Lighting control console: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:52, 19 August 2022

Revision as of 20:00, 27 August 2022

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All lighting control consoles can control [[dimmer]]s which control the intensity of the lights. Many modern consoles can control [[Intelligent lighting]] (lights that can move, change colors and [[Gobo (lighting)|gobo patterns]]), [[fog machine]]s and [[Haze machine|hazers]], and other special effects devices. Some consoles can also interface with other electronic performance hardware (i.e. [[Mixing console|sound boards]], [[Video projector|projectors]], [[media server]]s, automated [[Winch|winches]] and motors, etc.) to improve synchronization or unify their control.

[[File:The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien 24 061109.jpg|thumb|An Eos Console (2009)]]

Lighting consoles communicate with the dimmers and other devices in the lighting system via an electronic control [[Communications protocol|protocol]]. The most common protocol used in the entertainment industry today is [[DMX512]], although other protocols (e.g. [[0-10 V lighting control|0-10 V analog lighting control]]) may still be found in use, and newer protocols such as [[Architecture for Control Networks|ACN]] and DMX-512-A are evolving to meet the demands of ever increasing device sophistication. Some lighting consoles can communicate over a [[Local area network|Local viaIP anetwork infrastructure]] switch to have moreprovide control over more complexscalable systems. A common protocol for this is ESTA E1.31 [[Streaming ACN|sACN]] (pronounced: streaming A.C.N.) or Art-Net.

== Types of control consoles ==

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=== Personal computer-based controllers ===

[[Image:Usb to dmx pigtail.jpg|thumb|right|A USB-to-DMX connector with integrated controller.]]

[[Personal Computer]] (PC) based controllers are relativelyincreasing new,in popularity owing to portability and reduced cost. These lighting console solutions use software with a feature set similar to that found in a hardware-based console. As dimmers, automated fixtures and other standard lighting devices do not generally have current standard computer interfaces, options such as DMX-512 ports and fader/submaster panels connected via [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] are commonplace.

This system allows a "build-to-fit" approach: the end user initially provides a PC that fits their budget and any other needs with future options to improve the system, for example, by increasing the number of DMX outputs or additional console style panels.

Many lightboard vendors offer a PC software version of their consoles. Commercial lighting control software often requiresrequire a specific, and possibly expensive, hardware DMX interface. However, inexpensive (<$150) DMX -> [[USB]] PC interfaces such as the [https://www.enttec.com ENTTEC] and [https://dmxking.com/ DMXKing] DMX USB Pro with public API and other DIY, and free or [[Open-source software|Open source]] software hardware combinations are available.

Many console vendors also make a software simulator or "offline editor" for their hardware consoles, and these are often downloadable for free. The simulator can be used to pre-program a show, and the cues then loaded into the actual console. In addition, lighting visualization software is available to simulate and approximate how lighting will appear on stage, and this can be useful for programming effects and spotting obvious programming errors such as incorrect colour changes.

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Many memory consoles have an optional Remote Focus Unit (RFU) controller that can be attached to the light board and used to control the board's functions (though usually in some limited capacity). They are usually small enough to be handheld. This is ideal in situations where moving the light board is impractical, but control is needed away from where the board is located. That is, if the light board is in a control room that is located far from the fixtures, such as a catwalk, an RFU can be attached and an electrician or the lighting designer can bring it to a ___location which is close to the lights. Some of the newer and more advanced boards have RFUs that can be connected through USB or even wirelessly.

Various manufacturers offer software for devices such as [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[IPhone|iPhones]] that cause the devices to act as remote controllers for their consoles. Also, independent software developers have released applications that can send [[Art-Net]] packets from an iPhone, thus enabling an iPhone to serve as a fully featured console when used in conjunction with an Art-Net to DMX converter or Art-Net compatible luminaries and dimmers. An example of this is [https://www.etcconnect.com/ ETC]'s (electronic theater controls) app called iRFR for Apple devices or aRFR for Android devices.

The ''Controller Interface Transport Protocol'', or ''CITP'', is a [[network protocol]] used between visualizers, lighting control consoles and [[media server]]s to [[Data transmission|transport]] non-show critical information during [[pre-production]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Claiborne|first1=Vickie|title=Media Servers for Lighting Programmers: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Digital Lighting|date=4 February 2014|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781317938224|pages=101–104|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tPrJAgAAQBAJ&q=CITP+protocol&pg=PT119|access-date=17 June 2016|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Tannemyr|first1=Peppe|title=Hippotizer Forum Scandinavia - Information|url=http://www.digigobos.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=288|website=www.digigobos.com|publisher=SSR Beacon DigiGobos|access-date=17 June 2016}}</ref> The protocol is used for a number of purposes including [[DMX512|SDMX]], browsing media and thumbnails, and streaming media among different devices.<ref>{{cite web|title=MADRIX 3 Help and Manual|url=http://help.madrix.com/m3/html/madrix/index.html?hidd_citp.html|website=help.madrix.com|access-date=17 June 2016}}</ref>