DMX Learning DMX..my head hurts (yet again)

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IceBurghDJ

IceBurghDJ

DJ Extraordinaire
Apr 17, 2015
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iceburghdj.com
So I REALLY want to control my lights. So I started with a Obey 40 board...yuk.
Got a sushi DS USB controller - $40 or so. Great item.

You get a choice of 3 free software programs..i played a bit and Easy Stand Alone seemed to make the most sense to me.

Looking today for some, education on dmx programming (chases) and I saw ADJ software...damn, it's nearly identical.

So watched some and went to play...

OK, got keyboard shortcuts now - that's gonna be a great thing!
Got the 'simulator' up and running (you can place your lights and watch teh show you make..no need to actually hook up real lights -for the most part)

My blackout button is now a fade to black button. Kinda cool. How and why it affects EVERY scene I've no clue though.

Managed to create a simple chase..i think..with two pars alternately flashing red/white...it works..not sure why I have to tell it 3 loops...or 200...I hit run and it runs continously...until I stop it or hit blackout (at which point it fades out...).

So more, much more, to learn/figger out but I'm done for tonight.

But for anyone considering software DMX you can get teh sushi - software and hardware for a LOT less than the ADJ and it seems to be the same thing. I've been using it at every gig for well over a year - never a hiccup.
 
I don't think the issue is the concepts - I get it (i think..)

it's figuing out what the software wants and how that works.

I saw many vids on hardware - obey 40 or such..the software i'm using is not an emulation of that, so other the concept - make a scene, string together in to chases - nothing much is the same, in a nuts and bolts make it work way.

I'll read the thread - thanks
 
Does the Sushi interface work with W10?, I have been considering getting it to try out, PSSL has it on sale for $24 right now, but seeing some mix results that it will work for W10
 
DMX software can be very confusing, and for the most part none of it translates to other software. I've been using Emulation (CueLux) for years and I am generally happy with it. It does what I need, but sometimes takes massaging. I'm heavily considering getting a Martin M-Touch. That software is the same from the entry level M-Touch all the way up to their M-6 flagship. Once you know the software it is easy to move up.

Good luck learning the software. Once you start actually controlling the lights you'll never want to go back to automatic modes. Making the right lighting look for the proper songs makes a big difference to your overall show!
 
I like the concept of the Chauvet Flarecon Air .. I bought one to play with, but it has really limited capability. If you have Chauvet Freedom Pars, it is a little better. I can only hope it gets developed by them or an outside company .. I'd gladly pay for more capability. Unfortunately, the next level up is the Lumenair stuff and that will run $350+ .. The Flarecon was $170.
 
azdeejay said:
Does the Sushi interface work with W10?, I have been considering getting it to try out, PSSL has it on sale for $24 right now, but seeing some mix results that it will work for W10
Click to expand...

I'm using it with W10 through Daslight. The interface works fine, Daslight - not so much.
 
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ittigger said:
I'm using it with W10 through Daslight. The interface works fine, Daslight - not so much.
Click to expand...
So I would be taking a risk if purchase it is what you are saying. Maybe I am wrong, but arent there like four different programs from Sushi ?
 
I use ShowExpress from Chauvet. The software is free but the dmx-USB interface is what costs $400. This gives you 512 channels per "universe" or show. It's extremely intuitive I think, and very worth it. There are full tutorials on YouTube also for it that are extremely informative. I will post a gig log for a homecoming dance this Saturday and give a small glimpse into my set up. It may not be the "best" and most ideal set up, but it's working for us so far and we love it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I tried ShowXpress and I didn't find it intuitive at all. Once I watched the video and found a support group on FB I did figure it out. It's definitely different than most software, but that isn't a bad thing.

The reason I didn't end up using it permanently is I couldn't have enough faders assigned to shows and the faders I could assign jumped by 10% increments or something like that. That made it difficult to do some manual vertical sweeps of my movers and strobe ramp-up/downs.

If all you want to do is select different scenes it is a great program.

I have the 512 Plus USB interface and I'm going to keep it for when I hire another DJ. I plan to use the contact closure feature to switch between stored looks without the need of a laptop.
 
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azdeejay said:
So I would be taking a risk if purchase it is what you are saying. Maybe I am wrong, but arent there like four different programs from Sushi ?
Click to expand...
The 4 programs are free .. They are all "starter" apps, with the full package costing more if you want/need the capability.
 
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azdeejay said:
So I would be taking a risk if purchase it is what you are saying. Maybe I am wrong, but arent there like four different programs from Sushi ?
Click to expand...

Depends on how you define 'risk'. It's decent to learn and play on - and allegedly, quite a few people are using it.
 
STLRiverCityDJ said:
I tried ShowXpress and I didn't find it intuitive at all. Once I watched the video and found a support group on FB I did figure it out. It's definitely different than most software, but that isn't a bad thing.

The reason I didn't end up using it permanently is I couldn't have enough faders assigned to shows and the faders I could assign jumped by 10% increments or something like that. That made it difficult to do some manual vertical sweeps of my movers and strobe ramp-up/downs.

If all you want to do is select different scenes it is a great program.

I have the 512 Plus USB interface and I'm going to keep it for when I hire another DJ. I plan to use the contact closure feature to switch between stored looks without the need of a laptop.
Click to expand...

I can see you point here. I'm curious to how long I will use it for before something better comes along.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've been using MyDMX2.0 from ADJ for over a year now. I really like it. I just wish there was some online training I could watch or go through instead of just learning by trial and error and youtube videos. I'm sure the program will do so much more than I can imagine, but nowhere is there a tutorial that explains everything.
 
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steve149 said:
I like the concept of the Chauvet Flarecon Air .. I bought one to play with, but it has really limited capability. If you have Chauvet Freedom Pars, it is a little better. I can only hope it gets developed by them or an outside company .. I'd gladly pay for more capability. Unfortunately, the next level up is the Lumenair stuff and that will run $350+ .. The Flarecon was $170.
Click to expand...

Steve, have you seen the new stuff they built into it? I run really simple lighting, but I had a fade going between uplighting colors, and then really simple control of my wash light - very effective and easy to program on the new FlareCON system.
 
Albatross said:
Steve, have you seen the new stuff they built into it? I run really simple lighting, but I had a fade going between uplighting colors, and then really simple control of my wash light - very effective and easy to program on the new FlareCON system.
Click to expand...
I was hoping for more control with non-FredomPar cans .. the generic fixture type was a good add, but still limited in capability.
 
If anything, it'll help you understand in a general sense how these type apps do work. I have been able to create 'shows'. I save them often. :)
 
ittigger said:
If anything, it'll help you understand in a general sense how these type apps do work. I have been able to create 'shows'. I save them often. :)
Click to expand...
Thats kind of what I am wanting, guessing I should pick it up while its on sale
 
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