Active Board Software For Mac
Operating system, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS. Website, Activstudio is a software application designed specifically for teachers and presenters who use an Activboard Interactive Whiteboard, Promethean's interactive whiteboard.
If you like to be hands on and like faders, knobs, etc a controllers are good. But as far as being better, software is definitely better. Software is often cheaper, has full control of fixtures, new fixtures can be added, supports multiple universes, you can create complex sequences, cue or play multiple sequences at the same time. Some software has plugins as well to add add'l functionality. The only downside to software is that it requires a computer and a usb-to-dmx adapter. A controller is plug-n-play.
Some good software is FreeStyler, ShowXpress and LightJockey. My software of choice is freestyler and i use it with an Enttec DXM Pro USB adapter.
Freestyler is free btw. I've been looking at the ShowXpress, but it's pricey! 800 bucks for the plus! I'm gonna be busy DJ-ing anyway so I won't really be able to go over to the DMX controller and start playing with the lights during a gig. I just want to be able to trigger different things at different times like blackout, strobe effects etc. So basically with the software, you need 2 laptops with you at gigs?
One for the music (obviously) and one for the lights? I have an older laptop, hopefully the lighting software doesn't need the same spec computer as my music does.
I would recommend freestyler for you. It's a free download and you can get a USB dongle for about $50 or so online. I have a laptop that is about 7 years old running freestyler and it's fine with no problems. You really don't need much processing power at all to make it run. I'm sure you can even run on a netbook if you want. Hell, I use a netbook as a backup to Serato and it works so you can most certainly use one for freestyler.
Here is a link to the dongle that I have: You will also need this too: And you're all set! Quote: Check out Pangolin Quickshow. It's mainly used for laser control, but the DMX functions are swift! It also works with Korg Nanokontrol. Got my lights set up with it and it rocks.
Active Data Software
Way easier to use than Light Jockey. You will need the enttec PRO box listed above. More info on this please I have Pangolin Quickshow for our 1watt RGB laser but I'm using lightjockey for lighting. Light Jockey is great but its incredibly complex and not user friendly in anyway. I Am running LJ with my Ipad and midi right now but i'm looking for something else. Pangolin is expensive and not recommended for DMX.
However, if you have a animated Laser, this software and hardware is a must. I have a DMX Pro and 3 Pin Female To 5 Pin Male Adaptor to use with FreeStylerDMX. So I will try it with my Pangolin (Windows Only) Software because it does look super easy.
I believe you can cue the DMX show to music as well. I haven't been to happy with FreeStylerDMX. I know there software is free, but it has crashed on me several times when I was LIVE. Ironically, it has never crashed on me testing or using the 3D. I downloaded the iOS App so I can run my show wirelessly, but I haven't tried it yet. Running the Fixture Creator is nice, but I would rather have the DMX light already programmed (or downloadable).
Has anyone used myDMX 2.0 by American DJ? Can you create fixtures on MAC now.
Can you do advanced DMX Cues or is it limited? Is it stable on a MAC or PC? I just saw this 'MyDMX2.0 Easy View 3D Will Release Late 2013' Bummer. While Pangolin does DMX it is missing some key features that any DMX software should have.
Makes sense because it is for controlling lasers. I wouldn't recommend it for programming a light show with various fixtures. I'm not sure what version of FreeStyler you are using or the system that it is running on, but ever since i have started using it a few years ago it has been nothing but flawless for me. Have you tried running it virtually on your mac? The reason that i love it is because it is free, works with any interface and has some extremely powerful features. Recently i started getting into the midi mapping and submasters. I've tried myDMX, lightjockey and showexpress.
MyDMX is win/mac so that a plus. Runs stable as far as i can tell.
You can't create/edit fixtures on the mac. The interface is horrible (pretty tho). Especially when you have a lot of lights. Alot of space is wasted with the dmx faders. The scene builder is ok, but the scene system is extremely limited.
Basically you can only create a scene with x number of steps. And you can only run one scene at a time! No notion of cue buttons (recall multiple scenes), no notion of override (override currently playing scene) and no notion of submasters/subcues (mix and match different parts of different scenes on the fly). And the fact that no 3D until (let's just say 2014) is wack. I own freestyler and Light Jockey. For a cheap controller is better to run the lights Master-slave. Try to make a circle and you will agree with me.
Freestyler with Entec is a good way to start but is limited. Is an unsupported software with a lot of limitations. In a way is a incomplete copy of LJ but it serve me well. LJ is U$14000 but is amazing and like Serato is the industry standard. It has a step learning curve but as a Martin Product is super solid and is the stepping stone for the big lighting leagues like GrandMA, avolites and Hog that are used in concerts and Arenas.
LJ can be fully programmed to run your show with few input from the dj. Quote: I own freestyler and Light Jockey. For a cheap controller is better to run the lights Master-slave. Try to make a circle and you will agree with me. Freestyler with Entec is a good way to start but is limited. Is an unsupported software with a lot of limitations. In a way is a incomplete copy of LJ but it serve me well.
LJ is U$14000 but is amazing and like Serato is the industry standard. It has a step learning curve but as a Martin Product is super solid and is the stepping stone for the big lighting leagues like GrandMA, avolites and Hog that are used in concerts and Arenas. LJ can be fully programmed to run your show with few input from the dj. You'll get help on the freestyler forums faster than you will calling or emailing martin tech support. What limitations does freestyler have? I use both freestyler and light jockey and its known fact that that freestyler can do more than light jockey can.
And light jockey is far from industry standard. Yes alot of people use it but that's because they go with the company that provides them with intelligent lighting. Not because it is the best. Quote: unsupported.please.
You'll get help on the freestyler forums faster than you will calling or emailing martin tech support. What limitations does freestyler have? I use both freestyler and light jockey and its known fact that that freestyler can do more than light jockey can. And light jockey is far from industry standard. Yes alot of people use it but that's because they go with the company that provides them with intelligent lighting.
Not because it is the best. If Freestyler works for you, more power to you as you will have more money for lights. It maybe operator error but when I moved to moving heads, it was hard to keep the lights on the dance floor, instead they were all over the place, with LJ is very easy. In both, the tool for movement is similar but the macro option in LJ is what it made a huge difference but it could be just me, also the cue list in which I put all my cues and they just run triggered by time codes, time lapse etc is huge.
I do not work for either company and I am more in to sound than in to lights, but same operator (me) with both softwares: 1st Freestyler (Over 3 years) I was missing a lot, many times switching to automatic lights in the middle of the event and now Light Jockey, (2 Months) and very happy, lights look great and I am learning more every day. My 2 cents on the matter.
My issue with most of the above softwares is that they are married to these rinky-dink, plastic usb/XLR dongles. I chose the Chauvet's ShowXpress Plus because it comes with a rackmount controller that can have your software scenes save in it and playback controlled off of up to 13 or so buttons. I still have a Martin Freekie but may consider selling it. (nm) gaffle have you seen the enttec DMX USB PRO Mk2?
All metal housing, midi in/out, 2 universes and works with almost any dmx software. You can also record scenes and play them back in standalone mode. Mac (as far as I know) does not have many programs that will run DMX. I've called at least 3 companies and they all run on PC only. I had to do the same thing you mentioned. Use a separate PC just for lights. I already had it though, so it wasn't a big deal, but more cords and a second computer to worry about.:( Enttec says it has Mac compatibility, but I have also not got it to work.
Have you looked at dedicated DMX controllers like Chauvet Obey series or American DJ Stage Setters? More gear, but might be a good fit for some basic color pallets and Par lights. Quote: I use the Chauvet Showxpress with my macbook pro. I think its great and easy to use. I also use it with Serato DJ at gigs.
No problems at all. Showeoress runs on mac OSX?
Yup, I've been using it as well. I use it with VDJ though because I can name cue points a certain way and when I hit that cue point it'll trigger a scene I have setup. Really wish SDJ could stuff like that. I was hoping for this feature when they (SSL) announced MIDI output, but no such luck.
I would love to run a few light scenes with my cue points in the song files. Quote: I use the Chauvet Showxpress with my macbook pro.
I think its great and easy to use. I also use it with Serato DJ at gigs. No problems at all. Showeoress runs on mac OSX?
Mine was not flawless though. Sometimes when I plugged on the box, it would not recognize it, or if it did, the program would go all buggy. I eventually gave up and installed it on a PC. I plan on keeping lighting on a separate computer. @Select, you run the lighting software and SDJ off of the same laptop at a gig? Just sounds like a hicup waiting to happen. A lot of DMX software will have a 'Tap to Tempo' function that will allow you to time the strobe light with the beat of your music.
Also, your software should recognize incoming audio signals too. This might work better to cue up your stone light on the drum beats. I've never used Freestyler, but seen similar programs like Enttec and Pangolin Quickshow. You don't need the software to be specific to a particular light fixture - you just need to program the DMX address channels to it. If Freestyler does not include the MegaStrobe fixture, no problem. Just manually program the DMX channels on the strobe and match them with the software.
Hi Folks, I am a complete beginner with DMX and just about ready to buy some light. I have read through this thread/discussion with great interest. I hope you can help me with the age old question, should i use a hardware or software controller?
I want to be able to create light shows for specific pieces of music. For example, if I use a classical track say Blue Danube Waltz or a Pink Floyd track, I want to program the light to do specific actions at certain times during the music. Maybe up to 12 light, moving heads, scanners etc. Would i be able to do that better with a hardware or software controller? I'm not a Dj, this is only for personal use.
What would you guys recommend? If software which would be best and easyest to use?
Many thanks, Ray. Yup, software is where it's at. I have a Enttec Pro Dongle and use Freestyler (It's Free but PC only) and Pangolin Beyond with it. Freestyler MIDI wasn't working and it's impossible to get official support on FREE software. Plus I got tired of making Fixture Files. I also purchased Luminair for the iPad/iPhone but you still need a Mac and the setup is cumbersome. However, I just ordered Chauvet ShowExpress 512 Plus because of the new software version 7.
It's called The Lighting Controller in Europe. It's clean, easy and now offers MIDI Out to light up the LEDs. It works with PC or MAC. I got the more expensive 512 Plus because it offers 12 shows wirelessly without a computer.
Download it for FREE and see what you think. I learned it real quick by looking at youtube videos. You can propably get into Show Express for a little over $200 with Chauvet Xpress 100 USB to DMX. The price is great but you are limited to 10 fixtures with a maximum of 100 DMX channels.
512 should run you around $420-$500. 512 Plus should run you around $650-$750. Quote: Hi guys, Just wondering what the setup would be connecting the lighting pc controlling the moving heads to arena controlling the visuals.
I basically want to sync the colours of the moving heads to the colours of the visuals on the mac running to the LED wall Thankyou for your help I have not done this but I know it is possible. You need Resolume Arena, LED moving head lighting (must be LED Heads) and 1 or possibly 2 DMX/USB interfaces. I would get the Enttec Pro 2 model. What are you using to control the lighting currently? I know this is very possible todo if you are using a Chamsys lighting board or a Grand MA (I doubt you have one of those) or if you are running chamsys on a computer with a Enttec DMX adaptor. OK, since there's next to no information on Luminaire, I've decided to play guinea pig. Here's what I've found: Initial setup was super easy, with fixture files available for 4/5 of my lights.
My Martin MX-1s were not in the database, but manually adding the channels and assigning the dmx starting point was kid stuff. With all the controls at hand, creating scenes was also easy, once I stopped erasing them by accident (pro-tip: changes are auto saved to any active cue). The auto-save function is a must, since I've had about 5 force-closes in the past few days. Aside from the crashes, the only other negatives I've found are A) a lack of macros and B) I can't find a way to snap between shows. My lights cycle through their dmx values for the duration of the next show's fade time, which is especially annoying when moving through slow shows. Quote: How did you get the scenes to sink with the song?
Using the timeline feature in ShowXpress, it took me about 3hrs to program that lightshow to the 3 minute song, but that was after only owning it for less than a week. In live mode it also has the ability to instantly trigger scenes via MIDI mapped buttons on almost any type of controller. (I happen to use an old Korg nano pad.) I use similar functions in Pangolin Quickshow. Also, with a Korg NanoKontrol Pad. Only trouble is that you can't mix those songs in Serato (SSL for me). They are stand-alone music/light combinations that have to be played in isolation - through Pangolin (or ShowExpress). Quote: Same thing here - Pangolin only works for PC.
I have to have a separate laptop to run my DMX lights, but I use a MIDI (Korg NanoPad) controller to trigger cues. It's OK, but not the ideal set-up. Pangolin Laser Systems responded to a user in the comments 10 months ago: 'Yes, we know what you mean. At this point Pangolin is 100% Mac at our company. However we have developed so much PC software, it will take a while to migrate to the Mac.
I expect that we will have laser software for the Mac some time in late 2014 or so.' Quote: I've been using compushow by elation and it's been pretty clunky, although I think it has a lot with the terrible computers we've been using.
We're doing an overhaul new computer and several new fixtures, considering switching control software, any recommendations? Did you read the posts above? Lots of recommendations! Not to sound rude, but there is a lot of great info already posted. I use Pangolin Quickshow, but it's primary intent is for laser (ILDA) image control. It just happen to have DMX capabilities too. Take a look at what others are using form this and other DMX threads.
Good luck to ya. I've used Enttec and Freestyler for years. I believe it is modeled after the expensive Martin Light Jockey.
It's amazing the FreeStyler Developer named ljraph does all the programming by himself in his spare time. I needed something that ran on a Mac, was powerful and versatile, was wireless, offer MIDI In and Out and was easy to program and easy to run Live. This is what I opted for: 1. Chauvet ShowExpress (The Lighting Controller) 2. Xpress 512 Plus 3. Xpress Remote (never used it) 4.
FlareCON Air (Wi-Fi transmitter sends DMX D-Fi wirelessly) I programmed my Ableton Push via MIDI In/Out to run scenes, strobe and color changes. The purple button on the MIDI controller turns the uplights purple, the pink button turns them pink etc. I use the wireless battery operated Freedom Par Hex 4. No more spending time on my knees running DMX cable or looking for the closest electrical outlet. For DMX on my older lights and moving heads, I simply find the closest Freedom Par and hook up a DMX cord to the Out and hook it up the the DMX In on the older light. Quote: I've used Enttec and Freestyler for years. I believe it is modeled after the expensive Martin Light Jockey.
It's amazing the FreeStyler Developer named ljraph does all the programming by himself in his spare time. I needed something that ran on a Mac, was powerful and versatile, was wireless, offer MIDI In and Out and was easy to program and easy to run Live. This is what I opted for: 1. Chauvet ShowExpress (The Lighting Controller) 2. Xpress 512 Plus 3.
Xpress Remote (never used it) 4. FlareCON Air (Wi-Fi transmitter sends DMX D-Fi wirelessly) I programmed my Ableton Push via MIDI In/Out to run scenes, strobe and color changes. The purple button on the MIDI controller turns the uplights purple, the pink button turns them pink etc. I use the wireless battery operated Freedom Par Hex 4.
No more spending time on my knees running DMX cable or looking for the closest electrical outlet. For DMX on my older lights and moving heads, I simply find the closest Freedom Par and hook up a DMX cord to the Out and hook it up the the DMX In on the older light. Xpress 512 and using a transceiver for wireless out.
So far have six Hex 4 and four Quad 4 I have older Freedom Pars and non wireless uplights, which if used, I attach transceivers or just run DMX cables from the other wireless lights. So I took the advise of DJ Nyce, as I'm new to lighting and DMX I didn't think it was worth the gamble paying some of the ridiculous prices some of these software companies charge so got a free laptop from a friend, bought an Entec USB DMX pro mk2 for $150 from thomann and got Freestyler for nothing. Within a hour I'd got the results I needed for the show I wanted, all my fixtures apart from the strobe had pre made profiles so really it's a really good option if your worried about spending too much. I've done 2 shows now and it's been awesome they'd have to be a really big incentive for me to spend more than I have and I've read alot about other programs but don't really see a clear advantage to them over Freestyler. My rig is 2X ADJ INNO SCAN HP 2X ADJ SPHERION 4X CHAVET UV SHADOW 1 X ADJ FREQ 16 Hope this helps a beginner like me make up there mind, maybe one day I'll upgrade but right now i'd rather spend the money on lights. I have a pair of Chauvet 4-Bar Tri fixtures that I've been using as stage lights for about 3 years. Been using an Obey-10 to control them, typically just using channel 1 fader to call up automatic programs, which has served my purposes very well.
I just bought an Enttec ODE and Luminair software to replace the Obey-10 and go wireless, and it all works beautifully with one puzzling exception - when I use the control slider to call up an automatic program, they still work, but the lights change/move about 4 times slower than with the obey-10. The manual doesn't show any way to control speed via DMX, so I'm really confused how changing a controller causes this to happen. Quote: I just got shown this soundswitch.com which looks like you can control/program lights and performthey are using Serato in the video. There is a DMX cable going from the hardware box and some like programming software on the screen?? Very Very keen to have my lights linked to my songs/beat grid ideally if this is what it is??
Looks super dope but my concern (for private events) is how it reacts to the MC's voice. I've noticed in the past with 'sound active' setting on most lights is that they tend to 'bug out' because they are reacting to the MCs voice and not the beat of the music.
This looks like it takes an audio feed from your mixer so would the same problem persist? Quote: I just got shown this soundswitch.com which looks like you can control/program lights and performthey are using Serato in the video. There is a DMX cable going from the hardware box and some like programming software on the screen?? Very Very keen to have my lights linked to my songs/beat grid ideally if this is what it is??
Looks super dope but my concern (for private events) is how it reacts to the MC's voice. I've noticed in the past with 'sound active' setting on most lights is that they tend to 'bug out' because they are reacting to the MCs voice and not the beat of the music.
This looks like it takes an audio feed from your mixer so would the same problem persist?.And just noticed that's prob a dmx wire and not an audio signal. Quote: I just got shown this soundswitch.com which looks like you can control/program lights and performthey are using Serato in the video. There is a DMX cable going from the hardware box and some like programming software on the screen?? Very Very keen to have my lights linked to my songs/beat grid ideally if this is what it is?? Looks super dope but my concern (for private events) is how it reacts to the MC's voice. I've noticed in the past with 'sound active' setting on most lights is that they tend to 'bug out' because they are reacting to the MCs voice and not the beat of the music.
This looks like it takes an audio feed from your mixer so would the same problem persist?.And just noticed that's prob a dmx wire and not an audio signal. It looks like you can program lighting and it interfaces with Serato, possibly with beat gird info. Quote: I just got shown this soundswitch.com which looks like you can control/program lights and performthey are using Serato in the video. There is a DMX cable going from the hardware box and some like programming software on the screen?? Very Very keen to have my lights linked to my songs/beat grid ideally if this is what it is?? Looks super dope but my concern (for private events) is how it reacts to the MC's voice.
I've noticed in the past with 'sound active' setting on most lights is that they tend to 'bug out' because they are reacting to the MCs voice and not the beat of the music. This looks like it takes an audio feed from your mixer so would the same problem persist?.And just noticed that's prob a dmx wire and not an audio signal. It looks like you can program lighting and it interfaces with Serato, possibly with beat gird info. ^^^ That's correct. It's going to be amazing! 1) this is a hugely informative thread and I want to thank everyone (esp.
DJ Nyce) for contributing. 2) This is a DJ forum but controlling lights and integrating sound is something we do on a daily basis in the theatre as well. We have common interests here. 3) Has anyone tried and been able to master Q Light Controller Plus?
I have some experience with lighting for the theatre on a conventional console and the paradigm that QLC uses does not yet make sense to me. I've only been at it for a few hours, and maybe it will make sense in the morning. 4) I'm normally a mac guy but have enough old windows laptops lying around that I should be able to try Freestyler as well. Thanks to all. Happy Holidays!
Hi, I am new to DMX and have a question. I bought 4 LED Pars and a stand.
I now need a DMX controller and software to run them. Heres my applications: 1) I want to program lights to a stereo audio track, and Play drums along to the track. 2) I also want to play LIVE to the same tunes, but I dont want the audio track to output. I want to play along to a clicktrack. What would be awesome is if I could have the audio track and the click track in parallel to each other along the Lighting timeline, and then just turn on or off the track I want to hear in my headphones (Click vs Audio track). Which software would best suit me?
I tried ShowXpress demo, and the issue is you cant input an audio and click track. I also think their timeline is weak as I couldnt figure out how to fade from scene to scene on the timeline, and it was a pain to align tracks to the audio. (I do like their Generator and Steps assembler however!!!) Thanks for helping me out! Quote: Hey guys, I use Chauvet Showxpress and have a Showxpress 512 USB - DMX box. Would the 512 universe box work with Serato Soundswitch?? I don't want to pay another $500 for the same kind of universe box. Thank you 'Serato has teamed up with fellow NZ company Onesixone Ltd, who have developed SoundSwitch.
It is a software-hardware package which bridges the gap between Serato DJ and lighting systems. The first of its kind.' Of course you have to pay. How will Onesixone make any money on SoundSwitch with any other dongle? I use Showxpress and love it. I have not paid for 1 single software update in 2 years. Hi Yaitanis, Correct, SoundSwitch does run in the background but don't worry it doesnt put much of a load on your machine.
In Performance Mode the software is lite enough that you can easily run Serato DJ, Video and SoundSwitch at the same time. SoundSwitch will load and Sync light shows to the BeatGrid in Serato DJ as you play. You can also create custom light shows for some songs in your DJ set if you like. The next version of SoundSwitch, due for release in March will allow you to control Lasers.
Hit us up on support@soundswitch.com if you need any more help. Hey guys, thanks for an amazing thread! I'm seriously looking at ShowXpress - just wondering if something else is required to run a video backing with the lights?
My show is singing live with video backings (using projectors) and wanting to synch up the lights with the show. Every song needs to have it's own lighting, synched to the song, and ideally I want to be able to pause the timeline in-between songs. Will ShowXpress allow you to import a Quicktime.mov file and allow to the vision to go out through HDMI, while synching the lights to the music from the same file? I'm new to this, using mac, definitely like the idea of ShowXpress - just need to know if I need something else to run along side it for the vision and audio, and if so - how to synch them.
Thanks in advance! Brioni, I just tried it with a.mov file and it works. It brings up a 'ScreenControl' windows that played back veriy smoothly, even when resized to full screen. When you hook up the Macbook to a HDMI, you can select second disply instead of duplicate display. Have your projector set as display 2 and move the 'ScreenControl' to the 2nd display and resize for the whole screen. I would double check in ShowExpress parent company forums. 'Live - TimeLine create synch shows with video, audio and lights'.
Quote: Hey guys I recently purchased a chauvet obey 10 dmx controller to control moving heads,can I run six heads of this controller? You can run only up to 8 lighting heads and it can only control 12 channels. A typical moving head has 20 channels. You can run up to more than 8 lighting head but you are going to use same addressing for 2 heads and another same addressing for another 2 heads. If you do that, the heads with same addresses will have the same control since you program them in the same address.