PANAVISION PANALUX SONARA 4:4 User manual

The next-generation, enhanced
variable white LED soft light.
S O N A R A 4 :4
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021
User manual of SONARA™
© 2021 Panalux Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

The next-generation, enhanced
variable white LED soft light.
S O N A R A 4 :4
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021
User manual of SONARA™
© 2021 Panalux Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

T A B L E O F
CONTENTS
Powering Options
Comms Panel
Accessories
05 Operation
User Interface
Factory Reset
Lock Mode
Rotary Encoder
Selector Buttons
Memory Buttons
Backlight
Modes
06 Control Features & Options
Source Select
Control/Dimming Curves
Tungsten Emulate Mode
Important Note on Dimming Curves
Control Output
Control Gamut
Control Camera LUTs
Control Priority
DMX Personalities
DMX Personalities - Channel
Assignments
RDM
SONARA RDM Sensors
SONARA Menu Tree
07 General
Power Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Fault Finding Tips
Optical Characteristics
Warnings & Cautions
Spare Parts & Accessories
08 Appendix
Gel Library
Source Emulation List
Overall Dimensions &
Rigging Centres
01 Important Information & Warnings
Safety Information
Changes
Measuring Correlated Colour
Temperature (CCT), Colour x y
Flicker-Free Filming
Gel/Filter Emulations &
Source Matching
02 Introduction
About This User Manual
Additional Documentation
Technical Support
Disclaimer
03 User Instructions
General Notes
Fixture Setup
Attachment of Safety Bonds
Ventilation
Additional Safety Considerations
Power Supply
Safety Cables
04 Fixture Overview
SONARA Components & Controls
Controller
SONARA Mounting Components
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16

IMPORTANT
INFORMATION &
WARNINGS
01

Safety Information
The symbols below are used throughout this manual to
identify important safety information.
Heed all warnings and safety information.
This product is not user servicable.
Changes
Panalux provides this manual ‘as is’ without warranty of
any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not
limited to the implied warranties or merchantability and
tness for a particular purpose. Panalux may make
improvements and/or changes to the product(s) and/or the
program(s) described in this publication at any time without
notice. This publication could contain technical inaccuracies
or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made
to the information in this publication; these changes are
incorporated in new editions of this publication.
Measuring Correlated Colour Temperature
(CCT), Colour x y
The SONARA utilises an LED source that is optimized
for the lm, TV, and image capture industries. Older
colour meters cannot be used to accurately read the
Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of SONARA and
other discontinuous spectrum light sources. Older colour
meters are designed for a full spectrum source such as
incandescent lights. These meters possess only 3 sensors
to measure the light output: red, green, and blue. As such,
a narrow band or discontinuous spectrum light source may
not read correctly. Colour meters such as the Sekonic C800
Spectromaster or UPR Tech MK 350 will provide excellent
measurements and include TLCI and SSI metrics
as standard.
Panalux have taken great care in ensuring that the CCT
and colour spectrum of gel emulations of the light emanating
from SONARA closely matches traditional tungsten and
discharge light sources. This allows you to easily place
SONARA alongside your traditional lighting xtures. If in any
doubt, it is the user’s responsibility, as is customary, to shoot
image capture tests when combining sources employing
different core technology—such as HMI, uorescent,
tungsten, or simple RGB and bi-colour LED xtures—to
ensure compatibility. Shoot tests using the camera setup
to be used for the project (capture gamut, LUTs, etc.). The
spectral power density curve, chip proles, and coordinates
will be different from other xtures. Matching x y coordinates
will only guarantee proximity to the x y coordinates. It will not
guarantee a colour match to eye or to camera with another
light source.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
Warning, Danger, or Caution
Risk or injury to yourself, third party, or
the product
Risk of electric shock
Risk of severe electric shock
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 5

Flicker-Free Filming
The only way to guarantee icker-free
lming at any frame rate and shutter
angle is by using pure DC power,
carbon arc sources, or daylight. There
is a chance of icker in every other
scenario with articial light, even with
tungsten mains-powered xtures.
Visible icker is also affected by
postproduction. Where the contrast is
increased, the icker becomes more
visible.
SONARA has been validated icker-
free at any dim position up to 10,000
fps. SONARA has been tested across
a range of dim settings, CCTs, and
colours with the high-speed Vision
Research Phantom camera as well
as Arri Alexa Mini, with the cameras
at multiple shutter angles. Not all
manufacturers are as thorough. Test
whenever in doubt, particularly when
shooting high speed.
Flicker factor, the relationship
between the maximum and minimum
illuminance exhibited in the icker,
can be measured with a icker meter.
100% means the light goes totally dark
at minimum. HMI electronic ballasts
tend to have a icker factor around
1–3%, tungsten lights 0–10%.
With multi-colour LED xtures, in
particular older Stage and Architectural
LED xtures where compatibility with
lm and digital cameras wasn’t a
consideration in their design, individual
colour channels can be out of sync,
causing different colour mixes on
different frames, which can cause
issues with high-speed lming, stop-
frame animation, and still photography.
If in doubt, test and review. Check
the footage after running a test, and
be aware that some digital cameras
do not replay raw footage, so it is
advisable to download les rst and
then check.
Gel/Filter Emulations and
Source Matching
SONARA comes pre-loaded with a
range of LEE Filter gel emulations.
Since the base spectrum of the
SONARA at 3200K and 5600K is
not identical to a tungsten or daylight
source, the gel presets are merely
emulations. Due to the inherent
technology, no LED bi-colour or multi-
chip source can perfectly match the
spectrum of a subtractive lter laid
over a tungsten or daylight source.
Even if the x y coordinates appear to
be a good match, the spectrum will
be different, and the camera will read
subtle differences.
If in doubt, test before shooting.
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 20216PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL

INTRODUCTION
02

About This User Manual
This manual provides installation, operation, and maintenance instructions for SONARA. This manual applies to the following
software versions:
v1.02
Additional Documentation
For more information regarding DMX512 systems, refer to the DMX512/1990 & AMX 192 Standards publication available from
United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc. (USITT). Contact by post at USITT, 6443 Ridings Road, Syracuse, NY,
13206-1111, USA; by phone on 1-800-93USITT; or online at www.usitt.org.
Art-Net is used for transmitting DMX lighting control protocol and RDM over the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) of the Internet
Protocol suite. It is based on the TCP/IP protocol suite and used to communicate between nodes/lighting xtures and a
lighting desk, typically on a private local network such as Ethernet. Art-Net can address over 30,000 universes.
Art-Net™ designed by and copyright Artistic Licence Holdings Ltd.
Technical Support
For technical support, contact Panalux on [phone] or at [e-mail].
Disclaimer
Panalux and Sonara are trademarks of PANAVISION registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other brand or product
names which may be mentioned in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. This
manual is for informational use only and is subject to change without notice. Please check www.panalux.biz for the latest
version. Panalux assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims resulting from errors or inaccuracies that may appear in
this manual.
INTRODUCTION
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 8

USER
INSTRUCTIONS
03

USER INSTRUCTIONS
General Notes
1. Please read through this manual carefully before operating SONARA. Keep this manual for future reference.
2. There are numerous safety instructions and warnings that must be adhered to for your own safety.
3. SONARA is not intended for residential use. It is only intended for use in a professional studio.
4. SONARA must only be serviced by a qualied individual.
5. SONARA is rated as IP20, for indoor use and in a dry environment.
6. SONARA is not certied for use in hazardous locations.
7. SONARA’s operating temperature is within the range of 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F).
8. Do not connect to a variable power supply such as a dimmer rack or variac.
9. Use only approved spare parts and accessories. (Refer to Spare Parts/Accessories list on page 37.)
1. Read these safety instructions carefully to ensure SONARA and its accessories are used safely.
2. Ensure the 28mm spigot is correctly mounted onto the yoke before rigging.
3. For an alternative method of hanging SONARA, threads are present on the xture for attaching an M12 eye bolt in each
corner. Ensure the M12 eye bolts are correctly attached to SONARA before rigging.
4. 6 threads are available for mounting quick triggers, 4 in each corner and 2 on the outer edge of the back, roughly aligned
with the centre line and yoke mounting position.
5. SONARA weighs 44kg excluding accessories and 38kg excluding yoke assembly. The combined weight should be
considered when choosing suitable safety cable(s). The safety cable assembly should be rated at 10x the combined
weight of the xture and accessories present.
6. The safety cable(s) must be securely attached to the designated slot on SONARA, or through tted M12 eyebolts
(detailed on page 11).
7. When hanging SONARA, always use secondary safety cables of suitable length (as short as possible) attached to the
safety eye or tted eyebolts. Do not use the yoke to secure safety cables.
8. For safety purposes, ensure that the yoke locking handle is correctly tightened when manipulating SONARA in the
required orientation. NOTE: If the locking handle is not tightened correctly, the xture may swing.
9. Lifting handles are provided on the yoke. Ensure the yoke locking handle is tightened before lifting.
10. If SONARA is to be used with the yoke detached, accessory handles are available in the kit.
11. Ensure the connection cables and any other cables are routed carefully to avoid snagging and pulling.
12. Ensure SONARA is stored within the range of -20 to +60°C (-4 to +140°F).
Fixture Setup
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Ventilation
1. Do not cover air ventilation slots on SONARA, or the xture may overheat.
2. Do not use SONARA outdoors or in a wet environment without approved accessories. (See the table on p. 37 for outdoor
accessories.)
3. Keep SONARA a minimal distance of 0.1m away from ammable materials/objects.
Additional Safety Considerations
1. Do not open SONARA when the xture is powered.
2. Allow SONARA to cool before servicing, as internal
parts may be hot.
3. Do not alter the design of SONARA or tamper with any
of the safety features.
4. Do not look directly into SONARA’s bare light source as
it may be harmful to the eyes.
5. SONARA reaches a maximum surface temperature of
85ºC. Please ensure contact on the surface by persons
or materials is avoided when the xture is operating.
6. Do not operate SONARA if there are any signs of
physical damage. If damage is visible or suspected,
contact Panalux Engineering Dept.
7. Before using SONARA, check for any of the defects
listed in the adjacent table.
Part Possible Defect
Power cable Physical damage, cut, burnt
Locking handle Physical damage, loose
Spigot Physical damage, loose
Lifting eye Physical damage, loose
Venting ports Physical damage, bent, covered
Yoke Physical damage, loose
Casing Physical damage
Corner protectors Physical damage, loose
Fitted Safety Bond (Safety Eye)Safety Bond Mounting Point Fitted Safety Bond (Eyebolt)
Attachment of Safety Bonds
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Power Supply
1. Ensure the power cable is disconnected before
servicing.
2. SONARA only uses a mains connection. Do not
connect to a variable supply such as a dimmer rack,
variac, or inverter.
3. The power cable should be plugged into SONARA
before switching the mains power supply ON. The
mains power supply should be switched OFF before
removing the power cable.
4. SONARA is shipped with a 7A fuse in the casket. For
use in 110V locations, this should be changed to a 15A
version (15A fuse not included).
Safety Cables
1. A minimum of one safety cable MUST be used when
hanging SONARA from its yoke or eye bolts or using
quick triggers. The length should be as short as
possible to reduce travel distance if the primary hanging
fails.
2. The safety cable slot (as shown on page 11) MUST be
used to attach a safety cable.
3. Ensure safety cables are capable of supporting the
combined load of the SONARA and accessories.
Note
SONARA has been built to conform to international
regulatory standards relating to professional lighting
equipment. Any modication made to SONARA will void the
manufacturers’ warranty.
Approvals
EU
EN 55015:2013
EN 61547:2009
EN 61000-3-2:2014
EN 61000-3-3:2013
EN 61000-4-2:2009
EN61000-4-3:2006+A1:2008+A2:2010
EN 61000-4-4:2012
EN 61000-4-5:2006
EN 61000-4-6:2009
EN 61000-4-8:2010
EN 61000-4-11:2004
FCC 47 CFR of part 15
CSA
and UL
CSA C22.2 No. 250.4-14
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 250.13-14
UL Standard No. 153
UL Standard No. 8750
Certications
ROHS
EPA3050B:1996
EN1122B:2011
EPA3052:1996
EPA7196A:1992
APE3540C:1996
EPA8270D:2007
Europe EN / IEC 62471
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 12

FIXTURE
OVERVIEW
04

SONARA Components & Controls
SONARA is a powerful light xture that incorporates 16 of
Panalux’s high-quality proprietary LED arrays. This LED
source provides the user with a large volume of high-quality
white light at a stable and repeatable CCT, emulating
traditional sources and a vast array of tints. SONARA can
be controlled via the local controller attached to the back
of the xture, or via an external DMX512 signal that can
communicate with the xture through 5-pin DMX connector
or via wireless DMX.
The SONARA user interface and wired remote have been
designed to provide a clear and simple display of essential
information.
The controller features 1 rotary push encoder, 4 selector
buttons (bottom), and 4 memory buttons (top).
The 4 selector buttons are identied with ‘soft’ labels on the
display depending on selected mode.
In white mode (shown), the display will always show:
Dim position (percentage)
CCT
Green/Magenta bias
DMX base address
DMX personality
DMX control source (wired, wireless, Art-Net)
Comms Panel
Controller
Sonara Rear View
FIXTURE OVERVIEW
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 14

Controller
The controller until can be detached from the xture and linked with a 4m accessory cable, enabling wired remote control
when the xture is out of reach.
The cable connects to 2 Lemo connectors. One Lemo connector is on the back of the controller and the other Lemo
connector is inside the controller holding trough.
The controller features magnets and a lanyard to hang on a stand lock-off.
There is a safety for the controller on the back plate for situations when SONARA is rigged at height.
Empty Controller PodController Main
Selector buttons with soft labels
User memory buttons
Rotary push encoder
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 15

SONARA Mounting Components
Spigot
Locking Handle
Corner M12 Mounting Points
Mounting Point Fitted With M12 Eyebolt
Centre M12 Mounting Points
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 16

Powering Options
Sonara is tted with a Neutrik powerCON TRUE1
NAC3MPX-TOP type connector. Use only Neutrik
connectors for power cords. It is the user’s responsibility to
ensure the power cord is maintained in good condition and
any physical damage is addressed.
Comms Panel
The comms panel features a power on/off switch as well as
the following connectors: power in, DMX in and thru, Art-Net
in, wireless antenna, USB power, ext. port, and upgrade
port.
SONARA uses industry standard 5-pin XLR male and
female connectors to receive and output DMX signals. The
DMX wiring is as follows:
Pin 1: Ground
Pin 2: Data +
Pin 3: Data –
Pin 4: Spare
Pin 5: Spare
Please note: SONARA is self-terminating and does not
require external DMX termination when used in a chain.
Accessories
SONARA has a range of accessory options.
A remote extension cord allows the controller to be used
away from the xture. The controller features magnets and a
lanyard to mount on a stand or hang from a lock-off.
Along with a soft box and eggcrate, available diffusion
textiles include:
Quarter Grid Cloth
Half Grid Cloth
Full Grid Cloth
Magic Cloth
Available weather kit includes:
Plastic front cover (to be used with soft box)
Rear breathable cover
Comms Panel
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 17

OPERATION
05

User Interface
SONARA provides control over the intensity, colour
temperature, green/magenta bias, hue and saturation,
x y coordinates, amber/lime/blue, and a range of other
parameters for precision control. All are accessible from the
local user interface. Control is via the user control (mounted
to the xture or hard-wired for remote operation), wireless, or
Art-Net connection.
In all modes, the top bar will always show the current state of:
DMX Base Address
DMX Personality
DMX Control Source (wired, wireless, Art-Net)
 ‘LOCKED’(when local control is locked)
 ‘DEMO’ (when xture is cycling through a demo)
In white mode (shown above), the display will always show:
Dim Position (percentage)
CCT
Green/Magenta Bias
Factory Reset
Factory reset and clearing all memory presets is achieved by holding down the bottom left and bottom right buttons together
while cycling the power.
User Interface
OPERATION
LockMode
The local controls can be locked and unlocked by holding down the bottom left button for 2 seconds. ‘LOCKED’ will be shown
top centre of the display when local control is disabled.
ToreleaseLOCKEDstatusandDEMOstatus,holddownbottomleftbutton.
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 19

Rotary Encoder
The encoder enables scrolling forwards or backwards through the ‘live’ highlighted item or, by pushing the encoder, jumping
through presets. It is also used to navigate menus and ‘push’ to conrm selection.
See rotary encoder presets below:
After 30 seconds, the encoder always defaults to dimmer in any mode.
The encoder features a ballistic algorithm. The slower it is rotated, the higher the resolution; the faster it is turned, the quicker
it scrolls through the CCT range or gel list, for example. When controlling the dimming, for instance, this allows ultra-ne
control down to 0.1% steps.
Selector Buttons
3 selector buttons allow the user to assign the encoder to
alter key attributes: dim, CCT, and green/magenta bias in
WHITE MODE.
The fourth selector button (bottom right) is dedicated to
MENU selection or BACK functions.
Rotary Encoder Functions
Value Presets
Dim 25% 50% 75% 100%
CCT 1600K 2700K 2900K 3200K 3600K 4300K 5000K 5600K 6500K 7500K 10000K 20000K
G/M 1/8 -G 1/4 -G 1/2 -G 3/4 -G 1 -G N/C 1/8 +G 1/4 +G 1/2 +G 3/4 +G 1 +G
LATEST VERSION AS OF JULY 2021PANALUX SONARA 4:4 USER MANUAL 20