Stage Lighting question

[SWeAT hOg]

Hey folks, I hope you are well.

I have taken it upon myself to update/upgrade our lighting system here at my middle school work. The controller for them broke years ago and from what I can see, they are par-can lights.

I've been in touch with some other colleagues and the suggestion has been to switch over to LED lighting and control the lights from a laptop. I'm seeking more details, but maybe someone here can explain?

Thanks, in advance.

 

[CRobbins]

LED= Less power consumption, less heat, longer life.
I cant help you with the laptop thing.

 

[dsmcl77]

You should look for "DMX PC Lightning Software".
There are many software for that. Some are really fun as you can run a virtual stage, program your dream set, then plug your Par Leds and moving heads... et voilà... ready to go.

Softwares are cheap too. No need of a big console anymore.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

You should look for "DMX PC Lightning Software".
There are many software for that. Some are really fun as you can run a virtual stage, program your dream set, then plug your Par Leds and moving heads... et voilà... ready to go.

Softwares are cheap too. No need of a big console anymore.

Cool. However, I'm guessing we will need some kind of interface? When we had a working board, we would patch in using a cable that looked similar to an XLR, but with more prongs.

 

[Pwrmac7600]

Yeah with par cans you probably ran the lights to a dimmer of some kind and then ran a control cable from the dimmer to the console. Led should have some type of distribution and then a console would plug into that. I got out of the production lighting field probably 14 years ago now and led was in its infancy as far as stage lighting goes so I couldn't tell you currently what to look at. But I am sure the concept is the same. Lights>dimmer>controller.

That cable you used was most likely a 5? Pin DMX cable.

 

[dsmcl77]

Cool. However, I'm guessing we will need some kind of interface? When we had a working board, we would patch in using a cable that looked similar to an XLR, but with more prongs.

What you need is a DMX, or most probably, a USB dongle (that is cheap too) to do the "interface" between the laptop and lighting set.

Here what I found on internet right now (in English...) that is quite clear and self explainatory:
http://www.onstagelighting.co.uk/li...hting-software-cheap-stage-light-controllers/

If you need advice or else, I can ask our light guy at work, he is the one that showed it to me, and he is mainly working with that now, even for big shows on large stage.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Feeling out of my comfort zone on this one. I was looking at this for an interface.

https://www.enttec.com/us/products/controls/dmx-usb/dmx-usb-pro/

 

[SWeAT hOg]

This looks like a great solution if it's compatible with our current system.

https://www.avshop.ca/lighting-amp-...ies/american-dj-wifly-exr-battery-transceiver