Re: [LCtalk] How to set up two instruments to be addressed separately by max

[Fokko van Duin]

At 16:55 -0900 28-11-2005, jim altieri wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm trying to set up my lanbox to communicate with two instruments, 
> via TCP/IP from max.  I'd like to be able to control each instrument 
> separately, and have control 5 channels of control of each.  I've 
> read the tutorials, but I'm not sure how to do this.

From MAX just send the DMX values for 10 channels (5 channels for 
each fixture) to layer A. No setup needed, but is this what you want? 
It's much easier to create with LCedit+ cues/chases for your 
fixtures, and just "Go" to the cues you want.


> It seems like I need to create a setup with LCEdit before I can 
> use TCP/IP to send control data to the instruments.

In LCedit+ you need to place the two fixtures on the stage. If your 
fixture is not in the library, you can also place 10 Generic single 
DMX channels.


> I've created a instrument definition file with the library editor. 
> But when I add an instrument to the stage, and I give it a different 
> "DMX base address", it merely increments the channel numbers for 
> that instrument.

Yes, as each fixture is normally placed on next free address. So 
fixture 1 uses channel 1-5, while fixture 2 is on channel 6-10.


> Of course, if there's an easy way to just use the Lanbox to send 
> DMX data to the instruments, rather than making a setup in LCEdit, 
> that would be great.

It is also possible, but it's not great. Doing smooth fades from MAX 
is CPU hogging, and it's not easy to do it correctly. If your 
fixtures are moving heads, you also faces the problem that you want 
to run a move chase independently from e.g. color change. With 
LCedit+ you can create/run chases in one layer, while other layers 
can be used for manual actions, and/or color chases. If you want to 
do that in MAX (even for a few channels), it's a large and complex 
software project :-)


Fokko van Duin,                     Creators of the LanBox-LC
CDS advanced technology bv,         DMX lighting controller.
http://www.cds.nl/                  http://www.lanbox.com/

Member of MIDI Manufacturers Association, MMA