User guide

103
Dimmer/Channel Patching
Dimmer Patching
There are 1024 controllable Channels on the VENTURA Console; these
are often refered to as ‘Desk Channels’ or ‘Control Channels’. There is an
additional Desk Channel (called Channel 0) which is uncontrolled and
always set to zero level.
The standard DMX protocol which VENTURA uses to control external
Lamps and Dimmers uses 512 Channels; these are often referred to as
‘Dimmer Channels’ or ‘Output Channels’. VENTURA has two separate
DMX outputs (or ‘rings’) identified as dmx 1 and dmx 2 which can jointly
control up to 1024 Dimmer Channels.
VENTURA is equipped with a patching facility which allows you to define
which Dimmer Channels are controlled by which Desk Channels.
NOTE Patching is applicable to both HTP and LTP Desk Channels.
It is likely that in most applications you will use a ‘1 to 1’ Patch, i.e. :
Desk Channel 1 controls Dimmer Channel 1,
Desk Channel 2 controls Dimmer Channel 2, etc .
If required, a single Desk Channel can control more than one Dimmer
Channel. However, it is not possible for a single Dimmer Channel to be
controlled by more than one Desk Channel.
It is good practice for any unused Dimmer Channels to be patched to Desk
Channel 0, such that they are held at zero level.
Creating/Modifying a Patch
 Call-up the Dimmer Patch Entity Screen on the Main LCD, for
example by pressing the dim button followed by the next button:
Dimmer Patch Screen
Dimmer: 1 Patch @ 100
Channel: 1 @ 0
[View] [HTP 1:1] [LTP 1:1]
HELPFUL HINT
Before setting-up a new Dimmer Patch it is recommended that you start by
using one of the two default patches described previously. This will ensure
that you are commencing with a ‘known’ patch and avoids problems
caused by using existing patches.
Creating a Default Patch
To provide a ‘known’ starting point from which to program your own
dimmer patch, VENTURA has two default patches:
HTP 1:1 Sets all HTP channels on a 1 to 1 basis
LTP1:1 Sets all LTP channels on a 1 to 1 basis