Martin Mx series User manual

© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx Series
User Manual

©2010 Martin Professional A/S. Information subject to change without notice. Martin Professional A/S and all affiliated
companies disclaim liability for any injury, damage, direct or indirect loss, consequential or economic loss or any other loss
occasioned by the use of, inability to use or reliance on the information contained in this manual. The Martin logo, the Martin
name and all other trademarks in this document pertaining to services or products by Martin Professional A/S or its affiliates and
subsidiaries are trademarks owned or licensed by Martin Professional A/S or its affiliates or subsidiaries.

I© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Table of Contents
......................................................................................1
Introduction
................................................................................................................................... 3Help and Support
................................................................................................................................... 5Text Conventions
......................................................................................6
Getting Started
................................................................................................................................... 7General Concepts
................................................................................................................................... 10Turn it on!
......................................................................................12
Patch
................................................................................................................................... 13Adding Fixtures to the Patch
.......................................................................................................................................................... 13Accessing the Patch Screen
.......................................................................................................................................................... 15Patching Fixtures Using the Tasks Menu
......................................................................................................................................................... 15The Fixture Library
......................................................................................................................................................... 15Auto Patch
......................................................................................................................................................... 17Patch Wizard
................................................................................................................................... 19Patching Fixtures Using the Command Line
.......................................................................................................................................................... 21Fixture Numbering
.......................................................................................................................................................... 22Assigning DMX Addresses
.......................................................................................................................................................... 23Patching an Individual Fixture
.......................................................................................................................................................... 24Patching a Range of Fixtures
.......................................................................................................................................................... 24Patching Conventional Dimmers
.......................................................................................................................................................... 25Patching Multiple DMX Addresses to One Fixture
.......................................................................................................................................................... 26Adding DMX Addresses to a Previously Patched Fixture or Channel
.......................................................................................................................................................... 26Patching Multi-Part Fixtures
................................................................................................................................... 28Other Patch Functions
.......................................................................................................................................................... 28Pan/Tilt Swap and Invert
.......................................................................................................................................................... 28Labeling Fixtures
.......................................................................................................................................................... 29Cloning Fixtures
................................................................................................................................... 31Other Patch Screen Controls
.......................................................................................................................................................... 31Sorting the Patch
.......................................................................................................................................................... 31Patch Universe View
.......................................................................................................................................................... 32Patch Window Tabs
......................................................................................33
Selecting Fixtures
................................................................................................................................... 34The Fixtures Screen
................................................................................................................................... 35Using The Keypad
................................................................................................................................... 37Using the Selected Fixtures Screen
................................................................................................................................... 38Conditional Fixture Selection
......................................................................................40
Manipulating Fixtures
................................................................................................................................... 41Programmer Control
................................................................................................................................... 43Fixture Parameter Screen
................................................................................................................................... 47Fixture Fanning
................................................................................................................................... 55Undo
................................................................................................................................... 56Common Parameters
......................................................................................59
Groups
................................................................................................................................... 60Recording Groups

II © 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
................................................................................................................................... 61Using the Grouping ToolsScreen
.......................................................................................................................................................... 61Mask Options
.......................................................................................................................................................... 67Fan Masks
.......................................................................................................................................................... 71Storing Fixture Selection Masks
................................................................................................................................... 73GroupsExample
................................................................................................................................... 74Moving and Copying Groups
................................................................................................................................... 77Editing Groups
................................................................................................................................... 78Selecting groups
......................................................................................79
Presets
................................................................................................................................... 80The Preset Screen
................................................................................................................................... 82Selecting Presets
................................................................................................................................... 83Recording Presets
................................................................................................................................... 85Editing Presets
................................................................................................................................... 87Moving and Copying Presets
................................................................................................................................... 88Default Preset
................................................................................................................................... 90Highlight Presets
......................................................................................91
The Programmer
................................................................................................................................... 92The Programmer Screen
................................................................................................................................... 95Programmer Modes
................................................................................................................................... 96Loading the Programmer
................................................................................................................................... 105Clearing the Programmer
......................................................................................108
Recording Cues
................................................................................................................................... 109Recording a Simple Cue
................................................................................................................................... 110The Record Options Window
................................................................................................................................... 114Recording a Range of Cues
......................................................................................115
Modifying Cues
................................................................................................................................... 116Re-Recording a Cue
................................................................................................................................... 117Editing a Cue
................................................................................................................................... 118Deleting a Cue
................................................................................................................................... 119Copying a Cue
................................................................................................................................... 121Moving a Cue
................................................................................................................................... 124Renumbering Cues
................................................................................................................................... 125Updating Cues
................................................................................................................................... 131Cue Macros
.......................................................................................................................................................... 134Deleting or Editing Macros
.......................................................................................................................................................... 134MIDI Macro
......................................................................................140
Creating Cuelists
................................................................................................................................... 141Example: Creating a Cuelist
................................................................................................................................... 142The Selected Cuelist Screen
................................................................................................................................... 145Setting Cue Timing
................................................................................................................................... 154Cuelist Options
................................................................................................................................... 157General Options
................................................................................................................................... 160Function Assignments

III © 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
................................................................................................................................... 164Cuelist Info
................................................................................................................................... 165Auto Mark
................................................................................................................................... 168Cuelist Modes
......................................................................................176
Executing Cuelists
................................................................................................................................... 177Playback Controls
................................................................................................................................... 179The “Main Go” Buttons
................................................................................................................................... 180Playback Command
................................................................................................................................... 181Master Faders
................................................................................................................................... 182Playback Pages (Banks)
................................................................................................................................... 183Selecting a Cuelist
................................................................................................................................... 184Releasing Cuelists
................................................................................................................................... 185Changing Global Cue Timing
................................................................................................................................... 187Moving, Copying, and Deleting Cuelistson Playback Controls
................................................................................................................................... 188Cuelist Directory
................................................................................................................................... 193Playback Buttons
................................................................................................................................... 195Active Cuelists Screen
......................................................................................196
Effects
................................................................................................................................... 197Effects Controls
................................................................................................................................... 207FX Link
................................................................................................................................... 209Effect Macros
......................................................................................210
Displays and Views
................................................................................................................................... 211View Menu
......................................................................................216
Advanced Controls
................................................................................................................................... 217Programmable Buttons
......................................................................................219
Menu
................................................................................................................................... 221Appearance
.......................................................................................................................................................... 221Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 221General
......................................................................................................................................................... 223Screen(s)
......................................................................................................................................................... 223Advanced
.......................................................................................................................................................... 224Load/Save
.......................................................................................................................................................... 225Themes
.......................................................................................................................................................... 225Language
................................................................................................................................... 226Show
.......................................................................................................................................................... 226Patch
.......................................................................................................................................................... 227General Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 227Parameter Groups
......................................................................................................................................................... 228Startup
......................................................................................................................................................... 228Console Lock
......................................................................................................................................................... 230Advanced
.......................................................................................................................................................... 231Cue Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 231Cue Fade Times
......................................................................................................................................................... 232Playback
......................................................................................................................................................... 233Mark Cue
......................................................................................................................................................... 234TapSync
.......................................................................................................................................................... 235Load/Save
.......................................................................................................................................................... 237Statistics

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Mx-Series Controller Manual
................................................................................................................................... 238Network
.......................................................................................................................................................... 238Settings
.......................................................................................................................................................... 240Artnet
......................................................................................................................................................... 240Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 241Devices
.......................................................................................................................................................... 243CITP Thumbs
.......................................................................................................................................................... 243MAXRemote
................................................................................................................................... 245System
.......................................................................................................................................................... 246About
......................................................................................................................................................... 246License info...
.......................................................................................................................................................... 248DMX Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 248Routing
......................................................................................................................................................... 249USB2DMX
......................................................................................................................................................... 250Artnet Devices
......................................................................................................................................................... 251Timings
.......................................................................................................................................................... 251DMX In
......................................................................................................................................................... 252Routing
......................................................................................................................................................... 252Mergers
......................................................................................................................................................... 253Remote
......................................................................................................................................................... 256Playback Control
.......................................................................................................................................................... 256IO Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 257MIDI
......................................................................................................................................... 257MIDI Show Control (MSC)
......................................................................................................................................................... 258Timecode
......................................................................................................................................................... 259RDM
.......................................................................................................................................................... 259Tools
......................................................................................................................................................... 259Date and Time
......................................................................................................................................................... 260Maintenance
......................................................................................................................................................... 261Recovery
......................................................................................................................................................... 262Diagnostic
......................................................................................264
Commandline Reference
................................................................................................................................... 264Overview
................................................................................................................................... 265Status
................................................................................................................................... 268Keypad
................................................................................................................................... 270Selection
................................................................................................................................... 271Grouping
................................................................................................................................... 273Conditional Fixture Selection
................................................................................................................................... 274Intensity Commands
................................................................................................................................... 275Parameter Commands
................................................................................................................................... 276Playback Select
................................................................................................................................... 277Record
................................................................................................................................... 278Edit
................................................................................................................................... 279Update
................................................................................................................................... 280Copy
................................................................................................................................... 281Move
................................................................................................................................... 282Delete
................................................................................................................................... 283Clear
................................................................................................................................... 284Load
................................................................................................................................... 285Cue
................................................................................................................................... 286Fade and Delay
................................................................................................................................... 287Bank
................................................................................................................................... 288Cuelist Edit

V© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
................................................................................................................................... 290Cuelist Renumber
................................................................................................................................... 291Patch
.......................................................................................................................................................... 291Commandline
.......................................................................................................................................................... 292Wizards
.......................................................................................................................................................... 294Fixture Cloning
......................................................................................295
Appendix
................................................................................................................................... 295Martin One-Key
................................................................................................................................... 297Shortcuts

1© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Introduction
Welcome to our world!
Thank you very much for choosing the Mx-Series control platform.
This is a system designed with and by real users with extensive experience in lighting control systems.
Martin Professional strives to provide a stable and efficient programming platform that is fast to program and
fun to operate.
We sincerely hope you enjoy working with the software and hardware we have designed for you!
Who reads this manual?
If you've used other top-level professional lighting desks, then you know that the reference manual is not
something you sit down and read; it is simply too dense and technical to absorb. By its nature, a reference
manual is intended to be referenced rather than read. If you work professionally in the lighting business,
the chances are high that you've used a lighting desk before and that you have a general understanding of
the related concepts. So all you really need to do is ask the manual questions like, "How do I record a
cue?" or "How do I fan timing values?" or "How do I store a custom highlight preset?" or "Where is the suck
knob? I need to turn it down."
The problem is that the manual assumes prior knowledge of lighting desks and their associated language.
If you are a beginner, you are lost. Where do you start? Why doesn't it just work? What is swing? What is
marking? What is my name?
During every stage of development, the creators of the Mx-Series platform have endeavored (and continue) to
present the user with a simple and clean control environment. While staggeringly complex programming is
possible, even easy to achieve on the desk, the beginning user is not encumbered with endless options and
confusing language.

2© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual

3© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Help and Support
Martin Professional operates a complete network of support services around the world.
Experts in programming and operating any of Martin Professional's control system can be found in any
timezone and every continent.
Contact by phone
For emergencies contact the support hotline which will direct the call to the appropriate resource.
Martin 24-hour Service Hotline
International [phone]
United States [phone]
Contact by email
All control system related emails should be send to [e-mail]
Fixture Type Requests
The Mx-Series contains a extensive fixture library. However new fixtures are introduced to the market at a
rapid pace and a specific fixture may not be available in the fixture library yet.
Fixture requests can be made on the support page www.martin.com/controllersupport.
A fixture may already have been created and included in the library update package. An index of all fixture
types can be found on the support page and it is recommended to check it before filling out the request
form.
Once a fixture update is received follow the instructions how to install it on the system.
Controller Support website
Up to date software, manuals and training documentation is available at
www.martin.com/controllersupport
User Forums
The forums are a helpful resource to communicate with other users around the world. Many questions may
already be answered in the forums and it is a great way to interact with other programmers and users.
www.martin.com

4© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual

5© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Text Conventions
The following styles are used throughout this manual:
Menu Text
Software menu text
Button or Number
Physical button located on the console front panel
<Button or
Number>
Optional button press.
[ So ft Butto n... ]
Touch screen soft button

6© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Getting Started

7© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
General Concepts
If you are an experienced programmer this chapter will give a quick overview of how the Mx-Series "thinks".
If you are a beginner, this chapter will give a useful overview of general terminology and concepts used
throughout the manual. Don't get intimidated by all the new terms and names, they will all make perfect
once you start using the software.
Fixtures and Dimmers
The Mx-Series does not separate fixtures and dimmers. A dimmer is simply a single parameter fixture.
A show file can only contain a unique fixture ID once. There is only one fixture "25" in the show. The lack of
distinction between dimmers and fixtures and not having to switch between fixture types with identical ID
numbers makes fixture selection a breeze and eliminates many button presses found on other lighting
consoles.
The Command Line
The software utilizes a logically structured command line syntax that orientates itself along established
industry standards. Once the general idea of the command structure is understood many commands will
come easily to the user as they are modeled along the communication between a lighting designer and a
programmer.
"Bring fixture 25 at 80%" is exactly that in the Mx-Series command line: 25 @ 80 [Enter].
This system is based on a Source @ Target "Enter" based command structure that feels natural and is
easily learned.
To get an immediate overview jump directly to the Commandline Reference
Programmer and Fixture Parameters
Like other lighting consoles the Mx-Series uses a programmer window that functions as a toolbox to create
and edit fixture parameters.
The programmer has the highest priority over fixture parameter values, unless it is set into the available
Preview mode. Values can be brought into the programmer utilizing the LOAD command and removed from
the programmer using the CLEAR command. Many smart shortcut exists to manage the programmer
contents fast and efficiently.
By using the Live Time functionality the programmer window can be used as an extension of the playback
system allowing elegant modifications of programmed cues on the fly.
Fixtures are modified using an advanced graphical representation of its parameters using the CV or
"Channel View" window. Any functionality supported by a specific fixture type is laid out logically in front of
the user and all parameters and options are right at the touch of a button.
Presets
Presets (also known as palettes or focus groups) are the essential building block for fast programming as
well as efficient editing of cues. Presets are divided into functional parameter groups like "Color" or "Gobo"
to break fixtures into their logical parts.
Presets can contain fixture values, timing values and effects values. All of these are referenced into a cue so
that updating the preset will change the resulting playback wherever it was used, making adjustments easy
to accomplish. Presets are either specific to a parameter group or contain as many parameters as desired
by the user.
Many experienced programmers spend almost the same amount of time creating their presets as
programming actual cues. Think of Presets as the many different colors and shapes of Lego blocks that
allow fast assembly once all the parts are in place.

8© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Cues and Cue Lists
The desired "look" created in the Programmer window is stored in a cue. Cues can contain as many or as
little amount of parameter, timing and effect values as desired.
Multiple cues from various cue lists all can be running at the same time, allowing creative control for
unstructured shows as easily as complex and intricately timed playback of structured cue lists like the
ones found in a theatrical play.
This software by default operates a cue list with tracked values, meaning only changes are programmed in
cues and the output of a cue is the summary of all values combined from previous cues in the same cue
list.
Cues can be stored and recalled in various modes, for example submasters, inhibitive faders, chases and a
dedicated timecode option.
Effects
The Mx-Series handles effects as an extension of the fixture parameters. Every parameter has its on
individual FX section to modulate its values.
Effects values can be stored without an associated parameter value which allows flexible on the fly
adjustment and mixing of effects as well as complex effects speed and size control when working inside a
cue list. Effects can be stored and recalled from a dedicated FX directory.
Playback
A large amount of options and button as well as fader functions are available in the playback system.
Playbacks are available on physical buttons as well as a onscreen button directory to provide fast access to
hundreds of cue lists at the same time.
The Mx-Series allows flexible playback and is adaptable for many styles of shows. With the available
modular hardware system the surface of the console can be customized unlike an other lighting controller in
the market.

9© 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual

10 © 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Turn it on!
Start the system either by powering on the console or starting the M-PC software.
A logo screen shows the boot process until the Load Show screen is displayed:
Create new show
This will create a new empty show file. Enter the desired name into the field and confirm. Use the icon to
the right of the entry field to launch the onscreen keyboard.
Once the system is started up it will present itself with the default set of screen views and view #1 selected.
Load a show
Use this option to load an existing show from the hard drive or a USB memory stick. Browse to the desired
file and open it.

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Mx-Series Controller Manual
Continue with current show
The show that was loaded into the system before it was shut down can simply be restarted. Any changes
up to the shutting down are included in this option.
Normally this is the option used most, as it is also the fastest way to start the console.

12 © 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Patch
In the ancient days of early stage lighting it was often necessary to physically connect cables from the
control system to the dimmers and then from the dimmers to the circuits. These "patch" cables are the
physical representation of what we call "patching" in a modern computerized lighting console. For more info
on the history of patching, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimmer#Patching .
When you add a fixture to the show, you must tell the console what dmx line it is plugged into and what
digital address it will respond to. Otherwise, the console has no way of knowing where to send the data.

13 © 2010 Martin Professional A/S
Mx-Series Controller Manual
Adding Fixtures to the Patch
When starting a new show, the first thing you need to do is enter the patch. The Mx-Series console provides
both commandline and convenient onscreen tools to accomplish this.
For the tutorial, we’ll only be using the onscreen tools on the Programmer touch screen.
Accessing the Patch Screen
To access the patch, press the Menu hard button located at the top center of the console directly above “B”
submaster. This will bring up the following screen:
The Main Menu Screen
From here, select the “Edit patch...” soft button using either the trackball or by pressing the touch
screen. This will display the main patch screen:
The Patch Screen