Can I Record Unison Presets Using My Light Board?

Question

My Unison system and my lighting console have control over the same lights. I would like to set up a "look" from my lighting console and record (snapshot) over a preset in Unison. Is this possible? 

Answer

Perhaps. 

It is important that the Unison configuration has those zones set to "pile on" rather than "replace." By default, zones are set to "pile on." It also depends on the type of processor and protocol which the console is outputting. A CMEd and CME can only take direct DMX input, whereas a CMEi can take direct DMX input or EDMX (Net2) over Ethernet. None of them can snapshot from sACN or Art-Net.

The CMEd, CME, or CMEi will be able to see levels set by the lighting console for these zones. Pressing "record" on a Unison button station and selecting the appropriate preset button will re-record this preset with new levels.