Sweetlight Box

(Originally written by dtdfedoras/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
I finally found the software that combines the ease of use of a console with power of a software. If Sunlite and Daslight disappointed you (like me) take a look at this fabulous software. After two nights creating every possible moving yoke configuration, I can say that this software is extremely powerful and ultra easy to use. Just select your devices in fixture, choose a group and shortcut keys and enter your colors and gobos. In builder, create very simple scenes (for example "red color", "gobo 1" or "prism on"). In live, import all these buttons and use them in real time. The generator is a breeze for lighting motion. Everything is INCREDIBLY EASY!! I'm not a software fan and I was quite disappointed by Sunlite, which isn't practical at all, has some bugs and it crashes a lot (like Daslight)!! Sweetlight never crashed during events because it uses almost zero system resources (its GUI is very poor but I don't care!!!). It's very easy to create scenes with presets (generator) or step by step (builder). You must try out this product and buy it if you want to change your lighting console for a software solution.

This software allows you to easily create many simple scenes (for example a scene with only a color change on a page named colors) and motion scenes and import them into a page (you can name motion) in live. Make the same thing with gobos, etc. Then, on a stage, open ONLY live and depress every button you need in real time. Sunlight works in a similar way, but the buttons have been ALREADY created. With Sunlight, YOU create buttons, which is much more convenient when you want to change settings. You can trigger all live buttons with a small Midi keyboard, allowing you to work VERY fast.

Nothing is perfect and there are some small problems to be solved in future versions, but the software has a solid foundation. Hats off!

It would be nice to have several generators in the next version...

Last Sunday I had an event and I controlled the whole lighting system together with someone else. I had my Sweetlight and my technician used his Sunlight.

Each of us controlled moving yokes and washes, as well as simple LED PARs.

Our goal was to create a nice scene for the PARs with dimming, color changes, strobe effects and chaser. I had everything sorted out within 45 seconds and my colleague needed almost five minutes to get the same results!!! Sunlight allows you to get average results in a record time. On the other hand, Sweetlight requires a bit more preparation but once you're done with that it's extremely powerful and ultra fast if you want good results. Finally, it's much easier than all competitor products.

(Originally written by basso_seb/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
- How long have you been using it?

Over five years. I actually went through the whole software development: in the beginning, the USER program didn't allow you to have a lot of scenes and programs.

Everything changed after the LIVE program was introduced.

Personally, I use it with a band.

My setup: Acer laptop with keyboard shortcuts that allow me to control the scenes, standard 12/24 desk connected to the Sweetlight interface (it allows me to manually control some classic spotlights) and USB Midi keyboard to trigger scenes.

- Which feature do you like the most / the least?

I like the Live program because it can be entirely and freely personalized (page number, colors, button dimensions, etc.).

However, the old version didn't use many resources (that's the reason why I bought a notebook with only 512 MB Ram and a not-so-fast processor) but the latest version with LIVE requires more processing power and my laptop has not enough anymore. It crashed several times when pushed to the limits. So buy a good computer!

- Did you try any other models before buying it?

I tried out the Sunlight software and I found it less user-friendly.

- How would you rate its value for money?

Very good value for money.

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?

I would certainly buy it again.

I've even made disco events for friends who didn't have a computer and I brought mine. After they experienced the possibilities of the Sweetlight and a computer they decided to buy it too.

I'm working on LICON CX (Scancommander) or Sweetlight BOX ...

Software SWEETLIGHT: intuitive, stable (I use a laptop exclusively ddi software windows 7 32). it is fast enough on hand. the manual is well described.

This is an excellent compromise deal with DMX control decks that are gnralement Chres much more ... to control DMX equipment, all dpend their number of channels.
The Box allows you to grate 512 DMX channels, simply by the robot to the most complex.
For my part I use it for 2 or 3 years (I remember exactly) often with high end wash or mac martin (16 to 20 channels each on average) on the concert of small and medium ...
... And no worries.

The software is available ... it is therefore necessary to get a more personal view of the download and to use the functions thanks to the manual, what I advise. I have suitable software before acqurir the Box.
The report gives you a 3D preview.

WAT on TV channel "vincent animation" concert ANOXIA (vidoralise with a small camcorder so the quality is not an IDE but gives RDV):
Sweetlight BOX with a two-block power sunstrip + 4 + 2 Mac 250 wash 575 round high end. No structure against because unfortunately it rained a little today that ... if I include also led by a 6-channels each see the other 250 or lyre mac pro scan 518 ... all controlled via the PC and SWEETLIGHT box.

If you have mastered at least the computer has its own.
sail ... 9 out of 10.