adresses

Where to begin...

OK, so we're using 3 8-channel fixtures, in a row. Big deal. You've at least spelled out the fixtures and addressed clearly, that's good.

Are your fixtures in DMX mode? Not sure if those lights operating in a stand-by mode. Ensure you've properly assigned the addresses and are in DMX mode, not stand alone or master/slave mode.

Let's talk addressing:
Just don't overlap addressing and you'll be fine.
First fixture is 8 channels? You've assigned it 1-8. Good.
Second fixture is 16. You've assigned it 9-24.
Third fixture SHOULD start at 26.

It doesn't matter HOW or WHAT you assign your fixtures as long as you know where it is. Don't overlap channels between fixtures. DO feel free to map multiple fixtures to SAME channels. For example, I have 8 64 LED Pros. I COULD(and have) assigned them to the samae 7 channels. This is perfectly acceptable under DMX rules, no problems.

You can put your fixtures on any channel(s) you want. DMX and MyDMX doesn't care. But, units using multiple channels use a contiguous grouping of addresses.

Jingles and I do things a bit differently, and I've explained this before. This ins't a "he's right and I'm wrong" or vice versa. It's not a matter of who is right or wrong. Let em explain;

Jingles likes to use up all his channels, no gaps, beginning to end. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. But that's not how I do it.

I am trying to design my channel assignments to be compatible with not only MyDMX, but also my older DMX Operator console. As a result, I have gaps in the channels used in order to facilitate things properly and conveniently lining up on the DMX Operator.

DMX addresses can be as simple as having 1 channel, to having an insanely huge number of channels. Using a dimmer pack, the dimmer pack may have 4 channels, but you're most likely assigning a ParCan to that channel and you're most likely controlling more than 1 ParCan off a dimmer pack.

My Color Fusions have 7 channels, as do my 64 LED pros based on the mode I set them in(5,6 or 7 channels). I think my moving yoke lights use 9 channels in the mode I have them in. My other color changers I think use 4 channels. My spots I think use only 2 channels.

So, this 1, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, stuff is crap. That would be too restrictive. While old binary addressing via DIP switches can be confusing, it's not the difficult. Again, you can use ANY channels you want.

I think in my case, I use my first 8 0r 16 channels to deal with switching packs and high-tech FX type fixtures. My next 16 I think I am using for my Par38s, of which I have 32. 2/channel on the dimmer packs. After that, I think I have my Color Fusions, skipping a channel in between for "compatibility". Then, after another skip, repeating this channel assignment pattern for my 64 LED Pros. I think that's enough for now. I got movers and other color changers and the spots too.

SerraAva has a really good system that he uses for assigning addresses.

Again, it's not about what is better. If you reach why each person does their own method of assigning things, it makes perfect sense.

Ask more questions. You seem rather lost but are looking to get educated rather fast. Keep asking, we'll keep answering.

Since mentioned, I will chime in and add a couple more cents.

You are correct thinking about and Chris is correct in explaining how DMX addressing works. My system is different from Jingles and Chris's for addressing, allow me to explain.

I like to group things by fixture type. 0-100 are always dimmers. I rarely use more then 96 dimmers for an event (dimmer racks come in sizes of 12, 24, 48, and 96. This doesn't included costume made racks.) 101-200 will be my first type of fixtures, be it movers or LEDs. Next up, 201-300 will be another type, then 301-400 and finally 401-500. 501-512 I use for odd ball things like strobes and foggers.

The reason for me doing this is because every fixture type starts at the number one. When a crew member asks me what address something needs to be, I can quickly add it up in my head without having to look at paperwork or my console/s. It also helps when trouble shooting, myself or a crew mate can quickly determine if its an addressing error. Now there are cases in which channel count spills over, for example I often use 8 DLED36MHs on my shows. They are 16 channels a piece, or 128 channels total. What I do then is simply address fixture one to channel 101 until fixture eight is channel 213. I then start my next batch of fixtures, let's say 4 DS575Es. My first DS575E will start at channel 301, second channel 325, etc etc.

Like Chris stated, no method is 'better' or 'the right way', its about what works for you. Then once you find something that works for you, stick with it. This helps you think on your feet better using systems you are familiar with. This is also not to say that once you do something for a while, you can't try something new and/or add/subtract things from your process. Try and keep an open mind.

As Chris said, keep asking the questions and we will keep trying to help. Also, welcome to the forums elrolas.