PC Based Dmx Control?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Hi guys,

Before i get rolling i'll just let you know what im working with....

1x impossibled
2x mircaleds
1x kam cluster 3d
1x skytec par can
2x imove 7s

Ive currently just dmx the mircaleds and have a ca 8 plugged in. I point the impossibled at the floor and kam cluster at the ceiling. Mircaled at the walls. I move's come out at better discos and usually floor mounted or hang from the goal posts and replace the impossibled and par can.

Now, Im not a big fan of a ca8 and dont want three or four of them to control all my different lights, i rather have one unit. I also know nothing about using software or controllers but am willing to put in the hours at home to work it out. The proplem i have is....

*Do I get a controller or as i already have a laptop (which i dont dj off) that can install the software?

*I understand that you link them up in a series and not have each fixture connected directly to the controller or laptop. Will the signal reach all my fixtures correctly as they dont "understand" each other when connected.

*If i go the laptop route which im leaning towards. I have to get something that plugs into the usb into a dmx output. Do i have to get the matching software for it to work or can i get a universal one that will work with different software?

Regards
Neil

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Id go for a pc based system. Im always banging on about it but i like Daslight. Nice and simple to use.

With regards to linking them. You need to set the correct DMX address on the fixture, then assign that fixture to the corresponding address on the software. Its that simple. The address can be fairly easy to sort out. LED display just find the number, Dip swithes are a touch trickier because you need the switch values (look at http://www.ukslc.org/articles/lighting/how_to_set_up_and_address_dmx_lighting.html ).

DMXWill is a bit of a guru on here though, maybe send him a PM if your stuck.

[Tom]

It all depends on how much money you have to play with.

For all my DMX'ing needs I use a Ryger Footlight (http://www.rygershop.co.uk/shop/article_12/Footlight-USB-DMX.html?shop_param=cid%3D4%26aid%3D12%26).


It comes with Daslight Gold, which is fairly easy to use but the good thing about it, is that you can create shows on the laptop and upload them to the controller which means you dont need to take the laptop with you.

You can also use it as a standalone computer controller and works very very well. I have had no problems with mine and its fantastic.

As I said, it does depend on how much money you have. The Ryger Footlight (http://www.rygershop.co.uk/shop/article_12/Footlight-USB-DMX.html?shop_param=cid%3D4%26aid%3D12%26) at the moment is £350.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Dont mind spending the money but i want to make sure is that i get on with it. As theres different controllers and software out there i dont want to spend loads of money on one product and find I dont get on with it. For instance say i went for daslight and got the usb connection for it and didnt like it, could i still use the daslight connection and use a different software?

[Tom]

Well from what I believe, you download the daslight demo, then when you plug the usb dmx, this then turns the demo into the Gold edition for example. The code is in the usb breakout box so the software can't be copied and sold on.

MyDMX from American DJ, is near enough the same as Daslight and it a lot lot cheaper. I would download daslight and have a play with it. Worth a shot I say. :)

[Jiggles]

I have ADJ MyDMX and its idiot proof! Support is brilliant as well if you need a fixture made!

[Tony Scott]

Excellent results for under £60, this is what I use....see the results here: http://www.partyshopdisco.co.uk/images1

*Use this FREE software:
http://users.telenet.be/freestylerdmx/

*With this interface:
http://www.twenga.co.uk/offer/6558/3588018830813527250.html

*or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB2DMX-JMS-USB-Interface-for-PC-Laptop-512-DMX-Channel_W0QQitemZ160309339389QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item160309339389&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A2%7C 240%3A1309

[DJ James Lake]

I too have been looking at PC DMX control and came across Chauvet ShowXpress totally by accident when looking through youtube. I am hooked all I can say is wow.

I have tried for months to get on with freestyler and got nowhere.

With ShowXpress setup my lights including the ones that didn't have presets and got a show running within 1/2 an hour.

The software is free but they tie you to there interface but I think its definitely going to be my next investment.

I like the fact you can control it from touchscreen too.
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/showXpress-software.html