Strand Lighting 301 User manual

301 Console
Operations Manual
Manual
Part No. 24-004-0815

Page 2 Strand 301 Console Manual
Welcome
Thank you for buying Strand Lighting control equipment. We hope
that you will find that your lighting needs are met by your new
system and that you will enjoy exploring the new facilities that your
new system offers. You are provided with essential information to
help you install and operate your system. Please look through all
the documents and keep them safely for future use. If you have
any difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact Strand Lighting or
any authorized Strand service center for advice.
This equipment is designed to operate from the mains electrical
supply and contains voltages, which, if touched, may cause death
or injury. It should only be operated in accordance with the
instructions provided and for the purpose of a lighting control
system.
Do not open the console. There are no user serviceable parts
inside.
Avoid spilling liquid on the equipment If this should happen, switch
the equipment off immediately. To reduce the risk of fire or electric
shock, do not expose the equipment to rain or moisture.
For indoor use only.
This equipment is designed and manufactured to comply with
international safety standards 1EC950, UL1950, CS950 and is
intended for use as part of a lighting control system. It must not be
used for other purposes where there is a risk of safety to persons.
The equipment contains power voltages, socket outlets shall be
installed near to the equipment and be easily accessible.
• Working Voltage/Current 100-120 (2A) 220-240 (1A)
• Frequency 50/60 Hz
• Max Ambient Temp 350C
• Do not restrict ventilation
This manual describes the installation and operational procedures
for Strand Lighting’s 301 Control Console.

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 3
Offices and Service Centers
Please confirm all country codes or other international access data.
World Wide Web: http://www.strandlighting.com/
Berlin
Strand Lighting GMBH
Ullsteinstrasse. 114-142, HAUS C
D-12109
Berlin, Germany
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
Hong Kong
Strand Lighting Asia LTD
20/F., Delta House
3 On Yiu Street
Shatin, N.T.
Hong Kong
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
London
Strand Lighting Limited
Unit 3 Hammersmith Studios
Yeldham Road
Hammersmith
London, England W6 8JF
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
Los Angeles
Strand Lighting Inc
6603 Darin Way
Cypress, CA 90630
U.S.A.
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
Moscow
Strand Lighting
Novinsky Boulevard 20A Building 3-6
12069 Moscow, Russia
Tel. [phone] Fax. [phone]
Rome
Strand Lighting Italia
Via Delle Gardenie S.N.C.
Pontina Vecchia KM 33,400
00040 Pomezia, Italy
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
Toronto
Strand Lighting (Canada) Inc
2430 Lucknow Drive #15,
Mississauga, Ontario, L5S 1V3
Canada
Tel. [phone] Fax. [phone]

Page 4 Strand 301 Console Manual
Table of Contents
Welcome................................................................................................................................. 2
Offices and Service Centers................................................................................................... 3
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................... 4
Getting Started........................................................................................................................ 6
Concept............................................................................................................................... 6
Ordering Information........................................................................................................... 6
Mechanical & Environmental Data...................................................................................... 6
Standards Compliance........................................................................................................ 6
Unpack the Console............................................................................................................ 6
Face Plate........................................................................................................................... 7
Back Plate........................................................................................................................... 7
Layout..................................................................................................................................... 8
Quick Guide............................................................................................................................ 9
Setup..................................................................................................................................... 11
Rack Mounting.................................................................................................................. 12
Operation.............................................................................................................................. 13
Basic Navigation ............................................................................................................... 13
Changing Modes............................................................................................................... 13
Back up Mode................................................................................................................... 14
Capacity........................................................................................................................14
Changing Modes........................................................................................................... 14
Screen Menus for Back up............................................................................................ 14
Main Screen -............................................................................................................ 14
Menu -....................................................................................................................... 15
- Delete Scene....................................................................................................... 15
Delete One Scene............................................................................................. 15
Delete Page Scene ........................................................................................... 15
Delete All Scenes.............................................................................................. 16
- Set Buzzer........................................................................................................... 16
- Set Clock............................................................................................................. 16
Cross Fade Time –.................................................................................................... 17
Recording of Back Up Scenes...................................................................................... 17
Change Pages -........................................................................................................ 18
Playback of Back Up Scenes........................................................................................ 18
- Back Up Cues on Multiple Pages ........................................................................... 19
Flash ......................................................................................................................... 20

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 5
Timed Events Mode.......................................................................................................... 21
Capacity........................................................................................................................21
Changing Modes........................................................................................................... 21
Screen Menus for Events Player................................................................................... 21
Main Screen -............................................................................................................ 21
Menu -....................................................................................................................... 21
- Delete Event........................................................................................................ 22
Delete One Event.............................................................................................. 22
Delete All Events............................................................................................... 22
- Set Default Fade Time........................................................................................ 22
- Set Buzzer........................................................................................................... 23
- Set Clock............................................................................................................. 23
Recording of Timed Events........................................................................................... 23
Manual Playback of Timed Events................................................................................ 24
Scheduling Playback of Timed Events.......................................................................... 24
Starting the Timed Events............................................................................................. 25
12 Channel Control Mode................................................................................................. 27
Capacity........................................................................................................................27
Changing Modes........................................................................................................... 27
Screen Menus for 12 Channel Control.......................................................................... 27
Main Screen -............................................................................................................ 27
- Cross Fade Time (XFtm)..................................................................................... 27
- Patch................................................................................................................... 28
Edit Patch.......................................................................................................... 28
Display Patch .................................................................................................... 29
Default Patch..................................................................................................... 29
One Scene Mode.......................................................................................................... 30
Hold – Two Scene Mode............................................................................................... 30
Multiple Units .................................................................................................................... 31
Capacity........................................................................................................................31
Setup............................................................................................................................. 31
Operation ...................................................................................................................... 32
Analogue Input Operation................................................................................................. 32
Conclusion............................................................................................................................ 33
Accessories........................................................................................................................... 33
Appendix A............................................................................................................................ 34
Control Input ..................................................................................................................... 34
Link Input .......................................................................................................................... 34
Analogue In....................................................................................................................... 34
Index................................................................................................................................. 35

Page 6 Strand 301 Console Manual
Getting Started
Concept
The 301 series console provides 3 modes of operation. Back up, Timed Events,
and 12 Channel Control mode. Back up mode provides cue storage of 144 looks
or cues to any DMX512 based lighting console for one universe of DMX512.
Timed Event mode provides recording and playback for 12 timed events via the
system clock. The events can be played back in any order. 12 Channel Control
mode provides 1 scene 12 channel mode with patch for 512 dimmers. Two
scene operation can be enables with the hold button. This console can be rack
mounted
Ordering Information
Catalog #95713 – 301 Back up control system 120 volt
Catalog #91713 – 301 Back up control system 230/240 volt
Catalog #24-004-0815 – 301 console manual
Mechanical & Environmental Data
Weight: 4 kg
Finish: Blue powder coat epoxy paint
Construction: Rigid folded sheet steel
Temperature: 0 – 35°C
Humidity Range: 0-90% non-condensing
Ingress Protection: IP20
Standards Compliance
All units are CE marked. 120 volt consoles include UL, cUL power supplies.
Unpack the Console
Unpack the console from the packaging and check that the following components
are contained within. If any parts are missing, or damaged, please contact the
carrier and your nearest Strand Lighting office.
List of Parts for North America…
(1) 301 series console
(1) Power cable with UL power supply cable with US 2 pin connector
(1) Manual
(1) Vinyl Dust Cover
List of Parts for Europe and Asia…
(1) 301 series console
(1) Power cable with cUL power supply cable with
(1) UK 2 pin connector and EU 3 pin connector
(1) Manual
(1) Vinyl Dust Cover

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 7
Face Plate
Back Plate
301

Page 8 Strand 301 Console Manual
Layout
301
11. POWER SWITCH
10. DMX IN INDICATOR
4. FLASH BUTTONS
3. FADERS
5. HOLD BUTTON
6. PAGE BUTTON
7. RECORD SCENE BUTTON
1. MASTER
2. NAVIGATION BUTTONS
8. LCD SCREEN
9. LED INDICATORS

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 9
Quick Guide
1. Master– an inhibitive fader that proportionately controls all other faders. This determines
maximum output of all faders at all times. The master is always active.
2. Navigation Keys– these keys allow access to all setup and mode change functions.
Up – the function of this key will be displayed at the bottom center of the LCD screen
to the left of the slash (/). It often allows the cursor to move up any list on the LCD
display.
Down – the function of this key will be displayed at the bottom center of the LCD
screen to the right of the slash (/). It often allows the cursor to move down any list on
the LCD display.
Escape – the function of this key will be displayed at the bottom left of the LCD
screen. It often allows the console to cancel a command.
Confirm - the function of this key will be displayed at the bottom right of the LCD
screen. It often allows the console to accept a command.
3. Channel Faders – a fader that controls the output of the patched dimmer number.
4. Flash Buttons – these change functions according to the mode of the console.
In back up mode – a momentary button that flashes the level of the corresponding
scene to full.
In timed event mode – to enter into event setting.
In manual mode - a momentary button that flashes the level of the corresponding
fader to full.
5. Hold Button– this button will freeze the output of the faders so that the operator can reset
the channel faders for a different look.
6. Page– changes function according to the mode of the console.
In back up mode – changes from page 1 through 12 for playback and recording of
cues.
In timed event mode – the page button is inactive.
In manual mode – the page button is inactive.

Page 10 Strand 301 Console Manual
7. Record Scene– changes function according to the mode of the console.
In back up mode – allows the recording of back up cues from the main lighting
console. 144 back up cues can be recorded. (12 pages of 12 cues each.)
In timed event mode – allows the recording of timed events. 12 timed events can be
recorded. Timed events can be played back in any order.
In manual mode – the record scene button is inactive.
8. LCD Screen – displays current information about the console’s mode and fader status.
9. LED Indicator Lights – display relative brightness when the fader below it is active.
10. DMX IN Indicator – the LED is illuminated when the console is in either back up or event
player mode AND it is receiving DMX from the main console. The LED flashes when DMX is
not being received.
11. Power Switch – turns on / off power to the console.
DMX Input – accepts a DMX512 5 pin XLR connector from the DMX512 output of the main
console.
DMX Output – accepts a DMX512 5 pin XLR connector from the dimmers.
Analogue In – accepts an analogue input for 12 contact closures.
Link Input – as a master 301 console, accepts a DMX512 3 pin XLR connector from the
Link Output of the slave 301 console.
Link Output – as a slave 301 console, accepts a DMX512 3 pin XLR connector from the
Link Input of the master 301 console.
Console Position Switch – sets the console to either master or slave mode.
Power Connector – accepts the power adaptor from the power transformer.

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 11
Setup
Plug the appropriate power adaptor into the console where
shown. Plug the male end into the appropriate electrical service.
Plug the DMX512 cable from the dimmer rack into the DMX512
output of the 301 console.
This may already be attached to the DMX512 output of the
lighting system’s main lighting console. The DMX512 output to
the lighting system needs to run to the 301 first. This will allow
the 301 to send the back up cues to the dimmers should the
main console fail.
Plug a DMX512 cable from the main lighting console’s first
DMX output to the DMX512 input of the 301.
This DMX512 universe will be captured during back up
recording of cues.
Make sure the Master / Slave switch is set to master.
If this is correct, once the console is on, no matter what mode
the console is in, at the center of the bottom line on the LCD
screen, it will say <Ms> for master. If in slave mode, it will show
<sl> for slave.
<Ms> <sl>
Important Note: Before connecting the console up, please remove the protection
sheet for the back-up battery, which is located at the bottom of the console.

Page 12 Strand 301 Console Manual
For multiple unit setup, see Multiple Units – Setup section in this manual.
Rack Mounting
Below is a drawing that illustrates the removal of the edge pieces for rack mounting.

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 13
Operation
Basic Navigation
Basic navigation for the 301 is done with four buttons
(represented to the left). The functions of the keys are labeled
on the bottom line of the LCD screen. Escape on the left,
Confirm on the right and Up / Down in the center separated by
a slash (/). With the example below, Escape = Quit, Up/Down
scroll through options 1, 2 and 3. Confirm = Confirm.
Changing Modes
To change modes, hold down BOTH the up and down keys
simultaneously for 3 seconds. A list will appear on the LCD
screen.
Navigate with the up and down keys to pick the appropriate mode.
Notice the flashing cursor on the current selection. When the
cursor is on the appropriate mode, press Confirm to accept.
1. Back Up
2. Events Player
3. 12 Ch Control
Quit +/- Confirm
1. Back Up
2. Events Player
3. 12 Ch Control
Quit +/- Confirm

Page 14 Strand 301 Console Manual
Back up Mode
Capacity
The 301 can record up to 144 cues for a full universe of DMX. 12 pages at 12 cues per
page. (A universe is defined as 512 DMX outputs)
More that one universe can be captured but that requires multiple units. (See the Multiple
Unit section for more information.)
Changing Modes
To change modes, hold down BOTH the up and down keys
simultaneously for 3 seconds. A list will appear on the LCD
screen.
Navigate with the up and down buttons to pick the appropriate
mode. Notice the flashing cursor on the current selection. When
the cursor is on the appropriate mode, press Confirm to accept.
The first time the console is powered up, it defaults to back up mode.
Screen Menus for Back up
Main Screen -
This is the back up mode’s main screen menu.
Information on this screen is as follows…
Time – console’s internal time clock.
Page – shows the active page for back up cues.
C-Page – (Current Page) this shows the console’s current back up
page. (XX indicates there is no content on last actioned fader.)
Ch – this indicates the channel that had the last action.
Level – this indicates the last action channel’s level.
XFtm – Timed Cross Fade. This allows the operator to change the default cross fade time
using the +/- keys.
<Ms> - this lets the operator know that the console is in master mode rather than slave
mode. With a single 301, this should always be Ms.
Menu – allows the operator to adjust setup options and delete items specific to the current
mode.
Note: If the console displays <Ms-f> this means there are more than one console in the back up chain
have been set to master mode. Check the master/slave switch and make sure only one console is set
as master and the rest as slave.
12:00:00 Page:01
C-Page:XX Ch:01
Level:00
XFtm <Ms> Menu
1. Back Up
2. Events Player
3. 12 Ch Control
Quit +/- Confirm
Note: if there are channels that are active and the 301 is changed from back up mode to
12 channel control mode, the console can only control channels 1 – 12 according to its
p
atch. All other out
p
uts will be i
g
nored.

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 15
Menu -
Menu – this allows access to the back up menu that deletes scenes, sets the buzzer and
clock.
Delete Scene – gives the operator the delete scene options.
Set Buzzer - allows the operator to either Enable or Disable the
buzzer.
Set Clock – allows the operator to set the internal clock.
- Delete Scene
Delete One Scene
Delete One Scene – deletes a single scene on a single page.
Navigate using the up
and down keys to select
the page and then press
one of the flash button to
select scene to delete.
Then press Confirm.
(The XX represents the item number)
Delete Page Scene
Delete Page Scene – deletes all scenes on a single page.
Navigate using the up
and down keys to select
the page to delete. Then
press Confirm.
Note: When an entire page of scenes are deleted, the console automatically advances to the next
page number for quick deletion of the next page. Also, when the console is back in playback mode,
the console has advanced to these pages live.
1. Delete Scene
2. Set Buzzer
3. Set Clock
Quit +/- Confirm
1. Del One Scene
2. Del Page Scene
3. Del All Scene
Quit +/- Confirm Del One Scene
Page: XX
Scene: XX
Quit +/- Confirm
1. Del One Scene
2. Del Page Scene
3. Del All Scene
Quit +/- Confirm Del Page Scene
Page: XX
Quit +/- Confirm

Page 16 Strand 301 Console Manual
Delete All Scenes
Delete All Scenes – deletes all scenes on all pages.
Press Confirm to
complete the deletion.
- Set Buzzer
Set Buzzer – The buzzer indicates if the back up has lost the
DMX512 signal. The options are Enable and Disable. There is no
other indication of the buzzer’s status.
Navigate using the up
and down keys to select
the buzzer option. Then
press Confirm.
Note: When DMX is lost, the buzzer will sound (if enable) and the DMX IN LED will flash until DMX is
restored to the main lighting console. The buzzer will also turn off automatically if any action is taken
on the console subsequent to DMX loss.
- Set Clock
Set Clock – this allows the operator to set the internal clock of the
console. The time is displayed in 24 hour mode. The console will
automatically go back to the main screen after 5 seconds of
inactivity.
Navigate using the left
key. Set the time using
the up and down keys.
Then press Confirm.
1. Del One Scene
2. Del Page Scene
3. Del All Scene
Quit +/- Confirm Delete All Scene
Are You Sure?
Quit Confirm
1. Delete Scene
2. Set Buzzer
3. Set Clock
Quit +/- Confirm Buzzer Set
1. Enable Buzzer
2. Disable Buzzer
Quit +/- Confirm
1. Delete Scene
2. Set Buzzer
3. Set Clock
Quit +/- Confirm
Set Clock
TIME:12:00:00
> +/- Confirm

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 17
Cross Fade Time –
Cross fade time – represented by (XFtm) allows you to set the
default cross fade time. Time can be any value from 0 – 99
seconds.
(The navigation keys do wrap from 0 to 99).
Navigate using the up
and down keys to select
the default time. Then
press Confirm.
Recording of Back Up Scenes
Once the consoles are setup properly to record a back up cue as page 1 scene 1, just
advance to the cue on the main lighting console, hold down the Record Scene button and
press the Flash button that corresponds with fader 1.
This will capture the current cue from the main lighting console.
Hold down while pressing
All LEDs will flash momentarily. When recorded, the LED above the selected fader will light
up.
The process can be repeated until all 12 faders have a cue stored in each one. For more
than 12 cues, change to a different page.
CrossFade Time
05 Sec
+/- Confirm
12:00:00 Page:01
C-Page:XX Ch:01
Level:00
XFtm <Ms> Menu

Page 18 Strand 301 Console Manual
Change Pages -
To change pages, hold down the Page button and press the Flash button that corresponds
with the page that is required. For example, to change to page 2…
Hold down while pressing
This will change the console to page 2. The LCD screen will list the page in the upper right
hand corner. Notice the LEDs that were illuminated over the faders that have been
recorded have gone out. This indicates that there are no recorded scenes on page 2.
Note: If no faders have been activated yet, the C-Page will still show the last active page. The C-page
will display XX if the last actioned fader is empty.
Playback of Back Up Scenes
To play the back up cues, just change to the appropriate page and give a level to the
appropriate fader. For example, change to page one and activate fader one.
Activate fader one.
Hold down while pressing
Notice that the Current Page doesn’t change until you activate the first fader after changing
pages. This keeps any active faders on the previous page from deactivating while they have
a level. Read more about Non-Current Page Active Faders in the Operation section below.
Recording scenes as back up cues from the main lighting console on the 301 is quick and
simple. But there are a few things to know when dealing with multiple pages.
12:00:00 Page:02
C-Page:XX Ch:01
Level:00
XFtm <Ms> Menu

Strand 301 Console Manual Page 19
- Back Up Cues on Multiple Pages
It’s very common to need to crossfade from a back up cue on one page to a back up cue on
another page. The example below will show how to go from page 1 fader 12 to page 2 fader
1.
First, make sure that there are back up cues recorded on page 1 fader 12 and page 2 fader
1. Then change to page 1 and take fader 12 to full.
If necessary, see Record Mode and Change Pages above.
With page 1 fader 12 live on stage, change to page 2.
Hold down while pressing
The console is now on page 2 while the current page is page 1 because page 1 still has an
active fader. The active fader is listed as Ch:12 on the LCD screen with the level at full.
Notice that the LED above fader 12 is flashing indicating that it is still active.
This is a Non-Current Page Active Fader.
The Current Page will display XX until a fader is moved on the new
page 2.
Once fader 1 is active, the fader will be listed as Ch:01
and the intensity as Level:FL.
As soon as fader 12 (the one that has a flashing LED) is activated,
the page is was from, channel and level will appear on the LCD
screen. When the fader goes to zero, the LED light will go out,
indicating that this scene is no longer being held on this fader from
the previous page (page 1).
12:00:00 Page:02
C-Page:01 Ch:12
Level:FL
XFtm <Ms> Menu
12:00:00 Page:02
C-Page:XX Ch:12
Level:00
XFtm <Ms> Menu
12:00:00 Page:02
C-Page:02 Ch:01
Level:FL
XFtm <Ms> Menu
12:00:00 Page:02
C-Page:01 Ch:12
Level:50
XFtm <Ms> Menu

Page 20 Strand 301 Console Manual
Note: When the same faders are used on multiple pages and a scene is active from a previous fader,
that fader will not release the active scene until the fader is taken to zero. Then it will automatically
reload the scene from the current page. This will be indicated by C-Page info on the LCD screen and
the LED above the fader changing from flashing to being constantly on.
Flash
Any scene that is recorded can be flashed momentarily by pressing and releasing the flash
button below the appropriate fader.