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Setting fixture mode through QLC+

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 10:35 pm
by thespods
I'm new to this all ;-)

Setup:
I'v QLC+ setup with a eurolite USB-DMX512-PRO on a MacBook. I'v made a fixture definition for the Ayra Comparkit 3, that is working.

Question:
I notice that I have to select the mode through de display menu on the fixture itself. Then load the fixture definition into QLC+ selecting the same mode. Is there a way to force the fixture to change its mode setting remotely by using a QLC+ function?

Re: Setting fixture mode through QLC+

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 8:10 am
by janosvitok
The protocol to set parameters on the fixture is called RDM. For it to work, everything on the signal chain must support it (QLC+, DMX adapter, any DMX splitter on the way and finally the fixture itself).
I'm afraid in your case neither of them supports RDM.

https://www.rdmprotocol.org/rdm/what-is-rdm/

Jano

Re: Setting fixture mode through QLC+

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 9:45 am
by GGGss
In a typical production, brand, type, mode, and address must be documented in the planning stage.
When loading-in, the fixtures have to be hung and mode and addresses set correspondingly to the documentation of that show.
This is the job of the stagehands. They mostly don't have the possibility to verify their work and detect signal faults, flickering devices, and so forth.
Now you can start patching.
Flickering devices may need isolation with an extra splitter put in between.
Introducing RDM in this chain may cause extra flickering devices because they don't understand this protocol (yet). (This is under the condition that every piece of hardware between the DMX interface and the fixtures can repeat RDM signals.)
With fixed installs, RDM is your best friend. In the wild, I wouldn't rely on RDM. There are so many factors to the equation that cause you to debug the hardware layer, where you should spend your time setting up your showfile.
Experiment with RDM in a controlled environment, randomly add a splitter and a 50m DMX cable in between and try to add an extra fixture to the end of the DMX line. You might quickly scratch the back of your head.
My 2cts to that matter ;-)