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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Lighting Forum => Topic started by: Ray Sherman on January 07, 2020, 03:49:02 PM
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Hi, I have the older Light Copilot LC-100 eight channel light controller. I've been using my lighting from each internal microphone on the back of each lighting unit picking up sound from my speakers. For better sound pickup, I've been placing my speakers behind each of my light trees. I know this is all old school but, I really don't want to invest money into new DMX equipment, lighting, etc. I would like to know if the audio input on the Copilot would control whichever light switches I have in the on position? The manual states something about chase but, I want the lighting to react to the beat/base signal in the same way as when I have speaker placement directly behind them. I have eight different lights in which I normally run two at a time (one off of each tree) manually using the buttons on the Copilot. I would sincerely appreciate any info. on setup/connection. Thanks, Ray
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Hi Ray, the general answer to your question is no - the Copilot cannot control your individual fixtures in the manner that I think you’re describing. It’s mostly just a relay pack with basic chase functionality. You would use this if wanting to chase some old halogen Par Cans with reaction to the music (or just turn them on or off as needed from your control booth). You can also use the Copilot to switch on and off the older non-LED effect lights. You typically don’t use the “chase” or sound-active function when doing that though, as most of those lights do their own effects automatically when power is applied.
Regardless, all the Copilot will do is turn on and off the power on each of its circuits. It cannot control any remote light fixtures beyond that such as what you can achieve via DMX. Lights running in sound-active mode will utilize their own internal circuitry to react to the bass in the music - whether spinning a motor such as in the older mushroom and derby lights or running more elaborate programs seen in modern fixtures. Early protocols aside, DMX was the industry’s effort to standardize lighting control so that complex systems with multiple manufacturers could all work together. Hope that helps answer your question!
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Hi Ray, the general answer to your question is no - the Copilot cannot control your individual fixtures in the manner that I think you’re describing. It’s mostly just a relay pack with basic chase functionality. You would use this if wanting to chase some old halogen Par Cans with reaction to the music (or just turn them on or off as needed from your control booth). You can also use the Copilot to switch on and off the older non-LED effect lights. You typically don’t use the “chase” or sound-active function when doing that though, as most of those lights do their own effects automatically when power is applied.
Regardless, all the Copilot will do is turn on and off the power on each of its circuits. It cannot control any remote light fixtures beyond that such as what you can achieve via DMX. Lights running in sound-active mode will utilize their own internal circuitry to react to the bass in the music - whether spinning a motor such as in the older mushroom and derby lights or running more elaborate programs seen in modern fixtures. Early protocols aside, DMX was the industry’s effort to standardize lighting control so that complex systems with multiple manufacturers could all work together. Hope that helps answer your question!
Thank you for your help. Yes, half my lighting is older non-LED. As I stated in the OP, speaker placement has been directly behind my light trees for the lighting to pick up the bass/beats to the music. The lighting internal mic's simply doesn't pick up as well if I don't setup this way. I could just set them to full on but, that doesn't look good. I pair up lights that works/appears well together on each circuit/recepticle with each light on L/R stands. I manually control the on/off switches on the Copilot between songs and/or during songs. I don't mind manually operating the Copilot, it's just that I don't like my speaker placement. Looks like I'm out of luck at this point. Thanks again for taking the time in explaining the Copilot limitations. Ray :)