Computer Based DMX Control

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H

HiDefDJ

New DJ
Aug 13, 2006
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If you're in the market for a computer based DMX show then you know there are some expensive programs out there. Martin has Light jockey. Chauvet has XPress. Then there's Daslight too. These will run a few hundred at the least.

You then have other options. You can visit eBay and buy an Entec usb/dmx box. Just be sure you are buying the 3 pin and not the 5 pin box unless you need it.

These boxes will run under $100 and then you can download a great free dmx software called Freestyler. It really is a great tool but can be tricky if you have no experience.

If you're a DMX novice then I highly suggest you visit this link to purchase this $62 dmx/usb box. It comes with it's own dmx software that is a breeze to use. There's a wizard to help you setup your shows as well. For $62 it's a great way to get started in computer based DMX control.

With this box you can also use Freestyler as well once you get more advanced in DMX control.
 
I'm a strong advocate for the Elation SunLight software :)

Use it all the time at the office, however you never see any big boy's (tour companies) use it, so I may lead toward a hardware based solution. I have used ETC show express a lot and love 'em.
 
I Have the Enttec USB dongle... never been able to get FreeStyler to see it.

Maybe bacause it uses the same driver family as my USB serial cable....

I'm gonna look into this one, but until then, my Chauvet DMX40 and ADJ ShowDesigner is gonna have to make due.
 
I know for a fact that the box I suggested works with Freestyler because I've tried it.
 
Chris, are you using Freestyler now or Lightplayer?
 
I'm using Light Player. It is very basic but works well enough for me. There's an easy to use wizard to help design your shows.
 
Good information...

I was a little too tough on the Show XPress software a few months ago. My only complaint is the tutorial is geared toward a Pro operator mentality... not to a novice. If you don't know DMX,, then Show XPress is NOT for you.

DMX software in not recommended to someone who doesn't know how to understand DMX protocol, unless... I am not familiar with Chris's recommended software program above, so that may be a solution for the novice. Chris or Jay, can you give a review?

BTW, what do the Pro companies use on tour?
 
Has anyone ever used Axis from Leviton???? I remember running across them om the web, I kinda thought it made sense that the people that build electrical items like switches, dimmers, plugs outlets etc. would have their fingers in DMX control.
 
OK, here's a great screenshot of my DMX software interface. As you can see my show fits PERFECTLY on my screen. I do have DMX strobes and a hazer but those are things that I don't use much. If need be I can add them at the end of the list and then I simly have to scroll to the right to see them. Playing scenes is as easy as pressing the yellow buttons on the bottom left that I programmed under the "add new scene" tab(Ceiling sweep, cake spotlights, etc.....). I just noticed they don't look too yellow once I uploaded the pic, but trust me they are. lol

The yellow buttons are the scenes you can create. There's 6 listed but if you have more you simply scroll down. The box on the bottom right with the alternating white/blue lines in the actual playlist. You simply click on the yellow scene buttons on the left and they get added to the playlist on the right.


DMXShow.jpg
 
So Chris - I see "ceiling sweep"..If you've got a chase going with multiple scenes and you want to strobe your pars...is it as simple as clicking on "strobing pars" then hit the play button? ...then go back to "full show"

If it's that simple.....Sh-ite..I'm getting a box....

I asked this before...can you run audio into this...How?

Are you running this on a dedicated lappy? I have a back up tablet pc....How easy would it be using the stylus to click scenes.....cool....

I think I'll be selling my hardware controller.....
 
I've been playing with Freestyler a little bit. I can program scenes, but can't figure out how to save them. It's pretty frustrating.

Anyway, the nice thing about it is the 3D visualizer. I can program a scene and see how it's going to look with gobos and colors without having to actually hook up my lights.

Now if I can just figure out how to save it.... :tard:
 
I believe you can only run one scene at a time, so if you want multiple lights going you would have to program them all inside a scene.

You can control lights that are NOT in a scene while a scene is going. Say for instance I have my "ceiling sweep" scene going. This is just a basic slow moving scanner sweep of the ceiling. My LED Pars are not programmed into this scene so they would be blacked out. I do have the ability to move the channels for the pars while the "ceiling sweep" scene is playing and then my LED Par's will function. They won't be programmed but you can control them and make them do whatever you want.

To play a scene simply click the desired scene button. That's it.
 
cbarronx23 said:
can you run audio into any of these software packages/?
Click to expand...

Supposedly you can link Freestyler up with whatever audio program you're using, but I haven't figured out how yet.

I'm still using a hardware controller at this point, but will be making the switch in the very near future.
 
Chris, are you out there?.......I might just have to come out to Long Island and make sure you haven't switched to some other forum
 
I would want it to run on audio for the same reason it does with my hardware controller. Slower movement and trasitions during slow songs, faster during fast songs. Why would I want it to run at the same pace for everything?
 
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