Behringer-BCF2000 / freestyler or simelar setup

[BenEdwards]

Hi, I noticed freestyler (which I believe is similar to light jockey) will work with the Behringer BCF2000 and as I cant afford a proper wing was thinking of giving it a go.

 

Has anyone tried this/know how well it works?

 

Will be used for lighting theatre and bands (currently using a showtec scanmaster type board).

 

Are there any other cheap (sub £300) usb surfaces that can be sued as wings?

 

Also wondering what is the most reasonably priced generic USB DMX dongle (but can work this out using google/forum search but thought I would ask in case any new ones have turned up).

 

regards,

Ben

 

 

 

 

[alistermorton]

Some of the freebie DMX software can be used with Korg nano controllers such as the NanoKontrol 2 - can be had for under 50 quid. Might be worth a look (also works with SCS BTW).

[Modge]

I know the BCF2000 works with LimeLIGHT....

 

But then I'm biased.

[Guest]

Hello

 

I am soon to be purchasing a Behringer BCF-2000 to work as a wing with LightFactory (PC based software version of the Strand NEO console operating system). The BCF-2000 is compatible with LightFactory, and has many good reviews with the two working together, and imagine it should work with Freestyler too.

 

Edward

[Platinum events]

Would be worth looking at the Martin m-touch and use Martin mpc

[BenEdwards]

Thanks for all the info, much appreciated.

 

I, should probably give a little more info. I am mainly looking to control generics and non moving heads (maybe zoom pars). In terms of budget the Behringer DCF200 and a 75 pound dongle and maybe up to 100 quid for software.

 

LimeLight seems a good option but not sure how it would work for theatre. I find there obsession with auto-chase worrying, ime not trying to light a disco, I want to light bands and theatre.

 

Basically for theatre I want to easily be able to set up Q stacks and for bands want to set up states that I can busk (hence the BCF200). Hopefully the BCF2000 will also be good for programming shows.

 

Ben

[Richard CSL]

Would be worth looking at the Martin m-touch and use Martin mpc

 

 

I think the OP is on a budget outside of Martin and other pro equipment.

 

Freestyler will work with most USB widgets, and the BCF2000 is a serious piece of kit, I used one for a season on a Pink Floyd tribute show, with Daslight.

 

 

 

 

[PaulDF]

I found the BCF a bit buggy with it, the sliders don't always go back to where you think they should and so on. Last time we used it with freestyler we only got 5m in before the computer decided to stop outputting DMX, we unplugged the BCF and ran the show without many more hiccups.

I personally don't think Windows computers are a good thing near any light or sound rig! (If you do make sure they are not connected to the Internet and windows updates are turned off)

[BenEdwards]

I am thinking light-factory LF25 is the one to go for. $125 for SW/dongle (128 channels is enough). Does the BCF2000 just plug into a USB port and will it work with LF25?

 

Be interested in hearing from anyone using LightFactory for Theatre/bands.

 

Ben

[Guest]

Hi Ben

 

LightFactory LF25 is the version I have and use whenever I need a basic theatre-style cue stack. The version allows for 10 seperate cue stacks to be created and I've used it many times for site-specific theatre events. I have also used it to run chases and do basic busking however use my console for this. I am currently not sure how the software and the BCF2000 "talk" to each other, other than the fact they are compatible. However when I purchase the Behringer and get it working if you haven't purchased it before me I'll let you know how it works!

 

Edward

[Modge]

LimeLight seems a good option but not sure how it would work for theatre. I find there obsession with auto-chase worrying, ime not trying to light a disco, I want to light bands and theatre.

 

Depending on the band \ look \ kit \ your own personal style there's actually quite a lot of mileage in autochases with bands. That said the reason for the emphasise on that in the tutorials was largely demand - that was the tutorial people asked me for at the time.

 

For pre planned cue lists you need the Cue List editor, assessed via editors: Cue List in the menu. You then drag and drop states or cues into this list, from their respective libraries (libraries , state library, cue library). Press edit mode to edit fade and follow times in an excel like grid or edit timing for more options. Edit fade modes lets you control attribute by attribute what snaps and what fades.

 

All of this can then be played back using the submasters \ subkeys, which can in turn be linked to the BCF. The speed of the aforementioned autochases (along with the normal things like speed and size of shapes) can then be put on the fader (right click the fader,select fader control attributes).

[PaulDF]

I'm wondering if the Lightfactory referred to above is a different one as Z88FF says (PC based software version of the Strand NEO console operating system), the LightFactory mentioned in later posts is by Dream Solutions marketed by Cooper controls / Eaton / Zero88

[kaareolai]

Hi, I noticed freestyler (which I believe is similar to light jockey) will work with the Behringer BCF2000 and as I cant afford a proper wing was thinking of giving it a go.

Has anyone tried this/know how well it works?

...

Are there any other cheap (sub £300) usb surfaces that can be sued as wings?

 

The BCF2000 is a MIDI desk, so every lightdesk that can take MIDI notes and/or controller commands as input will/should work. This is whether you put the signal in as MIDI on the DIN-plug, or get it into the desk hardware/application by USB.

 

One fine thing with BCF2000 is that it has motorized faders, if that is what you want! So the more interesting thing there is that if your wanted light desk software can control the movement from the desk. Desk like LightFactory can, which I have verified for myself ;-), and a lot of others can also! I have also used Enttec IP-based wings via Enttec software to "output" MIDI to light desk software.

 

If you use translation software in between (also "black-boxes" available for this) like MidiOx ("old software") or Bome Midi translator or other translating even keystrokes then you can in principle use anything as tactile input to control via MIDI or control-keys or whatever.

 

If you donot need motorized faders you will find several other MIDI-dsk possibilites, even music keyboards. With motorized I find Icon very interesting, and more into my design. (Just an example of Icons)

[Guest]

In reply to Paul,

 

Yes DreamSolutions created the software, and Eaton marketed it. Then recently Strand co-developed LightFactory with DreamSolutions for there console, and Eaton still market the PC based software. It is the same software though.

 

Edward

[OddSocks]

QLC Plus, has a BCF2000 input profile, and an active developer / forum.

 

It will run on most operating systems, and being free you can spend more on getting a better USB dongle.