In 24 channel mode the Varytec is actually 8 instruments; 4 LEDs and 4 white STROBEs.
There are 2 ways to control the Varytec via DMX:
1) as 1 instrument with 24 channels
2) as 8 instruments
- 4 LEDs with 5 channels (Red, Green, Blue, Dimmer, Strobe)
- 4 WHITE STROBES with 1 channel (Strobe)
The advantage of using 1 fixture definition with 24 channels is that you only need 1 fixture on the Freestyler work space. The attached fixture is set up with RGB segments so that the Freestyler Colors window is available and the 4 LEDs colors can be controlled together or separately via the segments feature.
The disadvantage is that, while the individual standard sliders will control the dimming and strobe functions, Freestyler is unaware of the dimming and strobe functions and thus those functions in Freestyler are not activated for this fixture.
Here is the 24 channel fixture:
Varytec_LED_PAD_BAR_24chan.pff
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The advantage of using multiple fixture definitions is that Freestyler will be aware of the dimming and strobe functions, as well as the RGB function, and thus those functions will be activated.
The disadvantage is that 8 fixtures must be loaded to the Freestyler work space and, very important, attention must be paid to the addressing so that the fixture definition controls the correct instrument.
I recommend that you add the 4 LEDs with one operation since Freestyler will automatically assign consecutive addresses. Next add the 4 Strobes making sure that the starting address of the first strobe is 1 higher than the strobe address of the last LED (20 higher than the starting address of the first LED).
If this option is chosen I recommend that you position the 8 instruments on the Freestyler workspace such that their relationship is very clear.
Here is the 5 channel LED fixture and the 1 channel STROBE fixture:
Varytec_LED_PAD_BAR_LED_5chan.pff
Varytec_LED_PAD_BAR_STROBE_1chan.pff
Your feedback will be appreciated.