PATT Driver

Posted21/09/2026

Updated21/09/2026

ByMrDino

The PATT Driver is an external DMX and network controller implemented in Theatrical: Realistic Pack (TRP) for the PATT fixture family.

It is used to configure, link and control:

PATT 2017
pixelPATT
HolyPATT

Unlike the PATT luminaires themselves, the PATT Driver receives the Theatrical Network, DMX Universe, DMX Address and personality configuration, decodes the incoming control data and distributes the resulting output to its linked fixtures.

The PATT Driver is a controller, not a lighting fixture, and is therefore not counted as one of TRP’s 24 luminaires.

Official Resources

ROBE PATT Driver User Manual

Official ROBE PATT Driver User Manual

The real PATT system also uses a separate Driver to provide control and connectivity for compatible PATT luminaires.

Overview


Manufacturer	ROBE
Device Type	External PATT Controller
Lighting Fixture	❌ No
Theatrical Network	✅ Supported
DMX Universe	✅ Configurable
DMX Address	✅ Configurable
DMX Personalities	7 for PATT 2017 / pixelPATT
HolyPATT Personality	1-channel Dimmer
Maximum Linked Fixtures	16
Maximum Link Distance	10 blocks
Mixed PATT Models per Driver	❌ No
Persistent Fixture Links	✅ Yes
Truss Mounting	✅ Yes
Truss Mount Tool	✅ Yes
Focus Tool	❌ No
Custom Gobos	❌ No
RoboSpot	❌ No
FollowMe	❌ No
Dedicated Flight Case	❌ No
Survival-Friendly Carrying	❌ No

Compatible Fixtures

The PATT Driver can control three PATT models:

PATT 2017
pixelPATT
HolyPATT

However, one Driver can only control one PATT model type at a time.

For example:

PATT Driver
├── PATT 2017
├── PATT 2017
├── PATT 2017
└── PATT 2017

✅ Valid

But:

PATT Driver
├── PATT 2017
├── pixelPATT
└── HolyPATT

❌ Invalid

PATT 2017, pixelPATT and HolyPATT cannot be mixed in the same Driver target selection.

DMX Modes

When controlling PATT 2017 or pixelPATT, the PATT Driver provides seven personalities:

Mode	Personality	Channels
Mode 1	Wash	13
Mode 2	Pattern	32
Mode 3	Pixel RGB	40
Mode 4	Pixel RGBW	47
Mode 5	Pattern Full RGB	53
Mode 6	Pattern Full RGBW	60
Mode 7	Pixel RGBW Only	28

Mode 1: Wash is the default personality.

Mode 1 — Wash

13 channels

This is the default PATT Driver personality.

It provides the compact wash-oriented control set for compatible RGBW PATT fixtures.

Mode 2 — Pattern

32 channels

Adds pattern-oriented control alongside the general PATT output functions.

Mode 3 — Pixel RGB

40 channels

Provides individual RGB control for the seven lighting elements.

Mode 4 — Pixel RGBW

47 channels

Extends individual pixel control to full RGBW output.

Mode 5 — Pattern Full RGB

53 channels

Combines detailed RGB pixel operation with the extended pattern system.

Mode 6 — Pattern Full RGBW

60 channels

Provides the largest RGBW pattern-oriented personality for the PATT family.

Mode 7 — Pixel RGBW Only

28 channels

Provides direct RGBW control of the seven individual pixel elements without the larger Pattern Full control set.

Implemented Functions

Depending on the selected personality, the PATT Driver can decode and distribute functions including:

Global colour
RGB control
RGBW control
Individual pixel control
Global intensity
Shutter / strobe
Patterns
Pattern colour
Active zones
Colour mixing
Colour macros
CTC / white-point behaviour
Transition effects

The exact functions available depend on the currently selected personality.

HolyPATT Dimmer Mode

HolyPATT uses a different control system from PATT 2017 and pixelPATT.

When the Driver is configured for HolyPATT, the normal seven PATT personalities are replaced by:

Personality	Channels
HolyPATT Dimmer	1

The single channel controls the intensity of the connected HolyPATT fixtures.

HolyPATT retains its warm tungsten-style appearance while its output level follows this dimmer channel.

Controller Configuration

Interact with the PATT Driver to open its dedicated configuration screen.

The screen provides controls for:

Theatrical Network
DMX Address
DMX Universe
DMX Personality
Nearby PATT fixtures
Linked fixture selection

Theatrical Network

The PATT Driver can be assigned to a Theatrical Network.

The selected network is persisted with the controller.

The Driver can use the normal Theatrical network / DMX workflow while its dedicated interface is used to manage the connected PATT fixtures.

DMX Address

The PATT Driver provides an editable DMX starting address.

The implementation limits this value to the normal DMX address range:

1–512

The footprint used from that starting address depends on the selected PATT personality.

DMX Universe

The Driver also provides a configurable DMX Universe.

This determines which incoming universe supplies the PATT Driver’s control data.

The Driver then decodes the selected personality beginning at its configured DMX Address.

Linking Fixtures

The PATT Driver includes a nearby fixture scanner.

The target list shows compatible PATT fixtures within a maximum spherical cable range of:

10 blocks

A single Driver can link up to:

16 fixtures

simultaneously.

Fixture Target List

The Driver interface provides information about nearby PATT fixtures including:

Fixture model
Block coordinates
Distance
Linked state
Whether another Driver already controls the fixture
Whether the fixture model is compatible with the current Driver selection

This allows the operator to see which nearby fixtures can actually be added to the current Driver group.

Selecting Fixtures

To add or remove a compatible PATT fixture:

Left-click the fixture row in the Driver target list.

The selected state is then included when the configuration is saved to the server.

Target Limit

A PATT Driver can control a maximum of:

16 linked fixtures

Targets beyond this limit cannot be added to the same Driver.

Additional fixtures require another PATT Driver.

Cable Range

A PATT fixture must remain within:

10 blocks

of its PATT Driver.

The range is evaluated as a spherical distance from the Driver rather than as a simple horizontal square around the block.

Driver Ownership

A PATT fixture already linked to one PATT Driver cannot simultaneously be selected by another Driver.

The target list identifies fixtures that are already controlled elsewhere.

This prevents multiple Drivers from attempting to control the same luminaire.

Removing a Fixture

Removing a target from the Driver configuration unlinks that PATT fixture.

Its Driver-controlled output is cleared when the link is removed.

The fixture can then be linked to another compatible Driver if required.

Link Persistence

PATT Driver links are persistent.

If linked fixtures temporarily become unloaded, TRP can restore their connections when they become available again, provided:

The original Driver still exists.
The fixture remains within range.
The fixture remains compatible with the Driver.
Another Driver has not claimed the fixture.

Unlinked Fixtures

A PATT fixture without a valid Driver connection does not produce its normal Driver-controlled output.

Interacting with an unlinked PATT fixture can display information indicating that it requires a PATT Driver connection.

Driver Screen Controls

The PATT Driver interface provides the following controls:

Left-click a fixture row — select or deselect that fixture.
Click the Network control — cycle through available Theatrical Networks.
Click the DMX Mode control — cycle through available personalities.
Address field — directly edit the DMX starting address.
Universe field — directly edit the DMX universe.
Previous / Next Page — move through the target list.
Mouse Wheel — scroll through the fixture table.
Home — move to the first page.
End — move to the last page.
Save — send and store the current configuration on the server.
Esc — close the screen using Minecraft’s normal screen behaviour.

No Global Keybinds

The PATT Driver does not add a new global keyboard shortcut to TRP.

Keys such as:

Home
End
Esc

only have their described behaviour while interacting with the Driver interface.

The seven DMX personalities are selected through configuration rather than through global keyboard shortcuts.

Saving Configuration

After making changes in the PATT Driver screen, use:

Save

to send the updated configuration to the server.

This includes relevant settings such as:

Network
Universe
Address
Personality
Selected fixtures

The linked state can then be restored as the world and targets are loaded normally.

Output Distribution

The PATT Driver receives the configured DMX data and converts it into output appropriate for the selected personality.

That output is then distributed to the seven visual elements of every linked:

PATT 2017
pixelPATT

For HolyPATT, the Driver instead distributes the dedicated one-channel dimmer value.

The Driver itself does not produce a lighting beam.

Focus Tool

The PATT Driver is not compatible with the Focus Tool.

It is a controller and does not have a lighting output that needs to be aimed.

RoboSpot

The PATT Driver is not compatible with RoboSpot.

It cannot be selected as a RoboSpot camera or remote followspot fixture.

FollowMe

The PATT Driver is not compatible with FollowMe.

Automatic tracking is applied to compatible lighting fixtures, not to the PATT controller.

Custom Gobos

The PATT Driver does not implement a gobo system and cannot use:

Gobo Service Screwdriver
Factory gobos
Custom engraved gobos

Flight Cases

The PATT Driver does not have a dedicated functional TRP Flight Case in the current implementation.

Survival-Friendly Carrying

The PATT Driver does not participate in TRP’s Survival-Friendly carried-fixture system.

Rigging & Mounting

The PATT Driver can be placed on compatible mounting infrastructure, including supported truss systems.

It uses the same recognised mounting infrastructure and rail system used by the compatible hanging fixtures.

Truss Mount Tool

The PATT Driver is compatible with the Truss Mount Tool.

On suitable horizontal F34 side mounts, the tool can adjust its physical mounting angle from:

0° to 120°

in:

15° increments

The tool can also switch between:

Rail A
Rail B

where the selected support exposes both mounting rails.

These settings affect the physical mounting of the controller and have no relationship to fixture DMX Pan / Tilt.