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Very simple but programmable DMX controlller


gotty

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I'm setting up a basic lighting system for a community hall. It'll have a total of 10 luminaires, and a full-feature DMX 256 channel controller (not yet determined).

 

However, the occasions when full control is required are rare and so, for everyday use, we need a very simple (and much smaller!) controller with either at least 6 buttons (or faders), each with a preset for the lights. So, for instance, full on, stage only (no FoH), FoH only, stage with spot etc. We don't need anything else.

 

I've looked all over the place, but nothing jumps out at me. I've started designing a unit based around a Raspberry Pi, but an off-the-shelf unit would be a lot less time-consuming, especially as this is a very low-budget and volunteer scheme.

 

I've done quite a bit with DMX in the past, but this off-the-shelf solution eludes me.

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Thanks

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Sounds like a job for an Anytronics panel

 

Thanks for the pointer - I've not seen these before, and the Anyscene panel should do what we want - the principle is very simple

 

But I suspect that the price is a bit outside the budget (at least for now).

 

Thanks again

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If the anytronics is outside the budget then I expect this is too, but having been rather impressed when I came across it in a theatre in Ireland recently I think it needs a little more exposure. £880 plus vat from canford, but who pays full price ;)

 

https://www.elclight...s/sidekick-too/

 

Very nice! But, yes, way out of budget (it's a community hall with very little income, but hoping to increase it with better than a couple of 60w light bulbs!)

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I used to have an Arri Reflexion, which did pretty much what you want. Might still be the odd one kicking around secondhand.

 

Connect it between your existing desk and your dimmers, and it can capture the DMX stream and save it to one of a dozen faders. then take your main desk away.

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Your main desk that you have not bought yet might have the answer if it lets you take out a remote go. You program the desk with a semi permanent step chase or Qs that are each state you need and a loop,

The low tech interface is a large push button that cycles round the states, "3 pushes for hall only" then "two pushes more for all off"

You might or might not go as far as a mimic panel with a small lamp beside the description of each state, each on a DMX channel.

 

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Showmaster 48 or one of the similar clones? Around 250GBP. 24-way 2 preset with programming where each fader can be programmed like a submaster for those walk-up scenes you require. No specific LED support though.

 

Kevin

Edited by kgallen
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The casual user system needs to be as simple as possible. one fader per light is a fair idea, one simple scene on one button is possible better. HOWEVER make sure that the computer is totally hidden and unnecessary because someone will crash it.
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Showmaster 48 or one of the similar clones? Around 250GBP. 24-way 2 preset with programming where each fader can be programmed like a submaster for those walk-up scenes you require. No specific LED support though.

I wouldn't recommend the showmaster type controllers for this, at least on the ones I have used you have to press quite a few buttons to get them operating in scene mode. And there are lots of other buttons you could press which would do bad things.

 

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Tim as always makes a fair point, but then it's a bit hard to know where you would turn, regardless of budget. In my local hall, the main problem is not really the house desk (in this case one of those SM48), but that the lights (a bunch of Strand Quartets) are not rigged and focused where the walk-up user wants them. They have no gel frames or barn doors and many of the framing shutters are missing from the profiles. When we finish our shows there I try to leave a "square-one" rig on the house stock to give some basic general cover. However then others come in and twist lights around - just point-and-shoot, they're not lighting folk, so they don't understand focusing or framing - so when the next group comes in, stuff is pointing all over the place. The caretaker doesn't have the skills or knowledge (or physical ability really) to sort things out. Generally the lighting desk gets dragged out of the cupboard and whatever faders get some light get pushed up and they live with whatever happens.

 

So if you think you can get something workable in your community hall then all credit to you. I think a lot depends on what staff/volunteers you have and what their skill set it. Possibly more than the exact equipment you choose. But in the end, simpler is better for the casual user.

 

Good luck!

 

Kevin

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I agree, there is really nothing out there at a budget price. It's a shame the chinese type controllers aren't easier to operate, a few minutes messing with the firmware and you could make them so much more user friendly...
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How about this little chap?

 

http://www.greenwich...o.uk/GWDMX.html

 

Thanks - it looks as though it would do what we need. I can't find a price for it, so I'll have to contact them - however, a review in 2011 said it was £100+VAT so may be within the budget.

 

Your main desk that you have not bought yet might have the answer if it lets you take out a remote go. You program the desk with a semi permanent step chase or Qs that are each state you need and a loop,

The low tech interface is a large push button that cycles round the states, "3 pushes for hall only" then "two pushes more for all off"

You might or might not go as far as a mimic panel with a small lamp beside the description of each state, each on a DMX channel.

 

It's a nice thought, but the main desk will be locked away and only plugged up when needed (probably once or twice a year).

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It's a nice thought, but the main desk will be locked away and only plugged up when needed (probably once or twice a year).

Your problem is that Far East do not make architectural DMX controls thus you are left with conventional brands and first world prices. Will your dimmers take analog at the same time. if so a 6 way analog desk with diode patching will do the job OR will the dimmers hold last state? If you are using 6 way racks then with the right patching (FOH rack 1 Hall rack 2 stage rack 3 . . . .) you could have a row of switches (which is all the user wants) and power by the rack.

Edited by Whiskers
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