elektraLite CP3 User Manual

CP-3 PRE-PROGRAMMED or REPLAY

CONTROLLER®

USER’S GUIDE

Elektralite is a division of:

©Group One Ltd.

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Farmingdale, NY 11735

U.S.A.

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Fax [phone]

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1

INTRODUCTION

The Elektralite CP-3 is a small but powerful moving light controller, which has two different
modes of operation.

Ø It can be used to playback a preprogrammed light show.
Ø It can be used as a replay controller for a CP-10xt.

It is very important to understand these distinctions as the programming and playback of the
CP-3 does differ for each mode of operation.

Playback of a preprogrammed light show.

If you purchased a CP-3 with a preprogrammed light show installed, then you will have three
different shows for three different fixture types. The shows are referred to as “FAST”, “MED”
and “SLOW”. The terms “FAST”, “MED” and “SLOW” refer to the speed at which chases
and cues occur. So that for fast music you would use the fast show.
The CP-3 with the programmed light show installed, has been programmed to run three
different types of fixtures. The fixtures it will run, are dependent on the ‘chip’ that is fitted into
your CP-3. So if you have Clay Paky release #1 chip, you will be able to run Golden Scan 3s,
Miniscans, or Miniscan HPEs. If you want to run different fixtures then all you need do is
purchase a different preprogrammed chip or you can create your own preprogrammed shows
yourself. To do this you’ll need to create the three shows (“FAST”, “MED” and “SLOW”)
for up to three different fixture types using a CP-10xt. This capability differs completely from
using a CP-3 as a replay controller for a CP-10xt.
In the preprogrammed mode of operation the CP-3 is designed to control up to 8 moving light
fixtures. It is quick and easy to setup and once set up it is simply a button push to getting a light
show that up until now, could only have been achieved by more experienced lighting
programmers.

Replay Controller for a CP-10xt.

If you purchased a CP-3 with a ‘CP-10xt to CP-3’ download chip, then you must create your
light shows on the CP-10xt and download it to the CP-3. This type of show differs from
creating a preprogrammed light show mentioned above in several different ways.
In the replay mode you can

Ø Use all 16 fixtures from a CP-10xt.
Ø Have different fixtures on the same program.
Ø Use all 600 cues and 99 chases from a CP-10xt.
Ø Macros 1, 2 and 3 downloaded from a CP-10xt becoming respectively the

“FAST” button, “MED” button and “SLOW” button on a CP-3.

Please note the method to download from a CP-10xt differs completely from that of the
download in the preprogrammed light show mode.

If you have the replay controller chip fitted then please go to Page 11

of this manual now.

2

SYSTEM SETUP

Unpack the CP-3 controller and save all shipping materials. These shipping materials are
specifically designed to protect the product during transport. If you ever need to return the CP­3 for repair or maintenance, you must return it in its original shipping materials. You will be
billed for new shipping materials, if you return the CP-3 in non-factory packing materials.

After unpacking the CP-3, plug in the external power supply and turn on the power switch on
the front panel.

DMX-512 (This unit complies with the USITT DMX-512 Standard of 1990).

The moving light fixtures are connected to the CP-3 via the DMX-512 jacks on the rear panel.
A standard 5 pin jack and a 3 pin jack is provided. The two jacks are wired in parallel with pin
1 to ground, pin 2 to data minus and pin 3 to data plus.

The CP-3 is designed to control a variety of preset fixtures in a preprogrammed light show
mode and any fixture in replay controller mode. It is capable of outputting up to 128 DMX
channels. In most instances the DMX address for individual fixtures is set in 8 channel intervals
and are shown below, consult your particular fixture’s manual on how to set the starting channel
address on the fixture.

_____________________________

FIXTURE START ADDRESS
1 1
2 9
3 17
4 25
5 33
6 41
7 49
8 57

_____________________________

3

CONFIGURING FIXTURE TYPES

After the fixtures are connected and the start addresses are set, you must next tell the CP-3
which type of fixture is connected. This is only necessary when running the CP-3 in
preprogrammed light show mode.
Use the DIP switches located on the rear panel of the unit to specify which fixture type you are
running. Refer to the FIXTURE DIPSWITCH CONFIGURATIONS section, on page 15 of
this manual, on how to set the DIP switches for your particular type of fixture.
In replay controller mode, it is unnecessary to touch the dip switch settings for the fixture type.

CONFIGURING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FIXTURES

After the fixture type is configured you can now tell the CP-3 how many fixtures you are
running. To do so select the “Max. Fix.” Dipswitch that pertains to your particular fixture
configuration. This is only necessary when running the CP-3 in preprogrammed light show
mode.

Max. Number of Fixtures Dipswitches set On

1 NONE
2 4
3 3
4 3 & 4
5 2
6 2 & 4
7 2 & 3
8 2, 3, & 4
9 1
10 1 & 4
11 1 & 3
12 1, 3, & 4
13 1 & 2
14 1, 2, & 4
15 1, 2, & 3
16 1, 2, 3, & 4

4

AUDIO INPUT

If desired you can connect the audio input to a line level output from a mixing console or an
audio preamp. Do not connect this to a power amp or any speaker level source.
If there is an audio signal present at the audio input jack, you can sync any currently running
show to it by pressing the “AUDIO” button located on the front panel. Its LED will illuminate
when engaged.
The audio input sensitivity can be adjusted by altering the “LEVEL” adjustment pot on the rear
panel of the unit.
The audio input works in both modes of operation, preprogrammed light show and replay

controller.

Please note if the “AUDIO” button is turned on and there is no audio signal. The ‘show’ will be
static; the lights will not move because they are ‘waiting’ for an audio input.

MIDI INPUT

The MIDI input jack on the rear panel is used specifically for the uploading new lightshows via
another CP-3, or a CP-10xt or through the use of a personal computer with MIDI SYSX
capability. Lightshows for the latter can be downloaded from the Elektralite website.
(SYSX files are Midi system exclusive files).

SUGGESTED FIXTURE
ARRAYS

The pre-programs within the CP-3 are constructed in a way, which allows for flexible
placement of the lighting fixtures within the venue. While creativity is best left in the hands of the
users, we have listed some suggestions of fixture placements. Please see the following:

(Please note the fixture arrays only apply in the preprogrammed light show mode. The lights
in the replay controller mode would be positioned exactly as per how the program was
created using a CP-10xt).

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