Patch repeated fixtures without overlaps
Plan repeated DMX fixture addresses, footprints and universe rollover, then read a nine-switch DIP pattern or copy a compact patch sheet.
Method
Fixture end = start + footprint − 1. The next start adds the footprint and optional gap; channels roll after 512 when enabled. DIP switches encode powers of two.
A 6-channel fixture starting at 101 uses channels 101–106. The next fixture starts at 107; direct binary value 101 turns on switches 1, 3, 6 and 7.
Use responsibly
Fixture mode determines footprint, while universe numbering and DIP encoding differ between products. Confirm the patch, offset convention and switch meanings in the controller and fixture manuals.
The patch plan is generated locally and is not stored. No file contents or calculation inputs are sent to our analytics system.
Last reviewed: 11 August 2026
Calculation and copy checked for this release.
A footprint is the number of consecutive DMX channels consumed by the selected fixture mode. Changing from a basic mode to an extended mode often changes every following start address.
A universe carries channels 1 through 512. With automatic rollover enabled, a fixture that would cross channel 512 starts intact at channel 1 of the next universe rather than being split.
Some fixtures encode the visible start channel directly; others use an offset such as channel minus one. The planner supports both but cannot infer which convention a fixture uses.
Nine binary values cover 0 through 511. A tenth switch is often reserved for another function, but layouts vary, so always check the fixture manual.
No. It plans universe and slot addresses only; network routing, priorities, multicast settings and node configuration remain separate.
Practical guide
Plan DMX start addresses without overlaps, understand fixture footprints and universe rollover, and decode common nine-switch binary addresses.
