Tutorial: Guide to Mobile Lighting: Software DMX Features

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Controllers DJ DMX External Features Fullspectrumm Hardware Jockey Light Lighting Midi Mobile Mydmx Showxpress Software
fullspectrumm
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    fullspectrumm
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  • Added: 20-Mar-08

a guide to the various software DMX options and features.

Overview:

Try before you buy: all mentionned software can be downloaded before you buy it. Download cheap options and expensive to contrast.

Features:

Easy to learn: Is it easy to learn. Does it sacrifice features in order to be easy?

3D visualizer: What is the quality of the 3D Visualizer. Can it display all fixture types you want, are there any limitations (such as displaying lasers)

Live speed adjustments: Can you adjust the speed of a program in a live scenario.
-Sound Active: To the beat of the music?
-by tapping: by clicking the mouse, spacebar etc.
-manual slider: by percentage of the original speed

Transparent Cues: Can you setup multiple programs that effect specific elements of a fixture (gobo, color, strobe etc) In order to maximize flexibility in your light show.

Boundary Adjustments: Can you change the pan/tilt boundaries of any particular program to match the dimensions of the venue.

Color mixing: Does the software display a visual representation of the colors in your wash light fixtures

Timeline: Can you synchronize your light show to react at specific points in a music or video file.

Triggers: How many types of triggers can you use to trigger your light programs
-keyboard: by a keyboard key
-time: at a specific time
-MIDI: via MIDI commands inside the computer or externally
-Input DMX: Via DMX signals from external hardware controllers

Keyboard Grouping: Can you group fixtures together to make it faster to change common attributes across those fixtures (gobo, color etc)

Input options: Can you hook up an external controller to override the software or to re-route channels for flexibility of control.

Standalone mode: Can you upload a light program in order to leave your PC behind

Auto generator/effects: Does it have generators that will automatically create tedious elements of program such as movement patterns, or changing of gobos at x intervals.


Software Options:
Freestyler: http://www.freestylerdmx.be
Lightfactory: http://www.lifact.com
ADJ myDMX: http://www.americandj.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=1396
Chauvet ShowXpress/Sweetlight: http://www.thelightingcontroller.com
Martin Light jockey: http://www.martin.com/service/service.asp?support=Martin&category=ALL&c

Discussion: http://start.prodj.com/viewtopic.php?t=45763&start=15&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=



1773&Category
Daslight: http://www.daslight.com
Lumidesk: http://www.lumidesk.com
PCDJ DMX: http://pcdj.com/products/hardware/dmx/
Elation Compu Live: http://elationlighting.com/product.asp?ProductIDNumber

  1. Categories: How To
Comments on

Tutorial: Guide to Mobile Lighting: Software DMX Features

22 Comments | Add Comment
  • I him a question ...

    I him a question How can I let move those Moving Heads in that 3d simulator?
    Please help me!!!

    By Nolimitsfan [Affiliate User] 1218192975 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • helpfull.

    helpfull.

    By HopScotchN64 [Affiliate User] 1215799892 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hello!! Thanks for ...

    Hello!! Thanks for your video, it is very helpfull. I have a question for you, which light would you chose from accu spot 250 II and pearl river solo 250..Thanks a lot!!

    By esnoel32 [Affiliate User] 1215260159 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • For software: ...

    For software: freestyler + enttec dongle. Enttec Basic requires your computer to do all the DMX work (higher demand + slower response). Enttec Pro does the work for you (less requirements on your computer, + faster response time).
    Hardware: Chauvet DMX-70 has some very nice features not found on other low cost DMX controllers (like ability to save specific times between scenes).
    Though I do love my ShowXpress software ;)

    By fullspectrumm [Affiliate User] 1213378919 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • hey hows it going.. ...

    hey hows it going...what is, in ur opinion, the best bang for your buck? i am about to do the switch to DMX... so far the only dmx light i have is a American DJ Mega Flash Strob(sad i know) but i am about to get four 250ii and some scaners.

    By djbizkets [Affiliate User] 1213086454 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Please next video ...

    Please next video you do, please forgo the extreme close up too. thanks. Otherwise great vid!

    By Soundofthetimes [Affiliate User] 1212854005 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Great info here, ...

    Great info here, but why are you talking like that? Just talk normal on your next video. We will still get the content. And we won't get quite as annoyed. We are not fifth graders.

    By Soundofthetimes [Affiliate User] 1212853923 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • 2 use with my ...

    2 use with my elation dmx

    By chivaboy23 [Affiliate User] 1212085361 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Thanx jingles, Ill ...

    Thanx jingles, Ill check it out...

    By cojobo34 [Affiliate User] 1211354561 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Chivaboy do you ...

    Chivaboy do you want to use the software with your elation DMX board? or looking to replace it?

    By jingles8302 [Affiliate User] 1211332455 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • You can download ...

    You can download the demo versions of compu live and my dmx and give them a try and see if they work for you.

    By jingles8302 [Affiliate User] 1211332410 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • What software do u ...

    What software do u reccomend for 2 american dj 250 spot lights with an elation dmx

    By chivaboy23 [Affiliate User] 1210874455 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Great Vid, very ...

    Great Vid, very helpful-Thank you. Of the software programs you have become familiar with, which program is the easiest to use, yet isnt too limited? I plan on using LED Par 64's and some smaller background lighting fixtures for my band. So I think I will need trasparent cues, but wont need any lasers or moving lights any time soon. Any advise? Thanks again dude!-Corey

    By cojobo34 [Affiliate User] 1209644724 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I've haven't had a ...

    I've haven't had a chance to go through all of the mentionned software, but will create a list accordingly:

    Supports Transparent Cues:
    Freestyler
    Lumidesk
    Elation Compu
    ShowXpress
    Light Jockey

    Uncertain:
    Lightfactory
    PCDJ

    By fullspectrumm [Affiliate User] 1206518088 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Which programs ...

    Which programs support transparent cues?

    By gotladdertrucks [Affiliate User] 1206456986 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • ShowXpress can ...

    ShowXpress can control any DMX fixture. It's whether or not the software has the fixture in the visualizer. Most moving heads are fine. It's the effect lighting that usually are more limited. Take for instance the Revo/Vue Lines, none of the visualizers I know of can accurately create their effects.
    I bought the BOX version ($499-512 channel). Great for portability, but the Rack mount ($899) is great for having 14 programs loaded into it.

    By fullspectrumm [Affiliate User] 1206368456 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • canyou controll MAC ...

    canyou controll MAC intellgent Lights with the Chauvet ShowXpress? Im soon thinking about buying it, what one do you use and how much was it? many thanks

    By limelightstar [Affiliate User] 1206287619 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Thank you I have a ...

    Thank you I have a Freekie controler and now I think I want to go with a software based one Can you use a freekie as a hardware controler for lightjocky? Mike directsound

    By directsound [Affiliate User] 1206189957 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Thank you I have a ...

    Thank you I have a Freekie controler and now I think I want to go with a software based one Can you use a freekie as a hardware controler for lightjocky? Mike directsound

    By directsound [Affiliate User] 1206189955 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Nice overview... ...

    Nice overview... looking out for the rest!

    Thx

    By MasterTenSor [Affiliate User] 1206151170 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Finally! Thx!

    Finally! Thx!

    By maxsoderstrom [Affiliate User] 1206093365 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Very informative! ...

    Very informative! Nicely done!

    By jingles8302 [Affiliate User] 1206060743 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
22 Comments | Add Comment