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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: Patrick Campbell on December 06, 2017, 03:52:10 PM
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Hey Friends,
I have 24 par 4 LED's by Chauvet, 4 Elation 250 movers, some other small movers and DMX fog machines.
What would you recommend if I have a laptop already ?
Thanks
Patrick
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Hi Patrick,
The best answer to this question really depend on which software you plan on using. MagicQ PC and M-PC are two of the more popular platforms on the market right now, but there are others. Some support third party interfaces (dongles), others don't. I used MagicQ paired with and Enttec DMX-USB Pro for nearly a decade before switching over to an ETC product. The Enttec unit will work with both MagicQ PC and M-PC, along with many other programs. If you like M-PC in particular, for a little more money than an Enttec interface you can buy an M-Touch, which in addition to acting as an interface also acts as a compact control wing, which is by far the most cost-effective on the market right now. I'll let the more experienced users speak to that in particular, but most software platforms allow you to download a free demo, so try a few out and see what seems to be the best fit for you. Hope this helps!
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The M-PC software is free, as are most of the other companies' software; they expect you to buy their dongle of controller.
Download the interesting ones and see which you like.
Then get the hardware that works with it.
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I'm a big fan of Magic-Q.
When you first download it and install it, it seems super scary and confusing (or did to a sound engineer who knew what a DMX address was and not much else! ;D)
However a little perseverance for a couple of hours and some online tutorials and it really actually becomes pretty simple and straightforward. And while I don't do LOADS of lighting work in general, I've managed to program a few pretty complex theatre style shows with exactly the kind of small rig you describe, one even just this week, with little to no hassle at all.
There's also a very good facebook user group unofficially supporting it who (while the may tell you to RTFM a couple of times for simple questions lol) are very helpful in learning to get around it and get the best out of it.
K
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Lots of packages allow at least one universe (512 dmx channels) to be controlled via Artnet. Artnet is DMX run over ethernet. Artnet to traditional-DMX interfaces start at about $100.
Running with a touchscreen is a possibility, but a physical control jnterface is going to be needed at some point.
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What I'm seeing artists travel with on the 700-2000 size room circuit - Chamsys MagicQ with a PC Wing Compact. Sometimes with an Extra Wing Compact, too, and a few times just the laptop.
As computers go using what you already own is a good way to start out. What I've seen traveling LDs using - Macbooks, Mac Mini (only once, but with a touch screen), and Lenovo and Dell A-O-I touchscreens from the business/commercial lines, not home models.
The AOI setup have packed a 19.5" into a Pelican case with the PC Wing and patch/network/AC stuff... very compact and handy.
There is a shop in Nashvegas that use MagicQ and the Chamsys time code module to build shows for bus and trailer touring - no LD, the audio and backline guys hook it all up; uses Artnet for DMX transport. The drummer triggers the cues when he starts his click track (time code is part of his click system). It's pretty slick when it all works.