Summary: This week on the Podcast we have our Free Q+A Tuesday! I’ll take questions from other listeners and help guide them through my thought process.<br> Opening Segment (2:25)<br> Last week we had a great review come in about the Podcast:<br> I’ve been so happy with this show and the amount of knowledge it has given me that I’ve gone ahead and joined “Learn Stage Lighting Labs” Really a fantastic podcast. – By Mhey via Stitcher – January 7, 2019<br> Since officially launching the Podcast last year we’ve covered a lot of different topics. As we take on the new year we want to know from you what topics you would like to hear about on the show.<br> Whether it’s listening to interviews, series, or specific topics, I want to know from you what you would like to see come from this Podcast. There is a survey available that will only take a few minutes of your time. It would be greatly appreciated and we would love to hear from you.<br> <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/survey">2019 Podcast Survey</a><br> Main Segment (4:25)<br> Ron (4:31) I am working on a lighting project where 65 choir members sing in a Christmas tree. We have done this for over forty years. Last year 2018 the lighting controls failed. Each year 6-7 thousand people view in eight presentations. We have eleven months to get a new control system and modernize. The tree lights are currently ten rows of incandescent T9 strings. They were dimmed by a NSI hdr 8000 SCR Microplex control. The system had a hybrid control interface by Spectacular Celebrations now defunct operated by an 18 year old window 98 computer. There are 40 Potter Brumfield relays that connect the lighting strings to the ten rows of RGYB plus white twinkle and star. <br> My wish list for new components include:<br> Windows 10 software (user-Friendly)<br> DMX 512 decoder<br> NSI Microplex/DMX. 501 controller to control SCR. Question, will T9 led bulbs which state dimmable by triac Work with this?<br> 40 channels to operate the P&B relays.<br> DMX control to operate pixel LEDS (replace the twinkle light & star)<br> 11 rows<br> My first recommendation would be to definitely go with Computer Based Software that is User-Friendly. There are a lot of options for software that could do what you need it to do but I would personally suggest Onyx or even ENNTEC’S D-Pro or DMXIS. There is a great article about choosing your next console that I want you to check out: <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/first-lighting-console/">How Do I Choose My First (or Next) Lighting Console?</a><br> If your Microplex Dimmer is in a good shape then you may just need a Converter. If it isn’t in good shape you may want to go with a DMX Dimmer Pack. You’ll want to weigh out which would work better for you financially. For your Pixels, you’ll want to get a Pixel Controller.<br> There’s a lot of questions and depth in the project you are working on. With this, I would recommend checking out <a href="http://www.learnstagelighting.com/labs">Learn Stage Lighting Labs</a> that has a library of videos about the different consoles, action plans, including the Custom LED Design that covers everything you need to know about Pixels. It’s a great resource that will definitely get you pointed in the right direction.<br> Troy (10:00) Hi, I was wondering if there is a free computer lighting software that I can get or download to test lighting effects like in your vids?<br> There are some free Visualizers on the market but those are only able to work with certain consoles. The Visualizer I personally like to use is Capture. There is an article that goes through the Free Visualizers as well as the Paid versions that I recommend checking out. You can read more here: <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/want-lighting-visualizer/">So You Want A Lighting Visualizer.</a><br>
