OK, I've been working with myDMX a lot today. Well, let me re-state that, I've been TRYING, but with a kid or dog having some crisis every 5 minutes or loads of crap calls, I've been up since 8AM and I've yet to really get anything useful done, and here it is 6:30PM. Any wonder why I'm up until 4AM most nights?

Back to my list of grievances.

1: I have been able to confirm that MyDMX only responds to MIDI when MyDMX is in the foreground. This is true even when the 3D visualizer is running. I've programmed my Korg nanoKONTROl to help me program and run shows, and you'd thing I could bring channels up and down and save some time. Nope. Can't do this. I think this issue needs to be addressed. I can totally understand that keyboard strokes can only properly be registered when MyDMX is the active app, but come on, we're talking MIDI triggering, which s coming from a non-local source, and since MyDMX can listen to this, this should be allowed to function.
Not just triggering, but fader/channel control as well.

2: Manual over-ride. For those having an issue with this sort of thing, read up: Set THAT channel to HTP or LTP(doesn't seem to matter which) and those channels will allow you to "override" the scene. This isn't evident. The manual might want to address this a bit better. What is cool is this was my test:

I have a scene using out of phase counter-rotating circles. I then set my spotlight dimmer channels to HTP, and wow, I can bring up my spots WITHOUT otherwise altering or interrupting the scene.

3: MIDI learning. There needs to be a function to FORGET a programmed trigger or assignment. I was making a few mistakes today and had to start over. It's hard to concentrate when a 5 year old insists on making it her objective to continually piss off the almost 3 year old. Isn't parenting grand? But thinking more practical, it may be necessaryfor someone to change their plans and want to redo their learned MIDI responses. This needs to be selectable on a scene by scene AND channel by channel basis, NOT a global. Likewise, it would be great to have a way to check the "learned trigger". Yes, you can argue "well pay attention you idiot" and I can say "you try working in my environment, smart-ass". I tried paying attention but it's damn near impossible. I do the best I can and I save often.

Learn or forget can be implemented via the right mouse button and then select "learn" or "forget".

4: MyDMX will not recognize a USB MIDI device plugged in while MyDMX is running. Be aware of this. This is NOT an issue I think myDMX should address. I plugged in my Korg nanoKONTROL while MyDMX was running and since it was not plugged in before I launched the app, it would not see the device. Quitting and re-launching resolved this isuse. So, be warned and plan ahead, OK?

6: MIDI again. This is really a HUGE time saver for me. I assigned my RED channels on my 8 64 LED Pros and my 2 Color Fusions to the same MIDI fader. Repeat down the line for like/like channels. Oh, this is so awesome! I can quickly just bring up colors! I even did this with my gel'ed Par38's at least for channels. So, all my reds, greens and blues come up on their own respective channel faders.

However, my application is a bit extreme but it does do what I need.

The ability to assign multiple channels to the same MIDI controller is a HUGE time saver. Easily control banks of same fixtures even if they don't use the same channels quickly and easily.

7: Buttons in USER mode. I'd prefer a bit more control over this. I want larger text and larger buttons. I'd also like CONTROL over button colors so I can quickly find by color what I want. BOLD wold help too. I don't want FONT control, but I do want to be able to resize buttons. I'm willing to compromise with a one-size fits all thing, that's fine. I can even live with a limited pallet of colors to choose from because I can use that to mark my groups even if I have to re-use colors.

8: Sorting in EDITOR mode. It sucks. I'd like a few changes if possible:
a: Copy a GROUP of scenes at once. But I don't see this happening. Since I have a core of 16 colors I work with that represent the colors my various color wheel support, it would save time.
b: The moving of scenes really bites. Again, I'd like to drag a group or individuals to where I want them.

9: The 3D Visualizer. Specifically construction mode. Specifically when you select a fixture and go to Settings and Location on the left. What do the X,Y and Z values actually represent? Is this metric? Is this meters? It's not a big deal bit I would prefer to know what scale I' working with so as to make things a bit more realistic.

I've stated I like the software. I do. but when you're having to do lot of programming and are under the gun, you need things to work in a better workflow. of course, it does help if things aren' conspiring to sabotage you every 30 seconds. I didn't post here just to rant. I've pointed out some good things I've discovered.

Anyhow, back to working on my shows. I have movers to program!

I Will Ask our developers about the midi in the background thing. That is all i seem them Think about changing though. Can't say for sure yet though. Chris i really hate to say it but Sounds like your gonna need compu live soon

Here's my issue with the 3d visualizer: I'd like to be able to group objects, fixtures, etc. to quickly move them to a location if I have to design a stage. In other words, I usually set up my trees in the same locations relative to our positions on stage, but often the room has different restrictions on space. I'm working on designing every room we play on a regular basis, and have contacted many of them to supply me with their equipment list and channels to facilitate this.

So, is there a way to group other than multiple selection?

Also, I'm noticing a lag time of almost 1 sec. when moving from one scene to another in the user tab. I'd like to use this setup to run live simply by clicking the scenes. I've got a lighting guy (not a tech), but I'm trying to make it "idiot-proof"... yes, I know, as soon as you make it idiot-proof, someone will make a better idiot...

You guys are fantastic support! Keep up the good work.

Oh chris the X Y Z Represent feet or metric depends on what you specified in the stage settings window. so if you click on stage settings, It is the little Red icon just before the 3D square with the protractor on the end of it you will see and option called "Units" and that is where you select meters or feet. Need more explanation? Let me know.

@ Troublemaker: in the objects and fixture tabs you can select multiple objects by holding "ctrl" and then moving them in the proper X Y Z Position. Make sense? Let me know.
Sincerely,

Thanks, Jingles

As for the x,y,and z axes, wouldn't they be in degrees, in which case units wouldn't matter...

The dX dY dZ would be in degrees. But the x y z on the left hand side in construction mode is for height left right front and back.
Sincerely,

I get it. I'd already seen those controls and used them. Good point, though.

Any word on the lag time during scene changes?

Hmm not sure. Are you sure you have all your times correct? Also could be if you have a sizable rig and low amount of ram say less than 1GB there will be a lag. One other thing to check is in construction mode in the fixture tab turn off all the pan and tilt fade times. If you can't find that I will post a screen shot asap.
Sincerely,

Don't think it's a RAM issue. I'm running an AMD Phenom Quad core with 4GB of ram. Not using any movers or scanners and the only timings are fade times for an interim white scene. I've got 4 LED Par 64's, 4 LED Panels, 8 Par 56, 6 Pin Spots, and 8 Moonbeams. I've noticed several people have posted solutions by adjusting addresses, but it doesn't seem to make a difference here. The majority of the lights are generic profiles, and the 64's and panels are profiles I made, because of discrepancies between brands. The profiles seem to be working well, and I haven't had any other problems since updating drivers.

Are you on a 32 but system? Or did you get the 64 bit drivers to work? And if so how?

Sincerely,

No way I'm going to Compu Live. For what I need, MyDMX is more than sufficient. I can work around some of the shortcomings.

It just feels like some aspects were not as well thought out. Now that I have a a buttload of scenes, it is essential that I work in a logical groupings and pretty much leave them in place if I want to move a lot.

I haven't tried the 64-bit drivers, since the 32-bit drivers are running everything just fine. Not to mention, I'm using XP Pro and not a 64-bit OS like Vista (the devil).
It's just a small delay, but in changing scenes live, it's kind of inconvenient. Timing is everything with respect to the impact of the lighting. I just thought it might be a shortcoming in the software. I guess no one else has raised this issue?

Once again Chris, some good tips and excellent ideas in your post. Thanks.

I think I have asked this before, but don;t recall getting an answer.

Why can't ADJ make the MyDMX interface usable with other programs (e.g: Freestyler)?

As the MyDMX software is no longer going to be developed, what harm would it do to make the interface available to external developers? If anything, it would make the unit more desirable to a market which currently will not touch the unit due to the lack of facilities in the MyDMX software.

I know that MyDMX is based on DASlite, but it will not work with the (still being developed and expanded) DASlite software.

No doubt it will be a licensing issue or something similar, but I am sure that issues can be worked around.

Your replies will be of interest.

Regards to all.

Email me your show file the .dlm file at James k at American Dj dot com and I will take a look.
Sincerely,

I'm not an ADJ employee, just a satisfied user.

ADJ has no motivation for making their dongle open-ended. From what I understand, Compu Live has multiple dongles that match that capabilities of the version of the software purchased. No Compu Live? No dongle.

MyDMX is similar in the fact that if you want to use MyDMX, then yo have to purchase the right dongle. Otherwise, they don't make money.

It's not merely a licensing issue.

There are some free DMX apps, and some cheap interfaces you can buy or build. But, you get what you pay for. I'd rather take a more corporate mentality in the fact that I need commercial products that can be supported.

One of my issues with wanting to color buttons and bold test is that when you're running a lot of stuff solo, the last thing I have is the time to muck about with my computer screen to find the right scene.

While the MyDMX product is oriented towards DJ's, even DJ's are going to have similar issues. They have to figure out their next few tracks and while they are doing that, they may technically have the time to look for the scene, but that's no guarantee they have the time.

With a sound company like I do, I have to not only do double duty at the console(FOH and monitors), but also lighting, video monitoring/switching for up to 4 sources and audio/video recording while also having a discrete recording mix to construct and monitor. Having to find scenes makes things difficult. It's overwhelming, and the weak link(MyDMX) gets left as an afterthought because it's not convenient to get to. There's been too many times where it seems like the vocalist is watiing for me to try to find the next lighting scene and then start doing things to cause problems, and then they have to balls to complain about it. "Why aren't you changing the scenes?" Because when I look for the next scene, you decide to cup the mic and feed it back. Bad enough I'm dealing with craptastic source levels in the first place...

The user interface is just lacking in some areas. I don't think the layout is bad, it just needs to be acknowledged that in their R&D environment, it works good. But, you go out on the road and live, it has shortcomings that should be addressed. People who write software are often not the ones going out and gigging with it.

In the case of digital consoles, that is still true. Those writing are not gigging, because they are busy writing. BUT, they are held accountable by those out there using the gear. If people don't like it, they talk and will go kill the product. We don't have time for bad products.

MyDMX is not a bad package, so don't let anything think that it is. It's just that it lacks human interface aspects that a more mature product should have. There are enough issues that need to be addressed that should merit a 1.5 or even a 2.0 release. I don't see the need to add features outside of the MIDI listening when not in foreground.

But I've since learned about who makes the MyDMX product, and I do have issues with how this company was hammering my server trying to get email through to them. I have NEVER asked them to contact me, at least not with marketting stuff. And they are hitting addresses that don't exist on my mail server. But considering they are a French company, they have a well known reputation for being jerk-wads. I guess that's a French thing, and as such I've filtered them from being able to send to me as well as blacklisting their network.

Knowing WHO makes it really helps. Considering their ethnicity and how the world views them, it explains some of the way things work. Just keep in mind who saved your nation TWICE in two major political conflicts!

I with you on this one Chris. The screen colours are a complete FAIL. They are completely unreadable at speed. You need to stop what you are doing, focus to find your place and then select your next option. The screen need the options you have mentioned and quickly.

Unfortunately, I have resigned myself to realising that we have all purchased a dead dog when it comes to development.

I will use MyDMX until the funds allow me to change to something with a future, and it won't be Compulive, just in case that gets canned just after I buy it as well.

I would put it on eBay but no one wants to pay more that $40 for it.

DJ Paul if you want to email me your show file i will take a look at what is causing the delay. My email is posted above.

Compu live will NOT be canned at all. in fact we are due to release 3 new dongle's to the line aswell as completely redone software for almost all three of the new hardware pieces and one or two others that will be coming out aswell as full 64 bit driver support.

I will also say it again my dmx has not been canned. It was the intention from the beginning to not add features to my dmx.
Sincerely,

Jingles, I don't have a file problem. I think you have me mixed up with someone else.

Regards.

oop sorry paul. I mean troublemaker. you all have been blowing up my iphone and my pc with all these posts. haha.

@ chris: The US having bailed out the french twice has NOTHING to do with my dmx. So please leave those comments off the forums as they are indeed against the rules of the forums. Thank you.
Sincerely,