midi

[oliverst14@hotmail.com]

hiya
im planning on buying a lighting board (like a behringer eurolight) for thev midi feature to use with live pro. is this a good idea or is a touch screen a better way to go. im planning on building a cabinet to hold a 19" lighting desk and 2 touch screens on upright arms. im going to be using the desk for either live pro or a program called magic q which is my dmx lighting control software. one screen is for live pro (lasers) and one for magic q (dmx lighting)

dont know alot about midi and how it works so any help with this would be great such as what actally midi helps me acheive. i guess it allows me to use the faders to access different colous and so on but not really sure
ill be using 2 seperate pcs running each program and monitor individually. is there a way of utilising the board for both programs?

please help a noob with midi

thanks alot ollie

[Stuka]

Hey Ollie!

Using MIDI with LivePRO, you would basically use a MIDI controller to control many of the functions that would otherwise require mouse clicks and computer keyboard presses - the idea is that a MIDI controller would be a bit more intuitive during live performances than a mouse and keyboard!

A lot of folks (myself included - but still in the box, unfortunately! ) have purchased touchscreen monitors specifically to use with LivePRO, since it allows you to rapidly select cues on-the-fly. Some have added both touchscreen monitors AND MIDI controllers for a LivePRO command center setup!

I think most folks who have purchased the touchscreen monitors would recommend that as your first "LivePRO accessory" if you can find one at a price you can live with (search ELO touchscreen monitors on E-bay - there are some good prices out there!). If you need to add dials and sliders later, you can add a MIDI controller at any time, and can find some fairly cheap!

As far as MIDI and DMX -

The controllers may have similar functions, but they speak very different languages - MIDI for musical instruments, DMX for lighting systems. If you want to use a MIDI controller with your DMX software, that will have to be a capability built into the software. Check the users manual for the software you plan on using and see if it supports MIDI input.

Good luck with your project!

[Jem]

Hi Ollie

The two MIDI controllers that are generally used with LivePRO are the Novation SL Remote Zero or the Behringer BCF2000. I have used both and slightly prefer the Behringer, but that is really down to personal preference.

As Randy said, I would certainly consider the first essential accessory for LivePRO is a decent touchscreen monitor for quickly selecting and changing cues. The MIDI controller allows you to add all the bells and whistles, and whilst they're really useful I wouldn't consider them an absolutely essential bit of kit, especially if you're on a limited budget.

If you're coming to the UKLEM you'll get an opportunity to see (and have a play with) plenty of touchscreens and MIDI controllers

Cheers

Jem

[oliverst14@hotmail.com]

thanks guys

well im going to be buying 2 touch screens for £95 each and a bcf 2000 i think (thanks to jems advice) i will use the bcf and one of the touch screens for magic q and a touch screen for livepro.

im still wondering if it is possible to have some kind of switch over device so i can use the midi controller for live pro when using the lasers then switch back to magic q and use the desk and touch screen for magic q.

as i usually black all the lights out whilst using my lasers (for better effect) i would not need to use the board for magic q so then would be great if i could use it with live pro. this saves me having to buy two bcf2000 and using one dedicated to magic q and one dedicated to live pro

just a though and i dont know if its even possible but would be great if it was

cheers ollie

[Stuka]

It wouldn't be cheap; however -

With a Pangolin LD2000 system and that version of LivePRO (which supports DMX), you could control everything with the same hardware and software you use to control the lasers!