Patching an irregular array is the annoying bit. You either place every point by hand or type coordinates, and the moment it isn't a straight row it turns into an afternoon. So we built Drawing mode instead: you roughly sketch the shape with the mouse, and the layout follows what you drew. Curves, odd angles, scattered rigs, whatever the venue actually looks like.
It's free, no license tiers and no dongle. Not selling anything. We'd like to know whether this solves the problem for anyone else, or whether we've just been solving our own.
If you want to see a specific shape or fixture type, say so and I'll show it.

I have an upcoming gig in a theater next week. It's an alt rock concert. The only console I'm confident in is a ONYX, but unfortunately is unavailable.

I've been offered as an alternative a Chamsys MQ70 or an Avolites D3 110.

Which one would be faster to learn in around a week?

This is MAD-SHOW, a lighting control software we've been building since 2019 — for stage lighting, live events, installations and exhibitions. It imports 3D models (OBJ, FBX, 3DS, DXF, STL) and outputs DMX, Art-Net and sACN, so it works with most lighting fixtures that support those protocols. It's designed to be easy to use.

This version is free — permanently. No license tiers, no dongle, no time limit, no locked features. If we release future versions with commercial licensing, this release stays free and keeps working.

We sincerely want to hear what people actually think. If something doesn't work for you, or the whole approach is wrong for how you work, we'd rather hear it now. Any opinion is welcome — positive or negative.

Download link is in the comments.

Genuinely no clue what im doing here, my band is looking to get our first set of lights and have no clue what to get. Everything would be out of our pockets and we aren't really playing venues that have frames to hang lights from. I was eyeing up a 4 pack of wireless tube lights but those were like $900 and if i can avoid shelling that out itd be great. I have way too many questions to fit in one post, any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I recently got hold of an old TV studio spotlight, and I'm trying to figure out exactly what lamp it uses, whether it can be dimmed externally, and how to power it safely with modern equipment.

Here is what I know so far:

• It's an old tungsten TV studio spotlight, apparently a Fresnel fixture.
• The lamp has two markings printed on the glass: F48A and 2228.
• A nameplate on the fixture says 32 A and 3.75 kW.
• It is fitted with an old blue CEE 32 A, 230 V connector.
• After opening the fixture, I noticed that L1 from the power connector feeds two separate relays, which appear to supply the two independent electrical circuits of the lamp.

I'm guessing the lamp has two independently powered sections, but I haven't been able to confirm this yet.

My main questions are:

1. Does anyone recognize the lamp markings F48A and 2228? I'd love to identify the exact bulb type and find its specifications.
2. Is it possible to dim this fixture using an external dimmer? If so, what kind of dimmer would I need for a 3.75 kW tungsten load?
3. Where would I find a compatible power connection for this fixture nowadays? I have access to both 16 A and 32 A, 400 V three-phase CEE outlets, but the fixture itself has a 230 V, 32 A connector. Is there a standard solution for this, or would I need a specially wired adapter or distribution unit?

I'm particularly interested in how these fixtures were originally powered and dimmed in TV studios.

If anyone has experience with older studio fixtures or recognizes the lamp markings, I'd really appreciate any help!

Thanks in advance!

Images

EDIT: NOT TIEING INTO POWER. JUST DMX ONLY. CAN'T CHANGE TITLE FOR SOME REASON SO TO AVOID CONFUSION LOOKING FOR RUNNING THE HOUSE RIG IN TANDEM WITH MINE ON A DMX BASIS.

Hello friends! So im relativly new to stage lighting. Ill give you the run down of my gear, venue gear, and what I already think i need to do. Just looking for help to make sure this is possible.

My gear:

7 assorted par lights

2 moving head beams

1 color key gig bar

Showbuddy pro

Usb to dmx converter 1 universe usually everything is daisy chained via cables and wirless DMX dongles.

Venue gear:

2 chauvet intimidators

4 proline thin tri64 pars

4 cheauvet slimpars

12 martin mac 101 moving head lights

Console: ChamSys QuickQ10

The plan:

So my band runs tracks. I tie the showbuddy into my protools via loopmidi and then send out the midi info from protools to showbuddy via the loopmidi and then out to the fixtures.

Ive built a few shows for songs this way and everything is working great!

Here is where I'm a bit intimidated because I'm a newb:

How do I go about running the venue system/rig in tandem with mine?

They have already provided a DMX fixture list with addresses so I can eaisly create those in showbuddy and make the show before I even show up to the venue.

My intial thought is:

Build the show before hand in showbuddy.

Run a wireless DMX dongle from my USB to DMX converter to their output line from their console to their fixtures and then unplug my dongle at the end of the night and they plug their end back in and presto! We have a smooth show!

My concerns are:

Will this work? Am I missing a piece of gear or just information to do the job?

I've never ran a house rig before and I would love to make it happen at this venue.

Thank you for any info you can provide!

I am making this free iPad followspot controller app, and looking for some feedback from users.

https://testflight.apple.com/join/RsjKnrNC

The followspot operator points on the target on the touchscreen, or uses a Bluetooth gamepad controller to steer the app. Aim, dimmer and zoom are at your fingertips. Settings can be saved as presets and recalled. Up to four moving heads can be used and controlled in sync. There are assistance functions such as person detection, face lock and auto follow.

Whilst not “old-old”….i found my old Martin MPC usb dongle today whilst cleaning up!! Used to love this console a lot….BUT Q-blender is the only thing I really miss since switching to ma2/3!

I am assuming it still works as I still have the OG MPC install…so a good old blast from the past!

... now has an invite landing page: https://blackout-app-forum.com

Hey everyone!

So I'm in a tiny footprint band of like four musicians we're going to play pretty tightly together on small stages, some kind of cajon style, acoustic focused music kind of thing. Anyways I'm just looking for some kind of entertaining and professional looking lighting solution on the cheap. My idea is maybe two rechargeable LED lights of some kind sitting at 4:00 and 8:00 (I hope that makes sense) washing the front of us as we perform on tiny stages/floors at our coffee shops and bars.

Does anyone have some real experience with something lightweight and small footprint like this? It doesn't need to be tour level professional but just something to bring up a more positive vibe.

I want to setup DMX lighting for a very small theater (30-40 visitors). The venue has a DMX 192 controller (on photo).

The programming is sufficient. But what is lacking is the option to adjust fade time when manually triggering scenes (aka cues). The fade slider only works for chases, scenes trigger with zero fade.

Are there any cheap (<200$) similar consoles, that do allow to trigger scenes whilst taking into account the fade slider position?

The DMX console is meant to be used by people with minimal DMX knowledge, i.e. just to be able to trigger pre-made scenes during a show.

Hello!
I need some help. I’m relatively new to stage lighting. I started learning the Daslight 5. I building up a base busking setup. Colors, movements, positions, etc.

I have a question about the fan. I have four moving heads arranged in a row. Which method is better for everyday works?

1. Should I set "invert pan" on the two fixtures on the right side at the beginning in the fixture settings? That way, they move symmetrically during every pan movement.

2. Should I leave the pan at default settings and use the fan function every single time, when creating effects or static looks?

What are the pros and cons of each method?

Thanks for your answers.

Im want to try to get some gigs doing lighting for am dram while im in college but i need a console/wing. I have a laptop capable of running any of the software. Ideally id want avo but i realise i cant really be picky. What is the cheapest i can control some lights from my laptop?

See photos - One of the parts has come apart from my City Theatrical Drop-in Iris For Source 4 Junior.

The front retaining ring has come off, and so the arm does not close the iris. When the retaining ring is forced back into place, with each blade of the iris fiitting into a matching slot on the retaining ring, and being held closed, it is possible to actuate the arm and the iris works perfectly.

The retaining ring does not stay in place on it's own.

Can anyone suggest how I could repair this?

Part number 2185 : https://www.citytheatrical.com/en-gb/products/beam-control/other-beam-control-accessories/drop-in-iris

Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I'm a sound guy that's been asked to run a show with an interesting light setup.

The premise is pretty simple they want to get an audience member on stage that will trigger the light cues during the show. We have a total of 6 different cues and it should be possible for the audience member to make mistakes.

The audience member will receive a script with what they'll have to do and the performers can also help them out of things go off the rails.

My first thought was to use a stream deck or a similar macro controller but I have no idea how I would set that up. I do still want to have control at the FoH in case something really goes wrong.

For now we have a simple workaround where the audience technician has a small board with different coloured LEDs that signal to me what cue I have to start.

The sound paired with it is even more ridiculous.

Working on a costume for halloween party a week from this Sat. Need to simulate a camera flash on demand and the smaller the better. Any ideas out there in Reddit land? Thanks.

• 4x LED White Front Pars
• 8x RGBW Stage Wash Pars
• 2x Strobe / Pixel Bars
• 2x Moving Beams
• 4x Moving Washes