Programming a light show using MIDI?

[SilentDark]

Hi guys, first post here. I'm a total newbie when it comes to light shows, and you guys seem to know your stuff pretty well so maybe you guys can help me out.

I'm in a band that plays to a backing track and a metronome live, and we've been talking about taking advantage of that and programming a light show to go along with our set. Live we use a Mac running Logic Pro, connected into a presonus interface (which I'm pretty sure has MIDI output) that connects to both our in ears and the venue.

Now, from what I've read you can apparently program lightshows using MIDI commands, as long as you can get the MIDI to convert into DMX, and plug that into the light controller hardware.

So, how would I program a light show on the Mac, so it can be used at different venues? Would I program midi commands in Logic and simply have it output into the light controller? Or would I program it using a program like Elation Compu, with its MIDI input being from Logic, and then make the Elation output to the presonus, then from there into the venue lights? Or am I on the wrong track entirely and am completely wrong?

[NickJones]

Hey SilentDark welcome to CB, introduce yourself over at the New Members Section.
It varies from console to console and from venue to venue, as channel 16 in one venue won't be the same as channel 16 in another venue, MIDI commands can be sent to the desk (lighting console) and you tell it what to do with that signal, for example you might have it so when you press down on a keyboard's C key (as in an electric piano not a typey thing) it outputs the C signal, that is sent to the lighting console, on most consoles with MIDI input you can specify what is to happen, for example I could set my console so when it gets the C signal it turns on all the red lights. For this you would need a MIDI compatible console, and something that outputs MIDI, not every venue you are in will have a MIDI compatible console, or someone with the knowledge to set it up. Your best bet would be just to get an operator to make the lights cool during your performance.
Hope I cleared it up, welcome to CB.
Nick

[JD]

For under $200, you can pick up a number of light boards that input MIDI, such as the DMX-70 by Chauvet. What happens is that you program your scenes and sequences into the board and then use MIDI commands to call up those scenes and sequences. The board then outputs the DMX to the lights, dimmers, movers, fog, or whatever else you have on your system based on what you programmed in. If you carry your own system, then you are set. If you use local systems, you will have to reprogramming the board to match what lights are available at each venue.

[soundlight]

You could use the DMXIS software package to sync your light show to Logic. I don't know much about this software package, but you can use it for this purpose.