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Sidus Link Pro - Troubleshooting CRMX Pairing

How CRMX linking works and how to fix common linking failures: unpair-and-retry, range issues, multiple transmitters and locked-key fixtures.

Overview

CRMX is the wireless DMX protocol used by Sidus One, Sidus Four and CRMX-capable Aputure fixtures. A fixture has to link with the transmitter before it accepts wireless DMX. This article covers the most common linking failures and how to fix them.

How CRMX Pairing Works

Each time Sidus One or Sidus Four powers up with CRMX active, it connects to fixtures that are linked to it via linking command or linking key. Once paired, the fixture only listens to that transmitter until it is unlinked or linked to a different one.

Pairing a CRMX Fixture

  1. Power on Sidus One or Sidus Four with CRMX enabled.

  2. Power on the fixture, turn on CRMX and Unlink the fixture. (often Control Settings > CRMX  Settings > Unlink).

  3. Wait 5 - 10 seconds. The fixture's CRMX indicator should change to unlinked.

  4. Either press the linking command on your Sidus One/Sidus Four or enter the Linking Key for the desired CRMX transmitter.

  5. Patch the fixture in Fixture View and address it to the correct starting channel.

Issue: Fixture Will Not Pair

  1. Check the fixture's distance from the transmitter. CRMX functions best with line-of-sight; thick walls, people and large metal objects degrade the signal.

  2. Confirm that only one CRMX transmitter is broadcasting in the area. Two transmitters can confuse a fixture trying to pair.

  3. Unlink the fixture first: in its CRMX menu, choose Unlink. The fixture Unlinks from the last transmitter it was linked to and is ready to be linked to a new transmitter.

  4. Power-cycle the fixture. Re-enter linking mode.

Issue: Fixture Was Paired but Is Now Unresponsive

  • Transmitter was power-cycled and is broadcasting a new key - Re-link the fixture.

  • Fixture's CRMX got bumped off - Check the fixture's CRMX status indicator. If it shows unlinked, re-link the fixture.

  • Fixture is linked but DMX address is wrong - Confirm in the DMX Output Window on Sidus Link Pro that DMX values are being sent to the fixture's starting address. If yes, the issue is fixture-side (address mismatch, CRMX off in its menu).

Issue: Multiple Fixtures Paired but Only Some Respond

  • The unresponsive ones are probably out of CRMX range. Move them closer or add another CRMX antenna in the rig.

  • Confirm each fixture's DMX address is unique unless you intend overlap. See Patching a DMX Fixture.

  • On Sidus Four (MAX): confirm the universe assigned to that fixture's CRMX TX matches the universe the fixture is patched to.

Issue: Cannot Unpair a Fixture

If a fixture is locked to an old key and the original transmitter is gone:

  1. Power-cycle the fixture, then try unlinking in the fixtures CRMX menu.

  2. If that does not work, factory-reset the fixture from its menu (you will lose the fixture's local settings).

  3. Unlink from the fixture using the unlink feature on your Sidus One/Sidus Four (this may unlink other linked fixtures as well).

CRMX vs. Sidus BT

If a fixture supports both CRMX and Sidus BT, the two are independent. You can keep BT pairing active while CRMX is unlinked and vice versa. If the fixture is only being controlled over Sidus BT, you do not need the fixture to be linked via CRMX.

Related

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