Theatrical Lighting

Boards

Strand 520I

High End HOG 1000

Strand 100 Series Board

The control board sends a control signal to the dimmers. There are a number of languages, called protocols, that the control board can use. It is imperative that the control board and the dimmer use the same protocol, which is usually DMX512.

Single or two scene preset light boards are generally the simplest light boards to manage. The basic single scene preset allows you to control one dimmer per channel. As you change intensity of a channel you can see it immediately. The basic function of a two scene preset board is to be able to have a "live" scene and a scene "Blind/Preview". "Live/On-stage" means that the settings are what we actually see onstage. "Blind/Preview" means that there is a look waiting to be used and is not seen. You can then fade from the "Live/On-stage" scene to the "Blind/Preview" scene. This will now make the " Blind/Preview " scene the "Live/On-stage" scene. What was the "Live" scene is no longer visible, so it can be changed to become the next "Blind/Preview" scene. This is how you go from one look to the next look (cue to cue) on a manual two scene preset.

There are many manufacturers of single and two scene presets. We carry them in 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 channel configurations. Memory contol boards are more practical for larger applications.

Memory boards are for larger and more complicated productions. While they generally give you the opportunity to use individual sliders to bring up channels they also offer wonderful ways to group dimmers together, i.e. "sub-masters," that make working larger setups much easier. The most important part of a memory board is that it also allows you to preprogram cues in a sequential manner. It is this ability that then lets a operator to hit a "go" button which will then execute a cue, instead of manually fading between a live scene and a preview scene. This cue may change one channel or possibly dozens at one time.

Moving lights require a high end memory board. Moving lights use such a large number of channels for all of their functions that it is implausible for a two scene preset or a small memory board to handle them.

A moving light or "mover" is generally a unit that has a moving head or a moving mirror that lets you place the light in different places at different times. Movers also have the ability to change color, textures, speed and gobos (images). Additionally, some fixtures have several channels of preset motions and steps.

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