Could be just me, but the first thing I would do is put the more powerful console in your main stage. The Expression 1 has more power and functionality than the Express.
Could be just me, but the first thing I would do is put the more powerful console in your main stage. The Expression 1 has more power and functionality than the Express.
As for dimmer/channel check, every day I come in and power up everything. I let the moving lights calibrate and then run my strike macro which strikes all the arc fixtures one at a time and then point all the MLs straight down. I test all the attributes (especially scrollers on Revolutions) and then I key in a warmer for the conventionals. I don't make it a macro because it would be a real bummer if it got triggered during a show, plus every show has different numbers of channels, so I would have to write a new macro every show.
I warm everything to 20% over 5 minutes, it gives me enough time to walk down to the stage and set up RFU (and to go to the bathroom or check in with stage management). I do a quick visual check to see if I can spot any blown lamps or burned color, then I step through each channel one at a time to check focus and lamps and color. Then I fix anything that needs fixing, put us in preset, and hopefully have a full half hour to chill with the crew.
But what if the dimmer controlled two lamps, and only one burned out?Funny. Back in the 80's I had a neat little system built into my dimmers. (Don't have it on my current ones) Basically, an LED with resistor across each choke. The LEDs were mounted on the front panel. Even at 4% idle, all the little LEDs would light. (dimmer per circuit) Even though the stage lights were not visibly on, if a bulb was bad, that LED would be out. ...
Sensor AF (and other mfg.'s) modules feature load reporting capabilities, but still can't tell you about dropped focus or faded color. I still prefer the old-fashioned method, one channel at a time.
Exactly how I've always done it, except usually don't have an RFU, and didn't use to have macro capability, so would write an effect and linked cues....I warm everything to 20% over 5 minutes, it gives me enough time to walk down to the stage and set up RFU ... I do a quick visual check to see if I can spot any blown lamps or burned color, then I step through each channel one at a time to check focus and lamps and color. Then I fix anything that needs fixing, put us in preset...
This is how it was done before computer boards, except each channel was brought up not using the bump buttons, by an assistant, with the ME on stage. Still a good way, in an educational setting, as the assistant gets to learn about the board, and a student ME often takes longer than 3-5 seconds to check lamp/focus/color.In HS we'd use two people - a board op pressing bump buttons on areas and a spotter on the stage on comms to check dimmers/lamps...
Funny. Back in the 80's I had a neat little system built into my dimmers. (Don't have it on my current ones) Basically, an LED with resistor across each choke. The LEDs were mounted on the front panel. Even at 4% idle, all the little LEDs would light. (dimmer per circuit) Even though the stage lights were not visibly on, if a bulb was bad, that LED would be out.
DMX is one way, but it still surprises me that every modern dimmer doesn't give some form of load information. It is so easy to detect. The LED system cost me about 20 cents a channel to put in. (plus time)
Mine's in the master bathroom.^ Wait...there are people on this board that don't have shrines to ETC in their living rooms?!
Bet you wish you had one of these, don't ya?Mine's in the master bathroom.
gcpsoundlight, I'll try to phrase this as tactfully as possible...
Just what is this thing you have for LSC? It seems you can't wait to mention the company at any and every opportunity. Are they the ETC of Australia? Do you own stock? As has been said almost every time you've mentioned them, LSC is not well-represented in the US. The general consensus here among those who do know of the company is that they don't hold their gear in high regard.
ETC probably has more fan-boys/girls here than any other company, but even the most rabid don't go around injecting "ETC is the best and will solve all your issues" into every conversation about lighting.
/Sorry for the derailment, everyone.
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