need help with lighting controllers

C

Cheesesailor77

Veteran
Hi, my I'm trying to put together some lighting for my friends band. Something that can switch on and off and dim at least 4 lights, and depending on cost, up to 16 or more. I was going to try to go to home depot and build something, but I'm not sure where to start, and then I went to musician's friend and they have some "controllers" for cheaper than I thought I would pay to build something.

Anyone know about this stuff? how do they work? do they have outlets to plug in the lights? do they have ones that can be sound activated?

THANKS!:)
 
It really depends in the quantity of the lights and the use you'll be giving the equipment.
I suppose that being a band they'll be touring or at least moving, so I would recommend you to get something sturdy and more professional.

I don't really know about the electrical system of the states, so I can't talk about that, but I can't give you some possibilities.

first you'd need a dimmer (which will do the dimming and switching):

(these are 220v you'd have to find 110v in US shops)

I use three of these which give 12 channels (each 5amps 220v)
https://www.prolighting.de/Article/..._EUROLITE_EDX_4_DMX_Dimmerpack_4x1150Watt.htm

by using these kind of dimmers and not going up to the 6 channels one, there is not need for 3 leg cables and 380v and that stuff (at least in 220v countries).

then if you already have stands you can use these dimmer bars,
https://www.prolighting.de/Article/2349/290/T_Bar_Digital_Botex_T_4_BAR_DMX_Showbar.htm

after getting the dimmers you need the controller, usually you would get a DMX controller that uses a xlr 3 or 5 pin connection that goes to the dimmer and tell it when to dimm th lights.

I use this,

https://www.prolighting.de/Article/856/117/DMX_Controller_EUROLITE_DMX_Scene_Setter.htm

with that you can set up scenes and whatever, make different cahnnel fade up at the same time.... I use it mainly for theater plays, but I have also used it for concerts where you may want different light patterns using various light at the same time.


then you'll just need some xlr 3pin cables to connect everything and voila you have a great lightshow.... well you need the lights, stands, etc... but I suppose they already have that.


If all this isn't inside your budget you can go with something like this:

https://www.prolighting.de/Category/122/Controller_with_Powerpack.htm

all-in-one, dimmer and controller.

then put all this inside a good flightcase and go rock!

this is just the basis, but I'm sure that someone from US that works in concerts, live events or theater plays knows the stuff in the states and can tell you better than me.

hope something of this helps you!
 
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When we played clubs we had a foot-controlled board that had a builtin processor to sense sound and display different moods, ramps ect and was pretty convincing. Those connect to 4 sets of rack setups each with 8 pars, via a mike cable from the controller to each rack rig. Most clubs had scafolding to hang the racks on, otherwise we had stands we could use.

The lights power came from a 220 outlet on the stage and into a 220-110 converter that a friend built that broke out the 220 into a bunch of 110 outlets. I guess they're easy to build.
Any decent club will have 220 available on stage for the band.

If you want the fader type for more control, I'm not really familiar with those.

But, I'd stongly recommend a visit to one of your better local music stores.
Up here most of the bands deal with Long & McQuade.
If you have a store like that which caters to working bands, you can land some used gear for really cheap. You could also consider renting complete setups also.
And the better stores such as above would be better informed on what clubs expect in terms of lighting and could maybe recommend something used in your price range that others are using. Assuming it's clubs you'll be working in.
Anything fancier than that I wouldn't know about. Hope that helps a bit though.
 
thanks guys, I'm in over my head here so I'm trying to learn as much as possible.

Raptor, can you tell me more about this foot crontroller/sound sensing device? it sounds perfect.
 
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