dmx lighting

[born2rave 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif hi peeps been doin this mobile thing for bout a year, not made any money yet as i keep upgrading my kit, but now i got a reasonable sound its time to work on the lighting, been reading a lot on dmx, but what i need 2 know, is it worth the money and how easy is it to set up http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/huh.gif would also welcome any info on what is considered an acceptable size of amps/speakers etc for a one man band, currently have 1100w dare amp with vs400 spks it gives me 370w per ch at 8ohms, so i guess what im askin is, would u seasoned jocks consider this acceptable, in fact any info for a novice would b welcome http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[paula 0]

Hi B2r and welcome

Cant advise you on dmx lighting I'm afraid but the boys will be round later to advise you, what I am intrested in is this.......

 

QUOTE

keep upgrading my kit, but now i got a reasonable sound its time to work on the lighting

 

 

 

What sound did you have before say you went and bought Dare? and what do you actually think of them?

I posted a couple of weeks ago but no one has used/got them so therefore could not advise, I actually went off the forum and to other DJ's for an opinion and they seemed to be allright http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Are you London based?

Edited June 28, 2004 by paula

[RobbieD 0]

Welcome Mr Rave http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif

 

QUOTE (born2rave @ Jun 28 2004, 03:14 PM)

dmx lighting, is it worth the money

In a word, Yes!

 

The main advantage of DMX is that you can control the lights.

 

Non-DMX effects are either on or off. So you may chose a few effects to create different moods – ie a fast spinning effect for a high energy atmosphere, a slow scanning effect for slow dances, and something in between.

 

With DMX you can produce these moods from one effect with a controller. You can make an effect dance about wildly, or slowly scroll through colours whilst stationary.

 

The second advantage is synchronisation. Multiple effects, can change colour and move together. Or they can produce complementary colours.

 

The third advantage is simplicity of set up. No switching boxes and multiple mains cables are needed. Just plug each effect in to the mains, and daisy-chain the DMX cable from effect to effect.

 

However, if you have yet to break even, I would recommend sticking with your existing lighting for now, until you start making a profit. It’s very easy to get upgrade-itis, and take your eye off of what is really makes a difference to your success. I believe that lighting is the least important aspect of a disco (after music, DJ experience, customer service and sound quality).

 

As for your question on amps/speakers for a one man band, it depends on the size/capacity of the venue (small pub or the town hall) volume required (back ground, loud, or concert level) and the type of instruments (just vocals and acoustic guitar, or keyboards/drum machine).

 

Paula,

 

I have heard Dare speakers in a club and was quite impressesd.

Edited June 28, 2004 by RobbieD

[C.S 0]

Hi and welcome to the forum,hope you get the help and advice you need http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[paula 0]

That Robbie would of been the Dare Eclipse! I think, me heard them too http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[YourBigEvent 0]

Agree with everything Robbie has said, it looks better if when the Celine Dion is on, the lights aren't 'dancing' to Paranoid by Black Sabbath. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[Tonsk 0]

Just checking my understanding, but I have two Chameleon 4s, by Constella and three Galactic Moons, from Abstract..

 

Does this mean I would need two DMX controllers as the Chameleons and Galactics work differently?

 

Or would one work on both?

[born2rave 0]

nice to get some quick replies i agree with the comment about lights being secondary to performance and entertainment, but it took me a while to get the sound right and i guess lights are the nxt logical step but i guess they can wait a while, i only asked cos someone i know is selling one of them soundlab starter kits as new cond for £250 which i been told is a good price. as 2 the dare amp/speakers i had spks 1st & my original amp was a s/lab sp500 givin out 175w @ 8ohms found i was "underdriving" if there is such a word, so bought the matching amp, and the sound is now superb compared to original setup, bass is really kickin, so if u want good sound at midrange price i guess pretty hard to beat, im based in st helens, not exactly disco capital of the world, but im doin my best http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif im goin 2 a club on thurs night supposed to have a lot of this dmx stuff so will have a better idea wot they look like, will let all u nice people know what i decide, & thanx again 4 advice

[Mikeh 0]

Hey

 

As long as they work of the same type of DMX cable then one controller can run them both. There are two types of DMX cable one being 2-pin and the other having 5-pins, most of the NJD lights now use 5-pin cable which I cant get hold of to save my life? chris did you get my PM about this cable?

 

 

Regards

Mike

[RobbieD 0]

QUOTE (Tonsk @ Jun 28 2004, 07:48 PM)

Just checking my understanding, but I have two Chameleon 4s, by Constella and three Galactic Moons, from Abstract.. Does this mean I would need two DMX controllers as the Chameleons and Galactics work differently? Or would one work on both?

Hi Tonsk,

 

I use an Abstract controller to control Abstract lights. It has buttons for each colour and works well with the Abstract effects. It would control DMX lights from any manufacturer, but different manufacturers use different DMX values for different colours (and beam positions). So, although the colour buttons would control your Constella lights, they may produce different colours, or even move the beams instead. The Abstract controller also has a strobe button, which again may not produce a strobe effect on other brands.

 

A generic DMX controller will also operate any brand, but won’t have brand specific buttons for colours or effects. Instead you will need to program effects them with the correct DMX values, or select them from a slider. If mixing brands, it will take a bit more programming to get them to synchronise.

 

Paula,

 

So it’s a different Dare? Or a different range of speakers from the same company?

[paula 0]

Robbie http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif Same manufacturer different model, I'm sure that it was Eclipse and they have a Dr something range that are both used for installs.

 

Thanks for replying B2R http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

I used to use a DMX Controller, but found it more hassle then it was worth. I was often too busy worrying about keeping the dancefloor full and chatting to the audience than playing the Piano on the DMX unit!.

 

Another point to consider is the patience needed to program each scene or step of a program into the DMX controller, in other words yes you can write your own programs, but people don't realise the effort needed to do this.

 

DMX was originally designed for use in Stage Applications and with large touring bands where 100's of lighting fixtures were used. As such DMX needs a working knowledge (or the keen interest to learn) how DMX is configured and how to write programs. It is a professional protocol, and does need a bit of effort on the part of the programmer. I know lots of people who buy a DMX controller, who have been misled into thinking that they can simply switch it on, and have access to 100's of custom pre-written programs which will instantly work their lighting effects from 4 manufacturers, simultaneously. This is not the case.

 

I still think DMX for just 4, 5 or 6 lighting effects is overkill. Simply buying and linking the same effect in Master - Slave is perfectly adequate for most D.J's. It's not like we are covering Glastonbury http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . I've used 4 Datamoons linked, I've also seen Andy's rig working with 6 Chameleons and from an audience prospective both configurations were pretty impressive - no DMX controller required.

 

If you do need something to switch between Slow and fast modes, then most popular effects have a basic handheld controller dedicated to that particular range. This will allow you to toggle between Slow and Fast Programs, and even select or cancel the strobe shutter. A black out effect, also comes as standard. No DMX Knowledge or programming required - just plug'n'play!.

 

Personally, for slow tracks I kill the main effects, an just leave a Chill out effect such as the Abyss, or two dimmed Colour Changers slowly colour scrolling.

 

In short if you wish to use DMX, then spend a bit of time investigating how it works. 7 out of 10 people who buy controllers from me, are in touch within 48 hours, asking how to get it working http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif .

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

There are two types of DMX cable one being 2-pin and the other having 5-pins, most of the NJD lights now use 5-pin cable which I cant get hold of to save my life? chris did you get my PM about this cable?

 

Tut!, what would you do without me huh! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif . Luckily I can sort this out!.

 

[Tonsk 0]

Thanks for the replies!!

 

I don't really wanna spend ages playing and making routines, specially as most of the gigs I do are weddings where no one really cares as long as they flash...

 

I fancied using them during the slow bits etc as well as the flashy party bits but it doesn't really matter...

 

I would like to get an Abyss and probably will, but when funds are better....

 

QUOTE

If you do need something to switch between Slow and fast modes, then most popular effects have a basic handheld controller dedicated to that particular range. This will allow you to toggle between Slow and Fast Programs, and even select or cancel the strobe shutter. A black out effect, also comes as standard. No DMX Knowledge or programming required - just plug'n'play!.

 

These sound cool? Can you get one of these Chris for the lights I have? Constella and Abstract?

 

Also does anyone know the Dip switch settings to put my Chams and Galactic Moons on Master/Slave?

 

I got them from eBay with no instructions... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

[RobbieD 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Jun 29 2004, 08:27 AM)

Another point to consider is the patience needed to program each scene or step of a program into the DMX controller, in other words yes you can write your own programs, but people don't realise the effort needed to do this. ... 7 out of 10 people who buy controllers from me, are in touch within 48 hours, asking how to get it working  http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif .

The advantage of a brand specific controller is that it is already pre-programmed for their effects. So I have never had to program my controller, although it does have the facility to program. It also has simple controls like strobe, a speed knob and an auto mode that runs through different programs. (It's this one by the way.)

 

90% of the time I leave it on auto and may stab the strobe button on a drum fill or durring a break. The only other time I touch when I need to creat "mood" lighting - slow dances or early evening. And if it's not a wedding or corporate function, I don’t even plug it in – just let the lights run master/slave on their built-in programs.

 

Tonsk,

 

Abstract also do a simple Mini controller.

 

[High Fidelity 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif Welcome born2rave

 

Nothing wrong with St. Helens, you're only about 6 miles from me.

 

2 other things in common. Youre birthday 3rd Sept in the 50's. Mine 23rd Sept in the 50's. You can't beat the good old Northerners.

 

You've done the right thing getting the sound right first.

 

As for DMX lights. I have 2 DMX lights linked together. I have looked at getting a DMX controller but then decided I have more important things to do when gigging than operate a lighting controller.

 

Hope you enjoy you're time here.

 

[chrismk 0]

As Chris say ' I still think DMX for just 4, 5 or 6 lighting effects is overkill. Simply buying and linking the same effect in Master - Slave is perfectly adequate for most D.J's. It's not like we are covering Glastonbury'

 

And I agree 100%, I bought 2 Spinmaster 1s and linked them together, more than

that Im afraid is overkill, I looked hard and deep into this whole DMX thing, even

borrowed a 'Botex unit' and after about 3 hrs fiddling about trying to get a

selection of scenes running I tossed the idea and infact linking them together gave

better results with their own built in programs, Im sure this will apply to most DMX

controllerable lights if daisey chained (I might be wrong on other makes).

 

I feel investing in a good laser system would be a better alternative if one wants

to impress, lasers always do, unlike lighting is just another light is just another light

 

Just my thoughts, there again I could be wrong

Cheers

[thorpe_fan 0]

Hi.

 

Yeh, Dmx lighting can look very cool and good, but for most DJ's its unnecessary. I personally only buy DMX controllable lighting as its used for many other purposes - this saturday i'm lighting a band, having S2L just wouldn't be practical. I'm borrowing a dmx board for it, tho I do have my own. I'm just using more DMX equipment this time than I like running on my own board.

 

So yeh, I agree, for DJ's its uneccessary (DMX that is... for goodness sake link lights if possible!!), but If you can afford them and will use them for other reasons then its worth it.

[DJPLEASURE 0]

DMX are definately better effects, as for controller, not an essential item, but as mentioned above, you dont want lights dancing around hyper on a slow song.

On the other hand, if you have barrel effects I would definately recommend a controller, or at least a switch so you can turn them off, or set them to slow scan/colour change