The Avolites Discussion Forum

Hi All,
I'm currently touring a show with the pearl 2004 and some Macs to various venues. I have saved the show to disk but when asked can only save the programming and the patch not just the programming. I understand the manual's philosphy that the programming depends on the patch. But I'm in different theatres and thus using different dimmer addresses so the dimmer patch needs to change.
Is there a way of either patching multiple dimmers to one fader without adding a dimmer one at a time (ie is there a thro' button?), or a way of deleting the dimmer patch currently saved without loosing the programming?
If you have an answer then please email me.

Using July 2005 software

Thanks in advance.
Paul

There is currently no way to patch a range of channels to a handle. You must do this manually.

To change address of a dimmer without affecting programming you can use the Patch/Repatch function. Select, enter new DMX address and then press relevant Preset Swop button.

I must say that usually I see people simply reprogram (or use house desk) given how lanterns and placement can vary so much, but I have also seen the repatch method used.

PS. Replies are best kept in the forum since that is its purpose. Others can read and add to (or correct!) and information is there to help people in the future.

Thanks Mate,
As I thought... there isn't an easy way to simply delete the old dimmer patch. This is a major boo boo on Avo's part.
Most other "theatre" desks allow you to save the show but also let you modify the dimmer patch without changing the memories. Surely this can be rectified by a new software release?

All future requests or queeries from now on will be sought via the forum as recommended.
Thanks for your answer anyway.

Paul

Most other "theatre" desks allow you to save the show but also let you modify the dimmer patch without changing the memories. Surely this can be rectified by a new software release?

This is not correct you can change the dimmer patch without modifying the memories and this was explained in niclights post. Unfortunately at the moment you can only do this by selecting individual dimmers.

For people who use the house lights of a theatre this is very inconveniant (on travelling shows) and takes a lot of time. Maybe an extra patch-feature could be implemented as mentioned. I find patching one of the few things which could be implemented in a "more sense making way" on the Pearl consoles. Once you get used to it it's okay, but in my opinion it's not very well thought off.

Also, it would be great to have a view in which you could easily look up which addresses are patched to what channels. In the current view that's the other way around (what channel an address is patched to), but sometimes I want to quickly view where I patched channel 468 (for instance). Is there an easy way of getting this info (the patch matrix doesn't qualify as an easy way).

I am going to hijack this post and ask how one would go about patching two DMX values to one 'handle'.

Useful in instances like Moles, where I was using them manual a few weeks ago, and had them over several handles.

Simply input the DMX number of the dimmer and press the relevant handle Swop.
I use for Moles too. Useful to keep things simple & accessible without the need to use up valuable playbacks.