Although it may seem odd to find a QLab training programme at On Stage Lighting, I’ve been teaching QLab to undergraduates and other clients for a number of years (since QLab 2, in fact). This experience has led to the development of the Learn QLab 5 Online Course, aimed at getting everyone started with this ‘industry standard’ software used in theatre and other live performance.
If you aren’t sure what Figure 53’s QLab software does, the short version is that it offers fast and flexible playback of sound effects, music and video content for performance. QLab actually does a LOT more besides, check out the product website.
The QLab training course is primarily for beginners to get started with programming and playback of audio and video. This has been useful for schools, small theatres and amateur dramatics groups with part-time technicians who know that they would benefit from learning QLab but aren’t sure how to get going. The training is also good for professional technicians who have yet to really get started with this kind of media playback system and want to add these skills to their CV.
The QLab training course is delivered online and is self-paced meaning that you can work at your own speed and can fit it into your own schedule. One of the issues I’ve come across is that many people want to book for QLab training but that ‘live’ workshops are difficult to fit into their busy diaries. The online delivery of this programme means that scheduling isn’t a problem.
Why should I use QLab?
I’ve worked with many production technicians who have heard of QLab and are wondering if they should get into it. My answer is a straightforward yes. However you are running your sound and video for performance now, you would likely find a whole lot of functional reasons why software such as QLab would make your life easier once you knew how to work with it. The other big reason for getting into QLab 5 is that the FREE version available from Figure 53 may be restricted but it still does a LOT – for free. This means that if you are working in a small theatre or for an amateur group with a non-existent budget then you can make your life a whole lot easier with a piece of FREE software and some idea of how to use it.
Is there a downside to QLab? Yes. You need an Apple Mac to run it. Not everyone has access to a Mac, if you don’t then you won’t be able to use QLab. This means that you also will need a Mac and the free version of QLab to take part in this learning.
What will I learn about QLab?
I could write all kinds of bullet points with tiny details. Instead, I will give you one outcome:
You will be able to program and run audio, video and lighting for show successfully using QLab.
This includes the automation of playback, fades and other controls that can turn what used to be a complex sound and video operating job into a series of button pushes.
The course is based on the free, basic version of QLab. I have further options to help you with the advanced QLab methods that require a licence and we can talk about those if you get in touch. This course doesn’t need you to buy a QLab licence and will get you a large part of the way there in terms of your own QLab learning.
The training has been recently updated to reflect the interface in QLab 5 but works equally well for QLab 4. If you still need to learn QLab 4 on that specific version, I still have options for that too. The course gives you all the skills you need to tackle Audio, Video and Lighting control from the single QLab interface.
How do I take part?
Learn @ On Stage Lighting is not a MOOC, it’s a personal service that involves myself as an educator and my learners all over the world. I run the course throughout the year, with various starting points and there is a new one starting very soon.
Email me at learn @ on stage lighting .co.uk to discuss QLab training for you. Please include important information in the email, including:
- You or your organisation’s needs from the learning after completion (use case, competencies etc.)
- The current level of learning for the participants. What so you/they already know?
- Your expected budget. Time, commitment, and money.