Skip to main content

5 replies

Help controlling Protron Star or Mega Flash DMX strobes via DMX w/ DMX Operator Pro?

FM Former Member
Hello,

First off, let me state that I'm a audio engineer and musical artist and have limited experience in stage lighting. I'm basically working out the kinks for a stage lighting rig I will be touring with. Sorting out the problems may get a bit complex, so I'm going to take this in stages. First things first, I need to figure out how to control my strobes with my dmx controller via dmx. This is a list of components I have at my disposal.

DMX Operator Pro DMX Controller
DP-415 Dimmer Packs
Protron Star Strobes
Mega Flash DMX Strobes
A bunch of pars
A lot of other components that don't need to mentioned that will be incorporated once I have basic functionality working smoothly.

I guess it would make sense if I just throw out some questions that I'm having trouble answering based on the information provided in all of the units manuals. I'm basically trying to control the strobes via dmx using my controller and am having no luck. I spoke with customer service at american dj before I had all of the components in and was told that I could control dmx-controlled strobes with the DMX Operator Pro, but I would have to basically step through scenes (which is fine).

1. First off, I've learned that if I'm going to use my dimmer packs with strobes they need to set to switch not to dim, but do I need to use these dimmer packs at all with the strobes listed since they have dmx inputs? Can I just control them by connecting dmx cables instead of plugging them into the DP-415s?

2. Secondly, what dmx addresses should I assign to my strobes to use them with a DMX Operator Pro? I've tried setting them to DMX address 1 (allocated as a moving light fixture for the DMX Operator Pro). Should I assign them to a par DMX address (IE DMX 129)? I've mostly been working with the Mega Flash DMX for testing so I did make sure that dip switch 10 was turned on.

I'd basically just like to be able to control the dimming and speed of the strobes (as well as keep them in sync) with the DMX Operator pro.

Is this possible?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Best,


JaysonHazelbaker
jayson@juniorrevolution.com

Junior Revolution | Vocals | Guitars | Pianos
Void Productions | New Fidelity Studios | Producer | Engineer
14 Garfield Place
Cincinnati Ohio 45202
m 937.763.4523

://myspace.com/juniorrevolution
://voidproductions.net
://jhazelbaker.com
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

J JinglesForum Admin
Welcome!
1) NO NEVER plug a DMX light into a dimmer pack EVER! it will damage the unit. since the proton strobe has more than one DMX channel you will need to put it on a fixture button. on the op. pro the fixture buttons hold 16 dmx channels. so fixture one controls channels 1-16 and the next button controls 17-32. understand?
2) address them either in the begining of the line or at the end but put the pars on the par side. that is what it is for. how many strobes do you have? also to keep them in synch address them all the same address and they will all do the same thing. hope this helps. sincerely,
FM Former Member
Thanks for the guidance James. It does help a bit. I must have gotten some bad info concerning the dimmmer pack. I read to just put it on switch mode. So I may have damaged it. I've only been testing with the Mega Flash for just these reasons. The channels make sense, but which controls on the board will I use to change rate and dimming if I assign the Protron Star to fixture 1's dmx address?

I currently only have the two strobes in right now for testing and comparison-a Protron Star and Mega Flash DMX. I may start trying out the Protron Star to see if I can get any control going. I know that the Mega Flash DMX still works fine in Standalone mode. How can I tell if I did damage it by using it with the DP-415?

Thanks so much!

Jayson Hazelbaker
FM Former Member
Thanks so much James...definitely got me back on track...not sure how I didn't figure this out on my own.

I'm not sure who told me to use a dimmer pack in switch mode...I may have read it somewhere on this forum or over on the lighting forums a prosoundweb.

But thanks again...I'll let you know if I run into any hangups from here out...

Best,

Jayson Hazelbaker

Add Reply

Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×