PRODUCER 3
06/18/97
Lighting Control Console
page
TEATRONICS LIGHTING CONTROLS,
TEATRONICS LIGHTING CONTROLS,
INC.
INC.
OPERATION
(continued)
UNDERSTANDING THE PATCH
(continued)
To understand the function of the patch, it might be helpful to know how each dimmer's level is
determined. The Producer 3 calculates the level for each dimmer 20 to 30 times each second. It
does this by first looking up which channel controls which dimmer in the patch table. The
Producer 3 then looks up the level assigned to that dimmer in the patch table. The Producer 3
then multiplies the "at" level percentage from the patch table times the channel level setting
which controls the particular dimmer, to arrive at the final level for that dimmer. For example,
if a particular dimmer is patched to channel 7, and channel 7 is at 80%, and the "at" level for the
dimmer is 70%, the final level for the dimmer is 56% (70% times 80% is 56%).
SAMPLE PATCH TABLE
As you can see from the table, each dimmer may be assigned to only one channel, but each
channel may have more than one dimmer assigned to it. You may also notice that dimmer
number 510 is assigned to channel zero in the patch above. This is because each dimmer
MUST have an entry in the channel column and in the level column. If a dimmer is not used in
a particular patch, it may be assigned to the "hidden dimmer channel", channel zero. Dimmer
511 above is assigned to a channel but at a proportional level of zero; it will never come on.
Setting a dimmer's "at" level to zero is another way to remove a dimmer from use. Patching a
dimmer to channel zero has the advantage of being able to review all unused dimmers by
reviewing those dimmers patched to channel zero. Setting the "at level" to zero might be
appropriate with a dimmer which is always used on a given channel, but is not needed for the
current show. The choice is up to the user.
7
DIMMER
1
2
3
4
.
.
.
508
509
510
511
512
CHANNEL
1
2
3
4
.
.
.
2
2
0
7
7
LEVEL
100%
100%
100%
100%
.
.
.
100%
75%
100%
0%
100%
