Shoestring budget + ebay: Which desk?

[DonkiDonki]

Whilst what you say is entirely true it's worth mentioning that Pan & Tilt control isn't exactly easy without encoder wheels. The only way to do it in the software is to manually increment the values for Pan & Tilt which isn't always the quickest and easiest way. However if you have a Chamsys USB interface or wing connected then it's possible to use your mouse to control Pan & Tilt. If you considering using just the software then it's worth paying the extra (list price is £385) if you can afford it and using the Chamsys USB-DMX interface as it will unlock mouse control along with the other limitations that are in the software without a Chamsys USB device connected.

 

Personally I think you can only get the best out of the software with a PC Wing or even better Maxi Wing coupled with a touchscreen. This is still a fairly low cost option when you consider it's a console thats is more powerful than a Hog II and a pretty good match to the GrandMA & Hog III.

 

All true.

I spent ages using MagicQ PC with just a USB Pro dongle, and coveted the "mouse pan/tilt" function. However after I finally treated myself to a PC Wing and tried using that function, I was very dissapointed at how un-responsive it was (could have been down to my laptop settings); and then realised how adept I had become at positioning movers on the software alone. (it's a bit like playing a good driving game on a digital controller - it's amazing the "feel" you can develop in the "steering")

 

That said, you can't beat rotary encoders (or a decent trackball) for mover control, but you do have to pay for the privelage.

[tvi675]

That said, you can't beat rotary encoders (or a decent trackball) for mover control, but you do have to pay for the privelage.

 

Well, we give you all the power of the software for free so have to make some money somewhere

[DonkiDonki]

Well, we give you all the power of the software for free so have to make some money somewhere :)

 

 

Or perhaps Chamsys could become the first events industry charity and distribute consoles among us poor and needy lampies....? :P

[i_hate_fisicks]

I've got an Enttec USB Pro and the MagicQ software, and use it quite regularly. Not having any physical controls does limit what you can do somewhat, especially when using movers and running rock and roll. However, for doing simple theatre shows, I don't think it would be especially different to a real console. You still get dimmer faders on screen, and as long as you don't want to move more than one playback at a time, then there's no problem!

 

I use it on a couple of different laptops with no particular care taken to make them run cleaner or anything, just bog standard windows machines full of all kinds of other software, and have hardly any problems with it crashing.

 

I love the system, it's great. Just wish I could afford a PC wing!

[Andrew C]

I use it on a couple of different laptops with no particular care taken to make them run cleaner or anything, just bog standard windows machines full of all kinds of other software, and have hardly any problems with it crashing.

And you still use it? You must have far more tolerant audiences than I'm used to. For my money I would not accept one crash without finding out exactly what went wrong, and if it could happen again!

[DonkiDonki]

I use it on a couple of different laptops with no particular care taken to make them run cleaner or anything, just bog standard windows machines full of all kinds of other software, and have hardly any problems with it crashing.

 

That Sir, is quite unacceptable.

 

I expect that when I am simultaneously watching TopGear on iPlayer, playing Tower Defense in Flash, doing my invoices in Office, feeding MyPetPussy(Nintendag DS Impersonator) and uploading my latest personal masterpiece to Amateur Shandy.com that the critical show file of lighting thingymejibbies (not too sure what it's for but I think it has something to do with that bloke on the stage who's been droning on for hours); run without the slightest hint of problems or crashes.