Comments on: Wide Mode – Get Extra Channels Free For Your Lighting Desk

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:55:09 +0000

Just pointing out as well, when using the wide mode on LSC consoles, next to the yellow and red bank master faders, there is also another master called the grab. Set your look in wide mode, press the grab button, make sure the grab fader is all the way up, then bring down the yellow and red masters, then set up a new look using all the available channels in wide mode.

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:37:23 +0000

A late but an important note.
Some desks, like the MA lightcommander tend to lock the patch function to the chosen mode. Thus it is important to choose channel quantity before actually patching the desk. Jands event will reboot and (I think) erase memories before opening extra channels.

By: Ian Grey

Ian Grey — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:02:52 +0000

I was scratching my head over that SP60 and what went in the hole. In the end I decided either house light buttons or (possibly and) FOH inhibit fader. (Assuming the green fader is the master).

I liked that desk, particularly the SP80 version. The smaller ones with buttons were a bit rough though.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:31:13 +0000

@ Dimitris – Thanks for the additional info. Most welcome as it always useful to other readers.

@ Jimmy – I suppose if you really need to flash certain channels, just make sure they are patched to the right preset – or save submasters, even if they are for one control channel.

A few days ago I was using an ETC Smartfade, which uses the Wide concept to it’s limits. The Smartfade 1296 is a tiny desk, like a 12 channel, 1 preset. As well as loads of submasters, these few faders control up to 96 channels. That’s 4 pages of Wide!!! Seriously wide and not for the easily confused.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:07:28 +0000

Ahh god bless wide mode. I just wish the fatfrog had another row of flash buttons to cope.

By: Dimitris Vidos

Dimitris Vidos — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:54:00 +0000

Hi Rob,

For the sake of completeness, I just wanted to point out that some cheaper desks (quite similar in appearance, brand differs only) have a “Freeze” button.

Normally used for disco-type lighting, but can be used as the “Store” button you mentioned, if the user performs these steps:

1. Press and hold down the “Freeze” button.
2. Setup your faders as requested for the next state.
3. Setup your “Fade Time” fader to desired cross-fade time.
4. When it is time to take the cue, release the “Freeze” button.

Excellent articles Rob!
Cheers,
Dimitris.