Creating a DMX sequence for playback

[nickjb]

I'm creating a lighting effect, probably using a chauvet hemisphere. Are these any good, anything better out there? I want lots of colour and movement and these seem to fit the bill. I would like to create a sequence about 10 minutes long where it runs through a number of different colours and speeds. Can someone point me at a control box that might do the trick? I'm thinking something that will plug into a PC (via usb?) to let me load in the sequence, say 50 steps of different colours and speeds. When it is switched on the sequence plays back and loops without be connected to the PC. Is that simple/possible/inexpensive?

[CharlieH]

I'm sure others will be along sooner or later to discuss the intentions of the effect, however in direct answer to your question what you are looking for is a 'DMX Replay Unit' which can be programmed from a computer and then just spits out the pre-programmed DMX sequence when required.

 

I have no practical experience of these personally, however something like this might fit the bill; and can have external buttons connected to it to allow neat control.

Hope this helps,

Charlie

[nickjb]

Thanks Charlie. That box of tricks looks just the job. Do you have any idea of costs, I'm always a bit wary of websites without prices.

 

Found this, too. This one says it has less functionalitty when running stand alone but I think what I want is is simple enough: Daslight DVC3 128

[CharlieH]

Thanks Charlie. That box of tricks looks just the job. Do you have any idea of costs, I'm always a bit wary of websites without prices.

 

Found this, too. This one says it has less functionalitty when running stand alone but I think what I want is is simple enough: Daslight DVC3 128

I've know idea about costs I'm afraid mate. Never used the things, just aware of them should I ever need one http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif The Daslight one looks cheap and nasty to me...although whether that matters depends what its being used for.

[Brian]

A similar, but way more capable unit, is the Lanbox. Linky.

 

450 euros. If you were thinking of maybe doing more complex installations in the future it might be worth getting a more powerful unit from day 1.

[nickjb]

Cheap and nasty is probably what I need at the moment, unfortunately. Once it's set-up it'll only ever do this one sequence on this one light. That seems too sad a life for a good one :(

[CallumP93]

Why not make one your self, with something like the Arduino and DMX shield - especially if for just that, would probably cost a hell of a lot less?

 

Calum

[callumb]

Thanks Charlie. That box of tricks looks just the job. Do you have any idea of costs, I'm always a bit wary of websites without prices.

 

Found this, too. This one says it has less functionalitty when running stand alone but I think what I want is is simple enough: Daslight DVC3 128

I've know idea about costs I'm afraid mate. Never used the things, just aware of them should I ever need one http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif The Daslight one looks cheap and nasty to me...although whether that matters depends what its being used for.

 

Daslight is a good device but a touch limited in some areas. Its a possibly in this application.

 

 

 

[nickjb]

Why not make one your self, with something like the Arduino and DMX shield - especially if for just that, would probably cost a hell of a lot less?

 

Calum

That's actually where I started, but I thought maybe there was a box out there that did what I wanted with a bit less fiddling. I've only done a little Arduino test project so what I save in £££s I'll probably waste in time. Still an option, though.

[Brian]

There's also the Showtec Scene Pilot for around £80...

 

 

Linky.

 

Manual.

[timsabre]

Why not make one your self, with something like the Arduino and DMX shield - especially if for just that, would probably cost a hell of a lot less?

 

Calum

That's actually where I started, but I thought maybe there was a box out there that did what I wanted with a bit less fiddling. I've only done a little Arduino test project so what I save in £££s I'll probably waste in time. Still an option, though.

 

Making a DMX replay unit is not a straightforward job for a beginner and would almost certainly require more memory than is available in an arduino. Unless you really do have plenty of spare time to tackle the learning curve I would buy something.

The Daslight/Sunlite boxes are quite capable and reliable once programmed but the setup software takes a bit of getting used to.

[musht]

DMX replay without recording has a library:

 

http://code.google.com/p/tinkerit/wiki/DmxSimple

 

Zero level at 512 seems to help keep the timing staright...

[timsabre]

DMX replay without recording has a library:

 

http://code.google.c.../wiki/DmxSimple

 

Zero level at 512 seems to help keep the timing staright...

 

There's no crossfading on that... it would work ok if everything snaps. Doing crossfading properly is not trivial.

[musht]

 

There's no crossfading on that... it would work ok if everything snaps. Doing crossfading properly is not trivial.

 

Crossfading possible with for/next loops for a limited number of channels, get into timing issues with trying to ask it to do much at a time ;-)

[greenalien]

There are many ways of achieving this effect, but the simplest is probably to just use a cheap DMX lighting desk - something like http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_dmxmaster_i.htm will easily do the job.

All you need to do to use it is to match the DMX start address on your fixture with the desk (usually start with DMX address of 1, and use the first 'scanner' button on the desk), move the sliders until you like the effect, then record what you see - that's one 'scene'. You record scenes in 'banks' of 8, and can play each bank back as a repeating sequence of 8 scenes. You have 40 banks, so you can save up to 240 different scenes. However, once you've recorded lots of scenes, you can then make a 'chase' which can contain lots of scenes from any bank in any order - and you can make up to 6 chases.

Once you've created your chase, you can play it back in several ways - manually, a step at a time; using the in-built timer, at whatever speed you want; or use the inbuilt music trigger to jump a step each bass beat.

Do take the time to read the manual, but these desks aren't too difficult to use and are amazingly versatile for the money.