Table of Contents 1. About the Vortex8 5. Controls 6. Connectivity 1.1 Overview 5.1 Controlling the Vortex8 6.1 Best Of Class Connectivity 1.2 Part Numbers 5.2 On-board Keypad and Display 6.2 Wired DMX Control 1.3 Warnings 5.3 Introducing CreamOS 6.3 Wireless DMX Control 1.4 Compliance Notes 5.4 CreamOS Home Screen 6.4 Streaming ACN (sACN)
The Vortex8 is a versatile 2x1 RGBW system with a CCT range from 2200K to 15000K that can be used as a hard punch light to bounce or push through diffusion, or as a creamy soft light with the Creamsource Dome or DoPchoice Snapbag. Effects and colour gels are built into the latest CreamOS architecture in addition to a range of new features wrapped into an intuitive user interface.
1. About the Vortex8 1.2 Part Numbers The table below lists part numbers for the Creamsource Vortex system. Part Number Description K-CSV-8-ESS Vortex8 Essentials Kit: Includes Fixture, Yoke, Power Cable, Flat Diffuser. CSV-8 Vortex8 650W Colour Fixture, Head Only Vortex8 User Manual Page 4 Version 1.2...
1. About the Vortex8 1.3 Warnings IMPORTANT - Power Vortex8 with the supplied PowerCon Cable only. (When using Vortex8 with water you must only use the supplied cable as not all PowerCon cables are water resistant. Use etherCON TOP connector only for preventing water from damaging ethernet ports Vortex8 is rated IP65.
1. About the Vortex8 1.4 Compliance Notes This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Certifications: CE, FCC, RCM I P 6 5 Please make sure discarded electrical waste is properly recycled to reduce environmental impact.
2. Getting started 2.1 What’s in the Box Vortex8 ships with the following items included in the box. Vortex8 Yoke AC PowerCON Cable T30 Torx Key Vortex8 User Manual Page 7 Version 1.2...
3. Water and Temperature 3.1 Water The IP65 rating of the Vortex8 fixture means it can survive low pressure water jets in all directions, but not full submersion. It also means that it has a high resistance to dust and dirt. Precautions are advised. The supplied PowerCon cable must be used when the Vortex8 is exposed to water.
4. Transport and Safety 4.1 Yoke Assembly The Vortex8 ships with a quick release yoke system that is assembled using a T30 Torx tool provided. The standard yoke allows for mounting to a combo stand with a standard baby pin receiver. Use the hex key to fix Adjust until finger tight, Included parts.
4. Transport and Safety 4.2 Rigging The Vortex8 has a unique dual 3/8th threaded corner system to support complex rigging setups and Vortex8 arrays . Ensure that mounting point is safe and secure and is rated to take the full unit weight. Ensure fastener length does not exceed the depth of the threaded rigging point, or they may become stuck.
4. Transport and Safety 4.3 Filter Rails There are various accessories that are available for V8 that can slide into the front two accessory rails. Eg a standard diffuser and a honeycomb grid. Accessories slide into the rail system and lock securely with unique lock and latch system.
4. Transport and Safety 4.4 Installing a Dome Installing the Dome the Vortex8 widens the native 20° beam angle. This modifier softens the source and reduces shadowing. Install the Dome into the safety filter rail as per steps above in the “Rails Filter” section. Slide the dome into the first filter rail.
4. Transport and Safety 4.5 Installing a Honeycomb The honeycomb reduces the beam angle and stops ambient spill of light. This works great in with the standard diffuser in the second slot. Slide the honeycomb into the first filter rail. Push top latch down to engage the lock on each side.
4. Transport and Safety 4.6 Installing a Diffuser The standard diffuser softens the native hard light and widens the beam angle. This modifier works well inconjunction with the dome and the honecomb. Slide the diffuser into the first filter rail. Push top latch down to engage the lock on each side.
5. Controls 5.1 Controlling the Vortex8 There are several different ways of controlling the fixture, which are detailed below. On-board keypad Wireless DMX using inbuilt Wired remote dimmer sACN over ethernet Wired DMX and display Lumen Radio system control (sold separately) connection 5.2 On-board Keypad and Display LCD display...
CreamOS is driven by the following screens: Colour Mode Effects Mode Home screen Settings screen Visit www.creamsource.com/support for the latest version of CreamOS. Vortex8 User Manual Page 16 Version 1.2...
5. Controls 5.4 CreamOS Home Screen Control parameters and access the functions from the home screen. Current mode Notifications tray Colour mode When orange, Effects mode Effects Mode is on Hold to turn off an Effect User Presets / Next Page Hold to access User Preset when Next Page is shown Level...
5. Controls 5.5 CreamOS Colour Mode Easily switch Colour modes from this screen. Notifications tray Cycle forward RGBW Cycle back Select mode GELS CCT HSV CCT RGBW CCT XY CCT GELS Colour mode description Selected colour mode For more information about the Colour Mode menu, go to 5.7 Menu Functions Vortex8 User Manual Page 18 Version 1.2...
This icon is displayed on effects that require an external sync source. Flash Frames Calibrate Sync More effects may be added in future firmware updates. Visit www.creamsource.com/support for the latest version of CreamOS. Vortex8 User Manual Page 19 Version 1.2...
5. Controls 5.6.1 Effects Off This is the default setting and will turn off any effects. 5.6.2 Candle & Fire Realistic candle are firelight effect with control over preset, intensity, speed and colour. SETTING RANGE DESCRIPTION PRESET Choose from presets that closely mimic various fire effects. 1 Custom / 2 Calm Candle / 3 Windy Candle / 4 Fireplace / 5 Campfire / 6 Bonfire / 7 Inferno / 8 Gas Fire INTENSITY 0-100%...
5. Controls 5.6.4 Television Changes CCT and green/magenta to simulate light cast by TV screen, with control over speed, dynamic range and CCT. SETTING RANGE DESCRIPTION SPEED 0-100% Speed of effect DYNAMIC RANGE 0-100% Dynamic range of effect (amount brightness can vary by) 2200-10000k Base CCT for the effect 5.6.5 Party...
5. Controls 5.6.6 Pulse Pulse of light fading in and out with control of frequency and pulse speed. SETTING RANGE DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY 0-100% How often the effect will display PULSE SPEED 0-100% The speed the pulse effect 5.6.7 Paparazzi Random camera flash-bulb effect with control of speed, decay speed and CCT. SETTING RANGE DESCRIPTION...
5. Controls 5.6.9 Strobe Strobe effect with control over frequency, brightness & duty cycle. SETTING RANGE DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY 0.1-50Hz Frequency of strobe effect DUTY CYCLE 0-100% The ratio between light OFF and ON times 5.6.10 Random Create a random pattern of flashes with control over frequency, length & variation. SETTING RANGE DESCRIPTION...
5.6.13 Flash Frames Use this mode to create flashes tightly synchronised to the camera shutter. Must be used in conjunction with a sync source such as Creamsource FlashBandit, or Genlock output of camera. The duration of the flash ON and OFF is specified in Frames - e.g. Flash 1 frame ON, followed by 3 frames OFF, repeat.
5. Controls 5.6.14 Calibrate Sync This is a special mode used for calibrating the light to an external sync source, such as the FlashBandit sync box. It is used to make sure the camera shutter and Vortex8 are synchronised, to prevent the flash-banding effects when shooting on a CMOS sensor camera or when using frame synchronised effects such as Flash Frames.
5. Controls 5.21 Notifications Tray / Status Bar The notification tray in the top right corner will display active features or warnings. Notifications tray / status bar DC Battery DC Battery Source DC Battery Source Calibrated Source (Power Limit Set) (Power Limit Actived) RGBW Dimming...
5. Controls 5.22 User Presets The User Preset menu can be accessed from the Home screen shortcut icon or the Settings menu, from here you will be able to store, restore and clear User Presets for Effects and Colour modes. User Presets shortcut Access the User Preset Options...
5. Controls 5.23 Storing a User Preset 1. Select an Effect or Colour and adjust the parameters to the desired result. 2. Select the User Preset from the Home screen or Settings menu. 3. Choose an empty slot and press Select to store it to that slot. A dialogue message will appear to show it has been stored. 5.24 Restoring a User Preset 1.
Flash Frames Use this mode to create flashes tightly synchronised to the camera shutter. Must be used in conjunction with a sync source such as Creamsource FlashBandit Calibrate Sync Helps synchronise the camera shutter and Vortex8 to prevent the flash-banding effects when shooting on a...
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5. Controls 5.27 Menu Functions Cont. USER PRESET Store, restore and clear User Presets for Effects and Colour modes User Preset Options Restore Preset Level - When enabled the brightness level of the preset will also be restored Clear All User Presets - Delete all User Presets PRESET Select from a range of CCT and Colour presets for recall of commonly used colours FIXTURE SETTINGS...
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Restore Defaults - Reverts all network settings to their default values Master Mode When enabled this unit will act as a master and transmit colour data over DMX port to other Creamsource fixtures. Note: configuration settings are not transmitted. ADVANCED Sync Options Send Sync via DMX - Sync signal will be sent over the DMX port.
6. Connectivity 6.1 Best Of Class Connectivity Vortex8 is equiped with a wide range of connectivity options both wireless and wired. Worldwide AC 48V DC power CS Accessory USB-A Power Input port etherCON TOP DMX In DMX Thru connector Vortex8 User Manual Page 32 Version 1.2...
6. Connectivity 6.2 Wired DMX Control Standard 5 pin XLR connectors are located on the back of the unit. The connectors are Neutrik TOP series, and will be only be water resistant when mated with other Neutrik TOP connectors. When valid DMX signal is present, the yellow EXT indicator on the keypad will light up and the DMX home screen is displayed, which shows active DMX parameters and quick keys to change DMX Address, Mode and Smoothing options.
6.6 Link Multiple Vortex8 Fixtures Enable Master mode under the Link Menu. Multiple Creamsource fixtures can be connected together to operate in unison, without an external DMX controller. Use DMX cable to connect the units. Note that configuration and settings are not transmitted between units, only brightness and colour settings.
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6. Connectivity 6.6 Link Multiple Vortex8 Fixtures Cont. Linking to other fixture is a simple process. Master Fixture Replica Fixture Master Replica Replica Replica DMX THRU DMX IN DMX THRU DMX IN DMX THRU DMX IN Vortex8 User Manual Page 35 Version 1.2...
6. Connectivity 6.7 Firmware Updates Via USB Download the latest CreamOS update from www.creamsource.com/support. 1. Copy the file to a USB drive. Note: Only one *.sfb update file should be copied onto the drive at a time. 2. Insert USB drive into USB connector on Vortex.
7. Camera Sync 7.1 Syncing to Cameras The Vortex8 can be triggered from an external source, such as a sync generator (e.g. Ambient Lockit ACN-CL), or the genlock output of a cinema camera to ensure that it is synchronised with the camera shutter. This can be used to solve the frame tearing / flash banding problem most digital CMOS cameras can have with any flashing or strobing light source.
Follow the camera instructions for setting this up. Plug Flashbandit adapter into the Creamsource Accessory adaptor. Plug the Creamsource Accessory adaptor into Accessories input of the Vortex8. Connect the Flashbandit to the Lockit Box using coaxial cable – a blue light on Flashbandit should flash indicating valid signal.
7. Camera Sync 7.3 Setting up Camera Syncing with Sync/Genlock Output using the Accessory BNC Cable Use the Creamsource Accessory BNC Cable (CSV-ACC-BNC) to setup cameras that are capable outputting a sync signal. Plug the Creamsource Accessory to BNC Cable directly into the BNC SYNC/AUX port of the camera.
7. Camera Sync 7.4 Syncing Multiple Units It is possible to distribute sync signal to multiple Vortex units using regular DMX cable. This allows for large arrays of Vortex to be precisely synchronised, without custom cables or extra hardware. The sync source (camera genlock output, Flashbandit or other external trigger signal) should be connected to the Accessory port on the Master Vortex unit.
This is a special mode used for calibrating the light to an external sync source, such as the FlashBandit sync box. It is used to make sure the camera shutter and Creamsource are synchronised, to prevent the flash-banding effects when shooting on a CMOS sensor camera.
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This is a special mode used for calibrating the light to an external sync source, such as the FlashBandit sync box. It is used to make sure the camera shutter and Creamsource are synchronised, to prevent the flash-banding effects when shooting on a CMOS sensor camera.
7.6 Shooting While Calibrated Once the Creamsource has been calibrated, any of the modes may be used without the possibility of causing torn frames. The remote dimmer unit or DMX control can also be used safely. If the framerate, shutter angle or the phase of the camera shutter is adjusted, then you will need to re-calibrate.
The Vortex8 has an internal fuse and is not user serviceable. Please contact your nearest authorised repair centre for it to be replaced. Require help finding your nearest authorised repair centre? Feel free to get in touch. https://creamsource.com/support Internal fuse is only for 48V DC, not AC input. Acceptable Fuses: Bel Fuse Inc.
9. Power 9.1 Running from Batteries The Vortex8 can be run directly from a 48V regulated DC battery source with no additional hardware required. The fixture is also able to hot-swap between AC and DC power sources and is capable of running at 100% brightness while being powered by a battery.
9. Power 9.2 Setting a Power Limit Power draw of the fixture can be limited by setting a limit, in Watts. This can be set from 100W to 650W, in steps of 10W. The brightness level of the unit will be limited to keep within the power limit set. Note the limit only applies when a DC input is detected, and will apply even if AC source is also plugged in.
9.3 Pinout for DC Power connector on Vortex8 Choose a 4 core cable of >17AWG (1.0mm2) and wire all 4 pins. For a ready-made battery cable with 3 Pin XLR connector (Pin 1: -ve, Pin 2: +ve) see Creamsource Part number: CS-PWR-5M-XLR3.
10. Specifications 10.2 Specs for the Vortex8 Material Aluminium/Technopolymer High Speed Capability Over 5000fps Flicker Free in High Speed Mode Light Source RGBW LED Synchronization Sync Input for Triggering and Syncing to Camera Shutter Colour Range CCT: 2200 - 15000K, PLUS/MINUS GREEN, Max Ambient Temperature HUE/SATURATION, XY, GELS, DIRECT 40°C...
10. Specifications 10.3 Warranty We stand by our quality, to learn more about Warranty Terms and Conditions, please visit: https://creamsource.com/5-year-warranty 10.4 Support Have any questions? Feel free to get in touch https://creamsource.com/support Creamsource 2/49 Carrington Road Marrickville, NSW 2204 AUSTRALIA...
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Initial Release 23 Apr 2021 Changes to the menu funtions in 5. Controls. 17 Sep 2021 Updated the menu functions and features based on CreamOS 1.2.0. Creamsource 2/49 Carrington Road Marrickville, NSW 2204 AUSTRALIA Vortex8 User Manual Page 51 Version 1.2...
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