I’m confused. Sorry for lack of knowledge on this. I need the basics. I understand the Obey 10 and DMX basics. I have just bought Chauvet trust ch31 and have their lights the Circus, two Swarm4’s, two Colorstrip Mini’s, two LED Bobs, Hurricane 1800 Flex Fog Machine, Numark Mix Track Pro, B52 1000 speakers, American Audio HP 700 headphones, Audio2000'S® AWM6112 wireless dual microphones, my lap tops run windows 7, dual processors, and are a couple of years old. I want to get two more of these identical setups for my sons after I figure all this out. I also have and will return my Obey 10 DMX controller because I want easier and more control over the lights. I believe this Elation Compu Live DMX software and controller are what I want but I am confused. Will the software work on my laptops? Which download do I put on my laptops at this site http://tiny.cc/xqcjh ? Once I have on my computer what do I do then? Sorry if I’m asking too much or if I haven’t done enough homework, but I have been on internet for hours and just can’t seem to find out where to get started. Any help would be deeply appreciated for this 63 year old wanting to do the best for my youngest son’s fraternity party in two weeks. The guys are depending on me for their major dance at big university. Thanks in advance. I am a quick learner deeply involved in other electronics, videoing, computers, etc. I feel a bit over my head but I’m a strong swimmer and really excited about all this and persistent as well. I get the scenes, chases, setting the lights to their address, etc. Just don’t know where to start on this software or even which one to download before I buy the little box and then the starting setup. One last thing, I think this is the software and box I want but I am open to suggestions too.

You will likely need to get the Compu "Show" software as it is the only version of the DMX control software that will run on a Windows 7 laptop running 64 bit which I assume that it is. You can download the software noiw on Elations website but in order for you to be able to use it you will need to purchase one of the Compu Show versions (depends on your needs...in all liklihood the compu cue basic will be what you need...all comes down to how many DMX channels you need) from them so that you can get a dongle. That dongle allows you to connect the dmx lighting to the computer to begin controlling the lighting...

As far as the actual control of the lights You will create pages for each fixture type that you have....in the process of creating the page you will select the make and model of the fixture (fixture profile) from the scanlibrary, starting dmx address, quatity of that type fixture, preprogrammed buttons that you want, etc....pretty much walks you through the whole process....You would repeat that for each fixture type you have....so if you have 4 fixture "A"'s, 2 fixture "B"'s, and 6 fixture "C"'s you would end up with three fixture pages along with the master page. Each individual pages preprogrammed buttons and buttons you program control that respective group of fixtures....when you want to create a look using all of the fixtures you activate the button(s) on each fixture page that give you the look you want and then you go to the Master page and crfeate a button there....The master page can control all active channels in a particular show whereas each fixture page is limited to only the dmx channels that affect those particular fixtures.

Some of this stuff is straight forward...some not so much....Some fixture profiles are not already created and will have to be created....Most popular brand fixtures are already done for you...some stuff if its a "no name" brand may not be available and will have to be created....hopefully that is the case with your needs....you can quickly determine what brands, fixtures are available simply by downloading the compu show software and installing it on your laptop.

Lastly, if I haven't babbled enough, you can find how-to videos out on you tube...Just do a search for "compulive"....even though its the older version of the software a lot of the programming techniques are the same or similar.

Good luck

This is one of our best software programs, http://www.elationlighting.com...20Lighting%20Control

Read that and let me know if you have any more questions.
Welcome to the forums.
Sincerely,

Thanks PitMan for the quick reply and all the time u spent on the info!! It gives me a place to start.
Is it worth it for me to have a laptop running windows xp
Thanks to jingles too for showing me where to download it.
After I have played with it some I'm sure I'll have lots of questions.