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[Jim Turner]

I've been trying to find a solution to my controller issues.
I've got a cheap Elation DMX Operator 192 that works ok but is a nightmare to program... bought a used Elation Show Designer off e-bay that is unusable due to bad faders & buttons.
I've recently been looking at software controllers but before I chuck any more money at this I'd like to hear a few opinions... Plus the Idea of mousing around a screen trying to "jam with the band" really doesn't fly. There are hardware midi surfaces I could add but that brings the price point up to where I might as well get a real console.
Whatcha all think?

[Spenser Hamilton]

I've been trying to find a solution to my controller issues.
I've got a cheap Elation DMX Operator 192 that works ok but is a nightmare to program... bought a used Elation Show Designer off e-bay that is unusable due to bad faders & buttons.
I've recently been looking at software controllers but before I chuck any more money at this I'd like to hear a few opinions... Plus the Idea of mousing around a screen trying to "jam with the band" really doesn't fly. There are hardware midi surfaces I could add but that brings the price point up to where I might as well get a real console.
Whatcha all think?

Our Show Designer 2 hasn't been touched since we got Martin Light Jockey, we use a Lenovo tablet to run LJ and have an old NSI dmx controller acting as subs for groups of fixtures. We also use an iPad for control sometimes.

Light Jockey is fairly inexpensive, but you have to learn how to do things the "Light Jockey Way".

My personal rig is MagicQ PC, I'd eventually like to get a wing but it's not at the top of the priority list, I mostly use it when I'm running solo to control a few LED cans.

MagicQ PC itself is free, and very powerful, but you wouldn't want to busk a large light rig without a wing.

[duane massey]

The Show Designer should be repairable for a small amount of $$. The "Operator"-series are close to being useless for most real-world applications. PM me if you need any help with the Show Designer.

[Ryan Kucharo]

We run Chamsys MagicQ with a MagicDMX Full [http://www.chamsys.co.uk/magicdmx] and it works well.  It does require a pretty beefy PC to run. It works great for intelligent fixtures or a show with a bunch of light cues, however, it can be far to time consuming to setup for a basic "flashing PAR" gig. One thing I have thought about, but havent done yet, is purchase a Cherry [http://cherry.de/cid/b2b_keyboards_SPOS_G86-63411.htm] or PI [http://www.piengineering.com/XkeysKeyboards/index.php] Programmable keyboards and use it leiu of a wing. But, For most conventional PAR only concerts we typically use a simple Elation StageSetter 8 or 24 and assign lights to bump buttons as it is quick and easy.

[Jamie Chappa]

I've been trying to find a solution to my controller issues.
I've got a cheap Elation DMX Operator 192 that works ok but is a nightmare to program... bought a used Elation Show Designer off e-bay that is unusable due to bad faders & buttons.
I've recently been looking at software controllers but before I chuck any more money at this I'd like to hear a few opinions... Plus the Idea of mousing around a screen trying to "jam with the band" really doesn't fly. There are hardware midi surfaces I could add but that brings the price point up to where I might as well get a real console.
Whatcha all think?

Freestyler dmx can be run with a midi foot controller, wireless keyboard or iPad. It is cheap and easy to use also. I have all the color changes setup on my keyboard which makes it easy to mix and run the lights.

[James Feenstra]

Take a look at the Jands Vista software, it's a free download, but does require a dongle to enable output;

www.jandsvista.com/download

It's powerful, easy to use, and very visual- no typing in a string of commands to get what you're after.

Note; I work for the North American distributor and am the trainer for Jands here, although I've been a long time user as well

[Jeff Lelko]

I'm yet another user of MagicQ PC for the majority of my lighting work.  As others have mentioned, it's a very powerful platform that can be implemented for under $100 assuming you already have a laptop to run it on.  I have to admit though that when it comes to light consoles, I really like the ability to actually push buttons and move faders.  The PC solution is great (and I have mine running on a tablet PC), but once your setup gets beyond a certain size and complexity, having a wing is a must.  Unfortunately, the wings are extremely expensive and even the MagicQ MIDI interface will cost close to $1000, at which point I ask the same question - if I'm going to dump a lot of money into a lighting solution, should I just get actual hardware console instead of one that requires a PC? 

To help bridge the gap I also use a Behringer Eurolight to control my PARs and effects.  I personally find it difficult to design with conventional stagelights on a purely PC console (even if it's on a tablet), so the Eurolight fills that void while I leave MagicQ to handle my movers.  I've been using the MagicQ / Eurolight combo for nearly 10 years now and it fits my needs well enough, but I would certainly prefer to have all that control on one console.  Of course that's going to cost serious money though (hence I have yet to do that). 

Hope this helps!
-Jeff

[Jim Turner]

Thanks a lot for the input.
Just installing MagicQ now... seems pretty comprehensive. The 3d visualizer is a great feature
Cheers!

[Josh Daws]

i have been using Martin MPC recently and have really been enjoying it...ive also used the MagicQ PC...personally i have found the experience with MPC more user friendly...you can hook up a 3d visualiser and also use MIDI control. the plus side is that also you have 2 universes of control. my favorite by far...and like the vista, designed for touch interface, and not about a million keystrokes and commands...

[Steve Alves]

+1 Martin Lightjockey

[Noah D Mitchell]

Does anyone have any experience with the Blizzard software?

[Bill Schnake]

Does anyone have any experience with the Blizzard software?

Jonathan, I just started reviewing Lucid by Blizzard this week.  I had to contact Blizzard yesterday to add a profile for the ProPar 7-4.  The software seems to be fairly easy to use and I am trying to do everything without using the manual or video posts.  If I get hung-up then I will look at the manual or the videos.  We are looking at using two DMX Universes. One for conventional lighting and one for LED.

If you decide to give it a try, let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Bill

[Art Williams]

Jonathan, I just started reviewing Lucid by Blizzard this week.  I had to contact Blizzard yesterday to add a profile for the ProPar 7-4.  The software seems to be fairly easy to use and I am trying to do everything without using the manual or video posts.  If I get hung-up then I will look at the manual or the videos.  We are looking at using two DMX Universes. One for conventional lighting and one for LED.

If you decide to give it a try, let me know what you think.


Thanks,

Bill

How are you getting your universes out?

[Bill Schnake]

How are you getting your universes out?

Art, We are using the Lucid 180IQ.  Using 1 Universe for conventional lighting and the second for dmx lighting.

We probably could have gotten by with the Lucid 140IQ using 1 Universe, but this is my first time using a software controller and I didn't want to have to buy another interface if I expand my system.

Bill 

[Noah D Mitchell]

Jonathan, I just started reviewing Lucid by Blizzard this week.  I had to contact Blizzard yesterday to add a profile for the ProPar 7-4.  The software seems to be fairly easy to use and I am trying to do everything without using the manual or video posts.  If I get hung-up then I will look at the manual or the videos.  We are looking at using two DMX Universes. One for conventional lighting and one for LED.

If you decide to give it a try, let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Bill

Bill,


I've gotten my Eclipse software installed with a large collection of blizzard fixtures - and for the most part am satisfied. However, I've contacted Blizzard for two different profiles (ProPar 74 and Pixelstorm 240) with no luck (it's been a week). I've also contacted them about some other basic issues….


Do you have any perspective on the functional differences between Eclipse and Lucid?


Thanks,

[Bill Schnake]

Bill,


I've gotten my Eclipse software installed with a large collection of blizzard fixtures - and for the most part am satisfied. However, I've contacted Blizzard for two different profiles (ProPar 74 and Pixelstorm 240) with no luck (it's been a week). I've also contacted them about some other basic issues….


Do you have any perspective on the functional differences between Eclipse and Lucid?


Thanks,

Jonathan, I did not use the Eclipse software so I can't really tell you much about it.  If you will send me an email I will send you the profile for the Blizzard ProPar 7-4.

Thanks.

[Nate Armstrong]

I like Martin M-PC

[Mal Brown]

I'm using Luminaire on an iPad.  Out to universe by router and Enntec compatible Ethernet to DmXbox from dmxKing.

i'm controlling 16 Led Slim Pars from Chauvet and Stellar Labs.  Thinking about haze, movers and/or '6 bar pin spot' fixtures for more scene creation.  Not sure i see the ROI on that yet though.

I went luminaire primarily for size.  It is not the easiest thing on the planet as basically you start from scratch.  Might be nice if there were some basic chase options in there ...  I get that being 'universal' means that they don't know what kind of fixture is sitting at any specific address.  Still it seems like a reasonably simple thing to be automated.  Making it harder was the fact that i started as a complete noob in the lighting arena.  So take it with a grain of salt...

I have had a couple of support interactions with them and those have been very positive.  Nice folks to work with.

[Noah D Mitchell]

So after about three months of working with Eclipse - I'm looking at another install, but thinking about Lucid. The Eclipse software is nice and easy enough, but has enough limitations I'd rather not install it again. It's working nice for all the young kids programming it each weekend, they're getting good experience & creative output...

Why does it seem to me that the Lucid software is functionally identical to Lumidesk - is it just rebranded?

On that note - does anyone have any hands on experience with Lumidesk - or maybe Bill can offer a follow up on his Lucid experience?

[Josh Daws]

Why does it seem to me that the Lucid software is functionally identical to Lumidesk - is it just rebranded?

usually the case with alot of the cheaper software solutions....

you can either choose to get a enttec DMX USB Dongle and use the Martin MPC software...amazing, limited to 1 universe, but very easy to use and program...i have installed this software in a lot of places, and so far everything works no issues...

[Bill Schnake]

So after about three months of working with Eclipse - I'm looking at another install, but thinking about Lucid. The Eclipse software is nice and easy enough, but has enough limitations I'd rather not install it again. It's working nice for all the young kids programming it each weekend, they're getting good experience & creative output...

Why does it seem to me that the Lucid software is functionally identical to Lumidesk - is it just rebranded?

On that note - does anyone have any hands on experience with Lumidesk - or maybe Bill can offer a follow up on his Lucid experience?

Jonathan, I think that Lucid is a rebrand of Sunlight Suite.  It took me about 3 hours to get up and running with Lucid.  Once you have gone through setting up your first show it is simple to use and gets good results.  We are using a system with up to 60 LED pars and 8 movers along with 30k of conventional lighting and so far we have had no issues with Lucid.    The only downside that I have seen is that Blizzard support can take their time getting back to you about new Blizzard fixture profiles.  That being said once you had setup your first profile everything clicks and you don't need to contact support to hold your hand creating any other profiles. 

Remember you are getting this information from a sound guy not a lighting guy.  I have had nothing but bad experiences with hardware controllers and dbx LED lights.  Once we got the Lucid software and dongle we found it easy to use and I think it's good product...ie it meets our needs.  I am sure that there are better programs out there that cost more for the dongle...you really are only paying for the dongle.  Anyway, it works for us.

Bill 

[ProSoundWeb Community]