Help with Chauvet ColorPalette and EuroLight LC2410

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
J

jsunww

New DJ
Nov 27, 2011
3
0
48
Hello. I'm new to the forum and new to stage lighting so please forgive me if this seems like a dumb question/post.

I've recently been asked to set up five brand new Chauvet ColorPalette LED lights along with a series of "dumb" par lights that are currently connected to two dimmer packs. The dimmer packs are currently connected to a DMX controller that we are getting rid of and replacing with a EuroLight LC2412 controller.

My problem is with the ColorPalettes. They are currently in 27 channel mode. I guess this is the default mode but it severely limits the options I have when using the 12 Memory faders on the EuroLight. In this mode each color uses a 1/8 section of the light. I can set 3 sections of one color to each fader, requiring me to use three faders to make the whole light board show one color. So in order to do a full white I need to use nine faders. Three faders for red, three for green and three for blue.

If I can get it into 6 channel mode, I'd be able to do what I want with it. 6 channel mode would let me use only three faders for each light. (One fader for each color) which would in turn give me more options as far as controlling different lights in different configurations on different DMX channels. I've red that you can use DMX channel 1 on the CPs but the controller doesn't have a readout on the display that shows the position of the faders and I can't seem to land exactly on a solid color to save it in memory.

If anyone can help me get these ColorPalettes into 6-channel mode with the EuroLight LC2410 I would greatly appreciate it.
 
Yeah, the manual isn't much help, is it? Look around in the menus on the fixture...there should be an option somewhere (obviously undocumented) that switches between 6/9/15/24. I don't have one to experiment with, unfortunately.
 
on the color pallette channel one is where you set which channel mode you want.

Channel 1 - 000-019 = 27 channel mode
020-039 = 15 channel mode
040-059 = 9 channel mode
060-079 = 6 channel mode

On my DMX controller I set my pallettes as the last fixture, lets say # 5. If I set channel one between 000-019, 27 channel mode, it will become fixture #'s 5 & 6.
 
I use colorpalettes at my bar gig. They are very simple to use in 6 channel mode. As stated above, set channel one to "65". I leave channels two and three alone for most of the program (strobe on occasion), and just control RGB with 4, 5 & 6. On occasion, I use channel one for different modes. PM me if you'd like more detailed help. Here's a video of mine in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eidezEddBW4

BTW: I teach DMX programming.
 
I use colorpalettes at my bar gig. They are very simple to use in 6 channel mode. As stated above, set channel one to "65". I leave channels two and three alone for most of the program (strobe on occasion), and just control RGB with 4, 5 & 6. On occasion, I use channel one for different modes. PM me if you'd like more detailed help. Here's a video of mine in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eidezEddBW4

BTW: I teach DMX programming.
 
I just sent you a PM about controllers. Both of the controllers you are referring to, are suited for dimmer packs and conventional par cans... not multi-channel fixtures. Yes, you could do it, but you need extensive DMX experience to pull it off with those controllers, and I don't recommend it.

DMX is foreign language, and not easy at first... there is a learning curve to understanding. The DMX world is confusing enough without using the wrong DMX controller for fixtures. I suggest and highly recommend any 12 fixtures controller, that handles 240 scenes with 30 banks. They will control 192 channels of the 512 world, but that is plenty for almost all DJ applications. All of the major vendors have these controllers... I have several DMX controllers... all from various companies. I like the "Chauvet Obey 40" very much, and you can get them everywhere. I have the 70 as well, but there is a joystick, that complicates matters, and you don't really need it for your use as a beginner.

Then, once you master this controller, you should be able to move on to more complicated controllers and software. I also use ShowXpress, which I believe is the state of the art software! I highly recommend it for the "step up" to pro controlling.

Keep in mind the following: There are DMX controllers for "stage use" for par lighting (single channel annalog fixtures with dimmer packs), then, multi-channel controllers (12 fixtures, 16 channel) are the norm in the DJ industry. Then, there is "software" that does it all. Learn it first, before you purchase the wrong thing.
 
Tyrone Blue said:
Then, once you master this controller, you should be able to move on to more complicated controllers and software. I also use ShowXpress, which I believe is the state of the art software! I highly recommend it for the "step up" to pro controlling.[/B]
Click to expand...

You say I could move up to software... I've actually been experimenting with the MyDMX software from American DJ. It seems pretty intuitive and the price point is a little closer to what we'd be able to spend. Do you think that I could use that to start out with instead of first using the OBEY 40? We have about 10 PARs which are on two dimmer packs and a total of 7 ColorPalettes. Since I'm more of a computer person, having this software on a 23" touchscreen monitor seems like it would not only be a lot easier to set up and use, but really cool too. Thoughts?
 
Ummmm... OK. Sorta like going to a crotch rocket, before you learn how to ride a bike... but give it a try. Let us know how it goes for you. Understanding how DMX works is important, expecially if you have an issue.
 
Tyrone Blue said:
Ummmm... OK. Sorta like going to a crotch rocket, before you learn how to ride a bike... but give it a try. Let us know how it goes for you. Understanding how DMX works is important, expecially if you have an issue.
Click to expand...

Actually I'd recommend going software based over a manual controller. The reason being is they are visual and actually show you what settings are required to address the lighting properly, not only giving you the start DMX address but also the dip swithch settings for the none digital display lights. They also place each additional light on the next available DMX channel based on the previous device's addressing needs. Meaning if you have a 27 channel fixture as the first your second one will automatically be addressed at DMX address 28 and so on.

The days of needing to use old technology just to learn a system isn't really necessary, but it is more ecconomical considering you don't need a computer. Bottom line is computer based DMX lighting control is a lot easier especially if you get into some of the more complex lights... such as moving heads.
 
While Joker may be correct, I would say he's basing that on an experienced user. You need a 12 fixture, hardware controller to learn the basics of DMX as a newbie. Sure you can push buttons on a software controller, until something happens, but wouldn't you rather UNDERSTAND what is happening, and why? I equate the concept to using a calculator, without knowing how to multiply.

So, assuming you start by learning DMX with a hardware controller... That's what I suggest, but others will dis-agree... and that's OK too.

You have to put the fixture in the correct "mode". Make sure the fixture is addressed to channel "d001". You need to push the mode button the the Color Palette. Here's what that looks like:
______________________________________
DMX Mode
This mode allows the unit to be controlled by any universal DMX controller.

1) Press the <MODE> button.
2) Use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons until it is displayed, and press <ENTER>.
Note: The "d" will disappear after pressing the enter button. This is to indicate that you are in DMX mode, and can now change the DMX address.
3) Use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to select the desired address on the fixture.
_________________________________________________________

Once you have the fixture addressed to "001" you can begin (after you've hit the "enter" button from "d001").
1 - connect the controller and fixture with a DMX cable.
2 - Put the controller in "program" mode.
3 - De-activate the "blackout" button, so you are sending a signal to the fixture.
4 - Press the "Fixture #1" button on the upper left of the controller. (NOTE: it might be listed as "Scanner #1"). Be sure that you are on "page one" or "page A".
4 - Then, decide what channel configuration you want the fixture in. Let's use six for now.
5 - Set slidder #1 to "65" which puts the fixture in 6 channel mode (only the first 6 sliders have any action). Then, leave slider one where it is.
6 - Use sliders 4, 5 & 6 for setting colors. Slider 3 for strobe & leave slider 2 alone (set at zero).

If you got this far, and have lights, then you are doing good, but you still need to LEARN DMX.
 
Tyrone and Joker, Thank you. I think I have a pretty good handle on DMX addressing now. At least enough to get this system up and running. I'm going to talk to my "boss" and see if he wants to go software or hardware. If he's not willing to pony up the money for the MyDMX controller, we'll go with the OBEY40. Either way I want to get rid of the EuroLight board. Using your advice I was able to get the lights to function in 6 channel mode, but I couldn't program the memory the way I wanted to... I'll let you know what happens. Again, thank you for the advice and instruction.
 
I understand the old school thinking and I respect that opinion, but honestly PC based is much simpler and more of a plug and play kind of thing that even a novice can grasp probably quicker than learning how to program vs the old ways...

That said I believe knowing the basics is important as well and can be learned using PC based dmx as well as on an old style controller.
 
Software, yes, simplier. But, it's certainly handy to know the basics and fundamentals before jumping into DMX. With that foundation, you can trouble shoot any problems that you might incur. Once you have a good handle of how things work and operate, you can then graduate up to something more advanced with alot less headache(s).
 
I agree that software DMX is easier for someone new to DMX. I also agree that one needs to learn DMX on a stand alone controler. I am software based, but have my Operator 192 on hand as a back up (we all know how computers can crash). As Tyrone stated "I equate the concept to using a calculator, without knowing how to multiply".

Hell 90% of the people in retail couldn't count your change back if you asked, and yes I do ask all the time. They rely on the computer to do all the math for them.

just my .02, YMMV
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back