help with my fixture file

[bluc]

Hey all total newbie with dmx lighting. I am controlling an rgb led strip via a PX24506 dmx led strip driver http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/220986063198 ... 766wt_1163 According to the description it has 256 levels of brightness Which I assume is a dimming function, but I cant get the dimmer to work. Colour change and react to music ok but I cant program any intensity into the light. Here is my fixture file. If someone could take a look at my fixture file and could me help out would be much appreciated. I followed the mega bar tutorial to get the fixture file to where it is now. My first attempt at anything dmx.

[spankthafunk]

The device description states "1-3 channels output for option and each channel able to achieve 256 gradations of controlling."

Which means it will only output An R channel a B channel and a G channel. Therefore you can only control those three values: R 0-255 G 0-255 B 0-255.

The device doesn't support a separate intensity channel so you can't control intensity. Most fixtures that allow you to do intensity use a separate channel (4 total) for intensity. A sample 6 channel led fixture might include something like this:

DMX Channel 1: Intensity
DMX Channel 2: Red
DMX Channel 3: Blue
DMX Channel 4: Green
DMX Channel 5: Strobe
DMX Channel 6: Macros

This 6 channel fixture would allow you to control any o those features, intensity color strobes and macro effects.

Hope that clarifies it. But now I have a question for you:

How do you assign the DMX Channels with this device?

[spankthafunk]

Nevermind I see the dip switches now!

[bluc]

Thanks yea that is the conclusion I came to last night. Now to hunt for a 6 channel dmx led strip driver . I will relegate these to a place where I don't need brightness control.

[bluc]

Anyone know a dmx rgb led strip driver with strobe and dimming?

[spankthafunk]

Haven't seen those myself but if you find one! I've been tryin to do the same kind of thing.

I just pick a color , save it as a single step sequence, repeat for all colors. Then put each sequence in one cue and bring that cue onto a submaster. Now I can Run whatever color I choose and the submaster controls intensity. Maybe something like that could help?

[bluc]

Sorry for dumb question but what is the "sub master"? Also how do you switch the light on and off? The blackout function works but if I am playing a sequence and I stop the sequence the light just stays on are the supposed to turn of when the sequence ends? Also can you sequence the cue files or is the player fully manual.Getting a digital fully addressable 5m roll strip in a few weeks that is going to be fun Thanks for all the help so far.

[Jan_K]

Have a look here. It tells a bit about the Sub Masters

http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/p ... e_relation

Here you can use the fader next to the selection window to fade out the sequence

/Jan

[bluc]

I have not had luck with controlling the lights with the sub master. The colour bar above my fixture image changes colour but the lights never turn on. Will have another look tomorrow.Getting back to the issue with the drivers dimming. I played around a bit and I can add a dimmer function on the same channel as a coulor (r/g or b) only problem is it will only dim that Chanel. Any particular reason why in freestyle you cant add more than one dimmer? Eg have a dimmer function on each of the 3 channels? Or is what I'm doing a no no or dangerous to the health of my driver?

[Jan_K]

If you use the 3 color faders in color control then they are actyally a dimmer for each of the 3 colors.
And this is also what is control with the Sub Master fader.

[bluc]

Just to add a bit more info I put the dimmer on the blue channel then when I went to "windows all" I got two windows instead of one the colour wheel and a dimmer window using the dimmer window I could turn the blue channel on or off completely or dimm to desired level. But I can only add a dimmer to one channel as that is all freestyle allows.

[bluc]

Perhaps I just need more experience with the program. Have worked out how to fade between colours but not how to control the intensity by adding the dimmer to the blue channel I can control the intensity of the blue channel. Hope this makes sense.

[Spirit]

hi

just keep the colors on the correct slider so red green and blue just should be on the Red, green and blue slider. do not use the intensitie slider.

look at this page for a RGB example. http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/c ... d_tutorial

and next to the submaster you have a Intensitie slider with this slider you can control the Brightness of the sequence.

/spirit

[spankthafunk]

How to set this up:

1) create a one step sequence with your selected fixtures and choose red color.

2) save sequence

3) open cue window. Insert sequence and drag your red sequence onto first row. Save the cue.

4) open submaster window(I forget what it's under, Windows or something). Click gear icon insert cue. Drag your saved cue onto submaster 1. Now you can hit Run on the submaster and use the bar to the side to change it's intensity.

5) repeat steps for the other two colors, putting the green cue on submaster 2 and blue on submaster 3. Now you can control all three intensities with using a "dimmer" in the fixture profile.

[spankthafunk]

* "without" using a dimmer in the fixture profile

[bluc]

Got that working but still not what I am after. I just don't think these drivers will do what I want. I found these ones http://rita.en.alibaba.com/product/5099 ... ction.html says it has dimming and strobscopic function but still says its only 3 channel going to contact them and see if I can get more info.

[spankthafunk]

Let me know what they say, I'd like to pick one up if that's the case. Currently running into the same process as you're going thru.

Doing my first live show tonight and I have some LED strips made up for it. I just put all my colors on one submaster cuelist, use the submaster fader for intensity, and the Go/Back/Run buttons to change between the colors inthe cue.

I made a separate submaster and created a simple on/off snap step sequence for a "strobe" effect. Even though it's not a true strobe it still looks good and I can use the Tap Sync button.

We will see tonight how it goes!

[bluc]

I did the same thing to get a strobe /flash affect I used a two colour two scene sequence I chose white and red as there is a big contrast choose snap between and dropped the fade and scene time as low as it would go. Its OK but I would not call it a strobe. Waiting for a quote for the other driver if its reasonable I think I will take the plunge and buy one.

[Jan_K]

There are a fast test you can do.

Use one of the 5 - 6 channals generic fixture.
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=777

This will cover if they have more than the 3 channels that they state.

You will then have some sliders in the right side of FreeStyler.
Try to adjust them and see if it have any function that are not described.

/Jan