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Quasar Science - Help Center

About starCTRL

starCTRL is an app brought to the galaxy by Quasar Science that allows control of RR and R2 fixtures over Bluetooth from an iOS device

That is no Moon.  It's a..

starCTRL Logo

Summary

Version 2.0 of the app was released on July 16th, 2025

starCTRL takes advantage of Bluetooth to control up to seven Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow fixtures from an iPhone or iPad.  The app provides manual control of a 16-bit HSIC profile with Effects and Color Presets. > Download for free on the Apple iOS App Store! <

The goal of the app is to provide fast and simple control without too many console-like features to make things complex. starCTRL is the quickest way to get Intensity, Color and Effects running on the lights in just a couple of minutes.

All you have to do is engage starCTRL mode on the light then launch the app on your device. It's that simple! No worrying about DMX addresses, profiles or patching. Just get in there!

iPad users will experience a properly formatted experience for the larger screen in both Landscape and Portrait modes. iPhone operation is Portrait mode only. There are no in-app purchases or 3rd party devices required.

Note

iOS allows for up to 7 Bluetooth connections at once. In crowded 2.4GHz environments you may experience intermittent Bluetooth performance. Reducing the number of connected fixtures in these areas can improve app responsiveness.

Firmware Update

starCTRL was introduced in firmware 0.8b, but we recommend to update to 0.9 since Bluetooth performance has been improved and provides a smoother starCTRL experience!

Head over to the Quasar Science Update Sector for the latest firmware >HERE<

Important

We recommend your fixture's CRMX chip be updated to v1.1.1.5 for the best experience which can be done over USB or with the CRMX Toolbox App.

The latest Lumenradio firmware is bundle with the Quasar Science 0.9 firmware.zip file when you click the URL just above this box. Put the files on a USB-C drive. Leave the fixture in Manual Mode, insert the USB-C drive and the fixture will auto-detect the CRMX update.

How to Connect

In firmware 0.8, starCTRL is found in [Config Menu] → [starCTRL].

In fiirmware 0.9, starCTRL is found in [Config Menu] → [Routing] → [starCTRL] .

  1. Turn on Bluetooth on your iOS device.

  2. In firmware 0.8B: Open the [Config Menu] on your RR or R2 fixture and navigate with the Rainbow-Buttons__Minus.svg Rainbow-Buttons__Plus.svgbuttons to [starCTRL] and set to on. LAUNCH!

    starCTRL_Menu_R2.jpeg
  3. In Firmware 0.9: Navigate to [Config Menu] → [Routing] → [starCTRL] and press [ENTER] to LAUNCH!

    Menu_-_Advanced_-_starCTRL.jpg
  4. Once starCTRL is active open the starCTRL App on your device. That's it! It's that simple to configure your lights to work out in the stars!

  5. If your lights are not auto-discovered click the "Connect Lights" button in the lower left of the app and your lights should then be connected. (look that both LED indicators on your RR or R2 fixture are solid blue - that means you're connected)

    starCTRL_Screen_Connected.jpg
  6. When you turn off starCTRL mode in 0.8B, or go back to [Basic Routing] in 0.9, Bluetooth will remain ON in the [Wireless Mode] menu.

    A quick way to turn Bluetooth OFF is with the Button Shortcut. Hold the [Left Arrow + Enter] buttons together for 2 seconds then release. This toggles the Wireless Mode to OFF..

    starCTRL_button_shortcut_for_OFF.png

    Or double-tap the LINK button to jump directly to the Wireless Mode menu

Tip

If you turn off starCTRL mode in the fixture with the app still active, you may still be connected to one of the lights. Turn off Bluetooth completely (as noted above) and fully close the App.

To wrap up

Things to Know about Bluetooth

Bluetooth sends about 6 packets per second to devices. This is really too slow for LED Lighting for smooth fades, especially when compared to DMX control. That is why when dragging your finger across a slider the light can seem to stutter. That's why we implemented the FADE button. In the Settings window, simply set this to 0.1 seconds and it will smooth out the fade performance while still giving that near real-time feel when moving a slider in the app.

Hold Last Look

The fixtures will Hold Last Look if you wander too far away with your phone in your pocket and the Bluetooth connection is lost. It's important that the OUTPUT BUTTON next to the LCD display is pressed IN for this feature to work. The button looks like a Light Bulb > Output Button

Tip

If you have the rubber end-caps on to protect your light it is easy to accidentally toggle this button. If your lights go OFF instead of Hold Last Look on connection loss, please check that this button is toggled IN.