RGB Matrix not working with 7 LED moving head with individual pixel control

[Russ]

Hello.
I have some 7x40watt moving head zoom/wash/Bee Eye type fixtures and they have individual LED control, which I would like to make use of via the RGB matrix function.
However, I have no light output from my fixtures when running the RGB matrix. I set the fixture profiles up in the profile editor and made sure each LED is represented by a 'head' (followed the YouTube video tutorial by Massimo)
I added the fixtures to a 'fixture group' and applied the RGB matrix to that fixture group. Then switched to the 'Simple Desk' tab to raise the appropriate dimmer sliders, then went back to RGB matrix and enabled the live preview button.... but nothing happens.

One thing I accidentally discovered, was that if I use the 'control mode' drop down list to change the entry to "dimmer" then the fixtures start emitting light, but it's only different intensities of white light, if I use the drop down list to go back to the "default RGB" option, then the lights go off.

Any help in getting the RGB function working would be much appreciated.

[Russ]

Here is a screenshot of the fixture editor, hopefully I have set this up correctly, with the 7 heads representing the 7 separately controllable LED's on the moving head.

[Yestalgia]

You need to have the dimmer channel up I assume.

I usually have it as a fader on the virtual console. To preview your RGB Matrix functions in the editor, I suggest adding a *Channel Group* for your dimmer channel, then putting it up in the Simple Desk.

Then when you run your matrix effects you should see output from your lights.

[Russ]

Thanks for your reply, but I already have the dimmer channels up, I tab over to Simple Desk and raise the dimmer sliders then tab back to RGB matrix to play with the live preview settings.

I can tell there is an issue somewhere because with the live preview running in the RGB matrix, when I tab over to Simple Desk to raise the dimmer sliders, none of the RGB LED sliders are moving, they are all sat at zero, but they should all be shooting up and down with the RGB matrix inputs.

[Lampy101]

I suspect the W might be causing an issue as the matrix only works with RGB data so one way or another you may need to get the W channel out of the mix. Also is your new fixture group looking correct? I don't think you said how many fixtures in total or their alignment but however it goes you should be seeing the fixture/DMX monitor responding correctly to the RGB Matrix functions.

[GGGss]

Please send in your fixture profile... are all color channels also defined as colors? f.i. red one as preset red? Only after using the correct preset modes, the RGB matrix 'knows' what to use...

[Russ]

Thanks for the suggestion, I tried removing the white channel in the fixture editor but the RGB matrix is still not working.
The RGB matrix still causes no output from the fixture in RGB mode, but does if I turn the 'control mode' drop down from "default RGB" to "dimmer" but now because I have removed the white channel it's using only blue output.

I think it's something related to the fixture editor setup and not the RGB matrix. I wish I knew what was going on, it's so frustrating to be stuck by one thing for days.

@GGGss I see you posted while I was replying. I did make the fixture profile from scratch defining all the channels according to the fixture's manual. I think I only used the presets for things like pan/tilt etc, I think I defined all the colour channels myself. I'll attach the fixture profile here, thank you.

[MichelSliepenbeek]

The problem is in your Fixture Definition: you need to tell QLC+ "where the colors are".
Like this:

Russ-China-7x40.qxf

(6.07 KiB) Downloaded 30 times

Also check whether the Fixture Group you are using for your RGB Matrices does include the multiple heads.
Maybe you should create the Fixture Group again.

[MichelSliepenbeek]

By the way: you also need to add the dimensions of your fixture, otherwise your fixture will not show up in the 2D Monitor (or in other words it will show up as 0x0x0, so you cannot see it).

[Russ]

I just tested the corrections you made to my fixture profile, and that has solved the problem, it's all working perfectly now.

Such an obvious oversight now you point it out, but I just couldn't see where I went wrong.

Thank you for taking the time to correct my mistake, and thanks to everyone who responded on here.

[MichelSliepenbeek]

As the RGB Matrices in Control Mode Default (RGB) only use the RGB channels, you might even consider to create 7 heads for RGB only (so without White) and create 7 more heads for your White channels only (to be used with Control Mode = White).
If you create 2 separate Fixture Groups (RGB only and White Only), you now have the possibilty to create specific RGB Matrices for Control Mode = Default (RGB), specific RGB Matrices for Control Mode = White, as well as RGB Matrices for Control Mode = Dimmer.

This way you can run those RGB Matrices in parallel (be it: one per Control Mode).
As an example: use a color changer (like Balls) on your RGB channels, add some white flashes (like Random Single) on your Whites and use some level changes (like Snow Or Bubbles) on your Dimmer channel.

[Russ]

That's great advice, I'll give that a go. Thank you for your help and suggestions.

[Lampy101]

The problem is in your Fixture Definition: you need to tell QLC+ "where the colors are".
Like this: Russ-China-7x40.qxf


Also check whether the Fixture Group you are using for your RGB Matrices does include the multiple heads.
Maybe you should create the Fixture Group again.

I was wondering how to work around the W channel issue. So have I understood this correctly - so long as the definition editor has the RGB presets mapped correctly from the drop-down menu then the RGB matrix ignores any other colour channels and only uses RGB from the fixture definition? Thanks.

[GGGss]

So have I understood this correctly - so long as the definition editor has the RGB presets mapped correctly from the drop-down menu then the RGB matrix ignores any other colour channels and only uses RGB from the fixture definition? Thanks.

Exactly ...
It is not a 1 to 1 relationship - it is not because a fixture has 144 channels that you have to use them that way... You can create 16 groups of RGB and 16 groups of whites and add a generic dimmer on top of that.
Think outside of the box (fixture)...

[Lampy101]

So have I understood this correctly - so long as the definition editor has the RGB presets mapped correctly from the drop-down menu then the RGB matrix ignores any other colour channels and only uses RGB from the fixture definition? Thanks.

Exactly ...
It is not a 1 to 1 relationship - it is not because a fixture has 144 channels that you have to use them that way... You can create 16 groups of RGB and 16 groups of whites and add a generic dimmer on top of that.
Think outside of the box (fixture)...

I like your thinking! Thanks