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Author Topic: DMX Merging  (Read 9820 times)

ben_l_p

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DMX Merging
« on: April 22, 2009, 05:06:35 AM »
Im new to DMX but have been put in charge of installing a system in a church.
I need a console that can control par cans and some (future) intelligent lights and LEDs.  Thats the easy part.  We also want to control all of the house lights from this console and also from the main door to the sanctuary.  All I want at the door is a wall mount station with 6 or more buttons, only for preset lighting.  I dont want to go to architectural controls and dimmers because of price, we are on a tight budget to start.  I have found this "ELC AC612" controller which looks like it will do what I want but I dont know if I can plug this unit into the back of the main console.  Any suggestions? 
Im fairly new to this so excuse some wrong terminology.
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DMX512

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Re: DMX Merging
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2009, 11:38:57 PM »
Merging DMX is not simple, which is why there were until recently comparatively few products capable of doing it and those products that did do the business were quite pricey.

However, times have changed.

I'm assuming you're in the USA and so Elation have this product which should do the job.  This series of boxes is OEM'd out of China under various brand names including Showtec and Botex.

A better (but almost certainly more expensive) solution is something like the ETC sensor dimmers, which can be both DMX512 dimmers, and have press button panel controls - they kind of bridge the gap between stage dimmers and pure architectural.
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CHETL

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Re: DMX Merging
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2009, 07:47:50 PM »
It sounds like your house light dimmers are a part of your theatrical dimming system, yes? I believe the ELC is a separate small console that would have to have its signal merged with your control console's. ELC does make a merger, but I'm not sure how well it behaves.

Another option that is inexpensive and easy to install is the Lightronics SR-516. It is a recently updated Pile-On type snapshot scene recorder. In essence, you install the base unit between your control console and your dimmers and it passively "listens" to the DMX signal and lets you record up to 16 "snapshots" of lighting looks. These scenes can be replayed later on without your console being turned on. The "pile-on" refers to the fact that the unit, if activated, will add its lighting look to the look being replayed by your normal console in a "highest value takes precedence" manner. The Central unit can also have two remote recall stations (located at convenient entrances to your space).

I'm not a sales rep, but have installed the units in my facility and saved me a bunch of money over mush more complex architectural control systems - like costing $1200 instead of thousands more.

If your current house lighting dimmers are not capable of receiving a DMX (or other control protocol) signal then your solutions are more complex.
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