A chart like format is used where dimmer numbers are listed in the left column, and the various sources
of precedence between them are listed in the columns along the right.
Figure 4 shows the pairing of sources for setting precedence. DMXA and DMXB have a main selector
between them and Analog and Collage have a selector between them. The Main Precedence Selector is
between whatever the DMX selector and Analog/Collage selectors provide. The Panic and Backup Cue
(not shown) both pile on to the Main Precedence Selector.
The DMXA, DMXB and Analog control source columns show the number of sources that control the
dimmer. The Collage columns display the zone name and area name, or simply a number if they are
not named. Dimmers included in the Panics are shown with a “X” in that field. Any control source
field that is blank indicates that the contribution to that dimmer is zero.
The legend below indicates how precedence is represented. Refer to Figure 4 for examples.
1. '+' Highest takes precedence
2. '<' or '>' When in the DMX precedence column, this symbol points to the source that has
priority when that multiplex input is present. When this type of precedence selector is used in
the Main Precedence or Analog/Collage selector columns, the pointed source has control when
any DMX signal input is present. DMX being present means that a DMX source is active on
the input, not whether or not the dimmer is set to a level above zero by that DMX source.
3. '<TCn' or '>TCn' This is a “Take Control” where the '<' or '>' points to the source that has
control when the Take Control is on, and the 'n' stands for the number (from 1-5) of the Take
Control input.
4. Blank Space. This indicates that the control is not a combination of two sources, rather just one
source or even none.
2.5 Dimmer Control Source Example
The table shown in Figure 5 illustrates a variety of dimmer control and precedence examples. The
comments in the far right column explain how these sources will control the dimmer.
The source numbers shown in the DMX, analog and Collage Zone columns are random and have no
real significance. This is to point out that there is no restriction on order when assigning sources to
dimmers.
A control source column that has nothing in it simply means that the dimmer is not controlled by that
source. For example, if a dimmer controls a light on stage, it is likely that it will be DMX controlled
only. Likewise, a dimmer that controls a house light may only be controlled by the architectural input
such as Collage or analog. These are strictly generalizations, and may not apply to your system
application.
Dimmers and precedence may be assigned in almost any fashion, with multiple dimmers assigned to
the same source, so you do not need individual sources for each dimmer.
DX3 Manual
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