OK, getting into intels and movers, in case nobody cares or has been following. Trust me, I don't care as much as I should, I'm just a sound guy who has to also do lights.
You can check out my inventory at:
http://www.studio42.com/gear.html#lighting
More is on the way, and that list might be slightly out of date at the moment.
Need to discuss.
I have the DMX Operator, now called the DMX Operatator 192. I can't say I like this or dislike this. It is my first controller and it has been extremely under-utilized at the moment, which is fine, as I am growing into it quite nicely. I typicaly like to think ahead to avoid screwing myself over. Going forward, I want to do more syncronized shows or at least more complex scenes or sequences with movement, and the limitations of the DMX Operator 192 now fall into play. It's not like the entire event will have constant movement, but I may choose to run a complex series of scenes with movement on the moving yoke fixtures(and gobo changes and movement) and color changes, as well as maybe bringing on and off dance lights. For me, I just want to select the sequence and then just walk away, but then hit a key if possible when the song is done and it turns off the movers and dancers, then color chances to nice white.
Now I'm looking into computer software. Why? I don't have the time to learn all the kewl ins and outs of the higher end DMX consoles that I've seen on some of the major tours I've done events for. Also, the cost is just not justifiable for my type of work. I'm not saying I can't afford it, I'm just saying it does not make sense for me to spend that kind of money.
I'm looking at ADJ afor their CompuWare product vs C-----t's ShowExpress with X-Factor interface.
Features I am looking for:
It would be nice to get a preview of what I think I'm going to get in the end. Not required, but would be nice.
Ability to create my own scenes and sequences and trigger them at will, even if from a menu system. Be nice if that had a picture of what it SHOULD be, but hey, that's probably asking too much.
TWO requiremets are: DMX INPUT and not rack-mount. Storage of scenes or a show in the unit is nothing I care about. USB is fine. I want to plug in my DMX Operator 192 to over-ride if need be, and to use it to help program scenes.
So, I'm listening. No decision has been made, timeline is self-imposed, but I want to blow people away for a big event for Chinese New Year(OK, Vietnamese in my case, but I'm not even Asian). I'm going full out for this event. Every light I have, full PA and monitors(floor monitors plus EIM's), all the more pricey microphones and wireless on display, and I'm putting together my video system and doing a 3-5 camera shoot, along with my photographer and catering teams participating as well.
I always give 100%. I choose the gear needed for the event and always give world class professional service. This is an outdoors event and very high profile for my community, so I need to show off for media and the community. Don't get me started on the retarded politics. Even so, I am not guaranteed this job(although nobody else can do it), and even if I dont get this show, I'm getting the gear anyways.
Near future purchases will be moving mirror fixtures, 2 follow spots, and a DMX Hazer that uses water-based fluid(ADJ, are you listening?). I'm so not into fog anymore. I have 3 fog machines, 2 of which have never been removed from their boxes. The one that has been opened was used for 1 event, and my brother-in-law borrowed it for a party a few months ago. Hey it still works and it got used, so I'm pleased. I'd rather use haze to make the lights pop, but fog to flood the stage for a true fog effect.
OK, enough of this. I need to travel in meat-space and do this same work as well. I'll read responses when I see them! Thanks for all opinions, which will be listened to and taken into consideration.
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