Lightronics Show-Pro SM - 280 User manual

Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
SM - 280
DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER
OWNERS MANUAL
March 24, 2008

OWNERS MANUAL Page 2 of 12
SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
CONTROLLER FEATURES
280 DMX Channels - 14 units of 20 channel fixtures
14 Chases with up to 255 steps each
14 Scene banks with 22 scenes in each bank
Chases can be run with sound activation
Chases can be run at a preset speed and fade
2 Row X 16 Character LCD Display
DMX Polarity output switch.
Removable 4 MB Memory Card
Power Input: 13 - 15 VDC, 500 mA minimum
Power Connector: 2.1 mm, Center Pin +
Dimensions: 19"W X 9"H X 3.25"H
Weight: 6.7 Pounds
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The SM-280 is a fixture (or scanner) oriented DMX
controller. It can control up to 14 fixtures of 20 DMX
channels each. The unit can also be used to control
conventional dimmer packs. The SM-280 includes 14
scene banks. Each bank can contain up to 22 scenes.
There are also 14 programmable chases. Each chase
may contain up to 255 steps. Scene banks can be
automatically run like chases.
Each fixture is permanently assigned a block of DMX
addresses. The table below shows the assignments.
The fixtures must be set to accommodate these DMX
assignments. This is usually done using DIP switches
on the fixture to set its starting address. Refer to the
fixture manual for exact instructions. The information
is sometimes shown on a tag or chart on the fixture. If
you set multiple fixtures to the same addresses then
they will controlled together.
FIXTURE FUNCTIONS
You will need to know which channel within a fixture
is assigned to each fixture function (Pan, Tilt, Color,
Dimming, etc.). This information is contained in the
fixture manual.
DMX CONNECTIONS
Any system using DMX control should be connected
together as a chain of devices. The control cable
should proceed from the controller to the first fixture
and then on to other fixtures in a continuous "daisy
chain" fashion. Most fixtures have a DMX IN and a
DMX OUT connector to be used to connect the chain.
The control cable should NOT be split into a multiple
run star arrangement with a cable running from the
controller directly to each fixture.
DMX CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS
There are two different connectors which can be used
for DMX control. They are both XLR connectors.
Some units use 3 pin connectors. Others use 5 pin
connectors. The SM-280 transmits DMX from a 3 pin
female connector on the back edge of the unit. If your
fixtures use 5 pin connectors then you can make up an
adapter cable to accommodate this. The table below
shows the pin assignments.
Some fixtures use a reversed signal assignment. In
this case the DATA - and DATA + pins are reversed.
The SM-280 has a reversing switch on the back edge
to accommodate this situation.
DMX TERMINATION
A DMX chain should be terminated at the last fixture
(and ONLY the last fixture) on the chain. This is
done by installing a commonly available 1/4 Watt,
120 Ohm resistor across the DATA - and DATA +
wires at the last fixture. If you have only a few
fixtures close together and a very short run to the
controller then you may be able to operate without the
terminator.
Fixture # Channels
1 1-20
2 21-40
3 41-60
4 61-80
5 81-100
6 101-120
7 121-140
8 141-160
9 161-180
10 181-200
11 201-220
12 221-240
13 241-260
14 261-280
PIN # SIGNAL NAME
1 DMX COMMON
2 DMX DATA -
3 DMX DATA +
4 NOT USED
5 NOT USED

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
1 SCANNER / SCENES Buttons (22): Activates a
Fixture, Scene, Scene Bank, or Chase during
programming or operation.
2. Indicate which function the SCANNER / SCENES
buttons are enabled for.
3. Select which function the SCANNER / SCENES
buttons are enabled for.
4. Channel Faders (8): Sets DMX channel values.
Ch 1-8 can be adjusted when Page A is selected.
Channels 9 - 16 are adjusted using Page B.
5. Auto / Insert:
Auto: Activates Auto-Run for Scenes and chases.
Insert: Inserts a scenes and chase steps in
programming mode.
6. Delete/Music:
Delete: Deletes scenes, chase steps and chases in
program mode.
Music: Activates Music Auto-Run for scenes and
chases.
7. Copy: Copies fixture settings during setup. Copies
scenes and chase steps in program mode.
8. Setup/Group:
Setup: Activates setup operation which enables you
to control how the fixture will respond to
several controller functions.
Group: Causes up to 6 Banks of Auto-Run scenes
to run at the same time.
9. X Fine: Activates pan control for the Up/Down
buttons.
10.Y Fine: Activates tilt control for the Up/Down
buttons.
11. , 12. Up, Down: Changes channel DMX values
during manual fixture operation. Scrolls
through chase steps.
13.Fine: Switches the Pan/Tilt wheels and Up/Down
buttons between large and small DMX
increments. Enables setup of speed and
fade preset values for chase operation.
14.Memory Card: Reader/Writer for an external 4MB
memory card which can be used
to store scene and chase data.
15. LCD Display: Shows various controller status and
information depending on the
operation being performed.
Manual
Sel" Fi_sc_ba_ch
1 2 3
4
5 6 7 8
910 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18
19
20
22 23 24 25 26 27 2821

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
16. Spl Scene: Accesses one of 14 additional
scenes which are independent of
scenes in normal banks.
17. Tap / Display:
Tap: Controls the speed of Auto-Run Scenes and
chases. Push TAP several times at the rate
you want the scenes or chases to run. This is
an alternative to using the SPEED fader.
Display: Used to alter the format of some display
information items.
18. Pause: Temporarily stops Auto-Run scenes and
chases. The DMX channel levels will
hold their current setting during pause.
Push briefly to turn Pause ON or OFF.
19. Memory Select: Switches SM-280 operation
between internal memory and
the external memory card.
20. Page A/B: Controls which DMX channels are
active for the channel faders. Channels
1 - 8 are Page A. Channels 11 - 18 are
page B. Both A and B can be active at
the same time.
21. Program / Record:
Program: Switches the SM-280 into the program
mode. Hold it down for about 3 sec. to
toggle program mode ON or OFF. The
program mode indicator flashes when the
unit is in program mode.
Record: Used in program mode during recording of
scenes and chases. Also used in Setup to
record changes.
22. Speed Slider: Controls the speed of Auto-Run
scenes and chases. The range is
0.1 sec./step to 10 min./step. Also
used when assigning channel
functions in Setup mode.
23. Fade Slider: Controls the fade time of Auto-Run
scenes and chases. The range is 0
sec. to 30 sec.. Also used when
assigning channel functions in
Setup mode.
24. Power ON/OFF: Controls SM-280 main power.
25. Pan Wheel: Controls left/right operation of
fixtures when assigned.
26. Tilt Wheel: Controls up/down operation of fixtures
when assigned.
27. Fog Machine: Controls remote operation of
certain types of fog machines.
28. Black: (Blackout) Sets all DMX channels to zero
level output. A Setup procedure can be
used to prevent a fixture channel form
being affected by this function.
REAR PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS
All SM-280 external connections are made at the rear
panel. A rear panel diagram identifies the connectors.
See the sections DMX CONNECTIONS and DMX
CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS for details about
the DMX signal connections.
DO NOT APPLY AC LINE POWER TO THE FOG
MACHINE CONNECTOR. It is only for remote
control of certain compatible fog generating machines.
CHARACTER SYMBOLS IN THE DISPLAY
The controller LCD display often will show the *
(asterisk) character for a value which has not yet been
set or selected. Unless a specific example is being
given the display diagrams in this manual will show
the * character as place holders instead of the actual
characters.
INITIAL CONTROLLER SETUP
Several SM-280 functions can be modified to change
the way that a fixture responds to the controller.
1. You can rearrange fixture channel assignments.
2. You can reverse the action of the faders.
3. You can select whether or not a fixture channel is
affected by the controller fade time.
4. You can change the effect of the blackout function
for fixture channels.
The Setup Mode is used to control these functions.
ENTER SETUP MODE
1. Push Setup. The display will appear as below.
2. Push Fixture and select a fixture by pushing its
Scanner / Scene Button (1 - 14). The display
below uses fixture 1 as an example.
Setup
Select: + / –
Sel" Fixture 01
Setup: Scanner

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
From this point you use the Up and Down buttons to
scroll through the available setup options for a fixture.
You can exit Setup mode by pushing Setup again.
ASSIGN FIXTURE CHANNELS
The channel assignments within a fixture can be
assigned to other faders or the PAN or TILT wheels.
1. Enter Setup Mode and select a fixture.
2. Push Up. The display will show channel numbers
(Channel **) and corresponding controller fader
numbers (con *).
3. Use the Fade slider to scroll through the controller
fader numbers (con). The corresponding fixture
channel number will also be shown (channel). The
pan and tilt wheels are shown on the display as X
and Y respectively.
Use the Speed slider to change the fixture channel
number for the controller fader number displayed.
The example display below shows that the 3rd
channel in fixture 1 will respond to controller fader 2.
4. Push Program/Record to save the new channel
assignments. The controller indicators will flash
briefly.
REVERSE CHANNEL OPERATION
The action of the faders and PAN/TILT wheels can be
reversed. This normally used with PAN/TILT
controls but can be applied to other functions.
1. Enter Setup Mode and select a fixture.
2. Push Up or Down until the display shows as
below.
3. Use the Speed slider to scroll through the fixture
channels and use the fade slider to set the channel
to Y (yes) or N (no) reverse operation.
4. Push Program/Record to save the new setting.
The controller indicators will flash briefly.
SET CHANNEL FADE APPLICATION
You can control whether or not fade times will be
applied to a fixture channel. This is often used with
the pan and tilt channels.
1. Enter Setup Mode and select a fixture.
2. Push Up or Down until the display shows as
follows.
3. Use the Speed slider to scroll through the fixture
channels and use the Fade slider to set the channel
to Y (yes) or N (no) for fade application.
4. Push Program/Record to save the new
assignments. The controller indicators will flash
briefly.
SET CHANNEL BLACKOUT APPLICATION
Fixture channels can be set to respond to or ignore
blackout.
1. Enter Setup Mode and select a fixture.
2. Push Up or Down until the display shows as
follows.
3. Use the Speed slider to scroll through the fixture
channels and use the Fade slider to set the channel
to Y (yes) or N (no) for blackout application.
COPY FIXTURE SETTINGS
Once you have completed the setup for a fixture you
can copy those settings to another fixture. This is
useful when you have several of the same model
fixtures.
1. Enter Setup Mode and select a fixture which has
been already set up.
2. Push Copy. The display will be as shown as
follows.
Setup_Fixture **
Channel ** Con *
Setup_fixture 01
Channel 03 con 2
Setup_Fixture **
Channel ** Rev *
Setup_Fixture **
Channel ** fade*
Setup_Fixture **
Channel ** dark *
COP"Fixture **_A1
–> Fixture **_A1

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
3. Select the fixture which will receive the settings by
pushing its SCANNER/SCENES button. The
display will show that fixture on the bottom row.
4. Push Program/Record to copy the assignments.
The controller indicators will flash briefly.
5. Push Copy again to exit from the copy menu.
MANUAL FIXTURE OPERATION
When the SM-280 is turned on it is in manual mode
with Blackout invoked. The display appears as
follows:
You can select a fixture (Fi), a scene (sc), a scene
bank (ba), or a chase (ch) by using its associated
button. Only manual fixture operation is covered in
this section since you have to be able to operate a
fixture to use it for programming scenes and chases.
1. Push Fixture. The display will show as follows:
2. Push a Scanner /Scenes button to select a specific
fixture. The display will show the fixture number.
You can select multiple fixtures to be controlled
together. Make sure Blackout is OFF.
3. Use the channel faders and/or pan/tilt wheels to
run the selected fixture. The display shows the
fixture number and the DMX value of the last
fader moved.
The Up and Down buttons can also used to adjust a
channel value. The X Fine and Y Fine Buttons can be
used to switch the Up/Down controls to the Pan and
Tilt channels.
If the fixture has more than 10 channels then you will
have to use Page A/B to switch to Page B to access
channels 11 - 20.
PAN AND TILT WHEELS
The Pan and tilt wheels default to channels 9 and 10
respectively and are shown in the display as X and Y.
They can be reassigned using the Setup mode.
COARSE/FINE CONTROL
The Fine button can be used with the Pan/Tilt wheels
and Up/Down buttons to adjust the applicable channel
in large or small increments. When the indicator on
the Fine button is ON - these controls will change the
channel DMX value in larger increments.
PROGRAMMING SCENES
A scene is a recorded snapshot of all the channel
settings of one or more fixtures. The SM-280 can
record 308 scenes. The scenes are arranged in 14
banks of 22 scenes each.
ALL SCENE ADD, COPY, INSERT, AND DELETE
FUNCTIONS ARE DONE IN THE PROGRAM MODE.
Press PROGRAM for about 3 second to activate the
program mode. The PROGRAM indicator flashes
continuously when program mode is active.
ADD A SCENE TO A BANK
1. Push Bank and select a bank to store the scene by
pushing a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
2. Push Scene and select a scene to be stored by
pushing a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-22).
The display bottom row will show the bank number,
the number of scenes recorded in the bank, and the
scene you selected.
The display top row may show the last fader used and
its value.
3. Push Fixture and select a fixture by pushing a
SCANNER/SCENES button. You can select more
than one. The display will show the number of the
last fixture you select.
4. Adjust the fixture faders and/or Pan/Tilt wheels to
the desired settings as in manual fixture operation.
5. Deselect the fixture and select another one to
adjust. The first fixture will hold its settings.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until all fixtures for the
scene are included.
7. Push Program/Record to store the complete scene.
The controller indicators will flash briefly.
Manual
Sel" Fi_sc_ba_ch
Sel" Fixture **
Manual
Hand_Fixture **
Slide * Data ***
E Slide * Da ***
Ban ** Sce ** / **

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
You cannot store a scene beyond the next available
scene in a bank. For instance: If the bank has 4 scenes
in it and you try to program scene 7 then your scene
will be recorded but it will appear in scene 5.
EDIT A SCENE
You can edit the settings of one or more of the fixtures
in a scene without re-recording all the fixture settings.
This process does not apply to the last scene in the
bank. If you edit the last scene the results will be a
new scene.
The process is done in Program mode and is almost
the same as in described in ADD A SCENE TO A
BANK.When you select the scene it will activate the
fixtures in it. You can then alter the settings for a
fixture and record the scene with the changes.
INSERT A SCENE IN A BANK
This will insert a scene between two other existing
scenes in a bank.
1. Push Bank and select a bank to store the scene by
pushing a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
2. Push Scene and select the scene which will become
the new scene by pushing a SCANNER/SCENES
button (1-22). For example: If you want to insert a
scene between scenes 2 and 3 you would select
scene 3. In other words the new scene will be
inserted before existing scene 3.
3. Push Auto/Insert.
4. At this point the process is the same as for
RECORD A SCENE. Select and set up the
fixtures as desired.
5. When all fixtures are set - Push Program/Record to
store the inserted scene. The controller indicators
will flash briefly.
DELETE A SCENE
1. Push Bank and select the bank containing the scene
by pushing a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
2. Push Scene and select the scene to be deleted by
pushing a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-22).
The display will show the bank and scene number.
3. Push Delete/Music. The display will show as
follows
4. Push Program/Record to the complete the deletion.
The controller indicators will flash briefly.
COPY A SCENE
You can copy the contents of a scene to another scene
in the same or a different scene bank.
1. Push Bank and select a the bank containing the
scene to be copied using a SCANNER/SCENES
button (1-14).
2. Push Scene and select the scene to be copied to be
using a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-22).
3. Push Copy. The display will show the bank and
scene selected as follows.
4. Push Bank and select the Bank which will receive
the scene using a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-
14). The display will show as follows.
5. Push Scene and select the scene which will receive
the copy using a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-
22). The display top row will show the bank/scene
number to be copied. The bottom row will show
the bank and scene numbers where the scene will
be copied.
5. Push Program/Record. The copy will be made and
the controller indicators will flash briefly.
DELETE ALL SCENES IN A BANK
This will clear ALL the scenes in a bank.
1. Push Bank.
2. Hold down the SCANNER/SCENES button for the
bank you want to be cleared (1-14) and push
Delete/Music. The display will show the bank you
selected.
Bank_Del_Scen
Bank ** Sce **/ **
Ban ** Cop_sce
Select: Scen **
Bank_Delet
Delet –> bank **
Ban_sce_Copy
Select: Bank **
E" Ba 01 Sc **/ **
–> Ba 03 Sc **/ **

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
3. Release both of the buttons and push the
SCANNER/SCENES for the bank again.
The display will show the bank number.
4. Push Program/Record to complete the deletion.
The controller indicators will flash briefly.
COPY A BANK OF SCENES
This will copy the programmed contents of a scene
bank to another bank. If the bank receiving the scenes
has more programmed scenes than the bank being
copied from then those scenes will be retained.
1. Push Bank.
2. Hold down the SCANNER/SCENES button (1 -
14) for the bank to be copied FROM and push
Copy. Then release both buttons.
3. Push the SCANNER/SCENES button for the bank
(1 - 14) which will be copied TO. The display will
show both the FROM and TO banks.
4. Push Program/Record to complete the copy. The
controller indicators will flash briefly.
PROGRAMMING CHASES
The SM-280 contains 14 user programmable chases.
Each chase may include up to 255 steps.
EACH CHASE STEP CONSISTS OF A SCENE
WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN RECORDED.
A chase step can use any scene in any bank. Any
scene can be used in multiple chase steps and in
multiple chases.
ALL CHASE ADD, COPY, INSERT, AND DELETE
FUNCTIONS ARE DONE IN THE PROGRAM MODE.
Hold down Program/Record for about 3 seconds to
activate the program mode. The Program indicator
flashes continuously when program mode is active.
ADD A STEP TO A CHASE
This will add a scene at the end of a chase.
1. Push Chase.
2. Select a chase using a SCANNER/SCENES
button (1-14). The display top row will show the
chase number, the number of steps in the chase
and 000 for the current step.
3. Push Up. The display will show the bank number
(b), the scene number (s), the period or step time
(p), and the fade time (f) for the first step.
You can use Up/Down to scroll thru the existing steps.
4. Push Bank and select the bank number containing
the scene to be used for the new step by pushing a
SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
5. Push Scene and select the scene number to be used
for the new step by pushing a SCANNER/SCENES
button (1-22).
6. Push Program/Record. The scene will be added at
the end of the chase, The display will update and
the controller indicators will flash briefly.
7. Push Fine and use the Speed slider and/or Fade
slider to set the period and fade times.
8. Push Program/Record. The values will be recorded
and the controller indicators will flash briefly.
INSERT A STEP IN A CHASE
This is similar to adding a scene to a chase but the
scene will be inserted at a specific step and the
remaining steps will be pushed forward.
1. Push Chase.
2. Select a chase using a SCANNER/SCENES
button (1-14). The display top row will show the
chase number, number of steps in the chase, and
the current step.
3. Push Up and or Down to scroll to the step where
the scene will be inserted. The display will show
the bank number (b), the scene number (s), the
period or step time (p), and the fade time (f) of the
Bank_Copy
Ban ** –> Ban **
E"cha <**> ***/ ***
ViewStep? + ^ –
E"cha <**> ***/ ***
b ** s** p**** f ****
E"cha<**> ***/ ***
Viewstep? + ^ –

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
chase steps. The scene will be inserted in front of
(before) the step you select.
4. Push Bank and select the bank containing the
scene to be used for the new step by pushing a
SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
5. Push Scene and select the scene for the new chase
step using a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-22).
6. Push Auto/Insert. The display bottom row will
show the bank and scene you have selected.
7. Push Program/Record. The scene will be inserted,
the display will update, and the controller
indicators will flash briefly.
DELETE A STEP IN A CHASE
This will remove a step from a chase. Steps following
the deleted step will close gap.
1. Push Chase.
2. Select a chase using a SCANNER/SCENES button
(1-14). The display top row will show the chase
number, the number of steps in the chase and 000
for the current step.
3. Push Up and or Down to scroll to the step which
will be deleted.
4. Push Delete/Music. The display bottom row will
show the step you have selected.
5. Push Program/Record. The step will be deleted,
The display will update, and the controller
indicators will flash briefly.
DELETE ALL STEPS IN A CHASE
This will clear the complete contents of a chase.
1. Push Chase.
2. Hold down the SCANNER/SCENES button for the
chase to be cleared (1-14) and push Delete/Music.
Release both buttons.
3. Push the SCANNER/SCENES button for the chase
again. The display will show the chase you
selected.
4. Push Program/Record. The chase will be cleared,
and the controller indicators will flash briefly.
COPY A SCENE BANK TO A CHASE
This will copy the contents of any scene bank into a
chase.
1. Push Chase and select a chase by pushing a
SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
2. Push Copy and select the bank to be copied by
pushing a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
The display top row will show the selected chase, the
existing steps in the chase and the current step
number. The bottom row will show the scene bank
you selected. If the chase already contains steps then
the contents of the bank will be copied to the end of
the chase.
3. Push Program/Record. The bank will be copied
and the controller indicators will flash briefly.
COPY A CHASE
This will copy the contents of a chase to another one .
1. Push Chase.
2. Hold down the SCANNER/SCENES button for the
chase which will be copied (1-14) and push Copy.
3. Push the SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14) for
the chase which will receive the copy. The
display will show both chase numbers as follows.
4. Push Program/Record. The chase will be copied
and the controller indicators will flash briefly.
MANUAL SCENE OPERATION
You can manually activate a scene (1-22) in any bank
(1-14). Make sure that Blackout is OFF
1. Push Bank and select the bank containing the scene
you want to activate using a SCANNER/SCENES
button (1-14).
Chase_Delet
Delet _ Chase **
Chase_Copy
Cha ** –> Cha **
E" cha <**> ***/ ***
Copy _ Bank **

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SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
2. Push Scene. The SCANNER/SCENES button
indicators will show which scenes have been
programmed.
3. Push a SCANNER/SCENES button (1-22) to
activate a programmed scene. Its indicator will
flash continuously when the scene is active. The
display bottom row will show the selected bank,
the number of programmed scenes in the bank and
the currently active scene. The following example
display shows than bank 1 has 6 programmed
scenes and scene 2 is active.
MANUAL CHASE OPERATION
You can manually operate any chase (1-14) if it has
been programmed. This enables you to activate
(scroll through) the steps manually. Make sure that
Blackout is OFF.
1. Push Chase and select the desired chase using a
SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14).
The display top row will show the chase number, the
total number of steps in the chase, and the current
step number. The following example display shows
that chase 2 has been selected and it has 15 steps.
It also shows the current step number which is 000
since you have not yet activated a step.
2. Use Up and/or Down to activate the chase
steps.
The display bottom row will show details for the
current step. They include the bank number (b*), the
scene number (s**), and the preset speed (p****) and
fade time (f****).
AUTO RUN SCENE BANKS
The SM-280 can automatically cycle through the
contents of one or more scene banks at a user selected
speed and fade time. Multiple banks will run in the
order they are selected.
1. Push Auto/Insert.
2. Push Bank and select a bank (1-14) using a
SCANNER/SCENES button. You can select more
than one. The bank(s) will begin cycling. The
speed and fade time are dependent on the setting
of the Speed and Fade sliders.
The display will show detailed information for the
running banks and scenes.
You can combine the Auto-Run operation of up to 6
scene banks so that they will run at the same time by
pushing SETUP GROUP when multiple banks are
running. This is useful when one bank uses only some
of the fixtures and another bank uses different ones.
AUTO RUN CHASES
The SM-280 can automatically run one or more
chases at a user controlled speed and fade time.
Multiple chases will run in the order they are selected.
1. Push Auto/Insert.
2. Push Chase and select a chase to run by pushing a
SCANNER/SCENES button (1-14). The chase
will activate. The display will show the detailed
information for the chase including the total
number of steps in the chase, the current step
number, and the speed and fade time.
When the Speed and Fade sliders are positioned at the
bottom the chases will run at the preset speed and fade
time. You can adjust the speed and fade time using
these sliders. The speed range is from 0.1 sec./step to
10 min./step. The fade range is from 0 sec. to 30 sec..
You can also control the speed with the Tap/Display
while a chase is running. Push Tap/Display twice.
The interval between the taps will set the speed.
You can combine the Auto-Run operation of up to 6
chases so that they will run at the same time by
pushing SETUP GROUP when multiple chases are
running. This is useful when one bank uses only some
of the fixtures and another bank uses different ones.
M" Slide * da ***
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f **** St" ** / **
p **** Ar" Chas **

OWNERS MANUAL Page 11 of 12
SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER Version 20080324
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757 486 3588
MUSIC AUTO RUN SCENE BANKS OR CHASES
The SM-280 contains an internal microphone which
can be used to synchronize bank or chase Auto Run
with music playing near by.
1. Push Delete/Music.
2. Activate Auto Run for a bank or chase.
As an alternative you can start the bank or chase first
and them push Delete/Music to switch to music sync.
Pushing Delete/Music while music Auto Run is active
will stop Auto Run.
SPECIAL SCENES
The SM-280 has 14 additional scenes which can be
programmed and accessed using the SPL Scene button
You can program them like a scene in a bank. The
display prompts for the scene numbers when Spl
Scene is in use.
MIDI OPERATION
The MIDI Channel assignment for the SM-280 can be
assigned in the Setup mode.
1. Push Setup. The display will appear as below.
2. Use the Up and Down buttons to scroll through the
setup options until the display shows as follows:
3. Use the speed slider to select a MIDI channel.
4. Push Program/Record to save the new assignment.
The controller indicators will flash briefly.
5. Push Setup to exit from the setup mode.
EXTERNAL MEMORY CARD
The SM-280 is supplied with a 4 MB external
memory card which can be used to automatically
record scene and chase program data. When a card is
installed, the Memory Select button can switch the
controller between its internal memory or the external
card. Controller/Fixture initial setup data is always
from internal memory.
External memory card operation is active when the
RED indicator on the Memory Select button is ON.
The card is a special purpose device intended ONLY
for use with the SM-280 controller. It cannot be used
with other devices.
If you install and activate the card when programming
scenes and chases then that information will be saved
to the card. If the card is active when you operate the
unit then the scene and chase data will come from the
card instead of the internal memory.
FOG MACHINE CONTROL
The rear panel of the SM-280 has a IEC connector for
remote control of certain fog machines. It looks like
a computer power cable connector.
DO NOT PLUG THIS CONNECTOR INTO A POWER
SOCKET OR APPLY AC LINE POWER TO IT.
The controller will be damaged if this is done.
If properly connected to a compatible fog machine
then the indicator on the controller FOG MACHINE
button will light when the fog machine is ready to use.
The FOG MACHINE button can be used to activate
the machine.
Setup
Select: + / –
Setup: midi_ch
midi_ch **

All products are warranted for a period of TWO YEARS from the date of
purchase against defects in materials and workmanship.
This warranty is subject to the following restrictions and conditions:
A) If service is required, you may be asked to provide proof of purchase from an authorized
Lightronics dealer.
B) This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser of the unit.
C) This warranty does not apply to damage resulting from abuse, misuse, accidents, shipping,
and repairs or modifications by anyone other than an authorized Lightronics service
representative.
D) This warranty is void if the serial number is removed, altered or defaced.
E) This warranty does not cover loss or damage, direct or indirect arising from the use or
inability to use this product.
F) Lightronics reserves the right to make any changes, modifications, or updates as deemed
appropriate by Lightronics to products returned for service. Such changes may be made
without prior notification to the user and without incurring any responsibility or liability for
modifications or changes to equipment previously supplied. Lightronics is not responsible
for supplying new equipment in accordance with any earlier specifications.
G)This warranty is the only warranty either expressed, implied, or statutory, upon which the
equipment is purchased. No representatives, dealers or any of their agents are authorized
to make any warranties, guarantees, or representations other than expressly stated herein.
H) This warranty does not cover the cost of shipping products to or from Lightronics for
service.
I) Lightronics Inc. reserves the right to make changes as deemed necessary to this warranty
without prior notification.
W
ARRANT
Y
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454 20080205