72 cue, DMX controlled pyromusical rig for about $340

[chopperthedog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnJRwYNKcTc

Title get your attention? :p I'll edit this post with more info, pics and better video soon. But my proof of concept with using a 16ch DMX relay board to make the button presses on a BL1200 board has worked out well. I was cramming as many cues as I could, along with jumping to different areas and back during the 1 min audio clip.



good day.

[chopperthedog]

While watching some videos of the more expensive systems, I thought why not just have something computer controlled that makes the button presses at programmed times on my cheap launch system. Added two RJ45 jacks to the back of the BL1200 with wires soldered direct to 15 buttons and ground on the inside. Gives control over buttons 1-12, area down / up and rapid fire I did run into an issue with the area buttons not being reliable to every relay trigger. Used the old pinball trick and added a .05Mfd ceramic capacitor across those 2 relays for solid switching of areas now. The DMXControl2 software has a player where you can drop in DMX commands with an audio track. The test video is more of a stress test on the system with cramming many commands in a 60sec audio clip. I have no desire to do a true pyromusical since that involves lots of product and a big PA system, plus my days of moving big speakers are behind me. For my use I would be loading a 15min blank mp3 and set commands spaced out based upon product duration and what I want to shoot at that time and plot out a nice automated display.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQACwMS1b0&t=7s&pp=sAQA

Hardware:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HPRQQQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_M6K1EWZZ2V1JSJD1BT18

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0111QP790/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_DD9NVARYY29XV887Y391

Software:
https://www.dmxcontrol.de/en/dmxcontrol-2/features.html


It should be noted that this will only work with the bilusocn model. The PB1200 from pyroboom uses a mechanical binary step switch for the area/district selection and would have no way for relay control on that unit.

Hope this gets the gears turning in heads of others to automate their own cheap firing system.



good day.

[Birdman]

Pretty ingenious! At one time I was wondering if I could use robotics to press the keys on mine but quickly gave up and just got a Cobra. Hope it works out well for you. Will be interested to hear more about how it's working out for you when you actually start shooting shows.

[Engineer Cat]

Impressive.

This appears to be a relatively simple setup, even for people with little knowledge of electronics.

I have a bilusocn collecting dust since I purchase a Firelinx system. I was going to give it to a friend but now I want to try this just for shits and giggles.

[Arles]

Very cool. Unfortunately, I have a hard enough time getting quick plugs in the right spots.

[chopperthedog]

Welp! figured if I'm gonna design and built a custom system, might as well do a real world test. Longtime friend that has PA and a large backyard gave me the green light to use his property along with clearance with neighbors. I completely underestimated my set up time needed. At shoot time I was still poking the finale rack shells. Wish I had set camera to super wide, also had a cake not go during the anthem "curse of the black sky", but that also contributes to my disappointment with the MJG initiators. I'll elaborate at a later time, but I'm tossing what I have left in the trash and cutting my losses. On the first big cue of 2nd song I saw the 4 shot racks in each L & R position fall backwards. I had the verse of the song to assess my options. Both racks fell back and 60ft back was a fence/tree line and another 250ft further to next structure. So since they were angled into the ground I let it roll. Waited for next hit and as expected I ended up with some kickass unintended ground explosions. :p All other racks were secure, it was my own fault on this one. Came close to turning the key and shutting down and tucking my tail between legs, but all is well in the end.

My custom system and scripting was awesome! Not bad at all for my first pyromusical and all that attended were not expecting what that had witnessed. I want redemption on the anthem for my next one. Pic attached as I was doing scripting and final triple checks of inventory sheets and cues.

Enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JehLPAoxdH4



good day.