Hey there!
Im hiring a Pearl Tiger in a few weeks with a few movers, LED pars and 2 Atomics. Ive been messing around with the simlulator and got to grips with most of it. The only thing Im not quite sure about is the best way to run the 2 x Atomics (which are in 4 channel mode to use effects) The desk is gonna be used on a dance gig so I want easy access to the strobe and its effects at all times. I want to be able to flash the strobe with a button if possible but also change it through the different effects quite easily (Palettes maybe??)
Wondering if you guys had any tips on the best way to run the strobe along side the movers etc..
Thanks in advance
Marshy

Hi Marshy,

Normally I would say program some strobe effects onto playbacks, which you could use the flash and solo buttons for. This avoids anything going into the programmer and possibly overriding other playbacks. However, since you have a Tiger, playbacks are limited, so palettes are probably the best way. Make a few with different rate, duration and intensity values, and try using fan, it's probably the easiest way for a more "random" effect rather than having both do the same thing. Just make sure you have an "off" palette for them!
Once you have used a palette, remember it goes into the programmer and will take priority over the playbacks, so if you have the strobe programmed into any memories or chases, you will have to hit 'clear' before you can use them in the playbacks again.

Normally where playbacks are limited I would program one fader with just intensity data (use record by channel mode) and then have palettes to select rate/duration/effect.
Used in combination with quick palettes (toggled in user settings) you switch between, say, flashes and burst simply by pressing the relevant grey preset button. In this mode it is not necessary to select the fixtures first and consequently also avoids any information entering the programmer should that be a problem. Just remember to keep the attribute mask set on dimmer.

While it is also possible to store intensity in the palettes to maximise playback availability I would really try to avoid this with strobes since it is effectively a latching function. However, given that the intensity channel is HTP it will always zero (or return to any raised fader levels) by pressing clear. Therefore it should not be necessary to store an 'off' palette in this case

Depending on the number of handles you've got in use, I've sometimes patched Atomics as dimmers, using one fader per fixture patched to the dimmer channel, and then three more faders patched to all fixtures giving you access to the control channels. It's actually quite nice to be able to vary the strobe speed on a fader, even more so to not be taking up a playback.

I've always wanted fader access to the duration and rate, rather than palettes, but unfortunately as on the fixture profile they are LTP, it would not work. So when I get a chance, I'm going to repatch them as 12 dimmer channels, 1,4,7,10 being the intensities (programmed to a memory), 2,5,8,11 being rate (programmed to a memory) and so forth....

Once I get a chance! Just a thought if you want more control of them.

If you just want fadable LTP on playbacks then set the playback to mode2. Effects channel as a dimmer doesn't sound too attractive.
But I agree with James that it can be useful to patch individual dimmers for intensity and then patch multiple dims for the rate/duration and I have done exactly that on Tigers in the past. The only limitation of this (aside from occupying handles) is you cannot have slightly different rates across fixtures which is often more useful than random strobe effects.
Also, don't discount running in single channel mode. By definition this gives you rate on fader and you might not actually need adjustable intensity or the effects.

Cheers for all the replys! A few option for me to try out there!
Thanks

I've always patched atomics as dimmers too. Its not too hard to remember where the effects are when you have done it a few times, plus with the intensity, rate and duration all on faders its easy to make effects up as you go along. I usually stick some yellow tape on the intensity fader knobs so I don't loose them

Lol! Thanks fot the tip on the fader knobs.
*Edit - Was being dull, worked out how to patch 2 dimmers to one handle...
Cheers again

Hi,
I would tend to use it in the way described by niclights where "I would program one fader with just intensity data (use record by channel mode) and then have palettes to select rate/duration/effect".

Although if using it in the way described by EmmaThompson I would agree that an "off" palette would be handy so that when turning off your strobe you dont need to clear all the palette selections that have been built up because you need to press clear.

Also the Mode 2 tip mentioned by niclights is something well worth you reading up on if you are not already too sure about it.