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I just purchased an Elation T20f lighting control system new for $79.00.It includes a 4 channel DMX addressable dimmer pack and a foot controller. The foot controller is basic with 7 preset static scenes, 10 chase scenes & 10 chase scenes that will fade out.I can run 8 small par38 cans on trees with no problems.I eventually want to automate the lights.A midi controlled dimmer pack would have been the thing to get but they are now scarcer then hens teeth & expensive. DMX is the standard for lighting anyway.So what I need to find is a cheap Midi --> DMX converter.
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Websearch for "DIY DMX to MIDI Interface". You can build certain methods for as little as 10 dollars, depending upon what it is that you wish to control and how. http://stevenbreuls.com/2013/05/diy-usb-dmx-dongle-interface-for-under-10/ http://www.musicianstechcentral.com/midihard.html Of course, we can often find used stuff of this type for pennies on the dollar, as you have already. Keep yer eyes open. I often come across real savings when things like this are in need of repair, too, often the repair is rather simple, such as a power supply problem, perhaps one shorted rectifier, ye olde dried out electrolytic cap(s), etc. - very rare that the actual digital portion of the circuitry is the culprit. --Mac
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So just because I'm totally crazy & willing to take risk I'll be pursuing the use of this program. It's a free Open Source program for win.mac,Linux.
It's called "Q Light Controller.It can be setup to take midi input as triggers, dare I say I'll use midi yoke on a track in RB to connect to QLC?.That's the plan. Now all I need is a USB to DMX device.
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I've been using 2 Behringer LC2412s which handle the the Midi to DMX conversion for my setup. The boards have a street price of under $200.
Keith
2026 Audiophile Windows 11 RYZEN THREADRIPPER 3960X 4.5GHZ 128 GB RAM 2 Nvidia RTX 3090s, Vegas,Acid,SoundForge,Izotope Production,Melodyne Studio,SONAR,3 Raven Mtis
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John, see my first link above for the skinny on how to make your own USB to DMX device for about 10 dollars.
--Mac
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John, see my first link above for the skinny on how to make your own USB to DMX device for about 10 dollars.
--Mac The USB to RS485 board is on it's way from Hong Kong. Thanks Mac
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Did you notice the hideen secret to DMX on there? heh.
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Did you notice the hideen secret to DMX on there? heh.
Not sure.  I've used DMX a lot in the past and knew it used regular mic cables.I also knew it was a standard serial interface. Is there something else I missed?
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The DMX protocol is exactly the same as the RS485 protocol.
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The DMX protocol is exactly the same as the RS485 protocol. Yes i did see that. DMX is really pretty simple compare to midi. 512 channels of just one type of data.
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I just purchased an Elation T20f lighting control system new for $79.00.It includes a 4 channel DMX addressable dimmer pack and a foot controller. The foot controller is basic with 7 preset static scenes, 10 chase scenes & 10 chase scenes that will fade out.I can run 8 small par38 cans on trees with no problems.I eventually want to automate the lights.A midi controlled dimmer pack would have been the thing to get but they are now scarcer then hens teeth & expensive. DMX is the standard for lighting anyway.So what I need to find is a cheap Midi --> DMX converter. Just received and tried out the Elation T20F and it works really well. I highly recommended anyone doing a solo to invest a little in lights. Makes a big difference.The total setup cost me less then $150
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I just purchased an Elation T20f lighting control system new for $79.00.It includes a 4 channel DMX addressable dimmer pack and a foot controller. The foot controller is basic with 7 preset static scenes, 10 chase scenes & 10 chase scenes that will fade out.I can run 8 small par38 cans on trees with no problems.I eventually want to automate the lights.A midi controlled dimmer pack would have been the thing to get but they are now scarcer then hens teeth & expensive. DMX is the standard for lighting anyway.So what I need to find is a cheap Midi --> DMX converter. Just received and tried out the Elation T20F and it works really well. I highly recommended anyone doing a solo to invest a little in lights. Makes a big difference.The total setup cost me less then $150 John, How much time does this add to your setup and takedown? Thanks,
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10-15 minutes setup
5 minutes take down
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If all programmed and mounted correctly this can indeed be a quick part of the setup.
I was often more worried about power issues, depending on the venue.
Last edited by rharv; 07/27/13 09:21 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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10-15 minutes setup
5 minutes take down
John, I would love to see a photo or two if you ever get the time. Later, Never mind, I just found it online. But please do keep us posted re: live setups and results etc. Thanks again,
Last edited by Danny C.; 07/26/13 06:58 PM. Reason: life/live error
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I'm was often more worried about power issues, depending on the venue.
Tell me about it. When my band first added stage lighting back in the 70s, we started blowing fuses in the bars that we played in. We had to start running extension chords to outlets away from the stage that were on a different circuit.
Keith
2026 Audiophile Windows 11 RYZEN THREADRIPPER 3960X 4.5GHZ 128 GB RAM 2 Nvidia RTX 3090s, Vegas,Acid,SoundForge,Izotope Production,Melodyne Studio,SONAR,3 Raven Mtis
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Just thought I'd do an update.
The HW system is working fine. It's very basic.I'm still waiting for the parts to build the USB>DMX interface.
I've been learning Q Light Controller Plus and have it pretty much under control. Put it through a virtual test and it works great. I've set up a bunch of scenes. Each scene is assigned a "button" that in turn is assigned a MIDI note number.I then set up the midi out of RB to be MIDI YOKE 1. I set up QLC+ to receive from MIDI YOKE 1.When I click on the virtual piano in RB it runs the appropriate scene in QLC+.So my next thing to do is to assing scenes to each song in real time. I will use my keyboard controller to record scene note numbers as the song is playing.At this point everything works. It'll all depend on the construction of the USB/DMX hardware.
As Pat mentioned he's coming for a visit later in the year. I hope to have this up and running by then.
Any ideas what sort of contaption I can add next to my system?This is fun!!!!!!!!
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I got the board today . Installed the drivers and it works fine so far. Just need to get the rest of the parts to hook it up to my dimmer pack.
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As Pat mentioned he's coming for a visit later in the year. I hope to have this up and running by then.
Any ideas what sort of contaption I can add next to my system?This is fun!!!!!!!! I've been wanting to control lights with MIDI too, so I'll be checking your setup out with great interest. I'm not the techie you are, so you'll probably have to describe what you're doing in kindergarten terminology... but I'll take notes. I'll bring the video camera and maybe we can put together a couple of "how to" videos
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Many light systems can be used with very simple set ups. A keyboard can run the show as John mentioned. Each MIDI note message sends a new lighting command .. it's a matter of learning how to 'play' your lights! One of your 16 MIDI channels can control the light show pretty easily. Good light controllers have sysex built in too. Some send the data out of the unit as you make changes so you could record that in RB/PT (along with the seq file) and use that track to run the show. They are fun, but like a new plugin, can soon become time vacuums. 
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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