The Chauvet ILS proves that us DJs still need DMX

The Chauvet ILS proves that us DJs still need DMX - Honest Review

Рет қаралды 3,873

Күн бұрын

DMX can be fun, but not everyone is looking to spend hours learning a new skill. So Chauvet's new Integrated Lighting System (ILS) ecosystem offers an Instant Light Show for DJs for a plug n play solution without much configuration. I share a few thoughts
Chauvet ILS Command: bit.ly/3WOZiK1
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Available fixtures under ILS:
www.chauvetdj.com/products/ca...
DJ Mojaxx's ILS Review: • Who Needs DMX Anyway? ...
Timestamps:
00:00 The challenge with controlling DJ lighting
03:00 What is Chauvet's ILS System?
04:26 The Chauvet ILS Command
05:30 Limited chase customization
06:33 Limited control of fixture functionality
07:14 Chauvet's DMX Solution ShowXpress
07:34 Limited fixtures can be used with ILS
08:10 A missed opportunity with built-in wireless communication
08:57 Final Thoughts, Good Solution For DJs?
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Well STX Mic Stand Adapter: www.nlfxpro.com/wellstx180-mi...
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#chauvetdj

Пікірлер: 71

@richardlloyd5519 Ай бұрын

True that it could be limiting for some, but you are correct: they continue to upgrade existing fixtures at a pretty fast clip. ILS works fine for me as is (withe ILS Command). It will be interesting to see if the keep adding more ILS fixtures, and maybe even a higher end controller: the ILS Command is REALLY easy to use, even if it doesn't have enough juice for some DJ's...plus it is pretty inexpensive for a great interface. Seems to me they could make a higher end version of the Command for those who need it? Like I said, I probably don't...but for those who do.....

@DJDarylBennett Ай бұрын

I think that this isn't ever going to be as customizeable as a DMX solution and that is okay. I'm glad that it's working good for you! Thanks for sharing.

@byromtaylor6482 23 күн бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett you can programme it and set it up in various ways and control moving head for a spotlight dance for example I think your review is a bit too much of a downer it is actually a great wireless system and it works flawlessly...its easy. you for example dont show a gig bar ils on your review which indicates to me you dont have one and they are f great . Far better than previous versions ... Personally I forgive ya if you just tried it out in a showroom but I think you should really own one before reviewing it.

@Jeffrey-gb7lc 20 күн бұрын

here's my take. I have a band and I am the person who does all the lights (unless we are at a venue with a light system & light guy already there). I am also the drummer. There is really no feasible way to run lights efficiently from the stage using DMX from behind the drums (at least not that isn't gonna take WAY more time to explore than I have at my ready!). So we use a full ILS lighting system I can put up in less than half an hour after I sent my drums up. I control the lights from behind the kit with the ILS Command Controller. Works great for our purposes at smaller venues where we have to run sound/lights from the stage (one of our guitar players runs the PA). Is it perfect? No. But it works. Now, any larger & more pricey venues will have their own PA & lights (usually) or they bring in a sound & light crew so for those larger gigs we let the crew do all the sound & lights. But IMO if you are gonna be running lights from the stage & need something quick & dirty you can put up in not a ton of time & run rather effortlessly, this system is great. So many folks tout the need to go DMX for a light show but most of these folks I speak to have a dedicated light man to run it from off-stage. Rather difficult to run from on stage while playing (not to mention the lengthy setup time). So I think it's all about what you need it for & how much time/effort you are feasibly gonna be able to put into it. The fixture selection IS rather limited, as Daryl says, but Chauvet does seem to be coming out with more & more ILS compatible fixtures regularly. When I started the GigBAR MOVE +ILS was the only fixture out there. Now, a couple years on, there are several different types of washes (I replaced my old 4Bar Quads recently), standalone moving lights, etc., so I am hoping as time goes on the company will keep adding more & more fixtures to the ILS family.

@DJDarylBennett 14 күн бұрын

I feel you, controlling lighting while playing guitar was a struggle for me. There's more solutions these days that kinda run themselves similar to the ILS, but it takes a lot of work setting it all up (at least educationally). If you're happy with the solution and the workflow, that's all that matters. Cheers!

@andhenevercameback7117 2 ай бұрын

great vid! I couldn't help but notice the guitar collection and the pop punky metal core outro track... is that you playing?

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

I wrote the outro, but just used a VST because I'm still not great at recording guitar

@manidelgado 2 ай бұрын

I went into the deep end of the pool and dived in without know how to swim. I went al lin on Soundswitch. I got SoundSwitch because I liked the BOTH uplights with wireless dmx. No need for any external hardware, etc. I hate that sound switch has to be so technical. I have it up and running but I feel I am handcuffed because I do not know all that it can do. But for now, I have it doing what I need...so I am afloat on the deep end of the pool.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

When you have a DMX solution, you're a lot more free to implement what you want, with what you want. With something proprietary, you're left at the mercy of what the company provides.

@Nogi-aka-DJNugz 2 ай бұрын

I didn’t need to buy this thing to come to your conclusion 😂- thanks!

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

Happy to help!

@StevieRayEntertainme 2 ай бұрын

Daryl love your content, but...... ILS Command Firmware update V2.00 • Added prism, gobo and zoom control for moving heads • Added pixel effect triggering for capable fixtures • Added pages to store additional presets And more has been addressed since then.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

I'm glad to hear that the firmware update has allowed for additional functionality. Still seems like that functionality will be kind of hacky to trigger with the current layout, there's no labeled buttons to do those things, and pixel effect triggering, is that triggering presets randomly, or is that something that needs to be manually chosen?

@StevieRayEntertainme 2 ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett I do not have any ILS pixel lights to try out. So I cannot comment yet, I jumped into ILS for simplicity of quick setups, but still use Lightrider for more control when needed.

@Realdjheisenberg 2 ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett no direct button for these things but you can easily save presets and direct-call them during the night by just pressing the various presets. It actually works really well considering the simplicity of the system. I’m telling you, unless you want extremely elaborate light shows, ILS is really hard to beat

@bluuscreen6533 25 күн бұрын

I performed those firmware updates and the command still reduces my fixtures to a fraction of their potential. For example the Pix-M ILS now has pixel animations, but you can't control them from the primary macro button, instead you have to go into the general settings menu to change them. To make matters worse the colors for the macro is completely incoherent to the rest of the controller. What's even the point of having a controller when the fixture is just going to do it's own thing anyway? Might as well set it to auto or sound on the fixture itself and let it do it's own thing and save yourself the $300. I 100% agree with Daryl, the Chauvet Command is a half baked idea that dilutes the fixture potential, while simultaneously costing an arm and a leg to buy into (****ing $50 dongles when they could have simply built it in). All in all the command has brought me more disappointment than any other piece of DJ gear I have purchased in a long long time.

@Realdjheisenberg 2 ай бұрын

The latest firmware upgrade includes the prism (for the 60ILS moving head), which is really cool to pre-set the scenes for a first dance for example. The “60ILS” moving head is 70watt, not 60watt. Agree with the nonsense to buy additional USB’s for each fixtures. It drives me nuts and yet another thing that will break or get lost… Love your analogy with painting a wall, brilliant. I think your conclusion is mostly correct but I have yet to find a situation that the command ILS wasn’t good enough for what I want to do. It’s super simple and cheap. You can’t expect too much from a $250 piece of gear.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

I've heard someone from Chauvet say that it's 70-watt, but it's listed as 60w on guitar center, pssl, sweetwater, etc... And many I've talked to are wanting brighter movers. I'm glad to hear that it's working for you. It's not so much the cost of the ILS Command, but the whole proprietary system in general that is the overall cost.

@Realdjheisenberg 2 ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett The "free" version (battery powered) is 60 watt. The normal version is 70 watt. BUT the lens of the "free" version is 2x tighter, so it appears much brighter (nearly twice). I wish you could swap the lenses because the 60ILS is too wide to really work for a 70watt LED. It looks much better with a tight beam. Go figure...

@reissallan Ай бұрын

There is a reason why the DFIUSBs are sold separately. It's to keep the cost of the fixture down as not everyone needs to pay for a wireless module. Those that need it, can buy it separately.

@Realdjheisenberg Ай бұрын

@@reissallan Appreciate the answer Allan, but we live in a world where people expect more, not less. Literally everybody would rather have a free thing they will never use, than having to pay extra to add the fonctionality they need. Of course you'll argue it will make the unit more expensive, but does it though? I bet it cost a few dollars to manufacture the D-Fi board. Let me put it differently: I bet it cost less to manufacture the D-Fi chip than it is to manufacture the power cord that comes (for free!) with the fixture... Chauvet, please just throw one free D-Fi stick in the box, and make everybody happy. Oh and also please please please include some wedding themed Gobos.... Literally 90% of the people who buy the Spot60 are wedding DJs...! What good is the 1980's biohazard and the nuclear propeller logos at a weddings?! Do you guys ever hold customer focus groups?

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@@Realdjheisenberg "We live in a world where people expect more, not less. Literally everybody would rather have a free thing they will never use, than having to pay extra to add the fonctionality they need." This is where you're not understanding as the DFIUSB is far from free and would be an additional $57 added on to the price of every fixture. We do not want to force everyone to pay an additional $57 per unit for a feature they may not use. Sorry if you disagree. Yes, we hold focus groups and the gobo designs were all accepted as-is. Again, sorry if you don't agree. You are welcome to change your gobos out to any design you want via the gobo manufacturer of your choice.

@grantburnett7644 2 ай бұрын

Agree with what you say, why the ILS fixtures all don't built in D-Fi is crazy. Also the sound to light function is pretty much still unusable (firmware 2.02) even with the sensitivity set to minimum it is still far too intense. This a surprise at the Gig Bar 2 had some of the best auto programs with sensitivity set to about 1/3rd.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

I talked with an ILS user last night and there's other firmware quirks like that, like the kintas do RGB when you engage white instead of using their white LEDs.

@reissallan Ай бұрын

There is a reason why the DFIUSBs are sold separately. It's to keep the cost of the fixture down as not everyone needs to pay for a wireless module. Those that need it, can buy it separately.

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett This was fixed on 10/18/23 with firmware V1.17. There has been 7 new firmware releases since then.

@DJDarylBennett Ай бұрын

@@reissallanI’ll ask my friend if he’s updated the firmware, but that’s a lot of updates… I miss the days of buying a light and it just worked

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett Having a new firmware doesn't have any relationship to the fixture "just working" or not. If you take the time to read the release notes, you'll see what was changed with each software release. There's bug fixes and new features based on customer requests (proof that Chauvet is listening).

@oldschooldjernie 2 ай бұрын

ILS is more of a gig bar thing that they decided to add more of their lighting to. 75% of Chauvet lights being sold today are not ILS, such as the Helicopter Q6 I purchased 1.5 years ago.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

Like I say in the video, that's what I suspected, but it appears that they're trying to make it a fully fledged lighting control solution now

@reissallan Ай бұрын

The ILS is an ever-growing ecosystem and more ILS-enabled fixtures will be introduced soon.

@byromtaylor6482 27 күн бұрын

disagree i love it

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@8:08. As the person who makes Chauvet's price list, ILS-enabled fixtures DO NOT cost more than their NON-ILS counterparts. Allan Reiss Sr. Product Manager Chauvet DJ

@DJDarylBennett Ай бұрын

I didn't do a comparison of every single lighting fixture, but the main one I looked at: Gigbar Move: $749.99 Gigbar Move ILS: $1299.99 Seems like a price increase to me Also an increased cost to the end user if you already have the fixtures and then you have to buy them again if you want to enter the ILS-verse

@croissantproductions Ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennettThe Gigbar Move+ ILS has more power in every part of the bar plus hex leds, which makes it a lot more expensive. If you don’t want to spend more, then the lower power Gigbar Move now has ILS

@BCDJ1212 Ай бұрын

do you get paid to continue to comment and defend a corporation like Chauvet who is so behind the 8-ball in the wireless dmx world?

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@@BCDJ1212 I'm not sure if you're asking that to me or someone else, but I am not "defending" any one or any thing. I am, however, correcting wrong information to make sure customers don't get confused. For example, stating that "ILS fixtures cost more" is 100% false, which is why I commented. Happy Giggin!

@bryaneguez 14 күн бұрын

@@reissallan Hello. Do you know why Chauvet didn't add built-in DiFi signals into any fixture that has ILS? I bought ILS PAR lights and the ILS command and was excited to do a test only to find out that I had to spend more money on DiFi USB sticks. I believe this is the "fine print" Chauvet doesn't warn you about so I thought that ILS lights were a bit misleading when trying to connect to the ILS command.

@Ziggy_v2 2 ай бұрын

Chauvet products have a super short shelf life. You buy something today, next year they replace it with something new. I have a feeling that once you buy all new ILS units, Chauvet will replace it, then you're out of luck.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

Hopefully ILS will be around for a while!

@reissallan Ай бұрын

How is that different than Apple, DeWalt, Kia, Logitech, Dell, Samsung, etc. Every manufacturer releases upgraded versions regularly to stay in business.

@djmadnez Ай бұрын

Soundswitch still 👑

@DJDarylBennett Ай бұрын

💯🎯

@aaronroth3784 2 ай бұрын

The only reason I'm still using Chauvet is because no one really offers a gigbar type setup like they do. I know colorkey released one this year but no movers is a deal breaker for me. But if someone else in the market place had a gigbar style solution with movers I would drop Chauvet tomorrow. I've had nothing but issues with upgrading firmware, I hate the fact that all these ILS fixtures lack wireless setup unless you spend more money for USB keys.........the list goes on and on. Chauvet is about making end users spend spend spend. At the end of the day I'm using MyDMX go for all of our light shows yes I had to spend lots of hours creating scenes but now I have total and complete control over the bar and all of my Both lighting fixtures the ILS eco system is not what Chauvet advertises itself to be........its not easy, and it lacks basic features and hardware features that pretty much every other lighting vendor offers at this point for half the price point. End of the day Chauvet is overpriced, cheaply made, and lacks basic functionality. Sad because they used to be my favorite brand of lighting.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I'm not a huge fan of the gigbar after dealing with my friends gigbars. If anything breaks on it, the whole gigbar is kinda useless, and they're not cheap!

@aaronroth3784 2 ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett I will say this if something goes wrong with anything other than one of the movers replacing it is pretty easy ordering parts through Chauvet direct. But they've had constant issues with movers burning out and constant issues with loading firmware updates. I bought two ILS plus bars ended up taking both of the back after out of the box firmware updates rendered them useless. Chauvet support team was less than helpful. :(

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@aaronroth3784 Chauvet owns the patent to the GigBar, so it's not likely that you'll see much competition in this space. Your assumption about Chauvet making end users spend spend spend is not accurate. Our goal is to keep the cost of our product down, which is why we don't include wireless modules. If you absolutely need to have a wireless solution, you can buy it, but including the wireless module would just increase the price for everyone.

@aaronroth3784 Ай бұрын

@@reissallan Allan Allan Allan....yes we are fully aware that you and your team own the patent. I have to tell you a lot of DJs and entertainers continue to get the notion that you guys don't like feedback from your customers when it comes to us telling you and your team what we would like to see in fixtures in the marketplace. Seems to be this continued stance of well we have the patents so oh well you will take what we give you. But you should know that there is a growing trend among us who are migrating away from Chauvet in large numbers because you guys don't include onboard wireless with fixtures that honestly are at the high end of the lighting market price wise. But many of us feel that if something is part of the ILS world of fixtures than wireless should be included. As I'm sure you aware many other companies such as ADJ, Beetopper, ColoKey etc are now offering standard wireless onboard. Chauvet as a brand has built a solid following no doubt about it. However the continued tone of we own the patents deal with it will eventually erode the brand that you guys have worked so hard to build you guys come off like you're too big to fail.......that on top of already being at the high end of the price scale is really starting to turn a lot of us off. The only reason I responded to your comment is unlike the facebook group you can't delete and sensor my feedback. .

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@@aaronroth3784 You said that no one offers a Gigbar-type setup like Chauvet, and I responded with the reason why (our patent). You're interpreting my response as a "you take what we give you" which is not related to the original topic. Comments on FaceBook may be deleted because they don't pertain to the topic in the original thread. We don't sensor anyone's feedback. In fact, we have focus groups that we hear feedback from regularly. We welcome all comments, and encourage you to come to the DJ Expo show in August to meet with us. We've heard feedback stating that our pricing was high, which is why it was just lowered.

@rjpimprov 2 ай бұрын

Chauvet doesn’t get it. Between not embracing the dmx standard and their crappy battery powered offerings, they don’t get the marketplace

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

Even chauvet professional uses a more standardized wireless dmx protocol with W-DMX, which is working to be compatible with CRMX. I think the idea is to be more proprietary to make more money, but it's alienating to a lot of users.

@rjpimprov 2 ай бұрын

@@DJDarylBennett totally agree

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@rjpimprov All of our products follow the USITT DMX512A standard so not sure where you're getting your information from. Your comment about "crappy battery powered offerings" is too vague to respond to, but if you care to respond I'll be happy to discuss. Allan Reiss Sr. Product Manager Chauvet DJ

@rjpimprov Ай бұрын

@@reissallan Sure thing. I'll even expand on my answer for you..1. Every bag you sell with your products has zippers that last about 3 weeks (any gigbar or tri bar owner can attest). 2. You don't even sell replacement bags once they crap out. 3. ANY of your battery operated up lights have an extremely small shelf life to them. I, and many others can attest to them immediately losing their full charge from the get go and only getting worse from there. Ape labs or blizzard or BOTH lighting do not do this. 4. Your replacement costs on up light batteries are more than it costs to buy other brands of up lights, and not easy to install. 5.. Someone at Chauvet thought that it would be a good idea to try and come up with a D-fi-USB that is only good to use on Chauvet products and has a limited range. Yeah. Bad idea. 6. Any of the D-fi xlr units are utter junk. I have 20 from Shehds (wireless dongles) that last 20 hours (yes, 20) and work flawlessly. 7. While i don't own them, i've heard nothing but bad things about the Chauvet Well Stx. both the price and how often they are breaking down and being sent back for repairs. And then the Chauvet ILS "system"? What in the hell is that...we want to be able to EASILY map out and control ANY lights from ANY brands all at the same time and have them work ALL the time. I use an ipad app called Vibrio that works flawlessly, and then of course there is soundswitch. You should be using those as your means to copy what they are accomplishing. That said, where Chauvet shines IMO is in small effect lights (mini kinta, wash fx) and things like the tri bar USB, which I use all the time. Otherwise, not impressed. It doesn't seem like Chauvet understands the mobile DJ market....we want small, lightweight, decent bags, batteries that last well past 1 gig and last for a couple of years before we start seeing even a little bit of downgraded performance.

@jasonlajuene2036 2 ай бұрын

we dont do it bc its EASY ! put in the work the time and the investment.

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

I'm ok with easy if it's effective!

@snapsbyreyes 2 ай бұрын

It hurts my ears to hear "SHOW-vay" rather than "SHAW-vay", I know it's how it's pronounced in Fremch/France, but it sounds so awkward as an American, lol

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

What can I say, I'm half French 🥖

@anthonyfreiwald268 2 күн бұрын

Wow! What a major disappointment this has been. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ILS or anything Chauvet. Ever again. I ordered the command, the gigbar move, and two of the 4bars. First, no manuals. You have to have internet and a device handy. Second, they ought to perhaps train their authorized dealers on what is needed to make this stuff work together. Maybe clue them in how Chauvet wants another sixty bucks a fixture to make it work with the system it's supposed to work with. The command module is overblown, oversized and poorly designed. Especially, the idea combining the enter/select button into the x scroller. Finally, let's talk CHEAP quality. Plastic housings and the REAL kicker is the cheap n flimsy bags for the 4bars with... (I'm not making this up) just a thin strip of styrofoam tossed in there. Sent it all back. I'm dropping this review wherever I can.

@jasonlajuene2036 2 ай бұрын

Chauvet DJ has gone to hell ! so cheap so plastic SO direct from china. That being said I have a few Chauvet Pro series lights and when you drop that kinda $ you get a great light that LASTS. the new ILS system is a joke and they make it seem like it so easy to be a DJ and THAT IS NOT THE CASE !

@DJDarylBennett 2 ай бұрын

I've been disappointed with the quality of the Chauvet professional well stx 180. My gigbar 2 and intimidator movers have been solid. I've seen first hand and heard about lots of quality issues with the gigbar move + ILS series

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@jasonlajuene2036 Our products are designed in the USA and manufactured in China - just like millions of other manufacturers - including Apple! What (plastic) light broke that makes you say all this? When you drop your iPhone, does it break as well?

@croissantproductions Ай бұрын

Some Chauvet DJ stuff is great, like the higher end Intimidators and the high end wash lights. But everything else is super cheap looking and has constant QC problems. Whatever factory makes them puts no care into the assembly of the products and Chauvet clearly doesn’t care, because this has continued to get worse over the past few years.

@reissallan Ай бұрын

@@croissantproductions Based on our sales numbers and total number of customer service phone calls / returns, I would tend to disagree. Please provide an example so I can look into it.