Creating a dimmer pack/par can sequence

[tkodarkside321]

I am having a little trouble creating sequences for the par cans that are in my rig. All the par cans are running off of a lightronics as-40 4 channel dimmer pack.

I have all the dimmer packs/par cans patched in and dip switches set correctly. I just can't figure out how to create a sequence with them. I'm not seeing anything on the freestyler wiki on how to do this. Could someone point me in the right direction?? THANKS!!!

[Spirit]

Hi,

oke, First you need to Patch you Fixture on Freestyler.
Go to the Setup -> add/remove Fixtures.

Now you need to Find PAR64 or PARCAN.
And patch 4 separte fixture for Each dimmer channel.
DO NOT USE " 2, 4, 6PAR64 L Or R".

Now you need to Open the Create Sequence window.
There are 2ways to Create your Parcan sequence.
Manualy or By the FX

If you open the Create Sequence window then it all ready record the Sequence as you see it Says Step1:
If you press on the Blue "+" you will add a new Step.
Manualy:
Step1(a): Select ALL Parcans you like to Have on the Sequence and Set the Value to "0" (You do this so your Sure that all the Parcans are Recorded from the begin of the Sequence, you Will also see a Green "FADE"this means that the Channel is Recorded to the Sequence)
Step1: Now select the First Fixture And set the Value to "255"
Step2: Now you still have the First fixture selected and you Drag the Value to "0", now you select the Second fixture and set the value to "255".
Step3: Now you still have the Second fixture selected and you Drag the Value to "0", now you select the Third fixture and set the value to "255".
Step4: Now you still have the Third fixture selected and you Drag the Value to "0", now you select the fourt fixture and set the value to "255".

Step1(a) is realy imported to do Because this will ADD ALL 4 Intensitie channels to each step from Sequence.
IF you not do this then it Can Give strange Results With HTP, LTP, Random or Reverse. http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/d ... tp_and_htp

Now if you Playback this on the Preview button looks like two Blue arrow >>.
It should Loop the Sequence.
Step1: Fixture1 "255" Fixture2 "0" Fixture3 "0" Fixture4 "0"
Step2: Fixture1 "0" Fixture2 "255" Fixture3 "0" Fixture4 "0"
Step3: Fixture1 "0" Fixture2 "0" Fixture3 "255" Fixture4 "0"
Step4: Fixture1 "0" Fixture2 "0" Fixture3 "0" Fixture4 "255"

And for the FX look at this page: http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/c ... equence:fx
Try out all the Waves/Effect and you need the Channel : INTENSITY to let it work with your Parcans.

/spirit

[tkodarkside321]

Awesome!!! I will try this out ASAP!!!

[Kel]

Did this work for you? I am having difficulty following...I open the add fixture and I get fixture screen. I go to PARCAN in left menu...and select it which spawns the window containing start at row, number of fixtures, etc. Can you explain what is entered here through the sequence... "Patching 4 fixtures, etc. What should the display read in the address box? Should it be "1:1-1" or something else, and in the name box should you then see a total of 16 fixtures going downward? THANKS

[Spirit]

Sorry can you explain your problem a little bit more..?

[Spirit]

Ahhh i see, it seems you never used DMX before.

Look at this page and it Explain what the Address are.
I can not anwer this quastion because this is Allways differnt just how the user like to have it.
About Addresses: http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/d ... _addresses
and DMX in general: http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/dmx_basics

/spirit

[Kel]

I think I understand a 4 channel dimmer pack has an starting address (in my case I am using address 1 for it) and that it has 4 channels, at DMX channel address 1, 2, 3, and 4. If I had a second pack then it would be DMX channel 5,6,7 and 8, etc.

When I select the PARCAN, the PAR-blue from the submenu it spawns a window asking for: Start at Row, then no of fixture, Dmx start address, Checkboxes for Auto address and auto create group...for the selection. So in my case I entered for the first PAR as: start at row 1, number of fixture =4 (usure what this value should be) , DMX start address 1...not sure if check boxes should be checked or unchecked??

[Spirit]

The patch window will say:
1:1-1, 1PAR64 L-1
1:2-2, 1PAR64 L-2
1:3-3, 1PAR64 L-3
1:4-4, 1PAR64 L-4


The first "1" means the Universe but Freestyler only support One Universe so you will allways see "1"

1-1 Means From Channel 1 to Channel 1.

If you use a Fixture that haves More Channel Like 10 you will see 1:1-10

/spirit

[Kel]

I replied while you were working on response. I will go back and try it again.

[Spirit]

When I select the PARCAN, the PAR-blue from the submenu it spawns a window asking for: Start at Row, then no of fixture, Dmx start address, Checkboxes for Auto address and auto create group...for the selection. So in my case I entered for the first PAR as: start at row 1, number of fixture =4 (usure what this value should be) , DMX start address 1...not sure if check boxes should be checked or unchecked??

Oke, Seleceting a Row isnt nessasery.
Yes , Number of Fixtures 4 (Because 1 Parcan Uses 1 Channel, a Intensitie channel)
Dmx start address 1 And keep the Auto address enabled.
so Freestyler will patch 4 Seperate Parcans with 1i ntensitie channel, And begins Counting from DMX channel 1.

[Kel]

Thank you! I can see the sequence working during playback.

[plan_G]

Hi I was wondering if the Original Poster got this to work, as the Lightronics as-40 is not DMX compatible. I have this dimmer pack and have had to run it next to my PC with a Lightronics foot controller. I'm currently looking for a DMX dimmer pack. This post just confused me. I run the pack to my controller with a dmx cable (instead of an xlr) but the AS-40 pack is not dmx. I thought you needed an actual DMX dimmer pack to work with the system. ??

[Spirit]

hi
i see on this page the As-40 is DMX compatible.
http://www.sesystems.com/Lightronics-AS ... -P941.aspx

so it should work on dmx Otherwise i think you have a differnt Dimmer pack.

/spirit

[plan_G]

Mine looks different than that one -
http://www.prosoundonline.com/wp-conten ... as40_a.jpg
(spelling error on "serviceable" and all LOL.) I've been running it with the FC-48 foot controller this whole time. Now I've got to see if it will work via DMX...

I have an opportunity to get an Optima OPDM-20 for $50, I may not need it if indeed I can run my as40 with dmx. Thanks- I'll get back here with my results.

[plan_G]

I tried to set my AS40 up through my Enttec Pro. I used the dipswitches to set the starting address, then set up 4 PARCAN fixtures to correspond with the address I set. I couldn't find anything on the pack to set for DMX. Nothing happened. All 4 channels stayed ON regardless of what I did in Freestyler, and after I unplugged the cable. I wasn't able to establish any control.

There is a switch for Dimmer/Relay and the 4 dipswitches. The pack I have doesn't have any programmed chases or anything - so it looks like maybe it is different than the one you linked to, but it's still labeled an AS40 like the pic I linked to. ugh.

I bought the AS40 dimmer pack with an FC-48 foot operated lighting controller which uses the LMX-128 protocol. (according to the manual). I've been running the foot controller on my desk with my PC. Maybe this unit is only set for LMX and not DMX.

I apologize for hijacking this thread. I am still frustrated why Lightronics would have two types of AS-40 packs. Or if I'm just missing something... I'm glad the OP was able to get his to work!

[plan_G]

I searched my email from when I first bought these things and found this from Lightronics customer service:

Both are our LMX protocol. The FC-48 is a foot controller that bands
used to run their effects from the stage. The AS40 is the dimmer
that the FC-48 controlled. Attached are .pdf schematics of the
units. The manuals can be found on our website www.Lightronics.com
under discontinued products. You can purchase a DMX to LMX
converter that will allow you to use your DMX to drive the AS40
dimmer. Our converter is the TX30.

Ken Merchant
Lightronics Tech Support
1-800-472-8541

I just thought I'd put this in here if anyone needs the info one day.