Newbie - hardware / software control advice

[danielbriggs]

Why not get this?!
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/

You could customise it to put images of all the cues on the mini LCD's on each key!

Dan

[White-Light]

If you're prepared to go away from DMX, then some on here (Jem included) use touch screens to control Live Pro instead.

Only they can tell you the pro / cons of using touchscreens vs DMX console but I'd imagine off the top the main advantage is an infinitesimal number of effects to add into a show whereas I imagine with DMX you're limited by the number of things you can asign to the sliders.

Over to you on this one Jem...

[Jem]

Hmmm... Yes Al, you're quite correct

I forgot to mention probably the most important thing

Most of us who use LivePRO with a MIDI controller also use a touchscreen monitor, in my case a 19" ELO touchscreen in a flightcase. There are quite a few of us use these as a batch of them came up at a decent price on Ebay a while ago.

LivePRO can run in dual screen mode, you can have the touchscreen showing all the cues and the laptop screen (in my case) showing all the controls. Many of these controls are linked to the MIDI controller. Therefore when running a show you can quickly and easily select cues by simply touching the screen and you can control these cues with your other hand on the MIDI controller.

On the joystick issue, i've used a joystick and I find it much easier to just have some sliders on the MIDI controller linked to the X/Y position, but again, that's persoanl preference.

Any more questions, just ask away and we'll try to help.

Cheers

Jem

[norty303]

Your prices seem a bit off if you ask me.

I bought LivePro USB for my FB3 around Christmas time direct from Pangolin for $250 (about £163 at the time) and I'm not aware that i got any special deal on that.

The price of $695 on the website is, as far as I can tell, for LivePro for LD2k/QM, not LivePro USB.

The FB3 Eval kit was either $550 or $600 and I don't think that has changed at all. As you are buying LivePro you should be able to buy the LAFreak package instead, as LivePro has the commercial use license.

That said, I may have got my copy of LivePro a bit cheaper because i had already paid for commercial use license by buying the Eval kit.

Personally I'd just email Pangolin via the website and be done with it. Delivery and turnaround was excellent, with Bill sorting the software for me over the Christmas break which is exceptional, as has been all my dealings with them.

[danielbriggs]

The FB3 Eval kit was either $550 or $600 and I don't think that has changed at all. As you are buying LivePro you should be able to buy the LAFreak package instead, as LivePro has the commercial use license.

That said, I may have got my copy of LivePro a bit cheaper because i had already paid for commercial use license by buying the Eval kit.

I hope I'm ok posting this, but in a recent email conversation with Bill, at the time I was buying my FB3, I asked about commercial use with regard to the different FB3 packages, and his reply was:

A few years ago we considered having some kind of restriction, but then decided it was too onerous. There is no such restriction now on any of our products.

I went for the FB3 in the little Pangolin enclosure in the end

Dan

[mrblack927]

Hi all,

I hope I'm not threadjacking, but I have a closely related question...
If you were to get the FB3 without the livepro software, what would you run it with? Is there any software package that the FB3 just comes included with?

Also, I've heard all about LivePro and it's capabilities but I wonder how complicated it is to use. Does anyone have a screenshot (or better yet) a screenvid of there's running?

Thanks!

[danielbriggs]

Hi all,

I hope I'm not threadjacking, but I have a closely related question...
If you were to get the FB3 without the livepro software, what would you run it with? Is there any software package that the FB3 just comes included with?

Also, I've heard all about LivePro and it's capabilities but I wonder how complicated it is to use. Does anyone have a screenshot (or better yet) a screenvid of there's running?

Thanks!

Yes, it comes with the following software:
- LiveQuick
- LAStudio (which consists of: Showrider, Abstraction, TraceIt and something else)

All in all, a good start to keep you busy for a bit and then livequick is a good springboard to LivePro, which is the business

[mrblack927]

Yes, it comes with the following software:
- LiveQuick
- LAStudio (which consists of: Showrider, Abstraction, TraceIt and something else)

All in all, a good start to keep you busy for a bit and then livequick is a good springboard to LivePro, which is the business

Thanks! I'm probably going to pick up an FB3 then when I raise the money LivePro will come a little later.

[SUBZERO]

Hi guys - i called a couple of UK suppliers but they both said i may as well get FB3 from Pangolin direct, as there isn't any discount available on these. I the end i ran out of time so i got a mate of mine who owns an import company to call up and order it via his credit card for me.

All done and paid for, so will be here soon - FB3 + Live Pro - can't wait and i can pay my mate back next month when i can afford it all !

Now all i've got to do is decide which midi controller to get.

I'm really quite taken by this one.

http://www.chemical-records.co.uk/sc...ck=REMOTE37LTD

Has keys / buttons / knobs / sliders / joystick / scratch pad / LCD screens all on one unit.

Do you think this can be used with Live Pro ?

I'm really new (total virgin !) to midi controllers so i haven't got a clue.

I just know i want to get creative with Live Pro and simple shapes. So if i can use
the joystick move the shape around, the scratch pad to manipulate it, the sliders
to change colours etc that would be cool.

I really like the simple, but defined shapes - flat line - square - wave etc.

Not really into showning Micky Mouse walking sort of laser visuals on the wall, (i have
my VJ software for that) this kit will be all about wowing the crowd and taking them
to a different place in amongst all the smoke and haze once i've figured out how to
use it all !

Touch screen is out of my budget for the moment (i think ?) so i'd like to know
if there's anyone out there using this bit of kit.

I guess it'll be good - it's just a glorified Remote Zero at the end of the day isn't it.

Your much valued opinions would be most welcome.

Cheers

[dave]

Live Pro - £500 max
FB3-XE - £400 max
Remote Zero - £200 max
PC Joystick - £30 max

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