Support Forum

I am new to dmx lighting and was hoping if someone could recommend to me what gear i typically need to run lighting for a band with a computer. I "think" I need a pc, freestyler, some sort of dmx box to connect the lights to the pc and some 5 pin dmx cables... Am i close? I have lots to learn so if any suggestions please share

yes indeed you need a PC (min specs: 1Ghz, 512Ram) if your going to use midi , touchscreen , 3dView a faster pc is recommended. (as far as i know it should aslo run on a old 386 but some stuff can take a while..)

you need Freestyler..

and a USB to DMX Device.. i would recommend a DMX device from DMX king. they are cheap and run on the FTDI Chipset its a Stable and most used DMX device..

you can but them with 3 PIN XLR or 5 pin XLR, and this totaly depants on the Fixture your going to use..
the most uses a 3 pin xlr. and most of the Fixtures that uses 5 pin XLR also have a 3 pin XLR ...

but this a 3pin to 5pin and a 5pin to 3 pin XLR cable are very handy to have...

/spirit

Thanks for the response, very useful info for me to start with. Any recommendations on light fixtures to start out with (preferably something cheap so i have something to learn with?)

Anything with a DMX connector is good to start with

A dimmer pack is the cheapest way to start, but there is not much challenge in programming it.
Check your local vendor for "dmx light effects" within your price range.

Do you play ddrums? Cool.
What lights to get totally depends on what you want to do with them, but as a general start you probably want some decent LED "par cans". These are standard lights that you can set the colour and brightness of using FreeStyler. You can make them flash or change colour, or whatever by programming sequences in FS. You can't make them move.
If you want fancier lighting, then look into moving lights, which often have lots more features - including being able to move (obviously).
Dimmer packs, as suggested above, are used for controlling "conventionals" - incandescent lights like you would see on stages 20 years ago (and still do today). You can only control the brightness of these using software. They get hot and cost money to replace bulbs when they blow. LEDs have replaced these for almost any coloured application, but are still not the same for decent white front lighting.
Connect the interface to the PC, connect the cable (usually 3-pin DMX, not 5-pin) to the interface and then daisy chain it to all of the lights, turn them on, set the DMX addresses (different) for each light, add these "fixtures" in FreeStyler, and start making them light up.

Read the FreeStyler wiki for more help with the program and if you want more specific advice, ask more specific questions about your specific needs/goals.

Have fun.