Multicell within multicell?

[Techie_v2]

Hi all,

I have got some Showtec Octostrip units to have a play with and get my head around before we do a show with them in Feb.

These are multicell batons where 8 separate batons each with 8 separate cells in them, connect back to a controller that then connects to the dmx chain.

I understand the principals of multicell control, for example using syntax to select 1.1 thru 1.8 to select each individual cell within 1 baton, but how would this work when there are 8 units on 1 patch.

I haven't had a play with them yet, just a quick browse through the manual but in my head I'm thinking that baton 1 would be 1.1 thru 1.8 then baton 2 would be 1.9 thru 1.16 and so on until you get to baton 8 which would be 1.57 thru 1.64?

Then you patch the second controller with the next set of 8 batons connected which would be 2.1 thru 2.64 for all 8 batons?

If anyone can confirm or deny my assumptions or has any experience with these that would be great. I've got 24 batons in total.

Thanks

[scottydog75]

Cool looking units - however some of those DMX charts look a mess!

Personally looking at the manual I would run them in 192 Ch Mode, and then create a custom fixture profile for each strip, something like this (although there is already a Zero88 profile for these units in the desk)

 

This way you could patch this 'custom fixture' for each of your strips, easily run FX across all 24 strips, or dive into the multicell control and run FX on each individual strip. This should also avoid the complexities of trying to work out what 'cell' 1.28 is compared to cell 1.49 for example if you were to use the Z88 provide fixture profile.

Hopefully ZerOS 8 will be out well before your show, so you should have plenty of disposable DMX channels to play with!

Cheers

[Techie_v2]

Yeah I get what your saying, then I could have 1.1 thru 1.8 all the way to 24.1 through 24.8?

[scottydog75]

Yeah exactly that! I'm sure someone else might come up with another better idea, but that's how I would approach it.