Ableton Forum

ssia

Yes...just wait for Hambone to appear... he's the expert here.
maybe I'm confused...

lighting runs on the DMX protocol which is very similar to MIDI but MIDI lacks 1 requirement that DMX provides. DMX is a constant stream, MIDI just sends what it needs when it has to. this is important because lighting/lasers/fog machine etc can cause fires or hurt people, so it's important to have constant control over them. ultimately you're talking about a box with midi input that puts out DMX. shop around. with a box like that anything with midi can control lights. overall Live's midi capabilities are pretty simple and dumbed down.

MIDI-DMX interface boxes are the "lowest level" way to control a DMX lighting rig from Live. You basically use MIDI CC curves, clips & automation to control the DMX lighting channels one by one. It's perhaps not the most efficient way to program a light show, but Hambone - the resident expert here on this technique - gets great results by using some inventive skills in Live.

There are also a few developers (including myself) working on easy to use lighting controllers. Our solution is called DMXIS, a standalone + Audio Unit + VST software package that speeds up the job of light show programming substantially. Your computer simply connects to the light rig using an industry standard USB-DMX interface, and you then program your light rig from a straightforward plugin window inside Live.

DMXIS is entering final beta testing phase, and the full product will be available pretty soon.

Dave

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Dave Brown
db audioware ltd
www.db-audioware.com
www.dmxis.com

Theres our solution too check the link below

I use a hardware MIDI>DMX converter. No additional software or plug-ins needed. It works really well for me with lasers, scanners, strobes, floods, washes and blinders. I have a growing library of Live MIDI clips containing sequences and CC values/curves that can be applied to any DMX parameter, and often use the same sequences, curves and values with Arkaos VJ video effects to sync the lighting, video and cameras to the audio.

Entire complex lighting and video sequences can be triggered with a button (I use a Faderfox LX-2), embedded in a MIDI sequence, or auto-launched with an audio-to-MIDI trigger.

Once you toss in virtual MIDI buses, MIDI effects, Follow Actions, and an audio-to-MIDI trigger, there's not a lot you can't do. Make it as random or fixed, manual or automatic as you like.

You could use a Lan Box for this purpose. Rock solid hardware, does the midi to DMX translation for you.

http://www.lanbox.com/

Peter

Developing and using my own plugins and controller for the job that controlls everything through one or more entec USP DMX Pro interfaces.

Ive no doubt there will be a load of good options appearing during this year.