BEST PAR 50: How To Use Master/Slave Mode

Introduction

This guide will walk you through the Master/Slave setup for the Rockville Best PAR 50 wash lights. This setup allows multiple lights to sync together using wireless DMX or through wired DMX connections (without using a DMX controller). By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to control multiple lights from a single master unit, making it easier to manage lighting effects for performances, DJ events or stage setups.

Requirements:

• 2 or More Best PAR 50 Lights (only works with same model)
• IR Remote (optional)
• 3-Pin DMX Cables (wired setup only)

Wireless Master/Slave Setup

A.) Make Sure Wireless DMX is Enabled on each light

1. Press the MODE button until you see G on ~ G of.
2. Press ENTER to modify the setting if necessary; using the UP / DOWN buttons.
   • Should be set to G on.
3. Press ENTER to save.

B.) Set the WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL Code

1. Locate the WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL button on the back of each light.
2. Press the button to set the same WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL color for all lights.
   • Example: Set the WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL color for all Best PAR 50 lights to red (all lights must match).

C.) Set the DMX Address / Channel Mode

1. On each light, press the MODE button until you see A001 ~ A255.
2. Press ENTER to modify the setting.
3. If necessary, use the UP / DOWN buttons to set the address to A001.
4. Press ENTER to save.

D. ) Select & Assign the Master Light

• Choose which light you want to be the Master:
  • This light will control all slave lights in the system.
  • It is recommended to use the light that will be easiest to control; either by accessing the buttons / display, or using the IR remote (pointed at the back of the light). 
• Set the Master light to a mode (e.g., Color Change Mode):
  1. Press the MODE button until you see CC01 ~ CC99.
  2. Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify the setting.
     • Example: CC59
  3. Press ENTER to save.
• Check the WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL indicators:
  • Master Light: WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL LED flashes red.
  • Slave Light(s): WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL LED flashes green.
• The slave lights will now sync with the master light and follow its settings.
  • Example: All lights should be changing colors in sync in color changing mode.

E.) Control lights manually using the Master Light

• Static Colors:
  • Press the MODE button until you see Co01 ~ Co31.
  • Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify the setting (see chart below).
  • Press ENTER to save.

• Auto, Strobe & Sound Modes:
  • Press the MODE button until you find the mode you're looking for (see chart below):
    • Color Change: CC01 ~ CC99
    • Color Fade: CP01 ~ CP99
    • Color Pules: dE01 ~ dE99
    • Strobe: SS01 ~ SS99
    • Sound: bEbE
  • Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify speed (for Color Change, Color Fade, Color Pulse and Strobe)
  • Press ENTER to save.
• Manual Color Blending:
  • Press the MODE button until you find the base color you'd like to start with (see chart below):
    • Red: r000 ~ r255
    • Green: G000 ~ G255
    • Blue: b000 ~ b255
    • White: W000 ~ W255
    • Yellow / Amber: y000 ~ y255 
    • Purple / Ultraviolet: P000 ~ P255.
  • Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify the setting.
  • Press ENTER to save.
  • Repeat for each additional base color you'd like to add to your color blend.

F.) Control Lights with the Remote

Once the Master/Slave mode is active, you can use the wireless remote to control all synced lights:

Point IR Remote at Master Light (IR sensor on back near display) to control Best PAR 50 Lights.

1	Brightness ⇧ / ⇩	~Used to increase or decrease brightness for static colors. ~Used to control effect speed for AUTO, STROBE and FADE modes. ~Used to scroll through 32 preset static colors after pressing 0 button. ~Used to scroll through 4 SOUND mode variations.
2	OFF	Turns LEDs off completely. (Blackout) Please note: This does not power down the light. The POWER switch on the back of the light must be used to fully power off the light (and back on as well).
	ON	Turns LEDS back on after Blackout, and returns them to previous function.
3	Base Colors	6 Buttons for Base Colors; Select Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber or UV/Purple.
3a	Color Wheel	Press 0 button and use Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ to cycle through 32 color presets.
4	AUTO	Cycles automatically between 32 colors. Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ controls speed.
5	STROBE	Strobe Effect → Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ controls speed.
6	FADE	Fades automatically between colors.  Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ controls speed.
7	SOUND	Responds to sound. Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ cycles between SoU1 ~ SoU4
8	Popular Color Selections	9 Buttons for popular color choices; Select 1-Red/Orange, 2-Light Blue, 3-Purple, 4-Orange, 5-Blue, 6-Violet, 7-Yellow, 8-Deep Blue, 9-Pink

Tip: To avoid sync issues, disable IR control on all Slave Lights.

Wired Master/Slave Setup
Instructions below and 3-Pin DMX Cable required for each Best PAR 50 Slave light being connected (to the Master or another Slave).

A.) Turn off Wireless DMX on each light

1. Press the MODE button until you see G on or G of.
2. Press ENTER to modify the setting if necessary; using the UP / DOWN buttons.
   • Should be set to G of.
3. Press ENTER to save.

B.) Select one Best PAR 50 to be Master

• This light will control all slave lights in the system.
• It is recommended to use the light that will be easiest to control; either by accessing the buttons / display, or using the IR remote (pointed at the back of the light). 

C.) Connect lights using DMX cables

1. Plug a DMX cable (male end) into the DMX OUT port on the Master.
2. Connect the female end to the DMX IN port on the nearest Best PAR 50 light.
3. Plug a DMX cable (male end) into the DMX OUT port on the previously connected Best PAR 50 light (a.k.a. Slave).
4. Connect the female end to the DMX IN port on the next Best PAR 50 Slave light.
5. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for additional Best PAR 50 Slave lights.

D.) Set the DMX Address / Channel Mode

1. On each light, press the MODE button until you see A001 ~ A255.
2. Press ENTER to modify the setting.
3. If necessary, use the UP / DOWN buttons to set the address to A001.
4. Press ENTER to save.

E.) Control all Best PAR 50 lights
The Slave lights will now sync with the Master light and follow its settings.

• Static Colors:
  • Press the MODE button until you see Co01 ~ Co31.
  • Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify the setting (see chart below).
  • Press ENTER to save.

• Auto, Strobe & Sound Modes:
  • Press the MODE button until you find the mode you're looking for (see chart below):
    • Color Change: CC01 ~ CC99
    • Color Fade: CP01 ~ CP99
    • Color Pules: dE01 ~ dE99
    • Strobe: SS01 ~ SS99
    • Sound: bEbE
  • Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify speed (for Color Change, Color Fade, Color Pulse and Strobe)
  • Press ENTER to save.
• Manual Color Blending:
  • Press the MODE button until you find the base color you'd like to start with (see chart below):
    • Red: r000 ~ r255
    • Green: G000 ~ G255
    • Blue: b000 ~ b255
    • White: W000 ~ W255
    • Yellow / Amber: y000 ~ y255 
    • Purple / Ultraviolet: P000 ~ P255.
  • Press ENTER and then UP / DOWN buttons to modify the setting.
  • Press ENTER to save.
  • Repeat for each additional base color you'd like to add to your color blend.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: My Slave lights aren’t following my Master light. Why?
✅Confirm all lights connected are the same Best PAR 50 light.
Please Note: The Master/Slave setup not work with lights of any other model or manufacturer.
✅Ensure all lights are set to (DMX Address / Channel Mode) A001.
✅For wireless setup; The WIRELESS DMX SIGNAL colors should match on the Master and Slave lights.
✅For wired setup; 3-Pin DMX Cable should be used.
✅For wired setup; The Master's DMX OUT port should be connected to another light's DMX IN port.
✅For wired setup; Each Slave connected should have two cables plugged in it except the last.

Q: How many Slave lights can I control with one Master?
✅For wireless setup, up to 24 Slave lights can be wirelessly linked to a single Master.
✅The wired setup can support 20 to 30 lights or so depending on cable quality and length.

Q: Can I sync my other Rockville lights with my Best PAR 50s in Master/Slave Mode?
✅No. Master/Slave Mode only works with lights of the same exact model. 
✅You can use a DMX controller to sync any lights with DMX capabilities.

Conclusion

Setting up Master/Slave mode on your Best PAR 50 wash lights is quick and easy, whether you use wireless DMX or a wired DMX connection. Ensure your lights stay perfectly in sync, creating a seamless professional lighting experience for any event, without wasting time setting up a DMX controller.