Xciter user manual
Measurements are in millimeters: 483 188 265 468 35 120 85 © 2003 Martin Professional A/S, Denmark. Printed in Denmark This user manual has been developed by R&D International NV, Belgium on behalf of 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. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Table of contents Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 7 1.1 Naming conventions used in this manual................................................................................... 7 1.2 Safety precautions...................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2. Installation ...............................................................................
7.5.2 Channel status indicators ................................................................................................ 34 7.5.3 The active and inactive layer of the programmer ............................................................ 35 7.6 Clearing channels ..................................................................................................................... 36 7.7 Scene/sequence editor .............................................................................................
11.7.2.4 Loop ........................................................................................................................ 57 Chapter 12. Instant manipulation features ........................................................... 59 12.1 Pitch control and freeze.......................................................................................................... 59 12.2 Master, Master Flash and Black Out ......................................................................................
Introduction Chapter 1. Introduction Thank you for selecting the Martin Xciter. The Xciter is a hands-on lighting control tool for DJs and lighting operators. This lighting controller allows operators to instantly manipulate the light show via easy-to-use buttons and faders for spontaneous lighting effects. Ideal for clubs, small touring applications, even larger mobile DJs, Xciter puts programming, playback and live manipulation of light shows at your fingertips.
Introduction SCR1 Jog wheel next to LCD1 SCR2 Jog wheel next to LCD2 CS Cue Scene PB Playback SEQ Sequence 1.2 Safety precautions The Xciter is not for domestic use. Use the device only as described. Do not expose the device to rain or moisture. 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.
Installation Chapter 2. Installation in in AUDIO DMX-512 MIDI 90-260 VAC 50-60 Hz 15W thru out line in mono out I2C MIC 2.1 Power connection The Xciter does not need a mains adapter. It takes main supply directly into the IEC mains connector in the following ranges: • 90V – 260V AC • 50Hz – 60Hz Warning! For protection from dangerous electric shock, the fixture must be grounded (earthed). The AC mains supply shall have overload and ground-fault protection.
Installation 2.2.1 Devices out in out in out in out DMX terminator 3-pin or 5-pin out in 2.2.2 Master/slave Because the 3-pin and 5-pin DMX out can be used together, you can link two consoles together and attach your devices at the same time. If you want to link more slaves to the master, you need a splitter. devices universe 1 3-pin out devices universe 2 5-pin out MASTER 5-pin in 3-pin or 5-pin out SLAVE 2.
Installation Warning: Use Martin accessories only. DO NOT connect other devices, as this may damage the console.
Basics Chapter 3. Basics 3.1 Power on 1. Make sure the Xciter has power. 2. Press [ON]. The intro screens will appear on LCD1 and LCD2. 3.2 Power off The Xciter’s power off is safeguarded by a 2 second delay. Meaning you have to hold the ON button for at least 2 seconds. Hold [ON] 2 seconds to power off. 3.3 Setup menu The setup menu is only accessible from the start-up screen. If the Xciter is in not in programmer mode, it will ask for the password to go to programmer mode.
Patch Chapter 4. Patch Before you start programming, Xciter needs to know which devices are connected to its DMX universe and how it will control them. This is where the patch comes in. To patch a device means to connect it to the Xciter controls, so you are able to manipulate it. The Xciter controls are divided into three groups, which enable you to control up to: • 20 fixtures. • 20 dimmers. • 4 direct access devices. Press {Patch} in the setup menu to access the patch menu.
Patch internal library DMX channels Martin MX-4 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SHUT COLW1 GOBW1 PAN TILT PTSPD CGSPD fixture type control channels The internal control channels have subsequent DMX addresses, thus the fixture will occupy a certain space on the DMX chain beginning at the start address you specify in the patch. Occupied space relates directly to the number of internal control channels. A Fixture type can have up to 48 control channels.
Patch 6. Xciter automatically detects the first available space on the DMX chain and suggests the start address (Example: 1). Fixt ur e: 10 Mast er BO CH: 1 Pan inv Til t inv P/T swap 7. If you wish to use another number, press {CH: xxx}. Use ARROW or SCR1 to adjust the value. [CLEAR] and MATRIX 1-10 to input a new number. [ENT] to confirm, [ESC] to cancel. When you specify a start address, Xciter will check if there is enough space behind that address to place the fixture.
Patch 2. Press the soft key next to the channel number. Use ARROW + SCR1 to adjust the number. [CLEAR] and MATRIX 1-10 to input a new number. When you specify a start address, Xciter will check if there is enough space behind that address to place the fixture. If not, the console reports this and suggests the start address of the next available space. Press [ENT] to accept the suggested number, [ESC] to decline. 3.
Patch DMX channels Dimmer 1 160 BLUE RED GRN 175 176 dimmer device internal control channels 180 Xciter permits up to 20 dimmer devices. A single device can contain up to 255 dimmer control channels. If you compare fixtures and dimmers, you will conclude that most of the differences lie in the control channels: • A fixture control channel manipulates only one DMX channel. A dimmer control channel can manipulate multiple physical channels.
Patch 3. Use ARROW or SCR1 to move the cursor. Use MATRIX 1-10 to input numbers and MATRIX 11-20 to input letters (maximum 5 characters). Press [ENT] to confirm, [ESC] to cancel and return to the previous label. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have created or edited all labels you need. If you only need 10 labels, you do not need to fill out all 255; the patch will work with 1 or more. 5. Press [ESC] to exit the label editor and return to the dimmer patch menu. 4.3.
Patch The more experienced user will find it easy control devices at the lowest level possible. Example: You wish to set all fixtures in a certain color. Beware that if you adjust the DMX address of your DA devices, you also need to adapt the DA scenes that use those devices. 1. Press {DA Patch} in the patch menu. Xciter shows the DA patch menu. t oggl e t oggl e t oggl e t oggl e Smk St r b Ext 1 Ext 2 2. Use the soft keys on the left to enable the toggle function for each DA button.
Fixture Library Chapter 5. Fixture Library The Xciter is delivered with a library that holds many commonly used fixtures. The console needs this fixture library to access the internal control channels (dimmer, shutter, color wheels, gobo wheels, effect wheels, pan, tilt…) of fixtures. The library can hold a maximum of 1000 fixture definitions. You can also add, remove and edit fixture definitions. 1. Press {Library} in the setup menu. 2. Select a fixture category (Example: moving mirror).
Fixture Library d. Use SMB 1 to toggle between coarse and fine (MSB and LSB). Upper case indicates a coarse channel; lower case indicates a fine channel. e. [STORE] to store the parameters of the selected channel. 5. Repeat steps 4a – 4e until you have configured all control channels. Make sure you have configured all control channels before exiting the fixture definition editor. 6. Press [ESC] to return to the fixture definition editor. 7. Press {Advanced Config} to go to the advanced configuration menu.
Fixture Library 1. Select the definition you wish to remove. 2. Press [CLEAR] to remove the selected fixture definition. Xciter will ask for a confirmation. Press [ENT] to confirm, [ESC] to cancel. Xciter will not allow you to delete a fixture definition if this definition is used in the patch.
The Xciter philosophy Chapter 6. The Xciter philosophy 6.1 Xciter show elements Cue List Playback Preset Cue Scene Effect Sequence 6.1.1 Cue list You can store up to 160 cue lists in the Xciter, depending on the available memory. Each cue list can contain up to 99 cues. At any given time, there can be only one active cue list. The main purpose of a cue list is to automatically playback cues. So in fact you can combine several cues into a small show instead of calling them manually.
The Xciter philosophy 6.1.2 Cue The cue can contain four sequences and a cue scene. The four sequences and the cue scene can run simultaneously (in parallel). The purpose of the cue is to manually launch scenes and sequences using the page keys and number keys on the front panel. You can apply various playback features to each sequence in the cue: • Sequence trigger: • o Internal: the internal clock of the Xciter triggers the sequence.
The Xciter philosophy Sequence global scene time global fade time step 1 scene time fade time step 2 scene time fade time step 3 scene time fade time step 4 scene time fade time 6.1.4 Cue scene The Xciter can hold as many cue scenes as the memory allows. This depends on the content (number of active channels). Like a sequence, you can add the same cue scene to multiple cues. You can also use a cue scene directly in a cue list. The cue scene represents a look on the stage.
The Xciter philosophy checking out because they can save you a lot trouble when you modify the rig. The Xciter can store up to 160 presets. 6.1.7 Playback The Xciter can hold as many playback scenes as the memory allows, depending on the content (number of active channels). You can activate six playback scenes at the same time. That’s why multiple playbacks scenes can manipulate the same control channels of a DMX device.
The Xciter philosophy highest priority 8 system functions 7 direct access 6 programmer, active 5 programmer, inactive 4 override playbacks 2 sequences 1 cue 0 default Lamp on, Lamp off, Lamp reset smoke, strobe, extra1, extra2 active channels in scene editor, stored temporary active channels in editor, not stored scenes, activated by sub-master faders, during show sequences A, B, C, D in the cue static scene in the cue default scene, when no other processes are active lowest priority Exam
Program features Chapter 7. Program features Before you go ahead and start programming, you have to make sure that the fixtures on your rig are patched to the Xciter controls. 7.1 Device selection Xciter permits you to use moving lights and dimmers together in scenes, so you can switch between fixture and dimmer pages freely without loosing device selections or channel settings. 1. Press [FIX] to select fixtures (moving lights). Press [DIM] to select dimmers (generic lights). 2.
Program features 7.4 Fixture information 1. Hold [SHIFT], hold [FIX], release [SHIFT]. 2. Keep holding [FIX] and use matrix keys to view fixture information. 3. Release [FIX] to exit fixture information. 7.5 The programmer When at least one device is selected, the programmer pops up on LCD2. You will use the programmer to create scenes and to take manual control of devices during show. Use SMF to modify control channel values. [---] DIM [---] STROB [---] PAN [---] panf [---] TILT [---] t il t f 7.
Program features P015> DIM Active channel in fade with reference to preset 15 !255] STROB Channel value is above or below it’s library limits. The value will not appear on the DMX output. Example: You see that there is an effect running on a certain fixture but you do not know where it is coming from. With the indicators you can spot the problem immediately. Select the fixtures one by one and look at the channel indicators. Example: You have created a sequence and you are previewing it.
Program features fixture 1 Active layer Inactive layer fixture 2 fixture 3 <---> DIM [040] COLW1 <---> DIM [040] COLW1 <---> DIM [040] COLW1 <255> DIM [040] COLW1 <255> DIM [040] COLW1 <255> DIM [040] COLW1 fixture 4 Active channels stored Active channels <255> [040] DIM COLW1 NOT stored <---> DIM [040] COLW1 5. When you are finished, press [CLEAR] twice to clear both layers of the programmer, giving control back to the underlying processes of the show (see process hierarchy).
Program features Copy Past e Ef f ect s PT Modif ier Lamp pr ocs The advanced functions of the editor: • Effects • Lamp procedures • • o Lamp on o Lamp off o Reset Pan/Tilt modifiers o Pan relative or absolute o Tilt relative or absolute o Invert pan o Invert tilt o Swap pan and tilt Copy / Paste 7.7.1 Insert and add scenes When you start from scratch, there are no scenes present in the editor. The scene counter is at 0. 1. Create your first scene in the programmer. 2.
Program features channel value [0-255] 255 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 time [sec] In this example the scene time is 5 sec and the fade time 2 sec. The scene time determines how long the scene remains active before switching to the next. This time is only relevant when the transition between scenes is automatic (sequences and cue lists). The fade time determines how long it takes for an active channel to reach its end value.
Program features 2. Press [ESC] to exit the preview function. 7.7.4 Lamp procedures In the lamp procedures you find the lamp on, lamp off and lamp reset macros. You need to specify those macros in the fixture definition; otherwise they will not work when you call them. 1. Press {Lamp procs} to enter the lamp procedures menu. Lamp on Lamp of f Reset 2. {Lamp On} to strike the selected fixtures. {Lamp Off} to darken the selected fixtures. {Lamp Reset} to reset the selected fixtures. 7.7.
Program features Pan=r el Til t =r el Pan Inv Til t Inv PT Swap Use pan inverse, tilt inverse and pan/tilt swap to create opposite movement between fixtures of the same type. This gives you the power to create nice crossing effects in no time. You can set these flags for each fixture and they are stored to each scene or step. When you put pan and tilt in absolute mode, selected fixtures will get the value you see in the programmer (the value of the last selected fixture).
Store menu Chapter 8. Store menu You may notice that the store to memory function will not always work the first time you press [STORE]. The reason is very obvious. If you make changes to a scene and press store, this scene is updated and locked into the editor. In that case, you have to press store again to access the store to memory function. Updat e sequence cue scene pl ayback pr eset 8.
Store menu The letter keys work in the same way as the mobile phone dial keys. Press the same button multiple times to scroll through the letters, marked on the button label. 2. Press [ENT] to confirm, [ESC] to cancel.
Edit menu Chapter 9. Edit menu For the safety of your show, Xciter takes a clone of the scene or sequence you wish to edit. When you are editing, you are modifying this clone and not the original. Xciter replaces the original if you select the ‘update’ option in the store menu. Press [EDIT] to call the edit menu. sequence cue scene pl ayback pr eset 9.1 Edit Sequence 1. Press {Sequence}. Xciter shows the internal list of sequences if there are any. 2.
Edit menu 2. Use PG and MATRIX numbers to select the preset number. There are 8 pages of 20 presets, giving you a total of 160 pan/tilt presets. 3. Press [ENT] to confirm the selection, [ESC] to cancel. Xciter loads the channel values of the selected preset into the programmer for editing.
Quick edit Chapter 10. Quick edit To edit existing show elements with the edit menu, you have to go back to the intro screen and press [EDIT]. There is a faster way of editing elements, even during show. 10.1 Quick edit sequence 1. Launch a cue (see run mode features). 2. Go to the basic cue dialog (see run mode features). 3. Hold [EDIT]; press the soft key next to the sequence you wish to edit; release [EDIT]. Xciter takes a clone of the sequence and puts it in the scene / sequence editor. 10.
Run mode features Chapter 11. Run mode features Before we continue with the run mode features, please make sure that you have programmed some sequences, cue scenes and playback scenes. You need at least 5 of each to properly follow examples in this chapter. 11.1 Sequence transparency across cues Sequence transparency is default ON. You can switch it OFF in the setup menu. 11.1.
Run mode features 11.1.2 Transparency disabled Cue 1 Cue 2 running processes A: SEQ1 A: A: B: B: SEQ2 B: SEQ2 C: C: C: D: SEQ3 D: SEQ4 D: SEQ4 CS1 CS2 CS2 Launch cue 1: • SEQ1 starts running on layer A. • SEQ3 starts running on layer D. • CS1 starts running on the cue scene level. Launch cue2: • Xciter kills the sequence and cue scene processes that were started with cue 1. • SEQ2 starts running on layer B. • SEQ4 starts running on layer D.
Run mode features on layer A, above the dimmer sequence with effect that starts running on layer B. Because layer A has a higher priority than B, you will not see the dimmer with effect. Therefore we suggest you use the same principle as most people use in the Martin CASE console. • Dimmer sequences in A • Color sequences in B • Gobo sequences in C • Pan/tilt sequences in D • General look (background) in cue scene You can activate any channels you like in the cue scene to create a complete look.
Run mode features <: Backward ^: Bounce ?: Random Any combination of trigger and step mode may occur. Example: Default you see ‘I>’, which means internal forward. You can change the trigger and step mode for each sequence live. 1. Press the soft key to the right of the sequence you wish to change. Xciter displays the trigger and step mode dialog. Int er nal Manual BPM Audio For war d Backwar d Bounce Random 2. Select another trigger with the soft keys on the left.
Run mode features 11.3 Extended cue (run mode) dialog. Use [!] to swap between the basic and the extended dialog. 1/01: Cue name Fader PBX AB=1/01 Add SEQ CB=1/01 Add CS Audio The extended dialog shows additional information about the cue and playbacks: • On the first line you see the name and number of the currently selected cue. The first number is the page; the second number is the cue. • AP indicates the playback bank that is displayed at the moment.
Run mode features 2. Use SCR1 to locate the sequence you wish to add. Press the soft key next to the sequence to select it. 3. Select the layer where you wish to place the sequence by pressing {A}, {B}, {C} or {D}. Xciter jumps back to the extended dialog and starts the sequence. If you want to assign another sequence to the cue, you press [!] to re-enter the extended dialog and repeat steps 1-3. 11.3.3 Remove elements from cue You can only remove cue scenes and sequences from cues in the extended dialog.
Run mode features 3. Press {CB:} to link the currently selected bank to the current cue. If you want to keep this setting, you need to store the run mode settings. 11.3.5.1 Audio settings The audio settings are global, meaning they are the same for all sequences and cues. All sequences you set on the audio trigger instantly react to these settings. In the top left corner you see the mode of the graphical analyzer. You can switch between signal (S) and differential (D) with the soft key next to it.
Run mode features 11.5 Playback controls When you are in cue (run mode), Xciter shows playback controls on LCD2. Playback controls involve the following: • SMF 1-6 • SMB 1-6 • SCR2 • LCD2 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX The first things that jump to the eye are the labels. These are actually the PB scene names. Although you can give a name of 15 characters, they are chopped off at 10 characters when they are displayed above the faders.
Run mode features X-bl ock: Pr evious cue Cur r ent Cue Next cue The first line indicates the active transition before the next cue is started. Example: If it indicates ‘wait for go’, the user has to press ARROW to proceed to the next cue in the list. See the section on show element for details on the transition blocks. The: • Second line shows the previous cue. • Third line shows the current cue. • Fourth line shows the next cue.
Run mode features At a certain point you will encounter the word ‘END’ in the list. That word is always present in the list. If you add cues behind this word, Xciter will run through them when you deselect the cue list (exit cue list mode or select another cue list). See ‘show elements’ for details. 11.7.2 Add X-block The X-block or transition block of the current cue determines when and how the next cue in the list is launched. See ‘show elements’ for a description of the transition blocks.
Run mode features 4. Press [ENT] to confirm, [ESC] to cancel. Xciter returns to the extended dialog. 11.7.2.3 Wait for go 1. Press {Wait for go}. Xciter shows the cue list and puts it in single step mode. 2. Use ARROW or SCR1 to select a cue in the list, where you want to attach the transition block. Press [ENT] to confirm the selection, [ESC] to cancel. Xciter returns to the extended dialog. 11.7.2.4 Loop 1. Press {Loop}. Xciter shows the cue list and puts it in single step mode. 2.
Instant manipulation features Chapter 12. Instant manipulation features 12.1 Pitch control and freeze The second fader from the left with the center click is the pitch control fader. With this fader you can manipulate all timing parameters (relatively) during playback and programming. Timing parameters include scene time, fade time and speed of all effect engines. When the fader is in the center (click) the Xciter runs with the original timings you programmed.
Auto run Chapter 13. Auto run When auto run is enabled, Xciter will run a certain cue or cue list after startup. With the auto run comes the additional auto strike option. When enabled, the auto strike function strikes all fixtures with a lamp on procedure after startup, before it starts running the cue or cue list. Example: When the operator is late, other persons, who do not know the console, can still do a lamp on and start up a small show with the auto run function. 1.
User mode Chapter 14. User mode The user mode determines how accessible the console is. There are three user modes. 14.1 Different modes for different people 14.1.1 Programmer mode In programmer mode you have access to every function of the Xciter. 14.1.2 Operator (run) mode You have access to all playback functions. The following functions are disabled. Pressing deactivated buttons will not have any effect. • You cannot change show data. [Edit] and [Store] are disabled.
User mode Once you have selected a user mode, Xciter will jump back to the intro screens and switch to that mode. 14.2.2 From other to programmer In a user mode other than programmer Xciter will ask for the programmer password when you try to enter the setup menu. pr ogr ammer passwor d r equir ed (6 char act er s)? 1. Use MATRIX numbers and MATRIX letters to enter the password. 2. Press [ENT] to confirm, [ESC] to cancel.
Interface configuration Chapter 15. Interface configuration Warning: For experienced users only! Press {Interfaces} in the setup menu to go to the interface menu. DMX Mast er /Sl ave 15.1 DMX timings The standard DMX refresh rate of the Xciter is 33 Hz. Some fixtures may not work at this rate. In that case, you need to lower the refresh rate. 1. Press {DMX} in the interface menu Def aul t MBB= 20 B= 200 MAB= 20 CH= 4 us us us us 2. Press {MBB} to adjust the Mark Before Break length.
Interface configuration 15.2 Master/Slave Configuration These settings are only useful if you are linking two or more consoles together. You need to make one console master and the other(s) slave. Once they are properly connected and configured, slave(s) will execute cue and playback commands in parallel with the master. Example: If you launch a cue on the master, the slave(s) will launch the same cue. The master/slave feature comes in handy when you need more than 40 fixtures or an extra DMX universe. 1.
PC software Chapter 16. PC software 16.1 Software installation Run ‘Install.exe’ from the Xciter CD. This will install all necessary application files and drivers to your PC or laptop. 16.2 Firmware manager Use this application to update the firmware in your console. You can download new firmware from the Martin support site (http://www.martin.dk). 1. Make sure Xciter is connected to the PC. 2. Press {Firmware Update} in Xciter’s setup menu. 3. Start the FM (Firmware Manager) application. 4.
PC software 3. The software also warns you if you are uploading an older or the same firmware version. Press ‘Yes’ to proceed, ‘No’ to cancel. 4. You may reboot the console, only if the software reports a successful update. 16.2.2 Update main processor 1. Press ‘update main processor’. 2. Select the bin-file that you wish to upload to the Xciter. You can find firmware updates on the Martin support site. The software reports an error if you have selected an invalid file. 3.
PC software 2. Press ‘Remove’ to remove the selected fixture definition(s) from the Xciter library. 16.3.3 Update Xciter library. 1. Press ‘Update’ to upload your changes to Xciter. The application will display an error in case you want to remove a fixture definition that is used in the patch. 2. Wait until the application reports a successful update. 16.3.4 Export to lib You can export a fixture definition from Xciter’s internal library to the library on PC. 1.
Chapter 17. Specifications - Xciter Dimensions Length x width x height: 483 x 265 x 120mm (19 x 10.4 x 4.7 in.) Weight: 4.65 kg (10.
Dim button for direct access to dimmer channels Fix button to control fixtures Cue button to launch single cues Cue list button to activate cue lists 8 page buttons to select cue pages and fixture groups 20 general purpose buttons to select cues, select fixtures and input data Shift key to access secondary functions of certain buttons Previous and next buttons used for single stepping, inputting data, navigation Joystick for pan / tilt control with built-in button to toggle coarse / fine Pan exclude button
