[SML] Very low cost DMX Controllers

[Ford Sellers]

Hi Joe,
There are a bajillion low-cost USB/DMX widgets out there.
I (for obvious reasons) like ChamSys<https://chamsyslighting.com/products/magicq?variant=7841688715300> a lot.  The software is free, super powerful, pretty easy to use, and comes with the ability to use up to 64 universes via artnet out of your laptop’s network port.  It runs on Mac, PC and Linux.
You would need an (or multiple) artnet/DMX converter to take advantage of 64 universes. But for just 1, they have very inexpensive options.
If you want a USB solution, ChamSys has their MagicDMX<https://chamsyslighting.com/collections/accessories>.  The MagicDMX Full gives you unlimited time usage of one universe of DMX for $100 from the Chauvet Parts Store<https://www.chauvetparts.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=21980>.
The Magic DMX Basic (Which I would Recommend for you) gives you 5 hours at a time (you have to re-launch the software to restart the clock), for a one time charge of $10.  So, every 5 hours you need to unplug, and re-plug your widget.   If your show is only 2 hours long, you’ll be fine.  In tech, you may need to take a 2 min break every 5 hours.
In show application…You can load your show, plug the widget in when the house opens (usually ½ hr), run the show, let the theatre empty, and you’d still have at least an hour or two left before you need to reset the dongle.

There is a vast library of video tutorials on-line both from ChamSys, and from other users, and there is a huge FB group (ChamSys Programmers) which is not moderated by ChamSys, and has a ton of people on it who can answer any question… usually without snark!

HTH,
-Ford

From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> On Behalf Of jdunfee12--- via Stagecraft
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 4:37 PM
To: stagecraft at theatrical.net
Cc: jdunfee12 at yahoo.com
Subject: [SML] Very low cost DMX Controllers

I will soon be presenting at a puppeteer's conference, and want to stay current with what is available at the low end for those wanting to do lighting with a DMX controlled system.

I recall the old Lighttronics units, with its 8-channel (16 by using two banks) of sliders.  It was small, and simple enough to use, that the user manual was printed on the underside of the unit.

But, since those days, the LED fixtures have taken over, and those tend to gobble up channels.

I recently tried out the extremely cheap Lixada DMX192 channel controllers sold for DJ's. They are also sold under a zillion other labels, and I got mine for under $40. However it is fatally flawed for theatrical use, because you cannot fade between scenes.  Instead, if  you press a scene button, the scene instantly comes up. The fade rate control slider has no effect on this.

Can anyone recommend a unit, under $100, that can handle the modern intelligent lights, and permits cross-fading between scenes?

-Joe
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