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Forum: General Discussion

Tópico: Another soundcard and DMX lighting question

Este tópico es antiguo y puede contener información incorrecta para la nueva versión.

I am looking to upgrade my sound card. Found an awesome deal on MF on a M-Audio Fast Track USB Interface for $49. What is the opinions on here and will it work for me. I don't use time codes and no scratching. I use a Total Control to Midi my PC. I simply play music and keep people dancing. I use a simple thumb drive card and monitor from the headphone jack. The usb goes from pc to the mixer. It work for me but I do need a second card a backup. If that is not an option, throw some bones my way. Keep it around $200 if possible.

Next question. I have a pretty high end backup PC that I would like to run some DMX lighting through. I have seen prices from $50-$5,000 for these dongles and software. Opinions from all would be great. Not sure where I want my price on this but possibly around $200 for the dongle because I think I have seen some pretty goo shareware out there. Das Light is way over my budget. American Audio MyDj seems Ok but need some feed back. Or whatever way you say to go.

Sorry about if this doesn't make sense, I took a sleeping pill 30 mins ago and noticed the M-Audi Fast Track on MF for cheap.

Sound card and DMX PC controller for around $300 if possible. Thanks again for all your help.

Gary
 
Mensajes Mon 01 Aug 11 @ 8:56 am
Soundcard wise I highly recommend the NI Audio 2, I bought one last week, It is loud and clean and you get two outputs, so you could set up master and cue or two outs for an external mixer.

For a dmx try freestyler it is a free lighting program that can do more than most of the expensive ones, and there is a plugin created by sbdj to send the cbg beats to its sound to light function, and possibly an update to send cue triggers to change scenes, and the best part is that you should be able to set cues in your tracks to change scenes.

http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/137181/VirtualDJ_Plugins/SBDJ_FreeStyler.html
 
Thanks for info. How about a USB dmx interface? Any suggestions?
 
 
sorry forgot to mention that... enttec pro or enttec open for the cheaper model
 
Thanks guys. I am going to go with the Enttec. Besides the price, what is the difference between the Pro and Open? Soundcards I am still researching. Both seem to be pretty good. The NI Audio 2 is coming out with a new model. May wait to see how that one does. The M-audio looks to be a bit more durable.
 
Anything on the difference between the Enttec Pro and Open?
 
Come on guys. I know someone knows!
 
have you looked at the enttec website, you can see all of the features listed, then you can make your decision, but the open was good enough for me
 
Thanks for the reply. I have looked but I am new to the DMX world. I just hate "outgrowing" things that I purchase. There really isn't much description for the Open. What cables will I need to get one of these up and running from PC to ENTTEC. I imagine USB to ???. I don't plan on running huge light shows with this.

ENTTEC OPEN:

This project has been released with a GPL license, you are free to do what ever you want with the design, with the following restrictions:

Any modification to the hardware or software must be given back to the community.
You cannot remove or modify any copyright notice.

This DMX USB interface is based on the FTDI 232BM chip, it's a USB to serial converter. Using a simple application on a PC you can send DMX512.

If you download the example or any user project you will also need the USB drivers available here
We provide schematics which are almost copies of the FTDI reference design and example software.

ENTTEC PRO:

Born from the Open DMX USB interface the PRO version is the ultimate USB DMX adapter for all computer based lighting needs. The pro is the fastest interface available with frame rates of up to 850 frames per second and is supported by all common operating systems.
Features

Micro processor enabled
1500 V full isolation (data & power lines to protect your computer from surges)
1 Input & 1 Output connector (there is only one DMX port though)
RDM enabled
Supports Various 3rd party Controllers/VJs/Tools
Internal frame buffering
Drivers for Windows, OSX and Linux
Universe & user config EEPROM
Refresh Rate configurable from 1 to 40Hz with a full 512 channel frame
Break configurable from 96uS to 1.3mS
MaB configurable from 10.6uS to 1.3mS
Upgradeable firmware

 
the pro version has 2048 individual addresses in 4 different universes, each universe has 512 channels to send information to lights, similar to midi signals. Open only has one universe so 512 channels.

Pro has the ability to save one preset to play if your computer crashes, so their will be no break in the light show. It can send signals faster for movements and strobes think of it like latency for midi. Pro also has dmx in not just out (don't know what that's for)

That's all I know about the differences, but the pro is aimed at running the entire light show in a medium size club, open you could run a small club with, so if your planning to go mobile It is more than enough for most applications.

DMX uses standard 3 or 5 pin XLR cables (microphone cables) but every cheap led I have ever seen uses 3 pin.

don't know what the rest of your post means I'm not a programmer, but the code for the pro interface is open source, so that is what the disclaimer is referring to I think..
 
I would suggest that you get the PRO version. The open version uses your computer as the CPU for the lighting interface brain. The PRO version has the CPU onboard the external device that you connect via USB. If you are running Freestyler on the same laptop as VDJ, you certainly don't want any unnecessary CPU action happening unless it is designated for your audio or video. Let the DMX stuff run on its own processor separate from the laptop. You won't regret the purchase.

-DGee
 


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