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cheap USB DMX interface

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MattStolton View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MattStolton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 12:32pm
Originally posted by odc04r odc04r wrote:

You have to ask the question of how powerful software needs to be to push DMX data down a USB port anyway. It is hardly the cutting edge of serial protocols. I'd beware of a lighting s/w that needed a fast PC because it probably means it is badly coded or full of bloat!
I am of the belief that DMX is just a bastardised RS485? Up to Base10T speeds, or up to 1200m.

Hardly new, and probably why it is as robust as it is. Yeah ARTnet or whatever is the current "language du jour" or transport, will be better, but for RGB cans or basic waggly mirrors/buckets, jobs a good'un.

RS485 is a 1980's vintage?....W95 should be able to push that with enough Baud rate to keep up with my "Skytronic special" flashers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mk2_ginger_biscuit69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 1:22pm
Originally posted by MattStolton MattStolton wrote:

basic waggly mirrors/buckets



LOL most apt description ive heard for a while!


''Remember that the object of a subwoofer is to enhance the output of your main speakers, not overpower it''

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MattStolton View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MattStolton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 1:45pm
I am a sound engineer (DL), i.e who "does lights".

I am not going to be able to tell you whether a Clay Paky is better than a Martin or a Robe, but I could plumb it up, RTFM for the personality, or load into memory of desk, and make some light come out.

If your very lucky, I may be able to wang in some colour and gobo, maybe even use a pre-built movement. If it has a prism, woo-hoo!

Or just go "sound-to-light-from-built-in-program"....Used to love the Abstract stuff, their built in programs, and the judicious use of dipswitch 10, meant you got a pretty comprehensive show, no matter what you cobbled together to make it up. As long as you had pairs of whatever, the CE64 controller was a joy, if simple.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote odc04r Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 2:02pm
Originally posted by MattStolton MattStolton wrote:

Originally posted by odc04r odc04r wrote:

You have to ask the question of how powerful software needs to be to push DMX data down a USB port anyway. It is hardly the cutting edge of serial protocols. I'd beware of a lighting s/w that needed a fast PC because it probably means it is badly coded or full of bloat!
I am of the belief that DMX is just a bastardised RS485? Up to Base10T speeds, or up to 1200m.

Hardly new, and probably why it is as robust as it is. Yeah ARTnet or whatever is the current "language du jour" or transport, will be better, but for RGB cans or basic waggly mirrors/buckets, jobs a good'un.

RS485 is a 1980's vintage?....W95 should be able to push that with enough Baud rate to keep up with my "Skytronic special" flashers.


Yup that's what it is, and if it is still good enough for industrial control all round the globe it's still good enough for lighting. Nice and easy to troubleshoot when things go titty up compared to ethernet etc.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote James Tengo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 5:18pm
In the touring world we tend to run ArtNet / SACN from Foh to dimmers, but still run dmx from dimmers to fixtures, unless they are a ridiculous channel count in which case ether all the way to the fixtures. Good ether cable is not cheap at all, where as good dmx cable is cheap. Add in the cost of ethercon joiners and you'll soon work out why.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MattStolton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 5:28pm
Originally posted by James Tengo James Tengo wrote:

In the touring world we tend to run ArtNet / SACN from Foh to dimmers...
I guess with a ring of networking infrastructure you can build in redundancy, albeit at the cost of a few extra hops. So for long vulnerable runs, no brainer. Equally, worst case, "DMX" could be buzzed into the audio network, if planned with appropriate subnets and IP addresses. Gigabit is plenty for everything, except obscene amounts of HD or 4K video...

But yes, decent cat and ethercons are not cheap. And worst case short lengths of mic cable will get you out of trouble...Always carry plenty of 3:5 or 5:3 adaptors...Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote James Tengo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 February 2017 at 7:14pm
It's more that as shows get bigger, with more universes in play, with added control over video servers and massive pixel counts the desks don't have enough physical dmx outs (generally still 4 or 8 maximum) to run the rigs, and in festival situations handing one ether cable to your visiting LD's is so much more pro. We rarely run ring architecture, but have backup lines plugged into a switch at dimmers, so if there is an issue with a Foh run it's one place to swap a cable. We have some fancy switches that have ArtNet routing (physical) switches that means you can have multiple desks connected to the network but only the one selected passes data, whilst maintaining network connectivity. Currently on the Bonobo tour, with a 4 universe floor package, and two universes of media server control, going into venues that have 4 universes of house rig, so ArtNet is the only sensible option. Last Placebo arena tour (the 3 months leading up to Christmas) was 22 universes... Sound guys don't like lugging old school copper cores, and neither would I for that sort of universe count!

As for 3>5's and 5>3's, so many fixtures carry both that these days I've got a stash of about 20 sets in my tour box, but hardly ever need to reach for them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mk2_ginger_biscuit69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 February 2017 at 1:42am
yeah, i run a universe per fixture in the village hall, maximises redundancy and unlocks the full potential of my 8channel LED plastic lunchboxes [they are that flimsy]......... or not Cool. Still, id like to think my comical little setup has more potential and power than any 'desk' you could pickup for anywhere near £100, AND it has an itunes playlist full of disco classics for when everything goes tits up Clap

22 universes, thats mind boggling. Thats a LOT of channels, and a LOT of stuff going on.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote norty303 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 February 2017 at 5:14pm
Originally posted by James James wrote:

but still run dmx from dimmers to fixtures


Am I misunderstanding your use of the word dimmers here James?

To me its DMX to dimmers, power from dimmers to fixtures
My laser stuff: Frikkin Lasers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote James Tengo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 February 2017 at 7:48pm
Ahh. In my world Dimmers = Location, not a piece of kit. So artnet from FOH to Dimmers (side of stage) where your power distro and data racks live (and dimmers, yeah?) and then dmx from Dimmers (Location) to fixtures

Edit to add - rarely actually have a dimmer rack in "Dimmers" these days, especially with the dmx blinders we stock nowadays. 


Edited by James Tengo - 28 February 2017 at 7:55pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kedwardsleisure Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 March 2017 at 1:12pm
an old strand ACT6 is plenty in a village hall.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote norty303 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 March 2017 at 5:32pm
Originally posted by James James wrote:

Ahh. In my world Dimmers = Location, not a piece of kit.


Ah, that was always 'Dimmerworld' to me
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