Lighting and control
MDG theONE
Separate unit enable, emission and output level; read the fluid and gas status before repatching or interrupting the purge.
Model and purpose
- Manufacturer
- MDG Fog Generators
- Model
- MDG theONE
- Configuration
- theONE generator; distinguish standalone installation from Touring rack
- Power
- 100–250 VAC, 50/60 Hz; 1100–1480 W
- Consumables
- MDG Neutral mineral-oil fluid only; industrial CO2 or N2 gas with the specified installation
- Control
- 5 DMX channels; XLR, Ethernet and local keyboard; revision-specific network configuration
An atmospheric generator with fog and haze modes. Fluid and gas are separate consumables, and powered electronics alone do not establish readiness. Confirm that the venue accepts the specified fluid and gas installation before planning the effect.
Prepare your inquiry
- Date, city, venue and setup, event and pickup schedule.
- Intended use, area dimensions and equipment already supplied by the venue or production.
- Effect type, duration and venue ventilation conditions.
- Approved consumable, venue permission and operation required in the proposal.
Specify equipment only or whether setup, programming, operation and strike are also needed. Scope is confirmed in the proposal.
You do not need a final equipment list: tell us the result you want and the part you need help with. Availability and scope are confirmed in the proposal.
Features and connections
The external bottle feeds an internal reservoir. A visible supply of fluid is not proof that the internal level has been restored; the refill pump can run during startup.
DMX/RDM uses 5-pin XLR and network control uses RJ45. Confirm the Pathway board revision, accepted protocol and universe with the network operator. A network reset is not a routine first check; it can remove the existing configuration.
Prepare the system
- Record configuration, VERSION, FIRMWARE, communication source, mode and address. Preserve the show and network settings before changes.
- Have trained personnel prepare upright secured cylinders, the matching gas regulator and rated lines. Use gas-phase supply, not siphon/liquid CO2, and do not improvise adapters or pressure settings.
- Keep generator and fluid container upright, ventilation clear and the test attended. Agree detection, visibility and exhaust with the venue. Wait for READY and compare the intended low-output cue before enabling emission.
Questions and troubleshooting
DMX is present but there is no output, or the keyboard is locked: what should I compare?
Communication selection and emission enables are separate. AUTO gives valid DMX priority over local control.
- Read INTERFACE / COMM. LOCAL, DMX and ETHERNET select different sources; compare the actual source before changing the address. For a local test, stop remote commands and agree the handover first.
- Compare all channels: 1 UNIT, 2 MODE, 3 OUTPUT, 4 HAZ/FOG and 5 EXT FAN. Raising output alone does not enable the unit or emission. Read the received values and READY state.
- Match the complete personality and universe. The documented last starting address is 508; the calculated end is 508 + 5 - 1 = 512. Do not clear a network security domain merely to test a patch.
The external bottle is full but REFILL or a pressure error appears: where do I trace it?
REFILL concerns replenishing the internal reservoir; P. LOW and P. HIGH concern the gas/pressure system. They are different diagnostic paths.
- For REFILL, stop emission and inspect the external fluid level, correct vented cap and seated intake line. Compare STATUS / LEVEL with the manual; do not open a pressurized reservoir.
- For a pressure error, record STATUS / PRESSURE and the exact error. Have trained personnel check gas type, supply and the specified installation; a full fluid bottle cannot correct an unavailable gas supply.
- Stop for a leak, frozen line or recurring fault and use authorized service. Do not defeat a sensor or keep restarting the generator to force it to run.
Can I stop a cue by cutting mains power, or change mode while emitting?
Normal shutdown includes purge and depressurization. A live mode change can also change the visible output immediately.
- Stop emission with FOG OFF and keep power available. The cited sequence allows 1 minute for purge plus 30 seconds for reservoir depressurization; verify completion rather than pulling power mid-cycle.
- Then select UNIT OFF, switch off mains and close the gas bottles as documented. A remote UNIT OFF also requires complete depressurization before mains is removed.
- Rehearse mode changes with the output area clear. HAZE to FOG can produce fog immediately; FOG to HAZE includes an automatic purge. Do not discover that transition near performers.
Should we use it to reveal beams or create a denser fog scene?
We can assess HAZE and FOG against the visual reference, but mode selection alone does not define the room’s atmosphere. Distribution, ventilation and stage lighting contribute to the result.
- Share approximate dimensions, height, light positions, camera and density reference. Test levels and distribution under permitted conditions while maintaining visibility and ventilation; room volume alone does not determine quantity.
- We can compare an agreed mode and layout, zoned equipment or a lighting design without emission. If both modes are needed, rehearse the intended transition; instant switching and identical behavior in every environment are not promised.
What should the proposal include besides the generator?
Fluid and gas are separate supplies. Generator rental does not establish included cylinders, regulator, lines, fan, rack or personnel.
- State existing equipment, venue permissions, duration and load-in access. Identify MDG Neutral and the appropriate gas supply and installation with trained personnel, without improvised connections or substituting water for fluid.
- We can assess additions to an existing system or a scope with preparation, consumables, configuration and operation. Agree responsibility for replenishment, control, completed purge and removal; quantities, accessories and availability need confirmation in the proposal.
Quick reference
| Function | Channel | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Unit enable / mode | 1 / 2 | Heating and selected effect |
| Output / emission | 3 / 4 | Level and separate emission gate |
| External fan | 5 | Touring accessory / actual setup |
Precautions
- Allow 1 m at the sides and 2 m in front and to personnel under the cited installation guidance; keep away from flame. Use dry sheltered conditions and the complete manual for the installation.
- A Touring rack has its own mounting procedure. Do not infer a suspension approval for the bare generator; never hang the rack above an audience or electrical or flammable equipment.
- Follow the periodic inspection schedule for fluid lines, gas lines and the rack. Do not add water, fragrances or another fog fluid, and do not vent or service pressurized components yourself.
Terms on this page
- DMX
- A data protocol controlling lighting functions; each model defines what its channels mean.
- RDM
- Management communication for querying or configuring compatible equipment over a compatible path.
- Patch
- Assignment of fixture, profile, address and universe in the control system.
- Personality
- A control mode defining the channels and functions used by a fixture.
Documentation and sources
Scope: User Guide B/c, September 2023. Published warm-up and consumption figures vary by edition; actual readiness and the installed revision govern preparation.
Guides to plan your system
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