Dmx

[Candybeatdiscos]

Ok, bought the dynamo scanners (4 head pack) for £330.00, a new hazer to show them off lol , i also have already a non-DMX gobo flower (300wt bulb - so nice n bright), a small moonflower (non DMX) and a firebird (also non DMX) and also a couple of other cheapy DMX scanners.

So regarding the 6 DMX Lights, i haven't yet bought the controller - cant make up my mind lol, but how do you actually set the programs in order to produce say a couple of specific lightshows to go with specific songs?

[Shaun]

You would be better off programming some generic scenes that can be used for lots of different songs. Programming scenes via a controller is a long an laboreous (sp?) task. I locked myself away for days and ended up with only around a dozen light scenes. I tried to program scenes that would work in a multitude of different situations and different sized venues. I've got scenes that use slow sweeps (great for slow songs), fast paced scenes for energetic party tunes, strobe scenes etc for dance sets.

If I could do it all again I wouldn't go down the route of a controller, I'd definitely take the PC DMX route. My head hurts everytime I think about programming new dmx scenes.

[Jiggles]

Wheres Will when you need him??

[Candybeatdiscos]

will advised me that unless i have two PC's (laptops etc) then to forget the PC versions, however i might go and buy a PC for the disco's and use the laptop for the dmx.....

hmmmm, mind you i downloaded a trial of daslight and gawd almighty it looks even worse, 2+5=87???? (ok maybe not exactly that but hey it looks hard to me lol)

[DMX Will]

Garry, if you're going down the PC route, DasLight is a fine choice!

I would have thought the 100 channel version would do you.

[BeerFunk]

The lingering question to me is - is it worth the hassle and expense of using DMX, when your customers most likely will not notice the difference?

I have delved into using DMX controlled fixtures before, and I can resoundingly say that is a waste of time for mobile purposes. A lot of intelligent lighting units now come with their own in-built programs, and link together for an instant lightshow - and really that's all you need for a mobile disco.

[Candybeatdiscos]

Yeah but at the same time Beerfunk, with DMX (If i am correct) you can create a lightshow that is far better suited - for instance you don't need to have strobe do you, so perhaps having scanning lights that dont strobe will allow someone who has a slight case of epilepsy (ie someone who can handle disco lights as long as they do not strobe) to attend your event, also as Shaun said, a nice slow moving light rather than quickly changing colouurs and speed during a slow song.

It may be a waste, but i like the fact that i can add the cool factor into my packages, if they want a nightclub feel then i will give them it, if not then thats ok, i can give them a conservative feel too.

[BeerFunk]

Yeah but at the same time Beerfunk, with DMX (If i am correct) you can create a lightshow that is far better suited - for instance you don't need to have strobe do you, so perhaps having scanning lights that dont strobe will allow someone who has a slight case of epilepsy (ie someone who can handle disco lights as long as they do not strobe) to attend your event, also as Shaun said, a nice slow moving light rather than quickly changing colouurs and speed during a slow song.

It may be a waste, but i like the fact that i can add the cool factor into my packages, if they want a nightclub feel then i will give them it, if not then thats ok, i can give them a conservative feel too.
Yeah I can understand that, but what about these basic controllers, like the CA-8? Don't they have slow, strobe and blackout control? It maybe isn't enough for what you need, but it's a bit of control at the touch of one button.

You know how hectic it can be when people are coming up to talk to you, and you're looking out tracks, whilst also cueing up the next track and making mic announcements! :rolleyes:

The last thing I would want is to be fiddling about on a laptop/PC, or even a DMX desk at that.

[Shaun]

I have delved into using DMX controlled fixtures before, and I can resoundingly say that is a waste of time for mobile purposes

I completely disagree. I occasionally use the pre-programmed shows that come with the lighting and they are pretty rubbish compared to any of custom shows. I also hate that fact that the pre-programmed scenes always have a strobe scene included (which I don't want at weddings and anniversaries etc). Additionally, many brides also have a set colour theme throughout their wedding, and it's nice to have a level of control that'll allow me to set the lighting colour to the theme of their wedding. Programming my own scenes offers a level of control that just isn't possible with factory set settings.

[Ricesnaps]

I completely disagree. I occasionally use the pre-programmed shows that come with the lighting and they are pretty rubbish compared to any of custom shows. I also hate that fact that the pre-programmed scenes always have a strobe scene included (which I don't want at weddings and anniversaries etc). Additionally, many brides also have a set colour theme throughout their wedding, and it's nice to have a level of control that'll allow me to set the lighting colour to the theme of their wedding. Programming my own scenes offers a level of control that just isn't possible with factory set settings.
I would completely agree with the comments. Reference my "stepping up to the next level" thread, while I am under no illusions that most clients don't care about the lights, I think creating an atmosphere to compliment a function is absultely vital. I know that many top class wedding clients won't be interested in a great light show, but I would be fairly certain that they would notice use of bold blocks of colour, particularly if these ties into there colour scheme.

I've also had a lot of couples ask for "white only" first dance lighting. That's one of the reasons i upgraded to the I-Shows so I had control over colour.

What I want to know is how you go about programming a controller - I mean can you set up a controller to run a particular movement set of steps, but have independent control over the colour? Or do you have to set up completely different shows to create differences in colour?

Will - fancy running a training course?

By the way, laptop / PC programming is out for me!

[Shaun]

What I want to know is how you go about programming a controller - I mean can you set up a controller to run a particular movement set of steps, but have independent control over the colour? Or do you have to set up completely different shows to create differences in colour?


This will be dependant on the controller (I think). I currently use the I-Lead controller. Although I can't change the colours of the scenes I've already programmed, I can make some basic scenes on the fly using the pre-set movements that are included on the controller. That way I can control the gobos, colours, speed and type of sweep/movement I want for any given situation. These scenes aren't as advanced as my custom pre-programmed ones, but their function is perfect for absolute control from event to event.

[Shaun]

Will - fancy running a training course?



Will, ever thought of offering a dmx programming service?. If I had known the headache that DMX programming would cause me, I would have rather sent my controller of to someone to have it pre-programmed. I'd have paid good money for such a service!. I'm sure I'm not alone. :o

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Will, ever thought of offering a dmx programming service?. If I had known the headache that DMX programming would cause me, I would have rather sent my controller of to someone to have it pre-programmed. I'd have paid good money for such a service!. I'm sure I'm not alone. :o

You're not. ;)

[DMX Will]

Will, ever thought of offering a dmx programming service?. If I had known the headache that DMX programming would cause me, I would have rather sent my controller of to someone to have it pre-programmed. I'd have paid good money for such a service!. I'm sure I'm not alone. :o

The problem is, to be entirely sure what it is I was programming I would need to have at least one of every type of fixture I was programming! Something to be considered though.

Rice - I have been asked previously to run a seminar on DMX, something else to be seriously considered as well.

[Shaun]

The problem is, to be entirely sure what it is I was programming I would need to have at least one of every type of fixture I was programming!

I hadn't thought of that. It's definitely a niche market for you. The majority of DJs I know would love to have custom light-shows, but they've either not got the time or the know-how on how to get the best from DMX. If there was a way around having to have one of each fixture to program, you could have a money spinning service to offer.

[DMX Will]

I hadn't thought of that. It's definitely a niche market for you. The majority of DJs I know would love to have custom light-shows, but they've either not got the time or the know-how on how to get the best from DMX. If there was a way around having to have one of each fixture to program, you could have a money spinning service to offer.

It depends, I suppose on how much people would be willing to pay for the service, as I could hire in lights to do the programming with.

Or maybe programming software that have visualisers would be the route to go down.

[flatliners]

there are books called windows for dummies why not dmx for dummies i would buy it

[Candybeatdiscos]

Anyone on here very good at programming, could meet up with will and create the perfect easy to use PC DMX program.

[DMX Will]

there are books called windows for dummies why not dmx for dummies i would buy it

Even if they did create one (which there are probably books equal to this), they would not be able to tell you how to program your console, as the market is always changing.

Information in such books would probably not be suitable for the basic use such in a book, as there are loads of extra things that mobile DJs don't need to know about such as how the protocol works, how many fixtures can sit on one line without the use of splitter...the list goes on.

[Candybeatdiscos]

ok mate i think your gonna have to put together an in depth tutorial one for PC based (Please use DALIGHT as your example :)) and a Stand Alone DMX Console one

[BeerFunk]

DMX really isn't that hard if you get to the basics.. it only takes time, patience, and logical thinking! :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

DMX really isn't that hard if you get to the basics.. it only takes time, patience, and logical thinking! :)

You don't use it then? :p

[Danno13]

Well IMO the technical side is easy once you master it.

But its the creativity to come up with patterns as good as the pre-programmed controllers that takes the time and great patience!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I noticed that with the CA 8 Controller for the Acme's that the instruction book that came with it doesn't explain much. It shows the presets etc... Is there a way of programming the controller then?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I noticed that with the CA 8 Controller for the Acme's that the instruction book that came with it doesn't explain much. It shows the presets etc... Is there a way of programming the controller then?

No.

You can only make the units slower (not much), strobe and change gobo/colour.

From memory, if the small led is on (pressing bottom button twice, I believe), then they should run slightly slower and you have to change the gobo/colour manually by pressing the middle button.

THe good thing about the CA-8 is that you can turn the lights on and off immediately, eg: blackout and no duty cycle to turn them on again.

I have a CA-8 I use for my Isolution moving heads and have to say that the functionality is much better with those than it is with the scanners.

[BeerFunk]

DMX really isn't that hard if you get to the basics.. it only takes time, patience, and logical thinking! :)
You don't use it then? :p
No, I am lacking at least one of those three attributes!

[Jiggles]

No, I am lacking at least one of those three attributes!


TIME :D

[BeerFunk]

TIME :D
I thank you! :)

[DMX Will]

Right, so taking the discussion further, who wants to use DMX? Darren...are you finally giving in to using it?!!!!? And if you want it, but want a easy step by step guide, which software are you wanting to use?

I don't really want to offer a guide on desks other than the Chauvet DMX-50, Chauvet DMX-55, The "Scanmaster" (from Terralec) and the Acme Master. However I'm happy to write a guide for the above consoles.

[Shaun]

Right, so taking the discussion further, who wants to use DMX? Darren...are you finally giving in to using it?!!!!? And if you want it, but want a easy step by step guide, which software are you wanting to use?

I don't really want to offer a guide on desks other than the Chauvet DMX-50, Chauvet DMX-55, The "Scanmaster" (from Terralec) and the Acme Master. However I'm happy to write a guide for the above consoles.


Why not sell the guide on DJ Bids?. I'm sure people wouldn't mind forking out a few quid for a good easy step by step PDF guide to DMX, that'll improve their light-shows.

[DMX Will]

Why not sell the guide on DJ Bids?. I'm sure people wouldn't mind forking out a few quid for a good easy step by step PDF guide to DMX, that'll improve their light-shows.

Nice suggestion, I may just do that. However if people are after guides, let me know (before I decide on anything) what your wanting to control/and one what console/software as in my last post....

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Right, so taking the discussion further, who wants to use DMX? Darren...are you finally giving in to using it?!!!!? And if you want it, but want a easy step by step guide, which software are you wanting to use?



I am interested, but am PAT testing atm.

I'll post back later...