Colorstrip & Freestyler

[djharryg]

okay. I'm pretty darn good at using Freestyler. (Although I use an older version). But, I'm having a tough time trying to understand how to run a colorstrip with Freestyler. Does anyone run a colorstrip with Freestyler?

1. Can you access the internal chases via Freestyler? Or, are you completely on your own once it's hooked up to DMX?

2. Even though I've got the colorstrip set to react to sound, I don't understand how it's supposed to HEAR the sound if I'm not playing the sound through the machine I'm playing Freestyler on? How the heck is Freestyler supposed to HEAR sound that is not playing off the laptop?

If anyone has experience working a colorstrip with Freestyler could you contact me? Please!! Thank you

[Onge]

Are we talking about the Chauvet Colorstrip here ? If so there is a fixture already included for it ( I am using version 3.2.9).
Use the Macro screen to access most of the functions, not sure if all the functions are there.
I would say that some of the macros use the fixture own built in "MUSIC" mode, so have music playing that the fixtures can "hear".

If you are trying to use the S2L module and have set the fixture "Let fixture react to sound when enabled" within FreeStyler>Setup>Add/remove fixtures, then if you are playing music from the same PC/Laptop then if you sound card allows it you need to configure the "mixer" record properties of you sound card to listen to "What U Hear".
I access this via the "Speaker" in the taksbar and select properties.

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If that is not available then you either need to use the line in to get the music or use a microphone to pick up the music.

I am sure there are people on this forum who can give you a much better answer.

[remco_k]

okay. I'm pretty darn good at using Freestyler. (Although I use an older version). But, I'm having a tough time trying to understand how to run a colorstrip with Freestyler. Does anyone run a colorstrip with Freestyler?

1. Can you access the internal chases via Freestyler? Or, are you completely on your own once it's hooked up to DMX?

That really depends on the fixture itself. Some fixtures have built in chases, but don't listen to DMX anymore, so it can't controlled by DMX then. With that fixtures you need to create your own chases in FS.
Other fixtures can start their internal chases controlled by DMX. It should be noted in the DMX channel description. If not, it can't.

2. Even though I've got the colorstrip set to react to sound, I don't understand how it's supposed to HEAR the sound if I'm not playing the sound through the machine I'm playing Freestyler on? How the heck is Freestyler supposed to HEAR sound that is not playing off the laptop?

FreeStyler has an sound 2 ligt tool built in. It starts a "record" from your soundcard and that way it 'hears' the sound that is connected to your line in of played from the same computer. (all depending on windows configuration of what is the record source).
There is a problem though, with that version of FS comes an old S2L tool, wich does not work that good and utilizes a lot of CPU power (jumps to 100% at many users). Thats why the new FreeStyler comes with a new and better S2L tool. See my web page for info: http://www.digiplay.nl/fs

I don't think this S2L tool will work with your old version of FS. But you could try it.

[GaryBonaducci]

1. Can you access the internal chases via Freestyler? Or, are you completely on your own once it's hooked up to DMX?

The ColorStrip has thirteen chases: six color changing chases and seven sequential chases. They are the same chases whether using the fixture's control panel or DMX. You cannot program the individual LED groups on the ColorStrip to turn on/off; so on an individual fixture, you cannot create your own chase—You must use the built-in chase. Theoretically, you can create your own chase using multiple fixtures set up at their own individual DMX addresses. But such a setup would involve setting an entire fixture to display one solid color, and chasing that color among multiple fixtures.

Also, a number of the built-in chases are meant to be used on multiple ColorStrips that are daisy-chained together in Master/Slave mode. They don't look right on a single individual fixture. You'll need preferably three or more fixtures for those particular chases to look good.

2. Even though I've got the colorstrip set to react to sound, I don't understand how it's supposed to HEAR the sound if I'm not playing the sound through the machine I'm playing Freestyler on? How the heck is Freestyler supposed to HEAR sound that is not playing off the laptop?

The ColorStrip uses it's built-in microphone to detect and react to sound when DMX is set to sound-active modes. Like many sound-sensitive lighting, it tends to react more to bass frequencies rather than mid- or high-frequencies, so clapping your hands usually won't trigger it. The sensitivity must be manually set in advance, but I think you'll find there's a lot of leeway in the control.

Personally, I wish it would trigger simply on volume level peaks, because with certain types of music it triggers only to half of the drumbeats.

[djharryg]

When I place the colorstrip into RGB mode, the colorstrip will start randomly glitching/strobing. I've replaced the DMX cabl, the USB cable, and even terminated the colorstrip. Nothing helps. The random strobing makes the colorstrip unusable. What could be causing this to happen? And, how can I stop it?

It's happening with both brand new colorstrips.

Watch the video I made of this happening.

http://vimeo.com/10364655

[GaryBonaducci]

When I place the colorstrip into RGB mode, the colorstrip will start randomly glitching/strobing...

Ah... Very interesting.

(BTW, I thought you had the original 4 ft. ColorStrips, not the ColorStrip Minis... I think the info above still applies to your units.)

Anyway, there's an extensive discussion about that exact same problem with the original ColorStrips in RGB mode right here on this board. To save you time from reading the entire thread, I'll describe the problem and solution below. I'm surprised you seem to have the same problem with your Minis, because I believe Chauvet was told before they came out that it was a problem with the original.

The problem with the original ColorStrips was that in RGB mode, a high DMX refresh rate would cause that exact flicker you're seeing. Only when the refresh rate was reduced to around 30 frames per second or below, would the ColorStrip be able to hold RGB colors fine without flickering.

With some USB-to-DMX interfaces, you can set the refresh rate either through a utility program from the interface manufacturer, or IIRC through settings in Windows Device Manager. I don't recognize your controller seen in the video, so you'll have to check on your own about this.

Another alternative solution is that in version 3.2, FreeStyler got a new feature where the output refresh rate could be adjusted. Go to: Setup > FreeStyler Setup > Interface Setup > Controller, click on the "Advanced" button, and the output refresh control will appear. (I haven't used this solution myself, since I solved my flickering problem using a utility for the controller.)

Hope this works for you!

[djharryg]

Okay. I updated to 3.2.8. It doesn't crash. That's a good thing. I just have to learn a few of the new features.

I selected the Velleman and changed the refresh rate to 20. I even rebooted. No good. No change. Still have the flicker problem.

I know it was recommended that I purchase the Enttec Pro. But, that is $135. There is a regular Enttec for about $55. Do you think that the rebular (non-pro) Enttec is good enough to eliminate the flickering?

[dmxlighting]

Okay. I updated to 3.2.8. It doesn't crash. That's a good thing. I just have to learn a few of the new features.

I selected the Velleman and changed the refresh rate to 20. I even rebooted. No good. No change. Still have the flicker problem.

I know it was recommended that I purchase the Enttec Pro. But, that is $135. There is a regular Enttec for about $55. Do you think that the rebular (non-pro) Enttec is good enough to eliminate the flickering?

If its in your price range then get the Pro device, its well worth it! If not the cheaper 'open' devicde is still far far far better than the Velleman unit (can't stress enough how rubbish these units are!)

[GaryBonaducci]

I selected the Velleman and changed the refresh rate to 20. I even rebooted. No good. No change. Still have the flicker problem.

I know it was recommended that I purchase the Enttec Pro. But, that is $135. There is a regular Enttec for about $55. Do you think that the rebular (non-pro) Enttec is good enough to eliminate the flickering?

Harry, do you have the Velleman VM116? It appears similar to the lower-priced Enttec controller, whereby neither have an internal microcontroller. This type of interface uses software (rather than dedicated hardware) to process the DMX signals for output. Thus, they also put more work on the CPU, something I notice you're concerned about in the other thread.

I'm only theorizing here, but it could be that even though you may set FreeStyler to put out DMX signals at only a 30 frame per second rate, the Velleman software controller may still be sending the DMX signals out at a higher rate than what the ColorStrip Mini can handle. You'll probably need to find a way to change the refresh speed through the controller's driver software, rather than through FreeStyler's settings. If the Velleman driver doesn't allow you to do this, it's probably time to invest in the Enttec USB Pro. Many other guys I know from another message board use this controller and I do too. It works well with my two ColorStrips, and I would be surprised if they didn't help solve your problems with yours. At the very least, it would probably take a load off your CPU through it's built-in hardware microcontroller.

[remco_k]

There is a regular Enttec for about $55. Do you think that the rebular (non-pro) Enttec is good enough to eliminate the flickering?

The Enttec Open DMX is better than the Velleman, but there is no way of telling that the flickering is eliminated, until someone tries it. But chances seem good to me.
The Enttec DMX USB Pro is WAY better than the Velleman unit, flickering should not occur anymore. Unless the source of the problem is something else ofcourse.

If its in your price range then get the Pro device, its well worth it! If not the cheaper 'open' devicde is still far far far better than the Velleman unit (can't stress enough how rubbish these units are!)

Now thats an understatement.

[GaryBonaducci]

If its in your price range then get the Pro device, its well worth it! If not the cheaper 'open' devicde is still far far far better than the Velleman unit...

Ha ha! You said it in much less words than I did...

[djharryg]

You guys are the BEST!

[Onge]

Go Pro, worth it in the long run.

[Partyman]

Go with the pro and change the refresh rate to 10. It will solve the colorstrip problem you are having.

Rusty

[djharryg]

I sound cheap but I ordered the enttec open dmx and a 5 pin to 3 pin adapter.

I'm going the cheap route. I hope I don't regret it. It's got to be better than the velleman.

[remco_k]

Well I don't know how such "send back" rules are in the law of other countries, but here in the Netherlands we can order just about anything online and can send it back without reason within 7 days and get our money back, by law. Like Thoman (in Germany) some webshops have expanded that period themselves.
Ofcourse the article must be in new shape in original packaging. It may be opened and used but not damaged in anyway.
This law does not apply custom built hardware.

[GaryBonaducci]

I sound cheap but I ordered the enttec open dmx and a 5 pin to 3 pin adapter.

I'm going the cheap route. I hope I don't regret it. It's got to be better than the velleman.

Keep your receipt!!

[djharryg]

Keep my receipt? Really?

[GaryBonaducci]

Keep my receipt? Really?

Yes. If you were using it with any other fixture, maybe the Enttec Open would be fine. But you already have a problem with the Velleman; and because the Enttec Open has a similar circuitry design, I'm skeptical that it will solve your issue either.

The Enttec Pro (which at this point literally everyone is recommending... ) is more expensive because it's designed based on using an EEPROM-programmmed microcontroller. In other words, it's more expensive because it has it's own little computer inside the device to do all the DMX signal processing. Not only does this type of hardware design offer better control, I'm very sure it'll take a lot of processor load off your lighting computer too--something you won't get with the Enttec Open.

[djharryg]

Drats!! Okay. If I try it out, and it doesn't work for my particular fixture, I will put it on ebay and hope I can sell it. That's what I get for being cheap!

[remco_k]

Keep my receipt? Really?

Yes. If you were using it with any other fixture, maybe the Enttec Open would be fine. But you already have a problem with the Velleman; and because the Enttec Open has a similar circuitry design, I'm skeptical that it will solve your issue either.

If the design of the Velleman K8062/VM116 was about similar to the Enttec Open DMX, the interface would be much much better than it actually is.
Sorry, you're at the wrong end. I've build the K8062 myself one day, it IS controlled by an on board processor. But the design of the built in software and driver in combination with the used (slow) hardware (on board processor) in this kit makes it a real bad thing. (find my posts about this unit and you'll see I digged really deep in it, even rewrote the driver one day to see if that helps, and it did, but just a tiny tiny tiny bit, the hardware is just to slow under some circumstances).
This Velleman kit is in no way comparable to the Enttec Open DMX which seems a lot better to me.

The Enttec Pro (which at this point literally everyone is recommending... ) is more expensive because it's designed based on using an EEPROM-programmmed microcontroller. In other words, it's more expensive because it has it's own little computer inside the device to do all the DMX signal processing. Not only does this type of hardware design offer better control, I'm very sure it'll take a lot of processor load off your lighting computer too--something you won't get with the Enttec Open.

Thats right!
But since computers are -that- fast these days, I think this will not be great problem anymore.

[djharryg]

Thanks. So... There is hope that the Enttec Open DMX is better than the Velleman?

[dmxlighting]

Thanks. So... There is hope that the Enttec Open DMX is better than the Velleman?

No doubt about it my friend. ANYTHING is better than the Velleman thing! Open device is cool, the Pro is probably the best unit on the market is all.

[djharryg]

Well... You guys were right. I received the open. The drivers installed okay. It works fine. HOWEVER.... The strobing problem on the colorstrip is still there evern after changing the refresh rate to 20 and rebooting.

So... I wasted $60 and STILL need to buy the Pro. Unbelievable. It's my own fault. I was hoping the open would work.

[Onge]

Well... You guys were right. I received the open. The drivers installed okay. It works fine. HOWEVER.... The strobing problem on the colorstrip is still there evern after changing the refresh rate to 20 and rebooting.

So... I wasted $60 and STILL need to buy the Pro. Unbelievable. It's my own fault. I was hoping the open would work.

Getting the PRO version still might not solve the flashing/flickering problem. It is a fault that some "cheaper" LED products have. I have some cheap LED PAR 56s and some do flicker every now and then, it is not even the same fixtures everytime.