NSI MC 6300 User manual

MC 6300
MEMORY LIGHTING CONTROLLER
Software Revision 1.00 and above
OPERATION MANUAL

MC 6300
MEMORY LIGHTING CONTROLLER
OPERATION MANUAL
Software Revision 1.0 and above
Document Revised: 2/2/96
Copyright 1996
NSI CORPORATION
Wilsonville, OR

Table of Contents
Introduction
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Installation\Setup
Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Dimmer Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Micro-Plex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DMX 512 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Overview
Front Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Operation Guide
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Memory Scenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chase Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cue Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Audio Sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Modify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Pile On Scenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Channel Bump Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Programming Guide
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Programming Memory Scenes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Programming Chases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Programming the Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Configuration Guide
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Configuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
MC 6300
Software Revision 1.00 and above

MIDI
Console Operation With MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Console Recording and Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
MIDI Implementation
Commands Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Note Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Control Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Program Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Specifications
Console Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Trouble Shooting
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Reset and Memory Clear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Warranty
NSI Corporation Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
MC 6300
Software Revision 1.00 and above
NSI CORPORATION 1

MC 6300
Software Revision 1.00 and above

1Introduction
Welcome
You are entering a new era of microprocessor controlled stage lighting technology. The
powerful NSI Micro-Plex designs involve the electrical marriage of microprocessor technology
and digitally controlled multiplexing. The result is a control package with the flexibility for
a variety of innovative applications.
The NSI MC 6300 Series Lighting Console features an advanced microprocessor based design
containing many benefits found in today’s personal computers. This technology provides for
the option of adding programmable Memory Scene Masters and Chase effects to the simplicity
of a familiar two scene console.
The NSI MC 6300 Series Lighting Console represents our continuing commitment of leading
the industry in defining technological advances for stage lighting.
Welcome to the era of microprocessor controlled stage lighting!
MC 6300
Introduction
Software Revision 1.00 and above Welcome
NSI CORPORATION 1

2Installation\Setup
Power
Supply The MC 6300 requires 12-15VDC to operate. This voltage can be either supplied by the
dimmer packs when using NSI dimmers through the Micro-Plex cable or by using an external
power supply connected to the power input jack when using non-NSI dimmers or the DMX
512 interface (power supply is provided with the DMX 512 option).
Micro-Plex runs of over 100 ft may require the use of the power supply. Micro-Plex and
the power supply may be used simultaneously.
Connect the power supply to the DC power connector on the back of the MC 6300 and
connect the other end to an 120V AC outlet. The console has no power switch.
Dimmer
Connection The MC 6300 consoles come standard from the factory with two Micro-Plex (3 pin XLR
connectors) outputs. DMX 512 (5 pin XLR connector) dimmer control is optional .
Micro-Plex Connecting the MC 6300 to NSI dimming systems is very simple. You need only connect
a single 3 conductor audio cable (standard microphone cable with 3-pin XLR connectors) or
equivalent shielded cable to the Micro-Plex output jack on the back of the console. The
other end of the cable is then connected to the first NSI dimmer pack. Another 3 conductor
cable is used to connect the first dimmer pack to the second dimmer pack. Additional NSI
dimmer packs may be connected in the same manner.
NOTE: Minimum 20 gauge high quality shielded cable is recommended in the run
between the console and the dimmers to prevent interference and dimmer flickering
caused by noise. 18 gauge cable is recommended in runs over 100ft.
DMX 512 DMX 512 is a digital signal that provides the highest speed, precision, and noise immunity.
Rules for connecting DMX 512 are more stringent:
•Use cable that is specified as RS-485 or RS-422 compatible (1 or 2 twisted pair w/
shield) and use largest gauge available (22 - 18 gauge is good for long runs of 1000ft).
•Daisy chain the cable only (no star or home runs) and terminate the end of the cable
with a 120 ohm resistor. (See dimmer manual for proper terminating practice).
Connect the cable from the dimmers to the marked connector on the rear of the console.
Configurati
on The first time the MC 6300 is used, the configuration parameters may need to be set, otherwise
the unit may appear to be operating improperly. Please see the chapter, Configuration Guide,
in this manual for further details.
Fig. 1 Dimmer Output Connectors
Installation\Setup
MC 6300
Power Supply Software Revision 1.00 and above
2NSI CORPORATION

3Overview
Front
Panel
1. Channel Level Slide
Controls The Channel Level Slide Controls are used to vary the output levels of the 16 individual control channels. These levels can be used in programming memory scenes or chase steps.
They can also be used to directly control the channel’s output to stage.
2. Master Level Overall light intensity to the stage is controlled by the Master Level slide control. While
the Master Level is usually kept in the maximum position (fully up), all light levels, except
those from the channel bump buttons, can be increased or decreased proportionally by adjusting
this slide control. It should be noted that the Master Level control only affects the output
levels and has no effect on the LED channel level indicators.
3. Audio
The Audio slide control adjusts the input sensitivity of the audio circuitry. Adjust the audio
sensitivity by starting this slide control at minimum and increasing until the desired effects
have been achieved.
4. Chase Rate The Chase Rate slide control adjusts the step rate of the chase effect. The step rate is
indicated by the red LED located directly below the Chase Rate slide control. This LED
will flash every time the chase is sequenced.
5. Fade Rate The MC 6300 has an autofader to provide automatic dipless crossfades from one scene to
another. The Fade Rate slide control determines the speed at which the fate will occur. The
fade will happen instantly when this control is in the fully down position and causes increasingly
slower fades as the control is raised.
MC 6300
Overview
Software Revision 1.00 and above Front Panel
NSI CORPORATION 3

6. Stack A Stack crossfade slide control is provided to allow manual crossfades between Stack steps
to be performed by the operator. The Stack allows memory scenes to executed sequentially.
7. Channel Output
LED’s The 16 LED’s above the channel sliders are variable in intensity and give a relative indication of the current output level of that channel.
8. Channel Bumps Channel Bump buttons allow individual channels to change quickly to full intensity.
9. Toggle Activating the Toggle function will cause the Channel Bump buttons to toggle on or off with
each press.
10. Page The MC 6300 memory scenes are structured into 16 pages. Each page contains 8 memory
scenes that can be accessed with the 8 scene select buttons. Pages are selected by using the
Page button. Each tap of the Page button sequences to the next page. The active page is
indicated on the LCD display. While holding the Page button down, the Next and Previous
buttons can be used to increment or decrement the page.
11. Program The Program button is used to program Memory Scenes, the Stack, Chases and Audio trigger
effects. Simply press the Program button followed by the function desired to initiate
programming.
12. Pile Pile allows scenes to be brought up on top of each other. This feature can be used as many
times as wished, so to allow as may scenes to be piled on as desired.
13. Modify Lighting channels can be controlled individually on stage by activating the Modify function.
14. Snapshot Go The Snapshot Go button can be used to create scenes on the fly. When the Go button is
pressed, a snapshot of the channel slide controls is placed into an autofader and faded to at
the current fade rate.
15. Snapshot Clear The Snapshot Clear button is used to blackout the Snapshot at the current fade rate.
16. Blind The Blind button allows previewing and programming of memory without affecting the stage
levels.
17. Blackout Pressing the Blackout button will cause one of two things to happen. If a chase is active,
tapping Blackout will cause the chase to fade out at the current autofade rate. If no chase
is active, or has just been deactivated, a tap of the Blackout button will cause all stage levels
to fade out at the current autofade rate.
18. Configuration Changes to the MC 6300 configuration modes are initiated with the Configuration button.
Configuration modes include such things as number of dimmers output and softpatch.
19. LCD display The LCD display is located at the center of the console’s front panel. When no special
functions are active, this display shows the current memory page number, active chase number,
chase rate, fade rate, current stack step and next stack step.
20. Select The Select button is used to Select an item for modification on the LCD display during
configuration or Stack programming. The item is selected if it is underlined.
21. Next The Next button will increment the stack step if no special function is selected. If the console
is in Configuration mode, the Next button is used to sequence through various modes or to
modify an item.
22. Previous The Previous button will decrement the stack step if no special function is selected. If the
console is in Configuration mode, the Previous button is used to sequence through various
modes or to modify an item.
NOTE: Touch
Sensitive Buttons All of the buttons on the MC 6300 that initiate or deactivate scenes operate such that tapping the button will cause fading to occur at the current fade rate determined by the Fade Rate
slide control. Pressing and holding the button will override the fade control and cause an
instant fade.
Overview
MC 6300
Front Panel Software Revision 1.00 and above
4NSI CORPORATION

Rear
Panel
1. Power In If the console is not being used with NSI dimmers operating with Micro-Plex., the Power In
connector provides for connection to a power supply that is appropriate for the country that
the console is used in. (See dealer for information on proper supply)
2. Micro-Plex Outputs These 2 outputs provide NSI’s microphone dimmer connection via a 3 pin XLR type connector.
3. DMX 512 This optional output provides control information to dimmers or devices using this protocol.
It’s 5 pin XLR connector conforms to the USITT standard.
4. MIDI In/Out/Thru These connectors are for connecting to a MIDI sequencer or disk drive.
5. Audio input This phono jack will accept audio signals for controlling some console functions.
MC 6300
Overview
Software Revision 1.00 and above Rear Panel
NSI CORPORATION 5

4Operation Guide
General The MC 6300 Memory Lighting Console provides 128 memory scenes which can be accessed
at random by the user, 8 chase effects and a Stack processor which allows memory scenes
to played back in any order with preprogrammed fade times. In addition, the console provides
manual operation through the use of Snapshot, Modify and Channel Bump buttons.
To give the user channel intensity feedback, channel output LED’s are provided above the
channel slide controls. These LED’s show the relative intensities from all console functions
and are not affected by the Master.
Operation
Memory Scenes The MC 6300 is capable of storing 128 scenes in internal memory. These scenes are
completely user programmable and may be reprogrammed at any time. The memory scenes
are organized into 16 pages of 8. Eight memory scene access buttons are available on the
controller to bring up any of the 8 scenes within the page indicated on the LCD display.
Scenes that have been programmed can be recalled at any time by pressing the desired
Memory Scene button when the proper Page is active. Pressing the button a second time
will cause the scene to fade out.
Only one memory scene can be active on an autofader at a time. Therefore, if one Memory
Scene button is already active and another is pressed, a fade will occur from the first to the
second. The green LED above each Scene Select button indicates which scene is presently
active. It should be noted that memory scenes that are piled-on are not affected by this
process and will remain on when changing Memory Scene buttons.
The MC 6300 has two autofaders available to the Memory Scene buttons. This allows the
user to have two scenes from the Memory Scene buttons active at the same time. For
example, specials can be brought up and changed on one autofader while general lighting
can remain on or be changed independently. The split where one autofader begins and the
other ends is determined with a Configuration mode. To configure the Memory Scene buttons
see the chapter Configuration Guide.
Chase Effects There are 8 programmable chase effects available on the MC 6300. Each Chase is programmable
to 32 steps. Each step may have any combination of channels each at any level.
To activate a chase, first move the Chase Rate control slider to the desired step rate. The
rate is shown, in beats per minute (BPM), on the LCD display in the upper right hand corner
right after the active chase number. For example, if Chase 5 is active at a rate of 120 BPM,
the LCD display will read "C:5>120". An asterisks in the chase number position indicates
that no chases are active. You can then activate a chase by holding down the Chase button
and tapping the corresponding Memory Scene button.
Once the chase is activated, the LED above the Chase button will flash with each chase step.
The user can change the rate with the Chase Rate slide control. If the slide control is brought
to the fully down position, the chase will stop sequencing until the slide control is raised
again.
The Chase button has three different uses while a chase is active. If the Chase Rate slider
is in the fully down position, the Chase button can be used to sequence the chase one step
at a time by simply tapping it. If the Chase Rate slide control is not fully down, the Chase
button can be used to halt the chase sequencing until the button is released. Finally, the
Chase button can be used to crossfade to another chase by simply repeating the above chase
activation procedure.
Cue Stack The Cue Stack feature allows combinations of Memory Scenes already stored in memory to
be arranged as steps in the Stack.
Operation Guide
MC 6300
General Software Revision 1.00 and above
6NSI CORPORATION

The LCD displays the Stack information as follows:
Next Step >Current Step
An asterisks in both step fields indicate that the Stack is empty and not programmed. An
asterisks in the Next Step field only indicates that the Stack will be cleared the next time
the Go button is pressed. An asterisks in the Current Step field only indicates that the Stack
is presently cleared.
The Stack always executes steps in numerical order from the first or selected step, starting
over when the blackout step (asterisks) has been reached. Any step may be directly accessed
by using the Next or Previous buttons.
Pressing the Stack Go button will cause the current step to fade out and the next step to fade
in at the preprogrammed fade rate.
Steps may be executed manually by moving the Stack Fade Crossfader control up and down.
Each time the control reaches the end of movement, the step will be advanced.
→EXAMPLE: Select and execute the Stack starting at step 1
→Press the Next or Previous button until 1 is displayed as the next step
→Press Stack Fade GO Button (current now 1, next now 2)
→Press Stack Fade GO Button (current now 2, next now 3)
→Press Stack Fade GO Button (current now 3, next now 4)
→etc.
→EXAMPLE: Clear the Stack assuming a step is active and the next step is not
blackout
→Press the Next or Previous button until the next step shows an asterisks
→Press Stack Fade Go button
Audio Sync An audio signal may be supplied to the console for causing the chase to synchronize to the
beat of the audio and to affect the intensity of predetermined channels.
To synchronize chase activate the audio mode by tapping the audio button until the LED
below it lights. Now activate a chase and move the Chase Rate control to the minimum
position. Move the Audio Sensitivity slide control slowly up until the desired affect is
achieved.
To effect channel intensities select the channels to be affected by audio. Move the corresponding
channel sliders to maximum, while moving all other channel slide controls to minimum.
Press the Program button followed by the Audio button. Now when audio mode is active,
the selected channels will vary intensity to audio level.
Snapshot The Snapshot Go button can be used to create scenes on the fly. When the Go button is
pressed, a snapshot of the channel slide controls is placed into an autofader and faded to the
current fade rate. The channel sliders can then be moved without effecting the stage levels.
Pressing the Snapshot Go button will then cause the levels generated by the first press of
the Go button to fade to the levels generated by the second press. This process gives the
console a 2 scene type operation. The Snapshot Go LED will be lit whenever this function
is active.
MC 6300
Operation Guide
Software Revision 1.00 and above Operation
NSI CORPORATION 7

The Snapshot Clear button is used to blackout the Snapshot buffer at the current fade rate
setting. Tapping Blackout will also clear the Snapshot unless a Chase is active, in which
case only the Chase will Canceled.
Modify Lighting channels can be controlled individually on stage by activating the Modify function.
This allows for scene modification during an actual production. When active, each channel
slide control can be used to gain control of the level of that channel by moving it to the
current level indicated by the LED directly above it. The output LED will blink whenever
a channel slider has control of it.
Tap the Modify again to release control of the channels. The channels will fade to their
original levels at the current fade rate setting.
Note: Whenever Modify has control of a channel, it is forced to that level. Even if a
scene is active with a higher level, the channel will stay at the lower modified level.
This is very useful in editing memory scenes, since a channel of a scene can be reduced
and then reprogrammed over itself.
Pile On Scenes Using the Pile On button allows memory scenes to be added to present stage lighting without
being affected by proceeding autofades. To initiate a Pile On tap the Pile On button and
the LED above it will lite. Now select a memory scene by tapping the respective memory
scene button. The scene selected will fade up at the set fade rate and the LED above the
Pile On button will stay lit indicating that a Pile On is active. More scenes can be added
by repeating the above procedure.
Pressing the Blackout button will clear the Pile On function. If a Memory Scene, Chase,
Stack, etc is active, the Pile On may be selectively cleared by first pressing the Pile button,
followed by the Blackout button.
Channel Bump
Buttons Each channel may be "bumped" to full intensity with the button directly below each channel slider. The channel will only be effected while the button is pressed unless the Toggle
function is active, in which case the channel will toggle on or off with each press. The
Grand Master and Blackout button will not affect the Bump levels.
Blind It is sometimes desired to reprogram or preview during a live production. Using the Blind
button causes the current stage levels, including chase effects, to be locked on stage. Any
changes on the MC 6300 will not affect stage levels. It should be noted that exiting the
Blind mode will instantly change stage levels to controller levels. If this is not desired, it
is necessary to return the controller to the same setting as the stage levels.
Operation Guide
MC 6300
Operation Software Revision 1.00 and above
8NSI CORPORATION

5Programming Guide
General To initiate programming, first tap the Program button. This will lite the Program LED
indicating that the program mode is active. Also, the LCD display will prompt to select an
item to program. Tap the function button to be programmed (Memory Scene, Chase, Stack
Go or Audio). All programming is stored in non-volatile memory which retains information
for at least 10 years, even when power is removed.
Programming
Programming
Memory Scenes To program a Memory Scene, first use the Page button to select the desired page. The channel level slide controls can then be moved to create the scene. To view the levels on
stage, activate the Modify button before setting levels. Once the scene is complete activate
the Programming mode by pressing the Program button. The LCD display will prompt to
select an item to program. Then press any of the 8 Memory Scene buttons to indicate which
scene is to be programmed.
→EXAMPLE: Program Memory Scene 7 of Page 2 with channels 1 and 6 at full
and 7 and 8 at 50%
→Lower all channel slide controls to minimum.
→Raise channel slide controls 1 and 6 to maximum.
→Raise channel slide controls 7 and 8 to 50%.
→Select Page 2 by tapping the Page button until the LCD display shows P:2.
→Tap the Program button. The Program LED should now be lit.
→Tap Memory Scene 7..
→Lower all channel slide controls.
→Tap Memory Scene 7 to see scene programmed.
If the Memory Scene is recorded while the scene is active, the previous levels will remain.
The new scene programmed can be viewed by simply tapping the Memory Scene button.
Programming
Chases Chases may be recorded in memory as a sequence of steps of different channel levels. When a chase is played back, the channel levels of each step will appear on stage sequentially with
the rate of each step change set by the Chase Rate control slider. At the end of the recorded
sequence, the sequence repeats.
Chases can be programmed by first entering the Chase Program mode by pressing the Program
button followed by the Chase button. At this point the LCD display will prompt for the
desired chase to program. Use a Memory Scene button corresponding to the chase number
you desire to program. The display will show the chase number selected and the step currently
being programmed.
Select the channel levels for the step by moving the channel level slide controls to the
corresponding position. Then tap the chase button to place the channels in memory. The
LCD display will now show the number of the next step to be programmed.
Repeat the above paragraph until the desired number of steps have been programmed, up to
32, then tap the Blackout button to exit the chase programming mode.
→EXAMPLE: Program a 3 step chase consisting of channels 1 - 3 into Chase 2.
→Tap the Program button. The Program LED should now be lit.
→Tap the Chase button.
→Select chase number 2 by tapping Memory Scene 2.
MC 6300
Programming Guide
Software Revision 1.00 and above General
NSI CORPORATION 9

→Move all channel slide controls to minimum.
→Raise channel slider 1 to maximum.
→Tap Chase button.
→Lower channel slider 1 to minimum and 2 to maximum.
→Tap Chase button.
→Lower channel slider 2 to minimum and 3 to maximum.
→Tap Chase button.
→Tap the Blackout button.
Programming
the Stack The Cue Stack is a collection of Memory Scenes that are already programmed in memory. Each step of the stack may consist of a scene from any page in memory. Precise fade times
in tenths of second may be programmed into each step. Each step is played back using the
Stack Go button or manually crossfaded by using the Stack fader.
To program the Stack press the Program button followed by the Stack Go button. If the
Stack memory is not empty, the Stack Programming will automatically allow for editing of
the programmed steps and the top line of LCD will display "Edit Step" followed by the step
number. If the step is a new step, the LCD display will show "New Step" followed by the
step number.
Three different items can be programmed into each step; the fade time, the page and the
scene number. Use the Select button to underline the item and the Next and Previous buttons
to modify the item. Memory Scenes can also be selected with the Memory Scene buttons
and the Page number can be selected with the Page button. Using the Page button during
Stack programming will not change the Memory Page nor will tapping a Memory Scene
button activate a Memory Scene.
Setting fade time for each step is done by selecting the field with the Select button and
modifying the fade with the Next and Previous buttons.
Record the step by tapping the Stack Go button. The step number will advance to the next
step. Continue to record more steps by following the above procedure.
To end the Stack programming, press the Program or Blackout button. The maximum number
of steps that may be recorded is 128.
→EXAMPLE: Program the Stack with 4 steps using the first 4 Memory Scenes of
Page 1 with a fade time of 1.5 seconds.
→Tap the Program button so that it’s LED is lit.
→Tap the Stack Go button.
→Use the Select button to underline the fade time.
→Use the Next or Previous buttons to set the time to 1.5.
→Use the Page button to select page 1.
→Tap Memory Scene 1.
→Tap the Stack Go button to record step 1.
→Tap Memory Scene 2.
→Tap the Stack Go button to record step 2.
→Tap Memory Scene 3.
→Tap the Stack Go button to record step 3.
→Tao Memory Scene 4.
Programming Guide
MC 6300
Programming Software Revision 1.00 and above
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→Tap the Stack Go button to record step 4.
→Tap the Blackout button.
The "ID" in the lower left hand corner stands for Insert and Delete. Tapping the Next or
Previous buttons while either the "I" or the "D" is underlined causes a step to be either
inserted before the currently displayed step or deleted.
MC 6300
Programming Guide
Software Revision 1.00 and above Programming
NSI CORPORATION 11

6Configuration Guide
General The Configure mode can be used to change the console’s configurable functions such as
scene split, memory lock, softpatch and number of dimmers.
To activate the configuration mode, tap the Configuration button. The first configuration
mode, Scene Split, will be shown on the display. To change to another mode, use the Next
and Previous buttons. Tapping the Blackout or the Configuration button again will exit the
configuration mode and save all changes to non-volatile memory
Configuring .
Scene Split A Scene Split is a method of dividing the Memory Scene buttons into two independent
sections, each with its own autofader. This allows the operator to reserve a set of Memory
Scene buttons for special lighting scenes which can be used independently.
To activate or change Scene Split, tap the Memory Scene button which will define the start
of the right side of the split or tap the Select button so that the current scene split assignment
is underlined. The Next and Previous buttons can then be used to increment and decrement
the split number.
Selecting Memory Scene 1 will define the right side split to start at Scene 1. Since this
removes the left side split entirely, the Scene Split function is effectively turned off and is
displayed as such on the LCD display.
Program Lock All program functions can be locked to prevent unauthorized modifications. The LCD display
will show the current state of the program lock. Tap the Select button so that the state (on
or off) is underlined. The Next and Previous buttons can then be used to toggle the lock
on or off.
Preheat This mode is used to change the Preheat level. This is commonly used to preheat or warm
the filaments of the lamps and is usually set to a level which gives a slight orange glow to
the lamp filaments. The result is a faster lamp response and possible longer lamp life.
Preheating is also useful in combating dimmer fuse and circuit breaker "nuisance tripping"
when using lamps with high inrush current.
Tap the Select button so that the Preheat level is underlined. The Next and Previous buttons
can then be used to increment or decrement the Preheat level. The value can be set from 0
to 50 which represents about 20% of the full 256 possible output levels.
Max Dimmers This mode is used to set the maximum number of dimmer channels output on the multiplex
signal line. The minimum setting is 16, and the maximum setting is 128. Tap the Select
button so that the maximum dimmer number is underlined. The Next and Previous buttons
can then be used to increment or decrement the dimmer number. Setting the maximum at
a number lower than required will cause some of the dimmers not to function, while setting
it higher than required will cause unnecessary extra work for the console which can affect
console response.
Output Mode The MC 6300 can simultaneously output both Micro-Plex and DMX 512 (optional). Both
can be output at the same time, however DMX 512 offers a much faster refresh rate than
Micro-Plex and will result in smoother dimming when a large number of dimmers are being
addressed. Therefore, the output mode can be changed so that only DMX 512 is output.
Tap the Select button so that the output mode is underlined. The Next and Previous buttons
can then be used to toggle the output mode.
Edit Patch The NSI MC 6300 console can actually control up to 128 dimmer channels through the use
of Softpatch. Each of the 16 control channels can be assigned to any number of dimmer
channels between 1 and 128. Any dimmer channels assigned to a particular control channel
will change intensity with the control channel. This is called softpatching.
Configuration Guide
MC 6300
General Software Revision 1.00 and above
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→Some examples of Softpatching:
→Console channel 1 can control dimmer 16.
→Console channel 2 can control dimmers 5,6,8,9, & 20.
→Console channel 12 can control dimmers 12, 40, & 50.
→Console channel 16 can control dimmers 1 thru 12.
→Some examples of the use of Softpatch are:
→More than 16 dimmer channels are needed.
→The lighting system may need to be set-up differently but the operator would
like to maintain the same control channel assignments.
→An installation with more than 16 individual light fixtures installed needs to be
reconfigured often without rewiring.
→Only 12 light fixtures are connected and console channels 13 - 16 are used as
submasters.
In any of the above situations, Softpatch may be the answer.
To edit the Softpatch, use the Select button to underline the dimmer number to be modified.
Once selected, tap the Next or Previous button to sequence to the desired dimmer number.
Then use the Select button to underline the channel number. This number is the current
channel that is patched to the selected dimmer. It can be changed with the Next or Previous
buttons. Continue this process until all dimmers are patched as desired. A quicker method
in patching a channel to a dimmer is to tap the bump button of the desired channel while
leaving the cursor on the dimmer number.
Softpatch
Default/Clear To return the Softpatch to default conditions (dimmer 1 patched to channel 1, dimmer 2 patched to channel 2, etc), use the Select button to underline the word Default on the LCD
display. Press Next or Previous to execute the default patching. To completely clear a patch,
use the Select button to underline Clear and tap either Next or Previous. Note: When a
patch is cleared, the console will not control any dimmer channels.
MIDI store The contents of the non-volatile memory of the MC 6300 can be output through the MIDI
Out connector on the rear panel. The memory is output in the form of a MIDI system
exclusive message. This message can be received and saved for later retrieval on a MIDI
storage device such as a MIDI sequencer or NSI’s DSU 350 MIDI Disk Storage unit. To
send the memory to the MIDI device, first make sure the device is ready to accept the system
exclusive message. Then use the Select button to underline Execute on the display and tap
either the Next or Previous button to begin sending the message. The LCD display will
change from Execute to Sending while the message is being sent. When Sending changes
back to Execute, the message is complete.
To input the data back into the console, simply send the stored system exclusive message
from the MIDI storage device back into the MC 6300 through the MIDI In connector. The
console will accept the message at any time. No preparation is necessary on the MC 6300.
MIDI Transmit and
Receive Channel MIDI Note On, Control Changes and Program Changes transmitted and received by the MC 6300 all use MIDI channels. MIDI channels allow a MIDI controller to send commands on
different channels meant for different receivers. There are 16 MIDI channels. To change
either the Transmit or Receive channel of the MC 6300, use the Select button to select either
channel number on the display. Then use the Next or Previous buttons to change the number.
MIDI Blackout
Command MIDI Control change #123 (all note off) is used to blackout the console. However, some sequencers send this command when it is inappropriate for a lighting console. Therefore,
the MC 6300 can be configured to use Control Change #64 as the blackout command. This
mode to allows selecting the desired Control Change. Use the Select button to select the
current configuration and the Next or Previous button to toggle it.
MC 6300
Configuration Guide
Software Revision 1.00 and above Configuring
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MIDI Transmit
Mode The MC 6300 can transmit Memory Scene MIDI commands in either Note number or Program Change Mode. Use the Select button to select the current configuration and the Next or
Previous button to toggle it.
Configuration Guide
MC 6300
Configuring Software Revision 1.00 and above
14 NSI CORPORATION