24 Martin
®
MAC One User Manual Rev. B
Using RDM
The chapter covers the use of Martin Companion to set up and manage the MAC One via RDM. While we
recommend the use of Martin Companion, most of the commonly available RDM controllers also support
the MAC One . Check with the controller manufacturer if you cannot find the Martin MAC One in the list of
supported fixtures. The exact procedures and command names used by different RDM controllers vary.
Setting up single or multiple fixtures
You can set behavior in one fixture by sending a unicast RDM command to that one fixture only, or you
can set behavior in all the fixtures on the data link by sending a broadcast RDM command to all the
fixtures.
Martin Companion
®
and RDM
To set up MAC One fixtures via RDM, we recommend using the Martin Companion Cable PC-to-DMX
interface that is available as an accessory from Martin suppliers. This tool plugs into the USB port of a
Windows PC and connects to Martin fixtures over the DMX data link via a 5-pin XLR connector. The
Martin Companion Cable is designed to work together with the Martin Companion software suite for
Windows PCs. This software can be downloaded free of charge from the Martin website at
www.martin.com. Martin Companion will always offer the latest MAC One features and firmware when
your PC is connected to the Internet.
Instructions for connecting the Martin Companion Cable are supplied with the tool and can also be
downloaded from the Martin website.
Martin Companion offers the following features:
• Simple PC-based user interface
• Update of fixture firmware
• RDM configuration and DMX addressing
• Standalone show programming with automatic start when fixtures are powered on.
RDM functions
A full list of the RDM functions that MAC One fixtures support is given at the end of this chapter. We refer
to these functions using the more specific term ‘PIDs’ (‘Parameter IDs’).
Fixture discovery
Before you can communicate with fixtures using RDM, you must send a scan command (fixture discovery
command) to all the devices on the data link so that the RDM controller can identify them. It does this by
retrieving each device’s factory-set unique identifier (UID). This process can take some time, depending
on the number of devices on the link.
To identify the fixtures on the link:
1. Check that the fixtures are correctly connected to the RDM controller on the data link and that power
is applied to all fixtures.
2. Send a discovery command via RDM (Martin Companion does this automatically as soon as the cable
is connected).
3. Give the controller time to identify the devices on the link and prepare for communication with the
devices.
Supported parameters
MAC One fixtures can communicate their supported control parameters to the RDM controller and give
brief information on each parameter.
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