Pocket Partner: Elations Tiny DMX Partner Puts Light Show Control In The Palm Of Your Hand
LOS ANGELES - Todays technology has made it possible to do many things from the palm of your hand, such as check your email, send text messages and download music. Now Elation Control Systems has added one more bit of wizardry you can work from your palm -- control a full-blown DMX light show!
The Los Angeles-based company has introduced the DMX Partner, a hand-held DMX recorder/playback unit that will accept information from any universal DMX-512 controller and play it back anytime, anywhere. Measuring under 8 inches long and 4-1/2 inches wide, and weighing a feathery 1.5 lbs., the DMX Partner is capable of commanding a professional intelligent light show, while fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand.
Miniscule as it is, the DMX Partner has all the tools to help you put on an eye-popping DMX lighting presentation. Featuring 96 DMX channels, it can hold 8 chases of up to 99 steps each. It can also hold 2 light shows of up to 99 steps each with separate speed and fade time adjustment. Its even got a mini-joystick in the center that can be assigned to fixtures for pan and tilt control.
Chases and shows can be played back either in Sequence Mode, one at a time, or in Mixed Mode with all 8 chases and 2 shows playing during one session. When in Mixed Mode, the DMX Partner will incorporate the HTP Principle (Highest Takes Precedence). Under the HTP Principle, the programmed scene that has been assigned the highest DMX numeric value will be played back first, followed by the other scenes in descending order.
“With the DMX Partner, you can carry your programmed light show around with you from venue to venue in a convenient lightweight hand-held unit. It eliminates the need for mobile DJs and lighting directors to lug around a big DMX console,” said John Lopez, national sales manager for Elation Control Systems. “All you do is input your data from your DMX controller into the DMX Partner - then put your show in your pocket and take it on the road.”
Data can be transferred between any universal DMX controller and the DMX Partner via the units DMX In/Out connections. Going a step further, information can also be transmitted between a personal computer and the DMX Partner (or between two DMX Partners), using Elations proprietary RS-232 software. The RS-232 software is available free online at Elations website (www.elationlighting.com).
“The fact that you can transfer data not only to and from a DMX controller, but also to and from a personal computer gives the DMX Partner greater versatility,” said Lopez. “People who run their light shows with a computer and lighting control software can input their data into the DMX Partner. They no longer have to carry around their laptops.”
Other features on the DMX Partner include a programmable strobe function, password protection for recording, and blackout control. It can be run in 3 modes: DMX, Audio or Manual. Designed for easy use, the unit features a 4-character LED display and 21 backlit buttons.
The DMX Partner can be ordered pre-programmed to be set for selected American DJ and Elation Professional lighting fixtures, including the Accu Spot 250 II, Pocket Scan, Rainbow 250, Spiral Scan and X-Caliber. There is no extra charge for pre-programming.
The suggested retail price of the DMX Partner is $179.95.
For more information, contact Elation Control Systems at 323-582-3322. Fax: 323-582-3108. Address: 4295 Charter St., Los Angeles, CA 90058. Web: www.elationlighting.com Email: info@elationlighting.com