2-Scene Board Question

[gafftapegreenia]

So, I've been looking into the most basic of basic light boards just for my own personal, light duty/play use. No intelligent just PAR cans and the like. Now, if I bought an 8 channel, 2 scene board, I know I can set it to have a total of 16 channelsin 1 scene. Now, in theory, couldn't I control more than 16 lights by addressing my dimmers in duplicates, I.E., having two channel #4's , etc. I see no reason why this wouldn't work.

Also, I know we have discussed it, but, short and sweet, what $200 - $500 boards would people recommend.

[soundlight]

This is rather common if channels are limited. If two lights are always up at the same time at the same level, then just put them on the same dimmer, or patch the two dimmers to the same channel. This is one reason why many portable dimmer packs have two outlets per dimmer, so that you can fit on more lights without having more channels.

[SHARYNF]

be aware that some two scene boards do NOT let you operate in expanded mode. Leprechaun for one on the lower end units

Sharyn

[gafftaper]

Yeah, you need to read the manual really careful. Some of what you are saying may or may not be true depending on the board. There's a lot of differences out there on the low end.

[Footer]

Also, most dimmer don't let you address dimmers independently. I know lightronics does, but most you give a starting address and go. Also, very few small consoles have a soft patch of any kind. Odds are you will not want to have multiple dimmers on one channel. Having multiple fixture on one dimmer will be done, but you won't want to give away any control that you paid for.

[gafftapegreenia]

Good stuff to know, and much as I suspected; depends upon the equipment.

But, assuming you had a two scene board that allowed you to switch from two 8 channel scenes to one 16 channel scene, and something along the lines of Leprechon hanging dimmers that allow you to address them manually, it should work, right? The only problem I can think of is a board not being able to handle two or three dimmers hard patched at "Number 6".

[Footer]

Originally Posted by gafftapegreenia

Good stuff to know, and much as I suspected; depends upon the equipment.
But, assuming you had a two scene board that allowed you to switch from two 8 channel scenes to one 16 channel scene, and something along the lines of Leprechon hanging dimmers that allow you to address them manually, it should work, right? The only problem I can think of is a board not being able to handle two or three dimmers hard patched at "Number 6".

The board doesn't know whats out there. DMX is a one way protocol. If you want to hook up 9 million dimmers (theoretical) and put them all in DMX address 4 and fire the console up and turn on channel 4, all 9 million dimmers will turn on. The board basically sends something out and hope someone is listening. Basically, think of you going out on your porch and yelling really loudly 16 @ FL, and hope someone listens. If 300 people out their are "addressed" to 16, they will all turn on at full. You didn't need to yell louder to get all of them to listen.

[Logos]

How cool an explanation was that?

[Footer]

Originally Posted by Logos

How cool an explanation was that?

I have another one that involves why to terminate your DMX line. If I feel like it, i might bring that one up too.

[BillESC]

NSI's MC series of control board all allow for expanded mode operation.

The MC-7016 which cost arount $ 499.00 on the street can be used as a 16 channel two scene console, single scene 32 channel console or a 16 scene memory console. It also features two user programmable 23 step chases. It comes standard with Microplex protocol and DMX is available.

www.nsicorp.com