Bulk Channel Editor
Quickly add multiple channels using predefined patterns or by repeating existing configurations
The Bulk Channel Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to quickly add multiple channels to a fixture mode using predefined patterns or by repeating existing channel configurations. This dramatically speeds up the process of creating complex fixture profiles with repetitive channel structures. The tool is available from My Fixtures, and is for editing your local library of profiles and cannot be used on already patched fixtures in your Stage.
For a complete reference of the channel types and their associated options please see the Channel Types page.
Accessing the Bulk Channel Editor
To open the Bulk Channel Editor:
- Navigate to your fixture profiles in the My Profiles section
- Expand the channel modes for the fixture you wish to edit, and select the relevant channel mode.
- Click the 3-dot menu to the right of the selected channel mode
- Select "Bulk Channel Editor" from the context menu
The editor will open in a modal dialog showing the current mode name and existing channel count.
Understanding Channel Patterns
The Bulk Channel Editor offers two types of patterns:
Predefined Patterns
These are pre-configured channel layouts for common fixture types. Examples include:
- RGB - 3 channels: Red, Green, Blue
- RGBW - 4 channels: Red, Green, Blue, White
- RGBA - 4 channels: Red, Green, Blue, Amber
- Pan/Tilt - Moving head positioning channels
- Dimmer patterns - Various dimmer configurations
Each predefined pattern comes with the correct channel types already assigned.
Channel Repeater
The Channel Repeater is a special pattern that copies an existing range of channels from your current fixture mode. This is ideal when you have a segment or cell that repeats multiple times (like LED pixel strips, RGB panels, or multi-cell fixtures).
Using the Bulk Channel Editor
Basic Workflow
- Select a Pattern - Choose from the dropdown menu
- Configure Settings - Set repeat count, start position, and naming options
- Review Preview - Check the live preview showing exactly what will be created
- Choose Insert Mode - Decide whether to replace, insert, or add channels
- Apply Changes - Click "Apply Changes" to execute
Configuration Options
Repeat Count (Regular Patterns Only)
Defines how many times the selected pattern should be repeated. For example, selecting "RGB" with a repeat count of 4 will create 12 channels (Red, Green, Blue × 4).
Start at Channel
The channel position where the new pattern will be inserted. By default, this is set to the next available channel (current channel count + 1).
Naming Prefix (Optional)
Add a custom prefix to all generated channel names. Examples:
- Prefix "LED1" → generates "LED1 Red", "LED1 Green", "LED1 Blue"
- Prefix "Segment" → generates "Segment 1", "Segment 2", etc.
Label Start Number
The starting number for sequential labeling. Useful when you want channels numbered starting from a specific value (e.g., starting at 5 instead of 1).
Channel Repeater - Advanced Usage
The Channel Repeater is the most powerful feature, allowing you to duplicate complex channel configurations.
Repeater Configuration
From Channel: The first channel in the range you want to copy (e.g., channel 5).
To Channel: The last channel in the range you want to copy (e.g., channel 10).
Times: How many copies of this channel range to create.
Repeater Example
Scenario: You have an LED strip fixture where channels 1-3 are RGB for the first pixel, and you need 16 identical pixels.
- Select "Channel Repeater" pattern
- Set "From Channel" to 1
- Set "To Channel" to 3
- Set "Times" to 15 (you already have the first one)
- Set "Start at Channel" to 4
Result: Creates channels 4-48, each set of 3 channels being an exact copy of channels 1-3 (including channel types, min/max values, and all sub-properties like gobos or color presets).
What Gets Copied
When using the Channel Repeater, the following properties are copied from the source channels:
- Channel type (dimmer, color, pan/tilt, etc.)
- Min/max values
- Invert settings
- Default values
- Strobe/blinder flags
- Size and offset properties
- Toggle on/off values
- Mechanical and active flags
- Sub-properties: Gobos, prisms, color presets, and custom options
Channel Insertion Modes
The editor intelligently detects when your new channels would conflict with existing channels and offers three modes:
Add Mode (No Conflicts)
When: The start channel is beyond all existing channels.
Action: Channels are simply added to the end.
Example: You have 10 channels, start at channel 11 → new channels are added as 11, 12, 13, etc.
Insert Mode (Default)
When: The start channel overlaps with existing channels, and "Replace existing channels" is unchecked.
Action: Existing channels from the start position onwards are shifted to make room for the new pattern.
Example: You have channels 1-20, insert 5 new channels at position 10 → existing channels 10-20 become 15-25, new channels occupy 10-14.
Note: Total channel count increases.
Replace Mode
When: The start channel overlaps with existing channels, and "Replace existing channels" is checked.
Action: Existing channels that conflict with the new pattern are permanently deleted and replaced.
Example: You have channels 1-20, replace with 5 new channels at position 10 → channels 10-14 are deleted and replaced with the new pattern.
Warning: This is destructive - deleted channels cannot be recovered.
Live Preview
The Bulk Channel Editor provides a real-time preview showing:
- Exact channel numbers that will be created
- Final channel names (with prefixes and numbering)
- Channel types (for predefined patterns) or "Copy" badges (for repeater)
- Action summary with color-coded alerts:
- Green (Add Mode): Safe addition with no conflicts
- Yellow (Insert Mode): Channels will be shifted
- Red (Replace Mode): Channels will be deleted
- Total channel count before and after the operation
- Detailed breakdown of affected channels
Best Practices
Before Starting
- Plan your channel layout on paper or in a spreadsheet
- Create one complete "cell" or "segment" manually first, then use the repeater
- Know the exact channel range you want to copy
Naming Conventions
- Use clear, descriptive prefixes (e.g., "Cell", "Pixel", "Segment", "Head")
- Include unit numbers in prefixes when dealing with multiple physical units
- Keep names short but meaningful for easier programming later
Using the Repeater
- Always verify the "From" and "To" channel numbers before applying
- Use the preview to confirm the correct channels are being copied
- For large fixtures (50+ channels), consider breaking the operation into smaller batches
- When copying overlapping ranges, use Replace Mode carefully
Safety Tips
- Always review the preview before clicking "Apply Changes"
- Understand the difference between Insert and Replace modes
- Start with small operations to familiarize yourself with the tool
- Keep backups of complex fixture profiles before making bulk changes
- The operation cannot be undone - be certain before applying
Common Use Cases
LED Pixel Strip (48 channels)
- Manually create channels 1-3 (Red, Green, Blue for pixel 1)
- Use Channel Repeater: From 1, To 3, Times 15
- Set Naming Prefix to "Pixel", Label Start to 2
- Result: 48 channels labeled "Pixel 1 Red" through "Pixel 16 Blue"
Multi-Cell LED Panel (RGB + Dimmer per cell)
- Create channels 1-4 (Dimmer, Red, Green, Blue for cell 1)
- Use Channel Repeater: From 1, To 4, Times 24
- Set Naming Prefix to "Cell"
- Result: 100 channels for 25-cell panel
Moving Head with RGB Zones
- Create base channels 1-10 (Pan, Tilt, Dimmer, etc.)
- Use predefined "RGB" pattern at channel 11, repeat 3 times
- Set Naming Prefix to "Zone"
- Result: 19 channels with 3 independent RGB zones
Troubleshooting
"No channels found in the specified range"
The From/To channel range doesn't contain any channels. Verify the channel numbers exist in your mode.
"Pattern would exceed 512 channels"
The operation would create channels beyond the DMX limit. Reduce repeat count or choose a smaller pattern.
"From channel must be less than or equal to To channel"
The channel range is invalid. The From Channel number must be lower than the To Channel number.
Preview shows wrong channels
Double-check all input fields. The preview updates in real-time as you change values.
Technical Notes
- Maximum 512 channels per DMX universe (hard limit)
- Repeat count limited to 50 iterations for safety
- Channel indices are automatically reindexed after operations
- All channel properties are preserved during copying
- Sub-properties (gobos, colors, etc.) are deep-copied when using the repeater
