Freekie user manual
© 2004 Martin Professional A/S, Denmark. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from Martin Professional A/S, Denmark. Printed in Denmark.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 I NTRODUCTION Thank you for selecting the Martin Freekie. This ruggedly built, easy to use controller offers 12 fixture DMX control and multiple triggering options. Freekie allows control of up to 12 fixtures (or fixture groups, where each fixture group comprises similar fixtures that mimic each others’ behavior). Each fixture or group is controlled with 12 channels. A joystick is provided for easy pan/tilt adjustment. The Freekie can also control strobe and smoke fixtures.
• • • • 6 Make sure the device is properly grounded. Do not operate the device with the cover removed. Immediately repair or replace damaged power cords. There are no user-serviceable parts inside; refer all service to a qualified technician.
2 I NSTALLATION The Freekie comes with the following: • 9 volt, 1 amp transformer • User manual POWER The device is powered by a 9 volt DC transformer that is supplied with the product. Connect this to a mains supply and plug it into the DC9V input at the back of the Freekie. Note If the plug on the transformer supplied does not match those in use in your country you may need to purchase an adaptor. Alternatively, any 9 volt DC transformer with an output of 1 amp can be used.
T o bu il d th e seri al l in k 1. Use shielded twisted-pair cable. A reliable data connection begins with the right cable. Microphone cable cannot transmit DMX data reliably over long runs. For best results, use only cable designed for RS-485 applications. Your Martin dealer has a range of cables, connectors, and adaptors designed for lighting control. 2. Starting from the controller, connect output to input. Four parallel DMX outputs, two 3-pin, and two 5-pin are provided on the Freekie. 3.
DMX ADDRESS SETTING 3 Each fixture connected to the serial link must have a DMX address, also known as a start channel, which is the first channel the controller uses to send instructions to the fixture. Fixtures of the same type that share the same address will mimic each others behavior. Freekie allows control of up to 12 fixtures or fixture groups. (A fixture group comprises similar fixtures with the same DMX address.
Freekie fixture ID 10 DMX address DIP switch setting 5 49 6 61 7 73 8 85 9 97 10 109 11 121 12 133 Strobe 145 DMX address setting
Freekie fixture ID Smoke DMX address DIP switch setting 157 If independent control is not required, two or more identical fixtures may use the same address. They will receive the same instructions and behave identically. Make a note of the fixtures and the fixture ID that they have been assigned to. You will need this to set up the controller.
CONTROLLER SET- UP 4 FIXTURE SET-UP 1 Press and hold EDIT for 3 seconds. 2 If the PIN-code function is enabled (see “Administrative functions” on page 22), you will be prompted to enter the PIN code (factory set as “221174”). Use the fixture buttons to select numbers. Press ENTER. 3 Press FIXTURE so that the red indicator is lit. 4 Select a fixture to be set-up (and any other fixture of the same type) using the numbered buttons, 1-12.
8 Specify the dimmer/intensity channel by moving the fader that corresponds to the dimmer/intensity channel of the luminaire (refer to the DMX protocol in the luminaire’s user manual to find this), and then press ENTER. 9 Using the same fader set the minimum dimmer intensity value and press ENTER. 10 Using the same fader set the maximum dimmer intensity value and press ENTER. 11 You have now completed set up of this/these fixture/s.
SMOKE SET-UP The Freekie can control one or more smoke devices that have a DMX control address of 157. During a show you can activate smoke effects using the SMOKE button. To configure smoke effects: 1 Press and hold EDIT for 3 seconds. 2 If the PIN-code function is enabled (see “Administrative functions” on page 22), you will be prompted to enter the PIN code (factory set as “221174”). Use the fixture buttons to select numbers. Press ENTER. 3 Press SMOKE.
GIVING NAMES TO BANKS The 10 banks available are factory-set with the names BANK1 - BANK10. You can give the banks new names using up to 7 characters as follows: 1 Press and hold EDIT for more than 3 seconds to enter edit mode. 2 Select edit show by pressing the SHOW button. The first bank appears on the display by default (you can select a different bank by scrolling through the list of banks with the < and > buttons). 3 Press ENTER.
PROGRAMMING SHOWS 5 Shows are made up of up to 10 scenes that contain one DMX value for every channel and determine how each light looks at a particular moment. Shows are stored in 10 groups called banks. There are 12 shows per bank. Scenes in a show are programmed and executed one at a time. PROGRAMMING A SHOW 1 Press and hold EDIT for 3 seconds. 2 If the PIN-code function is enabled (see “Administrative functions” on page 22), you will be prompted to enter the PIN code (factory set as “221174”).
10 You can enable a macro that produces circular, vertical, or horizontal movement effects during the scene. To do so: • Press the MACRO button once, twice, or three times, to choose the appropriate macro type. • Set the speed of the movement using the FADE TIME/PITCH fader. • Set the size of the circle/amplitude of the movement using the WAIT TIME/MASTER FADER. • Press ENTER to toggle out of Macro mode (and return to Fade/Wait time parameters).
6 PLAYBACK This section describes the built-in options for executing shows. RUNNING A SHOW To select and run a show: 1 Select the appropriate bank with the < or > buttons. Note that you can change banks whenever the SHOW button is toggled off (when the indicator is not lit). 2 Press SHOW. 3 Select a show using one of the numbered buttons (1-12). The show will start to run immediately, and will run in a loop. You can select a range of shows by pressing and holding the first and last show number buttons.
SOFTWARE PRIOR TO VERSION 1.2 In all versions of the Freekie’s software prior to v.1.2, when the Freekie is connected to a MIDI device, and is in SHOW mode (the SHOW indicator is lit), the first 24 keys on the MIDI device can be used to trigger show execution. • Keys 1-12 are used to activate corresponding shows in the first bank • Keys 13-24 are used to activate corresponding shows in the second bank However, in these software versions, MIDI triggering works only in the active bank.
2 Select a fixture, or fixtures, using the numbered buttons (1 - 12). 3 Use the faders to override the programmed effects for those fixtures. For example, to change the programmed mirror movement speed of one or more scanners during a show, you would set the pan/tilt speed channel to the desired value. (The DMX value does not change until the fader is moved.) 4 Normal program execution resumes when FIXTURE button is deactivated. INTENSITY CONTROL The master fader controls the intensity of all the fixtures.
To deactivate the follow-spot scene press SPOT again so that the red indicator is no longer lit. Note that you can dim all the other fixtures using the BLACKOUT button. This will not apply to the follow-spot fixture. SMOKE EFFECTS Ensure that you have configured the Freekie to use smoke effects. See “Smoke setup” on page 14. Activate smoke effects by pressing the SMOKE button and holding it as long as required.
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS 7 LOCKING EDIT FUNCTIONS A PIN-code lock can be activated to prevent unauthorized use of edit mode. The PIN code is factory set as “221174”. Activating the PIN-code lock To activate the PIN code lock simultaneous press and hold the SPOT and FINE buttons for 5 seconds. Deactivating the PIN-code lock To deactivate the PIN code lock: 1 Simultaneously press and hold the SPOT and FINE buttons for 5 seconds. 2 Enter the PIN code (factory set as “221174”).
A T ROUBLESHOOTING problem probable cause(s) suggested remedy The controller is disconnected from the data link. Connect controller. Blackout or standby mode selected. Press blackout button. Bad data link connection. Check data link connections/cables and correct accordingly.* DMX signal polarity reversed. Swap pins 2 and 3. See section 2. DMX signal reflection. Insert termination plug in the last light on the link. Incorrect addressing of fixtures. Check addresses. Fixtures not on.
B S PECIFICATIONS DIMENSIONS Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 mm (3.7") Length. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .482 mm (19.0") Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176 mm (6.9") Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
