jester and haze machine

[sounddude]

hi all

not sure if this is the right place to put this as im new to br but here go's...

 

ive got a talent show coming up and we have got a jem 24/7 haze machine but have just bought a new lighting desk the jester from zero 88. we used to just use the manual option but now we have this desk I was wondering if any one has used the DMX function for this before and how to connect it. any help???

 

thanks

alex

[3guk]

I'm pretty sure the 24/7 is DMXable so you should just be able to hook the Jester up to the 24/7.

 

IIRC, channel 1 controls the haze output and channel 2 controls the fan speed.

 

Use the Adr menu on the 24/7 to set the DMX address.

[Ynot]

Yes - most definitely.

 

3gUK is correct.

Bear in mind, though, that BOTH channels default to null (or prime) if taken too high (or left too low).

From the manual:

Channel 1

Fog output level

0 - 19 zero output (dead-band)

20 - 220 proportional output level control

Implemented in 20 discrete steps

220 - 230 Prime function

 

Channel 2

Fan speed setting

0 - 19 Fan off

20 - 220 proportional speed control

Implemented in 20 discrete steps

220 - 230 Auto fan mode

245 - 255 Fan off, Fog off, Heater off

These figures are obviously DMX values and will need converting to %ages.

[dave singleton]

Although I'm not 100% I don't think thats what the op meant.

 

The Jester has the option to use Auxillaries instead of normal channels for things like Hazers, Strobes etc. So by clicking a flash button it will come to life, allowign all sorts of latching options etc. If this is what you mean then I can talk you through making it work (the manual is rather difficult to understand). I do it quite frequently when we do shows for customers.

[Ynot]

Although I'm not 100% I don't think thats what the op meant.

I think it's just that. They've bought the desk and want to control the hazer, having never done so before from their old one.

HOWEVER, if there's an additional function that allows such beasts to be managed outside of 'normal' channels, then I reckon you're still up for a Q & A session with the OP...!

[sounddude]

The Jester has the option to use Auxillaries instead of normal channels for things like Hazers, Strobes etc. So by clicking a flash button it will come to life, allowign all sorts of latching options etc. If this is what you mean then I can talk you through making it work (the manual is rather difficult to understand). I do it quite frequently when we do shows for customers.

 

thats exactly what I meant. how do you do it

[dave singleton]

Ok, from the top:

 

The JEM 24/7 is actually quite a nice DMX hazer as its fairly hassle free to get working. For the sake of getting this to work, ignore the rest of your lighting system for now.

 

Step 1: Take a 5 pin DMX cable out the back of the Jester's DMX OUT, and into the Hazers DMX IN. Set the address that you wish to assign the hazer to on its control panel. It can be found under "Adr" on the menu system. It will only allow address's between 1 and 509. So for arguments sake address is as 200. As the Hazer requires 2 channels of DMX the 200 acts as the address for the first channel of control (fog output level). You don't need to address the second (fan speed). The hazer will automatically assume the second channel of DMX is 201.

 

Step 2: On the Jester enter "Super User" to assign the Auxiliaries (to enter Super User hold down the SHIFT and then the MODE button as well until the desk enters the Super User menu). Scroll down to and press enter.

 

Step 3: The Jester allows up to 24 Auxiliaries to be assigned. These correspond to the Preset A faders & flash buttons. Press the flash button that you wish to assign an Auxiliary to. This will then bring up a box where you can define the "mode", "On" & "Off" levels. Due to the way the DMX operation of this hazer runs you must give it values of "On and Off". See the bottom of this post for different levels for different applications. Select what you wish to change and press enter. The desk will output live what you change so you can see if the level you set is right for your needs. As this Hazer uses 2 channels of DMX you have to assign 2 Auxiliaries to make it work. So just repeat the process for the second Auxiliary. Again for arguments sake assign 23 & 24.

 

Step 4:Press ok to Exit out of the Auxiliary Set up screen. Scroll down to the menu option. As you have set the Hazer to channel 200 & 201 you must now patch these to the Auxiliary controls. Scroll down to and select DMX 200. Hold down the SHIFT button and push the Channel 23 Flash button. Hit ok and scroll down to DMX 201. Hold down the SHIFT button and push the Channel 24 Flash button. Hit ok and exit the patch screen. Exit the Patch Menu and then Super User. To exit Super User press and hold the SHIFT and Super User buttons together until the desk returns to program mode.

 

To play back an Auxiliary hold Shift & the FLASH Button 23 then 24. If your not too fussy about Fan noise just leave Auxiliary 24 always on, as this will speed up the time it takes to put the Haze out.

 

You should now have a full functioning hazer from the Jester.

 

Going back to Step 3 & values I would suggest the following:

 

For Light (discrete) Haze:

Aux 23 - Set the "Mode" to GO, the "On" value to 50 and the "Off" value leave as 0

Aux 24 - Set the "Mode" to GO, the "On" value to 130 and the "Off" value leave as 0

 

For Heavy (stage filling) Haze:

Aux 23 - Set the "Mode" to GO, the "On" value to 190 and the "Off" value leave as 0

Aux 24 - Set the "Mode" to GO, the "On" value to 190 and the "Off" value leave as 0

 

Finally, you should find given the DMX address choices etc that this will work perfectly with your current set up. Please ask if your not sure how to make it all work together.

 

There is other options available and methods for setting it up with this desk and Hazer, however it would take a long time to list them all. If this doesn't make sense please don't hesitate to ask and I will try and talk you through it a different way. On the flip side of this seems patronising I apologise, I'm only trying to help.