Control/Dimming - EDI Dimmers/DMX PC Board

[warriordba]

Hi all. Does anyone know if EDI Dimmers, they are labeled EDI D2, could be controlled via a DMX board in a PC and software? Currently they are connected to an EDI Minstrel Plus controller via a 5 pin connector labeled DMX/AMX. If so, could you recommend a board or 2 and software. We have 22 of the dual channel EDI D2's . Would we also be able to control the motors that lift/lower sets??

Thanks,


Glenn

[Les]

If they are DMX (which they should be) there should not be a problem with controlling them through a computer. EDI's website is EDI Online. Check with them unless someone more familiar than I comes along with some better info.


I do feel compelled to tell you that you CANNOT and SHOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT control ANYTHING that involves lifting or moving scenery/rigging via DMX. (This also goes for pyro and the like). Especially where personal safety could be compromised. DMX is very good (usually) for controlling lighting, but the refresh rate is not high enough to keep one of those motors from hurling a set piece to the floor due to a data error, and we all know that small errors happen in the line all the time. DMX is for lighting, let's just keep it at that. :-)

This may seem harsh, but we take rigging and safety very seriously here at CB.

[JD]

Darn! I'd better go disconnect all those sticks of Dynamite
(He's right though, DMX has no error check)

Anyway, what year are the dimmers from? EDI has been around for... ever. There were some earlier versions of DMX that may misbehave on current controllers. If you can not get them to work correctly, check out Doug's site Doug Fleenor Design - Ph. and Fax (805) 481-9599

[Les]

Originally Posted by JD

Darn! I'd better go disconnect all those sticks of Dynamite
(He's right though, DMX has no error check)

Yeah, JD that could make for a very abrupt and unscheduled load-out. hah.

[warriordba]

Hey thanks all. I did contact EDI and they stated that we have MX D2 rack mounted dimmers which do indeed use the DMX 512 protocol and that we should be able to use a PC with a DMX board and software.

Also, thanks for the safety warnings, I really appreciate that. In a previous life I was an OSHA health guy and I really, really appreciate people who are safety minded!!

Now with that in mind, what would be a good board and software combo, that would not bankrupt us too badly!?

Best Regards,

Glenn

[Les]

Thanks for understanding. I was beginning to feel kinda bad for being so "passionate". I'd probably do good in OSHA. I'm always noticing things like blocked fire exits and code violations, and not only in theatre. As for software, I'll leave that to someone more knowledgeable.

[JD]

Originally Posted by warriordba

Now with that in mind, what would be a good board and software combo, that would not bankrupt us too badly!?

I would have a lot of questions prior to recommending a board. Such as, what is the application? Just dimmers, or will you be adding any intelligent lighting such as movers? Choices range for a $400 Elation Stage Setter all the way up to $30k+ Grand MA. Are you interested in a PC based controller, or a deck that you can put your hands on? There is one neat option (if you are expecting to get in deep with intels) and that would be the ChamSys MagicQ PC. The reason I bring that one up is that you can download a functional board to your PC (free) and buy a USB/DMX adapter for about $60. If you like the system, then you can actually buy the hardware version (which is what they are hoping) and expand from there. There are also some mid range boards (PC based & hardware based) from Elation (low end) to ETC (higher end) but without more info, it would be hard to recommend.

If you give us a little information, I am sure you will get a plethora of answers !

[warriordba]

Thanks John and all. Generally they are doing basic effects. Lighting/Darkening parts of the stage, using the stage cans, floor bases and the ones up high to create background coloring etc. Usually they will create a program on the Minstrel board to do this or control it manually. I do not think any of it is very high tech or complicated at this point.

Does this info help? If not I will see if the theatre technical director can log in and add more.

Let the plethora begin!!!

Thanks,

Glenn

Oh btw,

The hotel asked if you could turn their lights back on

[JD]

Originally Posted by warriordba

Oh btw,

The hotel asked if you could turn their lights back on

Yes they did, but there were 30 other unprintable words in the sentence

You know, if it's just basic dimming, you might want to go on the cheap and go with the scene setter:

Scene Setter 48 - Elation Professional

Shop around a bit, the price varies quite a lot. BillESC may be able to help. I've had one bouncing around (and I do mean Bouncing!!) and they hold up well.