Blackout

[peza2010]

As the topic and description states, just out of interest (not for any other reason than to just store some more info in my head)

 

When you hit the blackout button on DMX desk, does it set the grand master to zero, or does it set all channels to zero. if it is the latter is there anyway to programme the blackout button to be blackout MINUS channels (1,2,3 or whatever)

 

Thanks

[zonino]

that would depend on the desk you're using.

[Wol]

As zonino states, it very much depends on the desk.

 

A two preset / manual desk - it will just slam every channel to 0.

 

A more intelligent desk where you get HTP and LTP channels, then the blackout function will usually only lower HTP channels.

 

On more intelligent desks still, where it knows which channel is the shutter / dimmer (for moving heads), it'll often just drop that single channel.

[zonino]

and on some desks you can park channels to a minimum output value, etc, etc, etc

[Jamtastic3]

Just giving you one example, the Masterpiece's blackout button will blackout every channel including the master to 0

[Ashley R]

On more intelligent desks still, where it knows which channel is the shutter / dimmer (for moving heads), it'll often just drop that single channel.

 

 

My HOG 250 does exactly that, When I hit the DBO Button all it does it closes the shutters on all moving lights and kills all the standard dimmer Ch's.

 

But on my cheapy Dj Style DMX controller when I hit the Blackout button it kills all values to 0 so all the heads are turning and makeing noise after I hit that button.

[andy_s]

In other words, take a piece of string and a ruler, and measure the string. There's your answer.

 

but if you take a different piece of string, you will get a different answer!! ;)

[Tomo]

...is there anyway to programme the blackout button to be blackout MINUS channels (1,2,3 or whatever)

Not with a Grand Master/Blackout button.

 

However, more advanced consoles have "Inhibits" or "Inhibit Masters", which affect a chosen subset of channels.

[lightsource]

But on my cheapy Dj Style DMX controller when I hit the Blackout button it kills all values to 0.

 

 

Yup, that is the default on most low-cost consoles.

[Richard CSL]

an alternative solution on the cheap DJ units is to store a new scene with all the shutter / dimmer channels stored at a DMX value of 1. this will effectively act as a blackout without effecting positioning information. It's a work around, but effective. this can then be saved to a chase button with only one scene in it. ie chase 6. and effectively replace the blackout button on the ft panel as they are together on operator style controllers. you can even ad a fade time on some controllers.