RichM Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 A soundman needs help! A venue I work in has just upgraded their stage lighting to 8 LED par cans, 4 3 channel RGB ones backlighting things and 4 white ones on the front. However, they haven't got any sort of controller for them and have asked me to get one. Only slight problem is I have no idea as to what's needed. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.k.roberts Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 A soundman needs help! A venue I work in has just upgraded their stage lighting to 8 LED par cans, 4 3 channel RGB ones backlighting things and 4 white ones on the front. However, they haven't got any sort of controller for them and have asked me to get one. Only slight problem is I have no idea as to what's needed. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Just a couple of questions - any idea on the budget (sound like a relatively small rig, so I'm guessing not huge, what will be the expertise of the operator (if there is one), ranging from dedicated person to 'just needs to press a button whilst also mixing sound and what is the expectaion of the venue? Anyone, pending further info, I'll take the first guess that something like this might do the job? http://www.greenwichinst.com/products/GWDMX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinntec Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Depending on the exact model, you might also find that some/all of the lanterns have some built-in sound to light settings which they can be set to so they will at least beat to the music by themselves in the interim (using built-in mic)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichM Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 A soundman needs help! A venue I work in has just upgraded their stage lighting to 8 LED par cans, 4 3 channel RGB ones backlighting things and 4 white ones on the front. However, they haven't got any sort of controller for them and have asked me to get one. Only slight problem is I have no idea as to what's needed. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Just a couple of questions - any idea on the budget (sound like a relatively small rig, so I'm guessing not huge, what will be the expertise of the operator (if there is one), ranging from dedicated person to 'just needs to press a button whilst also mixing sound and what is the expectaion of the venue? Anyone, pending further info, I'll take the first guess that something like this might do the job? http://www.greenwich.../products/GWDMXBudget is low, yes :D Operator will be me and I'll be busy with sound. So simple. Sound to light isn't really needed, I just want a few colour washes for the back and the ability to turn the front lights on and off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Beesley Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 If its simplicity and the ability to handle different fixtures then this may to the trick - http://prolight.co.uk/DJ/item.php?id=507179 The desk allows you to define the channels against each fixture. For example you could setup fixture group1 as the RGB pars and fixture group2 as the white pars. The desk then has preset fades, colours and chases/scenes built in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 do you have access to a laptop?? in which case, why not chamsys with a £10 dongle?? magic DMX easily able to do more than you need should the need ever arise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musht Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 LED Commander, the sub 100 quid answer to alot of similar requrements http://www.thomann.de/gb/showtec_led_commander.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Allen Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 There are a range of DMX desks brought out for LED's. The Prolite will do and seems to have more features than the Showtec LED Commander. If you search through the Blue Room posts using an external search engine, you will find discussions and explanations on how to use these cheap, but effective desks. LED Commander manual. You can programme a range of scenes and chases that can be played back at the press of one button to make lighting easy for you. They usually have dedicated smoke and strobe buttons if you need them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 It may be the Aussie in me, but I am a fan of the Jands Stage CL. Really easy to use. Really powerful if all you have are generics and led fixtures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichM Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 LED Commander, the sub 100 quid answer to alot of similar requrements http://www.thomann.d...d_commander.htm That looks ideal, thank you :) Another question - as we've got loads of mic cable floating around at the venue can I use that to connect the DMX to all the lights? I've asked a few people and got a lot of variations on yes and no :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Gardner Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I would reccomend using Qlight controller plus , Its a great piece of software and we use it in a local school with 16 led parcans:) And also , you can use XLR to replace DMX but Iwouldnt use it as a permenat soloution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichM Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 Laptop based stuff isn't really an option, which is a shame as some of the options I've seen look really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjadingle Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Have a look at these LED controllers - also includes the LED Commander mentioned above.** I should say I am a Showtec dealer at this point - other brands available!! ** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrboo Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Keep it all simple go for a Behringer 24 channel Lc2412 desk. http://www.behringer...cts/LC2412.aspx round £150 they are Professional kit ( bottom end) not dj kit. The Led only desks tend to only work with there own type of led light and all the ones I seen are only 4 channel desks so all your lights have to do same. magic q )magicdmx £10 units are training units they have a 5 hour limit of use without a reset. and you have to have a computer. if you want to just use the par cans to say be 1 colour and all the same look at a 6 channel fader desk. they cost about £40 But the Behringer route is the simple setup. You will have to learn how to use the desk mind you and how to address the dips on the units but it not that hard. You will need a 5 pin to 3 pin converter if you get a Lc2412. Using mic cable is fine for most cases so long as your not having long runs or lots of lights. But for a tiny setup it fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Allen Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 You should not use mic cable for DMX as DMX cable is a transmission line, however a lot of disco setups do and in your case it is the easiest way to try a controller with the led parcans. Be aware that it can be unreliable so it may be cheaper in the long run to buy DMX cable for peace of mind. Audio cables can have the XLR shell connected to the cable shield. This can cause a ground loop which can play havoc with the DMX signal. Looking back through Blue Room posts and the Wiki DMX cable says mic cable is unreliable for DMX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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