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Martin MAC Aura XIP troubleshooting
The Martin MAC Aura XIP problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called Aura, Aura XIP, MAC Aura). 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 MAC Aura XIP 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 →
Green/Magenta tint looks off at default — CTC/tint channels not neutral
Likely cause: Neutral for a bipolar tint parameter is mid-scale (128); a profile that defaults it to full pushes a permanent color cast until re-centered.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
How to update firmware on the MAC Aura XIP
Likely cause: The XIP supports USB-C, DMX, and Ethernet flashing; Companion manages version download and delivery.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Control panel/display only works when plugged into AC (no battery menu access)
Likely cause: The XIP lets you set address/mode on battery power; a dead battery removes that convenience and, once flat, requires factory replacement.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
grandMA3: Move In Black (MIB) not working for Pan/Tilt/Zoom in Basic mode
Likely cause: MA3 triggers Move In Black using the main instance's dimmer; if that instance has no dimmer attribute, the console cannot detect darkness to move within.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Choosing the right DMX mode / channel count for the show
Likely cause: The XB-compatible modes replicate the older fixture's channel map so XIPs slot into legacy shows; higher modes expose more pixel/effect channels at the cost of footprint.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Fixture resets fine but responds erratically or not at all to the console
Likely cause: Unterminated or noisy DMX lines and address/mode mismatches are the most common cause of erratic response; termination and one-at-a-time bypass isolate a link fault fast.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Light output cuts out intermittently / beam temp cutoff (BETC "BEAM TMP CUTOFF")
Likely cause: The XIP drops output when a PCB/LED temperature sensor exceeds its cutoff threshold; restoring cooling keeps it below that limit.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
MMER / "MISSING MODULE ERR" on boot
Likely cause: MMER means an expected internal board did not answer on the bus; a power cycle clears a transient comms glitch, a persistent error is a hardware/connection fault.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
PAER/PFTC/PTTE etc. — pan/tilt feedback timeout ("PAN FBACK ERR" / "TILT FBACK ERR")
Likely cause: A power cycle re-runs the homing/indexing routine, which clears transient feedback timeouts; a repeating error indicates a hardware sensor fault.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
COLD / "FIXTURE COLD" — pan/tilt and effects will not move
Likely cause: Moving mechanics while too cold risks damage, so firmware locks motion until the head self-heats; running LEDs at full is the quickest warm-up.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Display shows UITW / "UI TEMP HIGH" warning
Likely cause: UITW is an early over-temp warning on the control-panel PCB; lowering ambient/airflow removes the condition before a hard cutoff occurs.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Display shows WTTL / "WET TOO LONG" warning
Likely cause: The XIP is IP66 but trapped moisture must be actively driven out; the built-in DRY OFF routine runs the fans/heat to clear the warning and prevent internal corrosion.
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 MAC Aura XIP
- 1. Pick the Martin MAC Aura XIP. 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.
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