My Introduction/1st timer questions

[Ninebar]

Hello Everybody,

I'm a young aspiring video, sound, lighting techy. Having been working with a mate providing sound systems and doing lighting for various gigs I have taking a keen interest in controlling lasers and getting a show together lately. I'll have a budget of around 2k euros. Now from experience, and knowing the local market to which I will be providing my show I am not willing to go 'all-in' and spend ridiculous money on high end gear that will take 3 or 4 years to make my money back and turn a profit. So after research this is what options I'm coming up with

A: Quick show, fb3, 2 x 1W laser world RGB cs1000

B. QS, fb3, 2 x ?W Greens, 1xRGB cs 1000


QUESTIONS:

Can I daisy chain the two RGB lasers in config A above and use 1x fb3?

Do I need two sperate fb3's to control the configuration B?

I am compltely open to suggestion and advice from the experienced on what I should do. Especially advice on what particular lasers to choose

Many Thanks
Dan

[colouredmirrorball]

For config A you can use only one FB3 and daisy chain it. Both projectors will have the exact same output, unless one of them has an invert Y switch.
For config B: yes, you would need two FB3's.

Laserworld doesn't have a good reputation on this forum. They seem to favor profit instead of quality and customer service. They are very notorious for selling projectors at much higher specs than they really are. A 1 W green laser would only have a 500 mW laser in it, etc. Here I am just repeating what I've heard, I can't comment on personal experience.

Where are you located? If you're in the USA, keep in mind that a lot of laser projectors are illegal and you can't use them without a variance. Please fill in your profile information. If you're in the USA, getting legal might prove a challenge but it's doable, and members here can help you.

How good are you with electronics? You might want to consider building it yourself, considering your budget. But this takes time and effort, and results aren't always what you might expect. Also you will end up spending a lot more money than you have considered on the addiction, just warning you :P
This route is not necessarily cheaper, but projector quality will be better and if something goes wrong on site, you can repair it immediately.

Considering your background, QS might be your best option softwarewise. The main benefits are that it is quick to set up and very easy to use. This is helpful especially when you combine it with light and sound control.

[Ninebar]

I have basic electronics knowledge from college days. Have built projects and am familiar with a soldering iron. But have no idea about the science behind lasers nor how they're built in great detail.

I am from ireland and have already looked into the laws involved. Health and safety is a big priorty to us always, we like to keep things professional and legit. I have plans to join the ILDA shortly down the road.

One last question: is it difficult to go wireless over a network to control lasers?. As we already have this configuration to control the sound systems amplifiers.

Edit: laser manufacture reccomendations? Seen as lasereworld are overrated garbage

[norty303]

I have plans to join the ILDA shortly down the road.

Save the money for a laser safety course would be my advice.
Much more useful in real terms to a small to medium laser operator.

Some DACs support wireless currently, and others (such as the FB3) will have it at at some point in the future.
Your big decision will be which software do you want to use.
At the moment, if you like Pangolin software, you either need deep pockets for the QM.NET or wait for the release of their net adaptor for the FB3.

Moncha and Fiesta have net options, as does Etherdream I believe.

Pays yer money, takes yer choice.

Nothing to do with Ninebar Soundsystem I take it? (you being in Ireland and not Surrey!)

[Ninebar]

No mate nothing to do with them. But if your into soundsytems we do provide a tasty void stasy system :-) I'm guessing you are with 303 in your user name. I love 303's.

Maybe il wait a little further down the line to go wireless.

So 1w rgb recommendations for first time user?
Thanks for the replies

Edit:@Norty303 just checked out your subsonic facebook page and really dig in your stuff. Amazing work, lôve the decor

[norty303]

If you know Void, you'll know speakerplans forum I expect (the forum Rog from Void set up). I was the admin over there for about 3 years, so yeah, know a little bit about sound

[Ninebar]

Im aware of it! You may know my mate who is the owner of the sound system and member of speakerplans, Sol?

Can ya send me in the right direction on what gear to buy mate?

[norty303]

Ah yes, Speaker Sol

On the gear front, I'm a Pangolin user. I'm also waiting for a net solution, ever since they first announced it. Maybe not too far off now...

On the projector front, I thik there are probably better placed people here to advise on 1W RGB's. It's a very competitive market for the Chinese manufacturers, and deals pop up and go very quickly.

I buy quite a lot of components from GoldenStarLasers in China (as do many here) and build my own stuff. They can probably do you something affordable, and if you spec it right, it'll be worthwhile owning for a bit, and upgradable in the future if you decide you want bigger/better. Investing in something in a good case makes a lot of sense, my first lasers (which were crap) ended up in 4 different configurations, with baseplates like Swiss cheese. Had they been decent they'd have gone on longer.

[colouredmirrorball]

If you don't want to wait for the FB3.net to come out, there's also the Etherdream + LSX
2 Etherdreams + LSX Basic is cheaper than two FB3's, and it has a lot more possibilities.
But, LSX is also a lot harder to use. It's not just button mashing anymore. QS is perfect for parties and gigs where you just set up the system, select a cue and press play. A lot of preset cues are included so it's just plug and play.
With LSX you will need some more imagination and spend some time beforehand, but it's quite fun to work with and the results are much better than preselected cues.
Not sure how well it is suited for your situation but it sure works for me.