As far as movers and hazers. First off be sure you know the difference between a fogger and a
hazer (do some research). Keep in mind foggers and hazers do not like to be dimmed (just like anything else with a motor).
So, you need to put them on a non-dimmable switch. Just on and off. There are several ways to do this. You can switch a dimmer (either soft or hard) to non-dim mode. You can put an effects switch between the dimmer and hazer. You can also
plug it directly into the wall. Keep in mind that a
dimmer even run at full
power clips the sin wave (if you don't know what that means, look it up), and it will wear out the
hazer over time, although I have seen hazers run for years even on a soft patched
non dim circuit. It is better to
plug directly into a 20A non dimmed wall
outlet.
This is absolutely not true. You cannot set a
dimmer to "Switched" mode or put a
switch inline after the
dimmer or set it to a 100%
non-dim on your
console and
call it good for devices like MLs, atmospheric machines, strobes,
scroller PSUs,
etc. An
SCR/
SSR dimmer set at full or in "Switched" mode does not
send out a clean AC waveform. The
SCR/
SSR still switches and "chops" the wave. This can be harmful to electronic devices. You must use true
non-dim power for these devices which means either using
relay or constant
circuit modules in your
dimmer racks or running a
non-dim circuit to your device that doesn't come from your
dimmer rack.
Yes, I see that this was mentioned, however, it seemed like a less important afterthought. Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.
As far as movers, slow down a little. The moving lights that most kids can afford (DJ scanners) are not meant for theater use (do some research and you can find out why). You will need at least $1500 a
unit for useful theater moving lights. Now if you are doing concerts, parties,
etc then there are some good DJ scanners out there. Keep in mind they will need to be maintained and their lamps are expensive. Keep in mind that it will take you at least three to four times a long to program a show than it normally would (maybe more) with moving lights.
Keep in mind that the OP was looking at renting. I do agree, you have to spend a lot of money to
purchase fixtures that are useful for
theatre, this does not include maintenance. I also really want to know where you are sourcing fixtures from for $1500, because I have yet to see a
fixture that I would put in a
theatre for less that $4K new.
It does have a second matrix, but I wouldnt even know where to begin with that.
We have many threads on how to set up your
console and data distribution on CB. There should be a setting in your
console to
enable the second output, and tell it what
DMX addresses to "broadcast". I find that it is easier to have the second output just be
universe 2, which is addresses 513-1024. So, take your two
channel hazer, you might put that on
universe 2 with a starting
address of 1, so it would be addresses 1 and 2. Then in patch on your
console you would patch 513 and 514 to the channels you want. This is because the actual data output of a
universe of
DMX is addresses 1-512, the
console just converts the fact that
universe 2 is what we think of 513-1024.
Clear as mud?
I've made
stage pin to
edison adapters and have plugged DJ lighting in through the dimmrers and ran them through that board. I just set the cues to have 0
fade time so there was instant
power just as if you plugged it into the wall. Was that a bad idea?
Yes, this is a bad idea, as I stated above. You need real non-dims.
Also, you never ever want to
two-fer a moving light.
Unless the
power requirements of the ML prevent it from being 2fered then there is no real reason not to do it. Though Derek may come by and say "well then how can you do a
hard reset on only one of them?" Take an
ETC Revolution, it requires 900W per
fixture, so there is no reason I can't put 2 on one 20A
circuit.
I would never
two-fer a moving light. I think thats common sence.... especially considering you can
daisy chain a lot of the modles out there.
See above on 2fering. Daisy chaining is different in that it refers to data and not
power. You can
daisy chain up to 32 devices (theoretically) on one uninterrupted/unamplified
DMX line. I have yet to hit that device maximum, so I have no idea if it is true. As far as I know there are no devices that allow daisy chaining of
power.
The reason I want to mess with this stuff now is because this is what I want to do for a living. I want to go to college and Major in Tech
Theatre. The reason I ask my questions is because I dont know and I want to learn.
This is a perfectly good reason, and you should grab at any opportunity you have to start learning this stuff. If you have the budget to do it, dive in! We are here to help, so keep asking questions!