Showtec Multidim

Written by Mush

{mosreview}manufacturer=Showtec/product=Multidim/price=80/score=4{/mosreview}

4 Channel DMX 512 controllable dimmer pack with built in chase functions for standalone use.

Unit supplied with a fitted 13A plug and 4 unwired IEC plugs for connecting equipment.

Compact sturdy steel case with 2 IEC outlets per channel . green 7 Segment LED display indicates mode and DMX start address which is selectable via up and down push buttons on the front panel.DMX in and out via 3 pin XLR connectors on bottom of unit along with 4* 20mm 6.3A fuses for channels and an on/off switch that diables the control electronics.

The top of the case is formed with a channel for hooking on to pipe or stand, this is packed with it facing front, for stand mounting it canbe reversed by undoing the scews in the backplate. Slots are also provided for wall mounting.

Bulit in chase mode allows slection of 16 inbuilt chase programs, all of on /off variety no dimming or fading, speed variable between 0-99. The chase mode is entirely standalone and does not require or respond to dmx input.

DMX control can be set to 2 ,3 or 4 channel control for when you wish several dimmer channels to respond to one DMX control channel.

Screen printed directions on the case provide enough information for even the newest user to understand how to configure the unit to their use.

Channel rating is often referrred to as 4A per channel, the legend printed on the case provides 2 ratings, 4A per channel for China and 2A per channel for CE mark approval.

\n\n\n",0] ); //--> As long as care is taken it should be practical to connect 4 * 4A loads i.e. 4* 1kW PAR 64s to the unit, however this would exceed the capacity of the 13A connector the unit is supplied with and would not recommend drawing 4kW at once through the internal eectronics of this dimmer. Diversity as in using a maximum of 3kW, i.e. 3 out of 4 of 1kW PARs at any single time would be my reccomendation.

Internally the units are quite well constructed utilising fairly standard parts with a choke on each channel and an input choke, this should minimise noise being fed back down the mains line. Output triacs are BTA16 should replacement be required.

Dimmer curve as in the way it responds to fader position on your control is somewhat linear, more complex dimmers have correction for this called S curve, the Multidim does not. In practice this means that below 20% on fader will be almost no output and full on will be at approximately 80% on the fader.

Have succesfully used these dimmers to control inductive loads such as birdies with transformers, PAR 36 pinspots that have inbuilt transformers, electroluminesecent and cold cathode lamps with transformer/inverters. The addition of a `ghost` load was required with the EL and cold cathode lamps, in this case a 15W pygmy lamp plugged into the second IEC socket on the channel.

With conventional filament lamps dimming is reasonably quiet and apart from observing diversity mentioned above, are quite capable of controlling loads of 1kW per channel.

It may be worth while investing in some IEC to 5/15/16A connector convertor leads and 3 to 5pin XLR lead convertors if it is anticipated to be connecting to other equipment.

In conclusion these dimmers represent excellent value for money, construction quality is good especially regarding the price. The compact size means that they can be used close to the equipment they are controlling.

At time of writing CPC is advertsing a Soundlab branded unit which is identical to the Showtec unit, but different form the other Soundlab unit reviewed on UKSLC, for under £40 plus VAT.