Page 1 of 4 >>
Lighting Review: Apollo Design Technology MXR Color Mixing Scroller
Just as I was finishing up my article on Color Changers last year [CPM May 2008], Apollo Design Technology was putting the finishing touches on its new MXR color mixing scroller. At the time there was little information or specifications on the new product and no released units that I could get my hands on to try out. Launched in the Spring of 2008, there are now a number of MXR scrollers available with many in use in churches as well as schools and theatres, so I thought it would be a good time to take a deeper look at the product.
The MXR color mixing scroller is the next step in the progression of Apollo’s scroller range. “After the introduction of the Apollo Smart Color scroller, a number of lighting designers, end users and dealers were asking for a means of quickly mixing and matching a varied palette of colors,” says Keith Kankovsky, dealer manager for Apollo. Most standard scrollers, such as Smart Color, have around 24-32 different colors in one color string. If you want different colors options, you have to change the color string out. In a number of facilities there isn’t the time or the crew to change out scrolls, plus there is the additional cost of different color strings.
MXR Stats & Notes
The color mixing MXR uses the subtractive color mixing method to achieve the desired hue and saturation. The MXR uses two separate proprietary color strings—the front string is Yellow to Magenta and the back one is Cyan to Yellow—in a progression of hues, from tints to more saturated colors with a clear in roughly the middle of each string. The steps are calculated to allow for easy mixing of colors. Each string uses a DMX channel, allowing you to move them back and forth to match the color you are looking for. Apollo has added Apollo 8350 (Bludgeon Red) and Apollo 3800 (Cowboys & Indigo) to each end of the front string, and Apollo 4250 (Apollo Blue) and Apollo 5300 (Apollo Green) to each end of the back string to give you the option of working with primary additive colors. You can mix your own colors or you can use the handy chart that is included in the manual to achieve over 325 popular Apollo, Lee and Rosco color matches. A third DMX channel controls the fan speed.
When it comes to scrollers, I have to admit to being old school and having a preference for the standard one-color string models with colors that I specify. However, the more that I play with color mixing scrollers; they are growing on me. I do see the benefits of them and once I have the mixing down, it is easy to get quite a range of colors from the two-color string mixing units. It does help at the start that Apollo has created the chart in the manual for a number of color combinations that match existing color filters that not only include the Apollo range, but also colors from Lee and Rosco. Plus, practice does help in getting the mixing down.
The MXR scroller uses four, direct-drive motors to move the color strings back and forth. This allows for proper tensioning of the strings as well as for quick movement when you need it. There are no belts or gears to slip. This helps with the mixing accuracy as well as keeping the color string taut. Loose color strings flap and create more noise. The MXR is fairly quiet in its movements so there isn’t the distraction of noise when making color changes. In action, Apollo’s specifications call for it to be less than 70db. It is a mechanical device and it does produce noise. The speed range of the MXR is very nice—from very fast to a nice slow creep for subtler changes. The body is made of aluminum and looks like it would hold up to the rigors of touring. Certainly, they will be just fine when put up on your lights and left to be used on a daily or weekly basis.
Page 1 of 4 next page >>
Michael S. Eddy writes about design and technology. He can be reached at mseddy2900@hotmail.com. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Post a Comment
ADD NEW COMMENT