Control/Dimming - lighting control software

[wadeace]

I’m looking for a software program that operates as a dmx controller. I use a mixture of instruments including, moving head and mirror intelegent lights, led "pars", and conventional dimmers, so a good instrument library is important. it would also be nice if it would let me sync playback to a mp3, and/or be sound activated through an external source.

[DHSLXOP]

look at magicq by chamsys - hands down, I think it is the best software out there, especially if you're on a budget...while amazing, the hog software requires that you buy one of THEIR usb-->dmx converter boxes (which can be very expensive), while magicq allows you to buy pretty much any converter box (I have one made by Enttec that I bought for like $100 or so). Look up chamsys, and download the software, its free and you can play around with it to see if you like it.

[gafftaper]

There are many options. Search. A more important question is what's your budget and what do you want to do? If you want to just put together a cheap lighting system then there are several options like magicq that will work just fine. Search back a way and you'll find some lengthy discussions.

If you have a serious budget and want to play like the big boys, then you have outstanding choices from major manufacturers including: Hog3 PC, Maxxyz PC, GrandMA PC, and Horizon.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

...If you have a serious budget and want to play like the big boys, then you have outstanding choices from major manufacturers including: Hog3 PC, Maxxyz PC, grandMA onPC, and HorizonJands Vista.

Fixed that for you.

I don't even have to argue whether it was an "outstanding choice" or "from a major manufacturer." According to its website: The Horizon line of lighting control products has been DISCONTINUED [their emphasis] due to the inception of the Marquee line of Products.

[gafftaper]

Well what do you know... Derek get's a little revenge against Horizon at last.
Actually I was told by a Horizon guy a couple years ago that there was all kinds of weirdness between the actual software creator and the company. There was some sort of split and they both had some rights to the product. Then that was followed by the buyouts by ET, Genlyte, and now Phillips... it's amazing they are still making the Marquee at all. Although I have to say I like what I have seen of the Marquee.

[TimMiller]

the vista will allow you to put a song in the form of a time line, you then program in that time line (just like doing video) and then just pushing play, the console will play the song and run the lights all from the time line.

[Hughesie]

download showxpress and see how you like that, then buy the hardware they suggest

ShowXpress lighting controller