MyDMX in a modern worship environment

i think it wouldn't be all that bad. You will have a nice effects generator, as many scenes as your hard drive can hold. You can add as many fixtures as you want up to 512 channels. I'm the MY dmx Tech support so if you have any questions please feel free to ask away.
Sincerely,

I have plenty of experience using MyDMX in a concert environment, ranging from disaster to "got me by and I liked it"

First, keep in mind requirements of MyDMX. It is still a tiny bit buggy, but that's mainly with start-up. Some people have more problems than others. For me, it's been rock solid.

I did have one event where due to time, I was not able trouble shoot out MyDMX, so I failed over to my DMX Operator and kept on rolling. Since then, I haven't had to fail over.

MyDMX is very powerful and scene based. My biggest recommendation is that if you are organized, you can get around this software very VERY fast. Proper labelling is essential, as well as logical grouping. To each their own as far as how they like to group things. Say, I use all my 64 LED Pro only color washes together, then the next type of fixture... repeat, then the combinations... Some people do it via color. There's really no "what's best", it's a "what's best for you and how you work"

Integrating movers into MyDMX is no big deal especially if there are profiles available. Making your own is not terribly difficult, but takes a bit of learning to do it right. My advise here is to make as accurate a model as possible of your environment in the 3D Visualizer, that will help you with your lighting design.

Now, as far as "working live" and making changes on the fly, MyDMX, as do many other sofware packages, is a bit weak here. Why? Well, it's just the interface, nothing more. Tweaking with a mouse just isn't efficient. But, MyDMX does allow you to use MIDI controllers to not only recall scenes, but also to assign knobs and faders to DMX faders. Armed with the right set of add-on hardware, you can get a lot done quickly. MIDI controllers aren't just keyboards and drum machines, there are also fader banks and even knob banks. I've been looking at the Korgo Nanos based on another poster, and, well, they make a keyboard controller that cna allow you fast access to up to 50 scenes. There is a knob and fader controller that I'm sure you can assign lots of stuff to DMX channels for control. And the NanoPad can also do 4 layers of fast button-mashing scene recall too. Ideally, I'm not impressed with these since I want true MIDI ports and not a USB only device, but I have to think out at front of house, I've got my hands full and a laptop. Wiht MyDMX burning a port, and a mouse burning another, I have a single USB port left over. Sure, I could put a USB hub in, but then I gotta deal with one more item. Since my application is as a true touring grade company, I don't get to just set and forget. In a church, you merely need to secure an area and then you can set it up and feel reasonably certain that while nothig is gonna get stolen(right away anyways), chances are people are gonna dink with it and move it around, but you'll have ample space.

Live and on the fly simple requires more interface, so as long as you have a device or devices that can serve as that interface, then that will address your concerns. The next step after getting your interface(s) is to assign them and practice. As I said, this is a weakness of nearly all lighting controller software packages, not just MyDMX.

This is what I'd look at for your existing 16 channel board: Clean it. Use something like Caig's electrical stuff. Chances are you've got dirty brush contacts that need some cleaning. That's not to say you don't need to replace it, but perhaps it just needs some affection to get working right again. That's also not to say that perhaps it is dying and needs to be put to sleep.

(Note: just had a friend move his ProTools rig into a church. They stole it all. No break-in, just helped themselves to it. Sure ain't helping my anti-church views)

I think MyDMX is going to be under powered for your application. You're going to want to eventually create multiple fx for multiple fixtures with the FX generator (those moving heads you mentioned). but you've got to be able to stack those scenes on top of one another and MyDMX does not have that feature. You want to give yourself some growing room and versatility for expanding and doing different things.

Email me at casey at cmbdjs dotcom and I'll be happy to make a recommendation for you.

one more thing....I'm a drummer too.

Oh, sorry. I'll use small words then!

I think then it really comes down to what the church ideally needs. IF they need to track stuff and grab and go in real time, it might be a matter of MyDMX and a controller and run multiple universes. But if they are really going scene based, then MyDMX should suffice.

My light shows are scene based, and scenes mainly consist of color washes using single types or combinations of fixtures to achieve the desired FX. My movers are rarely used to provided actualy movement, but I'm getting more experimental in that. Basically, let's say I need the stage "white", so I use my 64 LED Pros. but I want MORE white: So, I add in my Intimidator Colors. But dang, I want MORE WHITE, so I add in my color fusions. BUt, now i want to make the camera guy crazy, so I full on nail the Par38's(gelled RGB, but put all 3 on and the dedicated clear/no gel one) and fire up the spots too and make sure the stage is so bright the acts are shrivelling up from fluid loss and it's impossible to take a photo.

Granted, that's a bit extreme, but it really depends on the application.

Say, you put 2 movers on the podium for the sermon, and that's a scene, maybe with a few different colors for some, well, color. Maybe even have the colors cycle through slowly, which works best with an LED or even an LCD fixture. And maybe there is a dedicated bank of Par cans at that position. When it goes to a musical number, the lights swing to the proper positions, perhaps a bank of cans washing the choir since they will be in a fixed position, maybe some of those directed at the drummer and/or percussionist. Keyboards, bass and guitar may move around depending on the band's personal configuration, but in that case, you either re-focus your cans or else re-aim your movers to the appropriate positions. Really, unless the band does a big swap out, this isn't something that changes often. And in many cases, they'll simply re-use the same positions more or less. You can always re-use the movers as much as needed to maximize your investment in them. I would as much as possible as well.

Should you bring up other talent, say a front-like vocalist, you can have some movers that are programmed to cover a range of area, and/or a bank of cans.

It really depends on the exact nature of the application.

In my Sac Horror Film Festival, I only need to wash the stage. But, the problem is, where-ever I wash the stage, the talent seems to want to avoid that area, so then I try chasing them around with my movers and they avoid those. What are they, vampires? It's just sort of a lose-lose situation. I put their marks on the ground, they miss their marks. Having better control over my movers would look better, but I just don't have the time to do that at these events since I'm pretty much running all tech.

In my rock shows, general washes get the job done every time.

As far as not being able to stack the FX: Well, the truth is that it CAN be done. But it requires making an effort, and well, people don't want to actually have to work anymore. I just remember and continue to exist in the good old days where "I ain't gonna take any crap off anybody" and there's no excuse for not getting the job done. In 25+ years, I've NEVER had an issue that prevented a show from continuing on. I'm not saying they've been perfect or all flawless, but saying that the show did in fact go on and everything the client wanted happened(unless they wanted something last second that just wasn't possible thanks to their failure to communicate).

MyDMX has plenty of room for growth and expansion. But, here's a potential killer:
Music synced to lighting. It ain't great at that, either live or pre-recored. It CAN be done, but it's not gracefull.

Do this: Envision what you think you'll want to or need to do in 5 years. Come back with more questions. It may very well be possible that MyDMX isn't right for you, but right now I don't see that.

Hey chris guess what?? I too am a drummer haha!
Sincerely,

Uh oh! I better use extra small words. I'll try to be monosyllabic.

I'm looking at getting a cajone for my kids to play with. I should get two so everyone can point at me in the store and say "look at the pair of cajones on that guy!"

Forcing the topic again:
I think what people need really need to do is MORE Of this up front question asking. About all that will result in will be less wrong purchases. No matter what we do, someone is going to end up buying a product at some point in time and even though they researched it to death and was convinced it could do what it was they needed it to do, it may still fail.

MyDMX isn't for everyone. Then again, it's got a lot crammed into a very cost-effective package. It's full featured enough to be used in a professional environment. I'd even tour with it since my lighting shows are relatively simple.

The big thing that people are missing is the simple fact of money. Rule #1 type of concerns.
You can't cram all the wonderfull coolness into a relatively inexpensive package such as MyDMX. Bands using more advanced features such as pre-recorded music playback and lighting sync are at a higher level than what should be using MyDMX. If you're using such technology, you're doing this for the money. That's not a bad thing either. Money is good. If you're putting this type of tyime and effort in your performances, then you should be getting paid for them, and hence it makes logical sense to step up to like CompuLive.

What's good is that MyDMX is so relatively inexpensive for what is does is that it's a great intro to software based lighting control. Use for a few years to get your money's worth and if you outgrow it, simply move onto a bigger product that meets the needs better. Or, maybe you don't outgrow it. I still really haven't fully outgrown my DMX Operator and it's 7+ years old now with heavy hours on it.

Chances are a church doesn't need a full on light show that say, Pink Floyd would(or just drowning the services in reverb for that matter). Then again, churches don't need to send mailers out 50 times a month and go door to door trying to recruit or driving their busses all over the place. If a church is spending millions on AV, busses, and a corporate type infrastructure complete with a marketting and entertainment division, then it's time to revoke these for profit tax shelters and let them kick in their fair share. If you're spending and behaving like that, you're not non-profit. Period.

Wow, I go away for a couple weeks and I come back to find a wealth of information. Thaks so much guys!

Looking at our current setup, I believe that MyDMX would be a good solution, and I full expect to call on your guys for advice in the future.

Big thanks Chris and James, you guys rock, that's all I can really say!

oh and Chris, You are right in a way about some of the church issues that you bring up. There are churches out there running nothing short of a business with a few people making large sums of money. This is unfortunate, but I must also say that many churches are doing great things throughout the world in the name of Christ. This is a topic I am very passionate about, feel free to contact me and we can talk about it more.

Also, no one ever said that church has to be a boring event that no one looks forward to.

I choose not to discuss religion much. I've been abused to it to the sum of being screwed out of a few million dollars. Or, more recently, they book the event then say "hey, we found someone else to do sound" 2 days before the event. I had many others inquiring about that date. That's the thanks I get. Then they start spamming me. Lovely.

At any rate, this is a nice thing about ADJ and Elation.

Let's say you are starting small, and you go with a console. Well, ADJ has many good yet feature rich entry level controllers that will more than suffice. HOw long would they last? Well, that's really up to what the lighting operator needs and is growing to. And that's where things really go well. You can upgrade to bigger and more feature rich consoles or go software control. Either way, there are upgrade paths to keep you within the same company, thus ensuring a good strong path for support.

Regardless, whatever fixtures you choose to purchase and buy, you're supported as well. If you're going software with MyDMX or CompuLive, you can use the ready made profiles or build your own. Some of the bigger consoles also have similar capabilities, but I don't have any hands on time on those, nor will I likely ever, I'm a sound guy.

Since you're choosing to go MyDMX, this is my suggestion:
Within reasonable limitations, try to design your room as accurately as you can. Once you've done that, you're probably going to want to do things like add trusses to the ceiling and start doing your lighting designs. What I would say is that if you are planning to mount trusses th the ceilings, please do have a professional engineer, contractor and rigger involved. I'm not saying you need to have motors and fly points. There is no harm in permanently mounting trussing to your ceilings as it will provide not only a safe and stable mounting option for your lights, but with the trussing in place, prevents you from putting stuff right below the ceiling and thus allowing adequate ventilation. If you're planning LED, this is less of an issue. I do recommend Global Truss for your trussing. Yeah, it's expensive, but it is strong and very safe.

Another few tips: Things are going to change. Perhaps you have a special event and need to re-aim cans, for example. Or you get new stuff, or maintenance. For whatever reason, ensure that you have a safe and secure way to reach your lights to make any changes. Remember, bulbs do burn out from time to time and need prompt replacing. This makes LED a better argument.

Then again, you can spend MORE money and go with mostly moving head units. The only issue with that option is that the cost is a lot higher per fixture. The advantage us that you should theoretically never need to change fixtures aiming.

Choose carefully though. For example, and it's a competitive brand, but I say and use their name and a model number for example purposes only. I have two Chauvet Q-Spot 150 moving head lights. These work great, but I have two complaints about them: The bulb is ON the whole time the fixture is on AND that it uses a shutter and does not have a dimming feature. For me, I'm mobile, so this isn't a major concern. I want the fixture either full ON(shutter 100% open) or shutter closed, but I wish I had dimming now. Oh well, you live, you learn. It's still a great fixture. But, I recommend against going with this fixture in a permanent install because of the full-time ON bulb thing. THis means you'll have more frequent maintenance cycles and will need to carry a small inventory of replacement bulbs. My ratio: 1 spare for every live bulb. Guarantees up-time.

Safety cables: Yes, it's an issue and must be addressed, Don't forget to use safety cables. Just in case. You don't need to send them "to god" before their time! Never let safely lapse. But if your entire truss is falling, I think the fact that you are using safety cables becomes trivial when the roof is coming down on people.

Clamps: I like the O-Clamps a lot, but in this case, I'd recommend something like the ADJ ProClamp, S-Clamps, C-Clamps or any all metal constructed clamps. In my case, I have a lot of MegaClamps, and I really like them, super solid, and I think solid aluminum, I don't think they are all steel. If you go that route, you may wish to go to Sears or some other hardware store and construct yourself some tools for helping to secure the clamps down quickly. Keep these in a well-marked tool bag marked "lighting tools, please return when not in use" so they have a smaller chance of getting lost.

DMX cabling: I'm running into this more and more. Some installers are lazy and assume that because DMX is wired identical to microphones, that it uses the same cable. Please don't be fooled. Whatever you do, please ensure it is rated for use as DMX, or if anything AES/EBU, which is a digital audio standard that, strangly enough is also wired the same as DMX and XLR mic cabling! A recent poster said they used Canare Starquad cabling for their DMX. Well, I love that cabling, but it's microphone cable, NOT data! Right tools for the right job, please! Also, run dedicated power up there as well and plan ahead. At some point you're going to add stuff, so be ready for it. ANd while you're doing that, make sure you MARK the circuits that lighting is on and ONLY use those circuits for lighting. Turn them OFF when not in use. This can save a LOT of money in electrical bills. It doesn't matter of you use a switch, but I'd prefer hitting the breaker, so if code allows, put the breaker box inside, under cover where it is accessible whenever people are in the building(but not necessarily accessible to everyone). Nothing sucks more than having to go and pop breakers either on or off when it's raining or snowing or extreme weather conditions!

Back to MyDMX: You can download it and start using it for free!!! But, you can't really use it until you buy the dongle. The good is you can start doing everything with MyDMX now. The bad is that you can't actually do any true DMX control until you buy it, but that's not so bad.

With a scene based structure, you can do a lot with MyDMX. Even so, with the proper add-on controllers, we're finding new ways to add more functionality and features to MyDMX. Not just quick scene change triggering, but also control over other channels.

So, before you plunge, download MyDMX and start playing. I think then you'll have a better feel for it.

I have had the mydmx for about 8 weeks now. In that time I have learned to use and program very effectively for many different types of events, from rock shows to very simple AV public speaker type functions. The mydmx has worked flawlessly.
Once you understand the software and the programming, it works very well. I have used at once, several moving head fixtures, led cans, cmy color mixers, dimmer packs for single channel lekos and spots, and have not had a single problem to date, about 10 events, but that is a very good start, and I feel confident that it will continue to work flawlessly for the upcoming theatrical.
Thanks,
Ed

I'm only using MyDMX for doing washes with my 8 64 LED Pros. I don't get time to set up anything else.

At my next event, I'm gonna add my 4 Chauvet Intimidator Colors from a distance to do a bit more washing. Don't have a choice, venue is NOT friendly to anything. Thank goodness I have my OptoBranch/4 so I can run a second DMX run conveniently. If time permits, might throw my movers in there as well.