How to control lights with MIDI notes to DMX using Ableton Live & Freestyler DMX
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- Опубліковано 25 лют 2016
- Tutorial outlining a cheap way to control DMX lights using midi notes in Ableton Live and Freestyler DMX software. Hope it makes sense!!! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below.
Link to Freestyler - www.freestylerdmx.be/
Link to LoopBe - nerds.de/en/loopbe1.html
you figured this out after only a week using freestyler? Bravo! thanks for the video.
Can't thank you enough for this. I was able to set this up with reaper in no time tonight. Nice thing is you dont have to use the velocity of 127 in your DAW midi notes (tho i leave the freestyler settings as you have them). You can fade the colors/ trigger the strobe effects this way and get a lot of variety. I got my entire lightshow ready to program now. Thank you again!
Nick Vivid Glad it helped you and thanks for watching. Much appreciated
Thanks for making this video! I've been trying to get Ableton with a Push 2 to talk with Madrix, but your video was the first one that went into the particular settings needed in Ableton to do so.
This is badass! I was thinking on getting me a dmx controller but after watching this tutorial I'm gonna rethink my strategies. Thanks for this nicely done video and keep it up!
Cheers!
EDIT: SORRY I'M AN IDIOT. I COMMENTED BEFORE WATCHING THE PART OF THE VIDEO WHERE YOU SOLVED THE ISSUE. DISREGARD :)
Hey there, I could be wrong but I think the feedback loops you're experiencing are a result of your Ableton MIDI settings.
You've got LoopBe1 set as an output and and input, which is similar to holding a microphone(input) up to a speaker(output). When you send a MIDI note through LoopBe1, if your track in Ableton is record-armed, it will input that same note and fire it off again, creating a loop.
Just disable the input in Ableton and leave the output enabled.
Rezzonator, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. This is what I always wanted to do. Midi notes to DMX. I have to watch it a few times, and tonight I finally GOT it. ha ha. I've been using 12 channels Dimmer Rack since 2002 and now would love to add LEDs lightings and LED Moving heads using similar methods from notes on/off. So, once again, many thanks for sharing this. Cheers, Elia from Australia.
Mystical Production EM glad it helped and thanks for taking the time to watch my video 👍
Extremely helpful and useful! You saved me hundreds of dollars. Thank you!!!
Worked for me with FL Studio aswell, just with the preinstalled midi send plugin (has faders!) very easy to automate with automationclips, look it up on google
Thank you! Very helpful.
Great video buddy! I am on my way home programming my new light ! Thanks !
Thanks.... glad it helped
LOVE U
you help me a lot bro, saludos desde mexico
Thank you, I am beginning to build a lighting rig for our small church. I use ableton live for a click track and some loops. Being able to kick of lighting scenes from within Ableton would lighten the load and eliminate some work on our sound / lighting people. great post thanks
Glad it was of some help. Thanks for your kind comments
Oh...may you would help me...i,m trying to use Ableton in my church...but freestyler don't work with midi.. pls help..
THANK you for this video it is quite helpful, we are also wondering about alternative DAW's
PRJCT LEVI I assume it will work with any DAW as it is just basic midi messages.
GOOD JOB :-)
did you ever find a better solution? I currently am struggling to get loopbe set up and communicating between the 2 programs, i have to be doing something wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am using the same programs with a generic usb dongle for a dmx controller on the lights
Hello.
If possible, please help find a solution.
Is it possible to somehow set up a universal solution for controlling light?
Write midi notes in DAW for mode, dimmer, R, G, B, W without adding light to FL.
I don't know what kind of light is on the stage.
I want to prescribe home automation.
And when arrive on stage, will connect to the chain and start his automation.
Thanks
ty
Would it be possible to use the DMXIS software with this usb to dmx cable? Or does that software only work along with an entec usb to dmx box?
MarkMetalDrums As far as I know it will only work with the entec one
We want to use it with two Chauvet Geyser P6, i linked one midi channel to the fog output and it is working, but in this huge list of midi setup in freestyler setup i can not find red-green-blue-amber and uv, i found strobe but it doesn't work. any idea which function i need to use for those?, from the manual m.jam.ua/files/files/Geyser_P6_UM_Rev2_WO.pdf we basically need channel 1-6 and 8
Hey, know I'm late but I have a question and can't find the answer. I have a Cymatic LP16 that runs backing tracks a the same time as the band plays. It has a midi function. Do you think I could export the midi file, put it on the cymatic, and the change would still make ? (with no pc anymore)
Not sure as the dmx interface I use needs a usb connection to a PC to work. Having said that it is just basic midi messages being sent. Sorry I cant give you a definitive answer.
@@rezzonator Yes that's what I was worried about.. I'm considering buying a light console (behringer or other, not too expensive) that can read midi messages. So in theory I should be able to send my midi messages directly to the console who will convert it to dmx. You think that could theoretically work?
@@JeremyBraunsMusic i guess in theory it should work...let me know how you get on.
@@rezzonator I'll do! Thank you for your time
@@rezzonator hey! Just letting you know that it works! Thanks for your video, it helped me a lot
Cómo se pronuncia
hello does it work with cubase 5? My intention is to configure video and intros for a live presentation and coordinate lights with the music
Never tried it with cubase but I dont see why not...pretty much just basic midi info
I noticed a lot of automated dmx light shows are with ableton... can it be used with other DAWs too?
brdane I would assume so as it's basically just midi messages
Very quick reply, thank you.
Reaper DAW is free and you can use that for midi.
brdane I'm going to try it with Cubase v5, I'll let you know if it works.
+1 for Reaper. Reaper is amazing!
What if I wanted to use the 25th MIDI to DMX? There is none :( What would I want to do then?
Hi, I'm sure you've already answered this but I'm just trying to have my lights flash in top to the music, so I've automated them to turn on and off by MIDI, however is there a way to have the colours gradually fading as well? I can get them to jump but the effect isn't as good
rob hemingway I think I have done that but can't quite remember. Think I managed to do it with the velocity settings of the midi notes bit can't quite remember. I'll let you know if I figure it out. 👍
Rezzonator cheers for the reply, yeah it'd be a huge help if you did!
You've hopefully just saved our band quite a bit of money thanks!
Have you had any problems with the cheap adapter since using this? Any problems or crashes with ableton etc.?
Cheers!
Not so far. I've not used it loads so cant really say on a long term basis but so far so good
Thanks for the reply. I've ordered some stuff so fingers crossed. Can't get Freestyler for Mac, but I've found a program which should do the same called QLC+, also free.
What did you use to connect from your computer/Ableton to your lights....? I noticed you said you weren't using "DMXIS"
Hi. I am using a simple USB to DMX interface which you can see at around 12'51" into the video. This connects to the DMX of the first fixture and then I just daisy chain the lines to each other with DMX cables....DMX out of fixture 1 to DMX of fixture etc.
Is it possible to adapt a camera flash (Nissin Di866 Mark II) to DMX so that it can be triggered via MIDI?
Mark Eurenz Cabusas If I'm being honest I have no idea but it would be cool. Not sure how the flash is triggered to be able to suggest connections
It has usb mini-b and pc sync ports so I was Google-searching for usb mini-b to dmx cable/pc sync cord to dmx to no avail. Even then, the flash has no dmx circuitry (idk what I'm talking about here. I hope I'm making sense lol). You're right. Would be cool if it was possible. This is one of those times I wish I studied electronics engineering and be able to modify stuff.
Mark Eurenz Cabusas yeah I'm sure someone would be able to do it but I have no idea at the moment. Could get some very cool strobe fx using a camera flash
Sorry, I have noob question, I going to buy and setup DMX with Ableton Live.... so how the system work: If I mixing with Traktor DJ Pro, which gives sound to Ableton Live, how my midi project will recognize the track... the people doesn't play music from ableton. All I see Traktor Pro + Ableton Live + USB DMX, and all set to play LIVE. But how tracks from random mixing recognizing and put prerecorded lights show and lyrics...
Zer Ryu that's a tricky one. Not entirely sure. The way I have done it here is to use programmes midi notes to create a light show for each track...they don't respond to audio just midi notes
Great video.. thanks.but i have problem. After i learn all midi notes for some functions i need, it doesn't work. Maybe somebody knows how to solve it.... thank you.
HELLO ANOTHER OPTION TO LOOPBEE? THANKYOU
I had a question about the cabling and how you adapt Midi to DMX? This seems to be an expensive adapter from what I have found.
There are some expensive one but I use one like this - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MDND6U9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PuYVBb35M9B5Y. You need a computer to use it as its usb but sends midi to dmx over usb
Thanks for that info. Much less than the more complex solutions that I have seen on You Tube. I am going to send you a link to a performance by a lad called Infinite Sinewave where he uses I think Ableton to control the LEDs on his four QuNeo controllers. It's quite entertaining.
This is helpful. My setup is a little different and perhaps you could point me in the right direction. I am using ProPresenter on one PC and Freestyler on another. I am hoping to send MIDI over network, and i downloaded a tool that lets me do that, but i cant seem to get them to talk to eachother.
Hmm not too sure about that. Most of my mifi6probalems are when the midi channels are not the same..an easy mistake to make so perhaps check that first...make sure they are both on the same channel. May also be a firewall setting on the PC that is stopping the communications between the 2.
Hi there !PLEASE !Please respond to me since now i am trying to do same thing but with diferent software using FL Studio and probably use this Free Sttyler x2 as well if it is free to download on wInn7 .But first let me know if i am getting right about Loopbe1 .This is a MIDI CONECTOR INTERNAL MIDI THROW BETWEEN PORTS FROM DIFERENTS RUNING SOFTWARE FROM SAME COMPUTER RIGHT ?CAN HOOK ALSO TO MIDI OUT FROM COMPUTER OR MIDI IN FROM EXTERNAL COMPUTER ?
2other world i would like be able to chat more in orther to clearn understand the aspect since still is very few info about this !
Other issues that i m curently find on my way doing it (not yours) is that MIDI Protocol has just values for each ch like 127 posible value between a total 0 value and a 1 value asign as maximum value like for velocity value thats all about my concerning !Ok and the note should be the lengh action comand starting and finishing from the MTC (Position on time line that is interactive of course with BPM so no need to rescadule since is only MIDI.And the value of DMS IS BOUBLE 251 POSIBLE VALUES this could be asily interpret by any software by a multiolier value of 0.2 this not quite problem when you can asign direct values for example like DMX General protocol mention for example from 50-65 is colour green maybe i do not exactly but just for reference this general ideea.
But some lights have more complicated channel.
Back to your aproach you just programing comand by notes and values in (DAW) and send it to another software A lights one Free Styler X2 and by LOOPBE1 Midi dRIVER INTEGRATION HOOK THEM in other to send the comands out from it to Light box is corect ?Sow from the lights software where you inject the Midi comands (what you have conected like lights interface?If you put a regular DMX 512 One universe will work or i need a usb to DMX box interface ?
I would REALLY APRECIATE YOUR QUICK ANSWER BECAUSE I PROBABLY NEED TO PUT IN PRACTICE YOUR KNOWLEDGE !THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Do you think the midi driver conectorLOOPBE1 - INTERNATIONAL MIDI PORT WILL WORK WITH ANY SOFTWARE DAW-ANY LIGHTS SOFTWARE !I asume yes since MIDI IS A ONLY ONE PROTOCOL HAS MULTIPLE IN IT LIKE MULTIPLE CHANNELS AN BANKS BUT IS GENERALY SAME BY STATEMENT RIGHT ?WHAT YOU THINK !PLEASE GIVE ME A QUICK REPLAY WHEN YOU SEE IT OK!?
Hi there, I was just searching for methods to control lights with Midi when I found DMXIS. I was almost sure I needed it until I saw this. Have you found out by now how to dim lights through midi? I think you should be able to connect automation in some way to the DMX input. Especially considering the Freestyler DMX allows for input from 0-127 ... Anyway I haven't bought any lights yet so I can't really start now :( I want to get light tubes (LED) but I'm not sure which yet since my budget isn't too big. I am trying to find 12x 1m light tubes or something that will respond to DMX. I read you need a DMX controler/dimnerfor it, but yea as I said I havent really found any good ones (with good price) as of yet.. But yea thanks for the video and let me know if you find out about the dimming or connection with Ableton automation. Cheers
Hi. Ive managed to get a bit of fading using midi velocity but not fully happy with it yet. Will post on here if I manage to find a cheap solution. DMXis is a good solution but not cheap!
can you show us how to sync a freestyler light show with music (so that i can press 1 play button so that it all works)
basically you would just need to programme midi notes on a midi track as I did in this video for the whole song and the just get that track to play along with the rest of the song. Hope that makes sense 👍
If I was using a MIDI Drum track already would I still need LoopBe to trigger FreeStyler? Thank you
Yes I think so if using a PC. Don't think it would be needed on a Mac
Rezzonator thank you kindly hope my gear arrives tomorrow to try it
Have fun
Rezzonator thank you kindly.
Another question popped in head. Can Freestyler accept MIDI in via Bluetooth?
@@Madmohawkfilms never tried that so not sure but it may work
Also Ableton vs FL are not quite diferent bouth have multiple play options as well to play individual by raw or by pattern as well !Sow runing live regardless MTC is a option too if you for example could resolve the audio drivers problem !
Hello,
which version of FS did you use in this video? I do not have Note IN and Note Out column in my FS...
Hi. It's version 3.6.31
Thank you. I am using APC mini. Is it possible to light on buttons backlight when button is pressed?
+abbpvc Do you mean to keep the backlight on on the MPK when you press it? If so don't think you can do that but I'm not 100% sure.
Yes, i want what you wrote. I found some tips to do that using Midi OX, but i do not know how to configure it. It stay turned on after button press.
+abbpvc I guess there should be someway to do it but not sure how. I remember doing that with a Launchpad a few years ago but with midi note on and off messages but I've no clue how to do it with the MPK...if I can work it out I will do a video on it
Woow, seven years ago and still a common topic. This is what I thought, as-well. I won't spent 150 € for a USB2DMX Entec interface. I mean... so this is still working for you, or did you come to the limits. I am just in my cave and want to play around and trigger lights with the edrums just for fun. Just to see if its working. So I spend 150€=$ for two small moving heads... yeah!
Then I got 4 simple LED PARs. Should be fine.
Ez a bemutató azoknak szól, akiknek egyébként nincs szükségük erre a bemutatóra. Nem is értem, az illető minek túráztatta magát
what is the name of track?
The track is The Day is My Enemy by Prodigy.
Basicly you can have more then 512 channels in MIDI aparently less but since you have so many keys to program and also please do not forghet you also have midi banks as well that those has submultiple of 99 i think sow the banks leverl are folder and subfolder for each like 99 make the math !LOL Enough channels programing !Please be aware also on DMX side you only have 512 channels on one universe but you may have like 6 universes on a full town of lights or a full ship lights !
My only concerning the midi throw you use form german site is if or how to integrate the multiplier vst in that chain!?
dudes. how shitty are lighting interfaces if you're a beginner. Dear god. This freestyler app was clearly developed by a smart dude and designed by his 6 year old daughter back in 1996.
Name a better one? I'm looking