[QLab] Enttec DMXIS with QLAB on a MAC
Marian
i am doing a Show and used Qlab for Sound and Video with no Problem.
I now want to add some Moving Heads Lighting to the Show that i need
to have in Sync with Music and Video - i am looking at
Enttec DMXIS and not sure if i could trigger the pre programmed
lighting
with a MIDI command from QLAB, anyone that has had/tried this
together ?
Thanks
Sören
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127 banks (call them scenes if you like)
127 presets (per bank)
Accessed via MIDI cues in Qlab using Midipatchbay (freeware) to make the
connections between Qlab & DMXIS internally on one Mac.
I'm working on a screen capture video that shows how to integrate the two
& set it up. I'll post a link as soon as I edit it.
The DMXIS software will run as a demo without purchasing the hardware /
software so you can play with it if you like.
I also own & use Light Factory 2 (PC only so far) which is a lot more
flexible in what it can do but for just triggering basic light cues
(including moving light control & the like) in order, I think DMXIS is
great.
If there are specific questions, I don't mind testing things out &
reporting back.
Once the video is posted somewhere I'll send a link to the list.
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AFAFR...@aol.com
Christopher Ashworth
On Jul 3, 2010, at 2:48 PM, AFAFR...@aol.com wrote:
> and got QLAP to send the MIDI Triggers to the DMXIS Software - works
> perfect
Great--glad you got it working!
> - only thing is that it is kind of diffecult to manage different presets -
> wish it would be like a "STORY LINE where i see the MUSIC as Wave File and
> just CLICK were i want to send a command.
Would the MIDI File cue help here, in conjunction with a program that is able to edit MIDI sequences? (i.e. you could edit a MIDI file in another program and then send it out via QLab.)
Best,
Chris
AFAFR...@aol.com
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a NOTE ON
Bank selection = MIDI channel 15 Note 0 thru 127
Preset selection = MIDI channel 16 Note 0 thru 127
For example,
bank 1 (call it whatever you like) = Midi channel 15 note ON 0 / C-2
Preset 1 (call it whatever you like in DMXIS) = Midi channel 16 note ON 0/C-2
I've made a spreadsheet that shows every combination if anyone is
interested in the future.
With this said, I guess there is no reason all of the cues couldn't be
built into a single Midi sequence instead of separate Qlab midi cues but
that would certainly limit your options post render.
I'm sure your aware of this but DMXIS can be integrated into any DAW
program & so IF you know that the music / sound track is FIXED, there
would be no reason you'd have to manually place the cues but instead just
do all the dirty work in DAW OF CHOICE & then play that midi file along
with the audio file.
If there is way to edit a midi sequence in Qlab, I guess it's all gravy.
*
On Sat, July 3, 2010 2:58 pm, Christopher Ashworth wrote:
> Hi Marian,
>
> On Jul 3, 2010, at 2:48 PM, AFAFR...@aol.com wrote:
>
>> and got QLAP to send the MIDI Triggers to the DMXIS Software - works
>> perfect
>
> Great--glad you got it working!
>
>> - only thing is that it is kind of diffecult to manage different presets
>> -
>> wish it would be like a "STORY LINE where i see the MUSIC as Wave File
>> and
>> just CLICK were i want to send a command.
>
> Would the MIDI File cue help here, in conjunction with a program that is
> able to edit MIDI sequences? (i.e. you could edit a MIDI file in another
> program and then send it out via QLab.)
*
If you already know how to do everything regarding set up, skip to the
last 3rd to see what commands do what.
Write back if you have questions.
*
http://www.rabyn.com/qlab/QlabDMXIS%20integration%20rough.mov
AFAFR...@aol.com
At it's fundamental, all you need to trigger a DMXIS light cue (preset) is
a NOTE ON
Bank selection = MIDI channel 15 Note 0 thru 127
Preset selection = MIDI channel 16 Note 0 thru 127
For example,
bank 1 (call it whatever you like) = Midi channel 15 note ON 0 / C-2
Preset 1 (call it whatever you like in DMXIS) = Midi channel 16 note ON 0/C-2
I've made a spreadsheet that shows every combination if anyone is
interested in the future.
With this said, I guess there is no reason all of the cues couldn't be
built into a single Midi sequence instead of separate Qlab midi cues but
that would certainly limit your options post render.
I'm sure your aware of this but DMXIS can be integrated into any DAW
program & so IF you know that the music / sound track is FIXED, there
would be no reason you'd have to manually place the cues but instead just
do all the dirty work in DAW OF CHOICE & then play that midi file along
with the audio file.
If there is way to edit a midi sequence in Qlab, I guess it's all gravy.
*
On Sat, July 3, 2010 2:58 pm, Christopher Ashworth wrote:
> Hi Marian,
>
> On Jul 3, 2010, at 2:48 PM, AFAFR...@aol.com wrote:
>
>> and got QLAP to send the MIDI Triggers to the DMXIS Software - works
>> perfect
>
> Great--glad you got it working!
>
>> - only thing is that it is kind of diffecult to manage different presets
>> -
>> wish it would be like a "STORY LINE where i see the MUSIC as Wave File
>> and
>> just CLICK were i want to send a command.
>
> Would the MIDI File cue help here, in conjunction with a program that is
> able to edit MIDI sequences? (i.e. you could edit a MIDI file in another
> program and then send it out via QLab.)
*
that you can control moving lights via X/Y coordinates in DMXIS just as
you would with a standard console / software package like LF2. What you
have to do is assign a group of channels to a fixture (pulled from the
fixture library). This locks out X number of control channels & then DMXIS
knows what does what with the color wheel & the motion & such.
So you should be able to do what you describe below but what is really
important to remember about DMXIS at all times is the product wasn't
developed to compete with a traditional light board / software package. It
was designed to allow people who need to control their own lighting &
those who are doing things in relation to songs.
For that DMXIS is probably a superior product & concept. I mean it can be
controlled via VST / AU plugin inside a DAW.
It has a foot switch . contact closure input (actually two via TRS) that
allows you to step forward & backward thru cues & also assign other
functions if you click slow versus fast & such. I haven't play with that
yet but maybe it could also act as a GO button for Qlab if there were some
integration between Qlab & Enttec. Maybe it's already possible via midi as
is.
So if someone said tomorrow, "I want to control lights in a theater in a
way that a typical LD would function..." I'd suggest LF2 every time. It's
possible that LF2 will be ported to OSX in the near future but for the
moment, only PC. What I can tell you is Martin (the software engineer for
LF) is like Chris but with a New Zealand accent. I've had him call me on
the weekend (long distance) to answer trouble shooting questions. Great
support. LF2 & Enttec hardware is going to run in the $500+ range.
DMXIS includes everything for a worst case cost of retail which I think is
around $259.
If you can program your lights, want a native OSX application, can deal
with the limitations of the interface versus the cool things that it
offers, it might be the perfect rig for some of us who want to do sound &
lights with the same computer.
There are some great tutorials that explain more about DMXIS that can be
found here:
http://www.enttec.com/index.php?main_menu=Products&pn=70570&show=videos
As I said before, if anyone has specific things they would like to know in
advance of purchasing a DMXIS rig, I'll do what I can to answer them after
testing it myself with Qlab.
You can email me on or offlist.
For those of you who are interested, here is a link to the raw screen
capture video I've already done. Terrible but it was my first try.
http://www.rabyn.com/qlab/QlabDMXIS%20integration%20rough.mov
I'll replace the video when I get a better take.
*
On Sat, July 3, 2010 6:25 pm, AFAFR...@aol.com wrote:
> yeah, got a very nice reply from the guys from QLAB also,
> i guess if you are not planing to change, the Midi sequence is a good
> option,
> but the cues are good too .
> What i am missing is basically a way to record a Move of a Movinghead,
> as an example, if the person stands on a x on stage and walks over to
> different
> mark - i would love to be able to record a "move" - but i guess with
> DMXIS it is not really possible -
>
> Besides that , i got the whole concept now - and i can work with that,
> also
> will get a SWITCHPACK cause i want to be able to switch some "limelights"
> on
> an off with qlab - and maybe i get an controller for my Fog machine also
> ,-)
>
> overall, this is a good deal - just have to see where i get a GOOD deal
> on
> the
> DMXIS - ebay dosent list any in germany or the US.
>
> Thanks for the exchange so far, you really helped me , where are you
> locaed in
> the world
> Marian
AFAFR...@aol.com
AFAFR...@aol.com
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that velocity can be ignored.
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On Sun, July 4, 2010 4:55 am, AFAFR...@aol.com wrote:
> does the VELOCITY setting make ANY difference when you send the command ?
Michele Cremaschi
one info needed before i buy DMXis too.
Could i patch in thw software each fader to different dimmer channel?
So that, when i arrive in a new theatre, i don't have to change
physical patch in the dimmer, but i simply do it in software?
thanks
michele
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There is apparently a way to "repatch" DMXIS via the macro function (which
is scriptable via python & some other language) but I don't think this is
something that is easy to do at this point. DMXIS was designed to be easy
to use by musicians who know nothing about light control & so to keep it
simple, DMXIS has avoided trying to be a lighting control package for
theater.
If you need theater type lighting control, Light Factory 2 & a cheap PC
laptop would be my first choice which I use & have in a few venues. Of
course a LF / Enttec rig is a lot more expensive than DMXIS on an existing
Mac but LF2 will allow for anything that you could want to do. Repatch is
just a spreadsheet under PATCH. Pretty much anything you could want to do
to control lights is there already & LF 2 only gets better each day.
Now some good news. If you DO purchase a DMXIS rig, it is my understanding
that the DMXIS hardware can work with LF2 (since it's really a custom
Enttec DMX to USB device) which might cost you $140+ by itself. So for
another $120, you get a native Mac light control application that might
get it thru until DMXIS Pro comes out or LF 2 ports to OSX.
FYI, this whole discussion has driven me to recently (yesterday) write the
programmer of LF2 (Martin) & put another request in for porting it to OSX
asap but in the meantime, DMXIS might have to work if money is an deciding
factor.
We know that Qlab will trigger presets (127 banks x 127 presets) via a
midi cue or sequence already. I've done it. DMXIS just might lead to major
frustration if you're already use to doing lights on a normal lighting
control system (board or computer based).
If working fast is a target goal, LF2. If flexibility is a target goal,
LF2. If simplicity & musician friendly for a mac user for a affordable
price is a target goal, DMXIS is the winner today.
The one thing I would like to try that I haven't is running parallels with
LF2 / XP on my Mac along side Qlab. Might require two different midi
devices with a hard patch but if it works, that is the direction I would
suggest at this point if DMXIS doesn't meet your expectations.
I was told that Snow Leopard doesn't play nice with boot camp (by a guy
who buys & sells used Macs). I don't know enough about it but if that is
true, I don't have a way to try it. I tried installing XP once already &
it didn't work. I ended up having to take my machine into the Apple store
to get it to boot correctly back to the internal drive & OSX.
If someone can talk me thru the correct way to add a XP partion, make it
bootable & then make parallels work with SL, I'd be glad to do testing
with Qlab & LF2 on the same Mac & go thru the growing pains of figuring it
all out. LF2 has a whole new MIDI trigger interface that I've just barely
gotten into.
Questions / comments are welcome on or off list.
Best Regards,
*
AFAFR...@aol.com
There is apparently a way to "repatch" DMXIS via the macro function (which
is scriptable via python & some other language) but I don't think this is
something that is easy to do at this point. DMXIS was designed to be easy
to use by musicians who know nothing about light control & so to keep it
simple, DMXIS has avoided trying to be a lighting control package for
theater.
micmicmicmic
> Michele,
>
> There is apparently a way to "repatch" DMXIS via the macro function (which
> is scriptable via python & some other language) but I don't think this is
> something that is easy to do at this point. DMXIS was designed to be easy
> to use by musicians who know nothing about light control & so to keep it
> simple, DMXIS has avoided trying to be a lighting control package for
> theater.
Thanks Rabyn.
I didn't find the way to explore macro function you said, neither in
dmxis interface not in the manual... Could you please address me?
bye
michele
PS: What you said about dmxis interface was a custom dmx usb pro made
me arise the hope dmxis could work with my dxm usb pro, so i tried..
no it doesn't work. Just tried! ;-)
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It is my understanding that the DMXIS dongle / hardware is similar to a
DMX USB Pro but (once it's registered) has a serial number stored on it
that DMXIS looks for when the software boots.
So a different Enttec device won't work with DMXIS but a DMXIS device
might / should work with other applications.
I haven't tried it yet.
More soon about repatching.
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