Looking for advice of DMX controllers

[timflynn84 0]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm fairly new to DMX, and basically I have two 4 channel DMX scanners, and I'm looking for a fairly simple controller to program simple shows with. I'm quite hands-on, so it would be nice to have one with a few buttons on, so I dont have to access things through pages and pages of LED numbers! (It just confuses me!)

 

Eventually I'm looking at getting 2 more effects to add to them, but generally I'm just looking to program no more than 4 units rather than a chain of 20!

 

But I haven't yet come across a controller that dosen't cost under 100 quid! They all seem to have hundreds of channels, etc. Many moons ago, I had a Soundlab Colourscan kit, and that had a simple, desk-style controller with it. I was looking for something similar (or that particular controller!) but can't seem to find anything.

 

I was wondering whether anybody here had any recommendations on what kind of thing to buy, so I don't over-estimate what I need and buy an expensive controller, where I won't use half the channels and features!

 

As always Chris, if you're able to get hold of a small controller, or even that simple Soundlab one, I'd be most grateful! :)

[norty303 0]

The one major failing of the Soundlab controllers is the sound sensor. It has no particular beat detection so all the time there is noise it just cycles through the steps at a very fast speed - unusable really and i always have to use the tempo tap function.

 

Spend some money on a decent desk, it'll pay back when sellup time comes, especially if you get a good second hand one off ebay. Other than that the Soundlab ones do waork well, but you generally won't get much better sequences than just letting the lights run themselves. It's only if you need specific things like being able to focus scanners on particular places like an act or DJ that it's worth going down that route

[MadGutts 0]

What make are your lights? and what do you do with them?

 

If you are using the Abstract range, they have there own controllers which are ideal for Disco use. Alternatively American DJ make some some controllers.

 

But if you want more control for band use, then either th Behringer DMX controller, or one of the Soundlab versions will do.

 

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

you will be wanting one of these....

 

 

STARVILL DMX

 

its cheeper than all the others and the same thing under the skin...

 

 

or for stage and band use the behringer unit

[DJ Dicky 0]

or one of these

 

Afterglow Slim

 

We have cased versions available for £75

Dicky

[timflynn84 0]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far - The two scanners are Skytec "DMX DJ Scan 250"s. I'll be adding two Datamoons to these next year.

 

The scanners dont have any sound activation, hence the need for a simple desk! So Im looking for one that will let me create a few different sequences that I can store.

 

 

 

 

[DJ Dicky 0]

The afterglow slim can be used with several pieces of software but DMXControl (free from our web site) is great for creating chases and has good sould to light and beat sync options

 

Dicky

[superstardeejay 0]

I agree with a previous post, get the best you can afford! It will be easier to program and is more likely to come with a proper english manual rather than one translated by a chinaman.

 

The world's your oyster with dmx controllers these days. Make sure it's 'generic' so it will work with any make of light, since buying a dedicated controller can make it hard or even impossible to use with anyone else's stuff. Typical examples of desk which wont easily adapt to other's lights are the NJD and Abstract.