Patch Manager
The Patch Manager page (located under MENU > Setup > File Manager > Patch Manager tab) can be used to load and save the input patch for your show.
Input Patch Save
The default file location is on the console's internal drive. Use the drive and folder buttons (as described in the showfiles browser) to select a different destination if desired. To save your input patch, simply press Save As and enter a filename. Use the Save button to overwrite the previously saved patch file.
This will save the currently configured input patch (all Channel Input A routes from stagebox inputs) to a CSV (comma-separated values) file. This file can then be opened in a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel for review or editing.
This allows the input patch from a showfile to be easily edited offline, or even imported into another showfile with the same channel configuration (see below for more information on importing patch list files). This file can also be a useful starting point for creating a more complete patch list file, augmented with microphone and mic stand information etc.
The exported patch information is organised into the following fields:
- Ch # - the channel number as defined in the Console Configuration page
- Ch Leg - the leg number of formatted channels. Blank for mono, 1 for the first (left) leg of a stereo channel, 2 for the 2nd leg etc.
- Ch Name - the user defined channel name, appended with the leg label if multichannel (L, R etc.)
- Input A Device - the I/O device (stagebox) used for the Input A route to this channel
- Input A Route - the input number on the I/O device (prefixed with AES if an AES/EBU input on a mixed signal stagebox)
- Device Type - the type of device routed to; Dante, MADI or Local (not imported)
A typical file will look something like:
[Information]
File header information (do not edit)
[PatchData]Ch # Ch Leg Ch Name Input A Device Input A Route Device Type 1 Kick IO 1-32 1 MADI 2 Snare IO 1-32 2 MADI 3 Hats IO 1-32 3 MADI 4 Bass DI Backline-IO 1 Dante 5 1 Pads L Backline-IO AES1 Dante 5 2 Pads R Backline-IO AES2 Dante 6 Talkback Local
Input Patch Load
The Patch Manager page can also be used to load a CSV input patch file using the Load button.
Warning: Loading CSV patch files will change channel input routes. Care should be taken that the patch list correctly matches the console configuration currently in use.Note that the loaded patch is based on channel ID number. Individual routes will not be imported if:
- The channel ID exists on the console but not in the file or vice versa*
- The individual channel leg does not exist for a given channel ID on the console or in the file
- The route is from anything other than a stagebox (local I/O, other paths, FX rack etc.)
- The stagebox name and type defined in the file is not configured on the console
- Any of the routing fields are blank
- The console runs out of routing capacity
* Note that the channel ID numbers may be reported in one of two ways; Default or Auto-Renumber, as defined in the Console Config page. SSL recommend the use of Default numbering when using the Patch Manager. Changing the numbering scheme between Saving and Loading a patch file is not recommended.
Any console channels whose routes are not imported from the file will retain their existing console route(s) on load.
To explicitly clear a channel of its current route, "NONE" must be entered into the Input A Route column. The Input A Device and Device Type columns can be left blank.
Tip: The Patch Manager can be used to transfer channel input routes from one stagebox to another, e.g. from a MADI port to a Blacklight II connected stagebox or vice versa if a showfile has been prepared for one scenario but the venue is configured for another.First, load the showfile containing the old stagebox configuration then save a patch file as described above. Make a note of the old stagebox names. Create new stageboxes in the new I/O ports with the same names as the old stageboxes and delete the old stageboxes from the I/O page. Finally, load the patch file saved previously. This will remake the routes to the new stageboxes with the same names as the old ones.
Note that input routes other than to Channel Input A and routes to stagebox outputs will not be remade using this method.
