Patching DMX Channels

[Ken Lovelace]

I have searched the blue room but haven't been able to find any post on an easy way to patch DMX channels. I am looking for a chart or list that would make it easier to find the starting DMX numbers for multiple patches. Right now I am just adding to the last DMX channel used to get my next starting number. I remember seeing a chart somewhere but I can't seem to locate it doing a search. If any of you could pass along your expertise it would be appreciated. My console will not select the next DMX channel for me but will not let me put in a channel that is already in use either. Thanks in advance for all you help.

[PDD]

Not sure exactly what you mean, but there isn't anything wrong with what you're doing. If we're talking about addressing fixtures, I tend to do it in blocks of 20, regardless of the actual number of channels needed (obviously only for fixtures needing 20 or less channels). I also start at 100 to avoid my dimmers. Thus, my movers are addressed 101, 121, 141, 161, etc. If we're talking about patching these addresses to a console, it doesn't really matter does it? My console only needs one 'handle' per fixture so I just add them after the dimmer channels. If your console doesn't automatically allocate channels you surely just patch them the same as the actual address, as above. Can you clarify what you're asking?

[Ken Lovelace]

I see what you are saying about using even blocks 101,121,141 ect. I have a limited number of DMX channels and was looking for a way to patch without leaving holes in the line, 100, 116, 132 ect. It would seem to me that your description would also let me know which fixture I was on, 101 fixture 1, 121 fixture 2 ect. making it easier to address the fixtures with out having to keep track of random numbers. I think this would be a better way for me to patch unless I got into to tight with DMX channels. I knew I was over complicating the patching of fixtures.

[PDD]

I / was looking for a way to patch without leaving holes in the line, 100, 116, 132 ect.

With the greatest of respect, surely in this case you just add 16 each time? There wouldn't be much point in a chart showing this, as every type of fixture could use a different number of channels. For example, my spots use 16 and washes use 14. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing though. Just use a calculator to work it out (or use my method, which saves on the calculator and confusion!)

[zonino]

It doesn't really matter how you patch it (apart from on some desks which don't let you use all 512 channels)

 

if its for ease of reference I suppose you could have it typed up and change the background colour each time the fixture changes (or use a different colour for each fixture type, and bold the first channel for each fixture)

[Trunker]

You don't say what console you are using. If you mentioned it a few people may be able to help!

[niclights]

Exactly. Since the number of channels required depends on fixture and the available channels depends on desk and also what might already be patched this is something only the console can do. The majority of higher-end desks do this automatically (ie. Hog, Pearl, GrandMA etc.)

 

Otherwise get a calculator!

[mtmartian]

You could try this program...

 

LD Calculator

 

 

It has the channels numbers of most lights and will export them all to a handy exel sheet if you want......

 

Useful if you need to squeeze everything onto as little amount of lines as possible.

[Ken Coker]

Our poster writes of himself:"I work for the Albany Civic Center and Albany Municipal Auditorium in Albany Georgia" ; sadly, a brisk scour of the web brings up no technical details for either venue, although they look perfectly OK.

 

Let us assume we have a 72 or 96 way dimmer rack. DMX addresses 1-100 I would allocate to the dimmers. Then, as others have said, I would allocate the other addresses in reasonable size blocks - obviously this depends on the requirements/personality of the fixture. A rig, for example of MAC600s and Entours I would allocate 20 DMX channels per fixture starting at 101 as you describe.

On one universe this would give me, approximately, 20 moving fixtures plus the dimmers. (Is that enough?) Doing it this way also allows you to deal with the topography of the rig......ie, 101-199 = Pipe 1; 200-299 = Pipe 2.

 

If you're very tight for space, your console should be able to compute the required DMX allocation and the next available channel for the fixture. I'm not sure that the older ETC consoles do this for you - if you have one.

 

Not sure that this adds to the sage advice so far proffered but more details of your console and how it is set up will, I'm sure, release a fresh torrent of advice.

 

Me, I'm off to north Norfolk for the Blakeney Regatta - sadly sailing the Wayfarer seems more attractive than the Fasnet race which is also on this week....I must be getting old.

 

Cheers

 

KC

[Soundie]

When I use fixtures that set addresses by dip switch then I usually set the addresses in easy to work out numbers, with fixtures with up/down and displays then I usually use more sensible numbers (with a 0 on the end).

 

 

For example, our roboscans at work set with dip switches so we generally set them to 64 and 96, however when we have macs in we set them at 120, 140, 160 etc. It just saves having to think (or use a converter tool) to work out the binary addresses.

[niclights]

But that's rather wasteful and exactly what the OP wants to avoid ;)

[Shez]

I've always just planned these things out with a spreadsheet. Print out a few copies so everyone's working from the same reference.

[MarkPAman]

I've always just planned these things out with a spreadsheet.

 

Remember that spreadsheets can convert numbers to binary too.

[LeeStoddart]

Although we are wandering a little :D whenever I'm assigning DMX addresses for scrollers (with dip switches) I start at 320 because thats 256 + 64 and I can easily do the decimal to binary for the lower end of the address.

 

In terms of the original question - Why should keeping track of the assigned DMX number be so difficult? Does the console not have a display in output (DMX) sequence showing which channel is assigned to which output? (I am assuming that the console does have the ability to patch outputs to channels)

[david.elsbury]

At the risk of stating the obvious isn't it worth waiting for the OP to come back and clarify what exactly it is they are asking? To me the question still seems very vague...

 

David