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