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Thread: Mini-Crisis

  1. 10-20-2009, 05:25 #1
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    Default Mini-Crisis

    Ok upon pulling my projector out to do some programming for Saturday the 24th, I found that the new version of alphalite just isn't stable enough to do a show. Is there anything else that will work with my DAC that I can do last minute here to get something working. I cannot stabilize scan speed with the software for files created in it and all I really need to do is beam shows. Is spaghetti an option? Are there any other free programs worth their weight to get something going last minute here. I would like to upgrade to pangolin in the next month but do not have the resources to get it in time.
    My other laser is being used on the deathstar. C>----X
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  2. 10-22-2009, 03:54 #2
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    I don't think you'll find any software that can talk to the Alphalite. I tried with Mamba 2004 and Mamba Black, and even after tinkering with the custom parallel DAC settings for several hours, I never got it working correctly. The Alphalite is a unique controller, and not much else seems to work with it.

    Sorry.

    Adam
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  3. 10-22-2009, 07:10 #3
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    Kinda thought that would be the case. What is the best route to go, can an FB3 be ran live now. Or is mamba the best route, I am sure everyone has their own opinion. I like the fact that the FB3 can be stand alone but I also need to be able to run it live. Also how stable is the software? I don't want to spend a fortune but I want something I am going to be happy with.
    My other laser is being used on the deathstar. C>----X
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  4. 10-22-2009, 07:34 #4
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    Hey ltaudi1,

    The only assistance I can provide is potentially different releases of Alphalite..
    I think I may have a folder I put new version into over the years.

    Always seemed like some versions got better then the next got worse as more addtions were put in.

    Let me know if this would even help... no promises but I would be happy to help if I can.

    Laser Guy
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  5. 10-22-2009, 07:48 #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by ltaudi1 View Post
    Kinda thought that would be the case. What is the best route to go, can an FB3 be ran live now. Or is mamba the best route, I am sure everyone has their own opinion. I like the fact that the FB3 can be stand alone but I also need to be able to run it live. Also how stable is the software? I don't want to spend a fortune but I want something I am going to be happy with.
    I believe that in LiveQuick http://www.pangolin.com/flashback/LiveQUICK.htm
    which comes with the FB3 you can control shows live. I don't have one personally but have seen it in action on other peoples computers.

    -Adam
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  6. 10-22-2009, 07:52 #6
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    Super, I really need to run a show this weekend and need as much stability as I can possibly get.
    My other laser is being used on the deathstar. C>----X
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  7. 10-22-2009, 08:25 #7
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    LiveQuick can be used as a live performance tool, or for the ultimate software, you can upgrade and use LivePro which is excellent...

    As with all Pangolin products, the FB3 is solid as a rock...

    Mark
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  8. 10-22-2009, 08:57 #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by ltaudi1 View Post
    What is the best route to go, can an FB3 be ran live now.
    Absolutely! It comes with LiveQuick, which is pretty good for live control, but you can also get a license for LivePro for the FB3, which is just about the best live laser show software available now. (For sure it's the most popular.)
    Also how stable is the software? I don't want to spend a fortune but I want something I am going to be happy with.
    LivePro is rock solid. I haven't used LiveQuick, but I haven't heard anything bad about it. Pangolin has a pretty good reputation when it comes to their products , so I think you'll be quite pleased with the software reliability. Also, Pangolin will be releasing QuickShow for the FB3 soon, so you'll also have that available to you. Oh yeah, and you can also download the LA Studio software suite and run it on your FB3...

    But if you mostly do live shows, I'd get the LivePro license and be done with it. Trust me - you will be *very* happy with LivePro.

    As far as the Alphalite software goes, I am quite familiar with it. (I still have my Alphalite XC Pro, even though I've been running Pangolin for 2 years now.) Even though Rick did improve things with version 1.9 of the software, in my opinion it is still way too buggy to ever use for a commercial show.

    Then too, even if the software didn't crash so often, using the parallel port to control a laser projector is risky to begin with, because the output can "freeze" while the PC is doing other things (like accessing the hard disk). That means the projector stops scanning and you get a static beam! Not good.

    As for the show this weekend, I don't think you'll be able to get a controller in time no matter which one you choose. Is there anyone near you who might be able to lend you a hand for the show? (Maybe offer to split the take on the show if they let you borrow their controller?) Just a suggestion...

    Adam
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  9. 10-22-2009, 09:30 #9
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    I think thats going to be my best option. I am certain I am going to be going with the FB3 and live pro after this mess is over.
    My other laser is being used on the deathstar. C>----X
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