Chauvet Professional Color STRIKE M: IP65 Pixel Strobe/Wash with 180° Tilt and Networked Control
The Color STRIKE M is a high-output, outdoor-ready hybrid that pairs a punchy white strobe plane with a rich RGB wash in a single, tour-grade body. Its optical system delivers up to 71,620 lumens (combined) with broad field coverage up to 146° × 122° (combined), while a motorized 180° tilt sweeps energy across stages, runways, and audience planes. Built-in effect macros and 0–30 Hz strobe behavior give designers instant impact for drops, cues, and timed accents.
Fourteen individually controllable RGB sections and 28 white strobe zones unlock precise pixel looks, chase waves, and split-field sweeps. A repositionable yoke with ¼-turn adaptors and integrated alignment pins streamlines vertical or horizontal arrays for straight, modular strobe lines. The OLED interface, adjustable PWM (600–25k Hz), and rugged, weather-sealed construction support everything from festival roofs to club decks.
For control, the fixture natively supports DMX, Art-Net, and sACN with RDM for remote addressing/monitoring and a USB port for software updates. Multiple DMX personalities—from compact looks to full pixel mapping—let you scale channel counts to the rig size without sacrificing responsiveness.
Real-World Applications and Lighting Roles
- Festival headline moments: wide strobe sheets, audience sweeps, and timed drops.
- Touring stage wash: RGB plates for color beds with layered white hits.
- DJ main stage energy: pixel-driven chase effects and vertical array “strobe walls.”
- Broadcast/livestream looks: high-frequency PWM for camera-friendly output.
- All-weather installs: resilient housing and IP-rated I/O for outdoor venues.
Where This Strobe/Wash Excels
- All-Weather Touring: IP65 build and sealed data/power for rain-or-shine shows.
- Pixel-Mapped Designs: 14 RGB sections + 28 white zones for layered chases and waves.
- Networked Rigs: Art-Net and sACN integration for console-native workflows.
- Camera-Ready Output: selectable PWM (600–25k Hz) to minimize on-air flicker.
- Big-Room Coverage: combined field up to 146° × 122° spreads color and strobe evenly.
- Fast Arrays: alignment pins and ¼-turn yoke adaptors speed straight-line builds.
- DJ & Club Impact: 0–30 Hz burst strobe and tilt sweeps for drop-ready moments.
Control Modes for Color STRIKE M
Protocols: DMX, Art-Net, sACN with RDM for remote addressing and status. USB port supports fixture software updates.
DMX Channel Modes: 8, 11, 13, 24, 30, 47, 68, 74, or 97 channels (multiple personalities for everything from quick looks to full pixel control).
- Section Control: 14 RGB segments and 28 white strobe zones for granular mapping.
- Tilt Movement: 0°–180° range for sweeping beams and audience hits.
- Strobe Behavior: electronic shutter with 0–30 Hz rate and built-in effect macros.
- Dimmer & Curves: electronic dimming with 4 selectable modes for fade refinement.
- PWM Frequency: 600, 1.2k, 2k, 4k, 6k, or 25k Hz to suit cameras and environments.
- Interface: easy-to-read OLED display for mode selection and configuration.
- I/O: 5-pin IP65 XLR and Seetronic etherCON (IP65); Seetronic Powerkon IP65 for mains.
Pixel Architecture & Zoning in the Color STRIKE M
The engine combines a high-impact white strobe plane with a rich RGB wash plane, each addressable in multiple sections for designer-level granularity. You gain fourteen RGB segments for color waves, split looks, and gradients, plus twenty-eight white strobe zones for razor-edged chase lines and asymmetrical bursts. Built-in effect macros provide parameterized chases and pulses that drop straight into show files, while standalone color mixing lets you build looks without a console when time is tight.
Because the RGB and white planes are independently structured, you can layer saturated beds under cutting white hits, or invert that relationship for subtle camera-friendly accents. The sectioning is optimized for both horizontal and vertical mounting so pixel maps read cleanly across flown arrays and ground stacks.
Optical Planes & Photometrics of the Color STRIKE M
The fixture’s optical design delivers wide, even coverage with serious punch. In combined operation it outputs up to 71,620 lumens with fields reaching 146° × 122° (combined) and beams of 98° × 57°. The RGB plate alone provides 18,600 lumens with a broad 123° beam and 160° field, while the strobe beam delivers 54,381 lumens through a tighter 95° × 50° beam and 138° × 100° field. At 5 meters, expect 1,591 lux (combined), 231 lux (plate), and 1,432 lux (beam).
The color temperature at full registers around 7,757 K with a CRI of 90.3, allowing bright, camera-pleasing whites alongside saturated RGB looks. This balance of breadth and intensity makes the unit as comfortable washing a festival stage as it is cutting through with blinder-style hits.
Network Control & DMX Personalities
Control is native over DMX, Art-Net, and sACN, with RDM for remote addressing and health data. A front-panel OLED streamlines setup, while the USB port supports on-site software updates. Personality options span 8, 11, 13, 24, 30, 47, 68, 74, or 97 channels, so you can scale from compact festival patch sheets to full segment-level mapping without re-rigging.
- Low-footprint modes (8–13 ch): fast programming for busked shows and utility strobe/wash roles.
- Mid-range modes (24–47 ch): balanced access to color, intensity, and movement with leaner patch use.
- Advanced modes (68–97 ch): deep segment control for pixel maps and timecoded tours.
Tilt Mechanics, Rigging & Array Alignment
A robust tilt assembly provides a full 0°–180° sweep for audience sweeps, cyc hits, and vertical fly-bys. The repositionable yoke uses ¼-turn adaptors to shift between horizontal and vertical orientations quickly, and integrated alignment pins ensure perfectly straight linear arrays when you’re building long runs. The magnesium-alloy chassis and IP65-rated connections are built for outdoor roofs and amphitheaters, while the compact footprint (16.02 × 6.90 × 12.30 in) and 26.6 lb mass make it practical for clubs and mobile rigs.
Sealed data and power help maintain reliability in dust, moisture, and temperature swings, reducing cleanup and turnaround time between dates.
Dimming, PWM & Camera-Ready Output
The electronic dimmer supports four selectable curves to tailor fades from theatrical smoothness to punchy EDM snaps. Adjustable PWM frequencies at 600, 1.2k, 2k, 4k, 6k, and 25k Hz mitigate rolling bands and moiré on broadcast and streaming cameras. The electronic shutter/strobe drives up to 0–30 Hz bursts for musical accents, with effect macros available when you need impactful looks fast.
These tools let LDs tune the fixture to both the room and the lens—quiet backgrounds for IMAG, crisp accents for social captures, and artifact-free output for multicam shoots.
How to Deploy the Color STRIKE M On Site
- Rigging & Orientation: Hang from truss using approved CTC-50HC/CTC-50HCN clamps and an SC-08 safety cable. The repositionable yoke supports both vertical and horizontal use; clear adequate space for the fixture’s 0–180° tilt travel.
- Building Straight Arrays: Use the integrated alignment pins to create linear runs with clean, continuous lines. Keep consistent spacing center-to-center across the row so pixel effects read evenly from end to end.
- Power Practices (IP65): Connect mains via the sealed Seetronic Powerkon IP65 inlet. At 120 V the fixture can draw up to ~740 W; plan circuits accordingly and avoid overloading. Form drip loops and fully seat gaskets/collar locks for weather-exposed deployments.
- Data & Network Cabling: For DMX, run 5-pin IP65 XLR with proper strain relief. For networked control, use Seetronic etherCON IP65 to your Art-Net/sACN infrastructure; label universes and nodes to match your show file. Terminate DMX lines where appropriate.
- Mode & Address Strategy: Choose a DMX personality that matches the control plan—compact channel sets for utility strobe/wash looks, higher-channel modes when mapping the 14 RGB sections and 28 white zones. Assign addresses sequentially across the array to keep effect direction consistent.
- Tilt, Aiming & Focus: Home the head, set tilt limits for your trim height, and verify that sweeps clear scenic and sightlines. Combine the RGB plane for color beds with the white plane for accents, then store focus/home presets in your console.
- Outdoor Readiness: With an IP65 rating and temperature range of 14 °F to 113 °F (-10 °C to 45 °C), confirm all caps, collars, and seals are engaged before weather exposure. Inspect connectors after transport for debris and reseat if needed.
- Commissioning Checklist: (1) Verify PSU voltage (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz). (2) Confirm firmware via USB if updates are required. (3) Set protocol (DMX/Art-Net/sACN) and RDM address. (4) Select PWM (600–25k Hz) to suit cameras. (5) Choose dimming curve for the show. (6) Run a built-in macro to validate every zone before rehearsal.
Why Choose Color STRIKE M from AVMaxx
We speak “show file.” Our team builds around real tour workflows—matching DMX personalities (8–97 channels) to your console layout so you get instant access to the RGB sections and white strobe zones you actually plan to drive.
Clean, camera-friendly looks. We help you dial PWM (600–25k Hz) and dimming behavior so your livestreams and broadcast shots stay free of flicker and banding while keeping punch for crowd-facing hits.
Array builds that lock in straight. Using the fixture’s alignment pins and ¼-turn yoke adaptors, we provide spacing and orientation guidance for vertical stacks or horizontal lines, preserving pixel waves across the entire run.
Weather-ready deployments. From sealing the IP65 power/data to setting tilt limits for outdoor roofs, we give practical setup notes that protect gear and keep cues consistent in heat, cold, dust, and rain.
Only verified data—every time. Specs, modes, photometrics, and accessories come from manufacturer documentation you can trust, so your patch, power, and rigging plans start on solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions — Color STRIKE M
What control options are available?
The fixture supports DMX, Art-Net, and sACN with RDM for remote addressing/monitoring. Personalities include 8, 11, 13, 24, 30, 47, 68, 74, and 97 channels, so you can scale from quick looks to full pixel mapping.
How many pixel sections can I control?
You get 14 RGB sections on the color plane and 28 zones on the white strobe plane. Advanced modes expose granular control for chase waves and segment-based effects.
Is it suitable for outdoor shows?
Yes. It’s IP65 with sealed power/data. Confirm caps, collars, and gaskets are fully seated before exposure. Operating range is 14 °F to 113 °F (-10 °C to 45 °C).
Will it flicker on camera?
Select a higher PWM setting—options include 600, 1.2k, 2k, 4k, 6k, and 25k Hz. Pair with a suitable dimming curve to keep fades smooth on broadcast and streaming.
What’s the tilt range and why does it matter?
The head tilts 0°–180°. Set limits to protect scenic and sightlines, and to keep audience sweeps consistent across trim heights.
How bright is it, and what are the beam/field angles?
Maximum output is up to 71,620 lumens (combined). Typical angles: Combined beam/field 98° × 57° / 146° × 122°, Plate 123° / 160°, and Beam 95° × 50° / 138° × 100°.
What’s included in the box?
Color STRIKE M, Seetronic Powerkon IP65 power cord, and an Omega bracket.
Which connectors does it use?
Power is via Seetronic Powerkon IP65. Data options include 5-pin IP65 XLR for DMX and Seetronic etherCON IP65 for network control.
DJ use: can I run one unit on a 15A circuit?
At 120 V, draw is about 740 W / 6.36 A. One fixture typically fits a 15A circuit with headroom; confirm your total load when adding other gear.
Does it support firmware updates?
Yes. Use the built-in USB port to load fixture software updates.
Ready to spec the Color STRIKE M into your rig? Tell us your universe layout and preferred personality—we’ll format a clean patch, PWM/dim guidance, and array tips tailored to your show file.
