Monoprice 612120 User Manual

1 INTRODUCTION

2

1.1 Package Contents

Please take an inventory of the package contents to ensure you have all the items
listed below. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Monoprice Customer
Service for a replacement.

1x 16-Channel DMX-512 Controller
1x AC Power Adapter (DC 9-12V 500mA, 90V~240V)
1x User's Manual

1.2 Features

• Universal DMX-512 controller

• Controls 12 intelligent lights of up to 16 channels

• 30 banks of 8 scenes, 240 scenes total

• 6 sets of chases containing 240 scenes

• Execute multiple chases simultaneously

• Re-assignable channels

• Wheel assignable Pan/Tilt and 16-bit control

• Beat-activation, tap sync, auto run

• Grab any fixture on the fly

• Polarity selector

• MIDI compatible

1.3 Safety Guidelines

Please read these instructions carefully, with extra attention to the following Safety
Guidelines. Keep these instructions handy for future reference.

• This product is intended for indoor use only!

• Do not expose this device to water or moisture of any kind. Do not place

items with water or moisture on or near this device.

• Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation to allow the unit to cool. Do not block
any ventilation vents or slots and ensure that there are no flammable
materials or adjacent surfaces within 20 inches of this device.

• Ensure that the power outlet use to connect this device does not exceed the
rated maximum voltage, listed on the back panel of the device.

• Do not allow the power cord to be crimped, pi nche d, stepped on, etc. Ensure
that the power cord does not present a tripping hazard.

• Never unplug the unit by pulling on the power cord. Always grasp the
connector head.

• Ensure that power is turned off and disconnected before making any electrical
connections.

•

Unplug the unit from the wall when it will go unused for a lengthy period of time.

• This device contains no user serviceable parts. Do not attempt to open,

3

repair, or modify this device.

• Do not connect this device to a dimmer pack.

• In the event of serious operating problem, stop using the unit immediately.

• Do not operate this device in conditions in which the ambient temperature

exceeds 113°F (45°C).

1.3 General Overview

The Monoprice 612120 DMX Controller is a universal intelligent lighting controller.
It allows the control of up to 12 devices, with up to 16 channels each and up to 240
programmable scenes. Six chase banks can contain up to 240 steps composed of
the saved scenes in any order. Programs can be triggered by music, MIDI,
automatically, or manually. All chases can be executed at the same time.

You will find various programming tools, such as 8 universal channel sliders, a
wheel, and LED display indicators for easier navig at ion of contr ol s and menu
functions. You can control the pan and tilt of different intelligent lighting fixtures using
the same wheel at the same time by means of the wheel programming ability. This
wheel allows the user to assign individual pan and tilt channels for each fixture.

1.4 Glossary of Terms

The following are common terms used in intelligent light programming.

Blackout is a state where the light output of all lighting fixtures is set to 0 or off,

usually on a temporary basis.

Chases can also be called programs. A chase consists of a bunch of scenes

stacked one after another.

DMX-512 is an industry standard digital communication protocol used in

entertainment lighting equipment. For more information read Sections DMX
Primer and DMX Control Mode in the Appendix.

Fade Slider is used to adjust the time between scenes within a chase.

Fixture refers to a lighting instrument or other device you can control, such as a

fogger or dimmer.

MIDI is a standard for representing musical information in a digital format. A MIDI

input would provide external triggering of scenes using a MIDI device, such
as a MIDI keyboard.

Patching refers to the process of assigning fixtures to a DMX channel.
Programs are a collection of scenes stacked one after another. A program can

consist of either a single scene or multiple scenes in sequence.

Scanner refers to a lighting instrument with a pan and tilt mirror.

Scenes are static lighting states.

4

Shutter is a mechanical device in the lighting fixture that allows you to block the

light's path. It is often used to lessen the intensity of the light output and to strobe.

Sliders are also known as faders.

Speed Slider affects the amount of time a scene will hold its state. It is also

considered a wait time.

Stand Alone refers to a fixture's ability to function independently of an external

controller and usually in sync to music, due to a built in microphone.

2 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS

2.1 Top Panel

16

1 3 4 18 92 29 28 27

10

2617

11 12 13

612120

1

7

AUT O

8

2

5

3

9

6

4

7

8

10

11

5

12

6

PAGE A

10

8

6

4

2

0

CH1

CH2

CH3

10

8

6

4

2

0

CH4

CH6

CH5

CH7

0.1 /SEC

10

8

6

4

2

10 MIN 0 SEC

0

CH8

MUS IC

DEL

BANK COPY

10

0

8

2

6

4

4

6

2

8

0

10

SPE ED FADE T IME

30 SEC

14

15

19

2422232120

1. SCANNERS BUTTONS

Allows direct selection of the connected devices/fixtures.

2. SCANNERS LEDS

When lit, indicates that the corresponding device/fixture is selected.

3. SCENES BUTTONS

Universal bump buttons representing scene location for storage and selection.

4. CHANNEL FADERS

5

Allows adjustment of DMX values. Channels 1-8 are adjusted when the PAGE A
LED is lit and Channels 9-16 are adjusted when the PAGE B LED is lit.

5. PAGE A LED

When illuminated, indicates that Channels 1-8 are available for adj u s tme nt.

6. PAGE B LED

When illuminated, indicates that Channels 9-16 are available for adjustment.

7. PAGE SELECT BUTTON

Press to cycle through the pages of control options. Page A, Page B, and Both
Pages. The PAGE A and PAGE B LEDs illuminate to indicate the selected pages.

8. PROGRAM BUTTON

Press to toggle programming mode on/off. The LED illuminates when
programming mode is active.

9. MUSIC/BANK COPY

When in programming mode, pressing this button issues the Copy command.
Otherwise, pressing this button activates Music mode.

10. LCD DISPLAY WINDOWS

This status window displays pertinent operational data.

11. MODE INDICATOR LEDS

Indicates the operating mode status (Manual, Music, or Auto).

12. BANK UP BUTTON

Function button to traverse Scene/Steps in banks or chases. When the FINE
button is active, pressing this button increases the DMX values.

13. BANK DOWN BUTTON

Function button to traverse Scene/Steps in banks or chases. When the FINE
button is active, pressing this button decreases the DMX values.

14. TAP/DISPLAY BUTTON

During play, pressing this button produces a Tap-Sync. During programming
pressing, this button changes the DMX value displayed in the LCD panel to
percentage values.

BLACKOUT BUTTON

15.

Sets the shutter or dimmer value of all fixtures to 0 causing all light output to cease.

16. MIDI/REC BUTTON

6

Activates MIDI external control and is used to confirm the record/save process.

17. ASSIGN LED

During initial setup, indicates that the controller is in Channel assign mode.

18. AUTO/DEL BUTTON

During programming, pressing this button deletes the current function.
Otherwise, pressing this button activates Auto mode.

19. CHASE BUTTONS

These buttons allow dir ect access t o Chas e M emori es 1 - 6.

20. SPEED FADER

This slider adjusts the hold or wait time of a scene or a step within a chase.

21. FADE TIME FADER

Also considered a cross-fader, this slider sets the time interval between two
scenes in a chase.

22. FINE BUTTON

Activates 16-bit control of the wheel, resulting in movement being in extremely
small increments. Additionally, while the FINE button is active, the Bank
UP/DOWN buttons will increase and decrease the DMX values by one for either
the wheel or the slider in focus or currently being moved.

23. REVERSE LED

Indicates that Reverse mode is active.

24. PAN/TILT WHEELS

Used to control the pan and tilt movements of a fixture.

25. MODE BUTTON

This multifunction button is used for assigning pan/tilt wheels and channels.

26. OVERRIDE BUTTON

Used to override the fixture settings.

27. FOG MACHINE BUTTON

Pressing this button activates the connected fog machine.

28.

FOG MACHINE READY INDICATOR

Indicates that the connected fog machine is heated up and ready to disperse fog/mist.

29. FOG MACHINE HEATING INDICATOR

Indicates that the fog machi ne is heating up.

AUDIO

7

0.1-1VP-P

MIDI

1=Ground

3=Data+

2

3

DMX OUT

1

DMXPolarity select

1=Ground

2=Data+

DMX OUT

2

2

1

1

3

3

FOG

MACHINE

DC INPUT

DC 9V-12V
300mA min

LAMP

US B

DMX IN

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

30. AUDIO INPUT JACK

Direct audio feed for use in sound-active mode

31. MIDI INPUT PORT

The MIDI input is for external triggering of Banks and Chases using a MIDI
device.

32. DMX POLARITY SWITCH

May be used to correct signal polarity.

ON

POWER

OFF

33. DMX OUTPUT CONNECTOR

DMX control signal output to DMX devices and/or other controllers.

34. DMX INPUT CONNECTOR

Used to transfer programmed data between two controllers.

35. FOG MACHINE SOCKET

Plug a DMX fog machine into this socket.

36. DC INPUT JACK

DC po

wer connector for use with the included AC adapter.

37. USB LAMP SOCKET

This USB power jack is intended for use with the included USB light. It is just for

power and does not have a data connection of any kind.

38. POWER SWITCH

Turns the controller on and off.