Patch at minimun level (pearl 2008)

[chiefo]

Hi there,
Apologies if this has been answered, I remember reading it somewhere but can't for the life of me find it anywhere.

Basically, I would like to patch some ACLs into my pearl in such a way that they are constantly at about 10% intensity, just trying to make sure they dont keep blowing all the time.

Cheers in advance for any help, I'm certain I didnt imagine this but beginning to feel that way.

[niclights]

I'm almost certain this is not possible, unless you can fudge this with a custom dimmer curve? Don't your dimmers have pre-heat?

[chiefo]

Cheers Nick, I was thinking it might have been something to do with a custom curve but have it in my head it was easier, probalby being naive.

Do you know of any rescource that explains how to create your own curve? To be honest I've never needed to use one, so have only really dipped my toes in the water, before finding it FAR too cold.

Also, my dimmers are the old Avo FD ones, and are really only good for ballast or electroshock therapy.

Cheers for the help though, I suppose if this is the least of my worries I can't be in that bad shape.

[niclights]

Ok. I did happen across this while trying to track down some other info.

It appears there is no reference to the format in the 2004 manual. Or at least it's not where it's supposed to be (an early mention directs you to a page, but wrongly).

So, from the 2000 manual:

Code: Select all

26   Appendix 7. User-defined Dimmer Curves
The file format for the user defined dimmer curve is very simple.
It consists of 256 lines of data, each line containing a decimal number between 0 and 255 and this represents the output value for a given input value which is the line number. Comments are allowed but there must be at least 5 spaces after the entry.
No other text is allowed.
The file name must be UC.DAT
Example entries for the user curve data file:
00     at level 0 the output will be 000
05     at level 1 the output will be 005
07     at level 2 the output will be 007
09     at level 3 the output will be 009
11     at level 4 the output will be 011
13     at level 5 the output will be 013
19     at level 6 the output will be 019
21     at level 7 the output will be 021

This file MUST be 256 lines long.


So, it looks theoretically possible using this method & I have a feeling this is what users have done in the past.

However, there is some confusion:

The 2000 soft had an option in the disk menu for loading this file, but 2004 does not.
2004 manual suggests you use System/Service/Tests/Read FIX.SYS:

D [Tests] - Displays another menu allowing you to test various hardware in the system.
B [Read FIX.SYS] allows a user dimmer curve to be loaded
C [Modify memory] for Avolites tech support use only

Which gives us a conflict of file name!

But, assuming this little hurdle is overcome, the user curve should be available as the first curve option when patching a dimmer.

I have never done this, so I'm not sure. Maybe Olie or someone else will read this and confirm.

[iadwm]

Nic don't you remember providing similar info back in 2004 ?

Olie added some help as it is missing from the 2004 manual...

Extras/User Curve example
http://www.avolitesdownload.com/Downloads/Pearl2004.stm


Regards,

Andy

[niclights]

Doh! No. Don't remember at all. I do now recall Olie's info from the download site.

Anyway, excellent all round!