Thread: vsa light control

Tweet

I can't seem to figure out how to get my VSA to control lights. Any input on this?? Anyone done this??? Right now I'm being creative and using a servo to slide a dimmer switch up and down, but know I can control it with VSA as per their instructions. Just can't decipher all the lingo they use. Thanks in advance.

You need a DMX interface and DMX capable lighting if you want fading. Otherwise, for simple on off, just use a relay card like a kit74.

For lighting i recommend Vixen and Olsen 595 or the grinch board if you can solder.

Dr M is right, for quick and simple use a kit 74, for versatility you are best off with DMX... especially if you want dimming features.

dmx512 is great, right up there with uses for a cat5 cable and compatible with vsa, it will control everything from lights to animatronics, fog machines etc. you would need an enntec open dmx interface (or similar vsa compatible interface) and dmx lighting or dmx relay/dimmer packs. dmx is what is used for the newer show automation at disney and lighting at most concerts and stage production.

WOW!! All over my head here. But I was just on another forum reading about DMX control as I have got some new lights for my mobile DJ business that are capable of DMX control. Even more confused now that I read that. But then again I was confused when I started using the VSA program also.
I do have a Light-O-Rama set up I bought last year for this years Halloween, so I just need to control the one or two lights(haven't decided) on my talking skeleton . Kit 74 sounds easier, but I definitely would want some dimming. I plan on him just being in the scene and then fading up the lights on him right before he talks and then maybe some various fading while he's talking and then a fade out. Sounds like DMX it is, plus it's a tax deduction for the DJ business. Thanks all and any suggestions as to a brand and any sites for explanation you have booked marked? Other wise a quick Goggle will probably do me good.

Well you have VSA, get a Enttec Open DMX converter for $50, you can buy DMX cables or make your own using CAT 5 cable andXLR connectors..... watch out for the 3pin/5pin DMX cables and fittings, this is a real pain and you will probably need a few 3-5 pin converters.

WORD OF WARNING with VSA, VSA uses zero based DMX addresses ie the lowest DMX adress is 0 and the highest is 511.... however, most DMX devices use 1 based addresses (1-512), what this means is if you have a device that you set the switches to address 32, then in VSA you need to control this using address 31

... dont let this confuse you, its actually qute easy if you remember to add/subtract 1 as you go.

If you want more advanced control of VSA then there is Exorcist and soon DMeXorcist, these programs allow you to remotely trigger VSA routines via remote control and mat switches, PIRs etc, DMeXorcist has the advnatage in that it can play up to 30 routines over a single DMX network at the same time

You can get more info on Exorcist at SkullTronix, and we run a DMX discussion group on the Skulltronix forum
SkullTroniX (tm) Support :: Index

Okay ya'll. I guess the Vixen and Olsen are complete computer controlled lighting shows. I already have the Light-O-Rama, but it would be a nightmare trying to get it to correspond with the VSA program exactly, so DMX it is.
A little educating myself and the lights I have for DJing won't work unless I want to have a Night of the Dead Disco theme. But I think, if I understand, I can just use some cheap Par cans I got for free and a four channel dimmer pack and a dmx interface like the Enntec and be able to use VSA to turn on/off-dim the lights.
But now to my next question. Can VSA control my lights and the servos at the same time? Or does VSA see it as two routines and not allow me to run them together?
I've heard about the Exorcist but also a simple computer program for like $25.00 that will allow you to run multiple VSA programs at the same time, do I need this maybe?
Thanks again and happy haunting!!

Originally Posted by darryl

But now to my next question. Can VSA control my lights and the servos at the same time? Or does VSA see it as two routines and not allow me to run them together?

absolutely in standard VSA you can min n match servos and lights, you can even mix n match things ike DMX lights servos with nor DMX

Originally Posted by darryl

I've heard about the Exorcist but also a simple computer program for like $25.00 that will allow you to run multiple VSA programs at the same time, do I need this maybe?

Running multiple VSA programs at the same time is easy and you can do this with VSA, maybe you mean sequencer which takes multiple programs and runs them in a sequence with a dwell between them, this cost $25.

Exorcist does a lot more it gives you triggering, the ability to link surround sound files with Exorcist, IR remote and a whole heap of other stuff

However there is a big problem with VSA which Exorcist inhereted, and that is VSA cant have two routines address a single device (DMX network counts as one device) at the same time, ie if one routine is already addressing the DMX network you cant play a second routine that addresses the same network.

VSA is also limited to 64 channels per routine.

DMeXorcist fixes both these problems, giving you 512 channels and the flexibility to play multiple routines to a single device but DMeXorcist is for 100% DMX systems only, so if you wanted servos then you would need a DMX servo board and not one of the serial boards... its a small sacrifice for a really powerfull and flexible control network that can control an entire haunted house from a single computer

if you are a mobile dj then dmx would definitely be the way to go, it allows control over just about everything you could even add some moving yoke lights to your dj system

if you will be controlling lights that already use dmx then all you would need is an enttec open dmx interface, a 5pin to 3pin adapter and dmx cable ( looks like mic cable and has xlr ends but is digital cable and has a higher resistance ) PLEASE DO NOT USE MIC CABLE TO CONNECT DMX it would be very glitchy if you did.

if you want to use incandescent lights you will need a dimmer pack and the same system above. you can also get relay packs for dmx that are just like the dimmer packs but are only on and off great for pneumatic props and the like.


dmx dimmer/relay pack example Buy Chauvet DMX-4 Dimmer/Relay Pack online at Musician's Friend

enttec open dmx ENTTEC - OPENDMXUSB

5pin to 3 pin adapter ENTTEC - 3PINFEMALETO5PINMALE

dmx cable
Musician's Friend - Search Results