DMX auto light show

[johndenim]

I am one half of a vocal instrumental duo, working corporate events, weddings and clubs.

 

I do the sound and lighting myself from the stage, lighting being on foot switches.

How would I acheive an automated system?

 

I currently use:

Abstract clubshow controller.

x2 vr8's

x2 twister 4's

x2 acme icolor 4's

acme foot controller.

 

I play guitars and vox, my other half is main vox.

Our backing music is supplied by MD.

 

I have a laptop at my disposal, and have asked a friend (who is in the same business) how to do this, as he does it, but he has to program each song and each beat to a chosen DMX channel and says it takes a very long time to do, also his tracks are on his laptop and obviously plays them with a DMX compatible program.

 

Can anyone please explain this to me in laymans terms?

 

Thanks,

 

John Denim.

 

PS just a thought, but what would happen if I connected my effects lights (controlled by my clubshow creator) to my icolors?

Would it ignore the gobo address and just change the colour to the same as the vr8/twister 4's?

[niax]

The slave modes tend not to use DMX, rather a custom protocol, and as such wouldn't control your other effects lighting.

[KevinE]

Well, they all use DMX, which is a protocol of RS485; however, (and the outcome is the same!)..the iColours being made by Acme won't automatically sync in any planned way to the Abstract controller as this was designed only for Abstract fixtures, and is not necessarily a generic controller which is what you really need.

 

I suppose the cheapest way would be to get a generic DMX/Midi hybrid control desk such as an NJD Merlin and control the chases via a set of MIDI footpedals...you can assign chases or scenes to individual pedal 'notes'. Notice here that I said 'cheap' rather than 'elegant'.

 

A guy I know transfers his backing tracks and light cues onto a Midi file (via Cubase or similar) and then onto a floppy. (or mem stick if you want). This then controls a Midi synth (Roland) and Midi-DMX adapter (NJD) to generate both a backing track audio and sync'ed DMX environment for his lightshow. It means you dont have to bring a laptop along, you can pick up a synth module for peanuts and you have a single play/pause footpedal for your stage. It's very slick, but of course you have to sit there in cubase and plan it all out beforehand.

[KidRay]

I am trying to do a similar thing, but am not as knowledgable as I'd like to be with DMX systems and software.

My current plan is to use a PC lighting software program, such as MagicQ, and a USB-DMX "dongle", and program a series of automated cues or chases for each song. I would then need to trigger the PC to run through the cues at the start of each song. In your case I suppose this would mean pressing the "go" button on the lighting PC at the same time as the "play" button on the MD, so the timing is never going to be spot on, but as you are using backing tracks it shouldn't be far out, I would just avoid the most timing-critical type of lighting effects.

[johndenim]

Thats the kinda thing I'm thinking of Kidray, I too am not the worlds expert on DMX and/or midi.

 

In fact I know very little.

I have changed the 'addresses' on each of the effect lights as directed, manually programmed a few steps on my pc, and uploaded said program to my clubshow controller.

 

If I were to go into this properly I would put all of my backing music onto my laptop, whichever program it may be.

Cubase has been mentioned, would anyone suggest that this is a difficult program to start off with or is there any simplier or FREE software to get me started?

 

Basically all I want is to play a song, and my lights change colours to a pattern, uptempo stuff a bit faster and bum grabbers you know, nice and slow.

 

The acme lights are great with a lighting jock, but not easy to work with with your feet!

 

I might have a go anyway to see what happens when the acme lights recieve an abstract DMX signal!

 

John Denim.

[KidRay]

Just had a quick scan through the manuals, and it looks like your Abstract controller is midi-controllable and you can (probably) get it to control the Acme icolour lights with a bit of tweaking. So if you can get your laptop to output midi signals with the backing tracks, you have everything you need.

I agree with you about Cubase, it's a very powerful and complicated bit of software and would take a fair amount of work to: 1. Get to know the software and 2. Program the midi instructions for your show.

I'm sure someone here will be able to tell you if there's a simpler way to sync a midi track to your backing tracks.

Please let us know how you get on!

[KevinE]

The acme lights are great with a lighting jock, but not easy to work with with your feet!

 

What I meant was using the midi footpedals to control pre-programmed chases or 'moods'..so for example bottom C would cue slow lighting, D a bit faster for poppy stuff, E for fast and F maybe to blackout. You wouldnt have to steer your scanners with the pedals!!

[Christoff]

Hi guys I run all my DMX lighting through this programme. Simply load your songs and asign where and when you whant your DMX lighting, smoke machines etc. to run. Connects easy through usb.

 

http://www.playwareinnovations.com/

[johndenim]

Ok, so I'm thinking again, I really have to get around to doing this!

 

I'm fed up with a crappy light show. (its not THAT bad, but I want it not sound to light, something a bit more impressive, as in 'we will rock you', boom boom, clap, boom, boom clap, red, red, white, red, red, white. you know the kinda thing!)

 

As in first post, I still have the same lighting gear, but also a DMX'able strobe.

I have decided to bite the bullet, put all of my tracks on laptop, and use a program to run both the track and a preset light show.

Any recommendations for a program?

The one mentioned earlier is pretty pricey.

Am I to take it a generic controller will run my acme icolor 4's, vr8's, twister 4's and the strobe?

 

is it as simple as:

Laptop-program-track-lighting sequence-usb audio out to sound card-usb 'light show' out to generic controller-all lights daisy chained with standard XLR cables?

[KevinE]

Am I to take it a generic controller will run my acme icolor 4's, vr8's, twister 4's and the strobe?

 

Yes! Anything that is DMX will run off a generic DMX controller otherwise it isnt DMX!!

 

But I stress you will have to pre-programme the controller (maybe at home) step by step with reference to the channel attributes of your entire range of lighting, as the generic controller will arrive blank..unlike dedicated brand-specific units which will come ready-programmed but only talk to their own 'kind'.

 

Once you've got the programme in there of course, it's there for good and your favourite sequences can be recalled at the touch of a button. (or by footswitch array..which is why I suggested a midi pedal controllable desk).

[SilentShaddow]

If you have a laptop at your disposal then id suggest some computer based DMX software, outputting over USB. With a special mention to freestyler which the software is free, but you would have to buy a USB-> DMX converrter which will let you back some $$$ but isnt alot, certainly a cheap'er' solution.

(Dont take my word for it, look it up)

 

Silent

[KevinE]

The problem with the laptop is that I think John wanted a degree of control whilst performing on stage which is why I recommended a midi-controllable generic desk so he can select programmes with his feet!

[johndenim]

Many thanks to KevinE and Silent Shaddow for the replies.

 

Strangely enough I have looked at and downloaded 'freestyler' program.

I have no clue how to use it though!

 

What I'd ideally need is a program that had say, the track running along ( the fuzzy line thing? sorry!) the top and underneath running together a pre programmed light sequence, something that will let me put any effect, flash any colour with any gobo at a point in the track of my choosing.

 

My mate recommended cakewalk's sonar?

I managed to get myself a copy and have had a look but TBH it completely baffles me!

KevinE, some great ideas, but I'm thinking fully automated with little or no interference by me (on or off) is the best option for me.

I'm liking the dongle idea, I just need a good idiot proof program now, any other thoughts?

[Jivemaster]

http://www.dj-online.co.uk/acatalog/PC_to_...Interfaces.html

 

The dongles connect a PC to a DMX system.

 

You then have to use the bundled (or other compatible) software to put your tracks onto the PC and write every DMX cue needed to get the display you want. The you save the cues and tracks together for recall.

 

That way a song gets the same lights every time. pressing GO for the track is pressing GO for the lights too.

[johndenim]

http://www.dj-online.co.uk/acatalog/PC_to_...Interfaces.html

 

The dongles connect a PC to a DMX system.

 

You then have to use the bundled (or other compatible) software to put your tracks onto the PC and write every DMX cue needed to get the display you want. The you save the cues and tracks together for recall.

 

That way a song gets the same lights every time. pressing GO for the track is pressing GO for the lights too.

 

Yeah, that's what I need Jivemaster, cheers.

 

So with this statement, (from your link)

 

 

"Supplied with documentation and software on CD, everything required to build the perfect lightshow except the lights, PC and your imagination".

 

All I would need is this and a DMX controller?

This does the audio part as well?

 

EDIT:

I would NOT require a DMX contriller?