Hi All...another newbie here and cuz I'm a total moron regarding lighting, the Einstein avatar seemed to fit.

I'm just starting to get my feet wet into this whole lighting thing for my band. I have a lead on a Show Designer (1) controller and was wondering if it's still worth even considering since it's old, etc. Is SD over complicated for someone with moderate intelligence or should I go elsewhere? Is all the programming done in midi? ...I'm a drummer and kinda "slow" on midi. Does one just use "notes" to assign things vs. "address" tags (duh)?

I'm considering like 8-16 Par38s and a couple of effects to start with (small stuff)...is SD good for that, perhaps using some of the built-in programs? Should I maybe look into Stage Setter instead? I'm not planning on a lighting guy for the immediate future, so foot switches and/or something programmed is how I envision things "happening".

Anyone's two cents is surely appreciated!

hey wassup? and welcome to the elation lighting forums! first off for the sd1 and par cans and effects. meaning non dmx fixtures u will need dimmer/ switch packs as well. what they do is u can plug ur effects and pars cans to them and depending what fixtures u have they will either dim the cans or turn on and off the effects that u have. but don't ever try to use a dimmer on a effect light cause it really need to be just shut off and on dimming them could decrease lamp life i think. also never plug a dmx light into a dimmer pack that wil ruin the motors in the fixture.
now about midi u create scenes or chases on ur SD1 and then once u do that u assign a midi note to either a scene or a chase or a bank of scenes if u want. and the foot packs are used to scroll through these notes and have them play what is assigned to those noted. might be hard to drum and switch scenes though. i wanted to try it but never had the time or a foot pack. also the SD1 like all controlers has a learning curve to it u just got to try. my recomendation is to start out with a few lights and give it a go, if things don't work out try something else. if there is anything i didn't answer post back and let me know. or if u have more questions. peace and welcome! jingles out!

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