strobe conrolling

Ive never heard of the FC-816, however I have heard of the FC-400. You use a dimmer pack and thwn hook up the FC to the pack or packs. Then you plug your lights into the sockets on the pack. I am pretty sure you can control the individual channels and tell the toflash on or off. This allows you to turn your fixture on or off. Hope this helps.
-AMP

Here's a link to th FC-816:

http://www.lightronics.com/products/fc816c.htm

I'm having a hard time understanding which dimmers I can control with this. I'm confused about a few things I've heard like DMX and NSI. I don't want to buy dimmers that my controller can't talk to.

ok, well this probably wouldn't be the best place to ask this question

See, I don't even know why it's not. I'm pretty green. We can't mention other products here, even if I'm looking for American DJ equipment to go with it? I'm not sure what I've done wrong, but if anyone can explain lighting protocols to me, please email me from here and we'll politely take this discussion offline. I'm a little confused and not sure where to go for answers.

The LightTronics control will only control their own packs, they use a proprietary multiplex.. We have strobes you can control with 0 to 10 volts. You want some type of foot control for your band. You might want to consider using midi to control your lights. It's not just a simple plug and play though. email me at joey@americanj.com and I'll help you out. you wont get a reply until Monday though.

ADJ makes a 4 channel foot controller....which probably isnt what your looking for...But the footswitches are bigger, and it has a lot of built in programs. Also, are you in the band, or just doing the lights? If you're just doing lights...why do you want a foot controller?