NEON CAPTAIN Radioator, User Manual

Page 1: ...ther than a laser projector or HDMI monitor to operate The system is expandable through software updates to add additional content and features Please check with Neon Captain for updates Content you c...

Page 2: ...I recorder or capture card The complete set of front panel controls offers direct knob per function control of most parameters in the system so you can play Radiator live just like a DJ controller or...

Page 3: ...al Key Functions 9 Radiator Modules and Screens 11 Color 12 LFO1 2 and 3 15 Shape A and B 18 Transformer 21 Clone 25 Main Screen 29 Additional Screens and Controls 30 Preset Manager 30 File 35 Output...

Page 4: ...Warp Types 62 LFO Warp Types 62 LFO Shapes 62 Appendix F Transform Types 63 Appendix G Clone Types 64 Clone Types 64 Appendix E Shape Warp and Shape Types 65 Shape Warp Types 65 Shape Types 65 Softwar...

Page 5: ...egulated input to operated and consumes less than 6W when operating It can provide power to up to two connected USB devices Power is controlled via a hard power switch so there is no power usage when...

Page 6: ...ntrols the main shape generator to create shapes SHAPE B Controls the second shape generate to create shapes TRANSFORM The transform module can distort and transform shapes in 2D and 3D CLONE The clon...

Page 7: ...es X Y OUT The laser X Y output on TRS stereo minijack for listening to the laser output ILDA OUT ILDA analog output on DB 25 pin connector for use with ILDA projectors MIDI IN MIDI input on standard...

Page 8: ...By default adjusting a control will cause the LCD screen to display the parameters for that module A module can also be called up by preset the SELECT button for that module If you prefer the adjust t...

Page 9: ...or animals to be in the direct path of a laser beam Do not look directly into a laser projector or at the beam reflected off a shiny object like a mirror When setting up a projector in a live performa...

Page 10: ...sing RESET This restores all controls to their defaults Turn on the SHAPE A module and get something simple coming out of the laser output Adjust the COLOR controls Now turn on SHAPE B and adjust the...

Page 11: ...nstall anything Bug fixes and feature enhancements can be updated through this system To perform an update power down the Radiator and make sure it is connected to an Ethernet connection which has acc...

Page 12: ...he preset should be stored Adjust which modules are stored in a preset It is possible to store only some modules in a preset After arming to store hold SHIFT and press module SELECT buttons to choose...

Page 13: ...ossibly other information Preview Bar Preview of the current module mode as well as a small output preview Menu Options and controls for the currently selected module or screen Status Bar Shows the cu...

Page 14: ...mod types are listed in Appendix C Color Selection Unless the mod type is selected to use the original color from a shape generator the color selected by using the HSV or RGB controls It is possible t...

Page 15: ...ect on and off RGB Mode Switches between RGB and HSV modes LFO1 H R Level Adjusts the LFO1 to hue red level LFO1 S G Level Adjusts the LFO1 to saturation green level LFO1 V B Level Adjusts the LFO1 to...

Page 16: ...evel Adjusts the LFO3 to value blue level LFO3 Mod P1 Adjusts the LFO3 to mod P1 level LFO3 Mod P2 Adjusts the LFO3 to mod P2 level LFO3 Mod P3 Adjusts the LFO3 to mod P3 level Software ver 1 0 and ab...

Page 17: ...of the LFO screen shows an oscilloscope view of the currently generated waveform The sweep speed of the waveform is adjusted automatically Note that very low amplitude signals may not trigger the scop...

Page 18: ...l CVx Level Control the level with the CV tip signal CVy Warp Control the warp level with the CV ring signal CVy Speed Control the speed with the CV ring signal CVy Level Control the level with the CV...

Page 19: ...evel controls When using the LFO input as an external waveform input the tip signal is always used as the signal source LFO Outputs The signal generated by each LFO is available as a dedicated 3 5mm m...

Page 20: ...ypes are listed in Appendix E Shape Types The shape generator system outputs 3D data plus RGB color information It is possible to have 3D shapes with depth that becomes visible when the shape is tilte...

Page 21: ...speed Using the Sync mode simplifies finding harmonic relationships between Shape A and Shape B Shape Parameters Parameter Description Warp Adjusts the amount of warp effect applied to the signal Warp...

Page 22: ...LFO2 to size level LFO2 Speed Adjusts the LFO2 to speed level LFO3 Warp Adjusts the LFO3 to warp level LFO3 Rotate Adjusts the LFO3 to rotate level LFO3 Size Adjusts the LFO3 to size level LFO3 Speed...

Page 23: ...Radiator Laser Synthesizer User Manual Transformer Software ver 1 0 and above 2020 09 03 Page 23 of 66 www neoncaptain com...

Page 24: ...interesting ways By setting the Source control to None it is possible to generate shapes directly with the Transformer by using LFOs to drive the various controls Warp types can be used to change the...

Page 25: ...ects the source of input for the transformer Axis Tilt Adjusts the amount of axis tilt for the rotation effect Rotation Adjusts the rotation speed LFO1 Warp Adjusts the LFO1 to warp level LFO1 Rot Off...

Page 26: ...e same time The top left section of the screen shows the output from the Clone prior to it feeding into the Color module Clone types are listed in Appendix G Clone Controls The Source and Type affect...

Page 27: ...ransformer ShA Shape A ShB Shape B ShA B Shape A and B added together ShA B Shape A or B alternating clones ShA Tr Shape A or Transformer alternating clones The OR modes are used with clones that offe...

Page 28: ...fset level LFO2 Speed Adjusts the LFO2 to speed level LFO2 Rotation X Adjusts the LFO2 to rotate X level LFO2 Rotation Z Adjusts the LFO2 to rotate Z level LFO3 Spread Adjusts the LFO3 to spread level...

Page 29: ...ote that the master SIZE and LEVEL knobs do not affect the preview Main Screen Ribbon Below the large preview display is the ribbon which allows access to additional modes not accessible through dedic...

Page 30: ...on simply turn the preset PAGE knob When Follow Control is off simply hold SHIFT while turning the PAGE knob to bring up the Preset screen Storing a Preset Presets can contain all or some combination...

Page 31: ...icular preset Color LFO1 LFO2 LFO3 Shape A Shape B Transformer Clone Recalling a Preset To recall a preset using the Preset screen select the page and preset to load by using the SELECT knob Turn the...

Page 32: ...updates or hardware failure may cause the internal memory to become corrupted or erased Therefore back up your shows regularly to prevent data loss Quickly Creating a New Show A show is always loaded...

Page 33: ...show with the SELECT knob Choose the EDIT NAME option with the VALUE knob and press ENTER A cursor will appear on the name of the file Use the SELECT knob to move the cursor and the VALUE knob to adj...

Page 34: ...ILDA file to be used by other systems or software Recordings are made at a fixed point rate and frame rate and there is a limitation on the length of a recordings However this feature should be usefu...

Page 35: ...ke over the main output of Radiator for the duration of playback Please do not attempt to play ILDA files not created with Radiator as they may not play correctly and could damage your laser projector...

Page 36: ...er contain a square or widescreen type of image Normally the HDMI output shows a preview similar to that on the built in LCD screen As such the Master controls do not affect the HDMI signal When using...

Page 37: ...veral types of external DACs The Ether Dream is the most useful as it allows lasers to be located far away from Radiator and connected with Ethernet cable The Laser Dock Laser Cube is a USB connected...

Page 38: ...de Selects the HDMI crop mode and aspect ratio HDMI Blackout Selects whether the HDMI output observes blackout state HDMI Pots Selects whether the HDMI output observes size and level pots Laser Blanki...

Page 39: ...turn the setting to the maximum HOLD to cause the screen to hold indefinitely Screens can be dismissed at any time by double tapping the SHIFT button Follow Controls When first learning Radiator the u...

Page 40: ...Audio in L and R and the CV input DC levels CV in 1 6 MIDI Control The MIDI control parameters affect the MIDI control of parameters using CC and Program Change messages Make sure to set the MIDI con...

Page 41: ...at the analog inputs MIDI Ctrl Chan Selects the MIDI channel used for remote control over MIDI MIDI Ctrl RX Selects whether MIDI control is received Panel MIDI Chan Selects the base MIDI channel for p...

Page 42: ...level and blackout for safety Internal LCD screen for preview module control file and system management Fast screen navigation and context sensitive display switching optional Informative full color...

Page 43: ...stem restore and upgrade HDMI output Full size HDMI port generates 1080p60 laser visualizer output Hardware and enclosure Solid rotary encoders and metal knobs and pots on all controls Pushbuttons wit...

Page 44: ...trollers as buttons Note For safety reasons the the blackout button size and level pots are ignored on TCP or MIDI receive MIDI Protocol All MIDI messages are sent via control change CC messages Encod...

Page 45: ...ncoder e XX Y n encoder message XX encoder number as decimal string same as CC mapping Y step amount as decimal string e g e 59 2 n decrement control 59 by 2 e g e 45 1 n increment control 45 by 1 but...

Page 46: ...on 4 Color Mod Select button 5 LFO1 Warp encoder 43 LFO1 Shape encoder 52 LFO1 Speed encoder 56 LFO1 Level encoder 44 LFO1 On button 1 LFO1 Select button 6 LFO2 Warp encoder 45 LFO2 Shape encoder 53 L...

Page 47: ...encoder 62 Shape B Shape encoder 70 Shape B Size encoder 71 Shape B Speed encoder 78 Shape B Invert button 13 Shape B Autorotate button 11 Shape B On button 15 Shape B Select button 17 Transformer Wa...

Page 48: ...set Page encoder 82 Preset P1 button 20 Preset P2 button 21 Preset P3 button 22 Preset P4 button 23 Preset P5 button 24 Preset P6 button 25 Preset P7 button 26 Preset P8 button 27 Preset P9 button 28...

Page 49: ...d system settings Output settings and level tuning parameters Manual pot parameters for size and level File management functions System shutdown function MIDI Bank and Program Change Presets within th...

Page 50: ...irst If only using 7 bit values send only the MSB Data increment and decrement act on the MSB value only MIDI CC NRPN Controls Control Name Type CC NRPN MSB NRPN LSB Value Color Hue variable 1 1 0 0 1...

Page 51: ...O3 Mod P2 Level variable 1 25 0 127 0 100 LFO3 Mod P3 Level variable 1 26 0 127 0 100 LFO1 Warp variable 10 2 0 0 127 0 100 Warp Type index 11 2 1 selects index Shape variable 12 2 2 selects index Spe...

Page 52: ...boolean 21 3 5 0 63 off 64 127 on CV2 Warp variable 3 6 0 127 0 100 CV2 Speed variable 3 7 0 127 0 100 CV2 Level variable 3 8 0 127 0 100 CV5 Warp variable 3 9 0 127 0 100 CV5 Speed variable 3 10 0 1...

Page 53: ...4 12 0 127 0 100 LFO1 Speed variable 4 13 0 127 0 100 LFO1 Level variable 4 14 0 127 0 100 LFO2 Warp variable 4 15 0 127 0 100 LFO2 Speed variable 4 16 0 127 0 100 LFO2 Level variable 4 17 0 127 0 100...

Page 54: ...variable 5 19 0 127 0 100 LFO3 Size variable 5 20 0 127 0 100 LFO3 Speed variable 5 21 0 127 0 100 Shape B Warp variable 71 6 0 0 127 0 100 Warp Type index 72 6 1 selects index Shape index 73 6 2 sele...

Page 55: ...rmer Warp variable 81 7 0 0 127 0 100 Rotate Offset variable 82 7 1 0 127 0 100 Type index 83 7 2 selects index Source index 84 7 3 selects index Axis Tilt variable 85 7 4 0 127 0 100 Rotation variabl...

Page 56: ...riable 92 8 5 Rotation Z variable 93 8 6 LFO1 Spread variable 8 7 LFO1 Rotate Offset variable 8 8 LFO1 Speed variable 8 9 LFO1 Rotation X variable 8 10 LFO1 Rotation Z variable 8 11 LFO2 Spread variab...

Page 57: ...e LSB index 32 0 9 bank 1 10 100 programs each NRPN Control NRPN Select LSB NRPN 98 select NRPN LSB NRPN Select MSB NRPN 99 select NRPN MSB Data Entry MSB NRPN 6 set MSB of a data value Data Entry LSB...

Page 58: ...Hue Hue shift based on X position Distance Fade Hue Length Y Hue Hue shift based on Y position Distance Fade Hue Length Radial Hue Hue shift based on radial distance Distance Fade Hue Length Source 1...

Page 59: ...ast Audio VU meter with fast response VU Slow Audio VU meter with slow response VU Size Audio VU meter modulating waveform size LFO Shapes Shape Description Sine Sine wave Triangle Triangle wave Ramp...

Page 60: ...e Positional quantize Decimate Time based point decimation Multiply Four quadrant multiplier Swap XY Swap X and Y Size Modulate size X Warp Generate X by warp Y Warp Generate Y by warp Z Warp Generate...

Page 61: ...Alternating 1 Alt 2 Alternating 2 Alt 2A Alternating 2A Rot 1 Rotating 1 2 Clones 2 Radial Clones 3 Clones 3 Radial Clones 4 Clones 4 Radial Clones 5 Clones 5 Radial Clones 2a Clones 2 Animated Clone...

Page 62: ...nential curve on X and Y LFP Low pass filter HPF High pass filter Scale X Scale X axis Scale Y Scale Y axis Scale X Y Scale X and Y axis Y axis scale inverted Shape Types Static Shapes Shape Type Desc...

Page 63: ...Vertical Rectangles Broken Arc 3 Broken Arcs 3 Circ 3 Circles arranged in a triangle 3 Con Circ 3 Concentric Circles 3 points 3 Points in a Line 3 lines 3 Horizontal Lines with a long center 3 Square...

Page 64: ...Lines Triangle with Radial 120 Degree lines Concave Square Square with Concave sides Concave Tri Triangle with Concave sides Crmp Tri Sine Wave Triangle Pt Array 3 Concentric Circles of Points Fade Sq...

Page 65: ...contracting 5 lines 5 Radial lines rotating in and out of center Exp Cir 5 Expanding circles in a linear array 4 Arcs 4 Arcs Rotating and moving in and out from center Line Bnc 2 pairs of radial line...

Page 66: ...Lines Rotating lines appearing in random positions Line Array Lines rotating in a linear array Circ Cross 3 Circles crossing in the center Cir Jug 3 Circles in a lazy swarm Rnd Tri Rotating triangles...