Light Sync to Camera Flash Sound
- Thread starterDibio
- Start date
Jay Ashworth
Well-Known Member
We started with Jay’s suggested cameras on tripods (big old film SLRs/lenses purchased used on line), mounted cheap strobes on each (turned down low), had all the power running through a cheap proximity detector. Paparazzi red carpet idea leading up to the photo stage at a charity auction. Not quite your question but close.
The flashes come out random along the line of cameras.
The flashes come out random along the line of cameras.
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If the cameras don't need to be seen, any LED wash should have a decent strobe macro built in. Set up a bunch to hit the scene from camera -ish angles. Program some kind of chase that staggers out the flashes to match the look. Then I'd configure a QLab audio file to have the desired "flash" sound and use OSC to trigger the light console with OSC or MIDI.
I considered that. I suppose that will involve hiring people who would fire the flashes/strobes. I even thought I could program some flashes to fire sequentially rather than at the same time. It appears that I cannot program a delay like that.
That I have to check with the lighting man as the controller is his. As far as I understand Qlab is a mac based software. We only use PC, but I think that might be a minor issue. So do I get it right that I need to program this scene in a Qlab similar program, connect it to the DMX controller either directly or via an interface? Is this the easiest solution? Perhaps there is a standalone device that I can connect to a strobo LED or a daisy chain thereof?
It all comes down to what you have available. There is cue software for PC, too, we used to use SCS but switched to Qlab when we stopped using PCs (nothing to do with SCS) but there are others. We have an ETC lighting desk, and that can accept MIDI or OSC to trigger actions, so this is how we've done this in the past, sending MIDI "GO" from Qlab to the Ion (or vice versa, depending on the show) to synchronise sounds and lighting effects.
There probably are standalone units you could connect a bunch of strobes or LED washes to to get the same effect, but that's not something I could comment on, as it's not something I've done.
There probably are standalone units you could connect a bunch of strobes or LED washes to to get the same effect, but that's not something I could comment on, as it's not something I've done.
PC based, Show Control Pro will fire DMX commands tied to midi timing. Inexpensive license. Here's the weblink: https://www.showcuesystems.com/cms/ . There are DMX strobes, but they are pricey.
I've never had a problem with Windows and SCS. Now, I do turn off updates and shutdown all non-essential processes including wifi, etc... The PC we use is essentially dedicated to SCS as the sound computer
jtweigandt
Well-Known Member
We had disconnected from the internet, had the update schedule set to run during the morning at 10:00 am in any case, but it decided to apply an update just as the show was starting at 8pm, and the only options were apply now, or apply in ten minutes. This was when there were a lot of reports of Windows 10 ignoring scheduling and just going ahead and updating regardless. The iMac has never even threatened to do the same.
This is all good advice to anyone putting in new PCs. It happened to us a couple of years ago, and we're happy with Qlab on Mac, so we won' be going back anytime soon.
You may recall though, that early on in W10 (and occasionally since) it has been known to alter settings when service packs are applied. Now, there is an argument that you shouldn't even apply service packs anyway, just leave it be, but the situation is that we were applying service packs from time to time as bug fixes were announced. Just a shame that on one occasion it didn't apply the pack when it's schedult told it to, but when the default time came around, which just happened to be showtime for us.
You may recall though, that early on in W10 (and occasionally since) it has been known to alter settings when service packs are applied. Now, there is an argument that you shouldn't even apply service packs anyway, just leave it be, but the situation is that we were applying service packs from time to time as bug fixes were announced. Just a shame that on one occasion it didn't apply the pack when it's schedult told it to, but when the default time came around, which just happened to be showtime for us.
I think you are overthinking this. Some sort of random flashing effect on the light board, a sound cue of the same length, and a little practice pressing go on both devices at the same time. As long as there are a lot of flashes going on the audience won't be able to differentiate which flash is which click sound. A little visual chaos and nobody will notice the difference. If you are really picky you could have a start cue and a stop cue so you are sure both effects stop running at the same time. But I don't think people will notice if things are not perfectly synced, especially if they are getting blinded by the lights.
I always like to say, if someone notices that this a small tech detail is wrong, there is something very wrong with the rest of the show.
I always like to say, if someone notices that this a small tech detail is wrong, there is something very wrong with the rest of the show.
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That said, it's arguably simple to automate a cue like that if the infrastructure is in place. It sounds like the mash buttons solution might be the better option here if time/equipment is a factor.
During the run of a show, we've found little need to have the sound and lighting computers connected to the WWW. Internal network, yes, but not to the outside. That avoids the update issue altogether. We, at Blackfriars, enjoy the economical hardware upgrade abilities of Windows computers. As noted, there are several Windows software solutions to linking sound and lights - SCS, Cue Player, SFX that would solve Dibio's original question.
The PC I use for Audio playback hasn't been on the internet in 6 years. It yells at me every time I boot up claiming it's an illegal copy because it's been so long. But it's a clean reliable install of Windows 7 that runs perfectly every time.
