Lighting Control for Band

[rem1963]

http://http//i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/bloozbro1963/SwaveseyVC9-05062-1.jpgHi all, as well as being the singer for our covers band, I also have the job of sorting the lights, we have come a long way from the keybord player jumping on foot swtches to activate lights!!!

 

 

Our current set up is

 

Masterpiece 108

2 x Isolution IM-78s

2 x Martin Destroyer

1 x Martin Robocolour II

2 x Spectre NJD

1 x MAD Abstract Scan

1 x Falcon

2 x colourchange pin spots

2 x LED RGB Par Can 64

 

With all the moving heads/Scans etc, I have completely filled up the Masterpiece Scene slots.

So I am looking for some advice on a desk/software solution, that I can programe offline.

 

Here are some pics of what we acheive at the moment

 

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/bloozbro1963/SwaveseyVC9-05076-1.jpg

 

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/bloozbro1963/SwaveseyVC9-05067.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/bloozbro1963/SwaveseyVC9-05062-1.jpg

[Wol]

One easy way to do it:

 

Download MagicQ for FREE. Will run on Windows or Mac.

 

Buy a MagicDMX USB dongle for £10 (Time limited to 5 hours for that version, but that should be no problem provided your shows arent longer than 5 hours!)

 

Read through the tutorials at OnStageLighting

 

Then for quick playback, look through the manual for "keyboard playback shortcuts" or something like that.

 

If you get stuck, drop us an email at support@chamsys.co.uk, or give us a ring.

 

:blink:

[smalljoshua]

I'll add a 2nd recommendation for that combination, it's a great piece of software, the cheapest dongle you'll find and the tutorials are great too.

 

Josh

[maxjones2000]

and me! I've just got mine, and literally 3 or 4 hours after getting and looking through the onstage lighting tutorials, I could use it (although I have still havent got the idea of the effects engine but thats a different topic..). Its probably on a par (no pun intended :blink: ) if not easier to use than something like an Avo Pearl.

 

For a tenner, its not bad & could be the best ten pound (my pound sign has decided not to work...) you spend!! Not that I'm a fan or anything.... :)

[smalljoshua]

Also, Andy. Where are you based? There may be someone local with a MagicDMX dongle or similar that would let you try it out and offer a bit of help programming for a pint or two.

 

Josh

[rem1963]

Also, Andy. Where are you based? There may be someone local with a MagicDMX dongle or similar that would let you try it out and offer a bit of help programming for a pint or two.

 

Josh

 

 

Just to the East of Cambridge

[dbuckley]

I'd suggest a Lanbox and a MIDI foot controller.

 

I'd probably also either figure out how to put a microswitch on the bass drum pedal and connect that to the LanBox and make it do chases locked to bass drum, or if that cant work (and I don't know if it will or not) then get a Red Voyager1 Beat Extractor (now discontinued, need to look around) and feed MIDI clock to the LanBox so it can sync to that.

 

There's nothing wrong with MagicQ and its dongle, as long as you have a PC and an operator; to make MaqicQ do anything useful in a non-manually operated context then you need to spend considerably more money on specific hardware. For less than the cost of a lappie and the hardware you can have a LanBox.

[KidRay]

Have a look at DMXIS from Enttec. Not as powerful or comprehensive as MagicQ, but specifically designed for performers, with a footswitch input to move between scenes. The "Oscillator" function lets you create dynamic rather than static scenes. I'm still getting to grips with it, but getting some good results so far.

[rem1963]

Have a look at DMXIS from Enttec. Not as powerful or comprehensive as MagicQ, but specifically designed for performers, with a footswitch input to move between scenes. The "Oscillator" function lets you create dynamic rather than static scenes. I'm still getting to grips with it, but getting some good results so far.

 

Sorry perhaps I didnt make myself clear

 

We do have an opperator for the lights, so we dont need a foot/stage opperated solution

[Richard CSL]

I will add my 2p worth and suggest Daslight, shunned here by most pro users, but simple, powerful button driven cues, off line editor, sound activated, even midi activated without additional hardware, basic unit 189 pounds.

 

www.daslight.com. have a look ath the video tutorials.

[smalljoshua]

We do have an opperator for the lights, so we dont need a foot/stage opperated solution

In which case, MagicQ with perhaps their mini wing (for physical controls) would be a good system for you.

 

Josh

[dbuckley]

Given they have an operator, and MagicQ is both good and very economical, its hard to think of another solution as cost-effective; its almost a no-brainer.

[tom_the_LD]

Magic Q would also be my suggestion. As others have said if the shows are within 5 hours then pick up the Magic DMX dongle for £10, or you can use the Enttec Open USB dongle (which is what I use) to "unlock" the program and give you unlimited time.

 

It really is great software - for the money you can't go wrong!

[Richard CSL]

small joshua and D buckley , how do you sound activate with a mini wing? as far as I can tell you need to buy yet another piece of kit the audio / midi interface , cost??? ,remember this is a band not a cue driven theatrical performance.

 

As for physical controls, if they have an operator for the lights, a screen and keyboard is good enough surely, if not midi is a much cheaper option, the BCF2000 from beringer costs a lot less than MQ wing.

 

I agree with Tom though the 10 pound dongle is an absolute bargain and yes I have one. however the learning curve for MQ is much harder than for other software unless you have a background in theatrical lighting desks, hence I am booked into the training course after PLASA.

 

I am not suggesting that MQ is anything but a top piece of lighting software, but for newcomers it is hard to get the most out of it without hours of either training or reading through manuals.

 

the Daslight software can be mastered within a much shorter period of time, and especially now they have made some superb video tutorials, which sadly MQ have not yet done. Perhaps a lesson here to be learned especially with so many users singing the praises of the software, can't somebody out there make an idiots starting guide in video format.???

[tvi675]

the Daslight software can be mastered within a much shorter period of time, and especially now they have made some superb video tutorials, which sadly MQ have not yet done. Perhaps a lesson here to be learned especially with so many users singing the praises of the software, can't somebody out there make an idiots starting guide in video format.???

 

Watch this space.... ;)