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Small smoke machines with DMX control


Paul O

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I currently have a couple of Magnum 550 smoke machines that get used from time to time for theatrical effects. However as these machines are really DJ-class gear, they have a periodic reheat period and if the machine is reheating when the 'smoke' cue comes up in a show then we get no smoke on cue. The Magnum 550's are decent, robust little machines with reasonable output but I need to find something better suited for theatre use.

 

I'm ideally looking for a physically small smoke machine with DMX control that's always available for cued effects. Looking around it appears that only the larger/high end smoke machines seem to support 'always ready' operation but I don't really need anything that massive.

 

I'd appreciate suggestions of machines that work well for small-scale theatre.

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We use a ZR33 in our little theatre. When we've needed low level very high mass crawly smoke we hire in.

 

ZR33 is a bit of a beast for a small theatre! The Magnum 1800 is always-ready, as is the Magnum 1200 but the DMX interface is optional on that.

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ZR33 is a bit of a beast for a small theatre! The Magnum 1800 is always-ready, as is the Magnum 1200 but the DMX interface is optional on that.

 

True, it's not the smallest of units, and sometimes it's tricky to find somewhere to fit its bulk. It does have the advantage of being able to create a big billow very quickly if need be, though.

 

 

 

 

 

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My findings were that the cheaper smokers used the cheapest control which is the On-Off cycle which always lets you down for cue based work.

 

HOWEVER

My way round this once or twice was to time in advance the time the smoker took to heat from cold, then cue 1 was to bring the cold machine power on and the smoke cue was to press the smoke button.

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It is very easy to convert a cheap (£50) smoke machine to DMX. Simply get a DMX relay board (Around £20 for an 8 channel one), or a 220v relay (Which would connect to one of your dimmer pack channels) and put it between the connections on the switch. Leave the smoke machine plugged in and when ever the relay is triggered, the smoke will come out. I have never had a problem doing that.

 

Also, this was my first post.

 

 

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I currently have a DMX relay trigger for my Magnum 550 which works fine PROVIDED the smoke machine isn't in it's reheat period which is why I'm looking for a machine that doesn't have a reheat cycle.
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  • 4 weeks later...
Just a follow-up in case anyone comes across this thread in future - I eventually went for a Le Maitre G-Force 1, it's not the smallest smoke machine around but it is DMX controlled and has continuous output.
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  • 2 months later...

you need RAISM : Redundant Array of Inexpensive Smoke Machines :) I used to have two or three inexpensive smoke machines that I used in conjonction to be sure to have smoke all the time (and one breaks I can still do something). example : AF40-DMX on Thomann for £46

 

Any updates or suggestions as to a comparable product, Thomann are out of stock :-(

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