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A Simple Look at Lighting Consoles
Make informed purchasing decisions and become a better programmer/operator with these helpful insights.
As a lighting consultant I get to work with all sorts of people, in all different size rooms, with all kinds of lighting gear. Some of this gear is good and some is not so good, some rooms are large while others are small, but regardless of the quality of the gear or the size of the room there is always one constant: There is always a person behind the console making it run.
Because lighting consoles are the main point of interaction between people and a lighting rig, I tend to get a lot of questions about them and spend a lot of time discussing them. They also tend to cause a lot of contention between lighting professionals as to which one is best, and a lot of angst with amateurs as to which console to purchase and how to best program and operate it.
In an effort to simplify the subject here are a few insights into lighting consoles that will help you make an informed purchase decision or be a better programmer/operator.
1. A lighting console is just a specialized user interface, one tailored to accept the kind of input that allows us to quickly and effectively manipulate lighting equipment.
With a computer keyboard we write letters and numbers; with a lighting console we are manipulating light intensity levels or various automated light parameters or telling the console to execute commands with the push of a button. For these actions linear or rotary encoders and push buttons tend to be a more effective interface than a keyboard or mouse.
We sometimes use a keyboard to input levels or assign names and a mouse to select items on consoles with graphical interfaces, but typically our main control input comes from the faders and buttons.
So the more control surface you have the faster and easier the console is to operate but it is also more expensive. Balance the surface size and the resulting expense with your needs.
2. The brain of a lighting console is nothing more than a specialized computer. As such, lighting consoles are prone to all the failings computers have.
A hardware-based console tends to be very stable as everything in the console, including the computer, has been optimized to work together in harmony and is built physically robust to withstand the rigors of touring.
The other type of console is a software-based console running on a Mac or PC, possibly with a control surface connected via a USB port.
These consoles tend to be more economical, as you supply the processor in the form of an external computer; however they tend to only be as stable as the computer you are running.
3. Since a lighting console is just a specialized computer don’t be afraid of it.
Many times I work with church volunteers who have never done lighting before and it is very difficult to get them to touch the lighting console. They have lots of computer experience, but unlike their laptop, they are always afraid they are gong to break the lighting console. I promise that if you don’t do something like pour a Coke into the console you are not going to break it. Besides, that would be a horrible waste of a Coke.
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Greg Persinger is the owner of Vivid Illumination. He can be reached at greg@vividillumination.com.
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