Software DMX controller for Mac?

Spenser Hamilton · Dec 12, 2012

Re: Software DMX controller for Mac?

This thread just won't die!

MagicQ for Mac was disappointing when I tried it, it ran in X11 and was very unresponsive on a 2011 iMac, runs great on my Lenovo Tablet though (older C2D), haven't tried it on my MBP but it's a 2011 so I don't see it running any better than it did on the iMac. MagicQ isn't terribly user friendly either imo, especially if you are like me (an audio guy trying to break into the lighting world). I'm currently wondering if I should give DMXIS a try, but I already have money up in an Enttec ODE and would like to see some ROI before I spend more money on lighting equipment.

[waldo] Casey Williams · Dec 12, 2012

Re: Software DMX controller for Mac?

Spenser Hamilton said:
MagicQ for Mac was disappointing when I tried it, it ran in X11 and was very unresponsive

Oh, well, that's quite true. X11 is garbage, but it's not Chamsys's fault. (Although I haven't been shy about pointing that out on the chamsys forums.)

All the more reason for you to check out QLC+.

I guess I took "DMX controller for Mac" to mean "controller for laptop", which is admittedly a stretch. My chamsys machine is a toshiba nb505. (Truly awesome netbook for $250, which is probably why they discontinued it.)

My only advice on MagicQ (if you want to surmount the learning curve) is to read the manual, then read it again. Then futz with it and build a couple of shows, then -- read the manual again. If you 'flip the script' here a bit -- if a lampie was asking you for audio advice, you wouldn't tell him to learn to mix on a 8-ch behringer mixer and stop there. My $.02!

best,
waldo

Spenser Hamilton · Dec 13, 2012

[waldo] Casey Williams;43367 said:
If you 'flip the script' here a bit -- if a lampie was asking you for audio advice, you wouldn't tell him to learn to mix on a 8-ch behringer mixer and stop there.

I'd laugh and tell them to go do focus

Sent from my iPhone

Kelly Johnson · Dec 13, 2012

Re: Software DMX controller for Mac?

Chauvet ShowXpress works very well on Mac

Rob Gow · Jan 8, 2013

Re: Software DMX controller for Mac?

Adam Whetham said:
Jeff, Now that this thread was brought back from the dead by someone else, I'll continue it.

With DMXIS is it simple in the sense that you can just make scenes and then click on ones you want to switch to? My band rarely follows a set list, so setting up a show is not a simple solution for me. so I've just made scenes on my DMX programmer and switch between those.

I've been looking for something that i can just switch between preset scenese with hitting different buttons on the keyboard. But i'm warry of spending money on software without being able to try it first.

Ok, I've had DMXIS for a couple months, so I've has some time to play with it, and I integrated a foot controller. (forgive me, but it's a Behringer FCB1010) I connect the foot controller with a midi cable to a Roland midi to USB interface. Then I've created a list of random scenes, about 45.

After plugging in the foot controller, accessing the list is simple. The first 10 scenes in the list correspond with the 10 buttons on the controller, Bank 00. Move to Bank 01 and there's the next 10 scenes. I have the first volume pedal to adjust the intensity of the front lights shining on the band. The second pedal controls my smoke machine via DMX. I'm no lampie by any stretch of the imagination but it works great for me.

Here's a quick video and a couple pics of my rig. In this video I have the rig move to a static scene, then the same one with some movement. Then to another static scene, then the same scene with movement. It's automatically moving down the list via a measure count, and a BPM setting. (say, 2 measures at 120bpm)

Again, manual control is available via foot switch.
DMXIS - YouTube

And in action at a gig. (soundcheck, excuse the language, I was repeating what a waitress said lol)
DMX - YouTube

Here's a few pics of scenes I whipped up, in Madison Square Basement. Oscillators provide some movement. For me, it fits my needs really well! Now I just have to figure out iPad control.