thomann StairVille DMX-Master 3-FX User manual

DMX-Master 3-FX
DMX controller
user manual

Musikhaus Thomann e.K.
Treppendorf 30
96138 Burgebrach
Deutschland
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.thomann.de
08.02.2013

Table of contents
1 General notes............................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Safety instructions..................................................................................................................................... 7
3 Features....................................................................................................................................................... 10
4 Installation.................................................................................................................................................. 11
5 Setup.............................................................................................................................................................. 13
6 Connectors and controls...................................................................................................................... 14
7 Basics............................................................................................................................................................. 24
8 Operation.................................................................................................................................................... 27
8.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 27
8.2 Scenes and banks............................................................................................................................. 32
8.3 Chases.................................................................................................................................................. 39
8.4 Blackout............................................................................................................................................... 48
8.5 Overlay scenes................................................................................................................................... 52
8.6 Effect generator................................................................................................................................ 55
8.7 Fading................................................................................................................................................... 61
Table of contents
DMX-Master 3-FX
3

8.8 Channel inversion............................................................................................................................ 64
8.9 Jog wheel configuration for pan and tilt movements ....................................................... 66
8.10 Play mode......................................................................................................................................... 69
8.11 MIDI control..................................................................................................................................... 77
8.12 Operation mode ‘Easy Mode’.................................................................................................... 85
8.13 Backup and restore data............................................................................................................. 87
8.14 Additional functions..................................................................................................................... 89
9 Technical data........................................................................................................................................... 95
10 Protecting the environment.............................................................................................................. 96
Table of contents
DMX controller
4

1 General notes
This user manual contains important information on 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, include the manual for
the next owner.
Our products are subject to a process of continuous development. We therefore reserve the
right to make changes without notice.
This section provides an overview of the symbols and signal words used in this user manual.Symbols and signal words
General notes
DMX-Master 3-FX
5

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 possible dangerous situation that
can result in material and environmental
damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs Type of danger
Warning – danger zone.
General notes
DMX controller
6

2 Safety instructions
This device was specifically designed for the DMX control of LED spot lights and moving heads.
Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other oper‐
ating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or property
damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient 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.
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
Safety instructions
DMX-Master 3-FX
7

NOTICE!
External power supply
The device is powered by an external power supply. Before connecting the
external power supply, ensure that the input voltage (AC outlet) matches the
voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is protected by a residual cur‐
rent circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and pos‐
sibly the user.
Unplug the external power supply before electrical storms occur and when the
device is unused for long periods of time to reduce the risk of electric shock or
fire.
NOTICE!
Risk of fire
Do not cover the device nor any ventilation slots. Do not place the device near
any direct heat source. Keep the device away from naked flames.
Safety instructions
DMX controller
8

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.
Safety instructions
DMX-Master 3-FX
9

3 Features
Special characteristics of the device:
ncontrol of up to 16 DMX devices with 16 DMX channels each (256 channels)
n240 scenes on 30 banks (8 per bank)
nsix chases with up to 250 single steps
nsix overlay scenes
nintegrated effect generator
nfade in time, fade out time and speed for scenes and chases can be adjusted per channel
nall channels invertable
njog wheels for the control of pan and tilt movements
noperating modes: ‘Play Mode’ , ‘Program Mode’, ‘Setup Mode’ and ‘Easy Mode’
nFunctions: desk lock, autostart, blackout, freeze, copy
nMIDI control (synthesizer and MIDI keyboard)
ndata backup and restore via USB interface
nsuitable for 19" racks (four rack units)
Features
DMX controller
10

4 Installation
Unpack and carefully check that there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep
the equipment packaging. To fully protect the device against vibration, dust and moisture
during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material
suitable for transport or storage, respectively.
The device fits into 19" racks, it occupies four rack units.
Before you install the device, remove the cover (ten fastening screws). Then mount the device
into the racks using the optionally available mounting brackets.
Mounting into a rack
Installation
DMX-Master 3-FX
11

A 3-pin XLR socket is used as DMX output. The following diagram and table show the pin
assignment of the XLR socket.
1 Ground
2 DMX data (–)
3 DMX data (+)
DMX connection
Installation
DMX controller
12

5 Setup
Establish all connections as long as the unit is switched off. Use the shortest possible high-
quality cables for all connections.
Connect the power supply unit which is included in the delivery to the 9-V input of the device,
then put the mains plug into the socket.
Turn on the device using the main switch at the back side. After turning the device on the dis‐
plays shows the software version and the operation mode for a short time. The related display
LEDs light up.
Connecting the power supply
unit
Turning the device on
Setup
DMX-Master 3-FX
13

6 Connectors and controls
Front panel overall view
Connectors and controls
DMX controller
14

Front panel detailed view ‘A’
Connectors and controls
DMX-Master 3-FX
15

1[Fixture] group of buttons
Buttons 1 to 16 select the control channels. The related control LEDs show if the respective channel is active (LED
lights up) oder deactivate (LED is off).
2[FOG MACHINE] button
Activates a fog machine connected to the device. The HEATING and READY control LEDs show the operating status
of the fog machine.
3[Scene] group of buttons
Buttons 1 to 8 activate oder deactivate the programmed scenes. The control LEDs show the activated scenes (LED
lights up).
4[Record] button
Records chases created by you.
5[Delete] button
Deletes chases.
Connectors and controls
DMX controller
16

6Wait Time | FX Speed
Adjusts the program and effect speed and the sensitivity of the microphone.
7Fade Time | FX Size
Adjusts the fade in and fade out time used for scene and program changes and to adjust the display size of an effect.
8[Overlay FX Select] group of buttons
Buttons 1 to 6 activate or deactivate the overlay scenes. The control LEDs show the activated scenes (LED lights up).
9 Faders (with double function) adjust the DMX channels 1 to 16. Use [Page Select] to switch between banks 1…8 and
9…16.
10 [Chaser FX Select] group of buttons
Buttons 1 to 6 activate or deactivate the chases. The control LEDs show the active chases (LED lights up).
11 [PAGE SELECT] button
Switches between banks 1…8 and 9…16 (fader with double function to adjust the DMX channels). The control LEDs
[Page A] and [Page B] indicate which of the two banks is active.
Connectors and controls
DMX-Master 3-FX
17

Front panel detailed view ‘B’
Connectors and controls
DMX controller
18

12 | [UP] and | [DOWN] buttons
Switch between the 30 banks and to adjust the starting angle in the effect editor.
13 Display
14 [PROGRAM] and [Setup] buttons
Buttons with control LEDs to switch between the operation modes.
15 USB plug for a USB storage device or the USB lamp which is included in the delivery.
16 [MUSIC BANK COPY] button
Activates the sound control or copies a complete bank.
17 [AUTO] button
Activates the automatic control.
18 [BLACK OUT] button
Overwrite the DMX outputs with user-specific values (all shutter channels to zero, for example).
Connectors and controls
DMX-Master 3-FX
19

19 [FREEZE] button
Activates the freeze function.
20 [Tap Sync Manual Go] button
Synchronises the timing or activates a chase in automatic mode. The display alternately shows the number of the
current step or the number of the activated chase and of the current bank.
21 [Release] button
Sets all DMX channels back to ‘0’.
22 TILT
Jog wheel used to control the tilt movement of all active channels directly.
23 [Fine] button
Adjusts the resolution of the tilt and the pan movement (fine tuning).
24 PAN
Jog wheel used to control the pan movement of all active channels directly.
25 [Randomize] button
Activates the random function.
Connectors and controls
DMX controller
20