DMX or NOT to DMX

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I started with a obey 40 - hard to program/understand/comprehend. Not all my fixtures would work with it. limited programs compared to a computer with is unlimited. cost more than sushi-ds. Lose-lose-lose.

?? I DJ with a laptop..if something happens, well, i'm screwed LOL. Actually I bring 2- both have my music, software and lighting programming on them. One is for music, the other lighting and backup for music (and vice versa).

Just easier to run 2 - one dedicated to lighting means I can change lighting programs with one key (keyboard shortcuts) at any time. I've run the lighting off the music laptop - very low drag on the system.

AND if you want you can download your program to the sushi-ds.

I prefer hardware to software.
If something happens to my laptop, I'm screwed.
But I have considered wireless, for obvious reasons.
 
I started with a obey 40 - hard to program/understand/comprehend. Not all my fixtures would work with it. limited programs compared to a computer with is unlimited. cost more than sushi-ds. Lose-lose-lose.

?? I DJ with a laptop..if something happens, well, i'm screwed LOL. Actually I bring 2- both have my music, software and lighting programming on them. One is for music, the other lighting and backup for music (and vice versa).

Just easier to run 2 - one dedicated to lighting means I can change lighting programs with one key (keyboard shortcuts) at any time. I've run the lighting off the music laptop - very low drag on the system.

AND if you want you can download your program to the sushi-ds.
I might have to start bugging you for some help , I have the Sushi DMX stuff, and I really have no idea what I am doing.
 
Sushi is a nice little device and for what Mike's trying to do - would be more than sufficient. It's also a set it and forget it (for the most part - for what Mike's trying to do). The 'controls' are similar but they're software based vs hardware based. Hardware IS nice - but the software side can be nice as well - and at times, can be even better/easier (especially when you get into multiple fixtures - and if those fixtures include moving pieces).
 
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Just an FYI, if you decide to do DMX and you use a software-based controller, I ran into an issue with myDMX. If my HD quit spinning (believe it or not, just playing tracks can let it spin down) then myDMX would lose communication to the device(s). I had to use SoftJock's little "always spinning" app to keep the hard drive active. My view, a software-based controller is a better option than an external controller. Most of the dedicated controllers are more of a PITA to program for various program changes and especially trying to do a crossfade from one scene to another. myDMX was really pretty slick on how it did it.
 
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Whatever you do - avoid over thinking it.

Keep in mind that the easier a given lighting solution is to use and the more portable it is - the lower it's value. That meas you will not only be making your job easier - you'll be easier to compete with as well.
 
never had an issue with spin down..my laptops are set to be 'always on' when on AC power..maybe that's why? Usually the only thing running on the one is the lighting..HP pc.

I do know i you lose signal the lights just keep doing their thing, not like it's a blackout or randomness.

As for harder/easier...not sure I agree. Make work harder for yourself so it's harder for others to compete with you? Since when?
 
never had an issue with spin down..my laptops are set to be 'always on' when on AC power..maybe that's why? Usually the only thing running on the one is the lighting..HP pc.

I do know i you lose signal the lights just keep doing their thing, not like it's a blackout or randomness.

As for harder/easier...not sure I agree. Make work harder for yourself so it's harder for others to compete with you? Since when?
Usually the issue is "external" drives.
 
Irony - My mirrorball (motor) is the only thing that isn't DMX, but the fixtures I point at it are. Furthermore, I haven't used the mirrorball in a couple of years. I'm also going for an easier setup now days - all DMX!
 
never had an issue with spin down..my laptops are set to be 'always on' when on AC power..maybe that's why? Usually the only thing running on the one is the lighting..HP pc.

I do know i you lose signal the lights just keep doing their thing, not like it's a blackout or randomness.

As for harder/easier...not sure I agree. Make work harder for yourself so it's harder for others to compete with you? Since when?

My issue was with an internal HD on the laptop AND my settings are to stay "always on" as well. Apparently, even with that setting, hard drives can and will go to sleep. When this happened, the fixtures kept doing their thing but the problem is that when I hit a new preset, the DMX signals never happened so the fixtures wouldn't change after that. Putting the little "always spinning" app in place solved the issue completely.
 
Whatever you do - avoid over thinking it. Keep in mind that the easier a given lighting solution is to use and the more portable it is - the lower it's value. That meas you will not only be making your job easier - you'll be easier to compete with as well.

Turning this thread into an issue with value and my competition IS overthinking it.

I don't use lighting control as a selling tool.
I am usually hired for my reputation, experience, personality, and by word of mouth.
 
then why go DMX?
If it's not why they're hiring you it's an expense without a return on investment.

I know folks that go gear nuts and others that have minimal equip and both seem to find work.

It comes down to what do YOU want to offer, what do you LIKE and want to 'play with', what is your competition doing (if they all have dmx and you don't then you may need it liek it or not), etc.

I can't say I have a vison of what I want to be and a 5 year plan to get there. Hell, you can't have a 5 year plan anymore as technology is changing way too rapidly for that.

I see little things I want to improve - DMX gives me more control over the lights, wireless is faster setup and more flexible.

The rest...YOU have to figure it out. I have 2 trees of lights..only took one last night for the 'transition night' - 6th graders get orientation to MS. They had DOUBLE the turnout of last year and 1 girl kept asking me turn it up..never had that happen ever.

Should I have taken the second tree? do I need a truss? Nobody has ever said "hey, where's the rest of your light? " or "Where's the truss?" How come no fog? etc.

Would 'dancing on a cloud' at a prom be a wow thing that gets me the gig year after year? Who knows. Could be it pisses off the facility and gets me banned LOL.

Turning this thread into an issue with value and my competition IS overthinking it.

I don't use lighting control as a selling tool.
I am usually hired for my reputation, experience, personality, and by word of mouth.
 
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then why go DMX?
If it's not why they're hiring you it's an expense without a return on investment.

In a nutshell, this is why I ditched it. I used to spend time putting together multiple fixtures, DMX programming, even going to wireless DMX in an effort to make it easier for config. I finally came to a simple conclusion; I didn't have a single bride who was ever impressed by my lighting rig, or the fact that it was using DMX. I was putting in lots of effort and expense with ZERO return on investment.

I now use a chauvet colorstrip(s), sound active, to wash the floor, and use a pair of Martin Acrobats in sound active mode for effects. On proms, I'll pull out 4 flat mirror scanners, all in sound active mode. It's quick, easy and effective.
 
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I really like the unit Cap got .. Aeon Blackbird PFX ( AEON RAVEN - DMX BLACKBIRD PFX edition ) .. though it really is only for PARs at this point. I'm hoping a future release has some programability (via maybe BT) to add some other types of fixtures.

Another possible future DMX subverter would be the Chauvet FlareCon Air ( https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/flarecon-air/ ) though it is also mainly limited to PARs and to Chauvet DFi. I have the FlareCon .. works fine for control without programming, but the sound active ability of the Aeon is cool.
 
then why go DMX?
If it's not why they're hiring you it's an expense without a return on investment...
In my limited experience, people don't hire a DJ for their COOL gear.[emoji4] They may not hire you if your setup looks like crap, but if it's reasonably professional looking, nobody even asks about your gear. Not once in over two years now, has any client asked about what lights I have or how I control them. I did have someone ask me if I had laser lights because they did not want them... not a problem, since I never use lasers.[emoji4]


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DMX is such a minor expense ($200 will get you a controller and plenty of cable) that becomes part of your cable or GAF tape budget. If it makes anything easier to do, you write it off. Complex work is different and a differentiator. Those that have multiple movers choreographed to multiple activities per event can sell THAT and the costs with it.
 
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I sell it as a benefit to hiring me - white lights only during the first dance/parent dances - your pictures will look better. the dance lighting changes through out the evening, is different for slow dances, can be color keyed to your color for cocktails and dinner (uplighting more than dance).

Once you have 8 or so basic programs the work is done.

Now if you want to use moving heads to spotlight their entrance, follow them on the dance floor, etc - different ballgame.

With the one software program you can do it all from your desktop, no lights needed. It can render the show to a large degree in a window for ya.
 
DMX can make a huge difference... but not if you're using mediocre at best lights. People are not impressed with mediocrity. No one ever said to their friends you have to try that mcd's burger.... but they will say, at some point in your life you gotta go to this place in NYC that has this $200 burger... its expensive but its the most amazing burger, and you gotta try it once before you die. If you want people to be impressed, mediocre just won't cut it.

I have 60 uplight programs, and 80 moving head programs. Do more work with higher quality gear... get better results.