DMX or NOT to DMX

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Ausumm

Gold Plated Productions
Oct 21, 2008
12,207
15,520
60
Bethlehem PA
I have always been a "sound active" guy when it comes to lighting.
All I need is a few on/off switches and I am good to go!
So, last year, I upgraded to the ADJ Dotz TPar system. I usually mount my non DMX Starball on top.
The remote for the Dotz is perfect for basic functions, especially the switch to turn the Starball on for slow songs.
Last week, I decided to buy a brand new ADJ Starburst mirror ball. As with most mirror-ball effects these days, it is fully DMX capable, to control color, speed, rotation, strobe, etc.
I just want WHITE only, slow speed, no strobe, and most importantly....I want a simple on/off function.
But, the added functions means you cannot simply turn it on and let it run.
Every time you turn it on, it goes through a series of flashes, color changes, and spins...before it finds the last setting you had it on. You can't just "turn it on" and immediately get white beams.
So I have to make a decision. I can either find a VERY SIMPLE controller, and run a basic DMX program that allows the unit to instantly turn on and start rotating white beams....
or I can return the Starburst and continue to use my old halogen Starball.
I see that the Chauvet OBEY is about $50, which is well within my price range....
and I could also use it to fine tune he effects on the Dotz system.
UNLESS
Somebody out there knows of an alternative.
The underlying problem is, if I am gonna return the Starburst, I need to do it as soon as possible.
 
Get DMX (I use blizzard eclipse which I find very easy to use). It'll get you the results you want, and as you learn more you can expand on the type of fixtures you're using. Maybe in the future you can upgrade to 2 small moving heads and be able to do cool things with them. It's all about taking the first step in the right direction.

Having complete control of lighting can really enhance your overall presentation and subconsciously create an atmosphere that guests appreciate more. Now you have dmx... maybe during a club song you can actually use the strobing effect appropriately... and for slow songs, a nice slow spin. Music and lighting were always meant to go hand in hand, and is why concerts and clubs invest so much into them... just cause we're mobile dj's doesn't mean we're required to do things at a lower level of quality.
 
Go DMX. As you see, you can get a low cost controller and have way more control over your lights. I started with an Obey 40 and have now moved into using a laptop to control my lights.
 
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I have always been a "sound active" guy when it comes to lighting.
All I need is a few on/off switches and I am good to go!
So, last year, I upgraded to the ADJ Dotz TPar system. I usually mount my non DMX Starball on top.
The remote for the Dotz is perfect for basic functions, especially the switch to turn the Starball on for slow songs.
Last week, I decided to buy a brand new ADJ Starburst mirror ball. As with most mirror-ball effects these days, it is fully DMX capable, to control color, speed, rotation, strobe, etc.
I just want WHITE only, slow speed, no strobe, and most importantly....I want a simple on/off function.
But, the added functions means you cannot simply turn it on and let it run.
Every time you turn it on, it goes through a series of flashes, color changes, and spins...before it finds the last setting you had it on. You can't just "turn it on" and immediately get white beams.
So I have to make a decision. I can either find a VERY SIMPLE controller, and run a basic DMX program that allows the unit to instantly turn on and start rotating white beams....
or I can return the Starburst and continue to use my old halogen Starball.
I see that the Chauvet OBEY is about $50, which is well within my price range....
and I could also use it to fine tune he effects on the Dotz system.
UNLESS
Somebody out there knows of an alternative.
The underlying problem is, if I am gonna return the Starburst, I need to do it as soon as possible.

OK... this is just me, but if I was planning to turn the mirror ball on and off several times during the gig, having it go through the startup progression you described would be unacceptable, so I'd return it and find another option.

I bought a MyDMX Buddy, but haven't used it yet... still using sound active. This is mostly because I'm too lazy to set everything up and get it working, but mostly because I'm thinking about going a different direction with my lights. No reason to set it all up with my current lights if I'm gonna change them soon anyway.[emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I have always been a "sound active" guy when it comes to lighting.
All I need is a few on/off switches and I am good to go!
So, last year, I upgraded to the ADJ Dotz TPar system. I usually mount my non DMX Starball on top.
The remote for the Dotz is perfect for basic functions, especially the switch to turn the Starball on for slow songs.
Last week, I decided to buy a brand new ADJ Starburst mirror ball. As with most mirror-ball effects these days, it is fully DMX capable, to control color, speed, rotation, strobe, etc.
I just want WHITE only, slow speed, no strobe, and most importantly....I want a simple on/off function.
But, the added functions means you cannot simply turn it on and let it run.
Every time you turn it on, it goes through a series of flashes, color changes, and spins...before it finds the last setting you had it on. You can't just "turn it on" and immediately get white beams.
So I have to make a decision. I can either find a VERY SIMPLE controller, and run a basic DMX program that allows the unit to instantly turn on and start rotating white beams....
or I can return the Starburst and continue to use my old halogen Starball.
I see that the Chauvet OBEY is about $50, which is well within my price range....
and I could also use it to fine tune he effects on the Dotz system.
UNLESS
Somebody out there knows of an alternative.
The underlying problem is, if I am gonna return the Starburst, I need to do it as soon as possible.
Can you turn it on before the event, let it do the wiggle wakeup, and then switch it from Blackout mode (Channel 7 Value 0-7) to White as needed?
 
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Can you turn it on before the event, let it do the wiggle wakeup, and then switch it from Blackout mode (Channel 7 Value 0-7) to White as needed?

No, it'll be mounted on the top of my Dotz bar 7 feet in the air, so I won't have access to the buttons to control it.

IMG_20170512_171950791.jpg
Get DMX (I use blizzard eclipse which I find very easy to use). It'll get you the results you want, and as you learn more you can expand on the type of fixtures you're using. Maybe in the future you can upgrade to 2 small moving heads and be able to do cool things with them. It's all about taking the first step in the right direction.

Having complete control of lighting can really enhance your overall presentation and subconsciously create an atmosphere that guests appreciate more. Now you have dmx... maybe during a club song you can actually use the strobing effect appropriately... and for slow songs, a nice slow spin. Music and lighting were always meant to go hand in hand, and is why concerts and clubs invest so much into them... just cause we're mobile dj's doesn't mean we're required to do things at a lower level of quality.
 
No, it'll be mounted on the top of my Dotz bar 7 feet in the air, so I won't have access to the buttons to control it.

View attachment 32189
You can do the switching from a DMX controller with scenes. I do something similar with my Obey 40 and my 4Bars .. I have scenes for special modes.
 
Get DMX (I use blizzard eclipse which I find very easy to use). It'll get you the results you want, and as you learn more you can expand on the type of fixtures you're using. Maybe in the future you can upgrade to 2 small moving heads and be able to do cool things with them. It's all about taking the first step in the right direction.
Having complete control of lighting can really enhance your overall presentation and subconsciously create an atmosphere that guests appreciate more. Now you have dmx... maybe during a club song you can actually use the strobing effect appropriately... and for slow songs, a nice slow spin. Music and lighting were always meant to go hand in hand, and is why concerts and clubs invest so much into them... just cause we're mobile dj's doesn't mean we're required to do things at a lower level of quality.

I did think about that for a while.
And while I agree...I just keep thinking that I went with the Dotz system to cut down on the amount of gear I use.
I am now 53, and I want things to get EASIER....not more involved.
It's not just about loading more gear, it's about taking more time to setup and break down.
It's about having more pieces of equipment that could malfunction in the middle of a gig.
It's about being able to concentrate more on delivering the music (what I am hired for), and not thinking about lights.
Remember Taso, you are much younger than I am,
you are appealing to a different audience than I am,
you are playing bigger venues than I am,
and most importantly, you hire crew guys to help you out. I am a one man show.
I know you do a great job for your clients, I love your videos and admire your work....so I value your opinion.
Just trying my best to see if/how it applies to me.
 
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You can do the switching from a DMX controller with scenes. I do something similar with my Obey 40 and my 4Bars .. I have scenes for special modes.

My bad, I thought you were suggesting an alternative to DMX.
Yeah, I know you can use blackout, that's why I thought about DMX to begin with.
Since you HAVE the Obey40, what do you think about Tunes suggestion on having enough DMX channels?
Is the Obey good enough for the Dotz and the Starburst?
I really don't need complete control over every little function, just the basic operation.
 
I would not go DMX to make up for this fixture's poor design. I know a lot of guys like using it, but for mobile DJ gigs, it's just not worth the hassle in my view.

I'm with ya there.
That's why I started this thread.
Didn't want to get into the whole DMX thing...just to control a stupid mirror ball.
 
My bad, I thought you were suggesting an alternative to DMX.
Yeah, I know you can use blackout, that's why I thought about DMX to begin with.
Since you HAVE the Obey40, what do you think about Tunes suggestion on having enough DMX channels?
Is the Obey good enough for the Dotz and the Starburst?
I really don't need complete control over every little function, just the basic operation.
The board has 2 layers, so the 8 faders control 16 channels. As long as the channels you need quick access to are on the first bank, it's easy to switch between fixtures (8 I believe on the 40) and control the most needed functions. You can also re-map channels, so you can get the 8 most needed channels of a fixture on the 1st bank. The "scenes" are separate and you can record a series of steps to each. 5 of my scenes are mapped to all red, all blue, all green, all white and off for the 4Bar.
 
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I have always been a "sound active" guy when it comes to lighting.
All I need is a few on/off switches and I am good to go!
So, last year, I upgraded to the ADJ Dotz TPar system. I usually mount my non DMX Starball on top.
The remote for the Dotz is perfect for basic functions, especially the switch to turn the Starball on for slow songs.
Last week, I decided to buy a brand new ADJ Starburst mirror ball. As with most mirror-ball effects these days, it is fully DMX capable, to control color, speed, rotation, strobe, etc.
I just want WHITE only, slow speed, no strobe, and most importantly....I want a simple on/off function.
But, the added functions means you cannot simply turn it on and let it run.
Every time you turn it on, it goes through a series of flashes, color changes, and spins...before it finds the last setting you had it on. You can't just "turn it on" and immediately get white beams.
So I have to make a decision. I can either find a VERY SIMPLE controller, and run a basic DMX program that allows the unit to instantly turn on and start rotating white beams....
or I can return the Starburst and continue to use my old halogen Starball.
I see that the Chauvet OBEY is about $50, which is well within my price range....
and I could also use it to fine tune he effects on the Dotz system.
UNLESS
Somebody out there knows of an alternative.
The underlying problem is, if I am gonna return the Starburst, I need to do it as soon as possible.

The reason: Each time you turn it off and back on, it runs through it's 'checks' to make sure everything is ok. Power cycle = Reset. You would need a controller, and if you could, select 'blackout' to turn it off and then hit 'blackout' again to turn it back on.

I still rock a traditional mirror ball - there is nothing else like it. :)
 
How about the Chauvet DJ Rotosphere Q3? I love mine. Upon first powering up it blinks, but then I can use the IRC remote to black it out. When I hit the blackout button again it immediately returns to the previous setting.
 
The reason: Each time you turn it off and back on, it runs through it's 'checks' to make sure everything is ok. Power cycle = Reset. You would need a controller, and if you could, select 'blackout' to turn it off and then hit 'blackout' again to turn it back on.

I still rock a traditional mirror ball - there is nothing else like it. :)

I know....that's the problem.
And I have a mirror ball that I would love to use, but it's just too much work to make it work with the Dotz.

How about the Chauvet DJ Rotosphere Q3? I love mine. Upon first powering up it blinks, but then I can use the IRC remote to black it out. When I hit the blackout button again it immediately returns to the previous setting.

I already have a remote for the Dotz TBar, and use the blackout function to turn it of and on.
Just a shame it won't work for the Starburst, too.
Getting a different unit would require returning the Starburst, in which case I would just go back to the old school Starball.
 
I did think about that for a while.
And while I agree...I just keep thinking that I went with the Dotz system to cut down on the amount of gear I use.
I am now 53, and I want things to get EASIER....not more involved.
It's not just about loading more gear, it's about taking more time to setup and break down.
It's about having more pieces of equipment that could malfunction in the middle of a gig.
It's about being able to concentrate more on delivering the music (what I am hired for), and not thinking about lights.
Remember Taso, you are much younger than I am,
you are appealing to a different audience than I am,
you are playing bigger venues than I am,
and most importantly, you hire crew guys to help you out. I am a one man show.
I know you do a great job for your clients, I love your videos and admire your work....so I value your opinion.
Just trying my best to see if/how it applies to me.
Hey Mike,
I didn't mean for you to expand your show and do what I do for example with full truss towers and 50lb heads. It was just coincidental, because last week I had a conversation with a dj I am friends with who is 50 years old, and he wanted to "downsize, but do more" since he's by himself at events. He actually has a set up even simpler than yours... 2 jbl tops, 1 sub, and a white facade. For lighting he has the led wash effect you have. He actually mentioned this to me: Chauvet DJ Intimidator Spot Duo 155 Dual Compact LED Moving Head | IDJNOW as it was coming out next month and weighs ONLY 19lbs! I think this set up would actually be even simpler than what you have and could be more versatile (spotlights, slow/fast movements, strobes, colors to tie in with decor, etc).
 
sushi-ds - as simple as it gets, free software too, $40. Software is fully funcitonal clones of adj and other known/name software so lots of tutorials on youtube, etc.

Then if you want to take it up a bit, get a donner wireless DMX - $120-150. Now no wire from the console to the light tree. Or put the lights on the other side fo the room. Or control up lighting. etc.

I have several basic programs - sound active, preset programs (one faster or more energy), slow, slow all blue (really like this), all white and slow (first dance)
and one with my pars set for the bride's color for cocktail/dinner/uplighting.

I can turn UV off/on, turn off/on individual fixtures, have a strobe setting, etc.
 
sushi-ds - as simple as it gets, free software too, $40. Software is fully funcitonal clones of adj and other known/name software so lots of tutorials on youtube, etc. Then if you want to take it up a bit, get a donner wireless DMX - $120-150. Now no wire from the console to the light tree. Or put the lights on the other side fo the room. Or control up lighting. etc.

I prefer hardware to software.
If something happens to my laptop, I'm screwed.
But I have considered wireless, for obvious reasons.
 
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I think this set up would actually be even simpler than what you have and could be more versatile (spotlights, slow/fast movements, strobes, colors to tie in with decor, etc).

You can't get "simpler" than sound active with an on/off switch.
 
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