I've been entertaining the idea of mixing external lighting with the video editing / 3D I'm into for a while now. What would be the base price for such equipment to control stage lights / strobes from a computer, and where can it be bought? I've done a bit of research into it myself [DMX specifically], and would be interested in a one or two light system; nothing fancy. Note that I have no interest any other DJ equipment such as turntables and all that, just a basic lighting setup. How would such a system connect to a computer? Though I've seen some of the lights and standalone controllers, I haven't seen much about connections to a computer and controlling software.
Computer connection and control of DMX is quite expensive.
If you would like to just get started I suggest a package deal of 2 scanners and a controller.
BRAND NEW CHAUVET LED SHADOW 3 CHANNEL DMX 512 BLACKLIGHT PANEL WITH BUILT IN AUTOMATED PROGRAMS, SOUND ACTIVATED PROGRAMS, OR DMX CONTROLLABLE + CONTROLS ADJUSTABLE THROUGH MASTER, SLAVE, OR DMX
Features:
3-channel DMX-512 LED UV blacklight
Sleek and slim casing for the ultimate durability
Low power consumption with new LED technology
Blackout/static/dimmer/strobe
Adjustable flash rate, dimmer and static in stand-alone via dipswitches
Built-in automated programs via master/slave or DMX
Built-in sound activated programs via master/slave or DMX
Coverage up to 20ft x 20ft
Linkable with LED Techno StrobeTM, LED Techno Strobe TM RGB, LED ShadowTM 2, LEDsplash®200B and LEDsplash®2 in stand-alone
Additional power output: max 50 units @ 120V (see manual for details)
Includes brackets for wall and truss mounting
Beam angle: 20°
Wavelenght: 405nm
Light Source: 192 (UV) LEDs 100,000hrs
Power and current: 120V, 60Hz: 12W, 0...
Brand New Chauvet Hemisphere 5 4-channel DMX-512 LED Centerpiece Light projecting RGBWA LED beams in all directions
Features:
4-channel DMX-512 LED centerpiece
Individual control of red, green, blue, white and amber LEDs
Variable electronic strobe
Bi-directional motor control with variable speed
Built-in automated programs via master/slave or DMX
Built-in sound activated programs via master/slave or DMX
Power linking: max 12 units @ 120V (see manual for details)
Contains red, green, blue, white and amber LEDs
High-power, 3W (730mA) LEDs
HID bulbs are simply designed using a different technology to produce the light. Instead of a fine piece of wire filament, the light comes from a glass chamber of gas with no filament. Thus, road bumps and shock cannot damage the lamp...
The compact and lightweight Chauvet LEDsplash 86B wash light is a red, green, and blue LED wash fixture with 3 or 7 channels of DMX control. This compact, lightweight fixture is powered by 86 red, green, and blue LEDs...
The Techno Strobe is a 75-watt strobe that's adjustable from 1 to 15 flashes per second, offering sound-activated or manual speed. These strobes are linkable via mono cable, chasing-enabled via an optional controller, and DMX-controllable via an optional converter...
Chauvet LED Techno Strobe DMX RGB
The 107 Club, Crawley, Sussex, UK - Sound & Lighting Installation
When we first visited the site for the 107 Club it was simple an empty shell. It was difficult to picture how it would be transformed into a fully functioning sussex nightclub, but after three months of hard work the venue opened its doors to the public with great success.
The brief was straightforward: High quality sound and an impressive nightclub lighting show to match.
The 107 Club's Sound System
Starting with the sound system, we opted for a sound system by Funktion One. Renowned for their high quality and visually impressive systems, we felt that Funktion One would offer the most suitable system for the venue. On the dancefloor the sound system comprised of four Funktion One Res2SH speakers flown from the ceiling, with two Funktion One F221 twin 21” bass bins. The Funktion One Res2SH speakers offer a fairly narrow dispersion, which allowed us to concentrate the sound on the dancefloor area, without spilling out too much into the bar areas. The speakers were powered by two MC² amplifiers, the E25 and E45. These were in turn controlled by an XTA DP424 system processor and an XTA C2 compressor limiter, with a Formula Sound FF6000 mixer in the DJ booth.
The peripheral sound (surround in-fill system) was slightly more complex, with 7 additional separately defined areas. Firstly, there were four individual VIP rooms, each requiring its own volume control. For these a Bose system was specified, giving a high sound quality from compact enclosures. The first three rooms utilised the Bose DS100 surface mount speakers, with the last room having a Bose Freespace 3 system. Each room was also fitted with a Cloud RL1 remote volume control unit, allowing the customers to control the volume in their own room’s independently.
Next were the upstairs and downstairs bars, and the secondary dancefloor. For these areas we opted for a number of (EV) Electrovoice ZX1 speakers. Powered by QSC GX3 and GX5 amplifiers, these speakers offered a perfect solution of good quality but not overpowering sound for the peripheral areas.
The 107 Club's Nightclub Lighting System
Moving on to the lighting system, we had the challenge of creating something impressive but unique, in order to give the venue a way of standing head and shoulders above its competitors. With its fairly high roof, the 107 Club was a perfect candidate for an LED ceiling. After a few discussions and alterations, it was decided that we would construct the custom LED matrix to run the whole length of the ceiling, and down one of the walls, opposite the DJ box. Covering a total area of 90 square metres, this would provide one of the most impressive nightclub lightshows in the area.
The ceiling itself was made up of 1850 RGB LEDs, covering the 18m long and 5m wide area. Each of the LEDs is individually controllable, allowing us to create an almost infinite array of patters, graphics and effects. Within the area of the LED ceiling, we also fitted a number of conventional nightclub lighting effects to add even more impact to the lightshow. These comprised of 8 Robe ClubSpot 300 CT moving heads, and 8 Martin Atomic 3000 strobes. Also added were two custom UK built 300mW green lasers, a Martin Club Fog system and a Martin AF-1 fan to distribute the smoke. To light the stage area, two Robe ClubWash 300 CT moving heads were fitted, and two additional Robe ClubSpot 300 CTs were placed over the secondary dancefloor. Peripheral LED lighting was also added, with 48 Octostip LED battons placed in the bar area and edging the balcony.
Control for the lighting was provided by a computer based software system, eCue. This gave us the flexibility to program the entire system on the one computer, with different areas being able to be controlled separately. It also gave us the ability to run graphics and low resolution video on the LED ceiling. The DMX was outputted using seven eCue Butler devices, giving us a total of fourteen universes of DMX.
To finish off a visual system was added comprising of three LCD projectors running from a computer loaded with Arkaos Midi. Two custom screens were constructed at the edges of the dancefloor, while a third electrically controlled rear projection screen was suspended at the edge of the dancefloor. This allowed the venue to close off a section of the club by lowering the screen and using it as a divider. As a rear projection screen was used, it allowed customers both sides of the divider to see the visuals and graphics being projected.
Finally
Overall, the finished product was just as impressive as we had hoped. All elements worked together to create a complete clubbing experience, with a new high standard being set for what is expected of the late night industry.
Because they're feminists