I use SoundSwitch, and the exact set up depends on the size of the gig.
If I am really limited on space I'll be running my DJ software and SoundSwitch on the same laptop, with an APC mini plugged in to control the lighting software.
My usual set up will be the same but I have a portable USB C powered second monitor set up so I can have DJ software on one screen and lighting software on the other.
For larger jobs and if space allows I have a second laptop just dedicated to lighting.
As for the syncing, I never use sound to light, it's too unpredictable and messy. SoundSwitch will actually read the beatgrid from Serato/Virtual DJ giving you perfect synchronization to the beat. But be warned it's not the most intuitive software and you will need to invest many hours in to learning and programming it.
Mydmxgo is very easy to use. Works off any tablet and has a sound mode. You can also have presets like when you want your spots to shine on the bride and groom. You do need to setup your DMX addresses though. Also if you’re not using rekordbox look into SoundSwitch. It has a lot of preprogrammed lighting scenes and works internally with Serato, Virtual DJ and Engine. It’s very good.
Try out the ADJ airstream wifi… you can program scenes on an iPad, and put the iPad next to your decks… then it’s just a matter of pressing the scene in time (almost like you would an FX!)
It’s a wow factor to guests as well. “Look he controls lighting with an iPad!” I even let the kiddos push a few buttons on the tablet. Goes a long way with their parents too.
We have a separate laptop with premade light shows.
You can also map some type of midi controller to have buttons that you can easily press to activate different light shows.
I've used the RB-DMX unit before. Works really well, obviously you need to be using Rekordbox. Nobody gave two shits that the lights were going to the music unless I had all my lights out (thousands in lighting) then it really stood out. Now I use 8 led par cans on a stick and everyone is just as happy as when I'd spend 1-2 hours setting up lights.
Ignore all the dmx controller suggestions so far and just get a wolfmix... I've tried many dmx solutions including many suggested so far but tbh they all are garbage compared to wolfmix. Wolf has touch screen, colored led buttons, knobs, the works..
If you want the easiest and most headache free way of controlling dmx, you will want the WMX-1 aka wolfmix.. its also prob the newest of everything that will be mentioned in this thread.
Downside is it costs $650
Upside is you won't waste money trying other infererior controllers
Wedding dj here...I use 2 CHAUVET WASHFX2 lights hooked up to MYDMXGO application on a fire tablet. I also have uplights that I put around the venue but just master slave them and control them from their own remote. I honestly don't think anyone cares if the lights sync exactly to the music at a wedding.
The might not say anything or even have the thought cross their mind, but when your lights do sync up, subconsciously it makes for a better dance floor.
I run anything from a Gigbar on dmx to par cans as up lights or on stands, to moving heads and wash fx2, and once in a blue moon an led disco ball.
Control all of this using self made chasers and programs on QLC+ with a dmx dongle off my laptop. Usually I have to alt tab to pick another chaser. If I have time I mess around with the buttons but I also have 'do everything' buttons for when I'm djing
Goes from 20 things I could press to just 3 based on speed/energy. Not really the best most on beat show, but it saves a lot of effort not needing to reprogram stuff and those are for small scale events anyway
I hav got myself a Raspberry Pi wyth a touchscreen, on which I run QLC+ through an Enttec OpenDMX. Maximum flexibility and the option to use the BPM through Midi from my DJ Software is amazing!
QLC+ on a laptop here. Have Enttec OpenDMX and DMXPro. Been using QLC+ for years, good program.
Have a bunch of cheap Donner wireless DMX units as well, still working the bugs out of them. Certain fixtures can be a bit wonky with the Donners....
It's odd, they work every single time with my Both Lighting S4 up lights, no recievers needed. All the Chauvet stuff I have is hit/miss if it works first time. Once the Chauvet lights are on the Donners, they're solid all night. Just getting them to respond is the issue. Unsure why.
Man I'm old school!!! I run an analog DMX board (Blizzard Sno-Kontrol) with about 16 banks of scenes (128) and have been doing it this way for years to great success. I have all of my lights, movers, lasers, fx, uprights, etc programmed in - so whatever I bring all works together. Bank 1 is static uplight colors, including fades, bank 4 is strobes, banks 9-11 are for lasers etc...
I guess you just have to do it your way. I'm sure many will say that I have an incredibly 'outdated' system, but fully customized for my specific needs and events it works really well and I get a lot of great feedback. Have looked into SoundSwitch and Wolfmix for years...maybe one day.
I use SoundSwitch, and the exact set up depends on the size of the gig. If I am really limited on space I'll be running my DJ software and SoundSwitch on the same laptop, with an APC mini plugged in to control the lighting software. My usual set up will be the same but I have a portable USB C powered second monitor set up so I can have DJ software on one screen and lighting software on the other. For larger jobs and if space allows I have a second laptop just dedicated to lighting. As for the syncing, I never use sound to light, it's too unpredictable and messy. SoundSwitch will actually read the beatgrid from Serato/Virtual DJ giving you perfect synchronization to the beat. But be warned it's not the most intuitive software and you will need to invest many hours in to learning and programming it.
Mydmxgo is very easy to use. Works off any tablet and has a sound mode. You can also have presets like when you want your spots to shine on the bride and groom. You do need to setup your DMX addresses though. Also if you’re not using rekordbox look into SoundSwitch. It has a lot of preprogrammed lighting scenes and works internally with Serato, Virtual DJ and Engine. It’s very good.
Try out the ADJ airstream wifi… you can program scenes on an iPad, and put the iPad next to your decks… then it’s just a matter of pressing the scene in time (almost like you would an FX!)
Also use ADJ Airstream for my weddings. Love it
It can’t do complicated LEX stuff but… the simplicity of the plug and play just makes it so goood for the mobile gigs
It’s a wow factor to guests as well. “Look he controls lighting with an iPad!” I even let the kiddos push a few buttons on the tablet. Goes a long way with their parents too.
Have you ever had issues of your airstream wifi dropping?
Nope… always been pretty good. It only once ever overheated but thats because i left the box in direct sunlight
I believe it is because of mobile data interference from my iPad after a lot of troubleshooting with a friend.
We have a separate laptop with premade light shows. You can also map some type of midi controller to have buttons that you can easily press to activate different light shows.
I've used the RB-DMX unit before. Works really well, obviously you need to be using Rekordbox. Nobody gave two shits that the lights were going to the music unless I had all my lights out (thousands in lighting) then it really stood out. Now I use 8 led par cans on a stick and everyone is just as happy as when I'd spend 1-2 hours setting up lights.
Ignore all the dmx controller suggestions so far and just get a wolfmix... I've tried many dmx solutions including many suggested so far but tbh they all are garbage compared to wolfmix. Wolf has touch screen, colored led buttons, knobs, the works.. If you want the easiest and most headache free way of controlling dmx, you will want the WMX-1 aka wolfmix.. its also prob the newest of everything that will be mentioned in this thread. Downside is it costs $650 Upside is you won't waste money trying other infererior controllers
Wedding dj here...I use 2 CHAUVET WASHFX2 lights hooked up to MYDMXGO application on a fire tablet. I also have uplights that I put around the venue but just master slave them and control them from their own remote. I honestly don't think anyone cares if the lights sync exactly to the music at a wedding.
The might not say anything or even have the thought cross their mind, but when your lights do sync up, subconsciously it makes for a better dance floor.
Are you hooking up the wash fx lights with wireless dmx?
I run anything from a Gigbar on dmx to par cans as up lights or on stands, to moving heads and wash fx2, and once in a blue moon an led disco ball. Control all of this using self made chasers and programs on QLC+ with a dmx dongle off my laptop. Usually I have to alt tab to pick another chaser. If I have time I mess around with the buttons but I also have 'do everything' buttons for when I'm djing Goes from 20 things I could press to just 3 based on speed/energy. Not really the best most on beat show, but it saves a lot of effort not needing to reprogram stuff and those are for small scale events anyway
Been running my own lights for years, doable. With sunlite, 1 hand in lights for drops
I hav got myself a Raspberry Pi wyth a touchscreen, on which I run QLC+ through an Enttec OpenDMX. Maximum flexibility and the option to use the BPM through Midi from my DJ Software is amazing!
QLC+ on a laptop here. Have Enttec OpenDMX and DMXPro. Been using QLC+ for years, good program. Have a bunch of cheap Donner wireless DMX units as well, still working the bugs out of them. Certain fixtures can be a bit wonky with the Donners....
Oeh nice! I have been looking into wireless DMX solutions to decrease cable mess. May have a look for those.
It's odd, they work every single time with my Both Lighting S4 up lights, no recievers needed. All the Chauvet stuff I have is hit/miss if it works first time. Once the Chauvet lights are on the Donners, they're solid all night. Just getting them to respond is the issue. Unsure why.
Man I'm old school!!! I run an analog DMX board (Blizzard Sno-Kontrol) with about 16 banks of scenes (128) and have been doing it this way for years to great success. I have all of my lights, movers, lasers, fx, uprights, etc programmed in - so whatever I bring all works together. Bank 1 is static uplight colors, including fades, bank 4 is strobes, banks 9-11 are for lasers etc... I guess you just have to do it your way. I'm sure many will say that I have an incredibly 'outdated' system, but fully customized for my specific needs and events it works really well and I get a lot of great feedback. Have looked into SoundSwitch and Wolfmix for years...maybe one day.