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ipad / Tablet DMX Controller for church hall


stricko

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Hi all

 

I look after the lights at a local church hall. Nothing flash, just a bunch of LED, all hooked up via DMX. I'm trying to find a cheap and simple DMX control solution both for myself, but more importantly for other less technical users.

 

So far, I've tried a couple of different approaches. I have Chamsys MagicQ installed on a laptop with one of their MagicDMX dongles. It works fine, but I'd suggest that it isn't really designed as a day to day PC application. And as I'm not using it on a regular basis, it's so complex I find I'm having to re-learn it for each event. But if I'm setting up for a complex show, then it's OK.

 

I thought I'd try a low-budget hardware controller, so obtained a QTX-DMX10. Again this works fine and will be great for shows where I have time to set up in advance.

 

BUT, and I know this is covered elsewhere, I can't seem to find a way to make busking a show an easy task. Ideally, and I'm thinking about non-technical users, I'd like to set something up with a variety of scenes programmed to individual faders. So bringing up a warm full stage wash, or a bright center spot, is very easy and self explanatory. I've achieved this MagicQ with a single cue on a fader. On the QTX, I can set up the scenes, but don't seem to have a way on then controlling/using them unless I set up a chase.....

 

So, unless anyone can tell me where I'm going wrong with the QTX (and I'm more than willing to have my errors pointed out to me...), I'm still looking for an acceptable solution. Something that gives me the flexibility of what I can do in MagicQ, but doesn't have 1001 buttons and faders that will scare off non-technicians.

 

I've seen ipads used to control lights at other venues. Does anyone have any recommendadtions for an ipad (or android) based app that might do what I need.

 

Thanks in advance

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Have a look at QLC plus. www.qlcplus.org

 

Open source and will work across hardware platforms. Video tutorials available as well as an active, useful user forum. Wireless control possible - subject to the usual reliability caveats of anything wireless. I have used it for small scale stuff.

 

Peter

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Hi,

 

I have installed a number of Anyscene controller from Anytronics in my Church to control our light, they are very simple devices with a number of buttons that you can program.

 

Using something like MagicQ set up the scene you want then record it to one of the buttons on the Anyscene, you can have 23 scenes per controller more than enough for someone with little technical knowledge. The other great thing for me is that once you have programmed the Anyscene you can protect the memory so no one can accidentally change the settings and cause you a headache.

 

Neil

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Dear OP

 

I personally think you're better sticking with the MQ, or indeed, a Titan 1 if you have one; I'll also suggest another course.

 

I'm old, so what I write is in the context of an bloke who expects to see faders and buttons when he gets to a lighting desk - I'm sure Mr. Pearce will be here soon to put the case for the younger generation.

 

You can set the MQ up to turn on with a Macro screen...it's called Exec. This should enable you to preset states on virtual buttons - or faders I think- which you can lable how you wish. You can also assign times to them I think. I also believe you can get the MQ to turn on and launch a particular state. I'm no expert on the Chamsys, but Uncle Rob's page may be of help:

 

http://www.onstagelighting.co.uk/category/training-tutorials/

 

The other thing I would say is that manufacturers are all bringing out small format desks that address this particular market LSC make one - sold by White Light - and ETC make one that Stage Electrics sell. I have just advised a local amateur group to buy one of the latter. The ETC desk has four "idiot-proof" faders that one can pre-programme and then lock out.

 

ETC : https://goo.gl/XVz1oQ

 

LSC: http://goo.gl/qUXO0r

 

Both are around a grand I think. Perhaps a visit to the ABTT Show this week might help.

 

Hope that helps and apologies if you know all this already!

 

KC

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Much as I might extol the virtue of reactive touchscreen user interfaces, church hall type environments probably aren't the place for it.

 

By the time you've got an iPad and networking gear and a stand and etc you are half way to a good little desk with real faders and buttons - Jands make one that is brilliant for a bunch of LED kit, each channel has a fader for intensity, and knobs for hue and saturation. Couldn't be simpler!

 

An iPad solution will get fiddled with, stolen, the necessary wifi networking bits might fail (or settings get changed because someone wanted the iPad on the Internet...).

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I repeat what Ken says about customising the MagicQ interface to make it do only a limited number of things with some big buttons or faders on an EXEC screen. There is a very simple PC Mini Wing (about £800 new I think) with a few faders which might also be a way to make things simple enough for your users.

 

Chamsys offer free training days at their Southampton HQ - which is not too far away from you - and anyone is welcome even if they just have a MagicDMX interface like you.

 

I would also send an email to James Harrison (james@chamsys.co.uk) if you want some help on how to do what you want, although he often has a shufty at this forum for anything Chamsys related. He will also know if there is any training coming up (which are very much customised to fit the attendees).

 

It is not the only option you have but I don't think you should dismiss it yet.

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I'm not sure that I have anything at On Stage Lighting directly addressing this, but if the OP wants to PM me I can try to a help out with an idiot proof MagicQ solution.

 

Other suggestions above are all valid. I wouldn't faff about with ipads and network and DMX in this situation. A well thought out MagicQ file would sort this without additional cost using what the OP already has.

 

Edit to add: Turns out I do have a video on the basics of making an Execute window (I forget these things), but it's how-to rather than exactly fitting the context here. Might be helpful, though.

 

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Phew, thanks guys. A lot to digest.

 

I have already attended one of the excellent Chamsys training days down in Southampton. Everyone, both staff and other attendees were very helpful, and I learnt enough to get to where I am now. My brain sort of exploded near the end of the day....

 

I'll have a look at the various suggestions and will probably be back for a bit more expert opinion in due course.

 

Paul

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Unless you can have a simple switch to bring the lights on, it is a system UNsuitable for a Church or village hall. Most like halls run on a shoestring budget and losing one booking because they "can't use the lights" may well make you very unpopular.

 

That you want an all singing all dancing system and they want a simple system is simply resolved, you have to fit both and make it all work regardless of which one they use. All parts of the system must be grannie proof AND network savvy kid proof.

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I'd advise against a software based solution for this - only because the hardware that runs it will be too complicated for some, likely to go missing and unless monitored very closely liable to start updating itself at an inopportune moment!

Something like a Zero 88 Jester would work well here - you can program submasters to achieve your different looks, save it to a USB key so if anyone plays with your setup it's easy to get it back. Take a picture of the desk when it's ready to go, print it out and stick it above it with a "put the faders here to start" then label each fader with what it does. Dedicated hardware that is just "push this fader and that light comes on". I use them a lot in school for this very reason and they're awesome little desks!

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Much as I might extol the virtue of reactive touchscreen user interfaces, church hall type environments probably aren't the place for it.

 

By the time you've got an iPad and networking gear and a stand and etc you are half way to a good little desk with real faders and buttons - Jands make one that is brilliant for a bunch of LED kit, each channel has a fader for intensity, and knobs for hue and saturation. Couldn't be simpler!

 

An iPad solution will get fiddled with, stolen, the necessary wifi networking bits might fail (or settings get changed because someone wanted the iPad on the Internet...).

 

I would be looking at the Jands CL too - if your fixtures don't wiggle, just change colours, the CL is an awesome bit of kit. It does simple colour chase effects from a touch screen interface and has an RGB LED above each of the 12 faders that indicates the hue/saturation of each fixture so you can preset blind and then push up the fader and not get toooooo big a surprise.

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