ISIS® Software for PHOENIX XT and MENTOR

7 OUTPUT PATCH
Output Patch
7.1 Introduction
A patch is used to configure how the control channels manipulated on a lighting desk
relate to the outputs of dimming equipment, and also to connected colour changers
and moving lights.
Traditionally, this was achieved by physically connecting the output of each dimmer
to one of the available outlets in the auditorium, using a patch cable. This type of
arrangement is usually called a “Hard Patch”.
The concept of a patch on the lighting control desk is to set this configuration by
using the DMX output information that is sent from the desk. A channel on the desk
can be patched to a different numerical DMX address by the software; this is usually
called a “Soft Patch”.
By setting the patch in this way, it is also possible to assign a specific “Dimmer Law”
– the fade profile of each channel, and allocate a proportional factor.
Normally, and after a desk initialisation, the patch settings of the desk will be one-toone:
that is, channel 1 will control DMX address 1, channel 2 will control DMX
address 2, and so on. Of course, each DMX address can belong to a dimmer, a
scroller, or a moving light.
To learn and use the basic functions of ISIS ® - calling up channels, recording
memories, generating chasers - it is not necessary to create a patch; the default oneto-one
patch can be used. However, it is often the case that devising a patch is the
first thing required before any lighting can take place.
Note: Patch operations for moving lights & colour changers are explained in the
chapter *Motion Control Setup*.
7.2 Patch operations
The output patch sorts which desk channels - instrument numbers - are connected to
which DMX outputs; usually dimmers, but also the parameters of other DMX driven
devices.
The “Default Patch” is when the channel numbers are the same as the output
numbers, with standard linear dimmer laws and a proportional factor of 100%: this is
the one-to-one patch.
The output patch can be visualised on-screen in ISIS ® at any time. Within the output
patch screen, desk channel numbers are displayed in beige, and the DMX output
numbers in pale red.
www.adblighting.com Manual – page 41
Issue: 1.01