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The Strand Lighting Preset Palette is available with 32/64 or 48/96 single-/two-scene operation. (Photo: Strand Lighting)
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ETC’s new Ion console provides the operational style of its Eos console in a compact package. Ion features optional add-on fader wings for more hands-on control as production needs change. (Photo: A.C.T. Lighting)
Whether you are programming the lighting to playback looks at the touch of a button, running complex, multi-cued presentations, or are running manually with a fader, the choice of console can help or hinder your plans. For the purposes of this story, I am focusing on mid- to higher-level consoles. However, I will say that there are a lot of great choices in purely manual, preset consoles for lower budgets. Comparing features and functionalities of these consoles will answer most users' questions.
Most of the designers and consultants for worship facilities that I spoke with for this story work in facilities that average 1,000 to 2,000 seats; approximately one to three dimmer racks (96 to 288 dimmers); and 12 to 24 moving lights. Even in facilities not initially starting out with moving lights, the consultants will always put in the infrastructure and specify control equipment that can handle growth so moving lights can be added without major changes. For most of their projects, the specifiers commented that 75% to 80% of the end users of the lighting console would be volunteers-sometimes with a staff person in charge of the technical aspects and supervising the volunteer crew.
The industry standard of DMX is a control protocol that lets consoles control more than just dimmers-including scrollers, moving lights, and many effects devices. Another communication feature to look at in consoles is networking capabilities which will allow the console to connect with a variety of equipment including console accessories such as wings and processors as well as dimmer control and feedback systems.
In the recent past, most consoles were either good for controlling dimmers and conventional lighting or were better for purely automated lighting. Fortunately, most manufacturers have been producing consoles that offer good, integrated control of both conventional and automated lighting in one console, which helps tremendously with the budget and staff needs. Today there are many console options, so it is important to look at ease-of-use based on who in your facility will be running the console and looking for features that are relevant to how the console will be used, while allowing room for expansion.
Words of Wisdom from the Pros
Tom Stanziano, lighting director for Joel Osteen Ministries of Houston, Texas-whose Lakewood Church skews the average size of projects that I am discussing-does have good advice to offer on this subject. "Once the venue decides what types of productions will be done, then the features play a huge role. You also need to know the staff or volunteer-user's ability and what training they will need. I set up mock services and have my staff design it. I try to give them every possible scenario from a typical song, services, dramas, concerts, and even throw in the occasional audible. I also try to show them what to do in case of an emergency and what to do if the console crashes. I do recommend that they take additional training courses at LDI and WFX. There are always different ways to operate a console, and the more ways they can do something, the better [off] they will be." Stanziano also suggests, "You should think about expandability; how long will it be before the first additional piece of equipment is added whether permanent or for a special production. Whether it is a matter of upgrading software or an additional piece of hardware, consoles do not need to be replaced every few years if you are able to upgrade. It also helps in the training if your operators can work on the console for several months without movers-the transition can be a lot smoother because they are not trying to figure out console commands and what the lighting can do at the same time. Finally, I would look at customer service-how and who will be assisting you when the console has a problem."
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Michael S. Eddy writes about design and technology. He can be reached at mseddy2900@hotmail.com. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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