(yet another) question about intelligent lighting

[gabe]

So my high school just recieved a generous donation and, amoung other things, two Chauvet Insignias. Now my main board is an old analog system but we have a leprecon 612 and two dimmer packs. How would I go about connecting the two, I see that there are three pin dmx connectors on the lights? And also, if I were to get another board to control just these lights, would I need another dimmer pack or could I use my existing ones and just use the new board for the dmx control?

Thanks,

[BillESC]

Gabe,

First, the Insignias really dont' want or need dimmers, they'll be happier with straight AC. If your board uses 5 pin connectors you can get an 5 to 3 pin adapter and simply jump the Insignias into the signal chain.

[gabe]

Thanks Bill, also for the 3-pin dmx can I use plain old XLR?

[Radman]

See here: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/showthread.php?t=427

[gabe]

Thanks Rad that thread was very helpful!

[Footer]

the 612 is not a dmx board... it will not control those movers... i would sudgest if you want a really inexspensive method of control, though not all that functional... go with an enntec DMX adapter... there are a few threads on this on this forum....

[len]

The 612 series does offer 2 units that produce a dmx signal. http://www.leprecon.com/product_set.htm I still wouldn't use it to control any kind of moving light but it can be a dmx board.

[soundlight]

But the 3-pin signal isn't dmx. I looked on the Leprecon website, and it says that the 3-pin is multiplex, and you only have DMX on the board if it is a 5-pin connector. Go for one of the really low-cost AMDJ mover boards. Hey, it ain't perfect, but it'll work.

[gabe]

Yeah thats what I was thinking also what about this http://www.instrumentpro.com/P-ELADMXP.html

[BillESC]

Gabe,

It really depends on how much:

1. Memory storage you need.
2. How much you want to spend.
3. How many features you must have.

DMX controllers start around $ 129.00 and go up from there. For example the Chauvet DMX 50 offers 240 scenes of memory and can control 12 fixtures groups and is available on the street for under $ 200.00 delivered. The Elation DMX Operator 192 offers memory stick storage of programming and can be had for under $ 300.00.