Wed, 14 Sep 2005 6:31pm

Tech | Stage Lighting with Max/MSP and DMX

I've been learning about stage lighting since the beginning of the year (in fact, since I worked with theatre company Metro-Boulot-Dodo on 'Under Pressure' in February). However, it's only recently that I have decided to look at it seriously and get myself a lighting controller and some stage lights for my studio.

The main motivation for this is the show I'm doing with The Buoys as part of the Bathysphere Nights II event at the Phoenix in Leicester on the 21st October.

For this event we want to control the stage lighting in such a way that it is fully synchronised with the video projections and the music being played. In order to do this we will be using a technology called DMX that allows lights to be controlled via a computer.

One of the great things about DMX is that if you get the right DMX interface 'box' for your computer then you can use Max/MSP to control your lights. In other words, you can write a single Max patch that will control your MIDI instruments, on-board sound, video projections and stage lighting! Just think if the creative possibilities of that.

After doing some on-line research I discovered a DMX interface called Enttec DMX USB Pro for a reasonable 123 euros (£83) that has a Max object available for it for 10 euros (£6). I've placed my order and am waiting for it to arrive with great excitement.

I'll report back on it when it arrives, but if it works as promised it will add a whole new dimension to my stage and installation work.

Author: Sean Clark