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Improving reliability of MagicQ


cameroncoats

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Its come to my attention that I need a way to run MagicQ (MQ for the rest of this post) more reliably... http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif

So I had a couple of thoughts on ways to do this; most of these are quite obvious:

Running it on a clean machine

Running it natively (rather than X11)

Running it on inherently reliable hardware.

Obviously the best way to do this is to buy a Chamsys console, but these are way beyond my budget.

I use my MBP for everything, so running MQ off it is not ideal.

 

 

Most of these boxes are ticked by running MQ off a server (probably with linux), however new servers also tend to be expensive...

 

So would running MQ off an old(ish) server work? Something along the lines of this, maybe even a few of these to run multiple windows http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif.

Also, what build of linux would be best to run it off?

Is linux even the best OS for the job?

Thanks,

Cameron

Edit: Just to say that this post is about improving the reliability in MY situation... AFAIK MQ is perfectly reliable software :)

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A clean install will always improve reliability, that an only installing the bare minimum onto the machine is a must when not using a top spec machine - I have a laptop running xp with just magic q and arkaos vdj installed and this runs fine, never had any issues. I also stripped out unnessicary drivers, which more than likely made no difference to stability, but I just wanted as little as possible on there.

 

I can't help with the choice of os because I have only ever used it in windows, and haven't got the foggiest about Linux.

 

The server should work fine, the only issue I can think of without picking up the server itself (or checking ebay to see if a weight is given) in a rack is weight when trying to make it portable.

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First thing to do is to look at why you're experiencing failures at the moment.

Are they hardware failures? In which case, is this related to mechanical stresses? supply problems? old hardware?

Or are they OS failures? Which OS do you currently run? Certainly a clean machine, used only for MQ, and kept well away from sources of nastiness would help. The "best OS" is probably the one you can configure and control best...

Or is it MQ itself which is giving problems?

 

The server you linked to certainly has the computational horsepower to run MQ, but I struggle to believe it's really necessary. That's a (physically) big and noisy machine, which doesn't necessarily solve your problems.

 

Tell us more about your situation, and we can make some useful suggestions.

 

Tom

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If you're really intending to use a server like the one you linked to to tour with, remember that computer servers are usually very, very deep as they are intended to be installed permanently in a data center or similar. Much deeper than your standard dimmerpack/ rack item.
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The problem at the moment is that I keep getting MQ crashing on my MBP. I am also finding that I need this for other things more and more.

A server seems to me the best solution because I can put it in a rack case to protect it from damage, I can get one cheaply or possibly for free, and its designed to be inherently stable.

It needs to be semi portable - It needs to be moved within the same building between use and storage. Weight is not really an issue, as long as it stays within a 2 man lift.

I also had the thought of racking it up in a mixer case - one of the ones with space for an amp beneath - with a touchscreen in the mixer section, and the server and possibly an UPS.

I am looking to move away from using my mac for lighting, and in the process of this improving the reliability, and not spending too much money (maybe up to £400).

Thanks for all of your thoughts/comments so far.

Edit: Just to clarify, I'm running on a 2010 MBP 2.66ghz. Its really not ideal as I use it for everything, and hence it is not anywhere near a clean install.

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A server seems to me the best solution because I can put it in a rack case to protect it from damage, I can get one cheaply or possibly for free, and its designed to be inherently stable.

 

Remember that most servers are designed to be bolted into racks, then never moved. They are not ruggedised. If you're planning to move it regularly, you may find that a bog-standard laptop is more reliable than a flightcased server!

 

(and +1 to the comment about the depth of these things. The one you've referenced above is 640mm deep, with rails designed for a 1000-deep cabinet)

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I would be more inclined to go for a touch screen machine in this situation, as touchscreen monitors can be expensive, the Asus eeetop is a popular example, shuttle X50 is another barebones system. I personally have an old tower PC running XP, I think it's an 8 year old old AMD processor with 1GB of ram. It's slow for other stuff, but it can run MQ, as the software itself doesn't need a lot of power to run. Although this machine can adequately run the software, it's big, bulky, heavy for what it's needed for and doesn't look great - particularly if you turn up to a job like a wedding reeption, with an 8 year old beige tower PC.

As for OS choice, I have no experience of Linux, but I run MQ on XP and mac osx. The consoles themselves run on Linux, but I would personally plumb for windows (which I don't say often being a mac user!), simply because of the multi windows capability, which I know you can't easily use on Mac, and I don't think (but willing to be corrected) you can run multi windows on Linux.

 

As I said, if I had the money, and the need for a new system, it would be a touchscreen PC with a 2nd VGA out, running XP pro.

 

Neil

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Will a 19" rackmount server fit in a suitably deep 19" Amp case or similar? Or are the mounting systems different?

If an 800Mhz processor will run MQ, then surely an even cheaper old server (link) will...

The same seller also lists a 15" touch screen (link) for £120...

This is looking out to be an exceptionally 'low cost' lighting 'desk' http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

If it will work http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif

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Why can't I edit my posts anymore?

Edit of the above: A server of a suitable spec can be gotten very cheaply.

 

 

After a certain amount of time, you cant edit anymore. It stops people just deleting all the text in their posts, if they find they have opened a can of worms that they didn't want to open etc.etc.

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I've been using Carillon Music computers for years - 19" rack, steel case, damn heavy, built for touring and intensive use. They went bust, and I bought a job lot of 6 empty cases - and I used one of these for my magicq rack with a pull out touchscreen, in a flightcase. Windows 7 and that is that. Been 100% stable and I'm very happy. Windows 7 seems very comfy with touchscreens, and the start up time is pretty quick too, compared with older windows. Initially I had some problems with flaky mains, but a UPS fixed that.

 

Carillon are now back in business, and although these cases are not cheap if you can get one, they are ideal for racks because they're so solid - yet not too deep for standard depth racks.

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Will a 19" rackmount server fit in a suitably deep 19" Amp case or similar? Or are the mounting systems different?

 

They are the same, but the all/most 1U or 2U size servers are very deep and the rails they come with (make sure you get them with the server) are designed to fit a 1m+ deep cabinet. The rails attach from the from to the back of the cabinet and take the weight of the server, allowing it to slide easily in and out.

 

You can also get larger 3U/4U/5U rack mounted PC cases, which take standard desktop size mother boards, these may be better suited as they are not as deep (don't require rails to mount) and will be no noisier than a standard PC. They also have the advantage of taking standard expansion cards etc

 

Did I mention that 1U/2U rack servers can be noisy... Think of a hover or 3 going at the same time :-)

 

If an 800Mhz processor will run MQ, then surely an even cheaper old server (link) will...

The same seller also lists a 15" touch screen (link) for £120...

This is looking out to be an exceptionally 'low cost' lighting 'desk'

If it will work

 

Processing power will be fine. No CD/DVD Drive, has rack rails, no mention of OS, may have no Hard Drive, but takes standard IDE drives.

 

The main advantage to you of using a Server is a clean install of a Server OS, Windows 2000, 2003, 2008 etc. does not load unnecessary 'cr*p'. They also built for better hardware reliability, but as a previous poster said they are not designed for lugging around.

 

I would look for something not too old running Window 2008 (first release) 32bit. There is no point in going 64bit as MQ is 32bit. BTW. Windows 2008 R2 (Release 2) is 64bit only and does not run 32bit software unless you enable that option. Sub system for running 32bit software = unnecessary 'cr*p'! BTW, Servers tend not to come with sound cards and if they do you may have to enable it the control panel (Sound Card = unnecessary 'cr*p'), you may also have a problem installing a second graphic card to drive two monitors, depending on the type of expansion cards it takes.

 

Conclusion: Get a nice 4U/5U etc size rack mount case/PC, they are not as deep, not as noisy (standard fans etc), takes standard (Video/sound etc) expension cards, Install Windows Server 2008 on it. BTW, You can get one with a small built in touch screen but cost much more. Unfortunately, it will cost more than the £40 server, but for £40 the server may be worth a punt!

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Did I mention that 1U/2U rack servers can be noisy... Think of a hover or 3 going at the same time :-)

 

I'm quoting this bit because, frankly, I don't think it can be emphasised too much!

 

Rock gig, it might be a possibility. Moody theatre or cabarety show in an intimate venue... you might not get asked back!

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