beeiilll Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Last year was my first year with this "hobby". I ended up with 98 channels running by the time it was over. I started too late and didn't get everything incorporated into my display like I wanted, but it worked out okay.Now my question is that I presently have 16 controllers and will be buying more this year as time and money permit.I want to set up my config file so that I will have a master that I can use as I grow things in the display such as adding more channels for mini trees and arches.Can I make a config file that will show things like 48 channels for mini trees even though I may only use 32 channels this coming year as long as I do not assign a controller to the unused channels?I want to be able to "see" that I have 64 channels "laid out" for my mega tree even if I only am able to use 48 of them if you see what I mean?This way I would not have to make a new config file every year, just enable the extra channels as I use them and assign them a controller and channel number if that makes sense.Any thoughts to this approach good or bad?Thanks for the help.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 There is no problem having extra channels. I intentionally leave open channels in case something happens during the season. It's a simple matter just to switch an extension cord and then change a single channel in the sequence editor. I blew a triac on one of my mega trees this year and with the spare channel, things were running smoothly with little delay.I have the iDMX 1000 but only use about 28 channels on it. However, I have them all listed in the sequence should I add new lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Roberson Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I had a couple extra/open channels also with no problems.I do seem to remember some people having "extra" channels with lighting commands having some kind of trouble. Or did I dream that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Cherry Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Paul Roberson wrote: I had a couple extra/open channels also with no problems.I do seem to remember some people having "extra" channels with lighting commands having some kind of trouble. Or did I dream that?No, do not assign a controller and no channel number. Leave all unused controllers/channels as "undefined" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iresq Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Paul Roberson wrote: I had a couple extra/open channels also with no problems.I do seem to remember some people having "extra" channels with lighting commands having some kind of trouble. Or did I dream that?As Dennis pointed out, don't make an assignment. If you decide to use that extra channel in an animation or background sequence AND it's defined in a musical sequence, there will be a conflict and the channel will not behave properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Roberson Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 iresq wrote: Paul Roberson wrote: I had a couple extra/open channels also with no problems.I do seem to remember some people having "extra" channels with lighting commands having some kind of trouble. Or did I dream that?As Dennis pointed out, don't make an assignment. If you decide to use that extra channel in an animation or background sequence AND it's defined in a musical sequence, there will be a conflict and the channel will not behave properly.I have not used background or animation, and never thought of that.Good point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts