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I've just ordered the MyDMX software. Unfortunately I downloaded the demo AFTER ordering it.

Now having seen how poor the software is I'm trying to decide if I should cancel my order or not.

Why can't I create scenes without a mandatory loop?
Why can't I create a scene / button that will ONLY affect certain channels (not all)? For example - i want the S key to enable/disable strobe, but NOT affect other lights that are going on!
Where is the SSL2 editor? I had to download Sunlite for free to create myself a profile (For ADJ Product! Galaxian Gem)

Really disappointed. I hope I'm doing it wrong but I don't think so. Anyone know if the sunlite software will work with this hardware?

thanks
Matt
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Hello again Matt,
currently, the only thing you can do is create a scene and set it to "1 loop" in the editor, then leave the "next" blank. From my understaning, the next update will have this changed where its default is no loop, then you select it to loop. (we will see if what i was told will come true) But for now, save the scene is a single loop...should work for you

As for the scenes with the button control of independant fixtures....MyDmx does not support this, the most you can do is a midi trigger for the whole scene. Best way to do it is to double your scenes, one with "strobe" the second with out...then trigger back and forth. This is a hastle i know, but its how the software is designed to operate. Currently, there is no plan to change this. The software was designed to be very simple and easy to use. The next step up in software would be the CompuShow, which does support independant fixture control that you are seeking.
Thanks Jeffrey.

So I'm not limited to the ADJ software? Because it really is a problem that every channel has to be set for every scene.

As long as the hardware can be used with other software (sunlite?) then I'll be happy.

It's also crashing too often... even when just in the user mode.

Thanks
Matt
quote:
very simple and easy to use


Forgive me but I’m fairly new to controlling lights w/ software and I do not have my MyDMX 2.0 yet.
I actually picked up Mega-Light disco and noticed this just came out so I returned my Disco for MyDMX 2.0.

Am I reading this correctly?
You have to duplicate scenes with what you want on / off globally? Everything about this software seems very logically laid out but this (if I’m reading it correctly).

So Say I have 4 Mighty Scans, 2 Strobe Packs & some lasers.
If I’m running my scanners through a scene that I have setup for my scanners and I want to add a strobe scene then a laser scene.

Can I launce my mighty scans through a scene and then my strobe packs through a scene w/ out my scanners turning off then my laser through a scene w/ out my strobes and my scanners turning off? E.G. 3 Scenes running at the same time? (or can you only run one scene at a time? having to make one scene w/ scanners. One with Scanners and strobes and one w/ Scanners & strobes and lasers? And then duplicate this effort for every scenario and scene?)

Thanks,
-Eccentric
nope... it's absolutely pathetic!

You can only run ONE scene at a time.
And every scene applies to ALL channels.

So... whatever the channel is set to when you create the scene - is what the channels will go back to when you select the scene.

It's horrendous and I can't believe how stupid I am buying this software. I'm so close to sending it back, mainly because of this.

Right now if I select my strobe scene it turns off all my other lights.

Basically... scenes can NOT be applied to specific channels only. They have to apply to ALL channels.

It's painfully shit!

:-(
Wow!!

Nothing about that sounds "very simple or easy to use".... Starting to feel like I may have made a mistake by returning the Mega-Light. I'm thinking PSSL already made an acceptation w/ that one so I have a feeling I'm stuck w/ this now... I really hope ADJ reconsiders this!! It really makes no sense at all....
If this were to be set up to be “very simple and easy to use” wouldn’t it make more sense to have the ability to launce groups of fixtures w/ in a scene. Like a group on/off rather than an all on/off. Everything about this software seemed very logical up until this point… this sounds completely backwards… you will have to program a ton of extra scenes to get this thing to do what you want it too. & if I add new fixtures down the road I will have to patch every scene rather than the scenes related to that group of fixtures…. UGH!

I understand that to move fixtures independently on the fly you would need a more advanced application, but as far as simple goes I would think you should have the ability to group fixtures in a scene and further have the ability to triggered a scene on/off for that group of fixtures w/ out turning of scenes for other groups of fixtures. This global all scene on/off really needs to be thought over and FAST!

Couldn’t ADJ just make it an option in preferences to either have Global on/off for all scenes or independent on off for all scenes? Sounds like an easy and flexible fix to me.

This is most definitely not “very simple or easy to use” more of a drastic oversight if you ask me. Hopefully it’s very simple and easy to fix!!

-Eccentric
What is this sunlight thing you’re talking about? I looked it up and it looks similar to Compu Show or Compu Live. Is it the same thing w/ a different name? Like a sister company to ADJ/Elation?

If ADJ stands ground and doesn’t fix this what would you recommend? I still want simple and easy to set up but would really like to be able to trigger multiple sense, that are groups of channels.

If I went with Elation's Compu Show or Compu Live, what version do I need? I’m not running a lot of lights… Small single truss mobile setup of a few scanners, wash, strobe, lasers, smoke, etc.

Thanks,
Eccentric
yea it's the number 1 problem / missing feature - ability to turn on/off fixtures (or groups) without affecting everything else. It's terrible. And they say there's no plan to change this :-(

Also - be prepared for LOTS of random crashing. The software crashes every half an hour sometimes. It's totally unacceptable for any professional environment.

It's super-simple to use though. But I'd rather have a difficult system which works than a simple one that doesn't.

Sunlite is the industry standard from what I hear but a bit expensive. This MyDMX2 box is actually a sunlite 2006 box so i was hoping it would work with sunlite - but it doesn't. Not happy.

I really dont know what to recommend, im new to it myself. Im just gutted I wasted money on this.

Sorry to bring u bad news.

Matt
I really can't figure out how you are suppose to use it this way.... If I have 21 patterns for one laser and 20 patterns for another and 10 Scanr scenes set up I have to creat 10 Scanner scenes and then 10 more x 20 versions for each laser pattern and then and then 10 more 10 x 20 x 21 for each veriation fo running each scanner scene w/ each different laser pattern and then I have to creat different versions of solo laser scenes? That's thousands of scenes. Somthing dosn't sound right about this...

I'm I not understanding how this is suppose to work?

Are you suppose to only creat scenes to turn things on and off and mannually adjust the slides for the patterns you want? That's the only way I can see being able to operate this...

Like I said, I really don't get this....

-Eccentric
Ok, I think I have a temporary solution that should ease the pain….

As far as I know my Royal Sky and Ruby Royal run the same patters so I will group them on the same channel and control them both with one control.
(I’ll lose the ability to fire them independently, but that’s one less thing that I’ll have to program while I’m looking into alternatives)

I’ll put my even scanners on one channel and my odd scanners on another, rather than having them independent.
(Then I can reverse the X/Y and change the patterns for every other scanner and keep them grouped…)

Guess I’ll have to put my Stinger Laser on its own channel…

I’ll put my up lights on one channel and my down lights on another. (or maybe all on one channel for now… well see how things go, once I start programing this thing…)

I’ll keep my smoke on a wired remote…

Etc. etc.
Hello DJE and Matt,
i have been sitting back and reading your posts every day. Now, since i believe in letting you voice your concerns and frustrations, i also believe in the hard work that people did to create the program. Yes, MyDmx2 does have some issues, like all software does when it is first released, however, each release of the software improves it and gets it more reliable.
You both talk about all of these features that MDX2 does not have and have voiced that you feel its not right for ADJ to not include these features. True, MDX2 does not have some of these features. However, our other software DOES. The reason we have MDX the way it is is because we geared the software towards the beginning lighting guy, the new djs, the people that are learning DMX and lighting design. It is a program designed to be user friendly out of the box for the novice learning the lighting world. Then, from there, if the user decides to do so, can step up to a more advanced program with all the bells and whistles you could hope and dream for. We called it Compu Show. MDX is a basic program, we decided to keep it basic for those out there that like it simple or still learning. If you have grown beyond the programs ability, thats awesome and am happy you have reached that point, my sugestion is to move up to Compu and you will find that Compu does everything you could want and more. After 14 years in the lighting world, i am still finding new ways that Compu does things that i never could do with other consols. I have used Compu as my back up on tours where my main was a "Hog" The program is geared towards advanced lighting designers and large lighting rigs running multiple scenes and universes.

But, please guys, i see your frustrated, but degrading someones work when you are trying to do advanced funtions on a basic program is unprofessional. If you want independent light group controls, you need to go over to Compu....if you want to flash scenes without effecting other scenes (aka: strobes or laser hits) you need to upgrade to Compu. Those are advanced functions that would confuse a novice lighting guy, thats why we do not offer it in MyDmx2. I value your guys input and coments, but please keep them professional and please profanity off of the forums. Thank you guys.
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Jeffrey,

My apologies, it was out of sheer frustration. My CPU is running at 100% constantly with DMX (i can prove it for you if you like) and my laptop is burning hot because of it. I can't do another with the laptop like record MP3 or browse the web cos MyDMX is killing it. Is this what novice users want?

I admit the software looks beautiful and it IS so damn easy to use. I had never used DMX before and within a few hours I had lights, cabling and software all running with a scene. That's good I admit.

But.... I will say that being able to turn a strobe on and off without shutting my other lights off is a BASIC function. You can't possibly deny that if you've been working for 14 years in this field.

Coupled with all the problems saving... MIDI keys being wiped out, files becoming corrupt, the software CRASHING entirely every few minutes (turning all my lights off) makes the software not fit for purpose and completely unusable.

Therefore I've decided to send this software back. It's a real shame that ADJ had to release such a product (and market it heavily) when it is FAR from finished.

I will be moving to Showtec's Sweetlight which looks a lot more "old school" but is far more functional for a few more euros (and if the program crashes the box will continue to run a pre-defined show which is great!).

Sorry it's come to this. And sorry I've had to put so much time and effort into realising this product isn't for me. I have a big party tomorrow and wish I'd spent the last 2 weeks learning and programming another product now. :-(

Matt
i understand your frustrations, but i feel that these are mainly due to your computer running at 100%. In the other post, you stated you were running an older Dell D610 if i remember correctly. With the HIGHEST available CPU and the MOST Ram you can even put in that computer, it is still LESS than half the requred minimum for the MyDMX 2.0 to run correctly. So, i think you were getting false impressions of the software. You say that the computer runs hot and at 100%, is simply because you are asking it to process over 250% of its total ability. MOST of your issue is right there,the computer simply can not handle the program correctly. The most recent release has turned out to be very stable, a few bumps here and there, but stable. I personaly had it running over 90 scenes the other day for 9 straight hours TRYING to get it to crash to verify for another client if the show or software was causing the issue. No crash. Now, im not saying its perfect, but it does work. It also does have the ability to trigger a single channel off of a key on your keyboard. I found out about this feature recently myself. So, you can set your strobes to (say the A on your keyboard) and it will trigger it as a flash button. So, we are all learning the program. I just think most of the issues you were having were computer related. Best of wishes with you using Showtec... maybe one day you will try out MyDmx again. Till then, im always here to help out in any way i can.
Well…. now that I play around with this some more… I do see some really cool ways of being able to do what I want to with the LPT/Auto Overrides in the User settings. This will be very helpful for on the fly controle while running a scene!

Now I just have to figure out the best way to Midi map this for on the fly take over?
Can you midi map to a number w/ in the slide? Of just to the slide itself?

Can’t wait to see what you guys come up w/ in the next update!!

-Eccentric
awesome, glad that is working out as for the Midi, i am not sure...im going to play with it. but if you figure it out, let me know My first thought would be, you can set the midi to the same slider in the slides. and it would act the same across the board, not sure if there is a override all when setting up midi. But i know you can set the same channel to the same midi and it would be the same effect.

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