Q Light Controller+

Hey all, I recently used QLC+ 4.x to design and run lighting for a weekend of performances, which used two light plots over a small x86 Intel NUC like box running Windows. I'm very impressed with the software and would like to get more comfortable with it for use in live theatre.

I'm curious about making my own lighting designs at home, plus experimenting with both 4.x and the newer 5.x beta. I have access to:
- a spare tower machine
- Raspberry Pi's
- USB to DMX adapter
- Various midi devices
- USB Joystick, keyboard, mouse...
- I sadly do not own any sort of cool lighting (yet!)

Curious on any recommendations for simple / cheap LED lighting I buy or build. Software simulations of lighting are also fine, because I just want to try various ideas at home before I go paying for time in a professional theater. Any, and all, suggestions appreciated.

Cheers, and I'll keep digging through the forum for ideas.

Look around for second hand LED Pars on your local classifieds, FB marketplace eBay etc.

I've had good luck with Chinese clones that are on eBay brand new (search: led par dmx).

For moving heads I wouldn't bother getting second hand as there is so much that can go wrong. Not unless you're okay with really bulky lights like the MAC250 or any other large light desined for road use.

New small units are very cheap. Take a look at this video: https://youtu.be/i3dHP6ehGY0 they're not even bad.

Let us know what you come up with.

Cheers,
Lachie

IMHO: if you are going to use movers, the suggestion from Lachie is valuable. 10W is more than enough for in house. The best to-learn-light movers are those with minimal color- and gobo wheels. This gives you the opportunity to learn how to move in black and gives you an idea about how slow the movers are.
If you want to buy static lights, don't spend money on RGB engines, spend your money on RGBW or preferrable RGBA engines. Since you are looking at performances, you need nicer color. With the help of amber, flesh tones are so much nicer.