Anyone used pixel tape with FLX?

[Davidmk]

I've got some WS2812B tape and a Smart Show NetWS-340 ArtNet interface on order but I haven't really thought through how I'm going to use it. I think the interface will look like two universes with 510 channels on each with the channels arranged as pixel 1 RGB, pixel 2 RGB and so on up to pixel 170 RGB.

I do music gigs and what I envisaged was putting the tape along the front edge of the stage and having it mimic chases on the backlight wash but I'm open to alternatives.

Is anyone using anything similar? If so, any tips or suggestions?

[Edward Z88]

Hi David, 

I haven’t used this pixel tape driver myself with FLX, but you should be able to get some nice effects from it.

A configuration example, is you could have universes 1 and 2 from the ports on the back of the console, and then send universes 3 and 4 over ArtNet. When patching, your best bet is to patch two lots of 170 RGB pixels, first onto universe 3 then onto universe 4, for example. Give them fixture numbers out the way, I’d be tempted to say even 1001 upwards, as it is unlikely you’ll want to control them individually, and instead just grab control of them with groups. You can then simply tap a group, tap an effect, and you’ll be able to run effects across the pixels. 

Apologies if this was similar to your plan already, but hopefully this gives some pointers for you or anyone else using pixel tape with FLX. 

If you have any questions let me know. 

Edward

[Davidmk]

Thanks Edward.

That was roughly what I was planning as regards defining the pixels but do I define each pixel as simple RGB or as RGB + virtual dimmer?

I was thinking I might patch small groups of pixels to each of a few channels like...

Ch 1001: pixels 1, 4, 7...

Ch 1002: pixels 2, 5, 8...

Ch 1003: pixels 3, 6, 9...

(or something along those lines)

but I suppose groups would be more flexible, do you agree? How would you group them?

 

[Edward Z88]

Hi David,

9 hours ago, Davidmk said:

do I define each pixel as simple RGB or as RGB + virtual dimmer?

In the latest version of the library, you will simply see "3ch (RGB)". This does include a virtual intensity, and I would recommend using this for each pixel. The fixture without virtual intensity has been removed from the library, to always encourage people to take advantage of the virtual intensity.

The benefit of using RGB with a virtual intensity, is you will have access to colour effect, and intensity effects.

9 hours ago, Davidmk said:

but I suppose groups would be more flexible, do you agree? How would you group them?

Yes, I reckon patch every single pixel individually (2x 170 RGB), and then create groups to give you the most flexibility, and also ease of control. You could then create your own groups to achieve your description above.

Auto groups, will give you a group for all pixels, odds, evens, first half, second half. You should find using these groups in conjunction with effects and colours is going to give you lots of flexibility.

For more information on groups see below...

http://support.zero88.com/1011579831

Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Davidmk]

5 hours ago, Edward- Z88 said:

Auto groups, will give you a group for all pixels, odds, evens, first half, second half. You should find using these groups in conjunction with effects and colours is going to give you lots of flexibility.

Of course, auto groups, had forgotten those. The rigs I use normally only have small numbers of fixture types so I've always grouped manually. They are ideal for this situation though.