The Amazing Effects of the MAC Allure Series

The Martin MAC Allure Profile and MAC Allure Wash PC are truly revolutionary fixtures.  The additive mixing RGBW LED based units can operate as standard profiles and washes, but also create impressive color and intensity effects through their pixel-mappable 7-segment LED engines.

While you can create wonderful looks by directly manipulating the pixels from DMX, you also have the ability to use internal effects that are built right into the fixture.  Just like most Martin fixtures, the DMX profile includes two pairs of effects channels that you can manipulate.  Each pair includes a selection channel and a speed channel.  Choosing effects is as easy as picking one from the selection channel and then adjusting the rate with the corresponding speed channel.  The internal effects are available in both the Basic and Extended DMX modes.

In the standard effects, you will find multi-color chases, intensity chases, shape based chases, swooshes, and more.  It can be very interesting to combine a color effect with an intensity effect (and thus why there are two pairs of effect channels).



If you plan on using the "split color" effects, then you must first dial in a split color from the virtual color wheel.  For example, if you select a split color with red on top and blue on bottom and choose the "split color flip" effect then the pixels will automatically swap places.


 


Another choice is to use the "split color rotation" effect to spin the color around the central access.  Note that in the split effects, the center pixel is black to provide enhanced looks with better color separation and definition.



Alternately you can simply use intensity chases such as "Double LED Chase" to create an intensity based spinning look using your color settings.
  
Bonus tip: There is also an FX synchronization channel that allows you to offset effects between fixtures.  This is a great way to quickly make very interesting looks with multiple fixtures and internal effect.



Currently with software version 1.0.0 there are thirty-three effects, with more planned for later software versions.  See the chart below for the names and DMX values:

Of course there is also another great way to manipulate the pixels and that is with P3.  By inputting a video signal to P3 and mapping the MAC Allure fixtures accordingly, the video image will play across the pixels in your fixtures.  The video below demonstrates a great example of the possibilities:

There is even a dedicated DMX channel that allows you to crossfade between your DMX settings of the pixels and the P3 control of the pixels.  This can have very powerful results as you switch between or combine the control of the light engine.

Learn more about the MAC Allure products and view some great videos here.

https://www.martin.com/en-US/product_families/mac-allure

Shaping the Darkness

Framing Shutters are an integral part of every lighting designer's toolkit.  They are found on both conventional and automated lights and serve important purposes.  Generally shutters are used to block out light from unwanted areas.  Through the use of four variable blades, the light output can be cropped to only certain areas or specific shapes.  Shutters are often used to eliminate lighting spill onto set pieces and other elements that need to remain dark.  Moving a shutter into a masking position is typically referred to as a "shutter cut."



Conventional Lighting
The most common use of shutters within conventional lighting can be found in ellipsoidal spotlights such as the Martin ELP Ellipsoidal fixtures.  As with most functions on conventional fixtures, the four shutter blades are manually moved into various positions.  In addition, the user can rotate the barrel to achieve different "off-axis" angles with the shutters.  Some ellipsoidals even feature locking mechanisms to ensure the shutter cuts remain once set.  By adjusting the lens focus or using frost gels, the edge of the shutter may be hard or soft.


 
Automated Lighting
Automated lights such as the Martin MAC Encore Performance and Martin MAC Viper Performance utilize a complex system of motors to provide remote movement of shutter blades.  In addition, the entire shuttering mechanism can rotate to provide a similar effect to rotating the barrel on an ellipsoidal.  As the pan and tilt of the fixture can change from cue to cue, so too can the framing shutter settings.  It is extremely important that the shutter system and its software allow for tremendously accurate positioning of the blades.


 
Shutter blades can also be found in some automated wash fixtures such as the Martin MAC Encore Wash and the Martin MAC Viper Wash DX.  The principle is the same, where the shutter blades will cut off light output from particular areas.  However, since the fixtures are wash functions and employ Fresnel or other soft lens abilities, the sharp cutoff is of the shutter will appear more subtle.


An additional function with automated framing shutters is the ability to create dynamic movement effects by continuously changing the framing shutter settings.  This can result is some very exciting looks from the fixture as the shape of the output light constantly morphs into new shapes.

Blocking the Light
Framing shutters have been an important tool for lighting designers for many years and will continue long into the future.  Eventually we will see digital shutters that allow for any shape (or mask) that one desires.  Until then, conventional and automated fixtures will continue to use metal blades to shape the output and eliminate light from unwanted areas.