Harvey_51 Posted August 3, 2006 Posted August 3, 2006 Hi What dimmer should I chose? I need a 12 channel system, I was thinking maybie two 6 channel beta packs. My budget is £1000 Thanks Jordan
mumbles Posted August 3, 2006 Posted August 3, 2006 What dimmer should I chose? I need a 12 channel system, I was thinking maybie two 6 channel beta packs. My budget is £1000Couple of Q's.- What kind of enviroment is it going to be used for, install/touring, theatre/club?- Do you need switching, as the beta won't do this?- Are you going to want the ability to use the dimmers by just DMX, or analogue as well, or be able to also set each channel on the dimmer? Martin
Tomo Posted August 3, 2006 Posted August 3, 2006 At that budget, your choices are pretty much: 2x Betapacks - doesn't provide switching curve, but choice of dimming curves.2x Install 6 - provides switch, and two other dimming curves1x 12 channel or 2x 6 channel Smartpack - provides switch, flourescent and two dimmer curves Finally, extremely cheap dimmerpacks and switchpacks from the likes of Showtec etc - no choice of dimming curve or switching.
Pete Posted August 3, 2006 Posted August 3, 2006 My choice would be the smartpack(s) everytime!Whether you choose 1 or 2 is down to personal preference I guess and whether you want individual sockets?
pritch Posted August 3, 2006 Posted August 3, 2006 At that budget, your choices are pretty much: 2x Betapacks - doesn't provide switching curve, but choice of dimming curves.2x Install 6 - provides switch, and two other dimming curves1x 12 channel or 2x 6 channel Smartpack - provides switch, flourescent and two dimmer curves The Betapack 3, as far as I'm aware, is a lot more flexible and seems to be quite similar to the Install 6 in many ways. It also allows you to set the dimmer curve per channel, including a switched option.
Trundle Posted August 6, 2006 Posted August 6, 2006 I have used Showtec Dimmers with 8x IEC on them-they may be cheap but they are effective and do what I want them to do.
Tomo Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 I absolutely hate the Showtec dimmers, but they do work and I suppose they have a place in the market. Just don't expect them to be reliable or particularly consistent.
tanko Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 I completly agree with tomo, showtec dimmers are not the most reliable in the history of the world, they also have a rather bizarre dimming curve. The only good installation of them I have seen was in, I think the theatre in Weston super-mare. but even then, the chief had to contact china to get some drawings, and do a custom retro fit himself to bring them up to scratch. Tank
pete LD Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 The only good installation of them I have seen was in, I think the theatre in Weston super-mare. but even then, the chief had to contact china to get some drawings, and do a custom retro fit himself to bring them up to scratch.Ive seen them at Weston, I was impressed with the self install system!I use showtec dimmers, I have 2 6way dimmers, which are only 2u each mounted in a 4 u rack case with soca out and 2 x 32a in. all for less than £500 and Ive never had any problems. they do have a switch curve and several dimmer curves as well as manual control of each channel! I'm not saying there good but for what I need them for(rock bands and the like) there fine. but like people have said it depends what you want them for! pete
Trundle Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 I have had mine for 3 years and it is used in the dimming of 10 PAR 56's and 64's and has never failed me
maeterlinck Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 Job before last the production company have bought some ShowTec dimmers some time in the past. I'll agree they work, they did what was needed, but they were anything like the quality that is generally needed. We used them for stage blues and then some non-essential wash when there were no others left. They worked in the sense the light came on most of the time.For cheap throw away stuff then great but Beta2/3's will out last them and work so mcuh better for a few hundred more. PS: If cost is an issue then have a look at people like AC Lightings clearance pages, often good deals there!
Trundle Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 When you say quality....what do you mean like the casing or yea enlighten me
P. Funk Posted August 8, 2006 Posted August 8, 2006 How they handle dodgy DMX, the dimming curve on them, the build quality, how often they fail, etc.
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