Can you remote control a wolfmix

[back_ache]

We use a wolfmix for band nights which presents one small issue in that the position where the controller is behind the audience and all the lights are on (and around) the stage so during setup it takes two people, one controlling the wolfmix and the other running around on stage addressing lights etc.

It would be nice to have a "riggers remote" that allows basic remote control from a phone or tablet, is there an existing interface that can be used or is there documentation for wtools API (that the "link" apps use) so someone could perhaps write a remote that someone could access with their devices web browser?

A a pinch could there be an interface in wtools itself? you could then remotely control the PC (though that would be quite crude to use)

[axell]

It can become a bit "complex" to remote control Wolfmix wireless. Wolfmix itself has NO communication protocols imbedded (beside MIDI), that is why we use WTOOLS as the "communication link" between a network (Cloud) and the device.
WTOOLS also has no "remote control" APIs for Wolfmix you could possibly use. And "mobile" DMX apps (phone/tablet) need to have a DMX Interface where you send your data TO, but then it is not programmable to mimic the Wolfmix user interface. So WTOOLS and mobile control is out of reach for that use.

As Wolfmix is a Live DMX controller, all activity is triggered from the Wolfmix itself. But in 2 instances it can receive DMX data and control certain functions: by MIDI for Dimmer control & Preset selection and also as DMX IN (WLINK) for coarse (individual) channel value manipulation - not really selecting pattern in ColorFX though. But I can think of "wireless-MIDI" as well as "wireless-DMX" solutions to be put in between a MIDI or DMX controller and the Wolfmix, to get the options mentioned above - but not full Wolfmix control.
I also like to emphasize the fact, that all wireless solutions are based on crowded and overpopulated 2.4Ghz networks, so frequent disconnects will be part of the remote experience.

[djmaskell]

I've encountered this scenario before. My solution was using battery-powered wireless DMX dongles and a USB power bank.

I plugged a Chauvet D-Fi XLR RX receiver at the start my DMX chain (or at the start of the DMX cable at the usual mixing desk spot), and plugged a Chauvet D-Fi XLR TX in the back of the Wolfmix. I then plugged the WMX1 into a high power USB portable power bank. I was then able to carry the WMX1 around the room wherever I wanted and operate the lights as normal. I have done this on numerous occasions and it works really well. Below are links to the products I use. Range is about 150 yards or so.

Receiver: https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/d-fi-xlr-rx/
Transmitter: https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/d-fi-xlr-tx/
Power bank: https://www.anker.com/products/a1268?va ... 8338695318

[TheUntalentedOne]

I've encountered this scenario before. My solution was using battery-powered wireless DMX dongles and a USB power bank.

I plugged a Chauvet D-Fi XLR RX receiver at the start my DMX chain (or at the start of the DMX cable at the usual mixing desk spot), and plugged a Chauvet D-Fi XLR TX in the back of the Wolfmix. I then plugged the WMX1 into a high power USB portable power bank. I was then able to carry the WMX1 around the room wherever I wanted and operate the lights as normal. I have done this on numerous occasions and it works really well. Below are links to the products I use. Range is about 150 yards or so.

Receiver: https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/d-fi-xlr-rx/
Transmitter: https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/d-fi-xlr-tx/
Power bank: https://www.anker.com/products/a1268?va ... 8338695318

That's a great idea! Thanks

[back_ache]

It can become a bit "complex" to remote control Wolfmix wireless. Wolfmix itself has NO communication protocols imbedded (beside MIDI), that is why we use WTOOLS as the "communication link" between a network (Cloud) and the device.
WTOOLS also has no "remote control" APIs for Wolfmix you could possibly use. And "mobile" DMX apps (phone/tablet) need to have a DMX Interface where you send your data TO, but then it is not programmable to mimic the Wolfmix user interface.

I remember a few years ago a free windows tool called eventghost that was a free automation tool for linking things together and even hosting a web interface for using remotely triggering things, I wonder if it could use midi to talk to a wolf'

Regards the overpopulation of 2.4ghz, you are right, in my case we are putting in a professional WiFi network with lighting within it's own virtual network, that said, I live by the question "bet the show on it?" so distrust radio and use cable wherever I can!

[swangletang]

I've encountered this scenario before. My solution was using battery-powered wireless DMX dongles and a USB power bank.

I plugged a Chauvet D-Fi XLR RX receiver at the start my DMX chain (or at the start of the DMX cable at the usual mixing desk spot), and plugged a Chauvet D-Fi XLR TX in the back of the Wolfmix. I then plugged the WMX1 into a high power USB portable power bank. I was then able to carry the WMX1 around the room wherever I wanted and operate the lights as normal. I have done this on numerous occasions and it works really well. Below are links to the products I use. Range is about 150 yards or so.

Receiver: https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/d-fi-xlr-rx/
Transmitter: https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/d-fi-xlr-tx/
Power bank: https://www.anker.com/products/a1268?va ... 8338695318

Have you had issues with interference? Have you done this at a gig with many ppl in attendance?

[swangletang]

I just want to be able to connect to the first fixture in my daisy chain remotely. I'm terrified to use one of the wireless dongles at a performance, just scared there will be too much interference, as i've had lots of trouble with my in ear monitors due to this.

[djmaskell]

Have you had issues with interference? Have you done this at a gig with many ppl in attendance?

I usually use a different (non-battery-operated) transmitter, Chauvet D-Fi Hub, which has a little rubber duck antenna and has a higher transmitter power rating than little battery powered D-Fi XLR Tx transmitters I linked earlier. (RF output of 18.5 dBm for the D-Fi Hub vs 12.72 dBm for the D-Fi XLR Tx which translates to a maximum range of 656ft vs 165ft respectively.)

Using the D-Fi Hub as transmitter, I very rarely have had interference issues. When it does happen, it typically manifests itself with furthest receivers intermittently missing the signal for a second or two. Problems are usually caused by: A.) Being in a dense city with a very saturated 2.4GHz band and/or B.) A receiver was located within about 10ft of a WiFi hotspot, wireless security camera, or similar 2.4GHz device, and/or C.) The receiver was damaged.

For your reference, I mostly do weddings at various locations, both indoors and outdoors, rural and urban, all over the Mid-Atlantic US region. Most events that I do have 50 - 400 people, and I always do wireless DMX with anywhere from 60 - 100 wireless fixtures. Each fixture in my system has its own wireless receiver built-in or added on with D-Fi XLR Rx, and the furthest fixture is usually no more than 125 feet away from the transmitter, though I've gone as far as 300 feet. I've used the Chauvet D-Fi system about 500 times now, and have had no problems with 99% of the events I've done.

0-50 feet away from transmitter: Never had a problem with any receiver within this distance at any location.
50-75 feet away from transmitter: Only once had an issue with fixtures in this distance. Heavy interference from a bunch of 2.4GHz security cameras positioned near many of my fixtures caused a few uplights at 50-75ft to miss the signal intermittently. Improved with channel change.
75-125 feet away from transmitter: I can think of a couple places and isolated instances where the 2.4GHz band was so saturated that I couldn't get fixtures at this distance to work reliably, still uncommon.
125+ feet away from transmitter: This is my usual "safe maximum distance". In my experience, it is more common to have issues when operating in severe RF environments beyond this distance.
300 feet away from transmitter: I have had success under ideal conditions at this distance.

I typically use channels 14, 15, and 16 for wireless DMX because those channels are not used for WiFi in the United States, so there's less chance of interference from WiFi. For best results, keep the transmitters and receivers away from metal and raise the transmitters and receivers as high as possible to keep a direct line of sight between Tx and Rx if practical.

My advice would be to get a pair and do a test! They're not too expensive. Take one pair and connect it to one unimportant, standalone fixture at a gig and see what happens! If you're worried about dropouts on daisy chains, get a few receivers and do several separate daisy chains so that, if one chain drops out, your show isn't completely ruined.