My First fireTEK and fireTEK's New FTQ Module Videos

[WithReport]

A number of years ago I finally decided to dip my toes into the "unique", strange, but awesome society of scripted backyard pyromusical fanatics ;). My simple MSQ12 and MSQ32 units weren't going to cut it for that next step. After seeing some fireTEK videos here on PyroTalk I did a little research and decided that a single timecode capable FTH-48E module was all I needed to script a 48cue show to music with SMPTE timecode from an MP3 player. But I went ahead and purchased the FTM-99 controller for additional functionality that has an internal audio player. I made the purchase less than a month before the 4th (June 6th to be exact) from a 3rd party. I purchased a few extra rails and split the rails out to left right and center positions spaced about 80ft apart in each direction.

Here is a photo of me testing out that first purchase - you can see the 24 cues in the center and 24 cues on the left split with 24 cues on the right.

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=5324&stc=1


Come the 4th of July, it worked great and I was hooked! I've since added a few more cues to my arsenal along with some fireTEK DMX modules and the shows are a bit more involved (you can check them out below my signature if you want), but I still think back to that first year - there is something special about the mix of (hopefully somewhat choreographed) sound (both from the music and the fireworks) and fire together in the night and to know that short experience was something you designed, setup, and produced.

Here is a photo of the modules after this last 4th of July - getting dirty from debris :D

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=5328&stc=1


Anyways, back when I was getting started there was not a whole lot of information on fireTEK, but it worked great and Laurian and the fireTEK User Group are very helpful and provided some good user-group documentation. But now fireTEK has a YouTube channel with some cool videos focused on their new equipment. I've been glad to help out on some of the videos, too. There is also a new website being constructed that should be active very soon!! It's going to be fun to see more and more people use this innovative system and I'm sure more and more information will be available as the website continues to develop.


Checkout the new fireTEK YouTube Channel. Here are just a few of the videos on the new FTQ module - The new module looks slick compared to my original 48E modules and the new FTQ has a few more features.


fireTEK FTQ-16x64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhYNrp3MnWg



A rapid overview of the FTQ module - Master, Slave, DMX, TimeCode, GPS, Audio, Sequencer, Alt Cues, Mesh Wireless (and 2-wire), etc. fireTEK has been doing it all for years.

fireTEK FTQ-16x64 Rapid Overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFv2oOfiyZE



It measures and displays continuity, firing circuit resistance, and calculated firing current in real time.

Continuity and Firing Current

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QISE7H1kl34



If you are running a script - even with just a stand-alone module it provides real-time error detection against the script.

Script Error Detection & Master Mode Control with the FTQ Module
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NApqxkQS9DU



And if you want to know a little bit more about fireTEK, check this out.

fireTEK Firing Systems - since 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsBJBNaQOXk


If you are looking for some instructions on the existing FTH modules (most of which will be applicable to the new FTQ modules) or just looking for some general information on scripting with DMX or controlling pyromusicals with Timecode, including how to generate a Timecode track on either a left or right audio channel (which can be used even for other systems), or adding fireTEK to other systems as a DMX/Audio/Pyro sequencer checkout my own channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-xQzz1O9Mr7u1NUXxaE-QQ

[WithReport]

looks like I left a thumbnail of my first scripted show attached at the bottom of that previous post, too :rolleyes:

[Scotty Rockets]

Awesome post... like you I began with just a non wireless fth48e module. This served me for 2 years, then I added 2 more fth48fx, a remote and a wireless upgrade for the fth48e. The next following year I added 2 full optioned fth48fx with gps and dmx. The next year I sold my cobra equipment to purchase 5 pyro lamas 9 arch kits... added a used Tx16 module with DMX... another full optioned fth48fx demo unit. Most recently I have added the FTQ64 module. Currently I have total 8 modules and 368 cues.

fireTEK is so innovated and versatile, that folks really need to look into this system and especially if you want to incorporate DMX devices such as flame machines into your show seamlessly and affordably. Customer service is 2nd to none and the community is growing. We have a facebook fireTEK users group were we also help each other out and have discussions related to firetek... check it out.

[Gary]

Silly question,
Are these systems compatible with E-match?

[WithReport]

Silly question,
Are these systems compatible with E-match?

Yes!!!!. Essentially that is the fundamental objective of the system. However, my first test and purchase - when this was all new to me (shown in the first picture), was with talons.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions.

[CozmicRooster]

This was my first year with and e-firing system and used 2 FTQ16x64 modules with MJG FireWire Initiators and I loved it. Like WithReport I did a lot of research and it was pretty close but I chose Firetek in the end. I’ve been amazed at how simple it actually is in light of the complexity of things you can do with it. It’s super flexible and reliable. I’d say the main selling points for me were the compactness of the system, the ability to synchronize the script with music using my phone, and the internal DMX (it has a SMTE option that I opted out on but can upgrade later). I won’t post the video link again but here’s the link to the thread if you missed my show.

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/showthread.php?8824-First-e-fired-show-and-first-pyromusical

[displayfireworks1]

Nice to see some post from users of the FireTEK system. I am happy to have them continue to be part of pyrotalk.com. The more advanced and affordable fireworks firing systems that enter the market will benefit all advanced fireworks users.