sureview
as a seem to be doing more and more gigs again (I had hung up my slip mats once), and the venues are getting bigger and better, I thought it about time I upgraded my lighting system
I already have two multi beam lasers that have dmx control, but just running off sound to light, and a range of scanners and moonflower effects (most of them halogen)
So I need to upgrade all to DMX and LED, I have just purchased a equinox domin8tor, which looks good ( on the you tube video at least !)
My question is what lighting effects do you own or have impresed you ?, does not have to be the biggest or best , just good value and effective!
for example I have a couple of mini twinkle lasers, cheap chinease imports from ebay, they were only about £15 each, but are a great filler for small venues or to light a backdrop, probably the best £30 I ever spent !
moving forward with my upgrade, which option should I choose for DMX control, a control desk of windows app and usb-dmx interface, if i go down the pc control route , is any of the free software any good?, I dont mind paying for software if its value for money, but if i am only going to control a handfull of lights it has to be cost effective .
What do you guys think, maybe post details of your favourite effect ?
Inviato Tue 01 Apr 14 @ 6:29 am
DJ Staimh
If you go down the pc usb dmx route then freestyler is free abd easy to learn, and sbdj Scott has done some great addons
for vdj which work really well.
I'm using freestyler with a dmx king usb controller and it works well.
for vdj which work really well.
I'm using freestyler with a dmx king usb controller and it works well.
Inviato Wed 02 Apr 14 @ 2:15 am
groovindj
sureview wrote :
I need to upgrade all to DMX and LED
I need to upgrade all to DMX and LED
You need to? What's wrong with what you've got now?
Changing to LED will only be an upgrade if you avoid the "dot lights" that produce red, green and blue blobs, and you buy lights that have powerful LEDs (e.g. more than 10-20W). Low powered LED lights are not very bright, and you'll probably find that they can't compete with your current halogen based effects - so not really the way to go for larger venues.
LED based lights which are powerful enough for use in larger venues and to actually be an improvement on standard lights will costs you upwards of £300 each.
Upgrading to DMX will only be worthwhile if you're prepared to learn how to program DMX shows. Additionally, when using DMX software, you need to be comfortable with writing "fixture files" (which the software needs in order to interface to each light).
Inviato Wed 02 Apr 14 @ 9:36 am
sureview
I will check out freestyler...
I do feel that a more programed and controllable light show would be better, rather than just switching on and off different lights
along with the ability , black out , colour wash etc,
there seems to be lots of budget DMX to Led drivers on ebay, these could be used for backdrop , front screen rope light etc, and again linked into dmx would give a great display
maybe I should change all the bulbs in my halogen?, as even some of my £70 led fixtures seem to give better output.
there are lots of other advantages to LED, lighter fixtures, hardly any heat, lamps that last for years and years and some of the latest effects are looking good, if I have to pay £300 for a fixture , that's not a problem if its impressive !
I do feel that a more programed and controllable light show would be better, rather than just switching on and off different lights
along with the ability , black out , colour wash etc,
there seems to be lots of budget DMX to Led drivers on ebay, these could be used for backdrop , front screen rope light etc, and again linked into dmx would give a great display
maybe I should change all the bulbs in my halogen?, as even some of my £70 led fixtures seem to give better output.
there are lots of other advantages to LED, lighter fixtures, hardly any heat, lamps that last for years and years and some of the latest effects are looking good, if I have to pay £300 for a fixture , that's not a problem if its impressive !
Inviato Wed 02 Apr 14 @ 10:05 am
groovindj
Yes, programmed and controlllable is good - but you have to write the programs.
With DMX it's inevitable that whatever lights you pick, they'll all have different DMX channel assignments - so you won't be able to just string them all together and have them work happily.
Unless you are prepared to put in the time and effort to:
1) Learn DMX
2) Create fixture files (if using software)
3) Connect your lights up, assign DMX channels, write programs
.....then it can be more trouble than it's worth. It's the complete opposite of "plug & play".
With DMX it's inevitable that whatever lights you pick, they'll all have different DMX channel assignments - so you won't be able to just string them all together and have them work happily.
Unless you are prepared to put in the time and effort to:
1) Learn DMX
2) Create fixture files (if using software)
3) Connect your lights up, assign DMX channels, write programs
.....then it can be more trouble than it's worth. It's the complete opposite of "plug & play".
Inviato Thu 03 Apr 14 @ 5:07 am
Martin FourS
Just chiming in for a moment:
FreestylerDMX is already partially automated. There's an assignable S2L-function which can be used for PAR's and for scanners and moving heads there's a shape-generator with pre-made patterns that can be started with a few clicks.
Besides that: there are a lot of user-created fixture-files that covers most of the available fixtures on the market. Actually it's a bit like VDJ ;)
Freestyler has a forum with some very active users that can help you on your way to a fully automated lightset.
FreestylerDMX is already partially automated. There's an assignable S2L-function which can be used for PAR's and for scanners and moving heads there's a shape-generator with pre-made patterns that can be started with a few clicks.
Besides that: there are a lot of user-created fixture-files that covers most of the available fixtures on the market. Actually it's a bit like VDJ ;)
Freestyler has a forum with some very active users that can help you on your way to a fully automated lightset.
Inviato Thu 03 Apr 14 @ 8:14 am