sus.lighting Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hi I was wondering if it is hard to program moving heads on a strand 300 consol in a limited time space?? Also wondering where would the best place to rent moving heads which are good quality but are quite cheap to rent Thanks Im situated in Northern Ireland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hmmm... © Simple answer - if you've never programmed movers on the 300 (or indeed at all on any desk), then yes you're going to find it a very steep learning curve.Once you're used to the way things work, however, it becomes almost second nature to programme simple moves and states. There are lots of niceties involved in programming MLs (and I don't profess to know anywhere near them all) but for basics it's fairly, well, basic. As for where and how much, then that's something we can't say without a better location (none in your profile).In my neck of the woods I can get a Mac 250 Entour (small but versatile work-horse) for around £50 plus vat. Mac 550's for £60 and 700s for a ton.Depends what you want to do and what your budget is. But back at programming, I recommend you update your location and maybe (just maybe) there's an experienced Blue Roomer nearby who could perhaps pop and give you some starting pointers...If you ask really nice that is.:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanhill Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thought I had already posted... In short it is a right pain as it is all data entry via the keypad or using the intensity wheel. It helps to know the Strand attribute numbers but it is a time consuming business. in. Easiest way is to program it on another desk, 500 series if you are Strand friendly, otherwise get another desk . Cannot comment on rental as I almost exclusively prep in SW London, but its not my hire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete LD Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 In short it is a right pain as it is all data entry via the keypad or using the intensity wheel. It helps to know the Strand attribute numbers but it is a time consuming business. in. Easiest way is to program it on another desk, 500 series if you are Strand friendly, otherwise get another desk . Its not that bad!!. If you use the mouse/trackball then there is no data entry via the keypad. And a few well made groups later its easy!. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sus.lighting Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks for the post Im situated in Northern Ireland, and im part of a school so expensive equipment to hire isnt in the picture thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 In short it is a right pain as it is all data entry via the keypad or using the intensity wheel.Tosh!!Using the trackball/mouse it's not at all that bad once you have the basics down.The OP's problem (I suspect) is being totally inexperienced in setting up and programming the beasts..Easiest way is to program it on another desk, 500 series if you are Strand friendly, otherwise get another desk .Er, as the one thing we DO know about the OP is that he's a student - so running off to hire a bigger desk is hardly going to be an option!!! edit - crossed a couple of similar responses there...Must try not to work at the same time as posting on the BR...:D A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on. Im situated in Northern Ireland, and im part of a school so expensive equipment to hire isnt in the picture :P Google moving light hire northern ireland... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 It aint that bad.if you haven't already , take a read through the automated lighting tutorial available from www.grandstage.com/images/pdf/Strand500.pdf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sus.lighting Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 It aint that bad.if you haven't already , take a read through the automated lighting tutorial available from www.grandstage.com/images/pdf/Strand500.pdf. Thanks started doing it its not that bad, steep learning curve though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GridGirl Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Just make sure you have the Auto Move While Dark function enabled (it's in one of the setup menus, I can never remember which one if I'm not sitting at the desk!) as it will make things much easier and tidier for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I too can't see any major problem - the trackball system works quite well - and there really is no need whatsoever to think of using a 500. The only main feature that is a bit tiresome is the lack of access to proper encoder wheels at the same time. Moving the heads with the trackerball, however, is the same as on a 500, you just need to cope with the buttons to access each attribute in term. You never need to enter attributes direct from the keypad - that would be dire. I have to admit I rather liked them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 You never need to enter attributes direct from the keypad - that would be dire. I have to admit I rather liked them.There are times when I do in fact enter atts from the keypad, especially when I want to change one att on several heads.There may be an easier way of doing it, but typing 100.2 thru 108.2 * then changing the colour of a set of Mac wash lanterns with the main wheel is useful. The same when guaging the effects of different gobos as a group.Another way of moving several movers in one plane (that I find a bit more responsive than using pan/tilt lock) is to use 100.3 thru 104.3 * and do the same with 4 lanterns being panned at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbm Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I can't comment on programming Strand desks, but I can say that Production Services Ireland have always looked after me very well for moving light hire when I have visited Northern Ireland. They have a large stock and range of moving lights and they're very nice people too! vbm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Another tip,change the channel entry from single to double,again its in one of the setup menus,this means instead of hitting @7* you have to enter @70* a pain with generics but makes getting values like 76 much quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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