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DARK FIRE OWNER S MANUAL (version )

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DARK FIRE OWNER’S MANUAL (version 122908) This is a living version of the Dark Fire Owner’s Manual.

Developed from internal documents, this manual is being continuously updated, is only a preliminary draft, and has not been proofed.

The full-blown version is currently being fine-tuned and will be made available on Gibson.com shortly. This is your guide to the operation and features of Dark Fire, the most technologically advanced robotic guitar ever produced.

Dark Fire is a self-tuning instrument that can employ up to 18 different tuning presets, but there are many finer points of its functions that you will want to explore, particularly its Chameleon Tone Technology, which is your gateway to an array of sounds never before possible in a single instrument. We will detail all of Dark Fire’s many functions on this site and update this material as software and hardware upgrades are made available in the coming months.

The Master Control Knob

At the heart of Dark Fire’s operating system is the Master Control Knob (MCK). It is a highly sophisticated “push-pull” knob with an illuminated display. The display is interactive and will communicate with you as you utilize Dark Fire’s many functions. You will notice that the MCK has a variable color light pipe Display Matrix in its center, with LED symbol positions around its perimeter. It also has a guitar symbol which indicates the status of the Piezo blend, and a pickup symbol which indicates the status of Dark Fire’s magnetic pickups. In the “in” position, the MCK behaves as a regular tone knob. When pulled out, the MCK becomes activated, and its many functions can be accessed and in some cases, modified. When the MCK is pulled out, selecting the LED symbol positions navigates through various functions. When using the MCK to execute any command, sometimes short, momentary presses are required, and at other times a longer, sustained press is required. Details of the MCK display:

[I suggest we insert a photo and use callouts to identify these areas:] Display Matrix

Position LEDs/String LEDs Pickup Symbol

Guitar Symbol #b symbol

Features List [I recommend that each of these headings be a hyperlink to the section heading of the site where that feature’s description is found, so the ‘features list’ will serve both as a Table of Contents and site

navigation tool. I also recommend that every time a feature’s instructions cross-reference another feature, that the cross-referenced feature name also be a hyperlink to that feature’s main heading. Directing hyperlinks are in purple, target hyperlinks are in cyan-sm]

• Instantly Activated Tuning

• String LEDs Display Actions During Tuning Operations

• Powerheads

• Bank Selection and Factory Default Altered Tuning Presets

• More on Bank Selection

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• A440Hz Standard Tuning

• General Guidelines for Installing Strings

• String Up Mode

• Single String Up Mode

• Notes Regarding String Up Mode and Single String Up Mode

• String Down Mode

• Custom Altered Tunings

• Reference Tuning (Standard Tuning to a Selected Reference Pitch)

• Chameleon Tone Technology

• Piezo Blend

• Intonation Mode

• Charging and Battery Information

• Display Charge Level

• Charging Dark Fire’s Battery Pack

• Setup Mode

Instantly Activated Tuning

To tune your guitar to A440Hz Standard Tuning, pull out the MCK. The Display Matrix will alternate between the letters “S” (indicating Standard Tuning) and “G” the first initial of the Chameleon Tone setup which is currently in use: Gibson Classic.

Standard Tuning is Dark Fire’s default tuning, and Gibson Classic is the default tone setup. There is no need to select an LED symbol in this function; simply pulling out the MCK will begin Instantly Activated Tuning in A440Hz Standard Tuning. Now strum all 6 strings. The Powerheads will turn robotically and the String LEDs on the MCK will shine various colors. It should only take one or two strums, and there is no need to strum hard. When you are in tune, all LEDs will turn off except for the LED position you are in. The LED of the position you are in will shine solid blue. Push the MCK back in and you are ready to play!

Note: You can also change your desired Instantly Activated Tuning, and even your Calibration as described in the Setup Mode section. You can also change your choice of Instantly Activated Tuning by using Chameleon Tone Technology.

String LEDs Display Actions During Tuning Operations

During Instantly Activated Tuning, and all other tuning operations, the String LEDs will change colors and flash as the Powerheads tune. Here is a table of what the LED colors you see signify:

String not in tune: solid red

Measuring frequency: red flashing Powerheads turning: yellow flashing

String Frequency at Extreme Range: solid purple Individual String in Tune: green

All strings in tune: String LEDs turn off, with solid color preset position remaining on. Powerheads

Dark Fire’s Powerheads can be turned by hand or by Robot tuning technology. Unlike conventional tuning keys, they all turn in the same direction. The Powerhead tuner posts have locking nuts to secure the end of each string during tuning operations.

Each Powerhead has a powerfully-geared mechanical transmission inside it. Never use a motorized key winder or manual key winder tool on your Powerhead tuning keys, because applying these mechanical devices could cause damage to the Powerhead’s internal parts. Peg winder tools are not needed. There are 3 Primary Functions intended to help you change strings: String Up Mode, Single String Up Mode, and String

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Down Mode. These functions are the only practical means of changing strings, because each key turns extremely slowly when turned by hand.

Bank Selection and Factory Default Altered Tuning Presets

Dark Fire’s features are accessed by navigating through 3 banks of Primary Functions. There is a Blue Bank, a Green Bank, and a Red Bank, and the LED symbol positions vary in purpose in each different Bank. The Blue Bank is the default Bank when the MCK is pulled out, and any Blue Bank function can be selected by dialing the MCK directly to that function’s corresponding LED symbol.

Each of the Banks contains six Factory Default Altered Tuning Presets, which are detailed later in this section. These Tuning Presets can be modified as you desire. In each Bank, Factory Default Altered Tuning Presets are found at LED positions E, A, D, G, B, and e. (These LEDs are also called the String LEDs.)

Here’s how to activate the Factory Default Altered Tuning Preset you want to use:

Pull out the MCK and you will be in the Blue Bank by default. If you are selecting a Factory Default Altered Tuning Preset from the Blue Bank, simply turn to the Blue Bank’s correct String LED and press the display momentarily. Strum the strings, and the Powerheads will tune Dark Fire to the pitches required for that altered tuning. You will see the String LEDs display actions as the tuning process occurs. When the tuning process is complete, the String LED you selected will shine solid blue and the other String LEDs will turn off. Push the MCK back in. You are ready to play in the Altered Tuning Preset you chose.

Bank Selection

If the Tuning Preset you want to use is in a Bank other than the Blue Bank, you will need to perform Bank Selection. Pull out the MCK and turn it all the way counter-clockwise. The Matrix Display dot and the #b symbol will shine blue, because Dark Fire’s default Primary Function Bank is the Blue Bank. Press the display momentarily, a few times in succession. Notice how the Display Matrix dot alternates between blue, green, red, and back to blue: you are switching between the 3 Primary Function Banks. Stop on the color of the Bank you want to pick a preset from. Now turn the MCK to the LED that coincides with the Tuning Preset you want. Press the display momentarily once more, and gently strum your strings. Dark Fire will quickly tune itself to the Factory Default Altered Tuning Preset you chose. Again, your “in-tune” confirmation signal is when all the String LEDs go dark except for the String LED you selected (it will shine in the color of the Bank you are in). Push the MCK back in, and you are ready to play in your chosen tuning.

Here is the list of the Factory Default Altered Tuning presets which correspond to the String LEDs on the MCK’s perimeter:

Factory Default Altered Tuning Presets Blue Bank (Robot Classic)

1. E – E Major: E B E G# B e 2. A – DADGAD: D A D G A D 3. D – Dropped D: D A D G B e 4. G – Delta Blues: D G D G B D 5. B – E Flat: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb eb 6. e – Double Dropped D: D A D G B D Green Bank 7. E – Delta Blues (G): D G D G B D

8. A – Delta Blues (Ab): Eb Ab Eb Ab C eb

9. D – Delta Blues (A): E A E A C# e

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11. B – E Flat Major: Eb Bb Eb G Bb eb

12. e – Open D: D A D F# B D

Red Bank (Low Tunings)

13. E – E Flat: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb eb 14. A – D: D G C F A D 15. D – C#: C# F# B E G# C# 16. G – C: C F Bb Eb Gb C 17. B – B: B E A D F# B 18. e – Dropped Db: Db Ab Db Gb Bb eb

Note: When using extremely low tunings, such as no. 16 “C” or no. 17 “B”, use heavier gauge strings (e.g., .013” to .062”) for best results. If you do change to heavy gauge strings this way, do NOT use the Green and Blue Bank presets as you may risk damage to Dark Fire.

You can store your own Custom Altered Tuning Presets in any position 1 through 18. For information on how to do this, see the section on Custom Altered Tunings.

More on Bank Selection

Selecting Banks and LED Positions can do more than just recall Dark Fire’s 18 Tuning Presets. The following chart will show you the Primary Functions accessible in the 3 Banks, and all of these functions will be

explained in this manual. Notice how in some cases a short, momentary press of the MCK will have a different result than a longer, sustained press.

The Blue Bank is active by default when you pull out the MCK and all its Primary Functions can be selected without having to perform Bank Selection. To select a different Bank, pull the MCK out and turn it all the way counter-clockwise to the #b position (where you will see the Display Matrix show a blue dot). Now short, momentary presses will scroll you through the different banks and you will see the Display Matrix dot change color from blue, to green, to red, and back to blue again. When a Bank has been selected the Display Matrix dot will shine in the selected Bank’s color, and you are able to choose your desired function in that Bank by dialing the MCK to the proper LED position as indicated on the Dark Fire Primary Functions Table. Again, notice in the Primary Functions table how in some cases a short, momentary press is required to activate a function, and in other cases, a longer, sustained press (about 2 seconds) is necessary.

DARK FIRE

Primary Functions Table

Activation: short press short press short press long press long press long press

Bank:

LED

PEG Standard Tuning Standard Tuning Standard Tuning

Custom Altered Tuning Reference Tuning Intonation Mode

I Piezo Out Toggle

Piezo Out

Toggle Piezo Out Toggle

(press once= on, press again = on

+PEQ press again= off)

(press once= on, press again = on

+PEQ press again= off)

(press once= on, press again = on

+PEQ press again= off)

C Chameleon Tone

Chameleon

Tone Chameleon Tone

Display Charge Level Display Charge Level Display Charge Level

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E Tuning Preset 1 Tuning Preset 7 Tuning Preset 13

A Tuning Preset 2 Tuning Preset 8 Tuning Preset 14

D Tuning Preset 3 Tuning Preset 9 Tuning Preset 15

G Tuning Preset 4 Tuning Preset 10 Tuning Preset 16

B Tuning Preset 5 Tuning Preset 11 Tuning Preset 17

e Tuning Preset 6 Tuning Preset 12 Tuning Preset 18

Revolving Arrow Single String Up Mode String Up Mode String Down Mode

#b Bank Selection Bank Selection Bank Selection

Enter Setup Mode Enter Setup Mode Enter Setup Mode

A440 Hz Standard Tuning

In any bank, turning to the Peg symbol and momentarily pressing the display will activate Standard A440Hz Tuning. Dark Fire’s factory default fundamental reference frequency is A440Hz. However, Dark Fire does not have to be calibrated to 440Hz. You can change your Calibration in Setup Mode.

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Custom Altered Tuning

To create your own Custom Altered Tuning, tune Dark Fire manually to the pitches you want. (Remember: all Powerheads turn in the same direction!) Then pull out the MCK. You will be in the Blue Bank by default. Turn the MCK to the Peg LED. Press in the display and hold it until the Peg LED shines cyan. Symbols E, A, D, G, B and e will shine red. Now, strum each string individually, one by one (don’t strum too hard!) and when each string’s frequency has been measured and registered its LED will turn green. When all string LEDs have turned green, they will turn off and the Peg LED will start flashing, indicating your Custom Altered Tuning is ready to store.

To store your Custom Altered Tuning as a Tuning Preset, select a String LED position in any Bank. Press the display momentarily and the String LEDs will flash red 4 times, indicating your Custom Altered Tuning is now stored in that position. This will over-write the Factory Default Tuning Preset for that position, but you can restore all your Factory Default Presets in Setup Mode.

Reference Tuning (Standard Tuning to a Selected Reference Pitch)

You may find the situation when you want to tune to a “reference pitch,” perhaps when playing along with a piano, or during a recording that is not using A440Hz as its fundamental tuning frequency reference. Here’s how this can be done: Select one string and manually tune it to the desired reference pitch. Next, pull out the MCK and turn it counter-clockwise until the #b symbol is illuminated blue. The Matrix Display dot will also shine blue, because you are in the Blue Bank. Press the MCK momentarily and the Matrix Display dot will shine green. Now you are in the Green Bank. At this point, turn the MCK to the Peg position. Press in the display and hold it until the LED symbols E, A, D, G, B and e shine red. The Peg LED will be shining magenta at this point. Now strum the string which will serve as the basis for your Reference Tuning until its LED turns green. When that string’s LED has turned green, this is your confirmation that your reference frequency has been measured and registered. Strum all strings at this point, and the remaining LED symbols will behave as during a normal tuning operation. Dark Fire will tune to Standard Tuning (EADGBe) with respect to your new reference pitch. When tuning is complete, the string LEDs will turn off.

You can store your Reference Tuning in the same manner as a Custom Altered Tuning in any Bank’s String LED position. You must execute the entire procedure described in the Custom Altered Tuning section. Push the MCK back in, and perform the Custom Altered Tuning function in full, including the procedure for storing the tuning in a preset position.

Note: An alternative to having a different frequency other than A440Hz as your fundamental reference is to change your Calibration in Setup Mode.

Piezo Blend

Dark Fire’s toggle switch pickup selector also acts as a volume knob to blend in the piezoelectric signal from the tune-control bridge. To activate the Piezo signal output, pull the MCK out and turn it to the C Led and press momentarily. Then, turn the MCK to it to Letter “I” LED and press the display momentarily. The guitar symbol [target Details of the MCK Display-sm] on the MCK will alternate as follows:

Guitar Symbol Shines Blue: Piezo Blend plus EQ is active Guitar Symbol Shines Green: Piezo Blend with no EQ is active Guitar Symbol turns off: Piezo signal is off

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With a mono guitar cable, your Piezo signal will blend with your regular magnetic pickup’s output at the tip of the cable’s plug. When a stereo cable is connected, the Piezo signal routes independently to the sleeve of the plug, and the Dark Fire’s magnetic pickups are routed to the tip of the plug. Thus, the Piezo sound is heard in one of the stereo outputs and the electromagnetic pickups can be heard in the other Channel. You can then use your Robot Guitar II charger/signal splitter to route each symbol to a different input.

When not using your Dark Fire guitar for any period of time, make sure the Piezo Blend is off. The Piezo blend will drain Dark Fire’s rechargeable battery pack in 10-12 hours if the Piezo blend is left on when not in use. Follow the instructions for System Shutdown before putting your guitar away.

[??The Piezo Blend function makes no sense at all to me. I can turn it on, and make it green, or blue, or dark, but it will always go away and not shine that color as soon as I try another function. It seems that I can only turn it off, or back on, and that the Chameleon Tone setup will decide what color it will be-sm]

General Guidelines for Installing Strings

Guide each string through your tailpiece, over the center of each saddle (where contact is essential), and through the nut slot, and then straight through the post hole. Pull a slight amount of tension on the string, and tighten down the locking nut on the post hole. Cut the extra length off each string close to the post so that they will not make contact with other strings, as that would cause the system to function improperly. Also, do not use any strings which have frayed wraps at the ball end, because that could short circuit the Data-Transmitting Tailpiece. It will not damage the Tailpiece, but Dark Fire will not function if any part of the string touches beyond its insulated holder.

String Up Mode

When putting on a new set of strings, Dark Fire can automatically ‘string itself up’ by using the String Up Mode function. This is the only practical way of stringing Dark Fire, as the Powerheads can only be turned very slowly by hand. The use of manual or mechanically-powered “string winder” tools is not advised, because turning the Powerhead keys too quickly can cause damage to the Powerheads!

Here is how to perform String Up Mode:

After installing your set of strings in the manner previously described (General Guidelines for Installing Strings), pull out the MCK and turn it counter-clockwise until the #b symbol is illuminated blue. The Matrix Display dot will also shine blue, because you are in the blue bank. Press the MCK momentarily and the dot will shine green. Now you are in the Green Bank. At this point, turn the MCK to the revolving arrow position. Now press the display and hold it in until the String LEDs all shine red. Begin by gently being tapping the strings against their Piezo saddles, and their corresponding Powerheads will start to turn and place tension on the strings. Once there is enough tension on the strings for them to deliver pitch, gently strum all strings. Pause briefly between strums to allow the heads to turn. The Piezo saddles will now be detecting string frequencies and the Powerheads will wind themselves until each string is wound to A440Hz pitch as you continue strumming. During this time, the string LEDs will be changing colors red until each string reaches its pitch, which will be indicated by that string’s LED turning green. After all Powerheads have stopped turning, all the string LEDs will stop shining, indicating your strings are tensioned to Standard A440Hz tuning.

Single String Up Mode

When replacing only one or two strings (as in the case of replacing a broken string), Single String Up Mode should be employed. Attach the string or strings that you are installing in the manner previously described (General Guidelines for Installing Strings). Pull out the MCK and the Display Matrix will shine blue, because you are in the Blue Bank. Now turn the MCK to the Revolving Arrow and press it down until a green “cross”

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symbol shows in the center of the Display Matrix. Release the display and the Revolving Arrow LED will shine blue and all the string LEDs will shine green. Now turn the MCK to the String LED that corresponds to the string you are working with. The String LED you select will shine red. Press the display momentarily, a few times in succession, and the corresponding Powerhead will start to turn and place tension on that string. Once there is enough tension on the string for it to deliver a pitch, Push the MCK back in. Unlike String Up Mode, Single String Up Mode does not target any pitch, so be careful not press the MCK too many times, or the string could snap from over-tightening. Three presses should put enough tension on the new string for it to tune in any tuning operation.

Note: Single String Up Mode can be performed for more than 1 string during the same operation. Notes Regarding String Up Mode and Single String Up Mode

You may want to ‘break your strings in’ in my tugging gently on them and also performing multiple tunings until they have stabilized, for the same reasons you would when changing strings on a conventional guitar. Also, if you have changed your Calibration in Setup Mode, the target pitches for String Up Mode will be referenced to the setting you selected in those functions.

String Down Mode

If you are changing out your entire set of strings, String Down Mode will cause all Powerheads to de-tension all strings at the same time so that you can remove them all. To utilize String Down Mode, pull out the MCK and turn it counter-clockwise until the #b symbol is illuminated blue. The Matrix Display dot will also shine blue, because you are in the Blue Bank. Press the MCK momentarily 2 times, and the Matrix Display dot will shine red. Now you are in the Red Bank. At this point, turn the MCK to the Revolving Arrow position. Now press the display and hold it in until the String LEDs start to flash and the Powerheads start to unwind. All 6 Powerheads will ‘unwind’ their strings. When the Powerheads stop turning, release the locking nuts on the tuner posts and you can easily remove all strings.

Intonation Mode

Dark Fire has a built-in Intonation Mode so that you are able to intonate your instrument or check its intonation with only the additional requirement of a small screwdriver to adjust the saddle screws in the Tune-Control Bridge.

Before starting Intonation Mode we recommend that you perform Standard Tuning (A440Hz). After you have tuned your instrument, pull out the MCK and turn it counter-clockwise until the #b symbol is illuminated blue. The Matrix Display dot will also shine blue, because you are in the Blue Bank. Press the MCK momentarily 2 times, and the Matrix Display dot will shine red. Now you are in the Red Bank. Turn the MCK to the Peg LED position. Press the display and hold it in until the Peg LED shines orange. All the String LEDs will shine red at this time.

Gently strum the lower E string. When “E” String LED shines orange, fret the string at the 12th fret and gently strum it again. When the position of the Piezo saddle needs to be changed, the MCK will display the number of half-turns you have to apply to the intonation screw. Turn the screw ½ turn clockwise for each LED shining red, and or ½ turn counter-clockwise for each LED shining green. After you have made an adjustment, strum the string again “open” until its LED turns orange, and then re-check by fretting the 12th fret again and gently strumming. Once intonation for a string is correct, its LED will shine solid blue, and you can proceed to the next string. When all strings are intonated, they will all shine blue for a moment, and turn off. Intonation is complete.

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Dark Fire’s Chameleon Tone Technology can be activated in any Bank. The Default Chameleon Tone setup is Gibson Classic with Standard EADGBe tuning.

If you are going to select a Chameleon Tone, pull out the MCK, choose a preset, and tune the guitar. This tuning will be applied to the Chameleon Tone setup you select. Rotate the MCK to the letter C LED and press it momentarily. The Peg Symbol will shine red and the C LED will shine magenta.

The Display Matrix will then spell out your current Chameleon Tone setup in a scrolling marquee. You can now toggle the Piezo Out function on the I LED position:

Green Guitar Symbol: Piezo On, Piezo EQ Off Blue Guitar Symbol: Piezo On, Piezo EQ On Guitar Symbol off: Piezo Off

You can toggle the Pickup EQ: Green Pickup Symbol: ?

Blue Pickup Symbol: ? Pickup Symbol off: ?

[there is something WRONG with the pickup EQ selector. Enter Chameleon tone, go straight to the peg. You can only turn it on and off. Turn it off and Classic Gibson and Blues will have no pickup EQ. But all the other presets will have a Green pickup symbol. I can’t figure out what it means. –sm]

To select a new Chameleon Tone setup, rotate the MCK to one of the 8 positions in the following table. In each position, the Display Matrix will spell out the name of the corresponding setting. A short press of the MCK will temporarily select a tone setting. Push the MCK back in to use the temporarily selected tone setting. A

temporarily selected setting will remain in effect until the MCK is pulled out again. A sustained press on the display at one of the 8 positions will store that Chameleon Tone setup as your default and it will be activated automatically on next startup. The Display Matrix confirms your selected default configuration has been stored by spelling the word “STORED” in green letters. Note that when you store a new Chameleon Tone setup, you also store the last tuning preset you used before entering Chameleon Tone.

LED TONE SETTING

E Gibson Classic A Texas Blues D Funky G Twang B Acoustic e L5

(arrow symbol here) Solid Rock #b Metal

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The next time you pull the MCK out, the Display Matrix will remind you of your existing Chameleon Tone setup by shining the LED that corresponds to your selected tuning, and then the first initial of the Chameleon tone setup name.

All of these tones can be modified by turning the tone knobs and changing the position of the 3 position toggle switch. [Do we also intend for the customer to do pickup coil switching et. al.?-sm]

Charge Level Display

Your Dark Fire guitar should be able to perform up to 500 tunings without needing recharging.

You can check the level of charge in Dark Fire’s on-board re-chargeable battery pack at the C LED position of any Bank. Pull out the MCK and turn it to the C LED. Press the display until the Display Matrix shows a graphic depiction of your charge level.

1 or 2 red bars = low charge level

2 red bars plus 1 or 2 yellow bars = medium charge level (charging is not absolutely necessary but will improve performance.)

2 red bars, 2 yellow bars, one or 2 green bars = high charge level (recommended for best performance.)

The Humbucking Pickup symbol (next to the guitar symbol) next to the Display Matrix will also indicate charge level. It will shine orange when the system has only another 30 minutes of operation left on its charge level. It will shine red when the charge level is too low for the system to operate properly, and charging is required immediately.

Charging Dark Fire’s Battery Pack

Dark Fire comes with a high-quality stereo cable which plugs into the Robot Guitar II charger/signal splitter box. A transformer is provided to power the charger.

To charge Dark Fire’s on-board rechargeable battery pack, plug in the transformer and connect it to your Robot II charger/signal splitter box. Now plug in the stereo cable to connect Dark Fire to the input jack nearest the transformer plug. A bright blue light shines on the Robot Guitar II Charger/Signal Splitter box to indicate charging is in process.

You can continue to play Dark Fire while charging is in process. Run an output guitar cable from the Robot II Charger/Signal Splitter box from the ‘Amp’ output the back side of the box. The independent Piezo Out is not available for use during charging, because the charging is being conducted on the sleeve of the stereo plug. If you are using Piezo signal, it will be blended in mono with your regular pickup output at the tip of the plug, and it will also pass through the Amp output.

To monitor your charging process, pull out the MCK and turn it to C in any bank. Apply a sustained press on the display until you can see movement on the Display Matrix. The progress of the battery charging will be displayed as the charge level bars move. 2 Red bars will light first, then the 2 yellow bars, then the 2 green bars as the charging process occurs. When charging is complete, all 6 bars will be illuminated. A full charge should take no more than 60 minutes

NOTE: After the Battery is charged fully, the charging circuit switches to trickle charge in order to keep the Battery full. The blue light will stay on. We recommend to shutdown the system while charging because doing so will decrease the charging time and at the same time will increase Battery lifetime significantly.

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System Shutdown

It is recommended that the system be shut down when Dark Fire is not in use. This prevents drain on the Battery Pack.

1. If the MCK is pulled up turn it to any other position than the Peg and press it down in order to shutdown the system.

2. If Chameleon Mode is activated exit Chameleon by pressing the C symbol and push down MCK.

3. If MCK is pushed down and you can see any symbol lid up, pull MCK, turn it to any other position than the Peg and press it down in order to shutdown the system.

NOTE: Any further activity will turn the system back on. Do not pull out the MCK again, or you will re-activate the system.

Setup Mode

In Setup Mode, many of Dark Fire’s system parameters are user-definable. Tronical has provided a list of the Setup Mode Functions and those follow my instructions on how Setup Mode works.

To enter Setup Mode, pull out the MCK and turn it to the "#b" symbol in any Bank. Press the display until a pink "Enter" symbol is displayed, then release the MCK. Now press down the MCK again until a cyan "Enter" symbol is displayed. You are now in Setup Mode. You will see a cyan “Enter” symbol and the ”b” LED will shine yellow as confirmation.

How to select a Function Number

Enter Setup Mode as described above. Rotate the MCK to select each digit of a number (in the range of one through 9), followed by a momentary press of the display. Each number selected will flash red to confirm it has been entered. When all the digits of the Setup Function no. have been entered, rotate the MCK fully counter-clockwise and press momentarily. MCK will give a confirmation signal as described below. The MCK will show a cyan “Enter” symbol and the “#” LED will shine magenta, indicating that you now can enter your desired value for that function. Values are also selected one digit at a time. After the desired value for the Function has been selected, rotate the MCK fully and press it momentarily. The MCK will give a confirmation signal as described below.

For example, to select Function Number 16 and give it a value of “2”:

1. Enter Setup Mode

2. Rotate MCK until the number “1” is displayed. Momentary press causes the “1” to flash red—it has been entered.

3. Rotate MCK until the number “6” is displayed. Momentary press causes the “6” to flash red—it has been entered.

4. Now rotate the MCK all the way counter-clockwise and give a momentary press. The “Enter” symbol flashes red and back to cyan. The selected Function Number will scroll across the Matrix Display in yellow. Now you are ready to select your value, indicated by the shining magenta “#” sign.

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How to select the value for Function number 16 to “2”:

1. Complete the process described in nos. 1-4 above. Leave MCK out.

2. Rotate the MCK to the number 2 and give a momentary press. Momentary press causes the “2” to flash red—it has been entered.

3. Now rotate the MCK all the way counter-clockwise and give a momentary press. Perimeter LEDs on

the MCK flash green 3 times, and the value selected scrolls across the Matrix Display in Yellow. 4. Note that the “b” symbol shines yellow again, indicating you can access another Setup Mode

Function. If you are done and want to exit Setup Mode, push the MCK back in. Your new value for the Function you selected will be operative until you change it by either selecting it individually in Setup Mode again, or by Restoring Factory Defaults in Setup Mode.

The following documentation shows the various Functions in Setup Mode and the “clickstreams” required to execute them.

A “click stream” is the term used to describe the order of execution and the values selectable in a Setup Mode Function.

In each clickstream operation, the ‘#’ sign means to rotate the MCK fully counter-clockwise and press momentarily. (It saves a lot of redundant text to use this abbreviation.)

Each Function begins by Entering Setup Mode, selecting the Function number followed by #, then selecting a value to apply to that function, followed by #.

Some functions are the “on/off” type, and some have a range of values to select from. “Reset” functions also have a safety feature where one must press a red “Y” on the display. This is the same sort of security that PCs employ when asking “Are You Sure?”

Setup Mode Functions [All this text is from Tronical, and I need to call them to clarify some points] Function: 1

Name: Instant Activated Function Purpose: Control Start behaviour Factory Default: 0

Clickstream: 1#0# or 1#1# or 1#2#

If you want that the system to start with tune choose 1#0#

If you want that the system to start with Chameleon Mode choose 1#1# If you want that the system to start with Main Menu 1#2#

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Function: 2

Name: Instant Activated Tuning

Purpose: Select your tuning when system starts up Factory Default: 0

Clickstream: 2#0# up to 2#2

Here you can change which tuning is activated on startup (if function 1 is set to 0=tune). Type 2#0# if you want to tune Standard EADGBe.

Type 2#1# if you want to tune another tuning (see Function 14)

Type 2#2# if you want to tune the last completed tuning. This means, if you tune E-Mayor and switch off the system it will come up next time with E-Mayor again.

Function: 3

Name: Piezo Out Status

Purpose: Setup up your Piezo Signal status Factory Default: 1 (on if possible)

Clickstream: 3#0# or 3#1 (0=manual, 1=automatic on if possible) Here you can setup the Piezo Out Signal.

If you choose 3#0# the Piezo Signal will never be switched on automatically. You have to control it manually by clicking on LED-I.

If you choose 3#1# the Piezo Signal will be switched on automatically whenever possible. It is switched off automatically during tuning (because Powertune needs the Piezo output for frequency detection). It is switched on again when the tuning process is done.

Function: 4 Name: PEQ Status

Purpose: Setup up your PEQ status Factory Default: 1 (on )

Clickstream: 4#0# or 4#1 (0=manual, 1=automatic on) Here you can setup the PEQ Status.

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If you choose 4#0# the PEQ will never be switched on automatically. You have to control it manually by clicking on LED-PEG in Chameleon Mode.

If you choose 4#1# the PEQ will be switched on automatically on startup.

Function: 5

Name: Coil Switching Status

Purpose: Setup up your Coil Switching behaviour Factory Default: 1 (automatically switched)

Clickstream: 5#0# or 5#1# (0=Standard Coils on startup, 1=automatic switched)

If you choose 5#0# the Coils will be switched to Gibson Classic on Startup no matter what you did before. If you choose 5#1# the Coils will be switched to your last selected sound in Chameleon mode.

Function: 6

Name: Coil Preset Switching

Purpose: Setup up your Coil Switching behaviour when you select a Tuning Preset Factory Default: 1 (automatically switched)

Clickstream: 6#0# or 6#1# (0=Coils are not switched, 1=Coils are switched to the sound which was stored with the selected preset.

If you choose 6#0# the Coils will not be changed when you select a tuning preset.

If you choose 6#1# the Coils will be switched to your desired sound when you select a tuning preset.

Function: 7

Name: Tuning Precision

Purpose: Setup up the precision/tuning performance Factory Default: 5 (approx. 1 cent)

Clickstream: 7#0# to 7#9#

Precision 0 has an accuracy of approx. 2,5 cent is fast.

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Function: 8

Name: Runtime Correction

Purpose: Setup up Powerhead Runtime Correction Factory Default: 1 (on)

Clickstream: 8#0# to 8#1#

If you activate Runtime Correction the movements of the Powerheads are monitored and a correction is calculated. It takes up to 10 tunings before the Powerhead movement fits to the string gauge.

Function: 9

Name: E-Function Correction Purpose: Enhancing Tuning Factory Default: 1 (on) Clickstream: 9#0# to 9#1#

If you activate E-Function Correction the frequency detection integrates the amplitude of the string during pitch detection.

If you switch it off you should strum the strings gently during tuning.

Function: 10 Name: Calibration

Purpose: Global Calibration Factor Factory Default: 440,0 Hertz Range: 430,0 up to 449,9 Hertz

Clickstream: 10#4400# or for 438,50 Hertz type in 10#4385#

Here you define the global calibration for the system. It will be applied to all presets.

Type in the value in hertz. The resolution is a tenth of a hertz. This means you have to type in four digits, for example 4380 for 438,0 Hertz.

Function: 11 Name: Inactivity

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Purpose: not implemented yet

Function: 12

Name: Startup Message Purpose: not implemented yet

Function: 13

Name: Tutorial Mode

Purpose: Shows the name of a sound in Chameleon Mode Factory Default: 1 (on)

Clickstream: 13#0# to 13#1#

When you enter Chameleon Mode and you rotate the MCK to the sound presets (LED-E to LED-#b) a ticker shows you the name of the sound.

Type in 13#0 to switch off this behaviour.

Function: 14

Name: Default Tuning

Purpose: Select Default Tuning on Startup

Factory Default: 0, (0=EADGBe, 18 = red bank e) Clickstream: 14#0# to 14#18#

If you have set Function 2 to the value 1, you can select here your favourite tuning.

Function: 15

Name: Mute while tuning Purpose: Disabled

Function: 16 Name: Tune Count

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Factory Default: 1, (1=just one tuning process, 2=2 tuning processes) Clickstream: 16#1# or 16#2#

This function is intended for very low tunings. When you set the tune count value to “2”, the tuning process restarts automatically when all 6 string LEDs are green.

Function: 17

Name: Piezo Out Mono on Tip Purpose: Setup Piezo Out Signal

Factory Default: 1, (0=no PO Signal on Tip when PO is switched ON, 1 = PO Signal routed to TIP) Clickstream: 17#0# or 17#1#

Here you can configure, if the Piezo Signal is routed via the Toggle Switch to the Tip. If you don’t want the Piezo Signal on the Tip type in 17#0#. This relates only to Piezo Out Mono where the signal of all 6 strings is mixed. Piezo Out Hex is never routed to Tip because you need the RIP to make it audible.

Function: 18

Name: Piezo Out Mono on Ring Purpose: Setup Piezo Out Signal

Factory Default: 1, (0=no PO Signal on Ring when PO is switched ON, 1 = PO Signal routed to Ring) Clickstream: 18#0# or 18#1#

Here you can configure, if the Piezo Signal is routed to the ring. If you don’t want the Piezo Signal on the ring type in 18#0#. This relates only to Piezo Out Mono where the signal of all 6 strings is mixed. Piezo Out Hex is always routed to the ring

Function: 19

Name: not implemented

Function: 20 Name: Sound Setup

Purpose: Combine a tune preset with a coil configuration Factory Default: 0, (0=Gibson Classic for all tune presets) Clickstream: 20#PresetNumber#CoilConfigNr

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If you want to combine Tune Preset Delta Blues (Green Bank, E) with Blues Sound type in 20#7#2#

This is exact what happens, when you select preset-E from green bank, activate Chameleon Mode, rotate MCK to LED-A and store the sound with a long click.

Function: 21

Name: PEQ Settings for left channel (Pickups) Purpose: Configure 4 Bank EQ for Pickups Factory Default: depends on Sound

Clickstream: 21#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#ConfigData

Configure the left channel, Band1 of PEG for Gibson Classic sound 21#0#1#16

You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct ConfigData.

Function: 22

Name: PEQ Gain for left channel (Pickups) Purpose: Configure 4 PEQ Gain for Pickups Factory Default: depends on Sound

Clickstream: 22#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#GainData

Configure the left channel, Band1 Gain of PEG for Gibson Classic sound 22#0#1#0

You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct GainData

Function: 23

Name: PEQ Settings for right channel (Piezo) Purpose: Configure 4 Bank EQ for Piezo Factory Default: depends on Sound

Clickstream: 23#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#ConfigData

Configure the right channel, Band1 of PEG for Gibson Classic sound 23#0#1#16

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You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct ConfigData.

Function: 24

Name: PEQ Gain for right channel (Piezo) Purpose: Configure 4 PEQ Gain for Piezo Factory Default: depends on Sound

Clickstream: 24#CoilConfigNr#BandNr#GainData

Configure the right channel, Band1 Gain of PEG for Gibson Classic sound 24#0#1#0

You need the configuration tool which calculates the correct GainData

Function: 30

Name: Set Stepper Speed

Purpose: Set the maximum speed for each Powerhead individually Factory Default: 5

Clickstream: 30#1#5#

You can set the maximum speed of each Powerhead individually.

Function: 31

Name: Maximal concurrent steppers

Purpose: Set the maximum number of Powerheads running at the same time Factory Default: 6

Clickstream: 31#1# to 30#6#

Function: 32

Name: Set Stepper Acceleration

Purpose: Set the acceleration for each Powerhead individually Factory Default: 5

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You can set the acceleration of each Powerhead individually.

Function: 37

Name: Set Powerhead Speed for all Powerheads Purpose: Set the maximum speed for all Powerheads Factory Default: 5

Clickstream: 37#5#

Here you can set the maximum speed of all Powerheads at once.

Function: 38

Name: Set Powerhead Acceleration for all Powerheads Purpose: Set the acceleration for all Powerheads at once. Factory Default: 5

Clickstream: 38#5#

Function: 99

Name: Display Software Version

Purpose: Displays the actual software version of the body. Clickstream: 99#

Function: 101

Name: Reset Configuration Data

Purpose: Reset Configuration (Standard Tuning, Precision, Standard Function etc.) Clickstream:

101# wait for red “?”

Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display. Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.

Function: 103 Name: Reset Presets

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Purpose: Reset Tune Presets (blue, green and red bank). Clickstream:

103# wait for red “?”

Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display. Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.

Function: 105

Name: Reset Modifier

Purpose: Reset Runtime Correction Data, Calibration Data Clickstream:

103# wait for red “?”

Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display. Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.

Function: 106

Name: Reset Neck Configuration

Purpose: Reset Speed and Acceleration of Powerheads Clickstream:

105# wait for red “?”

Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display. Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.

Function: 107

Name: Reset PEQ Settings Purpose: Reset all PEQ Data Clickstream:

106# wait for red “?”

Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display. Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.

Function: 109 Name: Reset all

Purpose: Resets all configuration data to factory default. Clickstream:

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109# wait for red “?”

Rotate MCK until blue “Y” is displayed. Press display. Rotate MCK to Enter sign, press display.

References

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