FS Workflow on Stage for live band

[ug999]

hi all,

please help me out with you experience here:
I want to use FS for a live playing band using RGB PARs & Scanners.
FS is set up and, I have Macros and sequences ready to use.

Now, what I don't get, is how to use FS live without an LJ.
I would like to step through my cues by the touch of one button.

Song 1: cue 1.1, 1.2 (ref), 1.3, 1.4 (end), Song 2: cue 2.1 ..... and so on

Perhaps I'm dead wrong in this attempt, but I could not find a lot of info.
I'm really excited to hear how you solved this prob.

Cheers
Uwe

[Shannon D]

Hi ug999,

I'm the drummer for my band and I use the midi out of a Roland SPD-S to control Freestyler from my drums. For my band setup, I created a Cue with the following sequences in it to control each one separate from the SPD-S:
seq 1 - colors... I have 25 different color scenes in it and manually trigger to the next scene by midi
seq 2 - static position 1 ... all movers set to specific pan/tilt location...one scene.. triggers on or off by midi
seq 3 - static position 2 ... all movers set to specific pan/tilt location...one scene.. triggers on or off by midi
seq 4 - static position 3 ... all movers set to specific pan/tilt location...one scene.. triggers on or off by midi
seq 5 - static position 4 ... all movers set to specific pan/tilt location...one scene.. triggers on or off by midi
seq 7 - movements 1... all movers moving to a shape...one scene...triggers on or off by midi
seq 8 - movements 2... all movers moving to a shape...one scene...triggers on or off by midi
seq 9 - movements 3... all movers moving to a shape...one scene...triggers on or off by midi

You can create different Cues and change the static positions and movements so it is not the same as the first Cue. It does require you to remember where everything is assigned on the midi controller and is more work while performing, but I like the challenge. Still beats paying for a LJ...LOL

In the past, we used a Behringer FCB-1010 midi foot controller as well that our keyboard player operated. Since he was not the Freestyler guru, he gave up because it confused him.

I hope this helps.

Cheers!

Shannon

[Shannon D]

I left out some info for my setup listed above. I don't build a Cue or a Sequence per song. That's just way too much work for a performing musician to remember every scene for every song and when it needs to be triggered. With my setup, I have freedom to concentrate on my part as a musician and change the lighting as I see fit. I've learned that 99% of your audience doesn't notice the details of the lighting anyway. Its all just flashy lights to the general audience. I still program the lights to my liking, but don't kill yourself thinking everyone will notice every lil change you make to the lighting.

Back to the setup listed in my previous post> with just the color sequence having multiple scenes in it, when I use the manual trigger, only the colors will change. So it doesn't matter if the movers are in static position 1, 2, 3.... or if the movers are moving to shape 1, 2, 3.... I can trigger to the next color scene on all lights by using the manual trigger without affecting the position or shape of the movers (because those only have one scene and is not affected by manual trigger). If you set up a sequence with multiple scenes consisting of static positions and movements together, you may get undesirable results during the gig if you don't memorize all your programming (hince, fast movements during a slow song).

Hope this helps!

Shannon

[Bigjd]

I too use FS for live band lighting and like Shannon above we use a SPDs for MIDI triggers.
Our drummer has 5 different pages of general themes set up for different songs using different effects and wash settings along with lasers and strobes.
Having the drummer be able to change the lighting in relationship to the song is fantastic. Now everything is timed pretty well to the music.

[Cheffrey]

Hello,
I am a Musician and Audio Engineer and new to DMX software. I am using my digital audio mixer through firewire to my computer and to my DAW. I have just downloaded Freestyler to control my 4 groups of LED DMX lights, i.e., 2 - Derby's out front, 2 - LED spots on top of Derbies onto stage, 2 - Scanners in back and 8 - Pars for washes. I play and record bands in small to medium sized venues.

Question 1 is; Can I access my firewire soundcard to activate the Sound to Light feature of the software?, as I only want to turn off and on particular sound active groups during songs, and of course blackout. In other words, can I run both audio and lights on the same computer using Sound to Light?

Question 2 is; Would I have to set up a USB mic to activate Sound to Light if I can not access soundcard.

Question 3 is; Does the Sound to Light feature utilize the fixture sound active DSP or that of the Freestyler software? I know the fixture automation and I have read how to set the activation on this forum.

Question 4 is; Would a midi foot controller be appropriate for activating these groups and blackout?

I have read alot of the forum, watched tutorials and believe this software will work for me. However, I have to make it as simple as possible for myself, as it is not in the budget to hire another person and my hands are full. But my feet are not.

Sorry for the newbie questions

[ug999]

Hello,
I am a Musician and Audio Engineer and new to DMX software. I am using my digital audio mixer through firewire to my computer and to my DAW. I have just downloaded Freestyler to control my 4 groups of LED DMX lights, i.e., 2 - Derby's out front, 2 - LED spots on top of Derbies onto stage, 2 - Scanners in back and 8 - Pars for washes. I play and record bands in small to medium sized venues.
.......
Question 4 is; Would a midi foot controller be appropriate for activating these groups and blackout?
......

@all
First of all, thanks so far everybody for you answers and insights.
I am still very intersted to hearing from your and your solutions for live bands without LJ.

@Cheffrey:
This can be done pretty easy. I am using a Behringer FCB1010 Foot Controller, which is very flexible and inexpensive.

Cheers
Uwe

[Cheffrey]

Thanks Uwe,
I just bought a gus Electronics interface which is pretty basic. USB to 3 pin DMX output. How would I introduce the midi. Does the FCB 1010 have USB connectivity? What about the Sound to Light feature? Have you used it? Maybe should have gotten an ENttec Pro?

Any insight is appreciated,
Cheffrey

[Shannon D]

Enttec Pro is the way to go 4sho! It's the best dongle that works with multiple softwares.

The FCB1010 does not have usb. You will need a midi to usb interface to make the FCB1010 talk to FS. I have the M-Audio midisport 2x2 anniversary edition midi interface. It works perfect with any OS.

You can create scenes in a sequence that utilizes the fixtures built in music mode if you want the lights to jump to the music. No need to worry about S2L.

[Cheffrey]

You can create scenes in a sequence that utilizes the fixtures built in music mode if you want the lights to jump to the music. No need to worry about S2L.

Thanks Shannon D,
So I can set up the groups of fixtures to utilize the built in mic and sound active mode? Just simple triggers from FCB 1010 to control each group and fade/blackout trigger also? How do I do that in FS?

Beside having to buy another interface and controller, this is great.

Getting exited now,
Cheffrey

[Shannon D]

Cheffrey,
Any fixture that has a music mode (with a built in mic and dmx values from the manufacture that correspond to this mode) can be utilized from a sequence you create in FS. Just create a single scene sequence that has the music mode turned on for the lights that have that function. Trigger this scene on / off with midi when you want it on or off. The lights will jump to the music or go back to another scene as you want.

Keep reading in the forum to learn basic programming. You have to learn how to make your lights respond to the Freestyler software first before trying to trigger FS with external control. The midi stuff can get complicated, but if you don't have the programming down first, your really gonna be lost when trying to program the FCB1010. It's not the easiest thing to configure because the Behringer manual stinks.

[Cheffrey]

Thanks Shannon,
I'm waiting for my interface and will begin programming my fixtures soon. Can't wait to get started. I have 2 Stage Ape led derby lights and it looks like I should configure them in the OTHER fixture Icon. Is that right? I'll keep reading and really appreciate being pointed in the right direction. I had to make a dicision of whether to use this software or not. I guess I'm all in now! I'm sure I'll be asking many more silly questions trying to get my head around this software. But I don't give up easy. Too old to turn back.

Ha Ha!
Thanks again.

[Shannon D]

Cheffrey,

Yes, you will have to build your fixture file using "other", because currently there is no Stage Ape fixtures in FS. It will be a simple 8 channel fixture.

Not to be rude, but you should start a new thread for your specific needs on basic programming. We kinda hi-jacked this thread which is for "FS Workflow on Stage for live band". You can PM me as well if you don't get answers to your questions from anyone in your new thread.

Peace!

SD