Looking for advice on control systems, haven't quite seen what I'm looking for..

[tjobrien21]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to the artistic side of lighting, but I have a strong background in electronics/hardware and software/computers (I'm a programmer).

In this case, I'm lighting the stage for my band. I'm running on a relatively low budget, and moving to PC control. I need to control the lights from the stage, but want my show to be top notch and choreographed to the music, not just blinking like a Christmas tree.

To do this, I need software that will work on a timeline or script and receive cues from a MIDI floor controller. I'll be using a netbook computer with XP, a MIDI interface, and a USB/DMX interface (probably an Entec USB Pro).

Ideally, I'd like to have song lyrics on the screen the capability to click a button on the controller to sync up a preset points in the songs. That way the light routine for each song can stay sync'd up.

Also, the ability to switch from song to song (for those times people change the set list on the fly).

So, does anyone know if such an animal exists? I certainly don't want to re-invent the wheel, but I may have to if the wheel is terribly expensive.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Tim

[gafftaper]

I don't know of anything like that. Most lighting consoles will take go cues from a midi input. But I'm not sure about the software programs.

Often we get people stopping in here wishing to build a system for $1000 which has the capabilities of a $50,000 system. Sadly the kind of features you want are going to be very hard if not impossible to find without spending the money for a full pro system. My suggestion to you is to change the focus of your question. Don't say: I only have this much money and I want to be able to do x, y, and z... because often it simply can't be done. Instead say: I have this much money, How can I get the most out of it? Now that's an area the people around here can really help with.

Although I have never used it, I would say that ChampSys MagicQ and an Entec Dongle is the prefered light with no budget solution around here.

So what is your total budget? What gear are you trying to run with this control system? More data will get you better answers.

[Raktor]

You shouldn't need to be able to click on specific points in a song to match up sync; if you use MIDI in the way it sounds like you want, you should have the drummer listening to a click track, and the whole song would be cued... it's the drummer's responsibility to follow that clicktrack, and the band should follow the drummer. Simple.

[len]

Midi means NOT having to manually sync up audio with lighting. As for each song having a specific cue list, you're better off just loading a cue list via some manual input and letting the system do the midi work from there.

There's a lot of pc-dmx software out there. I don't know whether any of the Entec compatible programs will work, but I know that LightJockey will work for what you want.

Finally, you'll need a midi interface for your pc. M-AUDIO - MIDISPORT 1x1 - 1-In/1-Out USB Bus-Powered MIDI Interface works

[tjobrien21]

Thanks for the replies folks. Here are a few more details and ramblings.

To address budget: Budget on this is simply what I can afford - nobody else is helping. I own all the lighting gear, and new stuff will all have to come out of pocket. This isn't an issue, and I want it that way - but it is a limiting factor as I'm not a terribly wealthy person. I'm planning to spend about $600 for a netbook and the Entec USB interface, then it'll be back to saving up for new gear mode once again.

Regarding MIDI - I have a MIDI footswitch that sends channel change messages when the buttons are pressed. I was thinking of using that to signal the computer since I have my hands full with a bass guitar when I'm on stage. At one point I considered building a foot controller with a PIC and an FTDI chip hooked to a USB port, but I already have the MIDI controller, so why not?

As for "proper" MIDI, we have none. The drummer does indeed play to a click for most songs, but that's all his thing and under his control (and isn't used for every song).

Since the band isn't a national act, we get to play clubs. That usually means bad power, very little power, possibly bad wiring, etc etc. Because of these limitations, I went with LED where I could. At this point, my rig is pretty small and simple: 10 PAR64 LEDs, 6 PAR38 LEDs, a set of several pins, a standard dimmer pack, and some relay packs and fog machine interfaces I designed and programmed. Depending on the venue, we also add some PAR56 or 64 standard lights, if there's power enough to support them. There are also some effect lights (police beacons and silly stuff like that).

Being a computer weenie, I realized, "Dang, all my stuff is hanging off this nice RS485 DMX bus and the limiting factor here is the controller."

As a programmer, I know software can manage this system, and in my case, it needs to. For each song, we need the lights to activate at the right times... Fog machines to go when they should, and for the right length of time... Fans to switch on and off.. And so on. Silly as it seems to make all this effort with a band, our show is what sets us apart, and I need to take it to the next level. I'd love to employ an actual light tech, but the budget for that just isn't there. PC to the rescue!!

I don't expect $50,000 results for $100, that certainly won't happen. I do however want to try for the best I can do with what I have, and I know the current gear can be used better. Putting the current devices under better control should improve the show 10 times.

So far, it looks like I might end up having to code the software myself, as nothing seems to exist to do this. Heck, maybe I should do just that and package it - I may have found my niche.

Anyhow, I know I have a lot to learn, and always appreciate suggestions and ideas! And once again, thanks!!!

Tim

[jmabray]

Well a Pharos or Mosiac controller would do exactly what you need, although it's usually geared more towards architectural or permanent installations. It's also proabably out of your price range but might be worth considering....

[tcahall]

Take a look at Freestyler. It is free software and will do a lot of what you are asking for here.

Tim.

P.S. not my favorite control tool, but useful for this type of work.

[tjobrien21]

Pharos, Mosaic, and FreeStyler.. Ok, I'll check into all those.

I really do appreciate the help everyone! If I can get get this all going, I might do some video and post a link. Not sure how long it'll take to get things set up like I want, but hopefully not _too_ long!

[JD]

Since you are a programmer, your biggest bang for the buck comes from the medium you already know, writing a custom MIDI interface program for your PC. Pick up a cheap light board such as the Chauvet DMX-70. This will allow you to program up to about 200 DMX scenes, which can then be called up with Midi commands. This will free your PC from doing the DMX conversion thing. Your PC with a MIDI in/out will then be used to coordinate the show, getting it's cues from your MIDI foot petal. It can also produce a VGA output for video projection, all on the cheap.

[metti]

Someone already mentioned this but creating some sort of custom software interface to add the functionality you want to an existing software program might make the most sense. Since it's free and plays nice with Enttec interfaces I'd check out MagicQ.