Five Unexpected Features of the Martin MAC Encore Series

Since their introduction, the Martin MAC Encore Performance and Wash fixtures have become industry staples in many productions worldwide.  While LD's and programmers are busy making use of the common features in these exceptional fixtures, there are several key features that further enhance the fixtures' capabilities.  Often overlooked, these five powerful functions add to the potential of the MAC Encore series. 

Followspot Mode
The MAC Encore Performance and Wash have a mode that can be enabled from the fixture menu (Personality/Pan/Tilt/Followspot Mode) that enables the fixture to be used as a manually positioned followspot.  The fixture will ignore DMX commands to the pan/tilt channels, but still respond to all other DMX inputs.  When in this mode, the pan and tilt motors are energized so that they act as a gentle brake, thus providing a damped feel and smooth control for the operator.  It also prevents the head from moving when the operator removes his/her hands from the fixture.  The setting is retained even with power cycles to the fixture.

Martin also offers a pair of custom fitting followspot handles as part number: 91001001HU

Animotion Effects
Originally introduced on the Martin MAC Quantum Profile, the unique Animotion effect provides revolutionary control over the fixture's light source.  A selection of dynamic chases adjust the intensity of LED segments within the light engine via various patterns.  Users can select between different effects, adjust the speed of the effects, and now with the MAC Encore series even crossfade in/out of the Animotion effects.

Using the Effects channels, simply select one of the Animotion effects (DMX 30-38) on FX1 Selection or FX2 Selection (DMX channel 34 or 36).  Then adjust the speed of the Animotion effect on the adjacent DMX channel: FX1 Speed or FX2 Speed.  To change the amplitude (or visibility) of the effect, assign the opposite FX channel to DMX 39 (Animotion Amplitude FX).  Then use the cooresponding FX speed channel to adjust the intensity of the Animotion effect.  By crossfading this channel, the Animotion effect can be seen to fade in/out.

Tungsten Emulation Dimming
The Martin MAC Encore fixtures utilize an innovative LED light engine that provides exceptional dimming through four different dimmer curves.  In addition, there may be times when an LD wishes for the engine to behave similar to an incandescent lamp in terms of dimming and responsiveness. 
When the Tungsten Emulation Dimming feature is enabled, the fixtures will automatically emulate the red-shift common to tungsten sources dimming.  In addition, the decay of a filament cooling on a DBO is replicated.  The Tungsten Emulation Dimming feature can be activated via the control channel when set to DMX 72, or deactivated at DMX 73.

Adjustable PWM Frequency
Starting with firmware 1.1.0, the refresh rate of the LED's can be adjusted via DMX.  While the default frequency is optimal for a wide variety of applications and cameras, there could be special conditions where a designer needs to adjust the PWM frequency.

To adjust the PWM Frequency via DMX, select DMX 6 on either FX1 Selection or FX2 Selection (DMX channel 34 or 36).  Then adjust the rate by changing the value on the associated DMX channel: FX1 Speed or FX2 Speed.

Alternative Light Source
The Martin MAC Encore fixtures come in either CLD or WRM light engine variants, with each having a variable color temperature adjustment.  The CLD units utilize a CTO filter while the WRM units feature a CTB filter.  When a lighting rig contains both CLD and WRM units, a designer may want specific cues where the light engines match in terms of color temperature.  This can easily be achieved via DMX using the Alternative Light Source feature.  When activated, it will automatically adjust the selected fixtures' color temperature to match the opposite light engine's default.

For instance, a MAC Encore Performance CLD unit has a default color temperature of 6000 K.  When the Alternative Light Source feature is active, the CTO flag will automatically move to a factory calibrated position equal to 3000 K output (to match the default of the WRM fixtures).  The behavior of the CTO flags will also "turn around" to better match the adjustment of the CTB in the WRM fixtures.

The Alternative Light Source feature can be activated via the control channel when set to DMX 74, or deactivated at DMX 75.

RTFM
All the above information and more can be found within the MAC Encore Performance and MAC Encore Wash user manuals.  They are available on the Martin website via this link.
More examples of the power of the MAC Encore series can be seen in videos on this link and below: