Format: shown in parentheses next to fixture, e.g. (74) or as a circled number.
What it is: the console slot that controls this fixture. The number the LX op uses to fire the channel.
Range: 1 to 9999 (most consoles handle thousands).
Why it matters: when the SM calls "GO LX 47", the operator brings up channel 47. Multiple fixtures can share a channel (a wash group).
Format: shown unparenthesised next to a conventional fixture, e.g. #12.
What it is: the physical dimmer channel controlling this fixture (relevant only for conventional fixtures — LED + movers don't use dimmers).
Range: 1 to ~96 in a school venue (24-channel rack × 1-4 racks).
Why it matters: if dimmer 3 fails, every fixture wired to dimmer 3 goes dark. Knowing dimmer assignment lets the LX op diagnose "channel 47 is dark" quickly: which dimmer? which breaker?
Format: often shown as 001, 012, A:047 (where A = universe), or as a 3-digit number near the fixture.
What it is: the starting DMX channel the fixture listens on. LED + mover fixtures use 1-32 DMX channels each (the fixture's "footprint").
Range: 1-512 per universe; multiple universes for big rigs.
Why it matters: if two fixtures are accidentally on the same DMX address, they'll mirror each other. The fix: re-address one.
Format: small number near the fixture, often inside a box, e.g. [6].
What it is: where on the bar the fixture sits. Counted from one end of the bar.
Range: 1 to however many fixtures are on the bar.
Why it matters: "Channel 47 is on LX2 pos 6" — gives the EWP operator the location during focus.
Format: shown next to fixture, e.g. 26°, 36°, 50°.
What it is: the beam angle of a profile fixture (Source Four / Selecon Pacific). Narrow = far throw; wide = close-up.
Range: common school options are 19°, 26°, 36°, 50°.
Why it matters: wrong lens = wrong throw distance. FOH bars need 19°-26° (long throw); LX2 specials need 26°-36°; cyc-side units often 50°.
Format: e.g. 650W, 1.2kW.
What it is: the lamp wattage. Affects how bright the fixture is + how much power it draws.
Range: 100W (PAR 38), 575W (Source Four), 650W or 1.2kW (Fresnels), 1.2kW (Followspots).
Why it matters: total wattage × number of fixtures = circuit demand. If dimmer rack capacity is 24A × 240V = 5760W per channel, and you've got 4× 1.2kW lamps on one channel = 4800W — under but tight. Plan circuit loading.
| What you see | What it is |
|---|---|
| Number next to a gel code (e.g. L201/2) | Second sheet of L201 — used when the first one's heat-damaged or for tracking sheet usage. |
| Number on a focus chart e.g. A1, A2, B1 | Grid reference for focus zones on the stage floor. A1 = upstage-left quadrant, etc. |
| Number on a fixture for the gel cut #15 | References the gel cut list — the 15th cut on the list. |
| Number after a colon A:047 | "A" is the DMX universe; 047 is the address. Multi-universe rigs use this format. |
| Number next to a mover indicating 14 channels | The fixture's DMX footprint (how many addresses it occupies). |
| Number near a power leg e.g. 3φ or P3 | Power phase indicator (3-phase distribution). |
| Number marked with + or − | Indicates a change in the latest revision — added (+) or removed (−). |
| Year + version on title block (e.g. v1.4 / 2026-05-02) | Plot version + revision date. |
Imagine a Source Four LED on the FOH bar marked as:
(15) #22 · S4 LED 26° · L201+L251 · DMX A:045 · pos 5
Decoded:
| Document | How the fixture is identified |
|---|---|
| Lighting plot | Symbol + position label + channel + DMX address + lens + gel |
| Circuit list / Lamp schedule | Row per fixture: channel, position, unit#, fixture type, lens, gel, DMX address, purpose |
| Gel cut list | Gel code, count, position references |
If you can identify a fixture in all three documents + they agree, you have a clean plot. If the numbers disagree between documents, something has been missed in a revision — flag it to the LD.
Walk down this list with the plot in your hand:
If all four = Yes, the plot is lockable. If any = No, ask LD before signing off.