Hello everyone! New to CB and needing some help with Unison Legacy Dimmer.

[sclausenETC]

I'll just point out: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl-Ao0hIFwH8FM5QMqiN0z8baMcqAQLmC which is a link to the ETC Video Library Cobalt Tutorials playlist (these show the Cobalt hardware, but the Congo jr and Kid are very close for basic operation and the software is exactly the same.) We have a lot of other playlists on our channel. Taking a little time to learn how a lighting console, with dedicated hardware designed to be used to light stuff, is worth the effort. We also provide the software versions of our consoles, but if you have the hardware already...

Thanks -

Sarah

 

[Noah Kimmel]

Thank you for sharing your setup! I looked up some of the Jands stuff which is nice! unfortunately we're not in a spot to get whole new setup. But does your Jands setup have the capability to receive midi input? i'm curious about that.

Sorry for the late reply, but the Jands setup has the capability to recieve MIDI input, I have not used it as it is too complicated for what we do, but I have used the timecode with the internal timeclock and it has worked exceptionally well

 

[JonathanHarpur]

Having the skills to replace a console and use a dongle and widget is definitely handy in case of catastrophic failure - which happens on every platform - but there's definitely nothing like having a console when you're running things, especially if you find yourself in a situation where things change, as they often do, at the last minute. And I'd rather have a noob behind a console, where functionality is limited by design to the purpose for which it's intended, than behind a computer where they could get into who knows what instead of doing what they're supposed to. It's easier to troubleshoot remotely as well.

(There comes to mind a story involving, without naming and shaming, a crucial end-of-show blackout which did not occur because of the onset of a swath of surprise porn pop-ups. But you know, missing cues because you're off playing solitaire in the background is just the same to the audience ...as long as the audio's off.)

So, yeah: a console, every time. (Also: it's sometimes quite important to tour with your own gear.)

All that said, my current favourite low-cost option is the MA2 command wing, and a laptop with MA2 onPC (free software, a variety of proprietary gear - like the aforementioned wing - needed for activation though). Excellent software, lots of functions, very wow.

 

[KonvergeEntertainmentLLC]

Hi there Zack,

My recommendation for DMX software:
-Enttec openDMX ethernet (is art-net, but the openDMX USB would be fine also)
-Enttec makes a great program called D-Pro. You can create shows, palettes, cue lists, etc. Is great for running luve stuff. It really works like a real console (has a command line, patch, all that good stuff).
-QLC Plus- great for quick checks, diagnosing issues and such but not so great (or reliable, for that matter) to run a show from.

Heres my take on lightkey. I used the trial for a little while and thought pretty well of it. So I bought the 512 channel license. Next thing I know (after spending hours making profiles for my moving lights and LEDs) whenever I would select a new gobo, it would keep the old one on and the whole program would freeze up (was running on a brand new MacBook pro). This was after it took me forever to get my interface to work with the program. I got in touch with the tech support and really didn't get anywhere with them. I ended up just getting a refund. I don;t mean to bash it, never used with conventionals but just sharing my experience.

You said you have 44 conventionals. Do you have any movers are have any prospects of purchasing some?

PS- let me know if you end up ditching your congo... I MAY be in the prospect of buying one

Dude i know exactly what u mean with Lightkey. im going thru the exact same issue with that program as you mentioned. Its so frustrating and im ready to rip my hair out. i already have emailed the company complaining to the fullest about it! glad im not the only one