Best budget DMX Controllers?

[Jason Hollar]

Hey all you lighting cats. DMX noob here.

I need a cool "centerpiece" LED dance light and want full control over all its colors, speeds, strobe, audio sync, blackout, etc., on a compact light board -- no software.

The rig has to be compact and affordable (under $500).

My question is about compatibility -- I understand that DMX is supposed to be universal but do these typical products actually work well together on the gig? Once programmed, do the boards keep the settings intact?

American DJ Revo series or Dekker style, etc., with Elation DMX Controller?

- or -

Chauvet Vue series / or Kinta X style, etc. with Obey 8 or 10?


Every light seems to advertise a different feature set including DMX channels & functions -- so I'm a little confused.

Thanks so much, any advice from the field is greatly appreciated.

J

 

[Rickett Customs]

Elation, Not a bad "bang for the buck" either:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...802224&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26049972

 

[Jason Hollar]

I'm thinking maybe a Chauvet Obey 10? Anybody use one of these?

 

[Jason Hollar]

Just bumpin' this to find out what people are using 'round here.

Best budget DMX controller with LED "centerpiece" style lights...thanks.

 

[jive1]

You can get a USB to DMX adapter and then use free software like Freestyler to program and control the lights.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Hey thanks -- that software looks really cool. I realize software is the way to go for serious lighting applications -- but I don't want to spend a coupla hundred bux on a decent DMX-USB interface -- and several hundred more on a second computer.

I'm really trying to find out if anybody here has experience using the readily availble (and cheap!) light boards from Chauvet or Elation, etc.

It would be great to know if these relatively inexpensive boards work well on the gig or if they are pieces of junk not to be trusted.

I just want to have control over a few centerpiece lights and a coupla LED wash lights for some of the events we do.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Hey - wanted to follow up in case anybody was interested...

Bought the Obey 10 in July. Initial gig results good.

Using it with a Chauvet Vue 6.1 - six channel DMX fixture.

Plan to add some slim par led wash lights soon.

 

[Fireflydj]

You should check out the Chauvet Colorstrip and the Chauvet Color palette, they work as washes or as effect lighting, as well as strobe effects. Cheap but useful lights with a lot of light!

 

[nervous]

Just to hop in here because I am in a similar place I did just get 2 Chauvet 4Bars but think I need a controller to get where I want to be. I dislike random, flashing patterns and often just prefer them on but these lights are a bit tricky to get what I want out of them. A DMX controller will get me there I think and am about sold on the Chauvet Obey 40. Not much more money that the Obey10 but has a little room for growth.

Have you used your Obey10 yet?

Anyone using the 4Bars with a controller? I'd love to hear your likes, dislikes and experiences. I have read many fussy problems and because I am a DMX newbie idiot right now I fear the learning curve.

 

[PopaWoody]

Software...controllers have limitations in the number of channels, are a bitch to program unless you are into cryptically deciphering the manuals written by chinese fourth grade english students.

 

[Floridabwoy]

I am interested in this too..... foot controller's are what i am interested. I am going to research that DMX foot controller in your other thread Nervous.