AC612 Editor¶

This manual explains how to use the ELC AC612 Editor (PC/Mac) to create, edit, back up, and transfer memories (scenes and chases) for all AC612 XU variants: AC612XUB / XUBX / XUF / XUFX / XUBF / XUBFX / AC612DIN.

Key idea: With the AC612 Editor you can create memories with multiple steps (device total 126 steps) and use USB to Import/Export memories and settings to/from the device.

AC612DIN note: Memories for AC612DIN can only be created using the AC612 Editor software.

What the AC612 Editor Does¶

The AC612 Editor is used to preprogram the AC612XU’s memory and manage device settings from a computer.

You can: - Create memories for each button or fader - Build a memory from multiple steps (scene or chase) - Set per-step timing (Crossfade Time and Duration) - Import/Export memories & settings via USB - Optionally merge live output with Editor output (HTP merge mode inside the Editor)

Concepts & Terminology¶

Memory¶

A memory is a stored state of DMX output. All memories have 512 channels.

Each memory can be: - A scene (one step) - A chase (multiple steps)

Step¶

A step is one frame/state inside a memory. The device has a total capacity of 126 steps across the whole unit.

Each step has: - Crossfade Time: fade time into this step - Duration: how long the step remains before the next step activates

STOP and looping¶

If Duration = STOP, playback of that memory ends at that step
If no step in a memory is set to STOP, the memory will loop through all steps

Before You Begin¶

A safe and reliable workflow:

Connect device to your computer via USB
In the Editor: Device → Import (backup what’s in the unit)
File → Save As… and version your file
Edit/program steps and settings
Device → Export to write changes back to the AC612

Why Import first? It prevents overwriting a unit that already has working memories/settings.

Editor Interface Overview¶

The manual shows a “Main window” section and describes how you work: - Program DMX using keyboard (command line) or mouse - Record steps using Record Step or Add Step - Manage device interaction via Device menu

New → clear all memories and settings
Open → open a previously created setup of memories and settings
Save → store all memories & settings to disk
Save as → store all memories & settings to disk (different file name)
Exit → quit the application

Recommended practice - Use Save As for revisions (e.g., Project_v01, Project_v02) so you can roll back.

View DMX → reopen the DMX window if it is not displayed
Merge DMX → if checked the DMX output of the AC612XU will be a HTP merge of the device DMX and the Editor
Grab DMX → load the device DMX data into the Editor
Settings → open the Settings window (explained below)
Import → load memories & settings from the device into the Editor
Export → store memories & settings from the Editor onto the device

Record Step → opens the Record window to update the current step or store the information to a different/new step
Add Step → similar to Record Step but the step number is incremented
Delete Step → removes the currently selected step
Clear Editor → sets all channels in the Editor to 0%
Clear Memory → deletes all steps in the memory

View Mode¶

Select the naming of the cue list tabs to match your device.

About → show the software version

Programming DMX in the Editor¶

The Editor can be used either with: - Keyboard (command line), or - Mouse

Keyboard / Command Line Programming¶

The keys used are: - 0–9 → digit entry
- +, -
- t (or / on Windows keypad) → through
- ' (or * on Windows keypad) → at
- f (or . on Windows keypad) → full
- Enter → activate command

Examples: - 1 t 12 ' 50 → channels 1 through 12 at 50%
- 1 + 3 f → channel 1 and 3 at 100%

Tips - Use “through” for quick ranges. - Build a base look first, then adjust selected channels for accents.

Mouse Programming¶

Left click a channel in the Editor window to select it (highlighted in yellow).
To select multiple channels: hold Ctrl while clicking.
To change the value: click and drag:
Left mouse button drag: normal change speed
Right mouse button drag: slower for precision

Recording Steps (Scenes and Chases)¶

Record Step vs Add Step¶

Record Step: opens the Record window to update the current step or store to a different/new step
Add Step: same, but the step number is incremented

Opening the Record Step window¶

Select Record Step from the Device menu (or press R or A) to open the Record Step window.

Record Step fields (what they mean)¶

From the Record Step window: - Step number: step index (device total capacity 126 steps) - Crossfade Time: fade time for the step - Duration: how long the step will last (before next step is activated) - Duration = STOP: ends playback of the memory at that step
- If no STOP exists in the memory, it loops through all steps

Building Common Outcomes¶

Make a single scene (one-step memory)¶

Create the DMX look in the Editor
Record Step to Step 1
Set Duration = STOP
Export to device

Result: a static scene that doesn’t loop.

Make a looping chase¶

Create Step 1 → Record/Add Step → set Crossfade/Duration
Create Step 2 → Add Step → set Crossfade/Duration
Continue…
Ensure no step is set to STOP

Result: chase loops continuously.

Make a chase that ends on the last step¶

Build your steps as usual
On the last step, set Duration = STOP

Result: plays through and stops at the final look.

Device Settings¶

The Device Settings window provides an easy menu to change device settings like: - merge mode - store disable - etc.

The manual notes that these functions are described in the Setup Mode section of the same user manual.

Mask (DMX Merge Channel Masking)¶

The Mask feature allows you to selectively mask certain DMX channels for the DMX merge functionality.

By default, all channels are set to 100%, meaning merging is enabled for every channel in the incoming universe.
Setting specific channels to 0% will exclude them from the merge result.

Use this when you want the merge to ignore specific channels (for example, to prevent certain fixture parameters from being overridden when merging).

16-Bit (Fine Channel Assignment / Smooth 16-bit Dimming)¶

The 16-Bit feature enables smooth dimming (and other smooth parameter control) for 16-bit parameters.

Basic example - Suppose you have a 16-bit dimmer assigned to DMX channel 1: - Coarse parameter on channel 1 - Fine parameter on channel 2 - To inform the AC612 software that channel 2 belongs to channel 1, set an offset of -1 for channel 2.

When coarse and fine are not adjacent If the coarse and fine parameters (two 8-bit channels) are separated by multiple channels in the patch, increase the offset accordingly.

Example moving head personality: 1. Intensity
2. Pan
3. Tilt
4. Pan Fine
5. Tilt Fine

To link channel 4 (Pan Fine) to channel 2 (Pan), set a Fine Channel Assignment of -2.

Version note: This option is only available in AC612 software version 2.91. The menu option in older versions is non-functional.

Working With Live DMX and the Editor¶

Grab DMX (capture what’s on the device)¶

Use Device → Grab DMX to load the device DMX data into the Editor.

Use cases - You already have a good look running on-site and want to turn it into a recorded step. - You want to “start from current output” and refine.

Merge DMX (Editor + device output)¶

If Merge DMX is enabled, the DMX output becomes an HTP merge of: - device DMX, and - Editor output

Note - This affects what the device outputs while enabled—use carefully in live environments.

Import / Export (Backups and Deployment)¶

Import (Device → Editor)¶

Device → Import loads memories & settings from the device into the Editor.

Use Import to: - Back up an existing installation - Verify what programming is currently present - Start editing from the unit’s current state

Export (Editor → Device)¶

Device → Export stores memories & settings from the Editor onto the device.

Use Export to: - Deploy a programmed show to a controller - Update a venue’s memories after changes

Strong recommendation - Always Import + Save As before your first Export, unless you are intentionally overwriting everything.

Variant Notes¶

AC612DIN¶

Memories can only be created on the AC612DIN through the AC612 Editor software.

Firmware Upgrade¶

Firmware upgrades are performed with USB Update software (separate from the Editor), available from ELC’s download center. The manual warns: previously created memories might get lost during the update.

Button/fader/button+fader versions: Firmware upgrade steps¶

Power off the device
Press and hold Store
Connect USB to computer
(Windows) install USB drivers from the downloaded .zip if needed
Start USB Update program
Press Update
Select the downloaded firmware
When completed: Exit program, disconnect USB
Power up device

DIN version: Firmware upgrade steps¶

Disconnect power source
Remove white cover (two clips, one on either side)
Locate the ‘update’ jumper
Put the jumper in the ‘update’ position
Connect USB to computer
(Windows) install USB drivers from the downloaded .zip if needed
Start USB Update program
Press Update
Select downloaded firmware
When completed: Exit program, disconnect USB
Put the ‘update’ jumper back to original position
Replace cover, reconnect power

Troubleshooting¶

I can’t get the look into the Editor quickly¶

Use Device → Grab DMX to load device DMX data into the Editor.

My chase loops but I want it to stop¶

Set the final step’s Duration to STOP.

Merge behavior is confusing on-site¶

If Merge DMX is checked, output is an HTP merge of device DMX and Editor. Disable Merge DMX for “pure device output.”

After firmware update, memories are missing¶

The manual warns that memories might get lost during firmware update; always do an Import + Save backup first.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet¶

Essential device interaction¶

Import: device → Editor (backup)
Export: Editor → device (deploy)
Grab DMX: copy current device DMX into Editor
Merge DMX: HTP merge Editor + device output

Command line keys¶

t = through
' = at
f = full
Enter = execute

Step rules¶

Total steps: 126
STOP ends playback; no STOP means loop