thomann BOTEX Rainbow Rider DMX User manual

Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller
User Manual

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: [phone]
Internet: www.thomann.de
03.06.2022, ID: 534780

Table of contents
1 General information................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Further information........................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Notational conventions.................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Symbols and signal words............................................................................................................... 6
2 Safety instructions..................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Features....................................................................................................................................................... 10
4 Installation.................................................................................................................................................. 11
5 Starting up.................................................................................................................................................. 12
6 Connections and controls................................................................................................................... 13
7 DMX basics and addressing................................................................................................................ 16
8 Operating.................................................................................................................................................... 21
8.1 Lighting control................................................................................................................................ 21
8.2 Function as DMX recorder............................................................................................................ 23
8.3 System menu..................................................................................................................................... 24
9 Technical specications....................................................................................................................... 29
10 Plug and connection assignments.................................................................................................. 31
11 Protecting the environment.............................................................................................................. 32
Table of contents
Rainbow Rider DMX 3
DMX controller

1 General information
This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device. Read and
follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure
that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure
that they also receive this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development. We there‐
fore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the
user manual which is ready for download under www.thomann.de.
General information
4Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

1.1 Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will nd lots of further information and details on the
following points:
Download This manual is also available as PDF le for you to download.
Keyword search Use the search function in the electronic version to nd the topics of
interest for you quickly.
Online guides Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics
and terms.
Personal consultation For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.
Service If you have any problems with the device the customer service will
gladly assist you.
1.2 Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
General information
Rainbow Rider DMX 5
DMX controller

The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics.
Examples: ‘24ch’ , ‘OFF’ .
The individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result of a step is
indented and highlighted by an arrow.
Example:
1. Switch on the device.
2. Press [Auto].
ðAutomatic operation is started.
3. Switch o the device.
1.3 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will nd an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are
used in this manual.
Letterings
Displays
Instructions
General information
6Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

Signal word Meaning
DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an
immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or
serious injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐
sible dangerous situation that can result in material and
environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs Type of danger
Warning – danger zone.
General information
Rainbow Rider DMX 7
DMX controller

2 Safety instructions
This device is used to control spotlights, dimmers, lighting eects equipment, Moving Heads
or other DMX-controlled devices. The device is designed for professional use and is not suit‐
able for use in households. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use
or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in per‐
sonal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from
improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sucient physical, sensorial, and intellectual
abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this
device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking
hazard! Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and
choke! Never let children unattended use electrical devices.
Intended use
Safety instructions
8Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid
direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specied in the chapter
‘Technical specications’ of this user manual. Avoid heavy temperature uctuations and do not switch the device on immediately
after it was exposed to temperature uctuations (for example after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside can
damage the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine, fog, etc.), the unit should be maintained by
qualied service personnel at regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.
NOTICE!
Possible staining
The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your surface and after some time
cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the surface and use a suitable underlay if neces‐
sary, i.e. felt-pad oor protectors or similar.
Safety instructions
Rainbow Rider DMX 9
DMX controller

3 Features
The Rainbow Rider DMX is the perfect light console for beginners and for anyone wishing to
conjure up an individual light show quickly and easily. Easy handling and adaptability make it
perfect for xed installations in restaurants and schools. With its wireless power supply via a
power bank, the Rainbow Rider DMX is the perfect companion for mobile DJs.
No experience in programming DMX consoles is required. The Rainbow Rider DMX is com‐
pletely preprogrammed.
Special features of the device:
n512 DMX channels
nFive addresses for each spotlight RGB, RGBW, RGBA and RGBAWUV
n12 colour presets
n24 programmes, adjustable via the faders
nAdditional buttons for fog machine and stroboscope
n36 memory locations in total as recorder
nUSB stick (supplied) with preinstalled shows
nRecorder function for programming individual shows
nPower supply via USB C
Features
10 Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

4 Installation
Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep the
equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust and moisture during
transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material suitable
for transport or storage, respectively.
NOTICE!
Possible data transmission errors
For error-free operation make use of dedicated DMX cables and do not use ordi‐
nary microphone cables.
Never connect the DMX input or output to audio devices such as mixers or ampli‐
ers.
Installation
Rainbow Rider DMX 11
DMX controller

5 Starting up
Create all connections while the device is o. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for
all connections. Take care when running the cables to prevent tripping hazards.
Connect the USB-C port to a suitable power source, i.e. a power bank or an external power
adapter (not supplied). The device is on by connecting it to a power source.
Connecting the power supply
Starting up
12 Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

6 Connections and controls
FOG
STROBE
SOUND
1 2
RED GREEN
Amber
Yellow Pink
BLUE WHITE
Cyan
UV Purple
Orange Lime
3
56
910
78
11 12
41 2 3
56
910
78
11 12
4
ö # $
%
&
'
()*+
1[STATIC COLOR] 12 buttons for selecting a colour macro
2[AMBIENT] 12 buttons for selecting a slow programme
Control panel
Connections and controls
Rainbow Rider DMX 13
DMX controller

3[PARTY] 12 buttons for selecting a fast programme
4[FOG] Function button for enabling the fog machine
5[STROBE] Function button for enabling the stroboscope
6[SOUND] Function button for enabling the sound control
7 Fader for adjusting the programme
[SPEED] Controls the programme speed
[STROBE] Enables the strobe function and controls the strobe speed
[FADE] Controls the fading speed (only for programmes recorded with the function ‘step-by-step’ )
[DIMMER] Controls the overall brightness
8[MENU] / [UP] /
[DOWN] / [ENTER]
Menu buttons for the settings in the system menu
9 Display Displays the menu items and entries
10 [UPLOAD/DATA] USB-A port for plugging the supplied USB stick for data backup and importing data
Connections and controls
14 Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

DM X IN DM X OU T
5V 1 A
DM X IN DM X OU T
5V 1 A
. ,-
11 [DMX OUT] DMX output, designed as XLR chassis socket, 3-pin, for connecting spotlights, a fog machine
and an additional stroboscope
12 [DMX IN] DMX input, designed as XLR chassis plug, 3-pin, for feeding DMX values and programmes from
other DMX contollers
13 5V 1A USB-C port for connecting a power supply
Rear panel
Connections and controls
Rainbow Rider DMX 15
DMX controller

7 DMX basics and addressing
This chapter contains basic information about data transmission via DMX protocol and data for
addressing the spotlights.
DMX signals are generated by a DMX controller and transmitted to the connected devices
using a DMX cable. Up to 512 channels per connection can be transmitted, with a value
between 0 and 255 is transmitted for each channel. The 512 channels form a so-called ‘DMX
universe’.
DMX devices are wired in series, i.e., a transmitting unit sends out signals to all connected
receivers. The receiver arrangement in the device chain can be chosen arbitrarily, since all
devices lter and process the relevant data independently.
To form a serial device chain, the DMX input of the rst receiver is to be connected to the DMX
output of the controller or other DMX master unit. The output of the rst receiver then has to
be connected to the input of the second and so on. The output of the last receiver in a DMX
chain must be terminated with a resistor (110 Ω, ¼W).
Signal transmission
Wiring
DMX basics and addressing
16 Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

From a cable length of more than 300 m or after 32 connected DMX devices, the
signal must be strengthened by a DMX booster.
DMX basics and addressing
Rainbow Rider DMX 17
DMX controller

Every DMX device operates with a certain vendor specic number of channels through which
the incoming control signals are converted into movements, brightness or colour changes,
etc.. Since all receivers in a DMX chain always receive all signals, a starting address must be
assigned to each DMX device. Starting from this address (a value between 1 and 512), the
incoming signals are then interpreted by the receiver and implemented in accordance with
the function mode set on the receiver (device-internal channel assignment).
Within a DMX chain, one start address can easily be assigned multiply. The corresponding
receivers then operate synchronously (same movements, same brightness, same colour, etc.).
Signal conversion
DMX basics and addressing
18 Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller

The Rainbow Rider DMX is already preprogrammed. To use all colour macros and programmes,
assign the corresponding start addresses to your devices. Five start addresses are assigned to
each colour mixture.
Make sure that your spotlight supports the corresponding DMX assignment. For corre‐
sponding information refer to the user manual of the respective device.
Colour mixture Start addresses
RGB 1 / 4 / 7 / 10 / 13
RGBW 16 / 20 / 24 / 28 / 32
RGBA 36 / 40 / 44 / 48 / 52
RGBWAUV 56 / 62 / 68 / 74 / 80
In addition, some LED light sets are already preprogrammed. Make sure that the device is in
the specied channel mode.
Addressing
DMX basics and addressing
Rainbow Rider DMX 19
DMX controller

Item
no.
Light set Channel
mode
Start
address
349574 Stairville CLB2.4 Compact LED Par System 14-channel 86
298052 Stairville CLB4 RGB Compact LED Bar 4 14-channel 100
238663 Stairville Stage TRI LED Bundle Complete 14-channel 100
448711 Stairville CLB5 2P RGB WW Compact LED Bar 8-channel 114
419587 Stairville CLB5 RGB WW Compact LED Bar 5 16-channel 114
460583 Stairville CLB5 6P RGB WW Compact LED Bar 24-channel 114
333919 Stairville CLB8 Compact LED Bar 8 RGBW 8W 18-channel 138
404465 Stairville Stage Quad LED Bundle RGB WW 18-channel 156
In addition, the Rainbow Rider DMX oers two preprogrammed 1-channel function buttons for
a fog machine and an additional stroboscope. For using them, assign the following start
addresses (default setting) to your devices:
Fog machine ([FOG] button) 200
Stroboscope ([STROBE] button) 210
You can change the addresses in the menu (see Ä Chapter 8.3 ‘System menu’ on page 24).
DMX basics and addressing
20 Rainbow Rider DMX
DMX controller