sound and light

[derick]

Hi all,

I am trying to get lightning software to be triggered by SCS via midiyoke on the same pc.
So far it does not work, probably because the lightning software (Magicq from Chamsys) looses focus.
Has anybody tried this with success on other software (preferable free ware)?

I am working on a low budget show with very few light cues, but many sound cues and want to run it with one operator, so if there exist a lightning software that can run simultaneously with SCS, i will be a happy man.

My setup is a fast HP laptop with Windows XP, a Motu 828 firewire interface and a Enttec pro DMX usb interface

[Theatre III Sound]

I don't know about MagicQ, but you can certainly trigger light cues from SCS with LightFactory via MIDI (or telnet). LightFactory is not free, though, and you need SCS Pro Plus in order to use the telnet link. Regardless of the software used, I wouldn't recommend running SCS and the lighting software on the same PC.

[derick]

Bruce,

I already read your former post on Lightfactory, but i want it really on one pc (should not be a problem as SCS uses the firewire bus and the light software uses USB), I don't want to travel with more than one suitcase anymore
Triggering is not a problem with any kight program but they have to be able to running in the background.

If SCS would be capable to send basic DMX in the near future it would solve my problem (show go's on the road end February)
In the mean time if you are sure Lightfactory can run in the background, paying for it is not a huge problem.

I looked at Venue Magic (that program can run sound and light cue's together) but i loose too much features for sound with it.

@ Mike,
Is there a possibility SCS 11 will have basic DMX send functionality, and if yes, do you have a release date for that ?

[Mike Daniell]

@ Mike,
Is there a possibility SCS 11 will have basic DMX send functionality, and if yes, do you have a release date for that ?

I've done some preliminary work on DMX send. What DMX interface would you plan to use? An Enttec USB device or Enttec Ethergate?

[derick]

Hi Mike,

I use the Enttec pro USB ( the one you already set the driver in a previous version of SCS 11 beta)
I don't need much functionality, it is only for conventional light, so DMX channels on/off and fade will do the job (cross fade can be done with several cue's in auto start mode)
A channel soft patch panel would be nice, but i know that is almost impossible with SCS, so i can always hard patch in the theater.
I think it would be a great upgrade if SCS can send basic DMX as the financial situation for many little company's can't afford to pay 2 operators anymore

[Mike Daniell]

Fades are the major reason for not having implemented DMX send before, in that multiple DMX value changes need to be sent over a relatively short period of time. That is, unless the fades are pre-programmed into the lighting board and you just need a DMX value change to activate the fade.

DMX send is planned for SCS 11 but I doubt that it will be ready for a February show.

[Theatre III Sound]

In the mean time if you are sure Lightfactory can run in the background, paying for it is not a huge problem.

I just confirmed that LightFactory running in the background can be triggered from SCS running in the foreground via telnet on the same PC. While I didn't try it, a MIDI message between SCS and LightFactory via midiyoke or loopbe should work also.

Here's what I set up in the two programs to demonstrate interoperability:

LightFactory: Enabled Telnet under the "System Settings" tab of "System Properties" with the default port number of 3100.

SCS: In "Telnet Control" tab of "Permanent Options", chose SCS as Telnet Client, "Remote Host" as 127.0.0.1 (localhost) and "Remote Port" as 3100.
Added a Control Send Cue with "Message Type" as Telnet, "Entry Mode" as ASCII, "Add CR..." checked, and "Telnet Message" as Cue Go.

Whenever the above Control Send Cue is executed in SCS, LightFactory would execute the next cue in the primary cue runner (Cue List editor).

[derick]

Mike & Bruce,

Thanks for the update, i am a lot further now.
I will give Lightfactory a try with midiyoke

Derick

[Jeroen Wuyts]

MagicQ Chamsys will only accept midi commands entered by their own midi in/out box!!
It also unlocks the software so you can use all universes, the Iphone/Android remote, ...
J

[derick]

Dag Jeroen,

I know it only takes midi with the proprietary device.
But i use it on a dedicated pc with touchscreen and running midiyoke and Bome's miditranslator (translate midi in to keystroke's)in the background, so i am even able to use my Iphone to command it (touchmidi app)

[russhart]

I recently run a Christmas Carols night in which I used SCS to play the video files of the carols with the music and words showing up on a screen for the public to sing along with, then also used midi to trigger a second computer which was running DMXControl for the attached light show (DMXControl is free by the way). I haven't tried it on the same computer, but I would say that DMXControl would run in the background without a problem.
The beauty of DMXControl is that I could set up a different lighting cue file for each carol, which you can then call via midi at the start and then use a another midi command to then scroll (trigger) the next cue in the list as you wish. That way you could have different cue lists for the different items and if the order gets changed, you don't need to reprogram the lighting software. In my case with the carols, because I needed to sync with the music, I created a midi file for each carol that played along with the music/video that sent the changes.
It was a case of once I got the show started, I could sit out in the park with the public and enjoy the night as well.

[derick]

I looked at DMX controll, but it seems that Enttec pro is not supported, i do have another (open DMX) dongle to test it.
I will download it and give it a try, looks like a very sophisticated program as i am used to basic theatrical light boards (ADB Mentor)

Btw, i can't sit in the park to enjoy a show, it is cold and wet here