MIDI and lighting possibilities

[tangerine]

I've sussed out the MIDI show call for operating a lighting desk. Once you have programmed the lighting desk to the required intensities, movement for the lighting cues. You can use something like cubase to trigger the desk. First import the required sounds eg thunder claps into an audio track of cubase then by using the list editor create program changes to be sent to the lighting desk. Take a midi out from the pc into the lighting desk then take an audio out from your pc into your sound desk. Now when you press start on cue base your lighting cues are triggered leaving you to concentrate on radio mics, dialogue and there by dispensing of the lighting engineer.
THE NOISE BOYS STRIKE BACK AT LX.

 

[ssscientist]

Have you cleared this with the lighting engineers union yet?

Just as drummers were SURE drum machines were going to put them out of business, this might increase the professionalism and timing of some sloppy lighting techs.

BTW, what kind of lighting console do you need to run this stuff? You've detailed the computer for the audio/midi --- would that need to be separate from the computer running the sound for the show itself? You couldn't hardly do a show with no timing references and expect the programmed lights to sync up exactly...or could you?

 

[easychair]

Now if we could replace the followspot guy, or anyone who "needs you right now", which is always during the difficult bits of mixing and cueing.

 

[tangerine]

Have you cleared this with the lighting engineers union yet?

Just as drummers were SURE drum machines were going to put them out of business, this might increase the professionalism and timing of some sloppy lighting techs.

BTW, what kind of lighting console do you need to run this stuff? You've detailed the computer for the audio/midi --- would that need to be separate from the computer running the sound for the show itself? You couldn't hardly do a show with no timing references and expect the programmed lights to sync up exactly...or could you?

This is specifically for my amusement, you see occasionally I am having to run shows on my own and not being an octapus is a bit of a draw back. as for lighting technicians the job can reverse rolls so it's swings and round abouts.

The desk I am using is an Zero 88 Illusion desk. It's what was at the arts college when I started working their. Obviously you need to make sure the desk you are working with has MIDI capabilities preferably with a DMX link for the operation of moving lights such as scanners or scrollers. The Illusion is alright I know of a lighting tech who reckoned one of his best creations was done using two Zero 88 Illusion desks hooked up together, he's a good friend of mine and I can trust his judgement.

All you need to do is import your sounds onto an audio channel in cubase set your markers for each scene and you're pretty much on your way. From there as you are reading script you write prompts of when to press start on the computer to begin the sound and light effects and cues when to press stop. Hey presto MIDI show control run from a sequencer. Every thing is in sync because you create a MIDI track to write in programme changes using the list editor, these programme changes are inserted into the timeline at integral points such as thunder claps for example, a split seconds before the thunder crashes you can send a programme change to trigger a lighting cue and so just like in the real world lightening appears before the actual peel of thunder and so forth. It saves me having to run from one desk to another to work a show.

 

[ssscientist]

Every thing is in sync because you create a MIDI track to write in programme changes using the list editor

Ah.

So the performers follow the lights?

Seems like the tail wagging the dog...

 

[tangerine]

Ah.

So the performers follow the lights?

Seems like the tail wagging the dog...

Not quite that's not how theatre works, what normally happens in theatre is you have a person reading the script off the stage and if the scene is a thunder clap for instance the person who is calling the show gives the cues to the lighting control room (LX) and the sound control (this is sometimes called SX but this is an achaic term as one operator may mishear the cue so it is usually just announced as sound cue number what ever) these cues are given via a head set and mic. So for instance if an actor gives a line which necessitates a sound or lighting effect the caller of the show will have already given a standby and will then give the cue. It is totally different to rock and roll in that everything has to be precise. You could use this method if a drummer was playing to a click from a midi sequencer and you could put the programme changes of when to flash, schroll or move the lights, you could programme colour changes and the lot. Infact most Broadway and West End shows are run using MIDI nowadays.

 

[ssscientist]

Sorry - I got the wrong impression you were talking about a music performance.

Thanks for the insight into the theater world, which I need to learn more about...