Jump to content

DMX replay, programmed by a LJ, recalled by a DJ


godboy

Recommended Posts

With the current expansion of big name DMX control becoming affordable to the masses (Avolites USB Titian one) and the mobile DJ market getting clever and accessible to all (ADJ Air) You would assume that somebody would be covering the middle ground. Professional Lighting engineers selling there vocation as experienced lighting programmers to the bread and butter clients (independent bar/club or even pro mobile) clients in an affordable way.

 

Currently I am struggling to find a system that allows me to program on a professional system that would be paid for as part of my fee but recalled via an affordable unit and triggered instantly by a locked tough bank of buttons offered to the DJ.

 

Affordable Midi controllers are available but what replay unit and midi trigger controller pairing will offer my client the price they want (with sound to light response)? Clever DMX programming control with no need for the end user to understand how it works. Many products exist for basic ambiance RGB LED control from a wall plate but where does the market for moving head and a strobe toggle exist.

 

I need a product that allows professional LJ's to program in professional DMX software but leaves the client with a reply unit and button triggers accessed easily for DJs in the moment without fear they will destroy the file.

 

The current software I use to meet this criteria leaves the clients paying for all sides of the software but its price means the other half of venues with a lesser budget are left unfulfilled despite the fact they would never need access to all of the full features.

 

Whats the answer or why is no body making this product?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is what a local nightclub does. Magicq running a password protected execute screen that give access to loads of useful 'end results' that is used 5 nights a week with the full potential unlocked when the right people, are there. In their case running from a touch screen and a laptop. Even the cleaners use it.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll second the use of Chamsys with an execute touch screen password protected. My local nightclub does exactly that for many nights a week and when the right people come in who know how to use it and program etc it is unlocked for them. Perfect for toggle buttons, customisable faders, flash buttons for strobes or blinders etc. Also being able to put macro's on to the execute screen is very handy for running things such as 'sound to light'
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't you need a Chamsys wing or proper DMX dongle (not the Magic DMX single universe one) to use the execute window and lock off the other menus? I need to set up a simple DJ proof system for a local night club and I'm just looking for options. Things are slightly more complex for me as the venue has two walls of LED panels which would look nice with some simple pixel mapping over them.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I have this right; the op is looking for a flexible control system with the ability for the installer to have more room for cost of control equipment than the final user, allowing for small venues to access features that might otherwise be out of budget? So the installer has a powerful control system for setup but the user can operate via a cheaper replay system?

 

The cheapest option is something that lets you take snapshots of DMX and replay them through a control panel of some kind, plenty of options around for that approach. However this won't support things like pixel mapping and effects that are generated by fx engines. (though some support creating chases from snapshots and triggering via sound to light) - I would consider this for something like a pub that just wants it's disco lighting to be a bit better than a bunch of random fixtures doing their own thing on built-in sound to light.

 

 

The MagicQ system is a pretty good fit where more powerful features are required. You have quite a choice of size/cost for the initial console used by the installer/programmer so which one you choose comes down to the installers own budget.

For the venue, the most basic setup would be a PC, a touch screen and full MagicQ software dongle (not the same as the MagicQ DMX dongle). The execute screen feature can be laid out with whatever features you like and is well suited to nightclub style use, programming features can be locked out to prevent curious fingers from meddling with settings. Simply install the PC in a secure (and drink/spill proof) location with the just the touchscreen exposed.

 

The dongle's are quite pricey (though cheaper than any of the desk options), but they do fully unlock the software allowing access to midi and sound to light features . There's quite a few cheap options for touchscreens but for a venue environment I would recommend the costly but bomb proof ELO range intended for POS use. You will need to generate DMX outputs somehow, there are plenty of options for this depending on how many DMX universes you need; starting from about £70 for a MagicQ DMX-full dongle.

 

This opens a further control option which is the Wall Mount Scene Setter, this has 4 fader/button sets on a 1-gang light switch size unit which might be more suitable for bar staff or cleaners to access things like working lights and so on.

 

You are looking at budget upwards of about £1500 for a minimal setup. (Dongles, PC, Touchscreen) MagicQ does not require a powerful PC for the most part although if you intend to pixel map or use the internal media player you may want something with decent specs.

 

 

 

Good luck with your search.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't you need a Chamsys wing or proper DMX dongle (not the Magic DMX single universe one) to use the execute window and lock off the other menus? I need to set up a simple DJ proof system for a local night club and I'm just looking for options. Things are slightly more complex for me as the venue has two walls of LED panels which would look nice with some simple pixel mapping over them.

 

I have a feeling that this used to be the case but it would seem they have unlocked the Execute screen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't you need a Chamsys wing or proper DMX dongle (not the Magic DMX single universe one) to use the execute window and lock off the other menus? I need to set up a simple DJ proof system for a local night club and I'm just looking for options. Things are slightly more complex for me as the venue has two walls of LED panels which would look nice with some simple pixel mapping over them.

 

I have a feeling that this used to be the case but it would seem they have unlocked the Execute screen.

 

You can use the execute window in demo mode but not locked out in fullscreen mode. (last time I tried it at least)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't you need a Chamsys wing or proper DMX dongle (not the Magic DMX single universe one) to use the execute window and lock off the other menus? I need to set up a simple DJ proof system for a local night club and I'm just looking for options. Things are slightly more complex for me as the venue has two walls of LED panels which would look nice with some simple pixel mapping over them.

 

I have a feeling that this used to be the case but it would seem they have unlocked the Execute screen.

 

You can use the execute window in demo mode but not locked out in fullscreen mode. (last time I tried it at least)

 

No just tested it you have full acceess to Execute in demo mode. Yes I am suprised too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The cheapest option is something that lets you take snapshots of DMX and replay them through a control panel of some kind, plenty of options around for that approach. However this won't support things like pixel mapping and effects that are generated by fx engines

 

Snapshot DMX replay units are old hat these days. The Showtec one in my previous post is a real-time recorder with continuous DMX stream recording. Anything you can generate on a single universe will be faithfully replayed. It's 'passwordable' and can be locked away for use by a remote pushbutton station, connections via phoenix strips at the rear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't you need a Chamsys wing or proper DMX dongle (not the Magic DMX single universe one) to use the execute window and lock off the other menus? I need to set up a simple DJ proof system for a local night club and I'm just looking for options. Things are slightly more complex for me as the venue has two walls of LED panels which would look nice with some simple pixel mapping over them.

 

I have a feeling that this used to be the case but it would seem they have unlocked the Execute screen.

 

You can use the execute window in demo mode but not locked out in fullscreen mode. (last time I tried it at least)

 

No just tested it you have full acceess to Execute in demo mode. Yes I am suprised too.

Which version of the software are you using? I'm trying to get MagicQ to start up in the execute window at startup, but it doesn't seem to want to. Also, full screen execute window doesn't work. You can see the execute window full screen, but as soon as you click on anything it goes back to displaying the normal MagicQ interface. I'm using a £10 MagicDMX dongle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.