Patch Merging universes beyond console output capacity

You can "program" as big a show as you like.   The desk will not output anything above the 2000th address.

So groups, MSs, Cues, etc - should all be good to program.

I'd Learn a couple of macros that Patch/unpatch the rig as needed.

Also remember that its 2000 patched parameters/attributes, not necessarily 4 universes. Technically if you had 100 parameters each  in 20 universes, you could still use an Ion 2000 to output to 20 universes

The way the console handles when you are over parameters it that it starts at channel 1 and counts up from there counting the patched attributes by channel until it hits the board capacity. Once it hits that capacity, you can still try to control the channels and they will show the commands on screen, but they will not output anything.

So it may be easier to patch your whole show, then just move whatever channels you are working on to start at 1. Program that batch, move them high up somewhere and move the next set down to 1.

Or patch and un patch. Its really either or. I can see un patching as being easier as then your channel numbers stay the same and you don't need to keep a channel map to see what you were doing. 

Hope that helps. 

Hi Patrick, So Patch/Unpatch would require me to go through a series of channels and addresses to patch and unlatch addresses from channels, which is a bit of a time-consuming task, hence I was thinking of merging patch from these other blank show files with appropriate patch. Unless there's something I'm missing? The actual unpatch command removes fixture type info as well, so that would not do, or how would I create a macro to unlatch a whole series of fixtures, manually one by one?

Regarding actual number of outputs vs universes, as i mentioned in the original post, I'm counting outputs by universes, so I actually have about 3000 outputs on a 2000 output board, broken up into seven universes, (which would have ~3500 outputs if full). I'm aware I can actually break these down into lots more actual unique universe outputs, but I've chosen seven for logistical (eventual playback devices) reasons.

Sorry, travisres, "move the channels to start at 1"? So move channels 101-109 to 1-9, program those, and then move them back to 101-109? But then I'd have cues for the same channels with totally different fixtures and functions, I don't see how that yeps. 

emendelev said:

Sorry, travisres, "move the channels to start at 1"? So move channels 101-109 to 1-9, program those, and then move them back to 101-109? But then I'd have cues for the same channels with totally different fixtures and functions, I don't see how that yeps. 

If I'm not mistaken, if you did (fex) Channel 1-120 Move to Channel 1001, and then Channel 2001-2120 Move To Channel 1, the cueing information moves with it.  This way you could move in patch the channels that you needed to work on at the moment, and when you moved to another room, move the channels somewhere else.  It's a possibility, not sure how feasible. 

But that's moving channels, some of my channels have several outputs, and it's the 2000 output (dimmer/address) limit that's on the Ion, not 2000 channels.

In Patch 1 Thru whatever @ Enter.  That will remove the addresses without removing any other show information.

Learning the Macros shouldn't add any work on your part.  Just hit [LEARN], pick a macro number and then patch your show in however many discreet chunks you need.

If Merge feels more comfortable for you - by all means.   If your patch is going to be evolving Merge may be a better solution.

Ion counts the outputs from channel 1 onwards not universe 1 onwards. So keeping things simple you could have channel 1 thru 2000 starting at 10/1 to 13/464 and these will output. Channels 2001 Thru 2512 are patched at 1/1 and these wouldn't be outputted because they are higher channels. Because of your multi outputs per channel you may run out at channel 1000!

Moving Channels is one option but although the cues and all other targets move, magic sheets targets don't so this maybe the problem.

It's maybe easier to import the whole patch and then have a macro which unpatches the channels not in this show.

Patrick, the manual says to unpatch and retain elements of the channel like cues it's "X at 0" instead of "X at enter" like you and I also suspected - which used to profile the output I think but now maybe just removes address number. Does "X at enter" work here too?  Using a macros to patch would create some pretty long macros, but I guess could be better as it avoids having to merge files or change show files. I strongly suspect the patch will evolve though, so I have a feeling you're right about the merge. Part of that process would make sense to use just a macro to remove address information from a universe or two to make room for the added outputs.

Nick, can I import a whole patch for over 3000 outputs on an Ion 2000? I guess past whichever output happens to be the 2000th, it'll just not come out of the board, right? So the merge procedure would really be, import a 3000 output patch into the main cues/magic sheets file, and then run a macro to either 1) remove address/output info from channels of my choice "A" which use at least 1000 outputs or 2) remove output info from channels of choice "B" which use at least 1000 outputs, right? 

Thanks guys! 

I always use "@ Enter" in patch - but I just looked and "@ 0" seems to do the same thing.

Yes you can import the whole patch into the ION.   When you are in Patch you'll get a red text message that says you are over and Channels over X wont be output.