How can I create a fixture where channels have multiple functions?

[randykato]

I have an apparatus with an LED strip of 64 RGB LEDs.

The way it's configured is that it uses 97 channels.

Channel 1 selects a mode. Most of these modes are various pre-programmed patterns for the LEDs and then channel 2 is a dimmer, 3-5 are primary RGB, 6 is speed, 7-9 are secondary RGB, and 10 is tail.

However, if channel 1 has a 0 value, then all the other 96 channels become RGB values for pairs of LEDs, so then there are 32 individually addressable "lights."

Is there a way to configure this as a fixture? I've tested it and created a fixture for the pre-programmed modes and that works fine, but then I needed to program it as 32 separate fixtures in order to use the RGB Matrices in QLC+ (or as a single fixture with 32 heads). So it's been either one or the other. I'd love to be able to use both, but can't figure out how best to do it.

So far I'm thinking I'd need to keep it as a 32 head fixture for the RGB Matrices, but then address channels 1-10 differently to use the built in modes. Does that make sense?

I'm new to QLC+ so any help is appreciated.

Cheers!

[Majik]

Channel 1 selects a mode. Most of these modes are various pre-programmed patterns for the LEDs and then channel 2 is a dimmer, 3-5 are primary RGB, 6 is speed, 7-9 are secondary RGB, and 10 is tail.

I'm not entirely sure what these mean. I'm guessing that the pre-programmed patterns only use 2 colours (primary and secondary)? What is "tail"?

So far I'm thinking I'd need to keep it as a 32 head fixture for the RGB Matrices, but then address channels 1-10 differently to use the built in modes. Does that make sense?

I'm not sure there's any perfect way to handle this sort of fixture. I've had similar issues with a fixture that combines master fader and strobe onto a single channel.

The approach that I'm taking is to ignore the onboard patterns as QLC+ has a powerful pattern generator of its own. The advantage of using QLC+ to generate the patterns is not only does it often give you more control and more options than the onboard patterns, but it also allows you to synchronise patterns across fixtures, or with audio samples, etc.

I realise it's a bit more work to build these up in QLC+, but once you have done so you can attach these FX or sequences to a button and using them in a show should be no more difficult than using the built-in functions.

Cheers,

Keith