Documenting Stage Patching

[RoyS]

Hi All,

 

I have set about to document the stage patching in my facility. I’m trying to make it understandable by non stage techs – but people who understand the concept of I/O..

 

For the moment I’m trying to document the XLR side of things. The stage control room houses the main house multicore patch with 32x Sends + 8x Returns. It also has one end of the under-stage tie-lines to dip boxes on the down-stage and stage left areas and these are each configured with 10x send & 6x return lines.

 

Generally I have a normal working patch for day to day stuff e.g. 6 inputs from the downstage dip are patched into the ch’s 1-6 of the MC. Return lines 7+8 of the MC are patched through to the crossover/controller. Etc.

 

The other thing I’ll mention is that we use ordinary XLR lines for 2 universes of DMX as well (and never have any issues..)

 

Once I’ve cracked this I plan to do similar for hard power and dimming circuits.

 

I have Office 2003 to hand and feel inclined to use Excel, but could use Publisher, etc. I’ve also got the ability to print to A3 and ultimately would like to be able to output a patch chart to paper.

 

So my question is what would you do/have done in these circumstances.

 

Many thanks

[themadhippy]

desk channels as a column ,stage boxes numbers as the top row and put an X were the to combine

[JohnA]

If you have a few standard set ups it is not a bad idea to photograph them in position (hopefully with colours and any numbers showing). This way when people look at you documentation they have real life settings to look at.

 

Also taking photo of all your patch bays, front / backs of dimmers, computers sound/lighting desks etc can sometimes be very useful if you need to give telephone support. It has certainly saved me a few heart aches in the past as well as a few trips out.

 

At times when I have had unskilled help say for a set up I have handed laminated images of the way things should be put together.

 

It also helps with break downs, having photos of what go in what flight case an in what order i.e. an A4 sheet with say 4 pictures of the various stages of packing the flight case.

[peza2010]

It also helps with break downs, having photos of what go in what flight case an in what order i.e. an A4 sheet with say 4 pictures of the various stages of packing the flight case.

 

Really? The only thing I can see it helping with is to slow the process down?

 

Just case things sensibly, and understand that things aren't going to go back exactly as they came out, but just expect that people have the common sense to put things in sensible places... Also isn't this off topic to what the op was asking?

[Gareth A]

It also helps with break downs, having photos of what go in what flight case an in what order i.e. an A4 sheet with say 4 pictures of the various stages of packing the flight case.

 

Really? The only thing I can see it helping with is to slow the process down?

 

Just case things sensibly, and understand that things aren't going to go back exactly as they came out, but just expect that people have the common sense to put things in sensible places... Also isn't this off topic to what the op was asking?

 

Actually I have seen this a few years ago when I was resident. A few of the touring shows had some photos in the lid. That way anyone could pack it - and at the next venue they knew it would be in the right place - or in least the right box.

 

But actually in a small studio space with unknown help, least if there is photos - you certainly can reference them.

 

So in a way - no not a bad idea at all.

 

Speed isn't everything in life :)

[Jivemaster]

Anything up to engraved laminate signboards helps especially if several companies pass through the venue and may want to use the installed multis differently.

 

WRT flightcase packing remember that you are NOT just packing but prepping for next time so care taken usually means an easy rig next time, and can mean that the right stuff goes back to the right hire companies. Anything that helps crew pack right and carefully is seriously valuable. Yes I've seen people repatch small connector arrays from pictures on a mobile phone.

[TeeJay]

Putting aside helpful photo's - I'm with themadhippy that Excel is your friend here.

 

Very simple to set up tables both blank as templates and prefilled in to show default patching. I've also used it to create labels for B-guage patch bays in bulk and as a simple way to map out rack layouts (1 row = 1U)

 

A3 can be useful but laminated sheets will last longer and you can then always use chinagraph pencils to make temporary notes over a sheet that can be easily removed - even if the isopropyl goes missing ...

Of course you may have A3 laminating ...

 

Make sure whereever you save these that other people have access to it - having it buried in a folder only on your computer won't help them if the laminate goes missing and you aren't available that day. It's fairly easy to set up protection in Excel so that some or all cells can't be edited unless you have a password so people can access the file and even create show specific patches without being able to edit things like headers.

 

You can also use Excel to make schematics - though you may find using Publisher here is easier depending on how the schematics work for your space.

 

Hope this helps

[Mat]

Going back to the OP's initial question, I am starting to document everything that is in the faculty at work. Mainly so that students don't nick off with things (As the Media Teacher isn't the most organised of fellows) and so that outside companies can get a hold of what sort of gear we hold within the school.

 

I have used word and created a "document" style for most of what I have done. Things have a category so "Student Folders" "2008 - 2010" "Student X, Y and Z"

 

In terms of photographs being used I think that it would be helpful if you are trying to write something that is suitable for "non-technician" people as explanations are either very long winded and may make sense to you but be a whole load of nonsense to someone else; also taking photographs shows how things "should" happen.

 

For example, the control room at work is used mainly by myself and Line Manager. However students will use it for editing work on the mac in there. There are photographs on the wall of how the control room should look and how I expect it to be kept, which thankfully it is.

 

As an old English teacher would say "Think of me like an alien. You have to explain everything to me". Think of your target audience a bit like that.

[DrummerJonny]

Yes I've seen people repatch small connector arrays from pictures on a mobile phone.

My phone is one of my most valuable tools on gigs these days. I can load up an excel spreadsheet with my patch on it, and have a copy I can make notes on and then shove in my pocket without ending up with a crumpled mess by the end of the night. (Well, apart from that once, but I don't like to talk about that...)

 

Wouldn't ever have it as my only copy though, far too scared of the battery dying...

 

 

 

[RoyS]

Sorry guys, been busy so have only just got back to the BR and just seen the contributions....

 

A mixture of Excel & Word documents as well as some photographs of the patch seem logical.

 

Re Excel (2003), I've been trying to add an image into a cell and failing. The pic seems to just sit on top... any ideas?

 

Thanks to all..

[ramdram]

RoyS, you mentioned the non stage techs who might be au fait with the concept of I/O yet not too familiar with patching.

 

Is there any opportunity for you to run a very short indoctrination "course" so that said folk could become more familiar with your system.

 

It seems a lost opportunity to help improve the general level of understandings in your colleagues.

[Gareth A]

Yes I've seen people repatch small connector arrays from pictures on a mobile phone.

My phone is one of my most valuable tools on gigs these days. I can load up an excel spreadsheet with my patch on it, and have a copy I can make notes on and then shove in my pocket without ending up with a crumpled mess by the end of the night. (Well, apart from that once, but I don't like to talk about that...)

Wouldn't ever have it as my only copy though, far too scared of the battery dying...

 

Personally - I'm always more scared of breaking the screen when I put the leatherman or maglite in the same pocket - and yes it does keep happening!!!