Patching Multi-Part Fixtures with Split Addresses
Certain moving lights do not use an internal dimming system and instead rely on an external dimmer for intensity control. Fixtures such as this, which can use two different DMX universes or different incongruous sections of the same DMX universe are called “multi-part” fixtures.
Patching such a fixture where the intensity control may be in a different universe can present a challenge, but is actually quite simple when using ONYX.
The command line syntax for patching a multi-part fixture is as follows:
Fixture ID @ Fixture DMX Channel Enter
By adding to the fixture ID you are telling the console to patch the dimmer attribute only. Note that this only works for multi-part fixtures like the Vari*Lite VL5.
Example - Patching Multi-Part Fixtures
To examine multi-part fixture patching in ONYX, add 4 Vari*lite VL5s in default mode to your show and set the fixture IDs to 601 through 604.
Each of the multi-part fixtures now has not only the main fixture ID number, but also a “part” that contains the associated dimmer information. As the fixture has been broken into two different parts, it is now possible to address each part separately. For example, to patch the fixtures to DMX universe 8, starting address 1, press:
601 Thru 604 @ 1 / 8 Enter
The fixtures will then be addressed sequentially beginning with address 1 and ending with address 78 in universe 8. However, if the dimmers controlling the intensity channels of the fixtures are in a rack that is serviced by DMX universe 10, we will not be able to properly control the intensity attributes. To properly address the dimmer channels, press:
601.1 Thru 604.1 @ 1 / 10 Enter
When completed, your patch should resemble the one here:
