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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: Debbie Dunkley on February 14, 2014, 05:31:11 PM
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I normally post in LAB regarding sound questions but I have a lighting question and was hoping someone could help me.
I think the answer will be "You cannot do this without investing some $$$'s"
My main focus is PA in small to medium sized venues but I like to offer lights as a bonus. I had a very nice easy set-up - snake from the stage to my mixer out front for sound and DMX cable run along with snake to controller next to the mixer.
Then I replaced the controller with mac lighting software, connected through the enttec interface . All was good.
Recently I purchased an Allen & Heath QU 16 digital mixer which enables me to mix remotely from my iPad. This has allowed me to place the mixer near or on the stage and I can sit out in the audience to mix. So, now I no longer have the ability to control the lights from where I place the mixer and if I want to use the iPad for sound, I have to run back to the controller/laptop to change the lights.
I only really need to be able to blackout and maybe change the chase speed once in a while so I do not need anything elaborate. I usually only set up 8 Par 64 led cans.
Is there an inexpensive way to use my ipad and a free (or inexpensive) software program to have very basic control of my lights??
Thank you
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Luminair and the appropriate ArtNet to DMX converter?
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You might try using Splashtop or another remote desktop program to control your lighting software with your iPad. Also if the lighting software can accept MIDI inputs that opens up a lot of possibilities with network MIDI.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Luminair and the appropriate ArtNet to DMX converter?
Thanks for the response Ray.
So my investment is minimally $400 plus to do the job, right?
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Thanks for the response Ray.
So my investment is minimally $400 plus to do the job, right?
Try the various remote desktop applications to control your existing lighting computer from your Ipad. I like the VNC variants of remote desktop. Many are free or only a few $.
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Well - what Tommy and Tom said got me thinking and I came across a free app called Teamviewer. I installed it and VOILA !!! I just controlled my lights from my iPad...I am stoked!! Thanks all for your helpful suggestions......
To clarify...I controlled my macbook from my ipad which in turn controlled my lights...
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Well - what Tommy and Tom said got me thinking and I came across a free app called Teamviewer. I installed it and VOILA !!! I just controlled my lights from my iPad...I am stoked!! Thanks all for your helpful suggestions......
To clarify...I controlled my macbook from my ipad which in turn controlled my lights...
If you decide you need actual wireless DMX I've had great success with Blizzard's wireless systems. I have a Lightcaster as a transmitter and a WiCicle as a receiver. Cost me under $400
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Debbie,
If I recall correctly, you're in Raleigh. I have Luminaire on my iPad and an Enttec wifi-dmx dongle. You're welcome to come check it out if you'd like. I mostly use it for installed systems, but I've had great luck with it. The newest software update also has a sound active mode using the iPad's mic input.
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If you decide you need actual wireless DMX I've had great success with Blizzard's wireless systems. I have a Lightcaster as a transmitter and a WiCicle as a receiver. Cost me under $400
I use DMXIS to control my lights, and then I use TouchOSC to control DMXIS via iPad or even from my iPhone. For a simple gig, I'll have one light on each main lighting up the band. This app gives me control over each light independently.
I make up a number of scenes and I can move up or down a scene, strobe and blackout along with RGBAW and dimmer control for each light.
(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z398/robare99/7ED7EAAD-28BC-4C4B-939B-F5AEDE53BAC5-9161-00000643BC50BBA3_zps839a3a02.jpg)
(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z398/robare99/398A9B20-8420-4DA1-936F-647D7D1A6871-9161-00000643C15E1836_zps392f6575.jpg)
The good thing is you create your own interface.
The bad thing is staring at a blank screen, trying to create your own interface.
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Debbie,
If I recall correctly, you're in Raleigh. I have Luminaire on my iPad and an Enttec wifi-dmx dongle. You're welcome to come check it out if you'd like. I mostly use it for installed systems, but I've had great luck with it. The newest software update also has a sound active mode using the iPad's mic input.
I'd like that at some point Scott. thank you for the offer. I'd definitely prefer to not have to lug around my macbook if possible so I'm still looking at other options.
My thing is that I'm mainly into sound and not that interested in lights really but I have 'aquired' a decent array of LED's and might as well have some fun with them. I don't even use all what I have due to the time constraints in some of these places round here. I hardly get enough time to set up and sound check the PA so the last thing I need is something complicated you know???
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Martin Lightjockey has it built in. You just turn it on and use a browser to go to the assigned IP. You can create a custom html page or use the automatically created one. You can set everything to be controlled through the browser. I have used my ipad and iphone to control it many times.
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I'd like that at some point Scott. thank you for the offer. I'd definitely prefer to not have to lug around my macbook if possible so I'm still looking at other options.
My thing is that I'm mainly into sound and not that interested in lights really but I have 'aquired' a decent array of LED's and might as well have some fun with them. I don't even use all what I have due to the time constraints in some of these places round here. I hardly get enough time to set up and sound check the PA so the last thing I need is something complicated you know???
I think Luminaire is about as simple as it gets, especially because it's sending the commands directly from the iPad, no computer required. It can also record DMX snapshots from your current program, although I haven't tried this yet.
One thing to note, it does require a wi-fi network. I'd recommend bringing your own rather than depending on the venue. A $99 Airport Express works great. It also has an audio out, so you could theoretically use the iPad to play music wirelessly via Airplay in between sets.
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I think Luminaire is about as simple as it gets, especially because it's sending the commands directly from the iPad, no computer required. It can also record DMX snapshots from your current program, although I haven't tried this yet.
One thing to note, it does require a wi-fi network. I'd recommend bringing your own rather than depending on the venue. A $99 Airport Express works great. It also has an audio out, so you could theoretically use the iPad to play music wirelessly via Airplay in between sets.
I'm already using a Cisco router for the QU16 and ipad and Dick Rees had mentioned to me he has the Airport Express and the fact he can play break music from the iPad. I love that idea.
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Martin Lightjockey has it built in. You just turn it on and use a browser to go to the assigned IP. You can create a custom html page or use the automatically created one. You can set everything to be controlled through the browser. I have used my ipad and iphone to control it many times.
This sounds like it would keep things very simple....
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I use DMXIS to control my lights, and then I use TouchOSC to control DMXIS via iPad or even from my iPhone. For a simple gig, I'll have one light on each main lighting up the band. This app gives me control over each light independently.
I make up a number of scenes and I can move up or down a scene, strobe and blackout along with RGBAW and dimmer control for each light.
(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z398/robare99/7ED7EAAD-28BC-4C4B-939B-F5AEDE53BAC5-9161-00000643BC50BBA3_zps839a3a02.jpg)
(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z398/robare99/398A9B20-8420-4DA1-936F-647D7D1A6871-9161-00000643C15E1836_zps392f6575.jpg)
The good thing is you create your own interface.
The bad thing is staring at a blank screen, trying to create your own interface.
I have been using QLC on my macbook. I must admit I really enjoyed setting up my 'virtual board' from scratch allowing me to choose exactly what I want to control and to what extent. It allows for customization. Although I agree there is a certain amount of work necessary to get going.
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Another thing to keep in mind on some of these apps is that they call back to a server of sort. This means the wifi has to be running and connecting to the internet. Using data plans could be heavy expense.
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Another thing to keep in mind on some of these apps is that they call back to a server of sort. This means the wifi has to be running and connecting to the internet. Using data plans could be heavy expense.
Thank you Jerome- something to consider - I did not know that !
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I have been using QLC on my macbook.
QLC+ (the successor of the QLC) now supports web access and runs on raspberry pi, if that helps... http://qlcplus.sourceforge.net/raspberry.html
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QLC+ (the successor of the QLC) now supports web access and runs on raspberry pi, if that helps... http://qlcplus.sourceforge.net/raspberry.html
Not sure....not that savvy....
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So to keep things simple, I could get one of these:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/420401.html?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleps&gclid=CIP2h7Pl47wCFW3NOgod5SMAUg
.....and connect it to my router. Then connect it out to my lights via DMX cable. Right??
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With the right software - yes!
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With the right software - yes!
Great...then that is what I will do. Thank you everyone !!!
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So to keep things simple, I could get one of these:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/420401.html?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleps&gclid=CIP2h7Pl47wCFW3NOgod5SMAUg
.....and connect it to my router. Then connect it out to my lights via DMX cable. Right??
That would be a device compatible with Luminair should you choose to go that route.
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I came across this converter too.
http://www.amazon.com/ArtNet-DMX-Converter-protocol-Interface-Ethernet/dp/B00COXBR9E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1393286201&sr=8-4&keywords=dmx+ethernet
I already have the Enttec open DMX converter which I have used with my laptop and it works flawlessly so for the extra $61 it might be worth going with a tried and tested product i.e. the Enttec art net product quoted in my last post
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That would be a device compatible with Luminair should you choose to go that route.
I do feel that Luminair offers MUCH more than I need and I hate to spend the money to get so few controls but if my options are limited - then full steam ahead !
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Look at www.dmx2go.com, they have a interface we used that connects to wireless DMX units and interfaces to your router so you can connect with iPad or iPhone, etc. We put one in a school and they love it...works every time. It is their Pockt DMX Wifi NETport
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Look at www.dmx2go.com, they have a interface we used that connects to wireless DMX units and interfaces to your router so you can connect with iPad or iPhone, etc. We put one in a school and they love it...works every time. It is their Pockt DMX Wifi NETport
One more route to consider..thank you
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Update:
Took me a while because I have not been using lights for the shows I have been running but I just ordered an Enttec artnet/DMX dongle.
Finally decided to go this route and will use luminair or similar on my iPad mini.
Already using a router and iPad to mix sound. Looking forward to it.
Would there be any benefit to using a separate router than the one I use for my QU16?
Also is it worth spending the money on Luminair when there are a few free apps out there?.
I need very few functions.
Thank you
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So I'm confused.
My Enttec arrived today and I have spent far too long trying to get it to do something. I know it is me but I cannot work this out for the life of me. The paperwork that came with the Enttec indicates that this is a plug and play device but not much playing going on here.
Can someone help me out?
I have a simple 3 channel Par 64 LED lamp connected to the dongle.
Before I purchase Luminair, I wanted to use a basic free program just to test everything out. I have downloaded some that look like they should work but I cannot get them to do anything.
On my iPad I have tried Osram, Run the Show, airDMX and on my iPhone I tried Pocket DMX.
Osram found my router Ip address and allowed me to set up DMX channels and even some scenes but I still cannot get it to work. The others went into menus of terminology that might as well have been German to me.
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So I'm confused.
My Enttec arrived today and I have spent far too long trying to get it to do something. I know it is me but I cannot work this out for the life of me. The paperwork that came with the Enttec indicates that this is a plug and play device but not much playing going on here.
Can someone help me out?
I have a simple 3 channel Par 64 LED lamp connected to the dongle.
Before I purchase Luminair, I wanted to use a basic free program just to test everything out. I have downloaded some that look like they should work but I cannot get them to do anything.
On my iPad I have tried Osram, Run the Show, airDMX and on my iPhone I tried Pocket DMX.
Osram found my router Ip address and allowed me to set up DMX channels and even some scenes but I still cannot get it to work. The others went into menus of terminology that might as well have been German to me.
What did you plug the dongle into? If the MacBook, then run something on it to test with before complicating things with a network.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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What did you plug the dongle into? If the MacBook, then run something on it to test with before complicating things with a network.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I managed to run a test from the Enttec website but I cannot make anything else run the lights. This ensured that the router and dongle are communicating with my macbook. Still not able to get my iPad or iPhone to run lights. I can't run the test online through Enttec because it is a OSX download only. I'm stuck
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I played around with the test function and everything appears to be working. The two 3rd party programs recommended by Enttec are Luminair and Lightingpad. I need very limited functionality and I was wondering if anyone had used lightingpad. It only costs $19.99 and might be adequate for my needs.
Although I couldn't get the system to work from a free app -there is a reason they are free right? - I'll go ahead and download one of these and hopefully things will go more smoothly.