PEARL 2008 dimmer curves

Questions or discussions about the Titan and classic consoles and software.

Moderator: Moderators

QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

PEARL 2008 dimmer curves

Postby QMU » 25 Feb 2008, 10:29

I've just taken delivery of a Pearl 2008 and used it for the first time on the Fratelli's gig on friday. Although almost everything went well, I found a couple of problems that I'd like to ask about.

1) The dimmer curve seems really steep. Basically all the dimmer info happens in the first 70% of the fader - making the fixtures suddenly spring into life near the bottom of the fader. Subtlety was not it's strong point.
2) Some latency when adjusting fixture parameters. This seems to hapen for the first ten / fifteen mins after power up, then disappears. Also did it just after a big save (right before doors opening! Yikes)

Any ideas for these problems. I tried bypassing my buffer for the latency issue, but to no avail.
Also, while I'm on here - what's the best way to sell on an old console? I've got a Pearl 2000 (2004) that I'm going to have serviced and then want to move on.
Cheers.
User avatar
niclights
The eManual
Posts: 4461
Joined: 24 Sep 2004, 01:06
Location: UK

Postby niclights » 25 Feb 2008, 14:52

With dimmer curves are you talking about normal dimmer handles or dimmer attributes on intelligents?

With normal (generic) dimmers you can specify a dimmer curve when patching. As default it will be linear. With intelligents the curve is detailed within the personality. Again, usually this will be a standard linear curve.

The curve options are there for when fixtures don't respond well in a linear fashion (or if you wanted on/off switching etc.) Some dimmers allow you to define this response curve. Intelligents tend to vary widely.

There is a further option of a custom curve definition should you require.


Can you give more details on the 'latency' issue?
QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Postby QMU » 25 Feb 2008, 15:05

All dimmer curves are set to linear already which is why I was baffled. It's like the faders are super sensitive and just come crashing on no matter how slowly you cheat the faders on.

Now to describe the latency issue - After I power up the console, I lamp my fixtures on (which it does), I then send the fixtures home (which it does in a random order, rather than all at once. After this, If i try and pan / tilt, it's as if I've selected the "fan" feature (from the D4) although the all do get to the same position eventually - again, just not together. It's as if the desk is telling the fixtures to do something, and the fixtures are thinking first.

Any help will be appreciated.
Cheers.
User avatar
Olie
Site Admin
Posts: 456
Joined: 11 Feb 2004, 15:24
Location: London
Contact:

Postby Olie » 25 Feb 2008, 15:35

Sounds like a classic DMX problem to me!

- Have you terminated your lines.
- Do you have adequate buffering.
- Are all your cables in good condition.
- Some dimmers require you to slow down the DMX from the desk to work. You can look this up in the manual, it is in the User Settings.
Avolites Software Team
User avatar
niclights
The eManual
Posts: 4461
Joined: 24 Sep 2004, 01:06
Location: UK

Postby niclights » 25 Feb 2008, 19:25

For dimmer curve (if not related to whole problem), what fixtures?

Similarly, what are the fixtures re locate/pan/tilt?
QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Postby QMU » 26 Feb 2008, 10:54

Cheers for that. Latency problem sorted. It seems the input PCB for my buffer had been damaged at some point. Just coninsidence that it reared it's ugly head at the install of a new console.

For the dimmer curves - it's on all fixtures, but really noticable on simple dimmer channels. I used the console on a gig last night and it feels like nearly all of the action happens in the first 30-40 percent of the fader, and unless you go really slow, the dimmers just seem to jump on.

All answers are much appreciated though.
User avatar
Olie
Site Admin
Posts: 456
Joined: 11 Feb 2004, 15:24
Location: London
Contact:

Postby Olie » 26 Feb 2008, 11:08

At the end of the day the console just sends out values between 0 to 255 it is then up to your dimmers to interpret this. The values sent will be linear so when the fader is half way it will send 128.

If your lights come on suddenly then this will either be your dimmer or the characteristics of the fixture. It is very unlikely to be the consoles fault. As mentioned earlier you can load in your own curves to get around this problem. They will change the characteristics of the fader to non-linear.

The reason I mentioned a DMX problem earlier is that I have had experience with cheaper dimmers not reading the DMX correctly from the console. Due to the nature of DMX this can manifest itself in the channel appearing to jump on suddenly. I know for certain this problem exists on Zero88 Alpha Packs and have also seen it in IPix Satellites. The way I fixed the problem was by slowing down the DMX being sent from the console and of course ensure your lines are terminated.

It is also work checking the DMX values being sent from the console on the LCD screen. If they go up linearly then you can be sure this is the DMX being sent from the console.
Avolites Software Team
QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Postby QMU » 06 Mar 2008, 15:34

Dimmer problem is still rearing it's ugly head. Looking at the VDU, my Output sits at FL when the fader is only at 40%. This is not just on the fixture faders, but on playbacks too. Do I need to increase the DMX stop value at all? This has got me a touch flumoxed.
Cheers again.
User avatar
niclights
The eManual
Posts: 4461
Joined: 24 Sep 2004, 01:06
Location: UK

Postby niclights » 06 Mar 2008, 15:48

This sounds very strange. Values shown on LCD or VDU are actual being output from the console and should rule out any DMX/fixture influence.

Unless there's something I'm missing either a non-default curve is assigned or it is some sort of hardware fault.

Try going to system/service/diagnostic screen and see what readings you get on slowly raising a fader. You should be able to linearly move through all values 0-ff hex.
QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Postby QMU » 06 Mar 2008, 16:40

Just tried this. All faders, including GM etc fade linearly between o-ff, but just between 0 and 40 on the fader. Quite simply, the top half of the fader does nothing, but the bottom half fades the full range. I may try a wipeall and full re load to see if that helps, but it seems odd that it's over all faders, not just the fixtures.
cheers again.
QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Postby QMU » 06 Mar 2008, 17:25

Quick update, even after a wipe All, and return to default, the systems diagnostics are showing ff with the fader at the 40% position. Next..........
User avatar
niclights
The eManual
Posts: 4461
Joined: 24 Sep 2004, 01:06
Location: UK

Postby niclights » 07 Mar 2008, 01:46

That definitely looks like a hardware fault then, albeit one I've never heard of.

My guess would be something wrong on analogue board or motherboard if it is all faders. You need to contact service.
QMU
Posts: 8
Joined: 25 Feb 2008, 10:17
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Postby QMU » 08 Mar 2008, 11:16

cheers. much appreciated.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests