Chubbs the Techie Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hi all, We have rented four abstract VR12's from our local hire co. Firstly, I am struggling to find any information about them at all, and would dearly like to create a fixture profile for our Jester ML as it isn't in the fixture library. Secondly, I can't get the darn things to work. It works fine in stand alone mode, but when DMX is connected (we're using a soundlab DMX distro pack to convert 5pin to 3pin as hire co. had one and no standard converters) I get zilch. It goes to DMX mode (as appose to stand alone mode) but just sits there with shutter closed doing nothing. I've tried everything I can think of, and I've put other DMX fixtures in the line (have to be in front of the VR's) and they all work. I can only think that maybe the DMX pins are reversed, so I need to solder up some leads? If anyone can help I'd be grateful. Many thanks, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve h Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Firstly, I am struggling to find any information about them at all, and would dearly like to create a fixture profile for our Jester ML as it isn't in the fixture library. Secondly, I can't get the darn things to work. It works fine in stand alone mode, but when DMX is connected (we're using a soundlab DMX distro pack to convert 5pin to 3pin as hire co. had one and no standard converters) I get zilch. It goes to DMX mode (as appose to stand alone mode) but just sits there with shutter closed doing nothing. Please ignore me if im wrong...but when using my macs with the ML, after I turn them all on, until I tell them to do something they will just sit there shutters closed until I give them a command. If you dont have a fixture profile, then won't they just be sitting there waiting for a command? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbs the Techie Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Ooh sorry didn't give enough detail; I have simply created 6 generic dimming channels,and patched them to 6 different DMX channels, and then tried them at all different values. I'm assuming that one of the VR's first 6 channels will make it do something.... To clarify.... VR is set so it's first DMX channel is channel 1.I have set up the ML to have a 0-255 fader for each of channels 1-6.I try all 6 channels at different values, in combinations, and on their own.Nothing happens! Hope I've cleared up the confusion. Of course, I might be doing something drastically wrong? Anyone care to correct me? (or maybe I have already been corrected...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhuson Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 The reason they won't be working on DMX is that Abstract kit has pins 2 & 3 reversed like the old Martin kit used to so you need to get/make a converter. Can't help you on the manual, didn't even know they made a VR12, thought there were only VR8s and VRXs, Sabre Technology have manuals for most of the older Abstract kit but not VR12s. If you really need a manual I'd get back to the company you hired them from, if they are unable to supply you with a manual or the info you need they're not providing very good customer service! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Abstract uses pin 2 of the DMX as 'hot'. When DMX is received, a decimal point shows in the display..if this is any help. The VRX scans have a compatability mode which converts them to 4-channel DMX so it will work with Abstract's own older club controllers, it's a menu setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbs the Techie Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Cheers all, With the extremely limited information I can find, I have concluded that the VR12 is just the VR8 with a MSD 250w lamp. The instruction manual for the VR8 suggests that everything is exactly the same apart from the lamp. I presume I can take apart one connector of a DMX cable and reverse the cables, then will the rest work when daisy chained without any other convertors, just plain old DMX cables? Thanks for your help; Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Yes, so long as the others aren't swapped as well! I'd just posted the 6-channel DMX functions but hit the escape key with my little finger by mistake..then you replied you'd found them anyway, so I shant bother now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbs the Techie Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 Sorry to drag this out more! So I trotted into the workshop today and swapped the pins 2+3 on a 3pin XLR cable at the female end. Plugged everything in. 'Receiving DMX' indicator comes on the VR12. I smile. I then start to cry when it procedes to go absolutely bonkers.I unplug everything, plug it all back in again, and it no longer says it's receiving DMX. Put some other fixtures in the line; they work fine. Now then; I must admit that I'm not using a terminator for the 3pin line because we have no 3pin terminators. However, I have done alot of DMX setting up previously, and I've had to go without a terminator many a time and I've occasionaly had problems with fixtures misbehaving, but they generally respond with the occasional shake or judder (which in a talent show or gig really doesn't matter). Is my problem in the wiring, the terminator (have I just been lucky before?) or something else? Many thanks, Charlie EDIT: I've realised I did the pin swapping at the male end, not the female end as previously stated. Does this make any difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Swapping the pins and getting the light to come alive is obviously a good start! No, it doesnt matter which end you swap it. Check you havent got any part of the DMX leads connecting with the XLR shells. Most lighting doesnt care but some fixtures dont like the screen of the DMX connecting with the DMX socket which is sometimes earthed. (The DMX spec forbids earthing the screen to the plug shell). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbs the Techie Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 Thanks Kevin I will make sure tomorrow; my soldering is not the greatest of my attributes :( it's probably a little sloppy. Hopefully that is the problem, if not then.... :) / Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 they're designed by the same electronics designer as the old MAD scan's and they needed a DMX terminator and hate the slightest bit of interfearance, strange screening, odd cables, etc Disconnect your controller and just daisy-chain the VRX's together (no cross-over cable) and run them in stand alone mode; if they're all working ok they'll syncronise. Then plug in your cross-over patch'd DMX supply from the desk and start building up step by step whilst keeping your fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbs the Techie Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 Good News! Put bits of tape around all the connections to prevent any shorting. Plugged all in and all worked! And get this for good luck; No terminator; using microphone XLR cable; one of these is 50metres long! And they work perfectly! However next time I will ensure it is done properly to be on the safe side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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