[ANSWERED] Syncing Lighting Cues to Video Timecode
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Hello!
I am working on a film installation and would like to have lighting control over the rest of the space. The goal is to have everything run out of Isadora for daily ease of the staff (i.e. it’s all on with the flip of a switch). I am new to the realm of Isadora and need some step by step guidance.
I am seeking to send a timecode-sync’d signal out of Isadora to a DMX controller which is sending a signal to a dimmer box outputting levels to a light.
1) What is the best way to create lighting cues (fades, flickers, etc) that sync to the timecode of the video file itself? The light needs to be actively fading on, dimming, and flickering.
2) Would you recommend using an Enttec Pro or a MIDI controller as the intermediary?
3) Is there a simpler solution you might recommend to a novice?
Thank you,
rebecca
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Hi there Bexxtr!
Welcome to the Isadora community, your best bet for this type of work is to purchase an Enttec DMX Usb PRO
https://www.thomann.de/intl/enttec_dmx_usb_pro_interface.htm
This boxes can't 'receive' direct timecode, what you need is either a translator (hardware) like a Lighting software product, or you can also do this step in a background scene within Isadora. It is basically a bit of work / logic operators that you need to make this happen.
I am currently on the road, but I can give you an working example file in a few days.
Speak soon!
- Juriaan
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@bexxtr for timecode work I would not choose Isadora as my tool of choice - although it can do DMX programming anything other than a few dimmers is not a great experience, there are no fixture definitions and not a great interface for designing lighting.
I would propose doing your lighting design with a normal lighting desk that can chase timecode (rent one or borrow one for a day). You can send timecode out of Isadora (either Midi time code or SMPTE over audio - although Artnet timecode is much more widely used these days) and have the board chase while you program - the playback to do this is also much easier from something with a timeline as it lets you scrub through and play specific parts for programming.
Once you have a timecode show you can use something like the Enttec S-Play series devices (https://www.enttec.com.au/prod...)- or the Visual productions Q Core hardware (https://www.visualproductions....)Both these boxes can record and playback all you DMX synced to timecode.
Then you can use either Midi time code or LTC on an audio track of your video to send timecode to one of these boxes and it will chase and play the DMX.
Chataigne (https://benjamin.kuperberg.fr/...) will also give you a good timeline for programming Cues and can also control Isadora, including launching it and opening your project to a schedule. You can get some more flexible protocol and accurate timing with this software too and its free.
QLC is a free cross platform lighting software with a timeline and fixture definitions that you can also use - you can porgram complex lighting cues in a lighting environment and drop them on a timeline. It can also play audio and video.
I understand the desire for only a single software - going with hardware DMX playback is a great option for that. If you do need to run multiple software or even just want to have a timed regulated and auto-restart on crash control of Isadora I would definitely make Chataigne the master controller on your machine.
TLDR Use actual lighting gear for programming lighting cues, for timecode shows use at least one tool with a timeline for programming and something that can record and playback DMX to timecode (in hardware).
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@juriaan Thanks for your input on this! I have the Enttec and am working with it. Look forward to seeing this work around. Much appreciated!
