Rockville ROCKFORCE 384 Channel DMX Controller User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your Rockville ROCKFORCE 384 Channel DMX Controller, along with the DMX-WTR Wireless Transmitter and DMX-WRE Wireless Receiver. Please read this manual thoroughly before operating the equipment to ensure proper function and safety.

Product Overview

The Rockville ROCKFORCE 384 system is designed for professional lighting control, offering both wired DMX and wireless DMX capabilities. The package includes the ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller, the DMX-WTR Wireless Transmitter, and the DMX-WRE Wireless Receiver.

Figure 1: Complete Rockville ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller system including the controller, wireless DMX transmitter, and wireless DMX receiver.

ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller

The ROCKFORCE 384 is a powerful DMX controller capable of managing up to 384 DMX channels. It features 16 sliders for direct channel control, 30 banks of 8 programmable scenes, and 6 programmable chases. It also includes MIDI control, a built-in microphone for music mode, and a blackout master button.

Figure 2: Front panel of the ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller, showing sliders, buttons, and LED display.

Figure 3: Rear panel of the ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller, displaying DMX In/Out, DC input, MIDI port, USB port for lamp, and power switch.

DMX-WTR Wireless Transmitter & DMX-WRE Wireless Receiver

The DMX-WTR and DMX-WRE provide a reliable 2.4GHz wireless DMX solution, eliminating the need for extensive DMX cabling. The transmitter connects to your DMX controller, and receivers connect to your DMX-compatible lighting fixtures. They support up to 7 selectable groups and can connect up to 25 receivers per transmitter.

Figure 4: Rockville DMX-WTR 2.4GHz Wireless DJ DMX Transmitter with antenna.

Figure 5: Rockville DMX-WRE 2.4GHz Wireless DJ DMX Receiver with rechargeable battery.

Setup

DMX Controller Setup

1. Power Connection: Connect the included power adapter to the DC 9V-12V input on the rear panel of the ROCKFORCE 384 controller. Plug the adapter into a standard electrical outlet.
2. DMX Output: Connect a 3-pin XLR DMX cable from the DMX OUT port on the controller to the DMX IN port of your first DMX lighting fixture. Daisy-chain additional DMX fixtures by connecting DMX OUT of the first fixture to DMX IN of the next.
3. LED Gooseneck Lamp: If desired, plug the LED gooseneck lamp into the USB port on the rear panel for illumination of the control surface.
4. MIDI Connection (Optional): For MIDI control, connect a MIDI cable from your MIDI device to the MIDI IN port on the controller.
5. Power On: Flip the power switch on the rear panel to the ON position. The controller will power on and the LED display will illuminate.

Figure 6: The power adapter and optional LED gooseneck lamp for the ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller.

Wireless DMX Setup (DMX-WTR & DMX-WRE)

1. Transmitter Connection: Connect the DMX-WTR Wireless Transmitter to the DMX OUT port of your ROCKFORCE 384 controller using its integrated XLR connector.
2. Receiver Connection: Connect each DMX-WRE Wireless Receiver to the DMX IN port of your DMX lighting fixtures. The DMX-WRE has a built-in rechargeable battery, so no external power is needed for the receiver itself.
3. Pairing and Group Selection:
   • Ensure both the transmitter and receiver(s) are powered on.
   • Press the button on the DMX-WTR transmitter to cycle through the 7 available color-coded groups.
   • Press the button on each DMX-WRE receiver to match the group color of the transmitter. Once the colors match, the units are paired and ready for wireless DMX communication.
   • For multiple fixtures, you can assign them to the same group to control them simultaneously, or assign them to different groups for independent control if your DMX controller supports multiple universes or advanced patching.

Operating Instructions

ROCKFORCE 384 DMX Controller Operation

• Channel Control: Use the 16 sliders to directly control DMX channels. Each slider corresponds to a specific DMX channel, allowing for real-time adjustment of lighting parameters such as intensity, color, or movement.
• Scene Programming:
  • Select a bank (1-30) using the BANK UP/DOWN buttons.
  • Adjust the sliders to create your desired lighting scene.
  • Press the PROGRAM button, then select one of the 8 SCENES buttons to save the scene.
• Chase Programming:
  • Create and save individual scenes as described above.
  • Press the PROGRAM button, then select one of the 6 CHASE buttons.
  • Add saved scenes to the chase sequence. Adjust fade time and speed using the dedicated sliders.
• Music Mode: Activate the music mode to have lighting scenes or chases triggered by sound. The built-in microphone detects audio signals. Adjust sensitivity as needed.
• Automatic Mode: The controller can run programmed scenes or chases automatically. Adjust the speed and fade time sliders to control the pace of the automatic program.
• Blackout: Press the BLACKOUT master button to instantly turn off all DMX output. Press again to restore output.
• Manual Override: The manual override function allows you to temporarily take control of any fixture's parameters even during a running scene or chase.

Wireless DMX Operation

• Signal Transmission: Once the DMX-WTR transmitter is connected to the controller and paired with DMX-WRE receivers, it will wirelessly transmit DMX signals to all paired receivers.
• Interference-Free Operation: The system utilizes 126 channel high-speed frequency hopping (FHSS) at 2.4GHz to ensure stable and interference-free DMX signal transmission.
• Daisy-Chaining Receivers: While each receiver connects to one fixture, you can daisy-chain multiple DMX lights from a single receiver if the lights themselves support DMX pass-through. This allows one receiver to control a string of lights.

Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the surfaces of the controller and wireless units. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Storage: Store the equipment in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures when not in use.
• Battery Care (DMX-WRE): The DMX-WRE receiver has a rechargeable battery. For optimal battery life, avoid fully discharging the battery frequently and recharge it regularly. If storing for extended periods, charge the battery to approximately 50% every few months.
• Ventilation: Ensure the controller has adequate ventilation during operation to prevent overheating. Do not block ventilation openings.

Troubleshooting

Specifications

Warranty and Support

Rockville products are designed for reliability and performance. This product comes with a limited warranty. Please refer to the included Product Warranty Card for detailed terms and conditions.

Figure 7: Rockville Product Warranty Card and Owner's Manual cover, indicating warranty information is provided separately.

For technical support, service, or warranty inquiries, please visit the official Rockville website or contact their customer service department. Contact information can typically be found on the product packaging or the official Rockville website.

Website: www.rockvilleaudio.com