MADRIX 219001495 STELLA USB and Artnet Interface User Guide

STELLA Technical Manual
Quick Start Guide

219001495 STELLA USB and Ardent Interface

MADRIX® STELLA –
Technical Manual & Quick Start Guide
7th Edition — July 2022

Thank you for purchasing MADRIX® STELLA!
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using MADRIX® STELLA. Make sure that you fully understand all information.
This MADRIX® STELLA Technical Manual is written in English and German.
(Dieses Handback worded in Englisher und detacher Spruce overfast.)
Developed and made in Germany.
Imprint
image GmbH
Wiener Straße 56
01219 Dresden
Germany
Web www.madrix.com
E-mail info@madrix.com
Phone +49 351 862 68690
Managing Directors: Christian Hertel, Sebastian Panzer, Sebastian Weissman

Trademark Credits

Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. Art-Net™ – Designed by and Copyright Artistic Licence Holdings Ltd.
All other products mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. MADRIX® is a registered trademark of image GmbH.
End-Of-Life
** This electrical device and its accessories need to be disposed of properly. Do not throw the device into normal trash or household waste. Please recycle packaging material whenever possible.
Copyright Information And Disclaimer**
© 2022 image GmbH. All rights reserved.
Information is subject to change at any time and without prior notice. Errors and omissions excepted. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited. image GmbH does not grant guarantee on validity for a particular reason, the marketability, or other properties of the product. There is no way to assert a claim to image GmbH, neither in the legal way nor in other ways. image GmbH is not responsible for damages, including all disadvantages that are not just limited to the loss of sales, but that are caused due to the use of the product, due to the loss of serviceability of the product, due to misuse, happenings, circumstances, or actions that image GmbH does not have influence on, no matter if the damages as well as consequential damages are direct or indirect; whether they are special damages or others, nor if the damage is caused by the owner of the warranty or a third person.

Limited Warranty

Five years of limited manufacturer’s warranty are granted to the purchaser of this product with regards to constructional fault, material defect, or incorrect assembly the manufacturer has caused or is to be held responsible for.
This warranty will be void if the interface is opened, modified, or damaged through inappropriate handling, wrong usage, overvoltage, or damaged through any other cause. All details are available online at www.madrix.com/warranty

Package Contents

1x MADRIX® STELLA
1x Set of pluggable screw terminals (2x 3-pin and 1x 2-pin)
1x USB 2.0 cable (certified)
2x Wall-mount brackets
1x This technical manual / quick start guide
Please note: Check the package contents and the condition of the interface after unpacking! Contact your supplier if something is missing or damaged. Do not use the device if it seems to be damaged!

Safety Instructions

Please follow the instructions below to avoid mishandling, damage to the device, or personal injury:

| THE DEVICE WORKS WITH LOW VOLTAGE (DC 5 V – 24 V). DO NOT USE ANY OTHER VOLTAGE!
---|---
| External USB power supplies: Using non-permissible units poses risk of fire. 5.5 V⎓500 mA max. output is allowed.
| Any connected external power supply needs to be fused according to its output and/or short-circuit proof.
| In order to cut off the supply of power completely, you need to disconnect any external power-supply unit as well as USB.

Recommendation: DIN-Rail Power Supply 12 V (MEAN WELL HDR-15-12, DC Output, 12 V, 1.25 A, 15 W, 1 SU, DIN Rail) / Order Number: IA-HW-001027 or DIN-Rail Power Supply 24 V (MEAN WELL HDR-15-24, DC Output, 24 V, 0.63 A, 15.2 W, 1 SU, DIN Rail) / Order Number: IA-HW-001031.
Beware that the interface works with electrical power. Only use the device in dry environments (indoor use). The IP Rating of the device is IP20. Do not use the interface in humid environments and avoid contact with water or any other liquids. Turn off the power if you are not using the device for a long time. It is recommended to always use galvanic isolation (e.g. an opto-isolator /opto-coupler splitter). Avoid unwanted voltage on the DMX lines/ cables at all times. Do not remove any parts from the unit or connect to an ungrounded circuit. Do not connect the unit to LEDs that are switched on. Only connect the unit to DMX fixtures and controllers that are initially powered off. There are no user serviceable parts inside or outside the interface. Repair service lies only within the responsibilities of the manufacturer. If the interface appears to be defective, please contact your dealer. After expiration of the warranty period, you may contact your supplier or the manufacturer to have the unit repaired against payment of an individual service fee if possible. The interface has several ports and slots. Only connect or insert devices, cables, and connectors to the individual ports and slots using connectors of the same type as the port. Do not use inapplicable equipment. This device should be used by professionals. The device is not designed to be operated by non- professionals or children.

Usage

In general, this device is designed to be operated as a hardware control interface to be connected towards various types of controllable lights / lighting controllers via DMX512 by using USB or Art-Net / Streaming ACN over Ethernet.
Do not use the interface for any other, deviating purpose.
The device can be connected to and disconnected from USB or Ethernet network during use and without a reboot (Hot Swapping & Plug and Play).
Multiple interfaces can be used at the same time.

Technical Specifications

Supply Of Power:| DC 5 V – 24 V; over
A) 2-pin, pluggable screw terminal or B) 5 V USB
---|---
Power Consumption:| < 1.5 W (300 mA) during normal operation (500 mA max. fused)
Network Protocols:| Art-Net (I, II, 3, 4, incl. Art Sync), Streaming ACN (SACN / ANSI E1.31)
RDM Role:| Transmits commands and requests to RDM Responders and back (Art-Net Node / RDM Controller)
RDM Responder Count:| 170 RDM Responders max. can be discovered per port
DMX512:| 2x 512 DMX channels, input and/or output (Automatically per port)
Ports:| 2x ports (Via 2x 3-pin, pluggable screw terminals)
Ethernet:| 2x RJ45, Auto MDI-X, daisy-chain support, 10/100 MBit/s (Compatible with 1 GBit/s)
Ethernet Switch:| Lookup Table (ALU) for 1024 unicast MAC addresses
USB:| 1x port, USB 2.0, type-B female socket
Handling:| 5 status LEDs (+4 network status LEDs)
Case:| Non-conductive, V-0 flammability rating (UL94 test method), designed for 35 mm DIN-rails or wall mounting
Dimensions:| 90 mm x 70 mm x 46 mm (Length x Width x Height)
Weight:| 108 g | 125 g incl. screw terminals and wall mounts
Temperature Range:| -10 °C to 70 °C (Operating) | -20 °C to 85 °C (Storage)
Relative Humidity:| 5 % to 80 %, non-condensing (Operating / Storage)
IP Rating:| IP20
Certificates:| CE, EAC, FCC, RoHS
Warranty:| 5 years of limited manufacturer’s warranty

IP Address And Other Device Information

You will find the following important information on the side of the device:

• Serial number (‘Serial’)
• Hardware revision (‘Model’)
• Default and pre-configured IP address (‘Default IP’) (See p. 10 to reset the device to the default IP address if needed.)

Compatibility

MADRIX® STELLA is a standard network node for Art-Net or Streaming ACN.
You can use the device with any compatible software, console, or controller.
See chapter ‘Technical Specifications’ on p. 4 for detailed information.

Using The MADRIX® 5 Software

MADRIX® 5 is a professional and advanced LED lighting control software. It supports Art-Net and Streaming ACN; among many other communication protocols. It is recommended for usage in combination with MADRIX® STELLA, but only required if you would like to send or receive data over USB.
For more information about MADRIX® 5, including its minimum system requirements and supported operating systems, visit the website www.madrix.com
Please note: In order to send out data via MADRIX® STELLA using MADRIX® 5, a MADRIX® 5 software license is required (sold separately)!

Daisy-Chain Support

MADRIX® STELLA features 2 separate Ethernet network ports. Either one is fully functional for IN and OUT and can be used for the data connection without using a separate network switch or router. We recommend to connect a maximum of 40 units after one another in a row, when using Art-Net in Unicast Mode or Streaming ACN Multicast at a max. data rate of 50 FPS / 20 ms without any additional devices in the network. In MADRIX® 5, we highly recommend to activate Art Sync for excellent image quality (see p. 13).

Connectivity

1. Power
2. Right Ethernet port, incl. 2 status LEDs
3. Left Ethernet port, incl. 2 status LEDs
4. USB port
5. Status LED for Power
6. Status LED for USB
7. Status LED for DMX 1
8. Status LED for DMX 2
9. DMX 1
10.  Reset button
11. DIN-rail unlocking clip
12. DMX 2

Please note:
The package contents do not include network cables, power cables, or DMX fixtures.

2x Mounting Brackets:
Put each bracket in the pre-drilled holes on the device’s left and right side.
Safely secure the assembled unit only on solid surfaces using screws with Ø=3.5 mm.

1. Connecting Your Lighting Fixtures See chapter ‘Connection Diagram Variations’ on p. 8 for all possible variations.
   Step 1) Completely switch off your supply of power before connecting your DMX fixtures to the device!
   Step 2) Connect your DMX fixtures to the provided 3-pin screw terminals:
   » Make sure to choose cable lengths according to the DMX specifications.
   » You may connect only to DMX 1, only to DMX 2, or to DMX 1 and DMX 2.
   » Pay attention where to connect GROUND, DMX –, and DMX +; as indicated on the device.
   » Insert each individual wire consecutively and tighten the corresponding screw with a suitable screw driver.
   Step 3) Plug the 3-pin screw terminals into the device. The screws must face upwards.
   Step 4) Supply your DMX fixtures with power.
   Step 5) Continue with ‘2) Connecting To Power And Data’ below.

2. Connecting To Power And Data
   See chapter ‘Connection Diagram Variations’ on p. 8 for all possible variations.
   Step 1) Be careful when handling the device and electrical power! Completely switch off your supply of power before connecting to the device!
   Step 2) Connect your power cables to the provided 2-pin screw terminal:
   » Pay attention where to connect + and –; as indicated on the device.
   » Insert each individual wire consecutively and tighten the corresponding screw with a suitable screw driver.
   Step 3) Plug the 2-pin screw terminal into the device. The screws must face upwards.
   Step 4) Connect to USB or to Ethernet network for data as required.
   Step 5) Do not switch on your supply of power until all required power cables and DMX fixtures are connected to MADRIX® STELLA.

Connection Diagram Variations

Device Configuration Through A Web Browser
Step 1) Connect MADRIX® STELLA and your computer to the same network.
Step 2) Assign correct network settings for your computer in the operating system. (Recommended default settings:
IP address 10.0.0.1 and Subnet mask 255.0.0.0)
Step 3) Open your web browser and enter the IP address of MADRIX® STELLA. (You can find the default IP address on the side of the device.)
Step 4) The built-in web configuration tool will be launched.
Step 5) Change any settings as required. Apply changes with ‘Set’.

MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER

Step 1) Connect devices to your computer over USB or network, but not both!
Step 2) Make sure to stop sending control data to the devices!
Step 3) Start the MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER Software.
Step 4) In MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER, go to the tab ‘Devices’ and confirm or change the network settings and any other settings for your devices as required.
On a selected device, use Right Mouse Click > ‘Open Device Configuration Via HTTP…’ to open the web configuration through a web browser, as explained above.
On a selected device, use Right Mouse Click > ‘Restore Factory Default Settings’ to perform a reset to factory default settings.
For more information, see the MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER User Manual.
The software is available for download from www.madrix.com
Remote Device Management (RDM)
In order to use RDM, call up the built-in web configuration (see above) and go to ‘Network To DMX Output’ > ‘Enable RDM’ for ports ‘DMX 1’ and/or ‘DMX 2’. Make sure to disable RDM on the specific port, when using STELLA for DMX-IN.
Thanks to STELLA’s Packet Multitasking, RDM and Art-Net can be sent and received at the same time and during live operation with a min. frame rate of 22 FPS, an expected average of 34 FPS, and a max. frame rate of 44 FPS, depending on the number of RDM packets.

Description Of Status LED Codes

firmware.
S TATUS| S TATUS LED USB
---|---
Powered off| USB not connected.
Red + blinking green| Communicating over USB.
⭢ Sending or receiving data over USB. The USB port works.
Fading between red + green| Connected to USB; Drivers installed correctly.
⭢ No data is sent over USB.
Orange| Connected to USB; No drivers installed.
⭢ Reinstall software and drivers or try a different USB port.
S TATUS| S TATUS LED DMX 1| S TATUS LED DMX 2
---|---|---
Powered off| No data is sent.| No data is sent.
Blinking green| Sending or receiving data.
⭢ The DMX port works.| Sending or receiving data.
⭢ The DMX port works.
S TATUS| S TATUS LED S E THERNET P ORTS
---|---
Green off| 10 MBit/s connected.
Green on| 100 MBit/s connected.
Orange on| Network connected.
Orange blinking| Sending or receiving data. ⭢ The Ethernet port works.

Reset To Factory Default Settings

In rare cases, you might need to do a reset to factory default settings:
Step 1) Disconnect all connections from the device (power, data, DMX).
Step 2) Use a suitable tool to press the reset button (between ‘DMX 1’ and ‘2’).
Step 3) Continue to press the reset button and supply power again over ‘Power’ or ‘USB’.
Step 4) Continue to press the reset button and wait until all status LEDs of the device flash repeatedly or wait 10 seconds.
Please note: Simply repeat these steps should the process fail.

How To Install On DIN-Rails

Mounting (Pictured Left)
Step 1) Hook the device in an angle onto the upper edge of the rail.
Step 2) Pull the unlocking clip.
Step 3) Press the lower part of the device against the rail and let the clip snap into position.

Unmounting (Pictured Right)
Step 1) Pull the unlocking clip.
Step 2) Lift the lower part of the device from the rail in an angle.
Step 3) Lift the device from the rail.
Using The MADRIX® 5 Software
You can mainly use 3 operating modes together with the MADRIX® 5 Software:

•  DMX-OUT And/Or DMX-IN Via Art-Net
• DMX-OUT And/Or DMX-IN Via Streaming ACN
• DMX-OUT And/Or DMX-IN Via USB

In MADRIX® 5, make sure to activate the correct drivers first:

• For USB, go to ‘Preferences’ > ‘Options…’ > ‘Devices USB’,
• For sACN, go to ‘Preferences’ > ‘Options…’ > ‘Devices Network’,
• For Art-Net, go to ‘Preferences’ > ‘Device Manager…’ > ‘Art-Net’.

Configure and activate your devices in order to send or receive data:

• Go to ‘Preferences’ > ‘Device Manager…’ > ‘DMX Devices’,
• Go to ‘Preferences’ > ‘Device Manager…’ > ‘DMX Input’.

For more information, see the MADRIX® 5 User Manual.

How To Update The Firmware

It is highly recommended to always update devices to the latest firmware.
MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER is a separate software for basic device configuration and to perform firmware updates. It is available for download from www.madrix.com and requires an active internet connection to download firmware files.
Step 1) Connect devices to your computer over USB or network, but not both!
Step 2) Make sure to stop sending control data to the devices!
Step 3) Start the MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER Software and navigate to the tab ‘Devices’ > column ‘Firmware’ and select the new firmware from the list for your devices.
For more information, see the MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER User Manual.

Further Information

Digital documentation files, including this technical manual, the general user manual, as well as the datasheet are available online at help.madrix.com
They are also downloaded automatically by the MADRIX ® HARDWARE MANAGER Software. Go to the tab ‘Devices’ > Right Mouse Click on a selected device > ‘Show Documentation Directory…’ to access them.

Technical Support

In case of further questions concerning handling of MADRIX® STELLA or technical problems, use the following resources for troubleshooting:

•  Read the MADRIX® STELLA User Manual
• Contact your dealer
• Have a look at the website and online forum at www.madrix.com
• You can also directly contact info@madrix.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do the blinking LEDs on the device mean?

Please read the chapter 'Description Of Status LED Codes' (see p. 10).

How can I change the IP address?

You can use the built-in web configuration tool (see p. 9).

The current IP address cannot be reached. What can I do?

You could perform a reset to factory default settings (see p. 10).

Does the device support RDM?

Yes. RDM is supported by MADRIX® STELLA (see p. 9).

Is it possible to use more than one MADRIX® STELLA?

Yes. Art-Net or Streaming ACN is recommended for large projects by connecting multiple devices to a switch (1 GBit/s) via suitable components to create a network or use the built-in daisy-chain support (see p. 5).

Where do I activate the ArtSync sync mode?

In the MADRIX® 5 Software, it can be activated under 'Preferences...' > 'Device Manager...' > tab 'Art-Net' > 'Artsy'.

Where can I find the latest firmware update?

Use the MADRIX® HARDWARE MANAGER Software (see p. 12).

Can I use other controllers apart from MADRIX® 5 to control fixtures?

Yes. When using MADRIX® STELLA as a standard network node, you can use it in combination with other compatible software, consoles, and controllers.

Do I need a MADRIX ® STELLA and a MADRIX® 5 License on a MADRIX ® KEY?

If you want to use MADRIX® 5, yes. The MADRIX® 5 software license is necessary and sold separately.

Can I repair MADRIX® STELLA myself?

No. Do not attempt any repairs. Any attempt will void your warranty (see p. 2)!

What can I do if my unit does not work anymore?

Please contact your dealer or supplier if the device seems to be defective.

References

• MADRIX | LIGHTING CONTROL - Home
• MADRIX | LIGHTING CONTROL - Limited Warranty / Eingeschränkte Herstellergarantie

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