Which PC-Based Lighting Control?

[NewLightingGuy]

I'm relatively new to the realm of lighting. Our church is currently in the process of purchasing new land and building a brand new building. Recently, I've run some shows for conferences and special services at the church and the pastoral staff liked the effects. I've used a Zero88 Fat Frog console so far and the fixtures have all been Robe (both scanners and the intelligent lights) as well as LEDs for backwash. So far, they loved the LED backwash and the intelligent lighting fixtures. Our sanctuary is about 600 seats so I found that using 4 or 8 moving heads was more than enough. I believe that 250s would be good but of course 575s would be great. I'm looking for some help, used fixtures, controllers etc...whatever you can do. Right now I'm have 12 pars and 2 sound activated disco balls...that's it. Our worship services are more of a youth rockish type atmosphere as well.

I've looked at LightFactory and it seems relatively simple to use. I'm hoping that I can get some advice on which software is both easy to train others to use as well as good for running live shows. I understand a console is much better to run a live show with but I'm hoping to purchase a Jands Vista T2 for the new building. For now, keeping costs to a minimum (4 Grand or less) what's the best possible way to continue?

[waynehoskins]

Wow, you can't even get an Express 2448 for $4k. Not that I'd recommend it for working with movers, but you get the idea.

I think there's Hog PC as well .. no clue on cost, and I've never driven it.

Especially something easy-to-use (like Emphasis is supposed to be but isn't) isn't likely to be cheap.

I think I'd push for a physical console myself.

[theatre4jc]

4 Grand to purchase lights and console? Wow not much. check out solarisnetwork.com They sell used gear. The only way to get anything near your price range that has any quality to it is used. I'd stray from Ebay. Check out Elation gear as well. Not high quality by any means but the light is great quality for the price. notice I said for the price. Also computer based programs can be annoying to use for programing. I hate them. I would recommend Lightjocky by Martin or the Hog PC. google them. IMO they are the best programs out. I've used a few others but not all.

Also be careful to purchase a water based hazer. doesn't leave a residue on your bands equipment and is a little easier on the body. If you use haze for a services prepare for complaints.

[NewLightingGuy]

Believe me, I've tried. The company I rent the gear off wanted about 6Gs for the stuff and I got a no. We're also very limited with space which is why the PC solution seemed the best. I've come to the point where I know that they won't spring for a physical console but I believe they may be interested in something PC based if I can manage to keep the costs down. Basically, I need to know if running a live show from a PC is worth the additional hassle or if anyone has a used controller they'd like to sell, hook me up

[NewLightingGuy]

I had already settled on used...just not sure about the whole PC thing. It was there suggestion and I'm not a fan of it, but if I have to do it to get rid of the ugly sound activated disco balls, I will. I'd only be using light haze for services and I have 4 clean air fans that can evacuate the sanctuary very quickly. Definitely want a water based hazer tho. I've used oil once before and hated it.

[jongriffin]

Since you're looking at going to a Vista T2, have you looked at the PC-version of Vista? You can buy how many channels you need and it runs the same software as the T2/T4. You can add wings as you get funds and then once you get the T2, it's just a straight swap across the board.

You can start with as little as a 128ch. dongle and add an M1 for faders or go to an S1 for a little more flexibility.

Some other options that most people miss:

ETC Smartfade ML
ETC Ion (scalable)
Zero 88 Jester ML (similar to the OLD Frog series)
Hog3PC (add wings as needed)

Hope that helps....

[Gracetech]

I use LightFactory almost exclusively now. I tried them out a couple of years ago and just got hooked and it just gets better with every update. The thing i like is it can be dumbed down for volunteers to just push buttons. You can even add on wings to get tactile control. The Hog PC would be my next choice and what makes it stand out is it's rotary encoder wing which speeds up building shows. I prefer rotary encoders to faders but that's just me. The ease of usability is not as great as LightFactorys but it isn't super difficult.

I absolutely think LightFactory is a steal for the price and the feature set keeps growing and growing.

crt

[james tucker]

Originally Posted by Gracetech

I use LightFactory almost exclusively now. I tried them out a couple of years ago and just got hooked and it just gets better with every update. The thing i like is it can be dumbed down for volunteers to just push buttons. You can even add on wings to get tactile control. The Hog PC would be my next choice and what makes it stand out is it's rotary encoder wing which speeds up building shows. I prefer rotary encoders to faders but that's just me. The ease of usability is not as great as LightFactorys but it isn't super difficult.

I absolutely think LightFactory is a steal for the price and the feature set keeps growing and growing.

crt

Wow dude, you are starting to convert an old Light Jockey user..... LightFactory actually has how to videos on their website.....

Are you using Lightfactory for just your moving lights (with your conventionals on a separate console) or you controlling everything with the software? Also, are you using any form of external controller for running your shows?

[Gracetech]

Originally Posted by james tucker

Are you using Lightfactory for just your moving lights (with your conventionals on a separate console) or you controlling everything with the software? Also, are you using any form of external controller for running your shows?

I use light factory in many different venues for many different things. I've used it for strictly conventional fixtures which it works well as and even a mixing of conventional and intelligent fixtures. Then if you can afford a LED wall LF has a LED matrix engine. I do use the playback wing from Enttec in a couple of venues and it really helps. I just hope at some time the make an encoder wheel wing but really seeing everything in the software really makes it fast and easy to program your show. If you work a venue a lot you can setup a visualiser on your laptop and design a show before you even get to the venue.

crt

[enlighten]

A fairly new addition to the market is the Enlighten Controller. It is pc based designed specifically for the church and house of worship market. Mega-Lite Distributes it, they can be found at mega-lite . com
good luck in your search

[tcahall]

If you are on a budget and looking for first class control, you have to check out MagicQ from Chamsys. They have put the software version of their console out for free. Add an Enttec Pro USB to DMX converter and you are in business. The software is similar to a Hog II and will do anything you can do with a main stream console. Also, you can upgrade to a hardware console with no retraining.

Of course, it is a full blown console, so there will be a little bit of a training issue to get started, but it is worth the time invested.

Tim.

[Esoteric]

Chamsys MagicQ and Enttec on a budget.

I can't mention prices, but any real console worth having is going to be out of your budget at $4k.

Avoid the Smartfade Series. Overpriced DJ console.

Stay away from Solaris. Also stay away from Gear Source unless you go through a professional resaler. Too much junk out there gets pawned off on churches.

Mike