Gibson Second-Generation Robot Tuning Functions, Dark Fire Owner's Manual

Dear Dark Fire owner,

One of the best aspects of Dark Fire is that it is
software-based. As the Dark Fire community makes
suggestions, and Gibson enhances functionality, these
changes can be incorporated into Dark Fire without
the need to return the guitar to the factory or hire a
technician. As a result, the documentation will be
updated over time to reflect these changes.

The Dark Fire manual currently consists of “mini­manuals” for various aspects of the guitar: Second­generation Robot Tuning, Chameleon Tone
Technology, RIP Interface, etc. This section covers
Second-Generation Robot Tuning. Remaining sections
of the completed documentation will be posted soon.
Meanwhile, there is preliminary documentation for
most aspects of Dark Fire on the Dark Fire site.

We welcome your feedback and suggestions at

www.gibson.com/darkfire, and greatly appreciate

your choosing Gibson to help you realize your musical
dreams.

Second-Generation

Second-Generation

Robot Tuning Functions

Robot Tuning Functions

Owner’s Manual Version 1.01

Chapter 1: The Master Control Knob

The Master Control Knob (MCK), a highly sophisticated “push-pull” knob with an illuminated
interactive display, has two main modes:

 When pushed in (closest to the guitar body), the MCK works like a regular tone knob.
 Pulling the MCK out (furthest from the guitar body) activates it. You can rotate the MCK to

make various selections, and “enter” your choices in two ways: Some functions require short,
momentary presses on the MCK's Display Matrix, while others require a longer, sustained
press (but don't press too hard, as this will move the MCK all the way in to the off position).

The MCK has five distinct elements:

 Position/String LEDs. These 10 LEDs surround the MCK's edge. After pulling the MCK out,

rotating the knob to select a particular LED chooses a specific sound or function. In tuning
mode, six of these LEDs indicate string activity, indicated as (low to high) E A D G B e.

 b# symbol. Select to access the tuning preset banks. Rotate the MCK full counter-clockwise

to acccess this position.

 Guitar symbol. Shows the status of the piezo pickup, e.g., whether it's available to be blended

in with the magnetic pickup.

○ Green: Piezo signal is enabled.
○ Blue: Piezo signal and Equalizer are enabled
○ Off: Piezo signal and any equalization are switched off

 Pickup symbol. This indicates the status of Dark Fire's magnetic pickups—whether they're in

series, parallel, tapped, etc.

○ Green: Coil Switching is active (pickups are switched differently compared to a standard

Les Paul)

○ Blue: The onboard equalization for the magnetic pickups is active
○ Off: Equalizer is disabled and pickups operate in Gibson Classic mode

 Variable color Display Matrix. This provides feedback on several aspects of Dark Fire: For

example, it changes color to indicate which bank of alternate tunings is selected.

Chapter 2: Dark Fire Robot II Tuning Functions

To get started, pull the MCK out. This initiates default mode, where Dark Fire is ready to tune to
standard tuning, and the selected Chameleon Tone is Gibson Classic. To indicate this, the MCK
Display Matrix alternates between the letters “S” (Standard Tuning) and “G” (Gibson Classic).

Caution: Never use a motorized key winder or manual key winder tool on Dark Fire's
Powerhead tuning keys, because applying these mechanical devices could cause damage to
the Powerhead’s internal parts.

Instantly Activated Tuning

Once in default mode from pulling the MCK out, here's how to tune to standard tuning (A=440Hz).

1. Strum all six strings normally—not too hard, not too soft.

2. The Powerheads will turn robotically and the MCK's String LEDs will shine various colors to
indicate tuning status. Here's what the colors mean:

 Red (solid): String not in tune, or not yet tuned
 Red (flashing): Measuring string frequency
 Blue (solid): Signal is clipping (the strum was too hard; strum more softly))
 Yellow flashing: Powerheads turning to tune string
 Purple solid: String frequency at extreme end of range
 Green: Individual string in tune
 All LEDs off, except one LED solid blue: Tuning is complete
 White (blinking): Short circuit detected. Check if the string touches the tail piece, the bridge, a

fret, or another string. Check that the string is cut close to the posts, and also check that it is in
the center of the bridge saddle..

3. When the guitar is in tune, all LEDs will turn off except for the currently selected LED position
(either E, A, D, G, B, or e), which will shine solid blue.

4. If all the LEDs don't turn off as described in step 3, strum all six strings again. This may be
necessary if the guitar is considerably out of tune. It should take only one or two strums for
Dark Fire to be in tune.

5. Push the MCK back in—you're ready to play.

Note: You can change your desired Instantly Activated Tuning (for example, to an alternate tuning),
and even the Calibration, as described in the Setup Mode section. You can also change the default
Chameleon Tone.