DJzone DJ Magazine

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Intelligent Light Controller And Par Can Dimmer

Light Stream Controls (LSC) has introduced a new hybrid lighting controller that can play “two roles” onstage at the same time. The DMX Operator Pro is a 2-in-1 stage lighting control board that can function as both an intelligent lighting controller and a par can dimmer.

Light Stream Controls (LSC) has introduced a new hybrid lighting controller that can play “two roles” onstage at the same time. The DMX Operator Pro is a 2-in-1 stage lighting control board that can function as both an intelligent lighting controller and a par can dimmer.

Equipped with a total of 136 DMX channels, the DMX Operator Pro utilizes 128 of its channels for intelligent lighting control and 8 for par can Dimming/On/Off. Designed to offer the convenience of total lighting control from a single board, the DMX Operator Pro is great for small- to-mid-size theaters, concerts, churches, touring companies, or any stage production where both par cans and DMX special effects are used.

Perhaps best of all, this handy all-in-one lighting solution is surprisingly affordable. The suggested retail price of the DMX Operator Pro is just $439.95.

“In the past, if you wanted a multi-functional controller that could handle both DMX effects and par can dimming, you basically had to buy a large stage board that could cost up to several thousand dollars,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies, the parent company of Light Stream Controls. “Lately, a lot of smaller theaters, churches and productions have been getting into intelligent lighting, so there’s been a growing demand for a more compact hybrid DMX controller/dimmer at a down-to-earth price.

“We came out with the DMX Operator Pro to fill this need. Now even smaller lighting users can have the convenience of an all-in-one controller. No more having to travel with two light boards!”

The DMX Operator Pro is also ideal for current users of conventional stage lighting who are considering making the technological leap to intelligent DMX effects in the future. “It’s a controller that you can grow into,” Davies pointed out. “You can use it now to run your par cans, then add intelligent effects later without having to go out and buy a new DMX controller.”

In addition to being a hybrid, the DMX Operator Pro offers many other features designed to make life easy for lighting directors. It is modeled after LSC’s extremely popular DMX Operator intelligent lighting controller.

“Essentially, we took the DMX Operator and added par can dimming capabilities to create the ‘Pro,’” explained Davies. “The DMX Operator is a proven board, and the new DMX Operator Pro offers the same reliability, rugged durability, and innovative features that today’s users desire.”

Like its non-hybrid cousin, the DMX Operator Pro includes a Flash Card Back-Up Memory Feature. It comes equipped with a compact memory flash card slot on the back. Users can back-up and save their programs onto a standard 32-megabyte flash card (not included), then simply upload a favorite program whenever they want to run it. This eliminates the time-consuming hassle of having to re-create programs for each production.

The DMX Operator Pro can also be used to control fog effects, making it even more of an “all-in-one” controller. It features a Fog Machine Trigger Button that is compatible with selected American DJ fog machine models, including the Master Blaster 1000, Stallion, Vapor Flow, Fog Storm 1200, Fog Storm 1700, and Vaporizer.

Other features on the DMX Operator Pro include: an assignable joystick with manual “Fine/Fast” pan/tilt adjustment: a Step/Mix Sequence Function that automatically sequences chases; and a Fixture Group Function that allows more than one fixture to be grouped together. There is also a Tap Sync feature, and a Blind Function that will automatically override chases on the fly.

As a DMX lighting controller, the DMX Operator Pro can control 8 individual fixtures with 16 DMX channels each. (Fixtures with less than 16 DMX channels can be combined on a single fixture button.) It can handle up to 96 programmable scenes and 8 programmable chases with fade and speed control.

As a par can dimmer, the DMX Operator Pro can be used to control on/off/dimming via 8 individual channels. It can handle up to 96 programmable scenes and 6 programmable chases with fade and speed control.

Designed for versatile use, the DMX Operator Pro comes with removable rubber rails, which allow it to be used either as a tabletop or 19-inch rack mount unit. To meet the needs of stage and touring applications, the controller is also very compact and portable, weighing just 7 lbs. and measuring 7” x 19” x 3.75”.

The suggested retail price of the DMX Operator Pro is $439.95.