Control Channel
In This Article
What is a Control Channel?
A Control Channel is a single slot in a DMX profile that can control a variety of different static settings. Where a normal DMX slot continuously sends out the chosen value, a Control Channel only sends a value for a brief period (usually around three seconds) before returning to 0, similar to sending a command. Since so many different functions can be set from a single DMX slot using Control Channel, it’s a great way for manufacturer’s to increase the functionality of a profile without exploding the number of slots it uses. Control Channel is common in moving light profiles, but starting with CreamsOS v2.5, Vortex fixtures have a Control Channel as well.
Setting Control Channel Values
Control Channel commands are sent from the Fixture tab on the Control Panel. (For more information on the Fixture tab and the Control Panel, visit the Control Panel article) All Control Channel commands are displayed at the same time. But when a Control Channel command is sent, the rest of the Control Channel commands are disabled until the current command is finished sending.
Since Control Channel sends commands instead of constantly sending a value, it is not possible for Slyyd to know the state of a setting before a command is sent. After a command is sent, a setting can also be manually changed on a fixture without Slyyd knowing. For these reasons, Control Channel commands do not display the selected choice in the Fixture tab.
