1.1 Thank You for Purchasing the Trio-1248
Thank you for your purchasing the Elation Professional Trio-1248 Lighting Console. Please read the
instructions in this manual carefully and thoroughly before attempting to operate this unit. These
instructions contain important information regarding safety during use and maintenance. Please fill
out and return the enclosed warranty card to validate your purchase.
1.2 Customer Service
Elation provides a toll free customer support line, to provide set up help and to answer question
should you encounter problems during you set up or initial operation. You may also visit us the web
at www.elationlighting.com for any comments or suggestions.
All returned service items whether warranty or not, must be freight pre-paid and accompany a
Return Authorization(RA) number. The RA number must be clearly written on the outside of the return
package. Items returned without a RA number clearly marked on the outside of the package will be
refused and returned at customer’s expense. You may obtain a RA number by contacting customer
service.
A brief description of the problem as well as RA number must be written down on a piece of paper
and include in the shipping container. If the unit is under warranty, you must also provide a copy of
your proof of purchase invoice.
Customer Service house are Monday through Friday 8:00a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time and without notice. Please
contact Elation Customer Service or visit www.elationlighting.com
The following symbols are used throughout this manual:
Indicates potential injury or death to persons.
Indicates potential damage to equipment.
Indicates items may be recycled.
The following safety information relates to the Trio-1248 Lighting Console. Please read each item
carefully to ensure you fully understand them.
To prevent the risk of electrical shock, do not open this unit. There are no user serviceable parts
inside this unit. Do not attempt any repairs yourself. Doing so will void your manufactures warranty.
Should your unit require service, please contact your nearest Elation dealer or Elation Customer
Service.
To prevent or reduce the risk of electrical shock or fire, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
Do not remove the plug ground pin or connect to an ungrounded circuit.
This unit is not designed for use by persons under the age of 12. Use only under adult supervision.
Turn off the power if not using this unit for a long time.
2.2 Compliance:
The CE marking (an acronym for the French “Conformite Europeenne”) certifies that a product has
met EU health, safety, and environmental requirements, which ensure consumer safety. A manufacturer that has gone through the conformity assessment process may affix the CE marking to the
product.
The Trio-1248 system has passed internal testing based on the EN55015:2001 standard, and is
100% CE compliant. We certify that the product conforms to the protection requirements of council
directives 73/23/EEC (LVD) and 89/336/EEC (EMC).
2.3 Abbreviations:
DMX – DigitalMultiplex
Gb – Gigabyte
Ghz – Gigahertz
LAN – Local Area Network
Mb – Megabyte
PC – Personal Computer
RA – Return Authorization
RAM – Random Access Memory
RGB – Red, Green, Blue
USB – Universal Serial Bus
XLR – 3 & 5-pin Cannon X connector, with Latch and Rubber guard
The Elation Trio-1248 is a three in one lighting console which was designed to control Conventional
dimmers, LED’s and Moving Lights. We are sure you’ll find your Trio to be extremely powerful and
easy to use.
3.2 Unpacking:
The Elation Professional Trio-1248 has been thoroughly tested and shipped in perfect working condition. Please take a few minutes to carefully inspect the system carton for damage that may have
occurred during shipping. If the carton appears to be damaged, carefully inspect each system component for damage, in the case that damage is found, please contact our customer support center, listed below, for further instructions. The Elation Professional Trio-1248 system carton should
includes the following:
1 Trio-1248 Lighting Console
1 External AC Adaptor
1 User Manual
3.3 Caution!
There are no user serviceable parts inside this unit. Do not attempt any repairs yourself, doing so will
void your manufactures warranty. In the unlikely event your unit may require service, please contact
your nearest Elation Professional dealer. Do not discard this carton in the trash, please recycle when
ever possible. Upon unpacking, carefully inspect your unit for any damage that any have occurred
during shipping. If damage may have occurred, do not plug the unit in, please contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
1. Professional DMX512 Lighting Console. Ideal for conventional, moving and LED lighting fixtures.
2. Powerful, versatile, three in one control.
3. LCD display for easy operation with contrast adjustment. (with optional VGA card).
4. USB port for uploading/downloading data and updating software. (USB Flash Drive Required...
NOT INCLUDED)
5. Artnet port for faster communication with compatible device.
6. DMX IN allows 3 pin XLR connection from external console. (Only receives data for DMX Base
playback)
7. DMX OUT’s A & B send data, via 3 & 5 pin XLR’s, to compatible fixtures/devices. DMX Output A
should only be used to send data to DMX Base fixtures/devices. DMX Output B should be used to
send data to all fixtures/devices which are patched into your TRIO-1248.
8. Buttons change color depending on their current function.
9. Grand Master control for total output control.
10. 1,152 recordable scenes (24 Pages x 48 scenes) in Submaster mode for conventional lights.
11. 24 faders control conventional, moving lights and LED fixture channels.
12. Controls 12 Moving Light fixtures with up to 40 channels each. 20 playbacks x 99 steps in
Moving Light Mode.
13. Controls 12 LED (RGB) Fixtures. 20 playbacks x 99 steps in LED mode.
14. 12 FX Keys act as multi function keys which allow the user to program and run 12 independent
chase sequences, they also act as playbacks while in DMX Base mode and are also used to enter
numeral information such as passwords during setup.
15. 6 operation modes: Single Scene, Two Scene, Submaster, Moving Light(ML), LED mode, Mem ory Playback modes.
16. Blackout button controls all fixtures. When held for 3 seconds, the blackout button overrides the
system and completely brings all fixtures to 0 (example: moving fixtures will return to their home
position rather than just blacking out.
17. Memory playback mode allows a combination of Submaster, Led and Moving Light playback.
18. Power requirement of DC 9-12V 2A power supply (Included).
1. Key 1-24 and Key 25-48: Used to select Conventional Par’s page.
2. Bump Keys 1-24 (25-48 depending on page): Individual bump for channel relevant channel.
3. Single Scene: Used to enter Single Scene Mode.
4. Two Scene: Used to enter Two Scene Mode.
5. ML (Moving Light): Used to enter Moving Light Mode.
6. LED: Used to enter LED Mode.
7. Mem. Playback: Used to enter Memory Playback Mode.
8. Next: Used in conjunction with Preset A & B faders, Single Scene Mode, for manual Scene Cross
Fade.
9. Record: Used to record presets and submasters.
10. EXT 1-4: EXT Keys are user assignable keys that give the option to assign a single channel as a
Latch or Momentary. Latch acting as an On/Off and Momentary acting as a momentary bump.
(Example: a Fog Machine, Strobe or Blinder can be set as “Momentary” so the effect will be active
while the relevant EXT key is pressed).
11. Menu: Used to set up each parameter such as DMX channel patch, Fixture patch, update software, lock memory, etc...
12. FX key: Works in conjunction with FX keys 1-12. When the FX key is pressed, Conventional Par
Chases can be played back by pressing FX keys 1-12. FX chases 1-12 (Conventional Par Chases)
must first be programmed by the user.
13. FX Keys 1-12: are multi function keys that can be used to store/playback Conventional Par
Chases, store/trigger Playbacks when in DMX Base mode, and enter numeral information such as
Passwords when in the Menu.
14. Clear Buffer: Clears the programmer.
15. DMX Base: Works in conjunction with FX keys 1-12. When the DMX Base key is pressed,
Programs 1-12 can be played back by pressing FX keys 1-12. The DMX Base programs, can only
consist of recorded data uploaded from an external DMX console. All 12 chases can run simultaneously.
16. FD/ST Time key: This is a multi function key. FD represents “Fade Time”. When Fade Time is
active, its key will illuminate Red. ST represents “Step Time”. When Step Time is active, its key will
illuminate Yellow. Fade and Step times can be adjusted by moving the “Step Rate” fader.
17. Step key: Used to store steps while programming FX 1-12 (Conventional Par Chases) and to
manually step through ML and LED program steps.
18. Go/Stop: Used to start/stop playback of FX 1-12 (Conventional Par Chases).
19. Solo key: Works in conjunction with the “Flash Level” fader. When in Single and Two Scene
modes, pressing bump keys 1-24, will give you temporary output override based on the Flash Level
fader setting.
20. Faders 1-24 (25-48 depending on active page): Each fader can be soft-patched to control one or
more channels. i.e. - Fader 1 can control channels 1,5,10 & 20 simultaneously.
21. Preset A and Preset B faders: Work in Single and Two Scene Preset modes. In Single scene
mode, these faders are used to activate the “Next” function. In Two Scene mode, these faders control Preset A & B intensities for channels 1-12 & 13-24.
22. Flash Level: Represents the max bump output value for all Conventional Par channels.
23. Step Rate: Used to set hold and fade times for all programs during record process and during
playback.
24. Grandmaster: Controls output of entire console at all times.
3.7 Manual Conventions
The following terms and conventions are used throughout this manual:
• Keys are presented using their exact spelling and capitalization and surrounded by brackets (i.e.
press the [1-24] key).
• Activate is used with keys that toggle between two values or functions and means place the control in its active state.
• Deactivate is used with keys that toggle between two values and means place the control in its
non-active state.
• Select describes pointing to and clicking a button or checkbox (on a software screen) such that
it is activated. This allows a single instruction to describe this action without knowing the control’s
previous state. For example, if the control is not selected, clicking the control once selects it. If it is
already selected, no action is required.
• Highlight describes the outlining of selected text or files with a colored border to make it stand out.
For example, this text is highlighted. Text may be highlighted by clicking and dragging the cursor
across the portion desired.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time and without notice. Please
contact Elation Customer Service or visit www.elationlighting.com for the latest manual revisions.
When you power the unit on, the LCD will show you.
4.1.1 Single Scene Crossfading
A crossfade allows one scene to fade out while another scene fades in.
In Single Scene Mode, when “NEXT” is active, the Trio will function like a single scene crossfading
console. Crossfade times can be preset or manually set on the fly.
1. Activate Single Scene Mode, green backlite key will indicate that it is active. Activate A and B
Preset Faders to their top position. Activate the Grand Master fader to its top position. Activate the
“Next” key- red backlite key will indicate that it is active. Adjust the Channel Faders (1-24) to set the
Channel values as desired for your first Scene. Those channels should now be active.
2. Activate A and B Preset Faders to their bottom position. Previously set channels will remain active.
Adjust Channel Faders (1-24) to set the Channel values as desired for your next Scene.
3. Activate A and B Preset Faders to their top position, at the rate that you want your new scene to
fade in at. Your previous scene should fade out while your new scene fades in. See section 4.1.2
“Fade A and Fade B Settings” to preset Cross fade times.
4. Repeat steps 1-4 to continue using the Crossfade “Next” function. To exit the “Next” function,
Activate A and B Preset Faders to their top position and deactivate the “Next” key.
*Note:
1. In Single Scene (yellow backlite key), Two Scene (yellow backlite key) and Submaster modes (red backlite key),
one or more channel bump/scenes can be set active based on the Flash Level fader setting. To do so, while in one
of the forementioned modes, hold down the bump button or buttons for channels or scenes that you want active.
Then activate one of the other two modes. The selected channels will remain active while all other channels or
Submasters can be bumped or activated. While the Single and Two scene indicator’s are yellow, all function keys
are void except for the grandmaster.
2. There are two ways to switch to Single Scene mode from any of the other Modes:
2.1 Crossfade
-Crossfade allows the user to transition smoothly between the current working mode
to Single Scene. Activate the Single Scene key- the yellow indication Insert means the
current fader settings are still in the previous scene. By activating the A and B Preset
Faders bottom to top, the indicator will now be green and the user will not be working
in Single Scene Mode.
2.2 Shortcut
-This method allows the user to transition quickly from the current working mode into
Single scene mode. Activate the Single Scene key once to change the indicator to yel
low which means the console is running on the current fader settings. Activate the Single Scene key
a second time to switch to Single Scene mode-indicated by the green backlite.
4.1.2 Fade A and Fade B Settings
1. Activate Softkey A to choose and highlight “Fade A”.
2. Adjust Step Rate fader to set the Fadetime for Preset A.
3. Deactivate Softkey “A”.
-Just as above, Activate Softkey C to choose and highlight “Fade B” and set a desired fade time
using the Step Rate fader.
TRIO-1248 OPERATION - TWO SCENE MODE
4.2 Two Scene Mode
1. When Two Scene Mode is entered by pressing the Two Scene key, the LCD Screen will show this
display:
The Channel Faders on the page represent Scene A and Scene B
Faders 1-12 control Scene A
Faders 13-24 control Scene B
When Preset A and B Faders are in the Top position, the LCD will perform Scene A and Fade out of
Scene B. When the Preset A and B Faders are in the bottom position, the LCD will perform Scene B
and fade out of Scene A.
Pushing A and B Preset Faders simultaneously allows smooth transition between Scenes.
2. If it is desired to switch into Two Scene Mode from another work mode, the user may do so in the
same fashion as Single Scene Mode.
When SubMaster mode is activated, the LCD Screen will show this display:
In this mode a total of 1152 Submasters are available - 24 pages x 48 Submasters per page.
1. Recording Submasters
Submaster Mode allows you to record a scene or look into each fader.
1.1 To record a Submaster, the console must either be in Single Scene Mode or Two Scene Mode.
While in either Single Scene or Two Scene Mode, the Submaster is created by the faders being
adjusted in either of theses modes, then switching into Submaster Mode to then record and play the
Submaster.
-Refer to the Record Function Section for details.
2. Submaster Pages
To change Submaster pages, hold down the SubMaster key. The LCD will show you the current
page. Use the Bump Buttons to select the desired page.
-Any recorded Submasters on each page will display red (half intensity) on the Bump Buttons
3. Assigning Fade Time for a SubMaster
3.1 Press the A Key to highlight the Assign Fade Function.
3.2 Hold down the Bump Button of the desired recorded Submaster and adjust the StepRate Fader
to modify the Fade Time.
-The user may set the DMX value for both Fade A and B
1. Push Softkey B to choose and highlight Fade A
2. Adjust StepRate Fader to set the Fade Time for Preset A
3. Push Softkey B a second time to erase the selection
4. Repeat above action to set Fade B using Softkey C
Fade A and Fade B can be chosen simultaneously by using the StepRate Fader to set the same
FaderTime for Preset A and B.
If the user wants to switch into Submaster Mode from another work mode, the console will keep the
current fader settings as the background scene. If the user wants to cancel the current fader settings, simply press the Clear Buffer key to release the fader settings.
4.3.2 Crossfade in Submaster
The user may Crossfade in Submaster Mode. Begin by setting Preset A and B Faders in the
bottom position.
Move the Preset A and B to the top position- the first recorded bump indicator will blink yel low.
Move the Preset A and B faders toward the bottom position to fade in the first Scene - the first recorded fade stop blinking as the scene fades in.
Additional Information for Crossfading:
1. To stop a crossfade, move only the Preset A Fader down and then back up. This will fade out the
last output scene.
2. Changing the Work mode will also stop the crossfade immediately and take out the last fade.
3. Any empty Submasters, Submasters with effects or Submasters that already have a level will be
ignored. Example: If any of the Submasters are already in the up position (output), the sequential
crossfade will start from the scene immediately after the highest outputting fader (i.e. If fader 1, 3,
and 5 are up, the crossfade will start from scene 6.)
4. The LCD will show the fader percentage values for both the fade in and fade out as the fade is
occurring.
To record a Submaster the console must be in either Single or Two Scene mode in order to adjust
fader levels.
1.1 Push Record Key to illuminate the Record indicator. If the Channel is blank the bump button for
that channel will flash. If the Submaster is recorded on that channel, the Bump will black out.
1.2 Adjust the StepRate fader to set the Fadetime for the Submaster
1.3 To assign the Submaster to a Bump, push the Bump key that is desired to contain the
Submaster.
-Repeat actions for additional Submaster recordings
After the Submaster is recorded, the indicator will illuminate red and the Record key will black out.
Also while in Submaster Record mode, the user may select the functions “Del Sub”, “Del Page”, or
“Del All”.
Press the Bump of the Submaster you want to Delete. Press the A key to choose “Del Sub” as the
LCD screen shows you below. Press A to to confirm “Yes” or C to exit.
To Delete the entire Page, press the B key to choose “Del Page”, as the LCD shows you below.
Press A to confirm or C to exit.
To Delete all of the Submaster and Pages, press the C key to choose “Del All” as the LCD screen
shows you below. Press A to confirm or C to exit.