Hardware DMX Controller

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N

niagprem

DJ
Nov 12, 2007
258
7
66
Niagara Falls Canada
Can anyone give me an overview of what I can do with a Hardware DMX Controller and how much I need to know about DMX to get started. I want to control a small and simple wedding light package. Although I have not purchased any fixtures yet, I'm thinking a couple lights for colorwash, a couple scanners or moving heads and purhaps a couple gobo projectors. Just want something very simple, yet elegant looking.

Thanks. Dean
 
DMX lets you control pretty much every aspect of a given fixture, dependent on the number of channels of control a given fixture has. So for a scanner; color, gobo, x & y axis, speed, and sometimes intensity can all be controlled by you. Or with the right controller, programmed by you to run a specific sequence. On a LED par you can control the amount of red, green and blue to create theoretically any color. With a RevoIII or VueIII you can set it to only run that "fireworks" effect that everybody loves. My basic set up includes two LED barrel scanners, which I usually run on sound mode. However for certain slow songs, I switch it to a white dot pattern, set it to spin level across the room, adjust the speed, and presto...instant mirror ball effect.

Most controllers use sliders to control each channel. On my barrel scanner one slider is for direction and speed of spin, one for pan control, one for flash/blackout, and one for pattern/chase which can also set it to sound mode. The two scanners are linked to mirror each other.
 
Dean -

DMX is very basic, and at that a very basic understanding of DMX will get you going. It's not so much what you need to know about DMX as it is what you need to know about the particular controller you purchase. All in all, you should be able to get up and running pretty quickly for minimal expense. I, however, prefer software. If you plan on doing something more advanced in the future, you may want to just take that leap now.

Ben
 
jtnichol said:
I own a DMX Operator Pro by Elation. I've been really happy with it.

I'd like to go software eventually, but I really like the tactile surface with hardware surfaces....

The thing that is cool with software (I think) is that you can program macro's within scenes.
Click to expand...

Some software now includes MIDI in which allows you to use the hardware surface you purchased to also allow control of the software program. This was one of the really big features in the recent release of VenueMagic that we put in.

In picking a DMX hardware controller I would also pick one that also outputs in MIDI as you will be able to do many things with it (like Audio production).

My 3 cents ;-)

Ben
 
I recently started using Freestyler and I'm enjoying what it has for a mobile dj application.

To me, software such as ShowXpress is not geared for us and we aren't their customer base they are targetting, by having to purchase a $500 dongle to get lights to work. :(
 
NLFX Pro said:
Dean -

DMX is very basic, and at that a very basic understanding of DMX will get you going. It's not so much what you need to know about DMX as it is what you need to know about the particular controller you purchase. All in all, you should be able to get up and running pretty quickly for minimal expense. I, however, prefer software. If you plan on doing something more advanced in the future, you may want to just take that leap now.

Ben
Click to expand...
+1 On skipping over hardware and going directly to PC control.... you'll probably end up spending less on a PC solution than a hardware one and in the long run will end up with a more flexible system.
 
Randy A said:
I recently started using Freestyler and I'm enjoying what it has for a mobile dj application.

To me, software such as ShowXpress is not geared for us and we aren't their customer base they are targetting, by having to purchase a $500 dongle to get lights to work. :(
Click to expand...

Randy, I just downloaded FS. What type interface are you using?
 
Randy A said:
This is the one that Rob and I are using.

Amazon.com: USB Controlled DMX Interface, Factory Assembled & Tested: Home Improvement

I actually had a coupon and got mine for $72 shipped to me, which it should be here anyday now.
Click to expand...

KILLER!!! Thanks Randy. Just ordered one from Bruce at Apogee Kits. Should have it in-hand tomorrow. Stupid question. Is there any reasonable expectation that I might be able to get this rig running by the weekend? (chauvet 3.1s, 6.2, ADJ tri-phase LED, chauvet scorpion storm and Deliya par64 leds)

Stoked.
 
I use a Chauvet 50A and it's done me fine...For a basic wedding set up,a controller will do all that you need....I control 6 LED pars, a Chauvet VUE 6.1, 2 Chauvet Insignia scanners and 2 TriLed pinspots.

The Vue 3 runs on sound active. I use an eZ controller on the Tri Phase

Set it up, create scenes and assign it to chases; can't be any easier....
 
rickryan.com said:
KILLER!!! Thanks Randy. Just ordered one from Bruce at Apogee Kits. Should have it in-hand tomorrow. Stupid question. Is there any reasonable expectation that I might be able to get this rig running by the weekend? (chauvet 3.1s, 6.2, ADJ tri-phase LED, chauvet scorpion storm and Deliya par64 leds)

Stoked.
Click to expand...

You could start using the 3D visualizer for now which is something you couldn't do with a standard DMX controller. I'm sure you could put together sum rudementary chases, but I would highly recomend hooking up to the lights to make sure what you see in the visualizer is what you get live.

Something else that a standard hardware controller can't do is macro's that access some of the harder to program settings such as you'll find in the lights you have making programing them even easier.
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
I use a Chauvet 50A and it's done me fine...For a basic wedding set up,a controller will do all that you need....I control 6 LED pars, a Chauvet VUE 6.1, 2 Chauvet Insignia scanners and 2 TriLed pinspots.

The Vue 3 runs on sound active. I use an eZ controller on the Tri Phase

Set it up, create scenes and assign it to chases; can't be any easier....
Click to expand...

Wow so you have to use two controllers.... hmmmm one computer + software and I have complete and accurate control of my lights.

BTW I hope you know I'm just bustin' your balls here...:sqwink:
 
rickryan.com said:
KILLER!!! Thanks Randy. Just ordered one from Bruce at Apogee Kits. Should have it in-hand tomorrow. Stupid question. Is there any reasonable expectation that I might be able to get this rig running by the weekend? (chauvet 3.1s, 6.2, ADJ tri-phase LED, chauvet scorpion storm and Deliya par64 leds)

Stoked.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with some of your lights. The program comes with many fixture files (lets the program what each channel does) but some have to be created via the Fixture Creator. I haven't had to create a fixture file yet, so I'm not exactly sure what work that involves.
 
ahoustondj said:
Have used this with software before at my last club. Awesome and fairly easy.
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/x-factor.html
Click to expand...

The ShowXpress software that this box is made for is a good software.

But, I think there are other options that are more suitable and geared toward the mobile dj that are far better.

ShowXpress just released it's latest version -- one that's been in the works for a long time -- and frankly, I'm not impressed at all.

And, compared to the cost of this box...$500....the other dmx dongles and software can do the same or much more.
 
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