Common examples are:Īlthough it’s harder to pull off, you can use three different colors in a scene. These looks work well in most situations. Granted, these looks can be a bit boring, but they work well for setting the stage, opening bands, or songs with colors in the title. Monochromatic means one color, but most people like to use different shades. Use a color wheel to create themes from different colors. Scenes are preset looks you can toggle between and adjust from song to song.
#DIGITAL STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN HOW TO#
Now that you’ve got the proper coverage and understand how to use the controller, it’s time to program “scenes”. You can use it to blend colors, fade lights in and out or even time the strobes to the tempo of a track, depending on the system. The DMX controller allows you to control the intensity, color and movement of every fixture in the chain. It’s a digital communication network used to control stage lighting and effects.
![digital stage lighting design digital stage lighting design](https://static.listoffreeware.com/wp-content/uploads/sweetlight_full-screenshot_2018-12-20_09-22-19.png)
Each instrument is then “daisy-chained” to the next, and so on throughout the chain.ĭMX stands for Digital Multiplex. The console, known as a DMX controller, connects to the first fixture in the chain using a DMX cable. Most venues have a combination of lighting instruments, all controlled by a single console. Some common shades include amber, teal and pink. Of course, you can also make your own custom color combinations by adjusting the amount of red, green and blue. Which means you can add them together to create other colors, like so: Red, green and blue are considered the primary additive colors of light. Most modern LED lights can produce seven basic colors: And if you wanted to change one of the colors, you might need 2 people, a ladder and a harness to change them. With most older analog fixtures, if you wanted red, green, blue and white lights, you needed four separate instruments. They also offer color changing, focus controls and motorized shutters. These are super sophisticated machines that are controlled with a joystick like you’re a fighter pilot or something. Some of these lights could score higher on the SATs than the techs that use them. Someone gets paid to sit up there and follow performers around the stage to keep them well-lit. Typically placed close to the stage and used as washes - lights that simply wash the stage in color, with little or no focus. They’re similar to Lekos, but cast a softer light. Fresnelsįirst of all, it’s pronounced “ Fruh-nel”. They also get super hot, so be careful when handling them. These are no-nonsense instruments that are basically car headlights with a metal casing. One of the most common lighting instruments. They’re also equipped with shutters to adjust the shape or “throw” of the light. The focus can be adjusted to light with soft or sharp edges. Ellipsoidal Reflector SpotlightĮRS lights are commonly referred to as the most poplar model - the Leko®. They’re relatively inexpensive, they don’t draw very much power and they barely produce any heat. These units can recreate dozens of color combinations with the push of a button. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular lighting instruments you’ll use for stage lighting: LED But, many older venues and theaters still use traditional lighting fixtures. LED lights are commonly seen in newer lighting rigs. In order to get proper coverage you’ll need to know what kind of instruments you’re working with. Some lights have adjustable shutters or movable “barn-doors” to adjust the “throw” of their light.
![digital stage lighting design digital stage lighting design](https://onstagelighting.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/VW-Detail.png)
Other lights, like spotlights, offer small amounts of highly focused coverage. Some lights offer lots of soft, diffused coverage. Typically, you’ll need 4 areas of coverage:
![digital stage lighting design digital stage lighting design](https://static.listoffreeware.com/wp-content/uploads/relux_stage_lighting_software_2018-12-15_10-25-08.png)
Concerts use mostly backlighting techniques, so most of your fixtures should be reachable from the stage. Start by placing and adjusting the lights to fit your needs that night. A killer light show can add excitement, energy and emotion to a performance. It doesn’t matter how good the band sounds if they’re playing in the dark. The lights can actually be just as important to the show as the sound. You know the old saying - the show must go on! They take a live sound gig as a Front of House engineer, only to discover they’re expected to run lights too.
#DIGITAL STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN TRIAL#
Many engineers learn how to run lights through trial by fire.