Good afternoon all!
When I joined several weeks ago and posted in the new members forum I mentioned I'm interested in getting into lighting design and control. I'm physically disabled and don't have very extensive use of my arms, so consequently I am very reliant on computer-based systems for any kind of professional need in my life. The technology has evolved to a point in the last decade or so where I am confident that I can program and run a show solely off of a computer with a DMX interface. I've been playing around with Chauvet's ShowXpress software and it's good for getting used to the concepts of programming DMX lights, but it seems a bit limited in terms of being able to independently adjust parameters without affecting every channel in terms of controlling things like movement speed and creating movements which can be used in multiple starting positions (not sure if I'm making sense here).
I'm wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions for other PC-based controllers that allow on the fly control in a live setting as my main interest is lighting for music, especially acts which incorporate a great deal of improvisation. I'm going to continue to play around with ShowXpress as it works with a product that is within my price range for when I decide to start building my own rig. I am downloading MAOnPC but the lowest end hardware interface which will work with that is still $1900, which is a pretty sizable investment for someone who isn't sure he's even going to be able to do this professionally.
I welcome everyone's thoughts.
When I joined several weeks ago and posted in the new members forum I mentioned I'm interested in getting into lighting design and control. I'm physically disabled and don't have very extensive use of my arms, so consequently I am very reliant on computer-based systems for any kind of professional need in my life. The technology has evolved to a point in the last decade or so where I am confident that I can program and run a show solely off of a computer with a DMX interface. I've been playing around with Chauvet's ShowXpress software and it's good for getting used to the concepts of programming DMX lights, but it seems a bit limited in terms of being able to independently adjust parameters without affecting every channel in terms of controlling things like movement speed and creating movements which can be used in multiple starting positions (not sure if I'm making sense here).
I'm wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions for other PC-based controllers that allow on the fly control in a live setting as my main interest is lighting for music, especially acts which incorporate a great deal of improvisation. I'm going to continue to play around with ShowXpress as it works with a product that is within my price range for when I decide to start building my own rig. I am downloading MAOnPC but the lowest end hardware interface which will work with that is still $1900, which is a pretty sizable investment for someone who isn't sure he's even going to be able to do this professionally.
I welcome everyone's thoughts.