Software with DMX input/read

[Knave]

Hello all,

I've just got my hands on a 16/32ch NSI 7016 board for a community theatre project I'm working with.

They've only got four Chauvet LED fixtures and a few farmer-rigged PAR equivalents right now, and a Strand Cantata that I got the other day for $50. The board of directors was convinced by a music store salesperson to go with LEDs exclusively, which is a decision I'm slowly pushing them to change...

So, the setup is bare-bones theatrical at the moment.

The one thing I miss on this console (most of my experience is with a Leprecon 612) is the cue stack. I think for most of the small concerts (the only thing they've got running right now) they're running they'll be fine with presets, but for a serious run of a theatrical event a cue stack is a must.

So, I'm looking for a piece of control software that will replace that functionality, but work in tandem with the NSI board (so that we don't need to fire up the whole system for dimming the house lights and such when they're just playing a movie or something.)

StageConsole is my favourite piece of software right now, mostly because of how similar it is to the desks I've always used. I can't see anything about linking in an external console, though. can anyone confirm/deny that?

I'm really hoping to keep the budget at a minimum here. If there was a *perfect* piece of software that will do everything I need I could probably spend a few hundred, but I'm hoping I can do what I need (capture presets fro the NSI board, then set up a cue stack) with one of the "free" solutions.

I don't have an interface yet, but was planning on the Entec USB Pro.

[naharnahekim]

Abulites is the best freeware program I've found yet. It's compatable with Enttec's usb DMX Pro, has a cue stack, and command line input (which is much faster than setting faders whether they be hardware or software based).

As far as interfacing with the NSI board, I don't think there's a good way of doing it. No software that I know of for the USB Pro has a scene grab function, thought please correct me if I'm wrong.

In any case you're best bet is to go with something like Abulites by it's self. The syntax of the command line is fairly easy, and once you get used to programming with keys instead of faders, you'll rarely want to go back.

[derekleffew]

naharnahekim, is there a website for this elusive Abulites? Google returns some interesting results, but nothing stage lighting-related.

[xander]

I agree. A website would be greatly appreciated. Google turns up a lot about some Greek dude and this thread. :-)

[Knave]

Originally Posted by naharnahekim

Abulites is the best freeware program I've found yet. It's compatable with Enttec's usb DMX Pro, has a cue stack, and command line input (which is much faster than setting faders whether they be hardware or software based).

As far as interfacing with the NSI board, I don't think there's a good way of doing it. No software that I know of for the USB Pro has a scene grab function, thought please correct me if I'm wrong.

In any case you're best bet is to go with something like Abulites by it's self. The syntax of the command line is fairly easy, and once you get used to programming with keys instead of faders, you'll rarely want to go back.

"Stage Console" also has a "command line", and I do like it for certain applications (consistency in Dichroic-style mixing especially; just like the enlarger in my darkroom I can "dial in" the exact setting) I like being able to "ride" faders to find the dimmer values I like. (Maybe it's because I'm an audio guy more than a lighting guy...)

[naharnahekim]

Abuelites can be found at Shmithz Homepage.

[derekleffew]

Sorry, naharnahekim, but do the phrases

• Still under development
• Last version: 0.71 ( 06-Aug-2007 )

appear to be contradictory to anyone else? Most lighting software is updated minimally every six months. For example, ETC has gone from v1.2? to v1.8 since January for its EOS family.

Furthermore, the final straw was when the site opened a non-relevant pop-up window (and I have FireFox set to block pop-ups). I can't even consider evaluating a product from a company that plays that way.

[naharnahekim]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Sorry, naharnahekim, but do the phrases

• Still under development
• Last version: 0.71 ( 06-Aug-2007 )

appear to be contradictory to anyone else? Most lighting software is updated minimally every six months. For example, ETC has gone from v1.2? to v1.8 since January for its EOS family.

Furthermore, the final straw was when the site opened a non-relevant pop-up window (and I have FireFox set to block pop-ups). I can't even consider evaluating a product from a company that plays that way.

Didn't actually see that until I looked up the page to answer you. Personally I mostly use it as an RFU when I'm in a house that doesn't have one. However, the original question piqued my interest in any new software out there, and my goodness there is quite a bit of it, mostly in the free vein. Check out the links page on the usb pro site, some of the links are dead, but there are a few programs that look promising.

[Knave]

Has anyone used this software?

LJinDMX

LightJockey wasn't really on my radar, but if this does what I think it does...