Is There An Inexpensive USB Lighting Control Surface/Wing?

[chart]

We currently have an NSI 7008 with the DMX option, but I would like to experiment with a free computer based lighting solution (i.e., MagicQ, FreeStyler, DMXControl, etc.) and an Enttec open DMX USB device. We have all conventional lights and don't have the money to purchase moving lights anytime soon.

I've thought about getting a touch screen to control the computer based DMX software, but what I would really like is some type of inexpensive USB control surface/wing that would work with the computer based lighting software. I can't really afford any of the Enttec wings right now. Does somebody offer a generic/ACME USB wing/control surface that is cheaper than the Enttec ones?

One thing that I have run across is the Korg NanoKONTROL but I have no idea if this would send commands or interface with the lighting software in the proper fashion. Is anyone out there running any type of free DMX based lighting software with an inexpensive external control surface/wing?

I don't anticipate changing the overall lighting from week to week, but I would like to have the ability to re-call more pre-set light settings to be used during the service.

Chris

[james tucker]

I've been tinkering around with Chamsys and an Enttec open USB dongle - pretty cool...
If you haven't bought the dongle yet - its worth spending the extra $60 to get the "pro" version of the Enttec dongle. The pro dongle has built in frame buffering to make a stable DMX signal while the open-usb dongle depends on the CPU to make a stable DMX signal (if your CPU hiccups, your lights may hiccup). I hope I explained that correctly.


Freestyler supposedly can be used with a Behringer BCF2000 - never had the chance to play with it - chamsys can only be used with their dedicated wings.

After playing around a lot lately with the free software - I am the most happy with Chamsys. It programs like a hog and has lots of cool live features. For LED's you can make complex color macros for rainbows or single color chases super fast and easy.

Maybe someone will chime in and talk about lightfactory - which actully costs money and lets you use external consoles for control.

[Gracetech]

To add to your list of free PC lighting control software:
GrandMA
Hog 3PC
Of course I'm pretty sure you have to use their widgets and wings. Aslo to note that GrandMA doesn't have external wings.

Go to Enttec to get wings that will work with other software. Just a note that Enttec was built to work with LightFactory. I'm actually trying to figure out what system to go with right now and i thought i was going with Hog 3pc but i may give Chamsys a try. James do you know where a good resource is for getting pricing info on the Chamsys?

I wouldn't waste a second recommending LightFactory to anyone especially now that they have programing encoders. The reasons that i'm wanting to go with Hog 3PC is because the software is free which means i can have a backup machine sitting in the corner ready to go incase something happens. With LightFactory you have to Install the software and you get a grace period before you have to change over your licensing. That bugs me a bit but it's really the only thing that bugs me.

crt

[james tucker]

Martin Light Jockey is another "free" software, but like Hog PC, and the Grand MA you need their perephial dongles and if you have no cash, can get expensive. The beauty of ChamSys, is that you can use it with third party USB>DMX dongles or use their dedicated dongles - or buy their wings.

Their goal is to make you fall in love with their software and in turn buy their consoles and wings.

ChamSys website

A review of a Chamsys console in live design

The article that sold me on dowloading the software

An ebay search for ChamSys

I am yet to use this for a show. I want to buy the Enttec USB pro before I try to use it in real life. Ive toyed around with the Enttec Open USB - but the software doesn't seem to like it that much.... I have to force ChamSys to like the dongle. I did a search on the ChamSys forum and this is a known problem....

If I like ChamSys enough after using it with the USB pro dongle, is to find a touch screen to use with the software.

[Les]

Wow, I was just coming onto the forum to ask a very similar question!

I'm a crazy analog guy, probably second only to Wayne, so this whole PC/DMX stuff is a little out of my realm.

I've been reading the links provided and there is a lot of good info there. I think I'll be downloading the Chamsys software later tonight to play around with that.

So, you don't have to have a playback wing to operate? You can just hit cues straight from the PC?

Really the only thing I want to use it for is to control 4-6 HES Trackspots occasionally. I only own one but have access to a few more when we need them to do gigs. Up until now we avoid using them because their controller is a pain to use.

From what it sounds like this software/USB dongle config would be great for hitting preset cues for conventionals and the Trackspots as well.

[james tucker]

Yeah dude, I'll be primarily using it for 4-6 Trackspots as well. I want to try it in my sanctuary controlling my cybers and studio colors - as the free software has more moving light functions than our ETC Emphasis system.

You do not have to have wings to use ChamSys.... You will have a set of faders on screen that you can slide up and down with a mouse or touch screen. I don't know how familiar you are with the whole "playbacks" concept- but you can have 10 different cue stacks operating at once.

1 - trackspot intensity
2 - trackspot/led color looks (using split fade times to make the trackspots "snap" to the next color while adding a half section fade to make the scene changes not look to crazy)
3 - gobo looks
4 - static position cues (taken from my pallettes) (upstage, downstage, above crowd, back wall, etc)
5 - trackspot movement macros (using the fader as the speed control) (fig 8's, pan moves, tilt moves, etc)
6 - led color macros (scrolling rainbows, red/blue chases, etc)
7 - led intensity chases (simple 4 step chases, negative chases, etc)
8 - conventionals
9 - house lights?
10- fog/hazer control?

You can also use pallets on the fly or type in a fade time value before clicking the palette (IE to make the Trackspots go from center stage palette to above crowd palette: select your fixtures, type the number 5, then click your above crowd palette - your lights will fly up with a cool 5 second move....

Be sure to download the 170 page manual....

Anywhoo, thats my day....Sorry, folks I am in a forum posting mood....

[Gracetech]

I forgot to add ETC SmartSoft to the list of free. You can use SmartSoft with their SmartFade ML.

Seem like a trend to anyone? It's funny a buddy of mine asked be why i would want to install lighting software on a PC? He was floored when i told him all the Audio and Lighting consoles that where built off of Windows alone not to mention all the Linux consoles.

It's funny how things go. I'm now back to thinking i should go with LightFactory. I get stuck on the whole USB thing. i would rather have ever thing on the network so that if i want to move the Programing wing down to the stage to program in place i can. With USB i would have to take the entire cpu which wouldn't be that bad if it was a laptop i guess. Choice, choices....

crt

[chart]

GraceTech,

I don't know that the USB dongle would be a huge issue. If you already have network access down by your stage, you could simply setup VNC, or Remote Desktop back into your primary lighting PC and program while down by the stage. I guess it would require 2 computers or and extra laptop.

[BobM]

While discussing all the free pc bases lighting applications please don't forget the Vista. Last year we purchased a new console but what I used to evaluate the various products was the software. In my opinion the Vista is the easiest to learn and also to teach others to use.

[chart]

BobM,

Can you provide some links? Does it require that you purchase an external wing/control surface to use it? Will it work with the Enttec USB pro dongle? Will it work with a touch screen?

[Gracetech]

As i understand it the Vista software doesn't work outside of a console setup. You can check the software out but that's it.

@Chart
The deal with the Ethernet wings is so that i can program from the wing and not from the software interface. It's slow programing from any software interface. I need as many controls as possible to go through and change settings as quick as possible. I can't wait for multi-touch OSes to break through so i can finally quit relying on hardware for quick multi-control.

crt

[BobM]

Sorry for taking so long to get back.
Here's the correct information for you about the Vista
Vista will work with only a computer but you need to purchase their dongle to make it work. Cost is based on the number of dmx channels you want.
Just this last weekend Vista came out with a software upgrade and one of the features is that it will now let you use a touch screen.
There are several versions of Vista hardware currently available everything from the large T4 console to just the software and dongle package
The church I attend has a T2 which is a full console. You asked about external wings to make it work. You don't need them to make it work. Now having said that there are 2 hardware options available that allow your computer to be just the brains and you have physical faders etc. They are the S3 control surface and S1 control surface
You will want to check out the Vista App information which is at the bottom of the product page
Also if you have more questions I would suggest you join the discussion forums listed under support as they will be able to answer any of your questions better than I can
Here's the url that you need
www.jandsvista.com

Sorry for such a long post
Bob