Comments on: Inside a Moving Head – Primer

By: DuncanM

DuncanM — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:21:03 +0000

Hi – to Michael. I’ve had this happen in my own shows. Thetrical programming is a lot different than concert programming eg trying to reduce fixture noise in the quiet bits! Two other options to consider are intermittent power supply faults ie wobbly/loose leads provoking a re-boot; and as Rob said, programming issues, particularly a dodgy cue with some odd-ball instructions, or a move between cues that involves a lot of changes (position, colour etc) between the two states. Solution for the second one, which is always happening to me, is to add another cue which kills the output so you can move the fixture without displaying the nasty flickering to the audience.

to John II: consider MIDI as a possible solution. Many modern desks can output MIDI, which can be used to control/trigger other MIDI-capable devices. Me and my sound guy have many happy hours trying to control each other’s desks! Ah, happy memories…

By: John II

John II — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:27:17 +0000

Hi: In a theater production play, I’ve seen lighting and audio controllers out front in the audience that are controlling the steerable lights and punching up the audio tracks for live performances. The steerable lights are synced to the sound tracks, but can be over ridden when needed. Can you point me at some web sites that sell the digital equipment that they are using for this type of work ? For instant the Fostex LR16, claims you can have 16 music tracks or sound tracks recorded on it, and it has all the standard time code outputs for syncing it with other video or audio equipment including stage lighting, but what kind of lighting controller could you connect to it, to plan out all the moving lights for a particular sound track ? Anyone pointing me in the right direction would be dearly appreciated… thanks

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:05:01 +0000

Hi Michael, There is some more information on DMX and DMX Faults here at On Stage Lighting. However, if you only experience these problems when running your show cues it is more likely to be a programming error where unwanted control channels are being recorded with the wrong settings. Two other suggestions are the fixture mode / fixture personality issues or overlapping DMX addresses. Least likely in these situations is a fixture fault itself. Thanks for your question.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:30:59 +0000

I have a question that I am hoping you can help me with… I have 8 intelligent lighting fixtures in my facility (a high school) 6 moving heads and 2 scanners and a small control board for the lights (all the same manufacture) – I have had the two scanners and the board for 6 years, and just acquired the 6 moving heads. I have programmed about 100 scenes for which I am using in my current production (along side a very nice package of traditional theatrical lighting), but just recently the scanners have just been “freaking” out without provocation… rapidly going through a whole series of rapid movements and color changes. The problem is – outside of the production, I have not been able to re-produce that “freaking” out situation – so I haven’t been able to identify why it happens. My first thought was a break or change in power, but I have made sure that is not it. I was also thinking that it might be the signal from the board to the lights being interrupted… but I also have not been able to re-produce that. It does not happen at the same time… no pattern to it occurring. Do I need a signal boost on a DMX line? Is that possible why it is happening? Please let me know where I can check next… I want to learn.

Thanks,

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:12:41 +0000

Hi Rafael, that’s a good question.
The dimming shutter is designed to simulate a dimmer fade mechanically. You can snap it shut but there a limit to how many times a second this can happen.
The strobe shutter is simpler and doesn’t provide dimming, it just opens and shuts. Quick enough to do strobe effects.
Thanks for visiting.

By: Rafael

Rafael — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:59:34 +0000

So, please help me to understand, why there is a dimmer and a shutter if they do the same job?
I understand that you need to have both controls,but it doesn’t make sense for me why the ML have both.

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:25:58 +0000

Hi Charlie. This is quite a common question over at the Blue Room. The common answer is probably one you won’t like much. I (and most lighting professionals) don’t advise secondary schools, even with well appointed performance venues, to buy moving lights.

Moving lights bring new levels of expense, maintenance and complexity that a school can’t cope with. And moving light technology and fashions change quicker than schools turn over their equipment.

I can’t think of one situation where, given thousands of pounds to spend on new kit for a school, I even consider splashing out on such hi tech kit. Schools always need more fresnels, lighting positions, dimmers and other much more useful stuff.

If you want to play with the latest kit, hire it in.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:30:14 +0000

Hi,
I’m the lighting technician at a secondary school and need to discuss buying more lights with the HOD in a few days. I am very keen to but some moving heads, as they would make my life so much easier. At the moment, we only have conventional fresnels, par cans and fixed spots. We have no colour changing technology, and no LED lights. How would you recommend persuading the Head of Drama to spend the cash on moving heads?
Thanks
Charlie

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:44:28 +0000

@Darcy – It’s considered best practice to Lamp Off the head, either remotely from desk or locally at the fixture, rather than just killing the power to the whole unit. Then the lamp gets to go through any powering down or cooling cycle, which could extend it’s life.

Before the load out, it’s also friendly to “home” all the moving heads (i.e pan/tilt @ 50 / 50) so the crew just have to put the locks on and they are ready to go straight into boxes.

By: Darcy Cook

Darcy Cook — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:57:01 +0000

Hi Rob

Just wondering if there is a correct procedure to shutting down a moving light rather than just flicking off the switch?

Cheers

Darce