Lighting Package

I don't know if I even want to touch this subject, but just wondering because I was looking at DMX dimmer packs and individually these run around $130ea and here you can get 3 of them at that price and get cables and a dmx controller.....

Here's the Link (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Elation-Stage-Pak-2-Controller-and-Dimmer-Package-?sku=800546)

So, what's the catch?

Would this be a bad purchase? I'm currently using a dimmer/chaser pack that's not dmx and is a single fixture (can't split it up to run two T-bars, only one dimmer) I use my system with a truss sometimes, and sometimes just with two T-bars.

After thinking about it, because I want to really hit the school market here very shortly, I'd like to add two more T-bars so that I'd have my truss in the middle with 8 pars across the top and then another T bar on each side. Really, the link above would be perfect for that (one dimmer for truss, one for each T-bar) ***IF*** you guys were to approve of the dimmers/controller.

Let's hear it.

Also, what's the best way to have 4 pars AND other lights on a T-bar, if the other lights *arent* DMX?

Seems like a pain and that you'd have to run individual powers anyway. Or fly another dmx pack in switch mode...

:sqconfused:

Personally, I love the American DJ Copilot. I believe they are branded Elation now or something to that extent but I run the older American DJ Copilot II with 2 relay packs. When using T-bars, I put one pack on each bar and link them together.

The nice thing about the co-pilot is the ability to split it up into 2 zones. For instance, I use the first zone (channels 1 - 4) to chase 8 par cans. Unfortunately, there are no cool patterns like some packs but I usually just hook the cans up randomly. Then, you can use the second zone ( 5 - 8) for other lights. This works great for par cans and analog effects.

I also have 2 American DJ Dimmer packs but rarely use them, as for most shows it is easier to just setup the copilot.

Also, this is especially useful for school events since you don't really need to "dim" the lights. Unless you have a lot of DMX lighting effects, I would go this route for the pars and analog effects since you can link several relay packs together and if you get DMX, maybe look into an inexpensive controller for the lights.

AWDJ -

Let me see if we can match that deal for you. :)

Ben

Sounds good Ben. I'm still not sure on DMX yet, but want to dabble at least. What I think I would do if I added 2 more T bars is use a dmx pack on each T bar and put an intimidator 2.0 on each -- would just patch the DMX from the pack to the intimidator. Intimidators currently run in sound-active mode with the simple controller I got from you (nlfx).

Next comes the square trussing... sometime... if you have any amazing deals let me know. Size doesn't matter but my trailer is about 8.5' long and I'd prefer to probably not disassemble it every time.

AWDJ - Thank you for your support in the past, and I hope we can continue to earn your business. :)

I would say that you're on the right track with the packs on each stand. My only word of caution is do not use the pack to power the Intimidator, give it the same constant power the pack has and just control it through the DMX chain.

With regard to trussing, I don't think there are any "amazing" deals, but we have good deals. :) Ours are as good as anybody else's. :)

Ben

I had bought the older version of that package... Dimmers are fine for Par 38s, maybe even 64s... The controller wasn't really as useful as a normal dj dmx controller like the dmx operator 192 or Chauvet DMX40/44. You don't need a light board at a gig - you need a controller that can be programmed and forgotten..

Sold the controller and bought two dmx relays for my pin spots...

Overall thought - pin spots and par cans use a LOT of power and since they only throw one color - you might be better off with LED pars or color changers... You only need one for all the colors under the sun. Think about 2 or four color changers vs 8 pars...

Start your collection of DMX par cans and use them in 16 million color mode. I'm now using 16 DMX par cans, and am getting away from my standard Par 64's. I very rarely use the analog stuff now.

I use analog dimmer packs for my standard pars. I bought 6 NSI 4600 packs and a few 4008 controllers years ago when I first starter DJing. Keep in mind that DMX "dimmer" packs should not be used with other analog fixtures... only par cans or fixtures with filaments.

Yes, you can use other analog fixtures with a DMX dimmer, if you know what you're doing, but there is a danger of ruining anything that you forgot to power at 100%.

The DMX dimmer packs work just as well and function the same... but you have to learn programming. One big advantage to DMX dimmers is that they are very cheap now-a-days. I was going to buy a bunch of them and do a Christmas display of lights in my front yard this year... we'll see how that works out.

DMX is the future, so buy those.