rossmck Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I'm in the odd situation of potentially doing a show in a small community venue with D54 dimmers and a very old desk (Action I think). As we're bringing some automated bits (and LED) then I'd rather run the whole thing off my own console (which obviously outputs DMX) Has anyone ever tried converting DMX to D54 using a Strand GSX ? In theory it should be possible, you can certainly do it with a 500 series although if I had a 500 series I'd just use that (!) If not, can anyone think of anywhere with DMX to D54 convertors available to hire at a reasonable price ? There's only 36 channels of dimming but unfortunately it's hard wired to the IWBs so it's really not practical to just take along a few betapacks and use them instead :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotblaster Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Yes it does work. The GSX has two ways of inputing DMX - channel mode and dimmer mode. The former brings input DMX into the desk as a channel via a submaster that has to be selected as "DMX channel". This method is limited to the channel numbers of the desk. As you only have to address 36 dimmers that is the method I suggest you use. You will have to reset the submaster by lowering and raising when you switch the desk on. Your incoming channel levels will be displayed on the GSX screen. The other method basically adds the incoming DMX data into the desk output data stream which in your case will be D54. It can be used for combining the DMX from another desk invisibly with the GSX. So it could be used to add another desk to the GSX to increase channel capacity. I used to use 2 GSX's in this way connected by MIDI. One would control the Generic rig and one a few moving lights. Identical cue stacks were built on the two desks and they ran in perfect sync. One go button would run both desks. It worked remarkably well. I digress. To use the second mode a submaster has to be set to "DMX dimmer" mode. Incoming DMX does not appear on the screen. With default patch incoming DMX sits on top of the desk channels. So with a 125 channel GSX incoming DMX channel 1 sits at DMX output 126. If I recall correctly there are only 250 incoming DMX Channels that can be used. They appear in the patch page with a "D". The incoming DMX can be patched to any ouput with syntax if I recall that involved a plus. To use this method in the situation reqiured the D54 address would need to be set to 126 or the 36 "D" channels patched to GSX outputs 1 to 36. I have found using a GSX more reliable than using a stand alone protocol converter. D54 seems quite susceptable to cable type, earth loops etc. The GSX is a great little desk. Hope this helps Spotblaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Does this only work if you have kaleidoscope? I've never been able to get mine to receive anything from the input? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossmck Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 Yes it does work. Great :-) The GSX is a great little desk. I agree, still regularly use mine when it's a 100% generic rig... I'm not a big fan of trying to run movers off them (the last time I ended up with LX all over the monitor with attributes written on it ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jexjexjex Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Does this only work if you have kaleidoscope? I've never been able to get mine to receive anything from the input? Yes, you'll need Kaleidoscope. It won't work with just the basic software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotblaster Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Does this only work if you have kaleidoscope? I've never been able to get mine to receive anything from the input? Good point! But it's "Communique" you need. Upgrade disks were available or a password could be created. (I have heard that some GSX/LBX users have had their desks upgraded for free by Strand or their agents but I don't know the exact circumstances). I also found once that some GSX functions not enabled in a particular desk could be enabled temporarily by enabling in the OLE and then loading the OLE show into the desk. I think DMX in was one of those functions. Spotblaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Last time we mentioned the 'free upgrade' the dealers pleaded with us to stop - if there were any laying around, the last two sweeps seemed to have cleared them. A shame, really because they were rather nice in their day. I dragged mine out yesterday to try and do DMX into a Magicq, and was about to pull it out again to try the DMX in - so thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jexjexjex Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Does this only work if you have kaleidoscope? I've never been able to get mine to receive anything from the input?But it's "Communique" you need. Upgrade disks were available or a password could be created. Oops. You're right. Wrong bit of extra software... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossmck Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 Does this only work if you have kaleidoscope? I've never been able to get mine to receive anything from the input?(I have heard that some GSX/LBX users have had their desks upgraded for free by Strand or their agents but I don't know the exact circumstances). I was one of them :-) .. mine went from a 25 ch to 125 ch + Communique and Kaleidoscope thanks to the wonderful guys at Strand as it once was. I know someone else with one, I've always been tempted to see if I can use the password for mine (which I must still have somewhere) to upgrade his (might be possible if you 'rebirth' the desk as I seem to remember that process asks you to input its serial number..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hallett Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 Somewhat OT - but I know that PRG have a couple of stand-alone converters which go from DMX to D54 because I used them recently in Granada studios. They don't have any way to test them (no D54 device to check them with) but they were fine earlier this year. Just a reply in case someone finds this thread in the future... Cheers Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatman Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 The D54 multiplex is very similar to a monochrome analogue TV waveform. It can easily be displayed on any oscilloscope with a TV frame trigger. If you don't have access to one an LM1881 TV sync separator will do the trick. No need for any specialised test equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrV Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 And when you do look at it on an oscilloscope it looks very cute - a load of little steps that go up and down with your faders. All very satisfying to watch I like shiny things too Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simschr Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Somewhat OT - but I know that PRG have a couple of stand-alone converters which go from DMX to D54 because I used them recently in Granada studios. They don't have any way to test them (no D54 device to check them with) but they were fine earlier this year. If you do get stuck Stage Electrics also stock them. -http://www.stage-electrics.co.uk/productHire.aspx?code=DMXC Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 £80 a week's a bit steep, though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 And just to add for completeness, White Light stock them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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