Support Forum

Hello group.

I recently bought a pair of Martin MX-1s, and the Enttec open USB interface. I have got the fixtures addressed, and am running Freestyler on a Win XP laptop,

I host Halloween Parties every year with 50-60 people and this year we have a band. I have the MX-1s mounted high overhead in our vaulted ceiling family room.

I want to program some basic movements like having the lights fade up, and sweep over to spotlight the band;, sweep over to another side and hit a mirror ball, etc. I'd also like to program some fast sweeps, gobo changes, etc. I did read some tutorials here, and watched some YouTube videos and have successfully programmed a few sequences. But I am experiencing some problems, and will probably have more questions as I try to perfect this.

So my immediate problem is the lights pan/tilt positioning is changing relative to the ball location on the grid. Sometimes the system comes up and center on the grid is pretty much center of the room/ pan-tilt range. But other times it centers way off to one side; so center on the P/T grid is nowhere near the center of the room, and the other side of the P/T range seems inaccessible. Also, the light (only have one connected right now, it is terminated) will sometimes move across a big range on it's own, and that usually when it gets off centered with the grid.

Any ideas? Is there a re-center function? Is this a noise on the line problem? Fixture issue? How can I see the actual P/T values? I read after I shut the system down last night that the sliders should show me those values, but I didn't get a chance to try it.

Thanks for any help, I have wanted to play with this stuff for literally decades, it is really fun (I was a night club DJ in the early 80s). I think this could really wow people at my party....

JH

I have been working with 30year old martin mx-1's

But i also have had same trouble with the mx-1s.

but you need to try somethings.

First of all there is a Reset value (dimmer/shutter channel on 255 for 3sec) but i understand it's not ideal because the lamp shutdown.

Now you need to replicate the issue you have, if you have the same issue now Reset your fixture and see if this solves the P/T problem.
if it solves your problem it means your have the same issue i have.
The range from a Mx-1 Isn't 0->255 but something like 0->200 if you drag the fader higher then 200 then the mirror Will jump and its not calibrated any more. (this have something to do with the wires to the Motors)

But freestyler haves a P/T resize funtion.
if you go to Setup/freestyler setup/Preferences/ Pan/tilt resize
Here you can set the MAX Pan and tilt Value, so freestyler will not go higher then "200".

i hope this will help you

Thanks for that Spirit, that 200 limit makes sense, I'll check it out.


Another question about sequences.

I presume that every step is the sequence is recorded by what the fixture is doing when I press the "+" button on the sequence generator. So if I want to create a sequence where the two fixtures come up from black, then sweep over to specific spot, I would:

Position each fixture's spot to the starting location: do I do one at a time by selecting each fixture independently and positioning P/T?

Turn bulbs off.

Now I press the "+" button to create the first step, right? DO both fixtures need to be active at this point? Or will I have to create a separate sequence for each fixture and then cue/run them at the same time?

Now turn the bulbs on, then press "+" to create the second step

Now use the P/T controls and move the spots to the desired final location, press "+" again. Move them at the same time with both active, or one at a time?


Sorry if this is long /tedious, but I so far couldn't find out how to do these kinds of motions. Please point me to them if they exist, and thanks for the help!!!

Now I press the "+" button to create the first step, right? DO both fixtures need to be active at this point? Or will I have to create a separate sequence for each fixture and then cue/run them at the same time?

- if you open the create sequence window the first step is allready recording.
- you can add as many channels you like to one sequence (Max=512)
- you can add all your fixtures to One sequence.

also take a look at the Freestyler wiki you can find ALOT! of info about freestyler, and More.
There is a Link on top of this Page " The Freestyler wiki " or use this link: http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/

stil having problems, your free to ask.

Well I checked this out last night and it does not appear that my MX-1s have a 200 max on the pan/tilt values. I can open the sliders and move the pan 0-255 and it goes full range side to side.

What appears to be happening is that the mirror seems to be "slipping" in the fixture. If I move the mirror manually and rapidly not necessarily hitting the "limits" of movement, all of a sudden it is off center. That is (for example) the mirror will hit its hard stop mechanical limit tot eh right not at 255, but like 140. If I "force" the slider (or the ball in the P/T window) more to the right, the stepper motors in the fixture will "chatter" for a bit then stop, and then when I bring the pan back, I have the full range of motion back, and it will center properly.

Make any sense??

I'm thinking this is a fixture problem, not a Freestyler one....

Ok, about 10 days until my party, and I've played with this app and my Martins a bit more. I have been successful at programming some sequences, but have some questions:

Still not clear what "Fade time" and "Scene Time" is on the sequence editor. Scene time is the interval between executing the next step in the sequence? What is Fade Time? Couldn't find this explained in the Wiki anywhere.

I want to program sequences to do some simple movements, locate both beams in one spot and stay there for example. I would prefer that the mirror movements be when the light is off for example. Should I turn the lights off, then open the sequence editor? Or open the editor, then turn the lights off?

Also, how can I use the pre-programmed movements (like circle) in a sequence?

Thanks...

JH

Still not clear what "Fade time" and "Scene Time" is on the sequence editor. Scene time is the interval between executing the next step in the sequence? What is Fade Time? Couldn't find this explained in the Wiki anywhere.

Fade time between scene So 1000 and 1000 looks smooth, 500 and 500 looks smooth.
but 500 and 1000 would mean it fades faster then the scene time is. and 1000 and 500 means the scene time will cut down the fade time.
Just try and you will see.

I want to program sequences to do some simple movements, locate both beams in one spot and stay there for example.

You can do this nice with the Submaster or overridebuttons, but with the submasters you can also say the How fast a "postion P/T" goes.

I would prefer that the mirror movements be when the light is off for example

Can you explain this one a little more.

Should I turn the lights off, then open the sequence editor? Or open the editor, then turn the lights off?

I would say Turn on the light before you open the sequence creator. this way you can see what your doing.

But the Most important thing about the Sequence creater is the OFF, SNAP, FADE.
the sequence needs to be "Transparent"
Fade en Snap will be recorder bij the creator.
but OFF means its not recorded to a Seqeunce.

Also, how can I use the pre-programmed movements (like circle) in a sequence?

1)Open Sequence creator.
2)Select fixture
3)open Pan/Tilt panel
4)Select your shape
5)Press on "off" so it says "on" en the shape will be playing.
6)now Press OFF from the pan and tilt channel To FADE
7)Save your Sequence
i would do the trick