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FLIP PAR: How To Set Up DMX

Ira - Zendesk Admin
Updated

Introduction

This guide explains how to control your Rockville Flip Par lights using a DMX controller, just like in the tutorial video. The steps are simple and suitable even if you’ve never used DMX before.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Connect Flip Par lights to a DMX controller with cables
  • Set DMX addresses and channel modes on the lights
  • Understand what each fader does in 6-channel and 10-channel modes
  • Use wireless DMX with a compatible controller

What You Need

  • Rockville Flip Par light(s)
  • DMX controller (e.g., Rockville Rock Force W4 for wireless DMX)
  • DMX cables (3-pin XLR) for wired control
  • Power for your controller and all lights

Part 1: Wired DMX Setup with Cables

Step 1: Physically Connect the Controller and Lights

  1. Take a DMX cable.
  2. Plug the male end of the cable into the DMX OUT of your DMX controller.
  3. Plug the female end of that cable into the DMX IN of your first Flip Par light.

To add a second (or more) light in a chain:

  1. Take another DMX cable.
  2. Plug the male end into the DMX OUT of the first light.
  3. Plug the other end into the DMX IN of the second light.
  4. Repeat the chaining process for additional lights (DMX OUT of one light to DMX IN of the next).

Step 2: Set Each Light to DMX Address Mode

On each Flip Par light:

  1. Press the Menu button repeatedly until you see the DMX address mode on the display.
  2. Use the Up/Down buttons to set the DMX address.
  3. For the example in the video, set all lights to address 001 (0 0 1) so they respond together.
  4. Step 3: Turn Off Master Mode on All Lights

To avoid conflicts with DMX control:

  1. Press Menu until you reach Master mode.
  2. Make sure Master is set to OFF on every light.

This ensures the DMX controller is the only “master” in the system.

Step 4: Choose the DMX Channel Mode (6ch or 10ch)

Your Flip Par supports two DMX channel modes:

  • 6-channel mode
  • 10-channel mode

On each light:

  1. From DMX address mode, press Enter to go into the channel mode submenu (or cycle with Menu until you see the channel mode option).
  2. Use Up/Down to select either:
    • 6CH (6-channel mode), or
    • 10CH (10-channel mode)
  3. Press Enter to confirm.
  4. Press Enter/Menu again to return to the DMX address display.

All lights in the same DMX chain should be set to the same channel mode.

Part 2: Controlling Lights in 6-Channel DMX Mode

After you’ve:

  • Connected the lights via DMX cables
  • Set all to address 001
  • Turned Master mode OFF
  • Set DMX channel mode to 6-channel

Do the following on your controller:

  1. Activate the first fixture / scanner (often called “Scanner 1” or similar).
  2. Move the faders to control the light.

In 6-channel mode, each fader controls a color:

  • Fader 1 – Red
  • Fader 2 – Green
  • Fader 3 – Blue
  • Fader 4 – White
  • Fader 5 – Amber
  • Fader 6 – Ultraviolet (UV)

Examples:

  • For a solid red look:
    • Raise Fader 1 (Red) up, leave others down.
  • For a custom color (e.g., warm amber-pink):
    • Mix multiple faders (Red + Green + Amber, etc.) to taste.

As you raise a fader, that color becomes more intense on the light.

Part 3: Wireless DMX Setup

You can also control your Flip Pars wirelessly using a wireless-capable DMX controller, such as the Rock Force W4.

Step 1: Prepare the Lights

  1. Raise the wireless antenna on each Flip Par to improve signal strength.

Step 2: Set the Wireless Group ID on the Controller

On your wireless DMX controller (e.g., Rock Force W4):

  1. Flip the Wireless DMX switch to turn wireless on.
  2. You’ll see a flashing light indicating wireless is active.
  3. Use the Group ID button under that light to cycle through available colors (groups):
    • Red
    • Green
    • Yellow
    • Blue
    • Purple
    • Cyan
    • White
  4. Choose a group color.
    • In the example, the controller is set to the Blue group.

Step 3: Match the Wireless Group ID on the Lights

On each Flip Par:

  1. Press Menu until you reach the Wireless Group ID / Group ID mode.
  2. Use Up/Down to select the group that matches your controller.
    • The groups are numbered and color-coded (e.g., 4 = Blue).
  3. Set all your lights to the same Wireless Group ID (e.g., Group 4 / Blue).

Step 4: Turn Off Master Mode on All Lights

Just like with wired DMX:

  1. Press Menu until you reach Master mode.
  2. Make sure Master is set to OFF on every light to avoid conflicts.

Step 5: Set DMX Address and Channel Mode

On each Flip Par:

  1. Press Menu until you reach DMX address mode.
  2. Set all lights to the same address (example: 001).
  3. Go to the DMX channel mode submenu:
    • For this wireless example in the video, the lights are set to 10-channel mode (since 6-channel was already demonstrated).

Now your wireless DMX link is ready.

Part 4: Controlling Lights in 10-Channel DMX Mode

With wireless (or wired) DMX and 10-channel mode selected, and all lights set to address 001, turn on/activate Scanner 1 (or equivalent) on your controller.

In 10-channel mode, the faders work as follows:

  • Fader 1 – Master Dimmer
    • Controls the overall brightness of the light.
    • Set this near the top so you can see what the other faders do.
  • Faders 2–7 – Individual Colors
    • Fader 2 – Red
    • Fader 3 – Green
    • Fader 4 – Blue
    • Fader 5 – White
    • Fader 6 – Amber
    • Fader 7 – Ultraviolet (UV)
  • Use these to create solid or custom colors, just like in 6-channel mode, but now under a global dimmer (Fader 1).
  • Fader 8 – Strobe
    • Low values: slow strobe.
    • Higher values: faster strobe.
    • Set to zero (or very low) to turn the strobe off.
  • Fader 9 – Auto / Program Mode Selector
    • Different value ranges select different built-in automated modes (e.g., color jump, color fade, color pulse, etc.).
    • Example from the video:
      • Setting Fader 9 between 120–159 activates a Color Pulse mode.
    • Exact ranges are listed in the DMX guide in your owner’s manual.
  • Fader 10 – Speed Control for Auto Modes
    • Changes the speed of whichever auto mode is currently selected by Fader 9.
    • Low values: slow transitions/pulses.
    • High values: faster transitions/pulses.

Example: Setting a Color Pulse Mode

  1. Set Fader 1 (Master Dimmer) up high so the light is bright.
  2. Use Faders 2–7 to set your base color mix (or leave them at a desired value).
  3. Move Fader 9 to somewhere between 120–159 to select Color Pulse.
  4. Use Fader 10 to adjust how fast the light pulses:
    • Low value = slow pulse
    • High value = fast pulse

Finding Exact DMX Values and Functions

  • The DMX guide in your owner’s manual lists:
    • Channel functions for 6-channel and 10-channel modes
    • Value ranges for each automatic or special mode on Fader 9
  • Use the display on your controller to see the numeric DMX values as you move each fader.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: My lights aren’t responding to the DMX controller. What should I check?

  • Make sure the DMX cables are fully plugged in (OUT on controller to IN on first light, then OUT to IN between lights).
  • Confirm all lights are in DMX address mode, not Auto, Sound, or Master.
  • Verify that Master mode is OFF on every light.
  • Ensure the DMX address on the lights matches the address (or scanner) the controller is using (e.g., 001).
  • In wireless setups, make sure the controller and lights share the same Wireless Group ID.

Q: The lights are turning on, but the colors don’t match or don’t change together.

  • Confirm all lights are set to the same DMX address if you want them to behave identically.
  • Confirm all lights are in the same channel mode (all 6-channel or all 10-channel).
  • In wired setups, check that your DMX chain is correct: controller → light 1 → light 2 → …
  • In wireless setups, verify all lights are on the same Wireless Group ID and that Master mode is OFF.

Q: I changed faders but nothing happened.

  • Check that Fader 1 (Master Dimmer) is raised in 10-channel mode. If it’s at zero, the light may stay dark even when color channels are raised.
  • Make sure the correct scanner/fixture is enabled on your DMX controller (e.g., Scanner 1).

Q: How do I know which fader controls what on my specific controller?

  • Function names and layout can vary, but the Flip Par’s DMX channel mapping is fixed per mode.
  • Refer to the DMX guide in the owner’s manual to match your controller’s faders to the Flip Par’s channels.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can:

  • Connect your Flip Par lights to a DMX controller with cables or wirelessly
  • Set the correct DMX address and channel mode
  • Use 6-channel mode for simple color control
  • Use 10-channel mode for full control over dimmer, color, strobe, and auto programs

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