Controlling the intensity of groups of lights with MIDI

[remco_k]

Now I have a question.

I'm preparing a gig, in my head for the time being. The gig is 27 march, so time enough.
Recently I bought an external midi controller. the Korg nanoKontrol:

Very cheap (€55,-) , feels like a toy (cheap shit). But it works really perfectly!
I can control anything in FS what I would like to control. But there is one operation I'm not really "happy" with.
And that is controlling the intensity of groups of lights, assigned to one or more faders on the controller.

So here what I would like to do: suppose I have 8 moving heads flying around. I devide them in 2 groups of 4 and I want to regulate the intensity of the 2 groups with 2 faders on the midi controller. So the first fader controls the intensity of head 1...4 and the second fader of 5...8. Not having so select anything else with keyboard and/or mouse. At all times, no matter what, I need that 2 faders to be the intensity. Always!
So, I figured to use the submasters for (almost) the first time in my FS life. I created 2 sequences, both with 1 step. The first sequence sets the intensity of mh 1..4 at 100%, the second sequence does the same but for mh 5...8.
I added those 2 sequences to 2 empty cues, save the new cues and add the 2 cues to the submasters. No I have 2 submasters filled with both 1 sequence. The first submaster is controlling the intensity of mh 1...4 and the second is controlling 5...8. Happy as I am I assigned the submaster intensity 1 to be controlled by fader 1 on my nanoKontrol and the same for submaster intensity 2 to fader 2. And what happens? I works, just as I want to!
Duh, so whats you question then, dude?
I'm feeling I need to do a lot of different things to get a function like this working. (Create 2 sequences, create 2 cues, assign to submasters, assign midi note to submaster intensity)
My question is: Is there a shorter route to achieve the same result (with or without using the submasters)? Am I forgetting something obvious to do this in a much easier way? Or did I create the one and only route already?

[LJ_krede.dk]

Now I have a question.

whaaaat? really???

I'm feeling I need to do a lot of different things to get a function like this working. (Create 2 sequences, create 2 cues, assign to submasters, assign midi note to submaster intensity)
My question is: Is there a shorter route to achieve the same result (with or without using the submasters)? Am I forgetting something obvious to do this in a much easier way? Or did I create the one and only route already?

I think it is the right way. however, Fader 1 and 2 will only control the intensity when you are at submaster page 1. if you change it to, let's say page 2 fader 1 and 2 will control submaster 4 and 5. you can insert your cues here as well if you want.

another thing you could do is to assign the faders to "MIDI to DMX ..." and then patch the channel in the freestyler setup. I will not recommend you to do that. you loose some control of each mh's.

summary: no, there is no simpler way to accomplish what you want (what I know off???)

[dmxlighting]

Yeah I think you found the best method. I can think of any other ways of doing it. If I think of anything I'll let you know.

[remco_k]

summary: no, there is no simpler way to accomplish what you want (what I know off???)

I was afraid of that.

Yeah I think you found the best method. I can think of any other ways of doing it. If I think of anything I'll let you know.

So, what is that idea then?

Last night I was reporting some bugs in the Beta version to Raph. I asked him the same question. Maybe he knows more.

[Mattotone]

i had asked Raph for this feature a while ago as well as the midi to dmx, it may still be on his development list.
you could patch the intensity together in groups and apply a midi to dmx to the channel. i don't know if it will work because i haven't tried. It may also mess up your sequences if they use the fixtures inenctity. but may be worth a try

[remco_k]

i had asked Raph for this feature a while ago as well as the midi to dmx, it may still be on his development list.
you could patch the intensity together in groups and apply a midi to dmx to the channel. i don't know if it will work because i haven't tried. It may also mess up your sequences if they use the fixtures inenctity. but may be worth a try

Midi to DMX is available in the current release as well in the beta, that is: I have seen the words on screen. Did'nt try it.
But, as I can see now, I can just map one midi channel to one DMX channel? How could that single midi channel control a group of DMX channels then? (still going to try out tonight when I get home from work... Good point.)

[LJ_krede.dk]

i had asked Raph for this feature a while ago as well as the midi to dmx, it may still be on his development list.
you could patch the intensity together in groups and apply a midi to dmx to the channel. i don't know if it will work because i haven't tried. It may also mess up your sequences if they use the fixtures inenctity. but may be worth a try

Midi to DMX is available in the current release as well in the beta, that is: I have seen the words on screen. Did'nt try it.
But, as I can see now, I can just map one midi channel to one DMX channel? How could that single midi channel control a group of DMX channels then? (still going to try out tonight when I get home from work... Good point.)

another thing you could do is to assign the faders to "MIDI to DMX ..." and then patch the channel in the freestyler setup. I will not recommend you to do that. you loose some control of each mh's.

you can patch several dmx output channel to on dmx channel in FS. but as mattotone said, there are some disadvantages,

[dmxlighting]

I would stick with the submaster way of doing this as it is by far the least confusing method. Also I think that now you have a midi controller it will be worth looking at using submaters more often. Submasters are great but really do need an external unit to use them properly / affectivley.

I would definatly consider a BCF2000 in the future if you do get on with the sub as the motorised faders make swaping pages far more possible.
Its always difficult to change page on any desk and then go back and think... Errr where were these faders set to ?

[bckeeping]

Hi Remco

I have the same Midi controller, at least its nice and small huh, fits in a laptop bag
The way you describe splitting up the fixtures with submasters is exactly what I have done too.

What you need, is more submasters on a page... say enough to suit a midi controller Raph?
B

[remco_k]

What you need, is more submasters on a page... say enough to suit a midi controller Raph?
B

I have enough submasters on a page for the moment. (need 2 groups)
But I can imagine one day I need more.

I would definatly consider a BCF2000 in the future if you do get on with the sub as the motorised faders make swaping pages far more possible.
Its always difficult to change page on any desk and then go back and think... Errr where were these faders set to ?

I know, been there done that. But, I don't do gigs that often. A BCF 2000 is a bit too expensive just to buy it and look at it most of the time instead of using it.
I have other hobbies too, costs way more money, thats where the big stuf goes.

[dmxlighting]

Lucky for me lighting and sound are my job and my hobby

This means I get to play with lots of new toys and test out stuff to see if I want to buy one.