A year on from the release of QLab 4, On Stage Lighting asks: “Will QLab ever really be a lighting thing?” (more…)
Archive | Stage Lighting Control
Stage Lighting Control and DMX Lighting Systems, Reviews, Articles and Information from professionals working in the lighting industry…
Trends in Busking : The Rise Of Executors
On Stage Lighting looks at the relatively modern phenomenon of Executors in busking stage lighting setups. (more…)
Virtual Dimmer – LED Lighting Control
The continued growth in the use of colour-mixing LED based stage lighting fixtures leads to some unique control requirements. On Stage Lighting give you the quick information on “Virtual Dimmer”. And not before time. (more…)
Lighting Control Hardware Lifecycles
Following on from some recent discussion in the lighting control hardware vs. software debate, On Stage Lighting considers some trends in the market and the life cycle of specialist lighting console hardware. (more…)
QLab 4 – Lighting Workflow Ideas
Following the release of QLab 4, On Stage Lighting presents some suggestions for lighting workflows aimed at users who may be unfamiliar with programming QLab and its core concepts. (more…)
Do you have a hardware fetish?
The world of lighting control would seem to be very much about software right now. Fans of different console platforms will argue over functionality and workflow as much as they’ll state that their favourite shiny console has the best screen tilt mechanism or power-up button. That attention to hardware is still there, bubbling away. On […]
QLab 4 and Stage Lighting Control
So, the much anticipated QLab 4 has arrived and with it a new branch of functionality that may or may not have caught you by surprise. On Stage Lighting looks at the new lighting control capabilities of QLab 4 and considers future developments. (more…)
Essential Busking Page 3 – Executors
In the third of our experiments in the quest for minimalism in creating a setup for busking concert lighting, On Stage Lighting tackles Executors as a means of busking a show. (more…)
Essential Busking Pages 2 – Palettes Only
In the second of our experiments in search of the Essential Busk Page, On Stage Lighting sets a new set of restrictions that give us a chance to explore further techniques used in busking concert lighting systems using pro level consoles. (more…)
OSC and Stage Lighting Control
Following a recent tip-off from ChamSys that the 1.7.2.6 release of the MagicQ software will include support for Open Sound Control (OSC), we look at what OSC is and how it relates to modern stage lighting systems. (more…)
QLab 3 to LX Console DMX using OSC
As part of the ‘Summer of Video’ at On Stage Lighting, we present a short tutorial on a cheap and simple DMX lighting control system that integrates the free LX Console software with QLab 3 using OSC as a cue trigger. (more…)
Pixel Mapping Stage Lighting Guide
Media Servers and Digital Lighting was a quick introduction to “convergence” and the technologies involved in using digital media for stage lighting. Current lighting trends include the use of arrays of fixtures such as RGB LED units to replay images and effects, using Pixel Mapping. This article looks at the basics of pixel mapping and […]
Compulite Vector – An Introduction
An introduction to the Compulite Vector lighting control, a guest article by UK Vector trainer Joe Bleasdale. If you don’t really know much about the Vector, a favourite in control for TV lighting, read on. (more…)
Lighting Control – Where Are We Going?
Our guest is international LD, Paul Smith as he shares his dream of a revolution in lighting control and asks if we aren’t stuck in a timewarp of cue stacks and faders. Should we continue to use a style of control that hasn’t changed for the best part of 20 years, or is there a […]
Jands Vista – An Owner / Operator Speaks
UK based touring LD Mark Wynn-Edwards takes time for a chat and to tell us why, despite years of being an Avo man, he now owns and uses a Jands Vista. (more…)
RDM DMX – A Guide to the Basics
A guide to the basics of RDM (Remote Device Management) DMX. How it works and what it does. (more…)
Wireless DMX – WiFi DMX System Review
Wireless DMX systems are getting affordable. At outdoor concerts this summer, On Stage Lighting gave up “control by wire” and got to test the Zero88 ZeroWire system. This article looks at the features of a cheap WiFi DMX solution. (more…)
Wide Mode – Get Extra Channels Free For Your Lighting Desk
An explanation of the “Wide” mode that is found on a range of lighting consoles including budget models. Wide mode is useful because it doubles the number of control channels on a small lighting desk – great when you add some extra kit to your usual lighting rig. (more…)
ChamSys MagicQ PC – Free Lighting Control Software
On Stage Lighting has always liked the ChamSys MagicQ and MagicQ PC, the free PC lighting control software, is the cheapest way to get your hands on a professional console. What makes MagicQ PC so great and why is it worth learning? (more…)
DMX Over Ethernet – The Ethernet To DMX Converter
DMX over Ethernet has been around in stage lighting control for quite a while. The concept of sending DMX512 universes over a network, using Cat5 cable or Wireless, has some advantages but an ethernet to DMX converter has not been cheap. As a new low cost ethernet to DMX gateway enters the market, On Stage […]
