Fat frog and smoke machine

[Jd17]

Could someone post some step by step instruction on how to set up a smoke machine to a fat frog lighting desk. I do not know the make or model of the smoke machine just that it is fairly old. Does any one know how to set it to one of the faders there are already 2 Martin macs on the desk.

 

[kgallen]

The Fat Frog can only output DMX.

 

So your smoke machine needs to have a DMX interface of some sort, in which case you would patch it as a generic or write a fixture profile for it.

 

If the smoke machine doesn't have a DMX interface built in (and "old" and "don't know the model" might suggest it won't have...) then you could make something like this: http://www.dmxprojec..._dmx_relay.html or buy an off-the-shelf DMX relay like this: http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B00FRFAMF6 . Either way you need to case the unit, provide a power supply for it and make up a lead that will plug into the remote port of the smoke machine. Others might suggest ready-to-go relays that are just "make" contacts rather than a switched 240V supply.

 

You need more info on the smoke machine then (both you and) we have the chance of giving you a more specific and detailed reply...

 

ETA: A cheaper 1-channel kit: https://www.esr.co.uk/velleman/k8072.htm

[vinntec]

R - you don't say what you are using the smoke for. If the smoke machine is DMX, then easy but we need to know make and model (which will be written on it). If just a remote control cable with a simple switch, then why can't an ASM operate it remotely? I have a show next week and the sound operator is operating the smoke using the simple remote control manually. We could use our DMX switching unit and put it into cues or onto a playback, but it just wasn't worth the hassle. So there has to be a reason why it has to be remote controllable? The best solution is not always the one with the most tech http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif

[PaulDF]

If it has a DMX interface fitted it is just a simple case of setting the smoke machine's start address to one of the fader channels, if the fat frog is in normal it is a number between 1 and 24, in wide 1-48.

How many channels does the smoke machine need? If it needs more than one then you'll need to take this into account when setting the start address (ie if it needs two channels don't use a start channel of 48 as it will look at channels 48 and 49).

 

The martin macs ought to be set to use channels 49 onwards as they ought to be setup as fixtures, unless someone has tinkered with the manual patching function in super user.