Starting Out - Uplighting Help

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TwinSpinDJ

Up-lighting
ODJT Supporter
Hey guys and gals, need help with sample photos of Uplighting for weddings, etc., that I could use temporarily until I perfect my own. I will certainly provide credit to whomever provides the pictures. You can post here or send PM. I will be using the 8.5" sq "puck" lights.

Also, what is the preferred method of "uplighting" a cake table or gift table?

For walls that have no windows or curtains, do you use any type of material to give it a "custom" look, i.e. facade, curtain affect?

Scott Hannah, I viewed your posts regarding "first time uplighting" and felt that you did a decent job, by the way.
 
I just ordered flat par pro's from NLFX. I have a mismatch assortment of LED fixtures and Non-LED fixtures. That being said I have access to a very nice banquet room when I'm going to stage some photos next week with the new lights. I will post them here next week if you like them you are welcome to use them.


Here are a few right now.
 

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I use the Chauvet LED Rain 64's. I like them for uplighting. Easy, reliable, compact and the best part - affordable. I'll upload pics later.
 
Twin, you're welcome to anything I've got. Regarding your question, this past weekend I was on a patio surrounded by clear plastic. We hung sheers and shot thru the clear plastic. Good luck with it and please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. BTW, I'm using Stage Ape Stallions ($55 each)

http://picasaweb.google.com/rick1ryan/20110129LaciWadeFranklinTN#

IMG_6341.jpg
 
Thanks, all, for posting pictures. I'm waiting for my flat pars to arrive...any day now. :)

I can see where perhaps I will need to pre-fab some type of facade for uplighting where there are no window treatments available. Good idea of improvising with the clear plastic tent event.
 
They arrived today...all 12 ETL-904-FlatParPro's.

Opend up one and set it up. OK. Now what do I do. There was no User Manual in any of the boxes. Strange! Anyhow, I went to site and downloaded the "manual." After reading the 2 or 3 pages of the "manual" I'm asking myself, "is that all there is to explain how to use this thing?" I'm not idiot, but I do believe that there could be just a bit more explanation of how to "set" one of these up...say for instance, only one color.

Cam, did yours arrive yet? Have you "played" with them yet? Manual Mode? If so, perhaps you could give me a call because I have questions. I'd call Ben but he's involved in the MB convention in Las Vegas and most likely wouldn't have time anyway.

Anyone else care to chime in that have used this "baby" before?

It could also be that I'n new to DMX and could use a primer, too. :(
 
There is a bit of a learing curve. I have used mine 3 times already.

The menu's are a little tough to follow. Once I talked to Mark for about 5 min and downloaded the manual I understood. I have to head out for a gig right now but I will be more than happy to help you.
 
Thanks, Cam.

Have a good gig tonight.

Talk with you later.

I'll call Mark tomorrow (Friday).
 
Shane...if I knew where to start I would. So far I've managed to screw up the initial "shipped" program. Is there an easy way to reset it to "factory shipped setting"?

I will provide link for "instructions" in a second.

I'm back. Here's the link to the PDF Manual:
http://eternallighting.com/New User Manual ETL-904-FlatParPro v2.pdf

I do have a couple of questions. Remember I may look "old" but I'm ignorant when it comes to DMX.

How does Master/Slave work? If I program the first FlatPar (A) Master and then add others in the chain, A to b, b to c, c to d, d to e, will b, c, d, e all do the same program that was set to "A"? Must I have to set b thru d to the same setting as A to get them to work in sync?

What kind of DMX cord do I need to connect these fixtures to one another? Is there a standard type, specific kind? Will XLR cords work? I have plenty of those.

Each of the FlatPar's have only a 4-ft IED cord. Any suggestions how to connect power to them in a series? Is some kind of power cord that has plugs spaced every so many feet apart that the FlatPar's power cord plugs into? Suggestions.

I'm not DMX capable. No controller. But I understand that there is a "free" "controller" available for use with laptop. What do I need to connect from laptop to first FlatPar?

I'm sure Ben from NFLX will help me out, but I'm sure he is tied up with the Vegas show right now, so I'll not bother him.

RGB and 1-255 colors each. Not ready for DMX just yet, so I'll not go there.

I want to be able to: A=do sound control, B=fade speed, C=choose color and D=auto operation. Can anybody explain how to setup the FlatPar for Sound activation or simply all just one color?

Lots of questions from this novice.

Cam, I will be calling...just not tonight.

Shane, I'll seek your knowledge too. :)
 
I think as long you go back into the rgb mode and set all the values back to 255 then you are pretty much back into factory mode everytime you power it on. At the moment the only values I know the par remembers after being powered off are the rgb values and the dmx address.

I ordered my flat pars direct from the manufactuer and they only supply a basic manual so eternal lighting most likely just copied thier basic manual instead of improving it.


If you plug in 2 flat pars (not dmx'd) do they both do two completely different programs? I think i have one par that does something similiar, it would always start on like fade7 when the rest would start at fade5, I never really thought of it as a problem becuase when I set up my lights I either set them to a color or have them linked dmx.

Have you linked them using dmx yet?

I am using Freestyler to control mine and its crazy how simple you can create chases and program the lights using dmx. Give it a try too!
 
Answers in red

How does Master/Slave work? If I program the first FlatPar (A) Master and then add others in the chain, A to b, b to c, c to d, d to e, will b, c, d, e all do the same program that was set to "A"? Must I have to set b thru d to the same setting as A to get them to work in sync?

Set 1 par as the master and set the rest to slave, the rest of the pars will now do whatever the master is doing.

What kind of DMX cord do I need to connect these fixtures to one another? Is there a standard type, specific kind? Will XLR cords work? I have plenty of those.

The flat pars have 3pin xlr, as long as you have a DMX cable I don't think the brand matters, They say dont use mic xlr cable but it will get the job done until you can get your hands on dmx cables. (I have 6 hooked up using mic cables and no problems whatsoever, i am ordering dmx cable soon :triwink: )

Each of the FlatPar's have only a 4-ft IED cord. Any suggestions how to connect power to them in a series? Is some kind of power cord that has plugs spaced every so many feet apart that the FlatPar's power cord plugs into? Suggestions.

You could buy more IED cords and just daisy chain? I am facing the same issue, so far thats been my solution.

I'm not DMX capable. No controller. But I understand that there is a "free" "controller" available for use with laptop. What do I need to connect from laptop to first FlatPar?

$52 bucks Enttec DMX open: http://www.sirs-e.com/st/open-dmx-usb-p-47.html?cPath=27 (I use the Enttec Pro version and also purchased from sirs-e they are legit)

I'm sure Ben from NFLX will help me out, but I'm sure he is tied up with the Vegas show right now, so I'll not bother him.

RGB and 1-255 colors each. Not ready for DMX just yet, so I'll not go there.



I want to be able to: A=do sound control, B=fade speed, C=choose color and D=auto operation. Can anybody explain how to setup the FlatPar for Sound activation or simply all just one color?

A.) Just press menu, chose SHND, press enter

B.) Just press menu, choose FADE, select speed

C.1)(selecting custom static color) Just press menu, choose NANU, from there you will have red, green and blue, select one and pick between 1-255
(c.2)(selecting preset color) Just press menu, choose COLO, select between preset 1-7

D.) Just press menu, choose COLO, choose AUTO
Lots of questions from this novice.
 
Shane...thanks, man. I'll play around again with it tomorrow.

There must be a starting point in Menu for color? Fade? Not sure I found them yet.
 
Shane...thanks, man. I'll play around again with it tomorrow.

There must be a starting point in Menu for color? Fade? Not sure I found them yet.

Starting point would be the SHND menu, once you select enter you will then see FADE and COLOR within that section

Basics to know SHND = sound, fade and color | SLND = master or slave setting | NANU = rgb menu | CHND = select either 3 or 6 channel dmx | ADDR = dmx address 0-512

It took me a a few times of messing around to get it, these were my first and only lights that have dmx, I am almost as new at this as you, its not hard once you get it the hang of it. (it also seems that many other fixtures that have built in dmx controls use this same 4 button dmx menu, so once you get the hang of it on your flatpar you should look like a pro when you come across other fixtures with similar dmx menus!)

Best of luck to ya!
 
I think i have one par that does something similiar, it would always start on like fade7 when the rest would start at fade5.

Just fixed my own problem while reading the manual, when you create your own custom color it automaticly adds that color to a preset (#7) and that preset becomes the starting program. Since my other pars didnt have customer rgb they started on the defualt program (#5 i think)

Oh and one more comment about the manual, Eternal made it better then what the light ships from the factory with, it basicly just has the information in the tables and thats all. No real instructions like the link you had!
 
One quick note -

"IEC", not "IED" for the cable end.
 
:trirolleyes:Shane...the fog seems to be lifting.

Thanks for the quick "cheat sheet" for what the symbols mean. :triwink:

Joe...thanks for setting the "line" straight. :)
 
Success!!!! :yothumbsup::yoapplause::yoBow:

Thanks to Cam, Shane and other threads that I've recently reviewed regarding DMX lighting.

I've now got it somewhat mastered....no....controlled for the moment! I'm only using Sound but the affects are pretty good...chase, fade, strobe. I even managed to set the fade factor.

Next up...learn to set a specific color from the color palate (0-255 ?). What does Address mean...relative to color vs. physical lighting unit? I've only heard mention of "address" being used to designate a certain light fixture. Somebody set me straight, please. :):triconfused:

I guess I'll try connecting a few together and see if I can get them to work together. :trismug:

Later, all.