Which PC-Based Lighting Control?

[enlighten]

Originally Posted by JeffM

I really like the way Enlighten looks but can't find much in support. I can't tell if it requires it's own USB to DMX converter or if something like openDMX from Enttec would work. I did try the software with my openDMX and it did show a DMX signal as soon as the software loads then the LED goes out and nothing I do in the software makes my interface work. If it does require their own interface I sure can't find how to get one. Anyone else messed with this software? I tried MagicQ, Freestyler and I just can't figure either one of those out. I can't find any tutorials for dummies on either one of those pieces.

You can find support information and Video Tutorials at the website enlightenpro.com.

[enlighten]

Originally Posted by enlighten

You can find support information and Video Tutorials at the website enlightenpro.com.

The unit does have its own propriatary usb interface and will not work with the Entech dongle.

[tcahall]

Before I went with enlightenpro, I think I would go with Freestyler. It's free, functional and a reasonably capable lighting console. Of course, it is nothing like MagicQ (or any of the other PC versions of pro consoles), but it will do an adequate job, is easy to learn and operate, supports moving lights and uses the Enttec dongle.

Tim.

[Esoteric]

Plus Tim if you wanted to switch to MagicQ your hardware isn't suddenly useless.

[tcahall]

...which, once you are comfortable putting together basic shows on Freestyler (or another Enttec compatible freebie) you are going to want to upgrade to a professional level controller, such as MagicQ.

Tim.

(good point Mike)

[jonathan.smith5]

We just started using Chamsys MagicQ on an old PC with the Enntec USB to DMX in our contemporary worship service two weeks ago...it's been amazing. After giving our youth a very quick how to, we let them loose and they can do everything from patch heads to create patterns with our scanners. All total it took the youth minister and I about 3 hours to learn Magic Q following through the manual and an online tutorial.

[Esoteric]

It looks very intimidating, but it really isn't and it is very robust and powerful. Plus what you learn on it can be taken to Hog and Avo consoles which have very similar syntax.

Mike

[tcahall]

The biggest challenge that I have found with new users on MagicQ is the initial screen. Most users try to view the software like another piece of windows software and they keep looking for the file, edit menu.

Once you realize that you are sitting in front of a software representation of a hardware console and everything represents a button, it flows pretty quickly. From that point, read the quick start guide and you are on your way.

Tim.

P.S. other console manufacturers could learn a lot from Chamsys.

[twj]

Can freestyler run in the background on the Easy Worship pc and during the service have Easy Worship fire pre-programmed cues?

[tcahall]

Tom,

I'm not sure, but they have a pretty solid support forum at http://www.freestylersupport.com/fsforum/

I would strongly recommend MagicQ for more serious applications, but Freestyler is a worthy competitor in the low end free software segment.

If I was trying to launch cues from Easy Worship (having never used Easy Worship!), I would start by setting up MagicQ on a separate PC connected via a serial cable and use the remote control via serial option in MagicQ (page 137 is my somewhat older print out of the manual). Basically, you can send a text string to a serial port and trigger specific cues. All you have to do is write a text string to the serial port from Easy Worship. This is supposed to work in the free version of MagicQ, but I have not tried it yet.

YIC

Tim.