Controls for Chauvet Obey 40 Moving Fixture Controller


ARCHITECTURE
The Chauvet Obey 40 (OB-40) rack mount controller is a fairly versatile unit capable of controlling 192 DMX channels allocated into 12 fixtures of 16 channels each which is ideal for intelligent fixtures. It provides programming of up to 240 scenes divided into 30 banks of eight. Each Scene Bank can be played back as a chase of up to 8 steps giving the possibility of up to thirty short chases. Additionally, six long chases consisting of up to 240 steps can be programmed consisting of any combination of scenes in any order. Two additional control channels are provided for Chauvet compatable strobes and hazers/foggers. In addition to preset scenes and chases, individual fixtures can be operated manually. 120 scenes and 6 chases can be triggered via MIDI channels 1-16.
Strobe Controller: consists of a button, an indicator, and a 1/4" phone jack on the rear panel. When pressed, the button outputs +10VDC pulses to the tip of the phone jack. The indicator flashes at the same rate. This is the industry standard for remote controlling non DMX strobes.
Fogger/Hazer Controller: consists of a button, an indicator, and 5 pin DIN style connector on the real panel. The indicator glows when the device is up to temperature and the button emits fog/haze. Pin 1 is the anode of the LED device, pin 2 is the button, and pin 4 is the common. Pin 5 is not used, and the fogger/hazer devices provide +5VDC on pin 3 to power remote controllers (the OB-70 doesn't need this.)
Modes: The nine main modes include:
  1. Channel
  2. Reverse
  3. Program
  4. Manual
  5. Auto
  6. Music
  7. Midi
  8. Delete All Scenes
  9. Delete All Chases
  10. System Reset
CAVEATES:


There is a limitation of 240 scenes and 6 chases.

Only the Scene Banks 1—15 are accessible via MIDI.

In manual mode, only one scene can be active at a time.

Because the OB-40 is designed for intelligent lights, it does not have features like masters, submasters, or bump buttons needed for conventional lighting.

The remote strobe control only outputs at a fixed rate and only works with non DMX controlled strobes.

The indicator lamp for the remote hazer/fogger controller is a LED and operates at around +4VDC and the switch is intended for logic level low voltage and low current and is fully compatible with all Chauvet hazers/foggers with a five pin DIN remote jack. Older foggers/hazers have 110 VAC neon lamps and relay control circuits (typically using an IEC connector for the remote jack) and are *NOT* compatible without some type of converter between the two. The cost of such a device makes it unfeasible to adapt. Use a DMX controlled hazer/fogger instead.
Setup Strategy:

The following steps outline the general procedure to follow in setting up and using the OB-40 for either designed shows or for busking.

Step One: Perform either a "SYSTEM RESET", "DELETE ALL SCENES", or "DELETE ALL CHASES" as needed to clear out existing settings.

Step Two: Use "CHANNEL" reassignment to conform all fixtures to a standard convention if needed.

Step Three: Use fader "REVERSE" to conform pan/tilt controllers to a standard convention if needed.

Step Four: "PROGRAM" all static scenes into low banks, short chase scenes into mid banks, and long chase scenes into high banks.

Step Five: "PROGRAM" all long chasees needed.

Step Six: Optionally, set "MIDI" channel if needed.

Step Seven: Run the show using "MANAUL", "AUTO", and "MUSIC" modes and optionally, MIDI input.

The Obey 40 controller features a great deal of functionality condensed into a modest number of multifunction controls which do different things depending on the current mode. These control functions can be divided into groups by function: Mode Selection, Configuration, and Execution. Generally speaking, mode controls maintain their current status until explicitly changed. Execution controls work while in "MANUAL", "AUTO", or "MUSIC" mode, and Configuration controls operate within specific mode context.

MODE SELECTION


CHANNEL MODE
To Enter:
Press [PROGRAM] & [DISPLAY]
 To Exit:
Press [PROGRAM] & [DISPLAY][DISPLAY]
The "CHANNEL" mode allows DMX channels to be reassigned with respect to faders. Note that faders are fixed, its the DMX channel assignments that change. Its possible to assign all thirty two DMX channels of a fixture to just one fader. It's also possible that after reassignment, some faders may not have any channels assigned to them.

REVERSE MODE
To Enter:
Press [PROGRAM] & [DISPLAY][DISPLAY]
 To Exit:
Press [PROGRAM] & [DISPLAY]
This mode allows the direction faders move to be reversed so, for example, moving a fader up causes the fixture to move upward.

PROGRAM MODE
To Enter:
[PROGRAM] (press and hold for three seconds).
LCD Display indicates "PROGRAM".
 To Exit:
[PROGRAM] (press and hold for three seconds).
LCD Display indicates "MANUAL".
"PROGRAM" mode allows the creation, and deletion of scenes, and the creation and deletion of chases.

MANUAL MODE
To Enter:
If LCD Display indicates "MIDI",
press [MIDI] button.
If LCD Display indicates "MUSIC",
press [MUSIC] button.
If LCD Display indicates "AUTO",
press [AUTO] button.
If LCD Display indicates "PROGRAM",
press and hold [PROGRAM] button for three seconds.
LCD Display will indicate "MANUAL"
 To Exit:
Simply enter "PROGRAM", "AUTO", "MUSIC", or "MIDI" mode.
When in manual mode, fixtures can be selected and controlled by fader action, scenes can be switched on and off one at a time. Note that [SPEED] and [FADE TIME] sliders do not affect behavior. When scenes are activated, they "pile on" (HTP) to fader settings.

AUTO MODE
To Enter:
Press [AUTO] button.
LCD Display reads "AUTO"
 To Exit:
Press [AUTO] button to return to manual mode.
or [MUSIC] to enter music mode.
or [PROGRAM] to enter program mode.
"Auto" allows chases to run controlled by [SPEED] and [FADE] sliders.

MUSIC MODE
To Enter:
Press [MUSIC] button
LCD Display reads "MUSIC"
 To Exit:
Press [MUSIC] button to return to manual mode,
or [AUTO] button to return to automatic mode,
or [PROGRAM] button to enter program model.
Music mode synchronizes the chase speed to the music beat.

MIDI MODE
To Enter:
Press [MIDI]
 To Exit:
Press [MIDI]
This mode allows the selection of MIDI channels from 1 16.

DELETE ALL SCENES MODE
To Execute:
Toggle the power switch to the "OFF" position.
Hold down [BANK DOWN] and [PROGRAM] buttons.
Toggle the power switch to the "ON" position.
All lights flash indicating success.
"Delete All Scenes" clears all scenes leaving other programming intact.

DELETE ALL CHASES MODE
To Execute:
Press and hold [PROGRAM] button for three seconds.
Hold down [BANK DOWN] and [DEL] buttons.
Toggle the power switch to the "OFF" position.
"Delete All Chases" clears all chasees leaving other programming intact.

SYSTEM RESET MODE
To Execute:
Toggle the power switch to the "OFF" position.
Hold down [BANK UP] and [DEL] buttons
Toggle the power switch to the "ON" position
The reset operation can take up to 30 seconds to complete.
System Reset returns the device to factory defaults. The primary purpose is to reset channel assignments and fader reverses. In most cases, deleting scenes and chases may be sufficient if the fixtures haven't changed.

CONFIGURATION


CHANNEL MODE
Reassigning Faders 1—16 for a fixture
Fader/Channel reassignment can be done three ways:
  1. Assign channels to faders (preferred)
  2. Assign faders to channels (non preferred)
  3. Assign some channels to faders and some faders to channels (avoid)
Assign channels to faders (preferred)
Check "CHANNEL" is active.
LCD Display should show "CHANNEL"
Select one or more [FIXTURE 1—12].
Move [FADE TIME] slider until the desired DMX channel to assign is indicated.
Move [SPEED] slider until the desired fader to assign it to is indicated.
Press [ADD] to save the assignment.
Lights will flash indicating the assignment has been saved.
Repeat the process until all reassignments are complete for all channels.
Note: Some faders may not have channels associated with them (orphaned faders).

When all reassignments are complete, exit the mode.
Assign faders to channels (non preferred)
Check "CHANNEL" is active.
LCD Display should show "CHANNEL"
Select one or more [FIXTURE 1—12].
Move [SPEED] slider until the desired fader to assign is indicated.
Move [FADE TIME] slider until the desired channel to assign it to is indicated.
Press [ADD] to save the assignment.
Lights will flash indicating the assignment has been saved.
Repeat the process until all reassignments are complete for all faders.
Note: Some channels may not have faders associated with them (orphaned channels). Channels with multiple faders assigned will function as "pile on" (HTP).

When all reassignments are complete, exit the mode.
To facilitate programming and manual operation, it is useful to conform fixture functions so that the various functions are mapped to the same faders by some convention. See table below for a possible convention chart. It is far more intuitive to assign channels to faders than faders to channels and mixing the methods is chaotic at best and should be avoided.

CHANNEL MODE
Copying fixture reassignments
It is unnecessary to manually enter reassignments for identical fixtures and deal with orphaned channels. To copy assignments from one fixture to another:

Check "CHANNEL" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "CHANNEL"
Press and hold [FIXTURE 1—12] button being copied from.
Press and hold [FIXTURE 1—12] button being copied to.
Press and hold [ADD] button
note: three buttons are being held.
Release [FIXTURE 1—12] button being copied from.
Release [FIXTURE 1—12] button being copied to.
Release [ADD] button.
Lights flash indicating success.
Repeat until all copies are done.
When all copies are complete, exit the mode.
Fixture copying does not copy Fader Reverses because they have more to do with fixture placement and orientation, that is, identical fixture types may have different reversal patterns.

CHANNEL MODE
Viewing channel reassignments for a fixture
Check "CHANNEL" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "CHANNEL"
Select [FIXTURE 1—12].
Move [SPEED] slider until the desired Fader reads on the display.
The current assignment is shown to the right of the fader number.
Repeat the process until all reassignments of interest have been viewed.

When finished viewing channel assignments, exit the mode.

REVERSE MODE
Reverse fader/controller direction
Check "REVERSE" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "REVERSE"
Select [FIXTURE 1—12].
Move [SPEED] slider until the desired Fader reads on the display.
For 'normal' move [FADE TIME] slider to zero.
For 'reverse' move [FADE TIME] slider to one hundred.
Repeat the process until all faders of interest have been set.
When finished reversing faders, exit the mode.
Generally, fader/controller reversal is only needed for the axis controllers but any fader can be reversed. This is a powerful feature that allows fixtures to move by convention: up moves fixtures up, left moves fixtures toward stage right or downstage. See chart below as an example.

MIDI MODE
Set the MIDI channel
Check "MIDI" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "MIDI"
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select channel
When finished setting MIDI channel, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Create or modify a scene
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Select one or more [FIXTURES 1—12].
Select page A with [PAGE SELECT].
Move [FADERS 1—14] to set up look.
Use [JOYSTICK] to position fixture.
Optionally, select page B with [PAGE SELECT].
Then, move [FADERS 17—30] to "fine tune" look.
Then, use [JOYSTICK] to "fine position" fixture.
Deselect fixtures.
Repeat through remaining fixtures to build the complete look.

Press [ADD] to store the look into the buffer.
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [SCENE 1&mdash8] to take the buffer contents.
Lights flash to indicate successful save.

Repeat the above steps until all 240 scenes are programmed.
When finished setting scenes, exit the mode.
Note: Use low numbered banks for static scenes, the high numbered banks for scenes used to build long chases, and the middle banks for short chases to simplify execution.

Note: To modify a scene, simply build the modified scene as above and store it to the Bank/Scene to be modified. The new scene will replace the existing one.

PROGRAM MODE
Deleting a single scene
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [DEL] and [SCENES 1—8] to be deleted.
When finished deleting scenes, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Deleting all scenes in a bank
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [DEL] and [BANK COPY].
When finished deleting scenes, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Record a scene to the end of a chase
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Select [CHASE 1—6]
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [SCENE 1—8] to select desired scene.
Press [ADD] to write a pointer to the scene into the next step.
All lights flash to indicate success.
Repeat until all steps are recorded.
Note: a chase is a set of pointers to scenes. If the underlying scene changes, it will change in the chase too.

When finished setting chases, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Record a bank of scenes to the end of a chase
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Select [CHASE 1—6]
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [ADD] and [BANK COPY] to record the entire bank.
All lights flash to indicate success.
Repeat until all banks are recorded.
When finished copying banks, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Insert a new step into a chase
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Select [CHASE 1—6]
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [DISPLAY] to activate step mode.
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to navigate to the step before the insertion.
Press [ADD].
Press [SCENE 1—8].
Press [ADD].
All lights flash indicating successful insertion.
When finished inserting steps, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Deleting a step from a chase
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Select [CHASE 1—6].
Press [DISPLAY].
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to navigate through the steps.
Press [DEL].
All lights flash to indicate success.
When finished removing steps, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Delete a chase
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Select [CHASE 1—6].
Press [DEL] and [CHASE 1—6].
When finished deleting chases, exit the mode.

PROGRAM MODE
Step through a chase
Check "PROGRAM" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "PROGRAM"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Select [CHASE 1—6].
Press [DISPLAY].
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to navigate through the steps.

EXECUTION


MANUAL MODE
Control a fixture
Check "MANUAL" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "MANUAL"
Select one or more [FIXTURES 1—12]
Move [FADERS 1—32] using [PAGE SELECT] as needed to get the desired look.
All selected fixtures will behave as controlled.

MANUAL MODE
Playback a scene or scenes in a bank
Check "MANUAL" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "MANUAL".
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [SCENE 1—8] to select desired scene.
Selected scene is indicated in display.
Press [BLACKOUT] off blue light off to execute scene
Press [SCENE 1—8] to select other scenes.
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows to exit scene playback.
Note: the use of the Blackout button is to prevent unintended action and motion.
Note: only one scene can playback at a time.

AUTO MODE
Play a short chase
Check "AUTO" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "AUTO"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Move [SPEED] slider to set desired chase speed.
Move [FADE TIME] slider to set desired fade time.
Press [BLACKOUT] off blue light off to execute short chase.
Optionally, tap [TAP SYNC] three times to adjust speed to the beat.
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows to exit short chase playback.
Note: only programmed scenes will play, empty scenes skipped.
Note: scenes play in sequential order.

AUTO MODE
Play a long chase
Check "AUTO" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "AUTO"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Move [SPEED] slider to set desired chase speed.
Move [FADE TIME] slider to set desired fade time.
Select one or more [CHASE 1—6].
Press [BLACKOUT] off blue light off to execute long chase.
Optionally, tap [TAP SYNC] three times to adjust speed to the beat.
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows to exit long chase playback.
Note: selected chases play in sequential order .

MUSIC MODE
Play a short chase to music beat
Check "MUSIC" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "MUSIC"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Press [BANK UP] or [BANK DOWN] to select desired bank.
Press [BLACKOUT] off blue light off to execute short chase to the beat.
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows to exit short chase playback.
Note: only programmed scenes will play, empty scenes skipped.
Note: scenes play in sequential order.

MUSIC MODE
Play a long chase to music beat
Check "MUSIC" Mode is active.
LCD Display should show "MUSIC"
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows.
Select one or more [CHASE 1—6].
Press [BLACKOUT] off blue light off to execute long chase to the beat.
Set [BLACKOUT] on blue light glows to exit long chase playback.
Note: selected chases play in sequential order.

SAMPLE FADER CONVENTIONS
FOR INTELLEGENT FIXTURES


FADER CONVENTIONS
Page A Faders Description Page B Faders Description
1   9  
2   10  
3   11  
4   12  
5   13  
6   14  
7   15  
8   16  

SAMPLE FADER REVERSE CONVENTIONS
FOR INTELLIGENT FIXTURES


FADER REVERSAL CONVENTIONS
Fixture Height Facing Direction Pan Tilt
High (truss mounted) Upstage NORMAL REVERSE
Downstage REVERSE REVERSE
Stage Left NORMAL REVERSE
Stage Right REVERSE REVERSE
Low (Floor mounted) Upstage REVERSE NORMAL
Downstage NORMAL NORMAL
Stage Left REVERSE NORMAL
Stage Right NORMAL NORMAL

MIDI TO DMX CORRELATION


MIDI MAPPING
127 Notes
Octave NoteMIDI Note OB-40 Function
-1 C 0 Bank 1, Scene 1
C# 1 Bank 1, Scene 2
D 2 Bank 1, Scene 3
D# 3 Bank 1, Scene 4
E 4 Bank 1, Scene 5
F 5 Bank 1, Scene 6
F# 6 Bank 1, Scene 7
G 7 Bank 1, Scene 8
G# 8 Bank 2, Scene 1
A 9 Bank 2, Scene 2
A# 10 Bank 2, Scene 3
B 11 Bank 2, Scene 4
0 C 12 Bank 2, Scene 5
C# 13 Bank 2, Scene 6
D 14 Bank 2, Scene 7
D# 15 Bank 2, Scene 8
E 16 Bank 3, Scene 1
F 17 Bank 3, Scene 2
F# 18 Bank 3, Scene 3
G 19 Bank 3, Scene 4
G# 20 Bank 3, Scene 5
A 21 Bank 3, Scene 6
A# 22 Bank 3, Scene 7
B 23 Bank 3, Scene 8
1 C 24 Bank 4, Scene 1
C# 25 Bank 4, Scene 2
D 26 Bank 4, Scene 3
D# 27 Bank 4, Scene 4
E 28 Bank 4, Scene 5
F 29 Bank 4, Scene 6
F# 30 Bank 4, Scene 7
G 31 Bank 4, Scene 8
G# 32 Bank 5, Scene 1
A 33 Bank 5, Scene 2
A# 34 Bank 5, Scene 3
B 35 Bank 5, Scene 4
2 C 36 Bank 5, Scene 5
C# 37 Bank 5, Scene 6
D 38 Bank 5, Scene 7
D# 39 Bank 5, Scene 8
E 40 Bank 6, Scene 1
F 41 Bank 6, Scene 2
F# 42 Bank 6, Scene 3
G 43 Bank 6, Scene 4
G# 44 Bank 6, Scene 5
A 45 Bank 6, Scene 6
A# 46 Bank 6, Scene 7
B 47 Bank 6, Scene 8
3 C 48 Bank 7, Scene 1
C# 49 Bank 7, Scene 2
D 50 Bank 7, Scene 3
D# 51 Bank 7, Scene 4
E 52 Bank 7, Scene 5
F 53 Bank 7, Scene 6
F# 54 Bank 7, Scene 7
G 55 Bank 7, Scene 8
G# 56 Bank 8, Scene 1
A 57 Bank 8, Scene 2
A# 58 Bank 8, Scene 3
B 59 Bank 8, Scene 4
4 C 60 Bank 8, Scene 5 [MIDDLE C]
C# 61 Bank 8, Scene 6
D 62 Bank 8, Scene 7
D# 63 Bank 8, Scene 8
E 64 Bank 9, Scene 1
F 65 Bank 9, Scene 2
F# 66 Bank 9, Scene 3
G 67 Bank 9, Scene 4
G# 68 Bank 9, Scene 5
A 69 Bank 9, Scene 6
A# 70 Bank 9, Scene 7
B 71 Bank 9, Scene 8
5 C 72 Bank 10, Scene 1
C# 73 Bank 10, Scene 2
D 74 Bank 10, Scene 3
D# 75 Bank 10, Scene 4
E 76 Bank 10, Scene 5
F 77 Bank 10, Scene 6
F# 78 Bank 10, Scene 7
G 79 Bank 10, Scene 8
G# 80 Bank 11, Scene 1
A 81 Bank 11, Scene 2
A# 82 Bank 11, Scene 3
B 83 Bank 11, Scene 4
6 C 84 Bank 11, Scene 5
C# 85 Bank 11, Scene 6
D 86 Bank 11, Scene 7
D# 87 Bank 11, Scene 8
E 88 Bank 12, Scene 1
F 89 Bank 12, Scene 2
F# 90 Bank 12, Scene 3
G 91 Bank 12, Scene 4
G# 92 Bank 12, Scene 5
A 93 Bank 12, Scene 6
A# 94 Bank 12, Scene 7
B 95 Bank 12, Scene 8
7 C 96 Bank 13, Scene 1
C# 97 Bank 13, Scene 2
D 98 Bank 13, Scene 3
D# 99 Bank 13, Scene 4
E 100 Bank 13, Scene 5
F 101 Bank 13, Scene 6
F# 102 Bank 13, Scene 7
G 103 Bank 13, Scene 8
G# 104 Bank 14, Scene 1
A 105 Bank 14, Scene 2
A# 106 Bank 14, Scene 3
B 107 Bank 14, Scene 4
8 C 108 Bank 14, Scene 5
C# 109 Bank 14, Scene 6
D 110 Bank 14, Scene 7
D# 111 Bank 14, Scene 8
E 112 Bank 15, Scene 1
F 113 Bank 15, Scene 2
F# 114 Bank 15, Scene 3
G 115 Bank 15, Scene 4
G# 116 Bank 15, Scene 5
A 117 Bank 15, Scene 6
A# 118 Bank 15, Scene 7
B 119 Bank 15, Scene 8
9 C 120 Chase 1
C# 121 Chase 2
D 122 Chase 3
D# 123 Chase 4
E 124 Chase 5
F 125 Chase 6
F# 126 Blackout