Lighting
Martin ELP Series troubleshooting
The Martin ELP Series problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called ELP, ELP CL, ELP PAR, ELP WW). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common ELP Series errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Addressing/patching a full rig of ELPs quickly without a ladder to each panel
Likely cause: RDM lets you address and configure the whole rig from front-of-house; non-RDM splitters silently block it.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Colors/white point do not match between ELP heads or against other brands
Likely cause: Calibrated mode trades a little output for unit-to-unit consistency so a wash of ELPs reads as one even color.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Dimming looks steppy or does not match other fixtures in a fade
Likely cause: A shared dimming curve makes mixed fixtures fade together instead of pulling ahead/behind.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
ELP flickers on camera at high shutter speed / for broadcast
Likely cause: PWM/shutter interference causes on-camera banding; adjusting PWM frequency removes the beat pattern.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Fan noise from an ELP too loud for a quiet room / house of worship / broadcast
Likely cause: Regulated/low fan modes trade a bit of output for near-silent operation in sound-sensitive spaces.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Need the core specs to spec/patch an ELP fixture (which model, output, power draw, DMX footprint)
Likely cause: One-stop spec recall so techs pick the right head and budget power/DMX correctly on a plot.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Need to focus/shutter-cut an ELP with no console or data running to it
Likely cause: Lets a solo tech focus from the ladder without a board op or DMX present.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Setting DMX address and picking a personality/channel mode on an ELP CL/WW
Likely cause: 16-bit (17-ch) gives smooth fades; wrong personality is the 1 cause of "channels are off by one/patched wrong".
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Updating firmware on an ELP fixture / making sure it is current
Likely cause: Companion pulls the current build automatically and can flash the whole rig over existing DMX/Ethernet.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Using an ELP outdoors / data connections on the IP65 (ELP CL IP, ELP PAR IP) versions
Likely cause: IP65 protection only holds if every port is sealed with rated connectors/caps; one open port defeats it.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the ELP Series
- 1. Pick the Martin ELP Series. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.