This is probably a simple question. . . . For an expert. I've asked coworkers, friends, and relatives and noone has any clue because they are general public people, not light technicians.
I want to begin to try my hand at intelligent lighting control. My first goal I set for myself(autodidact) is to get some lights, and attempt to customize the color and rhythm of a set of lights; to music. Intensity and color, interior design. I would like to use pantone swatches to pick colors and program the LED's to my choice, if possible. Before starting with a $1,000+ or - setup, I need proper guidance and advice. Please help?
I started by searching google for "color change lighting". Which then turned to "intelligent lighting". Brought me to color kinetics website and american dj.com, a few others. A few technical sites for light engineering companies. A few weeks later I have gotten to the point of realizing my equipment will begin with needing a few LED lights and a DMX controller. I would prefer remote control, or PC. Thats about it so far. Searched this message board and alot of it is specific to specific systems and products I am unfamiliar with. Familiarize me? I've read that DMX controllers have an addressing system for each object on a "daisy chain", and what you program for each object is based on it's ability. A protocol standard was set up. I know standards as far as a few programming languages, they need to be cross platform, but know absolutely nothing of light programming. Does this info come with the owners guide when you buy LED lights and DMX controllers? Does the DMX control the amount of red, blue and green inividually in each light, like specifying a hexadecimal color(255r, 133g,72b) in graphics programs? Yes? No?
Before I shell out a thousand or two, I want to know my solution will work. Can anyone help me by recommending a beginner set up? And maybe an intro of howto, or an intro of what to look for?
Things to dazzle the eye are my specialty. Give me a piece of paper, a mechanical pencil, a few micron pens, a ruler and a compass, and I can do it.
Even better give me a computer, with photoshop, or freehand, any rasters or vectors. I can do it. I never went to school for it, I just enjoy looking at neat stuff, and like spending countless hours, effort and $$ making stuff neat to look at. Alex Grey, Dali, Escher, Dore, HR Giger, all them are familiar. LED intelligent lighting and DMX controllers I am not, yet.
Just an explanation on intelligent lighting, and a set-up for a beginner? Looks like my shopping will be here.
Thank You.
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