GLP SCAN OPERATOR FX II User Manual

SCAN OPERATOR FX II

User Manual

For Software Version 1.5

email: [e-mail]

Internet: http://www.glp.de

Contents

1 Features........................................................................................................................5

2 Overview.......................................................................................................................6

2.1 Front View............................................................................................................ 6

2.2 Rear View.............................................................................................................8

2.3 Installation into a 19“ rack.................................................................................... 9

3 DMX Basics................................................................................................................ 10

3.1 Signal transmission............................................................................................ 10

3.2 The cabling.........................................................................................................10

3.3 The conversion to Light...................................................................................... 11

3.4 DMX Channel Assignments............................................................................... 12

4 Using the Scan Operator FX II..................................................................................13

4.1 Overview.............................................................................................................13

4.2 Operation mode..................................................................................................13

4.2.1 Play Mode...............................................................................................13

4.2.2 Program mode........................................................................................13

4.2.3 Setup Mode............................................................................................ 13

4.2.4 Easy mode..............................................................................................14

4.3 Switching between Modes................................................................................. 14

4.4 Reading the LCD Display................................................................................... 15

4.5 Switching to Program Mode...............................................................................15

4.6 Programming scenes......................................................................................... 16

4.6.1 Creating a new Scene............................................................................16

4.6.2 Editing Scenes....................................................................................... 17

4.6.3 Copying a Scene.................................................................................... 18

4.6.4 Copying Fixture Data .............................................................................18

4.6.5 Copying a complete Scene Bank...........................................................19

4.6.6 Deleting Scenes..................................................................................... 19

4.6.7 Deleting Scene Banks............................................................................19

4.7 Programming Chasers....................................................................................... 20

4.7.1 Inserting a Step into a Chaser................................................................20

4.7.2 Insert a Scene Bank into a Chaser........................................................ 21

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4.7.3 Change the editing position of a Chaser ..............................................22

4.7.4 Delete a step in Chaser..........................................................................23

4.7.5 Delete Chasers.......................................................................................23

4.7.6 Delete all Chasers.................................................................................. 23

4.8 Resetting the entire Show Memory....................................................................24

4.9 Blackout configuration........................................................................................ 25

4.9.1 Setting up the Blackout function ............................................................25

4.9.2 Resetting the Blackout function .............................................................27

4.10 Overlay scenes.................................................................................................28

4.10.1 Creating and editing overlay scenes....................................................28

4.10.2 Deleting Overlay Scenes......................................................................30

4.10.3 Using Overlay Scenes (Play mode)..................................................... 30

4.11 Effect Generator............................................................................................... 30

4.11.1 Effect Patterns...................................................................................... 31

4.11.2 The "Create Wave" Function................................................................ 31

4.11.3 The "Randomize" Function...................................................................32

4.11.4 Creating an effect ................................................................................ 33

4.11.5 Deleting an Effect................................................................................. 34

4.11.6 Running an Effect ................................................................................ 34

4.12 Configuring Fade time function........................................................................ 35

4.12.1 Configuring Fade Channels ............................................................... 35

4.12.2 Resetting the Fade Time Configuration...............................................36

4.13 Inverting channels............................................................................................ 37

4.13.1 Configuring Inverted Channels.............................................................37

4.13.2 Resetting all Inverted Channels........................................................... 38

4.14 Pan and Tilt Encoder........................................................................................39

4.14.1 Configuring Pan and Tilt Encoder wheel..............................................39

4.14.2 Using the Pan and Tilt Encoder wheel ................................................40

4.15 Desklock Function............................................................................................ 40

4.16 Autostart function..............................................................................................41

4.16.1 Activating the Autostart Function .........................................................41

4.16.2 Configuring Autostart Desklock ...........................................................41

4.16.3 Storing current playback condition as a autostart condition................42

4.17 Running Scene Banks (Play mode)................................................................. 43

4.17.1 Running a Scene manually ................................................................. 43

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4.17.2 Running a Scene Bank with Auto Trigger............................................44

4.17.3 Running a Scene Bank with Music Trigger..........................................45

4.18 Manual overwriting channels by using the Faders (Play mode)......................46

4.19 Running a Chaser (Play mode)........................................................................47

4.19.1 Running a Chaser Manually.................................................................47

4.19.2 Running a Chaser with Auto Trigger....................................................47

4.19.3 Running a Chaser with Music Trigger.................................................. 48

4.20 Freeze function.................................................................................................48

4.21 MIDI Control..................................................................................................... 49

4.21.1 The MIDI keyboard mode.....................................................................50

4.21.2 Synthesizer Mode.................................................................................51

4.21.3 Selecting MIDI channel and MIDI mode..............................................52

4.22 Easy Mode....................................................................................................... 53

4.23 Copying the Show Data between 2 Scan Operator FX II................................54

4.24 Editing the Power-On Logo .............................................................................55

4.25 Resetting Power-On Logo................................................................................55

4.26 Showing the Software Version......................................................................... 55

5 Technical specifications........................................................................................... 56

5.1 general data....................................................................................................... 56

5.2 DMX Parameter..................................................................................................56

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1 Features

 192 DMX channels used by 12 fixtures which 16 DMX channels, each.

Assignment can not be changed

 240 scenes that can be programmed (30 Banks with 8 scenes per Bank)
 Extensive effect generator to create automatic Pan/Tilt Movements
 Autostart Feature and Desklock
 6 Chasers consisting of a maximum of 250 steps consisting of the programmed

scenes

 Speed and Fade-Time of all programs (scenes and chaser) can be adjusted
 2 Pan/Tilt Encoders, can individually be assigned for each fixture
 Completely configureable Blackout Master
 Manual overwriting of any channel during Playback
 Freeze function to “freeze” the current DMX output
 Installed microphone for music controlled operation with digital filter that can be

adjusted

 6 freely programmable and selective Overlay scenes, that can be laid over

running programs and Chaser

 2 different MIDI (Musical Instrument Data Interface) configurations can be

selected (synthesizer operation or optimized for live operation on a 49 key MIDI
keyboard)

 MIDI-controlling of many Play functions, like banks, chaser, Blackout Master,

Overlays, Freeze, Auto Trigger, Music Trigger, Tapsync etc.

 Possibility to invert any channel
 Fadetime function that can be configured separately for each channel
 „Easy Mode“, which transforms the controller into a simple 120 channel DMX

Faderunit for quick DMX testing or as a Faderunit for other DMX consoles

 Copy function to copy the whole memory from one controller to another
 Clearly arranged user interface and an informative LCD display

Note:

Note that knowledge about MIDI and DMX is necessary for secure and complete control
of the desk

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2 Overview

2.1 Front View

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1. Fixture Buttons
and Selection LED

12 Fixtures (Lamps) with 16 DMX channels each can be used.
The currently selected fixtures will be shown by their
corresponding fixture selection LED.

2. Scene keys To access or to save scenes – press scenes key

3. Fader Here you can adjust the DMX data of the respective channel.

4. Page Select key Here you can switch the function of the Faders between

channels 1-8 (page A) or 9-16 (Page B).One LED shows the
current state.

5. Overlay keys 1-6 Here you access the 6 Overlay scenes.

6. LCD display Shows all current information.

7. Bank keys
(UP/DOWN)

Here you can switch between the banks 1-30. These keys are
also there to change the start angle in the effect editor

8. Record + Delete
key

Function-keys to record and delete

9. PROGRAM +
Setup key

With these two keys you change the operation mode of the
Scan Operator FX II

10. Speed/Sensitivity
Fader/FX Speed
Fader

Here you can adjust the automatic … (0,12s – 12m 30s). This
Fader is also used to regulate the sensitivity of the microphone
(slow – fast) and the effect speed.

11. Fade Time/FX
Size Fader

Here you adjust the Fade time (0 – 32s). The Fade time sets
the time it takes to crossfade between two different scenes or
of a chaser. This Fader is also there to change the size of a
chosen effect.

12. Pan/Tilt Encoder
+ Fine key

With the two encoders, you can directly adjust the Pan and Tilt
values of the selected fixtures. The Fine key allows you to
work accurate.

13. FREEZE key Turns on the DMX Freeze function.

14. Music/BankCopy
key

Activates the Music Trigger or copies the whole Bank

15. Auto key Activates the Auto Trigger.

16. Tap Sync / Allows you to manually trigger the chaser when in Auto Trigger

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Manual Go key and learns the timing. The LCD Display then changes between

chaser steps and the current bank.

17. Blackout key With the Blackout key you can overwrite the DMX Output with
self defined data you configured before. For example all
Shutter channels with data “0”.

18. Release key The release key clears all manual changes

19. FX Editor key This key activates the Effect editor in program mode.

20. FX Clear key This key deletes the adjusted effects.

21. Create Wave key This key changes the starting angle of all selected fixtures

automatically, so that the fixtures will run the current effects
like a wave.

22. Randomize key This key randomly changes the first angle of all selected
fixtures and generates randomized samples.

23. Chaser keys Here you access the 6 chasers.

2.2 Rear View

1. MIDI IN MIDI Input (DIN 5-Pin)

2. DMX Out DMX Output (XLR 3-Pin)

3. DC Input DC +9V, 500mA min.

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2.3 Installation into a 19“ rack

The Scan Operator FX II can has been built to be directly installed into a 19” rack. No
additional installation material is needed.

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3 DMX Basics

To operate the Scan Operator FX II, a basic knowledge about the DMX signal
transmission, is necessary. This chapter offers a short introduction to the world of DMX
data transmission and addresses to beginners and those who have no, or just a little
experience with DMX.

3.1 Signal transmission

Up to 512 DMX channels can be transferred over a so called DMX cable during a DMX
signal transmission. Every DMX channel equals a value of numbers between 0 and 255.
A light controller generates the DMX channels and constantly continues them with
current values. The Scan Operator FX II sends 192 channels with repetition rate of
36Hz. That means, that all 192 channels are sent 36 times per second.

3.2 The cabling

DMX fixtures are being cabled in series. There is only one transmitter but several
receivers. The order of receivers on a cable does not matter, because all units receive
all data and filter the relevant data. The cabling starts at the transmitter (the lightdesk)
and leads to the first DMX set. Beginning at the first DMX Fixture, there’s a cable
leading to the second and so on, until the last set is reached. According to the standard
you need to plug in a DMX terminator into the last fixture. You can do without this plug if
you have smaller cable lengths (20m-30m length of the cable). But please keep in mind,
that without that plug, errors might show up in the DMX cabling. The maximum length of
the cable is 300m. You can overcome longer distances by a DMX Signal Booster.

Hint:

A DMX Terminator plug is the same as an ordinary XLR plug, where both DMX data
pins (data+ and data-) are connected over a 120Ohm resistor. This minimizes the
reflections at the end of the cable, which clearly raises the signal quality.

The DMX cables normally consist of one cable according to AES/EBU standard with 5
pin XLR plugs. Instead of using AES/EBU standard cables, often normal microphone
cable is being used. This should be considered like not using a Terminator plug: in case
of shorter distances it usually works – but might show errors in the DMX cabling as well.

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3.3 The conversion to Light

Every DMX Fixture has its own committed amount of operating channels for its
functions(like movement, brightness, selecting colors and so on), given by the
manufacturer. Since every unit receives all DMX channels of the controller, you have to
set every fixture to the right start address.

At this start address the set interprets the coming values (per channel a value between
0 and 255) for its functions. You will find Information about which channels exist and
what each channel does at a specific value in the User-Manual of the Fixture.

Example:

We have a fixture with 6 DMX channels. Our lighting controller is sending 192 channels
and the data for our DMX fixture is on the channels 100 to 105. Therefore we have to
set the start channel to 100 on our fixture, so that it will receive the correct values .

The second of 6 channels is, according to the fixtures instruction manual, a dimmer
channel. At an adjusted start address of 100, the set will use the data from DMX
channel 101 for its dimmer (channel 100=first channel, 101=second Channel and so
on). Dimmer channels often use a value of 0 = Dimmer at 0% and DMX value at 255 =
Dimmer at 100% - but it does not always have to be that way. For more exact
information’s, read the instructions of use for the belonging set.

Attention:

Some DMX Units start counting at 0, not at 1. Then you set the start channel between 0
to 511 instead of 1 to 512. You will find information about how the fixture counts in the
instructions for use of the belonging fixture, as well.

Hint:

You can set more than one DMX Unit of the same type on the same start address,
without any problems. These fixtures will run exactly synchronized, because they are
receiving the same data. This way you can connect more than 12 fixtures to the Scan
Operator FX II.

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3.4 DMX Channel Assignments

The Scan Operator FX II sends 192 DMX channels, which correspond to 12 fixtures
with 16 DMX channels per fixture(12*16=192). The following table lists the first DMX

addresses for each fixture:

Fixture

DMX start address, if you start

counting from 0

DMX start address, if you start

counting from 1

1 0 1

2 16 17

3 32 33

4 48 49

5 64 65

6 80 81

7 96 97

8 112 113

9 128 129

10 144 145

11 160 161

12 176 177

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4 Using the Scan Operator FX II

4.1 Overview

This DMX controller allows to control up to 12 Fixtures with up to 16 DMX channels
each. There are 30 Banks with 8 Scenes per Bank.. Out of these 240 scenes you can
build up to 6 chasers with each up to 250 steps. The chasers and Banks can be recalled
in different ways:

 Manually
 Music Trigger
 Predefined Chase Time (Auto Trigger), that is given over the „Tapsync“-key or

Speed Fader

 MIDI command

4.2 Operation mode

All together there are 4 different operation modes in which different functions are
available. When you turn on the unit, you start directly in the play mode.

Hint: The current mode is always shown in the first line in the display!

4.2.1 Play Mode

This mode is there to play the scenes, banks and chasers you have programmed
before. There are different ways to let the banks and chasers tap automatically. The
Desk also reacts to given MIDI commands.

4.2.2 Program mode

It is possible to program the whole scenes, effects, banks, chasers, overlays and
blackouts in this mode.

4.2.3 Setup Mode

The Setup mode is used to configure the Scan Operator. You can configure the midi
channel, the midi control mode (between synthesizer and keyboard), reverse DMX

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channels, turn on the Fade-time function for each channel and alter the assignment of
the Pan/Tilt wheels.

The Pan/Tilt wheels can be assigned per fixture to one channel (1 to 16), each and can
be an alternative Pan/Tilt adjustment opportunity besides of the appropriate channel
faders.

4.2.4 Easy mode

The easy mode is Therefore quick testing of DMX controllable units or to extend bigger
DMX desks , where a extra DMX fader unit would be useful. Here there are 12 fixtures
with 10 channels each that are manually given (over the 10 faders). The scene keys
respond as flash keys for the first 8 channels of each set. The Blackout function turns all
120 DMX channels to 0. Other functions (except Desklock function) are deactivated.

Technical reference:

In easy mode , similar to play mode, 192 DMX channels are being sent. The channels
1-120 can be, as written above, controlled by the user. The channels 121-192 will be
constantly transferred with value „0“.

4.3 Switching between Modes

To activate the different modes, press the belonging key for 3 seconds:

 Program mode: PROGRAM key
 Setup mode: SETUP key
 Easy mode: PROGRAM+SETUP key simultaneous

Switching between all modes can be done by pressing the belonging key. The Play
mode can be reached by pressing the key, which brought you into the current mode
again for 3 seconds.

Examples:

If you are in setup mode and want to change to program mode, press the program key
for 3 seconds.

If you are in program mode and want to go back to play mode, just press the program
key again for 3 seconds.

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4.4 Reading the LCD Display

The LCD display consists of 2 lines of each 8 signs. The display is intensively used to
show the current condition. In a normal condition it always shows the current mode in
the first line. In the line below you can find information to the belonging mode.

In Play Mode you have the current bank and the current scene shown in the second
line. If a chaser is activated, it will be shown at the end oft he first line.

In Program mode you can also see the current bank and scene in second line. Besides
that there is a extra „Overlay Bank“ that should be marked with „Overlay“.

In Setup Mode you can see the belonging menu point in second line, which you can
configure now. The following menu points can be chosen:

 “MIDI” to configure the MIDI channel and MIDI assignment

 “Invert” to reverse channels

 “Fadetime” to configure Fadetime channels

 “Tilt” to configure the Tilt Encoder wheel

 “Pan” to configure the Pan Encoder wheel

 „Autostart“ to configure the Autostart options

In Easy Mode the second line is blank.

Besides that the display also shows a short confirmation or an error report. These
overwrite the current information of the display for a few seconds. Afterward the display
turns back to its normal condition. Examples fur such short reports are „Memory Reset“,
„Scene Saved“, „MIDI Set / Keyboard“, „Fader XY / Value ABC“ …

4.5 Switching to Program Mode

After turning the unit on you are in PLAY Mode.

By pressing the Program key for 3 seconds you change to program mode. Here
scenes, effects and chasers can be created and the Blackout functions as well as
the Overlay scenes can be configured. After pressing the program key again for 3
seconds, you return to play mode.

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4.6 Programming scenes

4.6.1 Creating a new Scene

A scene is an adjustment of all 192 DMX values of different DMX sets including a
possible Pan/Tilt effect for each fixture. Up to 240 scenes can be stored. The scenes
are subdivided in 30 banks with each 8 scenes.

1. Activate PROGRAM mode (PROGRAM key).

2. Select desired Fixtures with associated Fixture keys. Thereby several Fixtures

can be selected at the same time.

3. Adjust the desired DMX values (0 to 255) with the Fader.

4. If you need to change to channels 9-16 press the “Page” key. If you’d like to

edit channel 1-8, just press the “Page” key again.

Repeat the steps 2-4 until all DMX values correspond to your desires.

Hint:

By pressing the RELEASE key you can set all 192 channels back to the DMX
value "0" at any time and start altering the values again.

For storing continue with step 5:

5. If the current bank does not match the desired bank, then you might select the
desired bank using the BANK keys. 30 banks are available. You can store up to 8
Scenes in each bank.

If the desired scene is created, then you can store it in the Scan Operator by
pressing the RECORD key once.

6. Afterward press the scenes key, which you would like to store the scene to.

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As a memory confirmation you’ll receive the message "Scene Saved". After that,
the display will show the current bank and scene.

7. Continue the steps 2-7 until all desired scenes are stored.

8. To leave PROGRAM mode, press the PROGRAM key for 3 seconds.

4.6.2 Editing Scenes

1. Activate PROGRAM mode (PROGRAM key).

2. Press BANK UP/DOWN key to call up the desired bank in which the scene,

that shall be edited is on.

3. Load desired scene by pressing the appropriate scenes key. Now you can

change and store again, as in the case of creating.

Attention:

Loading a scene that is not containing any values is not possible! In that case you
receive the error message "Scene Empty".

4. Make the desired changes with the Faders. Select the appropriate Fixtures,

for that, previously.

5. After you made the changes you press the RECORD key.

6. Press the previously selected scenes key again, to store the changes. You will

receive the message "Scene Saved".

Hint:

Of course the now changed scene can be stored in another scene or even on a
different bank. Therefore it is possible to quickly create the appropriate scenes for
chases, where each step of the chase should be based on the same scene, but a
little different.

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4.6.3 Copying a Scene

1. Activate PROGRAM mode (PROGRAM key).

2. Press the BANK UP/DOWN key to call up the desired bank in which the

scene that shall be copied is on.

3. Load the scene which you would like to copy by pressing the appropriate

scene key once.

Attention:

Loading an empty scene is not possible! In that case you receive the error
message "Scene Empty".

4. Press the BANK UP/DOWN key to call up the desired bank which the scene

shall be copied to.

5. Press the RECORDS key.

6. Press the scenes key which you want to copy the chosen scene to. As
confirmation you will receive the message "Scene Saved".

4.6.4 Copying Fixture Data

This function allows you to transfer the current DMX values from one fixture to
another in PROGRAM mode (COPY).

1. Keep the Fixture key, which you want to copy, pressed

2. While you keep the first Fixture key pressed, press the desired second

Fixture key on which you want to copy.

3. In the display the signature "COPY" appears short as confirmation.

4. For example you can also press further Fixture keys, without releasing first,

in order to copy the same settings on further Fixtures.

Attention:

These changes take place in the buffer only. If you want to store the new
scene, then proceed as described above (RECORD and then scene key)!

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