How Often Do You Program Lights?

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Albatross

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Sep 7, 2016
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For those of you that run any lighting software or controllers, how often are you refreshing your shows?

I'm taking my moving heads out this weekend for the first time in a while. I was running them on SoundSwitch, but I'm building new shows in my ADJ WMX1 (Wolfmix) instead for this weekend. I really enjoy having the hardware controller and a bit more on-the-fly flexibility beyond what SoundSwitch provides.

I'm sure my neighbors think I'm a nut bar because the lights are spinning around in here while I work at night and get these shows built.

Do you guys actually set up your fixtures for programming, and how often are you giving your lights a new look?
 
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I don't think I've ever programmed my lights for DJ gigs. I just make stuff up on the fly to match the music tempo, or a scene for slow songs, etc. There's usually some ready chases that can be applied and with some variation in motor speed or cross-fade time it's not hard to keep them in perceived sync. I'm also still a huge fan of color washes. I don't rely on movers as the entire light show.

By and large I'm not going to be doing a lot of lights for DJ gigs anymore. I spend most of my lighting effort on tent events (decor) and stage/theater. The latter has to be programmed specifically for each show, but even there I have show files that are a collection of commonly used bits and pieces I can assemble more quickly into a new show without having to start from scratch every time.

The most common controllers I use now are my own ETC CS40, or the much older ETC ION - a discontinued but very prolific controller still in use at a lot of smaller facilities and stages. I also have an Elekralite CPX10T which was originally for my High End Trackspots but works very well for a lot of up lights and even Source 4 Pars or Leikos.
 
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Beyond the initial programming I never had to do a complete refresh, but I do add new programs here and there or color combos if I see a void or things get repetitive… but that’s few and far apart… maybe 1 adjustment a year. For formalities like spots or atmospheric designs during dinner… I always adjust that for every event.
 
This was essentially an initial build for me since I had never taken this configuration out on this controller before. But I find that I'm messing with it a lot.

I frequently end up with just uplights, or just dance wash lights. And then I'll have to add stuff for a client that wants both together to make sure they look normal together. And some of the programming looks really good on a 4 lights, but I'll tweak for a small room where I only take 2.

I actually really liked the results from what I took out last night (still during set up):
PXL_20240706_185250973.jpg

We started dancing around 8pm and didn't wrap until 12:30... it was a VERY long day, but all is well when the client is happy.
 
Has anybody here checked out MaestroDMX?

This looks a lot like how SoundSwitch was marketed. I know they are different, but these auto-program builders are very good at clubby music but tend to be very over the top for a wedding crowd.

For $100 less you can get the WMX1... Maybe it isn't completely autonomous, but the level of control you're getting is worth it in my opinion.

I can't stand watching DJ light shows go nuts like it's a rave when a slow song is playing or it's otherwise a moment that doesn't benefit from lighting chaos.
 
This looks a lot like how SoundSwitch was marketed. I know they are different, but these auto-program builders are very good at clubby music but tend to be very over the top for a wedding crowd.

For $100 less you can get the WMX1... Maybe it isn't completely autonomous, but the level of control you're getting is worth it in my opinion.

I can't stand watching DJ light shows go nuts like it's a rave when a slow song is playing or it's otherwise a moment that doesn't benefit from lighting chaos.
What do you like better, SS or WMX1?
 
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What do you like better, SS or WMX1?

I'm using WMX1 only at this point. I like the tactile control and I like that it doesn't add any load to my underpowered computer. I need to upgrade the laptop but just haven't done it yet.
 
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I'm in the middle of doing this now. I just bought a Sound Switch Control One and a year of SS. I'm coming from ShowXpress. I never really liked ShowXpress, but that's what my mentor used so I started there. I read a lot saying SS was easier/better, but after about 8 hours of getting my lights added/finding the correct fixture settings, I'm just starting to look at creating custom lighting. There is a lot built in by default, but anything custom is going to take some time, at least for me. I'm really hoping once I get some basics built out, I won't have to go back in and redo too much.
 
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