Expression 3 - ETC

Setting the number of dimmers
Your console is set by default to provide 1,536 DMX512 outputs from
its 3 DMX512 ports, where each port provides up to 512 DMX512
outputs. All DMX512 outputs are represented in the Patch display as
dimmers. You may reduce the dimmer count to save clutter in the
Patch display, but many prefer to leave the dimmer count at the
default setting.
If you decide to reduce the dimmer count, you need to take into
consideration a number of factors, including how many dimmers are
actually in your system, whether you are doubling dimmers and
whether you are patching moving lights. The following three rules can
help you determine a comfortable dimmer count on a port-by-port
basis to arrive at an optimal setting for your circumstances.
1. If the port is doubled, make allowance for the B-components of
doubled dimmers that start at DMX512 address 257. ETC
recommends that you use the full capacity when a port is doubled.
2. If a moving light is patched to a port, make allowance for all the
channels in the fixture’s personality even when no external dimmer is
required. For instance, a Cyberlight contains its own dimmer and
needs 20 channels to control all the fixture’s attributes, so 20
DMX512 outputs are required. When one or more moving lights are
patched to a port, you can either total the channels needed for all
moving and conventional lights on that port, or you can play it safe and
use the port’s full capacity.
3. If the port is neither doubled nor used for moving lights, the port’s
dimmer count can be the actual number of dimmers connected to it.
Example: Suppose you have 96 dimmers connected to each of your 3
ports, with port 1 doubled, port 2 used for moving lights and port 3
undoubled and unused for moving lights. An optimal dimmer setting
would be 1,120 dimmers (512+512+96).
If you increase the number of dimmers, the additional dimmers are initially
patched to channel zero. From there, you can assign them to the channel
of your choice.
Follow these steps to set the dimmer count for your console:
Keystrokes:
Action:
1. Press [Setup]. Selects Setup display
2. Select [1], System
Settings, and press
[Enter].
Selects System Settings menu
3. Select [1], Number of
Dimmers, and press
[Enter].
4. Press [8][0][0] to enter the
desired number of
dimmers.
Prompt reads:
Select number of dimmers, then
press ENTER
(Note: Fixtures require one dimmer
for every control channel)
Corner reads:
Dim 800
5. Press [Enter]. Number of dimmers is set to 800
24 Chapter 3 System settings