and indexed labels of all the assigned devices. Whenever a Group is active,
the common traits of the devices can be changed in unison from a single control.
Trait labels must match exactly. Trait labels and index labels are case
sensitive. Use care when defining labels if grouping is to be used.
To create a Group:
1 Press Edit.
2 Press F4, above Setup.
3 Press F2, above Device.
4 Press F1, above Group.
5 Turn Modify wheel 1 to scroll through the groups.
Currently assigned devices are shown with an “X” under the number of
each device.
[Pg/Grp] is the location of the group you’re currently editing or
recording;
[Pg] is the Device page corresponding to the number
sequence representing the 16 Device Select buttons.
6 When the LCD display shows the desired group, press F4, above Select
Edit.
7 Turn Modify wheel 2 to move the cursor to the device location.
8 Turn Modify wheel 3 to add Xor remove Xas needed for each location.
When there is no device assigned to a location, the Xis inactive.
9 Continue until all your devices have been assigned.
10 Press F4, above Select <Save>,
or turn Modify wheel 4 to Select <Cancel> to cancel the action.
11 Continue assigning devices into groups,
or press Blackout or Edit to exit Setup mode.
Setting the Maximum Dimmers
The MLC 128R can control up to 512 dimmers or control channels. If you are
using fewer, you should reduce the Maximum Dimmers setting to the number
needed, to prevent the console from sending unnecessary information. The
default value is 256.
To change the Maximum Dimmers setting:
1 Press Edit.
2 Press F4, above Setup.
3 Press F3, above Console.