Thread: VSA and DMX relay ?

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I would love to be able to control my props and lights etc with my computer and from what i've heard VSA is the best way to do it.

I understand that VSA can control devices through dmx. Now what else do i need for this to work. Would it be as simple as hooking it up to a dmx relay board such as this ?

http://proto-pic.co.uk/products/DMX-Relay-Board.html

Also would this let me control pretty much anything which was electrical, such as solenoids,motors or lights ?

Thanks

Phil

Hi Phil,

VSA is a very powerful tool with a whole range of possibilities. To answer your question, YES, you can use VSA to control that board.

You'll have to purchase a module that connects your PC to DMX... one of the most popular one is from ENTTEC. http://www.enttec.com/index.php?main...ame=opendmxusb

Thanks for the reply MonkeyBasic,

Im glad i've only got to get the enttec and the dmx board for this to work. I figured it would be really complicated software with complicated gear, but so far so good.

Thanks once again

Phil

Are there any video tutorials on how to use vsa ?

thanks

phil

I'm using DMX to trigger 3 foggers, the "play" button on a DVD player, run a dc motor and to trigger "ghostly footprints". I use VSA, an Enttec Pro USB-DMX box and a DMX dimmer. For each device I have a cheap 120v relay that is connected to the DMX dimmer box. The DMX dimmer box allows me to activate 4 different AC power outlets. So I could have some AC lights plugged into one of the outlets and the others could be connected to 120v relays. The relays can in turn on or off devices that operate on different power sources. VSA allows me to tell the DMX dimmer to turn on the relay for fogger 1. VSA lets me set when and for how long the fogger fires. VSA lets me tell the DMX dimmer to activate the relay that activates the "play" button on the DVD player.

Originally Posted by phil121

Are there any video tutorials on how to use vsa ?

thanks

phil

I've never seen a video tutorial. HalloweenBob made one with pictures http://www.graveyardskulls.com/assembly/Tutorial02.html I think I learned VSA on my own before HB but his tutorial up. His tutorial will give you a really good head start on using the program.

Thanks buckaneerdude its great to know your using the software on lots of different things.

Thanks for the tutorial too.

Phil

I know for a fact that a guy that's on this forum did pretty much all that you are asking about using VSA and DMX however I can’t seem to find his posts anymore.I did however have his video bookmarked, maybe this can help you in some way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQfFtdSij7o

Can anyone tell me if I can run more then one prop, with both props going off at different times doing different things, in different areas from one DMX dimmer/relay box and one computer program? Or do i need a set up for prop one and prop 2?

Originally Posted by PineGlenn

Can anyone tell me if I can run more then one prop, with both props going off at different times doing different things, in different areas from one DMX dimmer/relay box and one computer program? Or do i need a set up for prop one and prop 2?

There are a number of ways to run multiple props. The best way to do it is probably going to depend on the props you are using.

A DMX dimmer/relay will provide AC power to props. If you have a prop that runs off of AC the DMX dimmer/relay can turn that prop on or off. It can also reduce power say for lights, which will dim them. If your props run on a different power source, you can use a 120v relay with the DMX dimmer/relay to turn on or off the prop's power source.

I use VSA (Visual Show Automation) on a computer to control DMX devices. VSA enables me to create a "routine" for my props and lights that I can play over and over. To enable VSA to communicate with the DMX devices you need a DMX interface device. The Enttec Open is very popular with folks on this forum.

VSA will handle up to 128 channels for devices. Some DMX devices such as large can lights take as many as 7 channels. Typically though, lights take up 5 channels and DMX dimmer/relay packs 4. A 3 axis skull will use 4 VSA channels.

There are lots of ways to activate props. What props are you planning on using?