User manual DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder
Musikhaus Thomann Thomann GmbH Hans-Thomann-Straße 1 96138 Burgebrach Germany Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0 E-mail: info@thomann.de Internet: www.thomann.de 13.05.
Table of contents Table of contents 1 General information................................................................................................................................. 1.1 Further information........................................................................................................................... 1.2 Notational conventions.................................................................................................................... 1.3 Symbols and signal words.....
Table of contents 10 4 DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder Protecting the environment..............................................................................................................
DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 5
General information 1 General information This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device. Read and follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure that they also receive this manual. Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development.
General information 1.1 Further information On our website (www.thomann.de) you will find lots of further information and details on the following points: Download This manual is also available as PDF file for you to download. Keyword search Use the search function in the electronic version to find the topics of interest for you quickly. Online guides Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics and terms.
General information 1.2 Notational conventions This manual uses the following notational conventions: Letterings The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics. Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button. Displays Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics. Examples: ‘24ch’ , ‘OFF’ .
General information Instructions The individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result of a step is indented and highlighted by an arrow. Example: 1. Switch on the device. 2. Press [Auto]. ð Automatic operation is started. 3. Switch off the device. 1.3 Symbols and signal words In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this manual.
General information Signal word Meaning DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided. NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐ sible dangerous situation that can result in material and environmental damage if it is not avoided. Warning signs Type of danger Warning – danger zone.
Safety instructions 2 Safety instructions Intended use This unit is used to record and playback DMX signals. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
Safety instructions NOTICE! External power supply The device is powered by an external power supply. Before connecting the external power supply, ensure that the input voltage (AC outlet) matches the voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is protected by a residual cur‐ rent circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and pos‐ sibly the user.
Safety instructions NOTICE! Operating conditions This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specified in the chapter ‘Technical specifications’ of this user manual.
Safety instructions NOTICE! Possible staining The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your parquet, linoleum, laminate or PVC floor and after some time cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the floor, but use felt-pad floor protectors or a carpet.
Features 3 Features n n n n n n n n n n DMX input for recording DMX sequences DMX output 8 memory locations for chases, scenes or shows Playback of the DMX sequences in 3 different trigger modes Storage option on SD cards Time information from SMPTE or MIDI signal can be used Operating via buttons and high-resolution display on the unit Plug-in power supply included 19" rack mountable (1 RU) Control via external triggers DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 15
Installation and starting up 4 Installation and starting up Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust and moisture during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material suitable for transport or storage, respectively. Create all connections while the device is off. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for all connections.
Installation and starting up DMX connections Connect the DMX input of the DMX recorder (R) to the DMX output of a DMX controller (C). Connect the output of the DMX recorder (R) to the first DMX device (1), such as a spotlight. Connect the output of the first DMX device (1) to the input of the second one and so on, to form a series connection. Make sure that the output of the last DMX device (n) in the chain is terminated by a resistor (110 Ω, ¼ W).
Installation and starting up DMX indicator While both the device and the DMX controller are in operation, the [DMX] LED lights up and thereby indicates that a DMX signal is being received on the input. Connect the included AC adapter to the device, then to the mains. Switch the unit on with the main switch to start operation.
Connections and controls 5 Connections and controls Front panel DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 19
Connections and controls 1 [USB] USB port to connect a computer 2 [SD CARD] Slot for SD memory card 3 [DMX IN] The control LED lights when a DMX signal is received. 4 [DMX OUT] The control LED lights up when a DMX signal is sent. 5 [SMPTE] The control LED lights up if usable time information is received via the SMTPE interface in ‘SMPTE / MIDI trigger’ mode. 6 [MIDI] The control LED lights up if usable time information is received via the MIDI interface in ‘SMPTE / MIDI trigger’ mode.
Connections and controls Navigates up in a menu list or increases the displayed and selected value. Selects the next menu item. Selects the previous menu item. Navigates down in a menu list or decreases the displayed and selected value. [ENTER] Confirms the selected value or selects a menu item.
Connections and controls 10 [PLAY], [PAUSE], [STOP] Function button with different meaning, depending on the current mode. 11 [BLACK OUT] Function button with different meaning, depending on the current mode.
Connections and controls Rear panel DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 23
Connections and controls 12 [DMX IN] DMX input 13 [DMX OUT] DMX output 14 [MIDI IN] MIDI input 15 [SMPTE IN] SMPTE input 16 [MEMORY 1]…[MEMORY 8] Potential-free contacts via which the functions of the [MEMORY 1]…[MEMORY 8] buttons on the front can be trig‐ gered using external push buttons. 17 [PLAY], [PAUSE], [STOP], [BLACK OUT] Potential-free contacts via which the functions of the respective buttons on the front can be triggered using external push buttons.
Connections and controls 18 [POWER] Main switch. Turns the device on and off. 19 [DC Input] Connector for the supplied power supply adapter.
Operating 6 Operating 6.1 Setting the operating mode You can set five different operating modes: n n n n n Manual Control Timer Event DMX Monitor SMPTE/MIDI Trigger DMX Trigger 1. To set the operating mode, press and hold [ENTER] for at least two seconds to access the ‘Work Mode’ menu for the mode. 2. Press 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. or to select the desired mode. ð The desired operating mode is set.
Operating 6.2 Making user settings 1. Press and hold [ENTER] for at least two seconds to access the ‘Work Mode’ menu for the mode. 2. Use 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. or to select ‘SET & MODIFY’ . ð The screen for entering the password appears. 4. Enter the four-digit password with the memory buttons [1 … 8]. The default password is 1234. ð The ‘User Set’ menu for the user settings appears. 6.2.1 Recording DMX data 1. Call up the ‘User Set’ menu for the user settings. 2.
Operating 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. ð The screen with the submenus for the recording of DMX data appears. Recording a scene A scene records DMX data directly. The current image is called a scene. You are already in the ‘Record DMX’ submenu. 1. Select ‘Record Scene’ with or and confirm with [ENTER]. 2. Select ‘Scene Name:’ with or and confirm with [ENTER]. 3. Use or to select the cursor position and use the name with [ENTER].
Operating Recording a show You are already in the ‘Record DMX’ submenu. 1. Select ‘Record Show’ with or and confirm with [ENTER]. 2. Select ‘Show Name:’ with or and confirm with [ENTER]. 3. Use or to select the cursor position and use the name with [ENTER]. or to change the letter and confirm ð The name for the show is fixed. 4. Select ‘Record Mode’ with or and confirm with [ENTER].
Operating 5. 30 DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder Use or to select the desired recording mode: Number Recording mode Function 1 Manual Manual recording mode. Press [PLAY] to start recording the DMX signal. Press [STOP] to stop recording. 2 Semi-Auto Semi-automatic recording mode. Recording starts when all DMX channels are set to 0. As long as the device receives DMX data not equal to 0, it is in standby mode and waits for the start of the recording.
Operating 6. Number Recording mode Function 3 Auto Automatic recording mode. Recording starts when all DMX channels are set to 0. As long as the device receives DMX data not equal to 0, it is in standby mode and waits for the start of the recording. As soon as all DMX channels are set to 0 again after the start of the recording, the recording is stopped. 4 Smart Recording mode to create a perfect loop. Press [PLAY] to start recording the DMX signal.
Operating 8. Select ‘Restart Record’ with or and confirm with [ENTER]. ð The recording is started all over. 9. Select ‘Stop & Return’ with or and confirm with [ENTER]. ð The recording is stopped and saved and the device returns to the parent menu ‘Record DMX’ . Adding a chase In this menu, chases from previously saved scenes can be combined. You are already in the ‘Record DMX’ submenu. 1. Select ‘Add Chase’ with 2. Select ‘Chase Name:’ with 3.
Operating 4. Use or to select the chase parameters and confirm with [ENTER]. Parameter Function Cur-Step xxx/yyy The first three digits (xxx) indicate the current step, the last three digits (yyy) indicate the total number of steps saved. A chase can have a maximum of 200 steps. SCENE Sets the desired scene. All previously saved scenes are listed. HoldTime Sets the duration that the step of the chase should have. FadeTime Sets the fade time of the step. 5. Use 6.
Operating Editing a chase You are already in the ‘Record DMX’ submenu. 1. Select ‘Edit Chase’ with 2. Use or to select the chase you want to edit and confirm with [ENTER]. 3. Use or to select the parameters you want to edit and confirm with [ENTER]. 4. Use or to change the parameter values and confirm with [ENTER]. 5. After you have made all the settings, select ‘Confirm & Save’ and confirm with [ENTER]. 6. Select ‘Insert Step After’ with or and confirm with [ENTER].
Operating Deleting a scene, show or chase You are already in the ‘Record DMX’ submenu. 1. Use or to select the desired submenu. Select ‘Delete Scene’ to delete a scene. Select ‘Delete Show’ to delete a show. Select ‘Delete Chase’ to delete a chase. 2. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. ð All scenes, shows or chases that you have saved are listed. 3. Use or [ENTER]. 4. Select ‘Return’ to exit the menu.
Operating 6.2.2 Triggering an event 1. Call up the ‘User Set’ menu for the user settings. 2. Use 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. or to select ‘Trigger Event’ . ð The screen with the submenus for the selection of trigger modes appears. You can choose from three trigger modes: n Time Event n SMPTE/MTC Event n DMX Trigger Setting a Time Event ‘Time Event’ enables an automatic programme run, which is either repeated weekly or trig‐ gered on a specific date.
Operating You are in the ‘Trigger Event’ submenu. 1. Use or to select the desired submenu. Select ‘Add Weekly’ to enter a weekly recurring event. Select ‘Add by Date’ to enter an event to be triggered on a specific date. Select ‘Edit Weekly’ to edit a weekly recurring event. Select ‘Edit Date Trig’ to edit an event to be triggered on a specific date. 2. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. 3. Use or to select the parameters you want to edit and confirm with [ENTER].
Operating 4. Use or to change the parameter values and confirm with [ENTER]. Submenu Parameter Function Add Weekly Week Sets the week of the event. Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sets the day of the week of the event Fri, Sat (Sunday to Saturday). xx.xx.xx Sets the time of the event (hours, minutes, seconds). Trigger Sets the memory location of a scene, show or chase to be triggered. State Sets the type of event triggered. Play: Starts the programme run. Stop: Stops the programme run.
Operating Submenu Parameter Function Add by Date Date: Sets the date of the event (month / day), e.g. 24/12. Time Sets the time of the event (hours, minutes, seconds). Trigger Sets the memory location of a scene, show or chase to be triggered. State Sets the type of event triggered. Play: Starts the programme run. Stop: Stops the programme run. Pause: Pauses the programme run. Output Sets the type of output (normal / blackout). 5.
Operating You can run several events at the same time. The date-triggered event has a higher priority than the weekly recurring event. In order to start a weekly recurring event after a date-triggered event has run, you have to interpose a trigger without a stored program sequence (No Memory Trigger). Deleting a Time Event You are in the ‘Trigger Event’ submenu. 1. Use or to select the desired submenu. Select ‘Delete Weekly’ to delete a weekly recurring event.
Operating Creating an SMPTE/MTC Event ‘SMPTE/MTC Event’ is triggered externally by a MIDI time code or SMPTE time code. You are in the ‘SMPTE/MTC Event’ submenu. 1. Use or to select the desired submenu. Select ‘Add SMPTE/MTC’ to enter the event. Select ‘Edit SMPTE/MTC’ to edit the event. 2. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. 3. Use or to select the parameters you want to edit and confirm with [ENTER].
Operating 4. Use or to change the parameter values and confirm with [ENTER]. Parameter Function Frame Rate Sets a frame rate (24, 25 or 30). Frame Sets the trigger time. Trigger Sets the memory location of a scene, show or chase to be triggered. State Sets the type of event triggered. Play: Starts the programme run. Stop: Stops the programme run. Pause: Pauses the programme run. Output 42 DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder Sets the type of output (normal / blackout). 5.
Operating Deleting an SMPTE/MTC Event You are in the ‘SMPTE/MTC Event’ submenu. 1. Use 2. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. or and select ‘Delete SMPTE/MTC’ . ð All previously saved events are listed. Creating a DMX trigger 3. Use 4. Select ‘Finish & Return’ to exit the menu and confirm with [ENTER]. or to select the event you want to delete and confirm with [ENTER]. With ‘DMX Trigger’ you can control the device with the help of a DMX controller. Three chan‐ nels are required for control.
Operating 4. Use or to change the parameter values and confirm with [ENTER]. Parameter Function DMX Start Address Sets the DMX start address. No DMX Sets the action to be taken when the DMX signal is cancelled. Manual: Manual control Timer: Timer is activated. Last Hold: The last action set is carried out. Black Out: The device is blacked out. No SMPTE/MTC MIDI IN Sets the action to be taken when there is no SMPTE or MTC signal. Manual: Manual control Timer: Timer is activated.
Operating 5. Select ‘Finish & Return’ to exit the menu without changes and confirm with [ENTER]. Functions in 3-channel DMX mode Channel Value Function 1 0…3 Memory 1 4…7 Memory 2 8…12 Memory 3 13…16 Memory 4 17…20 Memory 5 21…24 Memory 6 25…27 Memory 7 28…31 Memory 8 32…255 The memory is not changed.
Operating Channel 3 Value Function 80…159 Play 160…255 Stop 0…127 Normal output 128…255 Blackout 6.2.3 Assigning memory location 1. Call up the ‘User Set’ menu for the user settings. 2. Use 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. or to select ‘Assign Memory’ . ð The screen with the parameters for assigning memory locations appears. 4. 46 DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder Use or to select the memory or function key to which you want to assign a saved scene, chase or show.
Operating 5. 6. Use or to change the parameter values and confirm with [ENTER]. Parameter Function Type Sets the type of item to be assigned: ‘Scene’ , ‘Show’ or ‘Chase’ . Assign Selects an already saved programme and assigns it. Output Level Adjusts the intensity of the output. Speed Scale (only for ‘Type: Show’ ) Sets the programme running speed. Fade Time (only for ‘Type: Scene’ ) Sets the fade in time. Run Mode (only for ‘Type: Show’ or ‘Type: Chase’ ) Shows the type of process (e.g.
Operating 6.2.4 Setting time and date Correct setting of the date and time is important when triggering date or time-con‐ trolled events. 48 DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 1. Call up the ‘User Set’ menu for the user settings. 2. Use 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. 4. Use 5. Use or to change the time and use firm with [ENTER]. 6. Use or to select ‘Date’ and confirm with [ENTER]. 7. Use or to change the date (format MM/DD/YYYY) and confirm with [ENTER]. 8.
Operating 6.2.5 Modify password 1. Call up the ‘User Set’ menu for the user settings. 2. Use 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. 4. Use the Memory buttons [1 … 8] to enter the old password. 5. Use the Memory buttons [1 … 8] to enter a new password. 6. Use the Memory buttons [1 … 8] to confirm the new password. 7. Select ‘Confirm & Save’ to save the settings and confirm with [ENTER]. 8. Select ‘Finish & Return’ to exit the menu without changes and confirm with [ENTER]. 1.
Operating 3. Confirm the selection with [ENTER]. 4. Use or to select the desired memory method and confirm with [ENTER]. Memory method Function Scene SD Card Copies all scene data from the device to the SD card. Chase SD Card Copies all chase data from the device to the SD card. Show SD Card Copies all show data from the device to the SD card. Memory Event SD Card Picture All SD Card SD Card SD Card Copies all data of assigned memory locations from the device to the SD card.
Operating If the device is connected to a PC via USB, the device is displayed as an external hard drive on the PC. The data on the device can then be copied directly to the PC.
Technical specifications 7 Technical specifications Input connections DMX control XLR chassis plug, 3-pin MIDI DIN socket, 5-pin SMPTE XLR chassis socket, 3-pin USB USB-B chassis socket Output connections DMX output XLR chassis socket, 3-pin Control protocols DMX512-A Voltage supply Plug-in power supply (9 - 12 V / 500 mA ), centre positive Mounting properties 19 inch, 1 RU Dimensions (W × H × D) 482 mm × 44 mm × 100 mm Weight 1.
Technical specifications Further information 19" rack mountable Yes External storage option Yes Maximum number of DMX channels 512 Housing colour black DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 53
Plug and connection assignments 8 Plug and connection assignments Introduction This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable equip‐ ment so that a perfect light experience is guaranteed.
Cleaning 9 Cleaning Housing Use only pH-neutral, solvent-free and non-abrasive cleaning agents. Clean the unit with a slightly damp lint-free cloth.
Protecting the environment 10 Protecting the environment Disposal of the packaging mate‐ rial For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling. Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of. Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.
Notes DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder 57
Notes 58 DR-PRO Rack DMX recorder
Musikhaus Thomann · Hans-Thomann-Straße 1 · 96138 Burgebrach · Germany · www.thomann.
