Why 8 Universes but only 2048 Channels?
The DMX protocol defines 512 channels per universe of DMX. Which would make you think that when 8 universes are enabled, then there would be 4096 channels available. However, with Ray Console you only have 2048. In reality it is very rare to use all the channels in a universe. Often devices are grouped together at regular intervals across the DMX universes. This makes a lot of sense, that way it is possible to add a couple of devices, without repatching your entire theatre.
For Ray Console, it is the number of patched channels, not the number of universes which uses up the consoles processing power. It would be a waste to reduce the number of universes because of the, probably unused, channels that contain. This means that with a small and inexpensive console, you can control devices across a massive 8 universes, while following standard professional practice.
What if I Downgrade?
No devices will be deleted from your shows. The devices on the universes which are no longer available or that are over the limit of channels will still be there. They just will not output any DMX. You will simply have to repatch down to the number of channels and universes available by default on your console. The same goes for memories. The memories will not be deleted, however you will not be able to play them. Simply copy them to a memory slot within your allowed number of memories to continue using them.