ChamSys Ltd www.chamsys.co.uk
MagicQ User Manual 52 Version 1.4.9.0
5 Patching
5.1 Patching on the MagicQ
Conventional lighting consoles are often limited in the number of DMX channels they can control
independently – typically 24, 48 or 96 channels. These channels typically correspond to the number of faders
on the console. Some consoles offer a patching facility to allow multiple DMX channels to be patched onto
one fader – but these DMX channels can then not be controlled independently.
The MagicQ console allows access to all DMX channels on all the DMX universes supported on the console.
Each channel can be controlled and programmed independently giving superior flexibility.
Consequentially the console does not make a distinction between DMX channels and console channels and
therefore there is no need for complex patching to be carried out before the console can be used.
Each head can be allocated a head number for recall using the keypad and a name for identification. However
to save time, the console will automatically allocate numbers and names according to fixture types.
5.2 Getting started with patching
The console supports comprehensive patching facilities for allocating dimmers and intelligent heads to DMX
channels. Patching can be carried out at any time and has an immediate effect.
Press the PATCH button to open the Patch Window. The Patch Window has two possible views, VIEW
HEADS and VIEW CHANS.
VIEW HEADS is used to manage heads and dimmers, such as naming, setting head numbers and gel colour.
VIEW CHANS is used to carry out operations on individual DMX channels, such as testing the channel and
setting inverts.
5.3 Testing channels
To test channels in VIEW CHANS press the TEST CHANS soft button to enter test mode. In this mode the
channel which the cursor is on is set to the level configured on the TEST CHANS encoder. Use the cursor keys
to move through different channels. Test mode remains active until the TEST CHANS soft button is pressed
again.
Channel testing works for both patched and unpatched channels. Note that for channels patched as LTP, the
level of the Grand Master does not affect the channel level and after test is turned off the channel remains at the
test level. LTP channels can be set to zero by pressing CTRL CLEAR.
You can also test channels by moving to the appropriate channel and pressing the TEST SELECT CHANS soft
button. The channel will be set to the level of the Grand Master fader. Pressing TEST SELECT CHANS soft
button again returns the channel to zero. You can test multiple channels by using SHIFT and the cursor keys to
select multiple channels and then pressing the TEST SELECT CHANS soft button. Channels that are in test
mode are highlighted in red.
Pressing the NEXT UNI or PREV UNI soft buttons moves you up or down the window to the first channel of
the next or previous universe.
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