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Strobe to sound
Posted: 17 Nov 2009, 23:00
by Jacotex
Hello,
I got a Martin Atomic 3000 stroboscope, that i want to flash to the beat of the sound? but i can't figure out how.
Can anyone please help me with this issue

?
// Philip
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 17 Nov 2009, 23:24
by remco_k
-Create a 2 step sequence, Step 1: Intensity (channel 1) to 255, the other 3 channels to 0. Step 2: All 4 channels to zero
-Set the sequence in a cue, make it respond to Sound and start the sound 2 light function from FreeStyler.
Now you have a situation where the strobe flashes once every 2 beats.
But you want a flash every beat, don't you?
Download the new Sound 2 Light beta (1.0.0.2) from
http://www.digiplay.nl/fs (its just one day old, so be nice to him).
Install it, start up as usual from FreeStyler and enable the Beat multiplier. Set that to 2.
Now you'll have a flash every beat. But there is one problem, it might flash on the wrong trigger, as it gets 2 triggers every beat to go to the next step.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 17 Nov 2009, 23:27
by Jacotex
Alright Thank you very much
I will try that.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 21 Nov 2009, 08:48
by remco_k
Moved the topic to this subforum as it was originally posted in the help & support for fixture files.
I'm curious if it worked!
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 21 Nov 2009, 17:28
by fisch
yeah I tried this. The strobe would turn on with one beat and off with the next. This caused the strobe to just go on and off but not strobe as such even with scene speed at fastest.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 21 Nov 2009, 21:13
by remco_k
What strobe are you using?
You need to send DMX values so that it flashes one time, regardless how long those DMX values are kept on. Most DMX strobes have such a way.
This way you can also create a 'single strobe flash' override button, when you press that, it will flash once, regardless of how long you press the button.
That is what you need to achieve, and it depends on your strobe how you must do that.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 22 Nov 2009, 15:27
by fisch
Im only using 3d easy view b/c I dont yet have an adapter I need for my real strobes. I am however practicing on Acme Bf750s which are very similar. Where would this option be?
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 22 Nov 2009, 16:34
by remco_k
fisch wrote:Im only using 3d easy view b/c I dont yet have an adapter I need for my real strobes. I am however practicing on Acme Bf750s which are very similar. Where would this option be?
In the manual -or- it can't flash once.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 26 Nov 2009, 19:51
by remco_k
FYI: I Released a new beta in which you can let S2L restart sequences to their first step on real beats. So flashing a fixture on a beat becomes possible now.
See:
http://www.digiplay.nl/fs/
And:
http://www.freestylersupport.com/fsforu ... t=30#p7584
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 26 Nov 2009, 21:15
by Jacotex
Thank you very much

Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 10:48
by Jacotex
now iv'e been trying .. can't make it flash so often. it will only do the flash, if you wait like 1-2 seconds before next beat.
but if i take a dimmer and move it up and down, on the intensity, then it will flash many times a second, but thats not what i want :/
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 11:12
by remco_k
Then you've probably made an error in your sequence or configuration.
Create a 2 step sequence containing values so that your strobe flashes once on step 1 and stays out on step 2. Make sure you go back to some default values for your strobe on step 2. (in the case of the martin atomic: all channels to 0 - probable the way for other strobes also).
Insert the sequence to the cue window, test it manually by trigging the 2 steps by hand and see if your strobe flashes once on step 1, stays out on step 2 and see if it flashes on step 1 every time the sequence get back there.
If no: fix it. If you don't know how, tell us how you have created step 1 and 2 (with values you have set to with DMX channel and also post the dmx channel description of your strobe, together with brand and model).
If yes, move on to making the sequence to react to sound. Set loop off, start S2L, make it to restart the sequence on every beat.
Now every real beat the sequence should run step 1, every multiplied beat step 2.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 11:16
by Jacotex
i have created it, and it works, if i dont trigger it too fast.
it does flash to the beat, but only if theres 2-3 seconds, between every beat.
1. full intensity.
2. all on zero.
i also tried restarting , that works too, aslong as there is 1-2 seconds between my clicks :/
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 11:20
by Jacotex
ehm, now i got it working, with the multi beat thing :S
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 11:21
by Jacotex
i had just forgot to make it snap on intensity in the second step. i had it turned off :b
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 11:32
by remco_k
Good to see you have it under control. It now all makes sense right?
For the next times: please use the edit button if you want to add something to your postings instead of creating new posts when nobody else responded yet. Looks nicer and reads better.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 11:34
by Jacotex
ahh, alright
But i how do i use this new feature from beta 1.0.3, with restart to real beat. do i also have to make 2 steps in a seq. ?
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 16:49
by remco_k
Jacotex wrote:ahh, alright
But i how do i use this new feature from beta 1.0.3, with restart to real beat. do i also have to make 2 steps in a seq. ?
Yes, in fact, it is all about more than one steps. So 2 steps at least. Why? Because otherwise (with a one step sequence) DMX values would never change. Causing nothing to happen (total darkness or a light flashing at his own speed)... To get it right, the 1st step needs to flash the light once, the second step needs to set all values to 0 (or some values to get it to work, might differ per fixture)
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 17:16
by LJ_krede.dk
remco_k wrote:Jacotex wrote:ahh, alright
But i how do i use this new feature from beta 1.0.3, with restart to real beat. do i also have to make 2 steps in a seq. ?
Yes, in fact, it is all about more than one steps. So 2 steps at least. Why? Because otherwise (with a one step sequence) DMX values would never change. Causing nothing to happen (total darkness or a light flashing at his own speed)... To get it right, the 1st step needs to flash the light once, the second step needs to set all values to 0 (or some values to get it to work, might differ per fixture)
its actually good it is a two sequence step if you want to change between two colors every beat (or something else) gives a great effect
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 19:22
by Jacotex
But i can make it, one step only ? and then the.. real beat function works ?
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 29 Nov 2009, 19:49
by remco_k
Jacotex wrote:But i can make it, one step only ? and then the.. real beat function works ?
No. I'm beginning to think I'm being fooled here...
I've explained 2 times in this topic: you'll need at least 2 steps. Always. Did you even try in the mean time?
Think about it. Trying to get to you for the last time by giving a 1 step example using 1 RED par fixture (which ofcourse won't work):
Say, you make a 1 step sequence: RED par full on.
You activate the sequence in the cue, the RED par goes on and then it stays on. Forever.... and ever.... and ever. No matter what manual trigger, timer or S2L does.
Until you deactivate the sequence with the button, the RED par goes off, like it should.
How can S2L or any manual trigger do any control on a 1 step sequence? Is there another step to go to? No. S2L wants to, but there is no step 2. Does the DMX values change then? No. Does the light flash then? No, it will stay lit.
There should be a step 2: RED par off. Then it will work.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 01 Dec 2009, 21:21
by fisch
remco_k wrote:Create a 2 step sequence containing values so that your strobe flashes once on step 1 and stays out on step 2. Make sure you go back to some default values for your strobe on step 2. (in the case of the martin atomic: all channels to 0 - probable the way for other strobes also).
I have the rest of it and can make adequate sequnces for other features but I am confused as to how to make the stobe flash only once. My strobe has two channels: intensity and flash rate. I've tried putting the flash rate at, say 249 but sometimes I get two flashes or none at all. How would I get just one?
Thanks
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 01 Dec 2009, 21:41
by LJ_krede.dk
You wrote you have a Martin Atomic Strobe 3000.
1) Download and install the new Sound 2 Light beta (1.0.0.4) from
http://www.digiplay.nl/fs
2) Create a 2 step sequence, Step 1: Intensity (channel 1) to 255, the other 3 channels to 0. Step 2: All 4 channels to zero
3) Set the sequence in a cue,
4) make it respond to Sound and start the sound 2 light function from FreeStyler.
5) Enable the Beat multiplier by setting it to "2" in the S2L software.
6) Enable the Sequence Restarter for that sequence you have in the Freestyler Cue window
Now you'll have a flash every beat.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 02 Dec 2009, 00:46
by fisch
Im actually using Acme Bf750s which are only 2 channels. I tired what you suggested but the strobe doesnt actually flash without the shutter channel on and this is where I encounter the multiple or no flash problem.
Re: Strobe to sound
Posted: 02 Dec 2009, 08:02
by remco_k
You've asked earlier, I referenced to the manual. What does that say? Maybe there is an explanation on how to single flash your strobe.
One thing you could try: rate:0 intensity:255
And the next step of the sequence: rate:0 intensity:0
If it does not work, then your strobe has not got an single flash option, but does have a slow flash option.
Try creating a 4 step sequence, the first step containing rate:x, intensity:255, the 3 steps after that rate:0, intensity:0.
Set the beat multiplier in S2L to 4.
This way step 1 of your sequence will be active very short, maybe producing a single flash. The rest of the steps do "nothing".