Re: [LCtalk] Lost control with LCedit and Logic

[Fokko van Duin]

At 13:46 -0400 16-05-2006, Bosco DiCervo wrote:
> Just to get it right, are you saying that I SHOULD use TCP/IP if I use a UPS?

No, no, it's independent from each other.

Better use no UPS then a bad one, but a good UPS is useful for longer 
power breaks. We use switching power adapters instead of cheap 
transformers, to isolate the box from the main supply as much as 
possible (especially for high frequency transients and spikes). A 
good UPS can only help if it is capable to keep to mains up, without 
any interruption, longer then the few tenths of a second of the power 
adapter.


Using Ethernet instead of USB has the advantage that spikes and 
surges can find their destructive way far less easy to your computer. 
With USB any surge or spike introduced in DMX cables are directed 
into your computer via USB. With Ethernet this is galvanic isolated, 
so your computer is much better protected.


> The whole audio/midi sync seems to be the only problem I have with 
> Logic. Basically Logic somehow loses internal sync between the two 
> and the midi cuts out and after awhile, the audio stops playing.

Hmm, it could be a software problem but can also be introduced with 
spikes via USB.


> This happened just before the lights went black and the LCedit lost 
> communication with the LCX.

This makes power spikes very suspicious.


> Right now I use a Cont "0" at the beginning of a set and use Cont 53 
> for cuelist followed by cont 86 for cue. Should I also place a Cont 
> 0 value 127 before each 53/86 cont? That would give me 3 cont 
> commands for each cue.

No it's useless, as there all controller messages so the running 
status will not change. As an alternative you can use program change 
instead of controller 21+53, and use controller 86 only for the step 
number.


> That makes a lot of sense. I've saved with a blackout so that 
> dimmers wouldn't come on when I power up. I'll change that tonjght.

You can also make a startup cue which cross fades in a few secs to a 
standard lighting. It's better for your lamps, it's soft thus less 
intrusive, and you can easily recognize a LanBox reboot :-)

--
Fokko van Duin,
CDS advanced technology bv,
http://www.lanbox.com/