audiochains Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Im looking to get lighting control software for controling DMX on my Powerbook G4 (Mac OSX)? I use Show Magic at work, and it does the job really well, but I want somthing that is mac compatable.Ive had a look round the net but cant find anything that looks anygood.I'm also looking for a good and reliable USB - DMX interface (mac compatable) Can anyone suggest anything? or have any ideas? I dont want to use windows for mac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Virtual PC for Mac. It runs PCStage quite happily, so will probably run other things too. A mac-native alternative is the LanBox, but it's not a traditional "PC based" solution, its a mac control service onto a control-less console. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Frazer Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 The latest version of Virtuoso software V5.5 will apparently allow you to output DMX directly from a Node without a console similar to Hog PC. An expensive option but well worth it if you can afford the node. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiochains Posted October 18, 2006 Author Share Posted October 18, 2006 It does look like I will have to use Virtual PC, ;) Ive had a look at LanBox and downloaded it.....but it really isnt very good + you need to buy a "Lanbox" for it to work. Any other ideas? Any recommended software for PC other than Showmagic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Riley Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Its not a show control solution, like pcstage etc, but the chamsys magicq software is free, works on a mac (PPC or intel), and you can use it with a cheapo usb-DMX on your computer for next to nothing, or you can use with the chamsys control interfaces as well. Where I work we've got a pc magicq with an playback wing and a control wing with touchscreen monitor and dedicated pc, and its working rather well! All in all a very reasonably priced solution, especially with the integrated media server control. See www.chamsys.co.uk. WRT control - Both the entec and the entec pro usb-DMX works with magicq and works on the mac (see thomann). Also, you could consider buying the interface off chamsys - its possible to use artnet as well with the chamsys ones, so you could send cat5 down to the FOH from a normal network card, where you connect a special DMX convertor and save on DMX cable. HTH, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben.suffolk Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Well I designed my USBDMX Interface for the Mac, but I do not have all the software written for it yet. I do have a simple 24 channel preset desk app, and as mentioned above the MagicQ software works with my interface. I am writing an OSX application as well as the LightsOn open source framework. I guess it all comes down to how quickly you want to be able to use it. Regards Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_call_me_MJ Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 you need to buy a "Lanbox" for it to work. what did you expect ? direct artnet from your ethernet port?(which would be very nice! ;) ) the lanbox isn't just some adapterit's computer on its own with a own IP adressit can also operate standaloneDMX in and out (and midi usb analog ..) the free software works and there are theatersplays using itbut I don't like itI use max/msp the code my own lightdesks custum made for every gig there is some program for osx "lightregie120x" herealso with lanbox I believe :o -mj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cavill Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 ShowCAD is great software to use to control DMX via USB, quite simple to load your fixtures and you can connect as many midi control devices to the software to. HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_call_me_MJ Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 ShowCAD is great software to use to control DMX via USB, quite simple to load your fixtures and you can connect as many midi control devices to the software to. HERE looks nice!but not osx..... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Lawrance Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Don't be too quick to dismiss the Lanbox. When I got my first LCX a few years ago, the software seemed impossible to use. But I kept at it, playing with it, just seeing what things did. Now I have 2 LCX's and a LCM (means I can run 3 universes at once if I want to) and I can do a hell of a lot more than some people can with an Avo desk for instance. It is directly compatible with Capture as well (a poor mans WYSIWYG) and it works really well. I would recommend it 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiochains Posted October 19, 2006 Author Share Posted October 19, 2006 So the lan box will work with most programs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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