new lighting desk

[jamlucas]

I have got to get a new lighting desk to control 24 LEDs, some on stage and some on the dancefloor. I usually use a computer and freestyler, but I'm hoping to get a desk for a little cheaper than the whole computer set up to save the company some money, does anybody know of any good desks?

[Mark M]

Stick with the laptop and use MaqicQ, its free and get yourself a dongle from MagicDMX (same company as MagicQ) for a tenner and your done.

[Grum]

What Mark said,

 

You won't get a desk for less than a computer based system (at least not one that's worth having anyway). The other good thing about going down the MagicQ route is that as the rig expands and the budget grows you can build your control system without having to learn a new system.

[Joe Bleasdale]

I have got to get a new lighting desk to control 24 LEDs, some on stage and some on the dancefloor. I usually use a computer and freestyler, but I'm hoping to get a desk for a little cheaper than the whole computer set up to save the company some money, does anybody know of any good desks?

 

You could also try Vector PC. It is a free application with 1 universe of Art-Net out all you need is an Art-Net converter. Entec - http://www.enttec.com/index.php?main_menu=...on&name=ode

 

Vector PC can be downloaded from the Compulite website - http://www.compulite.com/index.php?page_id=14

 

Both Magic Q and Vector have matrix/bitmap capabilitys that you can use with your LEDs. So as your rig expands it should be still fairly easy to control with either application.

 

Best Regards,

[Wol]

Stick with the laptop and use MaqicQ, its free and get yourself a dongle from MagicDMX (same company as MagicQ) for a tenner and your done.

 

Hey Jamie,

 

MagicQ is more than capable of doing what you need it to. As Mark mentioned your best bet is to order one of our newly released MagicDMX dongles from www.magicdmx.com. It'll cost you a tenner, and gives you a single universe of DMX straight out of your laptop; no need for external boxes or art-net interfaces. Download MagicQ for free from our downloads website (http://download.magicq.co.uk) and have a look through the quick start guides there to get started and that should give you the basics of how to control and program in MagicQ.

 

If you do decide that you then need a physical control surface with faders, rather than just using the onscreen controls available, then as Grum says, you can expand your system as required with our low cost wing products and it's still the same MagicQ that you've learnt first time round so you don't have to worry about getting used to a new system.

 

If you get stuck, or have any questions, feel free to drop us an email at support@chamsys.co.uk and we'll try to help you out!

 

Cheers,

 

Luke Lowrey

[norty303]

As this looks to be for a live implementation, I think you have to point out the time limit restriction on the MagicDMX basic currently.

I'd support the use of MagicQ but until the pro version comes out with pricing info I'd recommend an Enttec Pro. Hardly a bank breaker even then.

[Sound In Gloucestershire]

norty, what do you mean by time limit restrictions?

[spartacus]

The 10 pound dongle for MagicQ has a 5 hour time restriction on it. After 5 hours, it needs to be restarted. More information is available here:

http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=40679