What was on Show at Jands @ Home

Soundcraft had on display si Series Digital Live consoles. This is a really nice console, maybe a bit on the large size. But it does have that nice solid feel to it. This desk does offer an easy upgrade path from a analog system. With this console you can take it out of the box and plug it straight in. The desk has all of the necessary analog connectors on the back. The layout is pleasant and easy to follow, a lot of it is self-explanatory especially if you are familiar with digital consoles and even if you were not, it would not take long to get a mix happening. Specs are below

• 48 or 64 Mono inputs
• 4 Stereo inputs
• Left/Centre/Right outputs
• 24 bus outputs (Aux/Group)
• 8 Matrix outputs
• 12 VCA’s
• 8 Mute Groups
• 4-band fully Parametric EQ with high and low cut filters.
• On-board dynamics
• Four independent Lexicon processors
• A physical output and meter for every bus.
• 8 assignable analogue inserts for additional outboard equipment
• 4 expansion slots for AES/EBU and/or MADI
• HiQNet connectivity
• Dual redundant power supply option

Si Series by Soundcraft

Shure’s UHF-R wireless microphone system was on display. To many this might be just another wireless system but as with technology there are always improvements and this set up represents Shure’s continued effort to improve an already good system. These are solidly built units that should easierly survive the rigours of touring.  Qouting from thier brochure “

Offering you more productivity, more reliability and more control, UHF-R is premier wireless technology that helps you master the complexities of large-scale wireless installations. UHF-R takes wireless to a completely new level.

Unparalleled control for complex installations. UHF-R automates setup and control operations to save you time and effort on even the most complex networked installations. UHF-R’s usability innovations include networked Automatic Frequency Selection with group scan, infrared automatic transmitter sync and smart menu-driven system operation for fast setup and intuitive operation.

Superior RF performance and reliability for every installation. With 3000 selectable frequencies across 75 MHz of bandwidth, UHF-R provides up to 40 simultaneous compatible systems per band. Advanced Track Tuning Filtering Technology, by shifting the RF filter along with the selected frequency, allows you to deploy this added bandwidth without audio degradation or interference. All UHF-R components – including the compact, sweat-resistant bodypack – are engineered to withstand the abuses of the road. You can rely on UHF-R for consistently reliable performance, always.

Crystal-clear audio that sounds more like wired. Shure’s patented Audio Reference Companding delivers crystal-clear audio transmission, far superior to conventional wireless. Unlike other wireless systems, Shure uses a variable companding ratio that responds to the audio level – eliminating wireless artifacts and substantially increasing dynamic range.

I think their words say it all. You can also get some great accessories. It also has two bodypacks  transmitters with switchable RF power. Also available is a variety of handheld mics such as SM58, SM86 etc. A very versatile system. Visit the Jands website to find out more.

Clear-Com were displaying the Encore Party-line  and Tempest Wireless comms systems. Now Clear-Com have been around for a lon time in the industry and their gear gets better and better. I have always been a fan of thier systems so it was nice to see what improvements they have been made over the years.

The Encore system is an improvement on the wired system that they have always made. And what a versatile system it is. It is also extremely robust and would take a rock’n'roll beating and still keep working. There are a lot of bits and pieces so that you can assembly a system that is just right for your situation.

Encore Wired System

The Tempest Wireless intercom products are also very neat. They do not work in the same frequency band as your wireless mics, so that you will not have problems with the frequency allocations. They work on the 2.4GHz band using digital frequency hopping technology. The system is very comprehensive. You can name beltpacks, control who mics are open etc all via software loaded on a PC or from a base station.

Tempest Wireless System

ETC also had some lighting desks on display.  There were 3 desks from the Eos Series, the Ion Control Desk, Element Control Console and the Eos Control Desk. As with all ETC desks these are well built and very functional looking.  They have a desk to suit everybody. A look at the tech specs will show you have useful these desks will be.

Eos Control Desk

Complete control of conventional and moving lights, LEDs and media servers. Supports multiple users with partitioned parameter control and full backup, multiple playback faders and cue lists in a tracking, move fade environment, with unique tactile response direct selects and encoders.

applications

• Theatre
• Television Studios
• Houses of Worship
• Corporate Theatre
• Exhibits
• Special Events
• Touring

features
• 4000, 8000, 12,000 or 16,000 Outputs/Parameters
• 10,000 control channels
• 12 Discrete Users
• Partitioned Control
• Master playback pair with motorised 100mm faders
• 10 100mm motorized faders x 30 pages for configurable
faders, submasters, masters and grandmaster control
• 2 full size LCD touchscreens for display, direct selection and
context sensitive control
• LCD direct selects with tactile response
• Four discrete palette types (IFCB)
• Presets function as “all palette”
• Effects provide dynamic relational and absolute progressive
behavior
• Central information area (CIA) accesses electronic alpha
keyboard, Hue + Saturation colour picker, gel picker, browser
and other controls
• 1 context sensitive LCD touchscreen with six associated
force-feedback encoders for non-intensity parameter control
• Configurable high-density channel display, with format and
flexi-channel modes
• User configurable topographical channel views
• List views of all record targets
• Mouse-less navigation of displays
• ETCNet2 and Net3 (powered by ACN) network protocols
• Show import from Obsession, Express/ion, Emphasis, Congo
and Strand 500/300 Series via ASCII
• Multiple MIDI and/or SMPTE Time Code Inputs, MIDI Through
and Output, Analog/Serial Inputs

Ion Control Desk

features

• 1024, 1536, 2048, 2560 or 3072 outputs
• 10,000 channels
• 4 Discrete Users
• Master playback pair with 60mm faders
• Four discrete palette types (IFCB)
• Presets function as “all palette”
• E ffects provide dynamic relational or absolute
progressive action
• Central information area (CIA) accesses electronic alpha
keyboard, Hue + Saturation colour picker, gel picker, browser
and other controls
• Configurable high-density channel display, with format and
flexi-channel modes
• User configurable topographical channel views
• List views of all record targets
• Mouseless navigation of displays
• ETCNet2, Net3, Artnet and Avab UDP network protocols
• Show Import via ASCII from Obsession, Expression, Emphasis,
Strand 300/500
• In/Out: local DMX512 x 2, MIDI In/Out, Networking DMX,
MIDI, SMPTE, SERIAL and contact closure via Net3 Gateways

Element Control Console

FEATURES
• 1024 Outputs
• 250 or 500 Channels
• 40 or 60 Fader versions, pageable as channel or
submaster control
• Master Playback pair with 60mm faders, GO, STOP/GO BACK
• Intensity, Focus, Colour and Beam Palettes
• Stepped, Relative and Absolute Effects
• Hue+Saturation Color Picker and Gel Picker for LED, CMY
color mixing
• ETCNet2, Net3, ArtNet and Avab UDP network protocols
• Show import via ASCII from Obsession, Express, Expression,
Emphasis, Strand 300/500
• I/O: local DMX512-A (2 output ports), MIDI In/Out, Ethernet
• Distributed DMX, MIDI, SMPTE and contact closure via
Net3 Gateways

ETC also manufacture the popular Cono, Congo Jr, Smartfade and SmartFade ML. ETC products are extremely popular.

Also on display was the Vari-Lite VLX led wash light. LEDS are certainly improving. This lantern shows the way that LEDS could be heading, if no other technology knocks them out. A very nice piece of kit.

Vari-Lite VLX

Jands New Modular Lighting Bar…The JLX-PRO was also on display. This is a very useful for new venues being set up. This is pre-wired and all you do is rig it and run power from your dimmers to it. You can also have DMX and data in the bar as well, Jands offer it in several configurations. so there is bound to be one suitable for you. due to its modular nature it can be cost effective and you can build on the system.

Features

• Proprietary extruded aluminium spine for strength (Registered Design No. 302249)
• Durable construction & black low sheen finish.
• Distributed Loads of (up to) 100kg/m & Point Loads of (up to) 100kg.
• Three module lengths (2.35, 3.5 & 4.7m) and three outlet densities (low, medium & high) for simple user customised solutions from standard building blocks.
• Kits for flying from ropes or chains, for suspending from battens and for fixed installations.
• Industry standard Socapex cables, headers & tails.
• 10A (standard) & 20A (optional) outlets available.
• Compatible with Jands WM range of patch panels.
• User configurable Extra Low Voltage compartment using Jands SB plates and universal inlet kit.

   

  

  JLX-PRO Modular Lighting Bar

Jands also had some other interesting staging products on display. Jands are one of the big players in fitting out theatre venues and and they have the resources to back it up. They have some very interesting gear that will make a techie life so much easier and also reduce the OH & S issues with flying of scenery and the like. Items such as P 250TH servo – which is a motorised steel band hoist, H550P-VX – which is their Pile wind motorised hoist, controllers for these hoists.  This is some serious kit which I wish I had in some of the venues I worked in.

So you can see that Jands had a reasonable amount of gear to show off. Some of it I have not mentioned or otherwise this post would have gone on forever. But I will repeat myself and say I hope Jands will do this again for Adelaide, as this sort of thing is rare here.

For those that want more information I suggest you visit the Jands website and they will help you solve your technical needs. They can be contacted at Jands

or

Jands Head Office operates from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, Australian Eastern Standard time.

Jands Pty Ltd
ABN: 45 001 187 837

Jands Head Office
40 Kent Road
Mascot NSW 2020

Postal Address
Locked Bag 15
Mascot NSW 1460

Main Phone Number: (+61) 2 9582 0909
Main Fax Number: (+61) 2 9582 0999

“Light Plot Deconstructed” by Gregg Hillmar – A Review

When I was offered this book for review, I jumped at it.  Vectorworks is one of my favoured piece of CAD software, due to the lighting design
component.To me this made the software an attractive alternative to AutoCad.  Gregg Hillmar is a busy scenic and lighting designer who has been using Vectorworks for many years. And he has used the skills that he has learnt over these years to put together this book.  His book looks at how he uses Vectorworks to draft lighting plots. His writing style is friendly and easy to read. It is in fact pleasurable to to read what is essentially a technical book.  This book is a great companion for the lighting or scenic designer who has decided that Vectorworks is the way to go. If you look at the layout of the book, Greeg explains how he uses the various elements of the software to his advantage.  It takes you through the process of using Vectorworks, but also helps you customise the way you use the software to make you more efficient. In fact it has made me rethink how I use this software. You could say that this book is the missing manual. From this book I have learnt a few tricks and tips. This book would make a good text for any college/school with technical theatre courses. Unfortunately I am not using Vectorworks 2009, but using an older version, Vectorworks 11. But a lot of the information  is relevant, especially the thinking process. I also enjoyed reading how another designer goes about the task of designing, I can always learn from others in the industry. As you read through the book you come to understand the various elements of the software in relation to theatre. It also gives you ideas on how to set up your program to make your work flow smoother. From this book with its easy to understand language you will gain an insight to how a designer works and and to use this program.You can tell from the writings that this author knows his subject and also knows how to impart the information to us other users and students. I know I lent a lot from this book. I also intend in the future to upgrade my version of Vectorworks to the latest version. Greg has inspired me to improve my Vectorwork skills.

The author, Gregg Hillmar

So users of Vectorworks should get themselves a copy of this book. This book is relevant for new users and season users of this software. I look forward to his next version of this text. It might be an idea to include a disk with some sample files that match the text.

Gregg 10/10 for a great, informative book. I just wish it had more.

Useful links:  Amazon (Were you can purchase the book)

Vectorworks (Homepage)

Light Plot Deconstructed

Light Plot Deconstructed on Facebook

I-Phone Revisited

When I posted my article listing some apps for the I-Phone I did not realise how popular the story would be. since then I have been reminded of a couple of applications that I missed. So I thought I would add a few more.

The first one to mention is one that I have been using for a little while.

iGobo (Free) – Rosco Labs

This is a rather neat gobo selection tool, that includes the complete Rosco range of gobo. A handy feature is you can rotate the gobo to see what it looks like. This is my personal favourite

ShowTool LD ($4.99 AU) – Daniel Murfin

ShowTool LD is an easy to use, yet powerful suite of utilities for Lighting Designers and Electricians.
BEAM CALC The beam calculator comes in 2 modes, Simple and Accurate. It also allows for specifying two angles for Pars etc.
GEL CUTS The gel cuts calculator provides powerful functionality for calculating the number of cuts and wastage from all major gel manufacturers and a wide range of frame sizes.
DIPS CALC The dip switch calculator allows inputting of DMX values and sets up the dip switches live in front of you! Works with both 1 = All off and 512 = All off dip switch setups.
DMX CALC The DMX calculator allows you to set the local address and universe to see the global DMX address, or set the global address to see the local address and universe simply and swiftly.

BeamCalc ($2.49 AU) – Westside Systems

BeamCalc calculates spotlight beam geometry. Enter the light’s height above the target and distance across the floor. BeamCalc shows the resulting throw distance and elevation angle. Enter the light’s beam size in degrees to calculate the pool width. Adjust beam size or location to achieve required pool size. BeamCalc works with any units: feet, inches, centimeters, … even miles.

PowerCalc($1.19 AU) – Westside Systems

PowerCalc calculates electrical power loads. Enter a wattage to determine the electrical current in amps. Or enter rated ampacity of a device and see maximum wattage load. Works for any voltage. Select two or three phase service to see amps per leg and total wattage for a multiphase power distribution. AC Inductive mode allows setting of power factor and selection of single phase or three phase motor power calculations.

DMXCalc ($1.19 AU) – Westside Systems

DMXCalc helps you with all basic DMX address arithmetic for entertainment lighting system setup.

GoboLand (Free) – Goboland

It is Gobolands full catalogue. very handy if you want to preview gobos.

I am sure there are more, but I will keep those for another post. Feel free to send me suggestions on apps you thinks techies will love and enjoy.

Cheers, Stephen

LED Lighting

As I sit here pondering the future of theatre and what new technologies will we see. I suddenly realise that we are seing at least one right now. LED lighting is appearing in the catalogues and in lighting company lists. But is this what it is cracked up to be. Will LED’s replace the humble lamp in many of today’s fittings. I think it will be a while before that happens. Admittedly they have come a long way in the last few years, but they also have a long way to go. To understand this let us first look at what makes up a LED light. A LED is a semiconductor not a lamp with a colour cap. So they are easy to make. The light that comes from them is a pure, single colour. LEDs are powered by direct current and the amount of current determines the brightness. So the more current the more light. You can use the additive colour mixing systems to obtain a large range of colours, you do this using red, blue and green LEDS. You can get white LEDS, these are are actually blue LEDS with a special coating of phosphorescent material that shifts some of the light into the green and red parts of the spectrum. This them combines with the blue from the LED to create white light. LEDS will last a lot longer than the traditional lamp.
now this makes the LED sound like a great replacement to the incandescent bulb. But let us look at a few problems with that idea. The incandescent lamp has a single filament source. Now if a single LED was extremely bright you would get away with only using one in a fitting. But due to the low output of a single LED in comparison with the lowest wattage theatrical fitting you need more than one LED. So you need to use multiple LEDS in a fitting. Now when you are using multiple light sources you will get multiple shadows. This may not be a problem in a PAR type fitting, but is not suitable for profiles. Profiles need a point source for them to work correctly. So it will be a while before we see a profile fitted with LEDS. Another problem that might arise is heat, if a group of LEDS are enclosed in a profile fitting, there would need to be fans to cool the LEDS down. LEDS do generate heat and they need to be cooled.
now this not mean that they will never develop a LED profile, I am sure they are working on the technology at this moment. But LEDS are still not bright enough to be used for stage lighting in the way that we use current equipment. But there are uses that they can be put to. Scenic lighting springs to mind, truss highlighting is another. And even as I write this article there are improvements happening in the field of LED lighting. They have many advantages, such as low power consumption, they are lightweight and portable. Also a lot of LED lighting units are DMX controllable, this means you just need a power supply and a DMX signal and away you go. So be willing to give them a go, you might find that they will do the job. This is an exciting time in lighting.

So the future looks bright for LED Lights.