Chauvet ShowXpress

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Randy A

Randy A

Party Time Hobbyist
Jan 4, 2007
6,608
2,119
53
Indianapolis, IN
www.partytunesdjservice.com
Well, after some recent urging from our resident geekster (yes Ben, that would be you) I finally started diving into this software.

Wow! This program is really going to make running dmx shows much simplier and allow us to put some light shows together vs. the standard 'sound active' modes that we've been running. I love having the ability to create my lighting scenes from the comforts of my computer chair or sitting in front of the tv on my laptop. No need to have all the lights hooked up and fumbling around on a hardware controller.

But, using it in the live shows will have to wait a bit longer until I can afford the $500 dongle box that is required. But while I wait, I'm having a blast creating scenes.

Btw, the learning curve was drastically reduced due to some YouTube videos from DJ Mikey from DirectSounds. They were a great help in walking thru some of the basics. After getting the basics down, then it was just a matter of getting in and seeing what else it could do. They also have a pretty good online forum that provides some additional help, but I didn't get very deep into it yet.
 
Randy A said:
I would be very hesitant in purchasing it.

It's my understanding that the Xfactor is the only one that will work with this software.
Click to expand...

Understood, but IIRC, this one "says" it works with your software.
 
Randy,

As a ShowExpress user/owner, I would agree with going with the X-Factor Dongle....

It works, no need to add worry to the equation.

Maybe a deal in LV? That's where I scored mine! Thanks Ben!
Still have a lot to learn with this, but it's a great tool.


Cheers,

Joe
 
Randy A said:
Well, after some recent urging from our resident geekster (yes Ben, that would be you) I finally started diving into this software.

Wow! This program is really going to make running dmx shows much simplier and allow us to put some light shows together vs. the standard 'sound active' modes that we've been running. I love having the ability to create my lighting scenes from the comforts of my computer chair or sitting in front of the tv on my laptop. No need to have all the lights hooked up and fumbling around on a hardware controller.

But, using it in the live shows will have to wait a bit longer until I can afford the $500 dongle box that is required. But while I wait, I'm having a blast creating scenes.

Btw, the learning curve was drastically reduced due to some YouTube videos from DJ Mikey from DirectSounds. They were a great help in walking thru some of the basics. After getting the basics down, then it was just a matter of getting in and seeing what else it could do. They also have a pretty good online forum that provides some additional help, but I didn't get very deep into it yet.
Click to expand...

Show Express and X Factor is an Awesome Companion for Lighting. Last Club where I worked used it and it was so kewl to change moods on the fly.
 
I've been using the Freestyler and the Enttec Dongle... they've worked great for Years and years
 
get a touch screen eventually, I did and I'm way happy with how easy I can change programs now, much better than fumbling around with a mouse.
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
Will this software r\un you lights to audio? (from a zone out on a mixer?)
Click to expand...

Yes, the steps in a scene can be triggered from remote audio. however, I have found it's not very fast.

A double bass drum trigger and it can't even come close to keeping up.
 
Limited to 100 DMX Channels means you can only use the first 100 out of the 512 possible dmx channels available. It is Chauvet's way of limiting you from doing full on professional stuff with their least expensive system. However, 100 channels is still quite a bit, if you are using 4 channel LED Par cans you can hook up 25 of them before you would have to upgrade. However if you are using expensive motion heads with 10-20 channels per fixture you would begin to see a problem immediately. I personally like using Chauvet's COLORpalette at 27 channels per fixture. A 100 channel limit would only allow me to use 3 of them independently.

I use a software package called VenueMagic for my stuff, It allows you to create shows that are much more interesting with a lot less headache (yes, I've used ShowExpress). Recently I did the lighting for a homecoming dance and was able to have four Elation focus spot 250s follow each other around in a circle without much effort, I just selected the circle effect, set it up the way I wanted and told it to offset the channels.

Ben Holmes
DJ Lightsmith

FCC Disclaimer: In order to comply with the new FCC rules regarding testimonials, I must qualify myself as an Independant Contractor of Entertainment Sciences Group, Inc. the producer of VenueMagic. Any purchases of VenueMagic based on my recommendation directly benefit me by helping to pay my consulting fees.
 
showXpress

Hey Hey Hey DJ Mikey Mike from DirectSound and Doitfromscratch.com Ok Im glad I could help some of you with getting started and some new videos to come on showXpress I have been useing it for about 1.5 years now Wow I love it... I will Be going to Mobile Beat if I can get a room and pass soon...and Im looking to share a room with someone to cut costs if anyone up for that shoot me a PM .. I will bring my laptop and help anyone needing help getting started or want to learn some advansed stuff like the generator or timeline

shoot me an email if you have any questions Maybe Ben can get me a after hours DMX room to spend some time with anyone that needs help

We will see and see you all soon

DJ Mikey Mike

www.directsound.com
www.doitfromscrarch.com
 
directsound said:
Hey Hey Hey DJ Mikey Mike from DirectSound and Doitfromscratch.com Ok Im glad I could help some of you with getting started and some new videos to come on showXpress I have been useing it for about 1.5 years now Wow I love it... I will Be going to Mobile Beat if I can get a room and pass soon...and Im looking to share a room with someone to cut costs if anyone up for that shoot me a PM .. I will bring my laptop and help anyone needing help getting started or want to learn some advansed stuff like the generator or timeline

shoot me an email if you have any questions Maybe Ben can get me a after hours DMX room to spend some time with anyone that needs help

We will see and see you all soon

DJ Mikey Mike

www.directsound.com
www.doitfromscrarch.com
Click to expand...

Mike -

Per our conversations, yes. I'm happy to accommodate you with some space at the show. Anything that helps our customers I am in favor of. :)

Ben
 
Randy A said:
Well, after some recent urging from our resident geekster (yes Ben, that would be you) I finally started diving into this software.

Wow! This program is really going to make running dmx shows much simplier and allow us to put some light shows together vs. the standard 'sound active' modes that we've been running. I love having the ability to create my lighting scenes from the comforts of my computer chair or sitting in front of the tv on my laptop. No need to have all the lights hooked up and fumbling around on a hardware controller.

But, using it in the live shows will have to wait a bit longer until I can afford the $500 dongle box that is required. But while I wait, I'm having a blast creating scenes.

Btw, the learning curve was drastically reduced due to some YouTube videos from DJ Mikey from DirectSounds. They were a great help in walking thru some of the basics. After getting the basics down, then it was just a matter of getting in and seeing what else it could do. They also have a pretty good online forum that provides some additional help, but I didn't get very deep into it yet.
Click to expand...

Even though I do not own lights or intend to do so anytime in the near future, I have used the Chauvet Show express with the x-factor dongle box at my last contract Club Gig. It is awesome. Had some moving heads attached and it was spell binding.
 
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