BEST STRIP 60: How To Use Master/Slave Mode

Introduction

The Rockville Best Strip 60 RGBWA+UV Wash Light Bar features a Master-Slave mode, allowing multiple lights to synchronize without needing a DMX controller. 

This guide will show you how to:
✅Set Up Master & Slave Lights
✅Sync Lights Wirelessly or with DMX Cables
✅Control Lights with IR Remote
✅Keep Lights in Sync

Setup Guide

A.) Preparing Lights for Master/Slave Configuration

• Ensure all Best Strip 60 Lights are set to the same DMX Address
  1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Dmx512 menu.
  2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
  3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to set the address to A001.
  4. Press ENTER to save.
• Ensure all Best Strip 60 Lights are set to the same DMX Channel mode
  1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Set menu.
  2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
  3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Dmx channel menu.
  4. Press ENTER button to select Channel mode.
  5. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to choose 10CH.
  6. Press ENTER to save.

B.) Setting Up Wireless Master/Slave Configuration

• Select and set up a Master Light: 
  • Decide which Best Strip 60 will act as the Master Light.
  • 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). 
  • Enable Wireless DMX:
    1. Turn On the WIRELESS DMX switch on the back of the light.
    2. Set the WIRELESS DMX CODE to the desired RF group color (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue).
• Set up and sync Slave Lights 
  • Turn On Wireless DMX and Sync each Slave Light:
    1. Turn On the WIRELESS DMX switch on the back of the light.
    2. Set the WIRELESS DMX CODE to the same RF group color as the Master.
  • Verify Synchronization 
    • If synced, the Master Light will flash red, and the Slave Lights will flash green.
    • If they do not sync immediately:
      1. Go to Color Mode on the Master Light.
      2. Select a static color (e.g., Red). 
         • This should force synchronization.

C.) Controlling the Lights in Master/Slave Mode
Once synchronized, any mode set on the Master Light will apply to all Slave Lights.

• Using Static and Custom Color Modes
  1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Color menu.
  2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
  3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to select: 
     • Custom Color: Create customized colors using Red, Green, Blue, White, Yellow and Ultraviolet color pallet with 0 ~ 100% settings for each.
     • Static Color: Select from 32 preset colors
• Using Auto and Strobe Modes
  1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Shows menu.
  2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
  3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to select: 
     • Auto Color: Cycles through colors automatically.
     • Auto Fade: Smooth transitions between colors.
     • Auto Sudden: Sudden transitions / Pulse between colors.
     • Auto Strobe: Flashes colors at adjustable speeds.
  4. Select Mode, press ENTER, then use UP / DOWN buttons to adjust speed for Auto Modes.
• Using Sound Modes
  1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Sound menu.
  2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
  3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to select: 
     • Sound Mode1: Light changes between solid colors quickly with sound.
     • Sound Mode2: Light strobes between colors to the tempo of the sound.
     • Sound Mode3: Pulses colors to music beats.
     • Sound Mode4: Cycles through all sound-activated modes.
  4. Select Mode, press ENTER, then use UP / DOWN buttons to adjust sensitivity for Sound Modes.

D.) Using IR Remote in Master/Slave Mode
Point IR Remote at Master Light (IR sensor on back near display) to control Best Strip 60 Lights.

• Preventing Desynchronization from Remote 
  • If a Slave Light is triggered independently, it can take the light out of Master/Slave Mode throwing it out of sync.
  • To prevent this, follow these steps to disable IR response on all Slave Lights:
    1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Set menu.
    2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
    3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Infrared menu.
    4. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to choose Off.
    5. Press ENTER to save.
  • Now, the remote will only control the Master Light, ensuring all Slave Lights stay in sync.
  • Control all connected lights: 
    • Turn LEDs on / off. The POWER switch on the back of the light must be used to fully power on / off the light.
    • Select static colors (Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber, UV).
    • Activate Auto Color, Strobe, Fade and Sound modes.
    • Use Brightness to control LED intensity (for static colors), speed (for Auto Color, Strobe and Fade modes) and sensitivity (for Sound modes).

18	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.
19	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.
20	Base Colors	Select Red, Green, Blue or White.
21	Base Colors	Select Amber or UV/Purple.
22	AUTO Mode	Cycles automatically between 32 colors. Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ controls speed.
23	Custom Color Blending	Press the 0 button. Then press R, G, B, W, A or UV. Use Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ to control how much of each base color you want to blend in your custom color.
24	STROBE Mode	Strobe Effect → Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ controls speed.
25	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
26	FADE Mode	Fades automatically between colors.  Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ controls speed.
27	SOUND Modes	Responds to sound. Brightness ⇧ / ⇩ cycles between SoU1 ~ SoU4.  Please Note: Mic sensitivity is adjusted via the unit's settings menu.

E.) Using DMX Cables for a Wired Master/Slave Setup
3-Pin DMX Cable (1 per Slave Light) required for this.

• Select a Master Light 
  • Decide which Best Strip 60 will act as the Master Light.
  • 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). 
• Deactivate Wireless DMX on all Best Strip 60 Lights 
  • Turn Off the WIRELESS DMX switch on the back of each light.
• Connect the Master Light to the first Slave Light
  1. Plug a DMX cable into the DMX OUT port on the Master Light.
  2. Connect the other end to the DMX IN port on the nearest Slave Light.
• Daisy-Chain Additional Best Strip 60 Lights 
  1. Plug a DMX cable into the DMX OUT port on the previously connected Slave Light.
  2. Connect the other end to the DMX IN of the next nearest Slave Light.
  3. Repeat for all remaining Slave Lights.
• Test Synchronization and Control Lights 
  • Master’s settings will automatically control all connected slave lights. 
    • Settings can be selected manually on Master Light to control all Best Strip 60 Slave Lights.
    • IR Remote can also be pointed at Master Light (IR sensor on back near display) to control Best Strip 60 Lights. 
      • Please note: If pointing the remote at a Slave Light, it may respond independently.
      • To prevent this, disable Infrared (IR) mode on each Slave Light:
        1. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Set menu.
        2. Press ENTER to access the menu.
        3. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to navigate to the Infrared menu.
        4. Use the UP / DOWN buttons to choose Off.
        5. Press ENTER to save.
  • Select a color or effect on the Master Light.
  • Ensure all Slave Lights match the Master Light settings.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

My slave lights don’t follow the master light. What should I do?

• If using wireless setup:
  • Make sure wireless DMX is enabled on all lights.
  • Make sure the lights are set to the same WIRELESS DMX Code, DMX Address and Channel Mode.
  • After setting the Master light to any color or mode, confirm that its WIRELESS DMX code LED flashes red and each of the Slaves' flashes green.
• If using wired setup:
  • Make sure the lights are set to the same DMX Address and Channel Mode.
  • Make sure a 3-pin DMX cable is firmly connected from the DMX OUT port on the Master light to DMX IN port on the (first of the) Slave light(s).
  • Make sure additional 3-pin DMX cables are firmly connected from the DMX OUT port on the previous Slave light is connected to the DMX IN port on the next Slave light.

The remote only affects one light instead of all.

• Disable IR mode on the Slave Lights to prevent direct control from the remote.

Can I control brightness for all lights in Master-Slave mode?

• Yes, adjust the brightness on the Master Light, and the Slave Lights will match.

Can I sync my other Rockville lights with my Best PAR H2Os in Master/Slave Mode?

• No. Master/Slave Mode only works with the same exact model light.
• You may want to consider using a DMX controller to sync any lights with DMX capabilities (even lights from other manufacturers).

Conclusion

The Master/Slave function on the Rockville Best Strip 60 makes it easy to synchronize multiple lights for a cohesive light show. By following these steps, you can now:

• Connect Best Strip 60 lights wirelessly or using 3-pin DMX cable in a Master/Slave configuration.
• Control all connected lights using the Master Light.
• Use a remote without disrupting the synchronization.

This setup is perfect for DJs, event lighting, and stage productions, ensuring all lights perform seamlessly together.