I Thought I would weigh in on this one.
in re: to a previous question, the Roland FC-200 works fine to trigger (I use it). Since MyDMX only recognizes program change as "yes" then PCs are bad because you only get 1. However, the FC-200 in CC mode and setup properly will give you 19 triggers (if you plug foot switches into the 6 external connections) If you are running the FC-200 in series with a MIDI Keyboard like I do, then you will have to reassign some of the CC's in the FC-200 because aftertouch and such things from the keyboard will call up a MyDMX program. (took me a couple of gigs to figure THAT one out)(WHY ARE THE LIGHTS DOING THAT AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGH!!)
I also trigger programs with Note-On and I get 128 of those so that gives me 137 possible programs. I am not using all of them yet.
My keyboard is "Zone" friendly so I am able to set up alot of note triggers in special parts of songs to keep certain things in sync with the music, but mostly I've just programmed about 15 or so long "chase" scenes (about 3-6 minutes each) and trigger one by note on from the keyboard at the beginning of the song. I have other song-long programs for certain songs that we do that i trigger from the keyboard at the start also. One in particular (for Separate Ways by Journey) gives me a 4 beat flash from one of the front lights so I can play my intro in sync to the lights.
I send my Note-on triggers on channel 16 by filtering all other channels in my DAW when sending 16 out to MyDMX.
By the way, due to the resource hogging of MyDMX, I now run it on a separate machine. I bought a little NETbook and by golly if it isn't the cutest little light controller you ever saw. I do, however program on a different machine with much better display properties.
What I wonder is in re: to the original poster in this thread, IF MyDMX can distinguish between MIDI channels for CC and Note-On Then it seems to me that in his sequences he could use more than just one channel. Even Still, between the two even on one channel you can send about 256 triggers between CC and Note-On. How many does a body need? I'm guessing he didn't really fire up his neurons.
I like MyDMX, it's good bang for the buck. It has a few bugs (see my other post about losing my MIDI triggers) and it is unfortunate that developement of the software is defunct. However, it's a lot of fun and pretty simple to use.
Russell Landwehr
Disable aftertouch when programming. You want a CLEAN MIDI signal. Problem solved.
A program change can be on ANY MIDI channel, so how does that make a PC bad? Theoretically, my Mac can do 512 MIDI channels, with a potential 128 program change options per MIDI channel, well, seems that would negate your observation. It is NOT as convenient on a PC to do a program change live though.
MyDMX is hardly a resource hog unless you're using the 3D Visualizer. The DMX stream is very low bandwidth at least as far as the processor is concerned. We're only taking 230kbps, so it's not exactly "zippy" by standards. But, I do agree that if you have the resources, programming on a second machine is a good idea if you have better resources, especially like 2 displays.
Due to how MyDMX works, I recommend that people limit how many channels they throw at MyDMX, mainly in case they need more MIDI space for their sequences. It's best to not mix and match instrumentation with triggers on the same MIDI channel.
Seeing as how there can only be 249 scenes and 512 channels, that's about all you need to be able to control at any given maxmum. 2 MIDI channels for triggers, re-use those for half the CC controllers, and another 2 for the rest of the CC controllers. Done.
Yes, MyDMX has some shortcomings that need to be addressed.
A program change can be on ANY MIDI channel, so how does that make a PC bad? Theoretically, my Mac can do 512 MIDI channels, with a potential 128 program change options per MIDI channel, well, seems that would negate your observation. It is NOT as convenient on a PC to do a program change live though.
MyDMX is hardly a resource hog unless you're using the 3D Visualizer. The DMX stream is very low bandwidth at least as far as the processor is concerned. We're only taking 230kbps, so it's not exactly "zippy" by standards. But, I do agree that if you have the resources, programming on a second machine is a good idea if you have better resources, especially like 2 displays.
Due to how MyDMX works, I recommend that people limit how many channels they throw at MyDMX, mainly in case they need more MIDI space for their sequences. It's best to not mix and match instrumentation with triggers on the same MIDI channel.
Seeing as how there can only be 249 scenes and 512 channels, that's about all you need to be able to control at any given maxmum. 2 MIDI channels for triggers, re-use those for half the CC controllers, and another 2 for the rest of the CC controllers. Done.
Yes, MyDMX has some shortcomings that need to be addressed.
Hey i read this with interest and i can see the frustration you live guys have, MYDMX is so close to being brilliant for the money, but we DJ's also have a similar problem with syncing to music and thats the lack of a timecode facility :-(
Forget beat to music or pulse syncing thats not proper synchronisation, we dj's play MP3's and that time code can be read with things like Winamp. Aha!..Now were in business! -we can tap the space bar as we listen to the music and each time we tap the key it records that time as a cue. All we have to do is assign a sequence (or cue) to that time stamp and we have perfect synchronisation....and then i came out of my dream because i was imagining i was using Martin Light jockey2 which does exactly that (even MPC cant do that simply)
I would happily pay more for MyDMX3 if that feature was added and im sure thousands of DJ's would also do likewise...
@Former Member posted:Here's my situation & what I've found concerning myDMX. Is this you as well??
-I'm a guitarist & regularly perform live shows using midi sequences to generate the backing tracks
-I use a laptop with sequencing software (Sonar Home Studio 6 XL... but could be anything)
-The sequencer "talks" to the midi sound module, outboard effects processors, my PODxt, etc. switching effects/sounds/volumes at the times I've designated within the sequence via Midi CC#'s, Program change commands, etc.
-The laptop sends this data via a USB connection to a USB/Midi multi-output box - all other midi gear is hooked to this and each has it's own unique port to receive the data sent to it
-To perform, I create playlists of songs in the sequencer which automatically molves from one song to the next; either starting it right away, delaying it by some amount or else waiting for input from me to begin playing again.
-I had the brilliant idea that my show would be better if I added a lighting which could be controlled by data coming from the sequencer!
-That I could create really cool individual light shows for each song!!
-That creating these light shows would be similar to working with midi data!!!
-....and that myDMX was the answer!!!!
After reading this forum, contacting tech support and re-reading the manual several times, I've come to conclude this product ISN'T right for my application in it's current state. Here's why:
1. myDMX software & sequencing software can't talk to each other internally
2. myDMX has no pre-assigned lighting actions associated with any midi CC#'s or midi note #'s. Instead, you have to design a lighting scene and then "teach" it what data will control it byh sending it the midi command you want it to act upon. This may seem foreign to midi users who know, for example, that CC#7 is the universal control for volume on all midi devices.
3. myDMX will ONLY respond to midi note # on/off data. That's it. No CC#'s, program changes, envelopes of any other kind, etc.
4. That means that you only have a maximum of 128 on/off data "triggers" you can send.
5. No such thing as a playlist for all these great light shows floating around in your imagination that go with this song or that one. The only way to associate a finished sequence of lighting scenes is to manually open up the new one at the beginning of each midi sequence. No way to roll from song-to-song. Talk about dead air in your show.
6. That being the case, it appears you'll only get to choose from a maximum total of 128 different scenes which you've designed. Think that's a lot? Read on.
7. Appears to be no way to sync lighting actions such as fade in/out times, strobing rates or moving-type light actions to the tempo in your sequence or to MTC or midi measure/beat/tick info.
8. Instead, all scene actions are based on preassigned timing (ex. scene: a 3 sec. fade out starting at 80% intensity using the P64 LED cans assigned to produce blue), not time code, tempo mapping or envelope controls from the sequencer.
9. So now you're left with trying to figure out how to design, and then apply, 128 generic actions to cover ALL the great lighting ideas you had in your head for ALL midi sequences you regularly perform.
10. My guess is that this software was not designed by performing musicians nor is for them.
11. Tech support here appears to have little detailed knowledge of myDMX, midi or the requirements of those who use midi as a performance tool. No personal slam intended there, just an observation from reading forum posts & replies. Go read them and decide for yourself.
12. Posts in this forum from people who have a similair application as mine are regularly referred to Elation Compu Live software as the solution. Although it may have better midi communication abilities luxury watches, it seems MUCH less intutive than myDMX (which is what attracted me in the first place). Also, I still couldn't figure out if it'll change indivual light shows which track with my sequencer playlist (I think it won't).
13. That being the case, I'm back to #9 above.
True, myDMX is most likely a great DJ or lighting guy product, especially for it's low cost. Maybe the only hope for my intended light show is to create 128 generic scenes reviews and to make them fit the songs I have (since that's better than no lights, right?) and hope the software will be upgraded & improved Heck, one of those scenes could be to send the control to trigger the lights to switch to their sound activation mode and then to let them run as they want without any control from me. At least regular audience members won't get bored watching since the lights will be different every single time.
Please let me know if you have a similar application and have either found a workaround, a correction to my misunderstanding of myDMX or a product which'll do what we both want and not break the bank.
Thanks.
I disagree. I think the MyDMX (for the price) will work great. I am a performing musician in a five peice rock n roll band.
Since using my hardware-based DMX Operators, myDMX has proven to be an excellent first computer-based DMX program. In my capacity as a DJ or soundman/lightman, I have no problem operating a great light show from my laptop. When I'm on stage playing guitar, it sure would be convenient to have a standard MIDI foot controller to select lighting scenes hands-free. Just makes me angry to hear about Karl merch hoodies another person who wasted money on gear they don't like. Due to the fact that I am still small, I feel that pain, which is why I evaluate well before making a purchase whenever possible. We can't all know it all, but we can at least educate ourselves better.For answers, more people need to use support forms and ask questions or contact companies directly either by phone or email. Having access to evaluation units would be beneficial to people in this smaller, cheaper market. But we don't since we're only spending a few hundred dollars, not thousands or tens of thousands. It's better to spend a few bucks on a phone call than to end up making a poor purchase and having to pay for it later.
As a musician I lovejuice wrld songs and wear juice wrld clothes, I agree with you when singing with playing guitar.