Chauvet makes a DMX Foot controller. I have never used it and have no experience with it but it has a DMX out directly on it so you could just use a wireless DMX send and receiver. Their may be other ones that make them also.
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Weekend Warrior Stage Lighting Discussion
- Thread starter Stinsok
- Start date
Chauvet makes a DMX Foot controller. I have never used it and have no experience with it but it has a DMX out directly on it so you could just use a wireless DMX send and receiver. Their may be other ones that make them also.
Tried the Chauvet Foot C, it was a POS that didn't really give me anywhere near the control I was thinking it would. Didn't last long before it was discontinued and the Foot C2 was released but the reviews I read on it didn't sound like it was much improvement.
I've seen posts here discussing a DMX foot switch Thomann in Germany has out that was well reviewed but don't have any more info on it (someone here surely will though).
Just found this on Musicians Friend, don't know anything about it but looks interesting. Venue Tetra Control Intuitive DMX Controller and Footswitch
I've seen posts here discussing a DMX foot switch Thomann in Germany has out that was well reviewed but don't have any more info on it (someone here surely will though).
Just found this on Musicians Friend, don't know anything about it but looks interesting. Venue Tetra Control Intuitive DMX Controller and Footswitch
Just as a side point. I know you want to avoid more cables but I run all my lights with only one cable (except power of course) and the FCB1010. A cheap DMX controller I leave in my rack with a midi in is all I have. One cord (midi) from the foot switch to the rack (where my DMX controller is) then wireless DMX out to three wireless receivers (back/front left/ front right)
Just as an option if you get a cheap DMX controller with midi.
Just as an option if you get a cheap DMX controller with midi.
I have the Foot C2 and wireless DMX with my fixtures. It does what I need fairly easily. I’ve got scenes and chases programmed into it and use them as needed while we’re playing.
The whole thing could be a lot smaller than it is, and could definitely be built better but it’s held up okay over its life of 5-6 years so far.
The whole thing could be a lot smaller than it is, and could definitely be built better but it’s held up okay over its life of 5-6 years so far.
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[QUOTE="EdO., post: 26769192, member: 288570"
Just found this on Musicians Friend, don't know anything about it but looks interesting. Venue Tetra Control Intuitive DMX Controller and Footswitch[/QUOTE]
I have the Venue Tetra Controller and have been happy with it. The only downside is that the speed of the chases has to be changed on the controller, than you change between static/all on and the chase with the footswitch. You And I can't really help @SoCal80s with the wireless part. I have access to all the Cat5 cable I'd ever need at work so I bought the DMX to RJ45 adaptors and run the Cat5 cable. That is much less expensive than DMX cable and the wiring is small and easy to run so it works for me. I'm running the Tetra Bar 12 and 3 sets of Chauvet 4bars with it.
Here is a video from a user perspective on how it works:
Just found this on Musicians Friend, don't know anything about it but looks interesting. Venue Tetra Control Intuitive DMX Controller and Footswitch[/QUOTE]
I have the Venue Tetra Controller and have been happy with it. The only downside is that the speed of the chases has to be changed on the controller, than you change between static/all on and the chase with the footswitch. You And I can't really help @SoCal80s with the wireless part. I have access to all the Cat5 cable I'd ever need at work so I bought the DMX to RJ45 adaptors and run the Cat5 cable. That is much less expensive than DMX cable and the wiring is small and easy to run so it works for me. I'm running the Tetra Bar 12 and 3 sets of Chauvet 4bars with it.
Here is a video from a user perspective on how it works:
Thanks, this looks like the right idea. My lights are Chauvet EZpar64's which can be run in 4-channel or 8-channel mode (channel 8 controls the dimmer). Since this is a 7-channel controller, does that mean that I would lose control over the dimmer (but would otherwise be OK)? If so, is there a work-around to still control the dimmer?
I think that's correct with the dimmer, not an expert on DMX. The dimmer on this setup is a knob on the controller itself. This was designed for DJ's who have their hands free and has a footswitch for other things. I run my lights in 28 ch mode and no dimmer without adjusting that knob on the controller.
Like the chases. If it's a fast song I'll set the lights on static between songs, reach over and adjust the speed up. Than when we start I switch back to chase. There are 3 different strobe speeds and you can set the strobe to any color too. It was pretty easy to setup, had it for a little over a year and has worked well so far.
Hey popping back in with some questions:
Do any of you guys roll with just color fade or sound active mode?
I’ve got two very nice ADJ wifly led par cans that are killer uplights or for flooding the dance floor depending on the room.
Unfortunately both the internal batteries went kaput (nearly simultaneously) and the cheapo dmx board I was using doesn’t seem to want to sync anymore. I suspect they would work if I bought new batteries and re-initialized the setup.
Anyway I’ve decided to just plug ‘em in and ride a tasteful fade or sound active mode for some upcoming events but I don’t want it to look cheesy or amateurish.
At this point I really need to set everything up with my sound system to feel out the sensitivity on sound mode or check the times on the color fades - but can’t really do that in my current living situation.
Anyone have any favorite settings - or I wonder if they’re all totally different from fixture to fixture. I believe my particular lights have 16 modes for both fade & sound.
Do any of you guys roll with just color fade or sound active mode?
I’ve got two very nice ADJ wifly led par cans that are killer uplights or for flooding the dance floor depending on the room.
Unfortunately both the internal batteries went kaput (nearly simultaneously) and the cheapo dmx board I was using doesn’t seem to want to sync anymore. I suspect they would work if I bought new batteries and re-initialized the setup.
Anyway I’ve decided to just plug ‘em in and ride a tasteful fade or sound active mode for some upcoming events but I don’t want it to look cheesy or amateurish.
At this point I really need to set everything up with my sound system to feel out the sensitivity on sound mode or check the times on the color fades - but can’t really do that in my current living situation.
Anyone have any favorite settings - or I wonder if they’re all totally different from fixture to fixture. I believe my particular lights have 16 modes for both fade & sound.
It's all nice to have a synchronized super duper light show, I had a buddy come see our show, he used to be a lighting man, but now does sound for international acts,
I asked him what he thought of the lighting show (we have DMX lights, lazers, smoke, crowd blinders ..etc),
and he said, "at the end of the night, no-one goes home whistling to the lights".
I asked him what he thought of the lighting show (we have DMX lights, lazers, smoke, crowd blinders ..etc),
and he said, "at the end of the night, no-one goes home whistling to the lights".
I use sound mode and fades as well as static and basic chases. Hit the strobes very briefly Iike 3 times per night because that is one effect that can get old very fast.
My opinion is the more variety the better. If you only have the choice of sound active and fade then how easy is it to change the fade speed or sound sensitivity? By adjusting those things you may be able to make it appear that there's more than only two options going on.
Just my opinion. This venue controller and footswitch are pretty easy to use while I also run skund, play and do a lot of singing.
These shots are from last Friday's bar & grill gig. Just two Chauvet WashFX fixtures on the floor flanking the stage, and a single amber par can mounted on one of the main speakers. In the past, I've just picked a static color – I prefer blue – but I now have a DMX controller on my rig that's programmed for a slow fade through a series of color washes. I also picked up some inexpensive DMX wireless receivers, so no DMX cables! It only takes a minute to set up and it looks really good. I like this look a lot better than a 4-bar blinking on auto mode.
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Yes, that's a good look. I am not a big fan of randomly blinking lights and use it sparingly, stick mostly to the fades, slow or fast depending on songs, and static colors.
But if I could ask, what are the "inexpensive wireless DMX" receivers you use? As easy as the adaptors and Cat5 cables are, wireless would still be a nice option.
Well, they were inexpensive for me because I found a bunch of them on Facebook marketplace for dirt cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/CHINLY-Charg...mzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0
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Good score. More important than that price is knowing they work well. I have no problem paying for them if they work. You've had no problems with 2.4? I know that once I had a Line 6 wireless that operated in that range, which is the same as most wi-fi routers and had dropouts all the time. Thanks
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I only used them a few times so far. No issues with connectivity or dropouts. The jury is still out on how road-worthy they are...I have the plug-in type, not the rechargeable ones. The plug on the AC adapter looks a bit fragile.
I also have the plug in type (have to run power to the lights anyway)
Never had a single problem with them in crowded bars, outdoor shows or hotel ballrooms. If there is a tiny bit of latency being on the 2.4, I would never notice. I am too busy playing, singing and using my fcb1010 to control the lights.
Edit - I too was worried about the "road worthiness" of them, and at the end of shows when packing up, I put them in a tool box along with some other items to keep them protected
I'm in the same camp of protecting things probably more than necessary. I took the nice case from my Shure wireless and cut out the foam to accommodate the Tetra Controller, footswitch and dmx adaptors.
We have an RGB LED floodlight and a white "always on" floodlight on the top of each PA cab). One side RGB is set to "fade", the other "strobe", which is actually just a faster fade, so they change colour at different rates.
Not what you would call a light show but -
They illuminate us on an otherwise dark stage
Have some colour change
Are small, lightweight, and easy to setup and schlep (very important as they are my responsibility)
