Covering Cables on the Floor... Alot. Hey all!
I just got a job as a resident Dj (Whee! ) and once my light rig is a thing I'll be running like 25-35 feet of DMX across the dance floor. I looked into those cable covers you see just about everywhere (you know the ones) and while perfect and reusable, they are REALLY expensive.
So basically what I'm looking for are either products, or home grown methods, of covering cables for safety reasons and for the sake of cables that are easy to implement and reusable as I'll be pulling all the cables back up either three times or one time a week.
GO THINK TANK GO.
EDIT: These are the cheapest I've found. I need about $500 of these though, still a lot. |
Cassie Sangermano
14.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
Buuuut there's 4 stands?
Sorry, I meant 1 Transceiver and 3 receivers...
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
Okay! Just a thought I had. I'll probably end up going for 4 stands.
I hadn't really looked that closely at them before, I didn't realise it was just a single cable going to each par, I just thought it was a stand, 4 jelly par profiles and a foot controller!! |
Wilton Keuning
14.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by robdquick
4 transceivers would work, but unless you're sending DMX a very long distance the 1 Transceiver should be up to the job.
Buuuut there's 4 stands?
Originally Posted by robdquick
Looking at the DMX channels, the Jelly par profile bar has either a 6, 12 or 15 channel mode. The Jelly go's have 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 channel modes. Doesn't look like the 6 channel mode on the bar lines up with the go's, so I don't believe it will work correctly. I have no idea what sort of DMX commands the foot controller puts out though, or how it all really works. There's just a single DMX connection on the bar, so I don't know how it controls the 4 separate pars.
Okay! Just a thought I had. I'll probably end up going for 4 stands. |
Cassie Sangermano
13.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
Great! Would 4 Transceivers work as well? It's a bit more money, but it would have more flexibility.
4 transceivers would work, but unless you're sending DMX a very long distance the 1 Transceiver should be up to the job.
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
EDIT: If I run DMX out of these, would it control these properly?
Looking at the DMX channels, the Jelly par profile bar has either a 6, 12 or 15 channel mode. The Jelly go's have 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 channel modes. Doesn't look like the 6 channel mode on the bar lines up with the go's, so I don't believe it will work correctly. I have no idea what sort of DMX commands the foot controller puts out though, or how it all really works. There's just a single DMX connection on the bar, so I don't know how it controls the 4 separate pars. |
Wilton Keuning
13.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Ryan Ruel
No latency that mattered (for me at least).
Great! Good to know.
NEW QUESTION
Would y'all suggest 4 stand of 4 par cans, or 2 stands and then 8 uplights? Given it's a dance floor with drunk people I believe the stands would be safer and less step-on-able, but I want to hear all of your thoughts too!
EDIT: If I run DMX out of these, would it control these properly? |
Wilton Keuning
13.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
1" pvc pipe along the wall.
Thaaaaaat's actually kind of brilliant, I'll look into that too.
Originally Posted by robdquick
You just need 1 sender and 1 receiver. Put the sender on the end of stand 1, and the receiver on the first fixture of stand 2, and leave the rest wired exactly as it was.
Edit: Ignore above. Didn't realise you had 4 stands in total. 1 sender, 3 receivers. As long as all the dmx addresses bars 2/3/4 are the same as 1 it should work.
Great! Would 4 Transceivers work as well? It's a bit more money, but it would have more flexibility.
Originally Posted by Ryan Ruel
I use the Chauvet D-Fi system, it works well. Mine it the 900 Mhz one, never had an issue with signal.
Great to hear! Did you have any latency issues? |
Cassie Sangermano
12.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
So if I got one of these and two of these, I could run the foot controller into one of the 4 stands, then the DMX Out to the DMX Transmitter, then run the three recievers to the DMX Ins on the other 3 stands? With them all set to Address 1 that should work right?
You just need 1 sender and 1 receiver. Put the sender on the end of stand 1, and the receiver on the first fixture of stand 2, and leave the rest wired exactly as it was.
Edit: Ignore above. Didn't realise you had 4 stands in total. 1 sender, 3 receivers. As long as all the dmx addresses bars 2/3/4 are the same as 1 it should work. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Bassline Brine
Do it once, do it right. If wireless is an option, from reading everything here (and honestly knowing nothing about wireless DMX myself... but that's why I'm here, learning!) it sounds like wireless is going to be the best for you.
I know the deal with having to tape down wires. It's time consuming and a pain in the arse, especially if you are spending a lot of time doing it before a show, and then just ripping it down after.
Seconded. Wireless does certainly seem like the solid option. Best case I buy wires to run in the ceiling AND wireless for other uses. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Pavin
Why not get them to pay partially for you to install one wire across the ceiling that you wouldn't need to remove? You could just come in plug in and be done with it!
Not sure how expensive the cable is etc so this may work or may not
The cable wouldn't cost too much so I'll talk to the club about it as they are doing some light renos right now, they might be open to it. However, the wireless is tempting now too! One of the other venues I play, wireless would be very handy. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by sss18734
What's the problem with running cables through the ceiling? Wireless DMX is nice for mobile gigs, but pointless for an install.
It not really an install. It will be my rig in a venue so it needs to be easily removed for when I play house parties and the like. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 | So I could go with separate receivers and transmitters for $540-ish OR I could do transceivers for $680-ish. The transmitter/receivers would be cheaper and do the job, but are ultimately less flexible, so I might go with The extra for transceivers instead. Has anyone used the D-Fi System before? Is one method more stable than the other?
Originally Posted by Jester
Pain In The Ass
Oh. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
Yeah. You could tape them up against the wall and cover them with strips of carpet or something. If you will be playing there regularly a more permanent solution would be best. PITA hiding cables every week.
True enough. Once I get into the swing of things I may find I can leave much of it up. However, that wireless Chauvet system seems pretty elegant as I can leave everything attached, then I just have to run power which is easy enough.
Also, PITA? |
Cassie Sangermano
14.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
Buuuut there's 4 stands?
Sorry, I meant 1 Transceiver and 3 receivers...
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
Okay! Just a thought I had. I'll probably end up going for 4 stands.
I hadn't really looked that closely at them before, I didn't realise it was just a single cable going to each par, I just thought it was a stand, 4 jelly par profiles and a foot controller!! |
Wilton Keuning
14.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by robdquick
4 transceivers would work, but unless you're sending DMX a very long distance the 1 Transceiver should be up to the job.
Buuuut there's 4 stands?
Originally Posted by robdquick
Looking at the DMX channels, the Jelly par profile bar has either a 6, 12 or 15 channel mode. The Jelly go's have 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 channel modes. Doesn't look like the 6 channel mode on the bar lines up with the go's, so I don't believe it will work correctly. I have no idea what sort of DMX commands the foot controller puts out though, or how it all really works. There's just a single DMX connection on the bar, so I don't know how it controls the 4 separate pars.
Okay! Just a thought I had. I'll probably end up going for 4 stands. |
Cassie Sangermano
13.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
Great! Would 4 Transceivers work as well? It's a bit more money, but it would have more flexibility.
4 transceivers would work, but unless you're sending DMX a very long distance the 1 Transceiver should be up to the job.
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
EDIT: If I run DMX out of these, would it control these properly?
Looking at the DMX channels, the Jelly par profile bar has either a 6, 12 or 15 channel mode. The Jelly go's have 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 channel modes. Doesn't look like the 6 channel mode on the bar lines up with the go's, so I don't believe it will work correctly. I have no idea what sort of DMX commands the foot controller puts out though, or how it all really works. There's just a single DMX connection on the bar, so I don't know how it controls the 4 separate pars. |
Wilton Keuning
13.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Ryan Ruel
No latency that mattered (for me at least).
Great! Good to know.
NEW QUESTION
Would y'all suggest 4 stand of 4 par cans, or 2 stands and then 8 uplights? Given it's a dance floor with drunk people I believe the stands would be safer and less step-on-able, but I want to hear all of your thoughts too!
EDIT: If I run DMX out of these, would it control these properly? |
Caleb Demillo
13.08.2013 | No latency that mattered (for me at least). |
Wilton Keuning
13.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
1" pvc pipe along the wall.
Thaaaaaat's actually kind of brilliant, I'll look into that too.
Originally Posted by robdquick
You just need 1 sender and 1 receiver. Put the sender on the end of stand 1, and the receiver on the first fixture of stand 2, and leave the rest wired exactly as it was.
Edit: Ignore above. Didn't realise you had 4 stands in total. 1 sender, 3 receivers. As long as all the dmx addresses bars 2/3/4 are the same as 1 it should work.
Great! Would 4 Transceivers work as well? It's a bit more money, but it would have more flexibility.
Originally Posted by Ryan Ruel
I use the Chauvet D-Fi system, it works well. Mine it the 900 Mhz one, never had an issue with signal.
Great to hear! Did you have any latency issues? |
Caleb Demillo
12.08.2013 | I use the Chauvet D-Fi system, it works well. Mine it the 900 Mhz one, never had an issue with signal. |
Cassie Sangermano
12.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by ProfessorStrangeman
So if I got one of these and two of these, I could run the foot controller into one of the 4 stands, then the DMX Out to the DMX Transmitter, then run the three recievers to the DMX Ins on the other 3 stands? With them all set to Address 1 that should work right?
You just need 1 sender and 1 receiver. Put the sender on the end of stand 1, and the receiver on the first fixture of stand 2, and leave the rest wired exactly as it was.
Edit: Ignore above. Didn't realise you had 4 stands in total. 1 sender, 3 receivers. As long as all the dmx addresses bars 2/3/4 are the same as 1 it should work. |
Latoria Kavulich
12.08.2013 | 1" pvc pipe along the wall. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Bassline Brine
Do it once, do it right. If wireless is an option, from reading everything here (and honestly knowing nothing about wireless DMX myself... but that's why I'm here, learning!) it sounds like wireless is going to be the best for you.
I know the deal with having to tape down wires. It's time consuming and a pain in the arse, especially if you are spending a lot of time doing it before a show, and then just ripping it down after.
Seconded. Wireless does certainly seem like the solid option. Best case I buy wires to run in the ceiling AND wireless for other uses. |
Audrey Pinda
11.08.2013 | Do it once, do it right. If wireless is an option, from reading everything here (and honestly knowing nothing about wireless DMX myself... but that's why I'm here, learning!) it sounds like wireless is going to be the best for you.
I know the deal with having to tape down wires. It's time consuming and a pain in the arse, especially if you are spending a lot of time doing it before a show, and then just ripping it down after. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Pavin
Why not get them to pay partially for you to install one wire across the ceiling that you wouldn't need to remove? You could just come in plug in and be done with it!
Not sure how expensive the cable is etc so this may work or may not
The cable wouldn't cost too much so I'll talk to the club about it as they are doing some light renos right now, they might be open to it. However, the wireless is tempting now too! One of the other venues I play, wireless would be very handy. |
Samuel Stamaria
11.08.2013 | Why not get them to pay partially for you to install one wire across the ceiling that you wouldn't need to remove? You could just come in plug in and be done with it!
Not sure how expensive the cable is etc so this may work or may not |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by sss18734
What's the problem with running cables through the ceiling? Wireless DMX is nice for mobile gigs, but pointless for an install.
It not really an install. It will be my rig in a venue so it needs to be easily removed for when I play house parties and the like. |
Erica Charvet
11.08.2013 | What's the problem with running cables through the ceiling? Wireless DMX is nice for mobile gigs, but pointless for an install. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 | So I could go with separate receivers and transmitters for $540-ish OR I could do transceivers for $680-ish. The transmitter/receivers would be cheaper and do the job, but are ultimately less flexible, so I might go with The extra for transceivers instead. Has anyone used the D-Fi System before? Is one method more stable than the other?
Originally Posted by Jester
Pain In The Ass
Oh. |
Latoria Kavulich
11.08.2013 | Pain In The Ass |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
Yeah. You could tape them up against the wall and cover them with strips of carpet or something. If you will be playing there regularly a more permanent solution would be best. PITA hiding cables every week.
True enough. Once I get into the swing of things I may find I can leave much of it up. However, that wireless Chauvet system seems pretty elegant as I can leave everything attached, then I just have to run power which is easy enough.
Also, PITA? |
Latoria Kavulich
11.08.2013 | Yeah. You could tape them up against the wall and cover them with strips of carpet or something. If you will be playing there regularly a more permanent solution would be best. PITA hiding cables every week. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
We usually tape them down with gaffer
I would too. But I feel like doing this over and over again would gum up the cables and the floor. |
Latoria Kavulich
11.08.2013 | We usually tape them down with gaffer |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 | So if I got one of these and two of these, I could run the foot controller into one of the 4 stands, then the DMX Out to the DMX Transmitter, then run the three recievers to the DMX Ins on the other 3 stands? With them all set to Address 1 that should work right? |
Ethel Feigum
11.08.2013 | I didn't even know these existed until a few years ago, the production company I work for bought some because our front of house position was about 150 feet away from the lighting rig, and we discovered that our dmx signals were starting to get a little screwy after about 100' of cable. We got Chauvet D-fi trancievers and they have worked flawlessly. |
Wilton Keuning
11.08.2013 | Okay so I may have to rebelieve the floor. I have a meeting at the venue in two days so I'll re scope it then and take some photos to put here so you can see what I'm up against.
Originally Posted by jakeintox
Wireless dmx ftw!
Transmitter/receiver set costs about $200, and no more wires. Totally the way to go.
Iiiiiiiiiiiiii did not even believe of that. |
Ethel Feigum
11.08.2013 | Wireless dmx ftw!
Transmitter/receiver set costs about $200, and no more wires. Totally the way to go. |
Yong Aptekar
11.08.2013 | Along the wall, up off the floor, taped. Lots of tape. Better yet, if you can, run everything across the ceiling, but make sure it doesn't fall. |
Hellen Mindrup
11.08.2013 | Floor might be a bad idea |
Lannie Kutay
11.08.2013 | Cables on the dance floor + drunk people = really bad idea......dude don't do it, run em up the wall or across the ceiling. Just not across the floor |
