Danny's Lighting Desk
This gave me the idea based on my old favourite the Rank Strand MMS, so I decided to build my desk incorporating the famous level wheel. (see technical details)
All 256 channels from the desk are multiplexed to the stage. The multiplexed output is not compatible with the DMX 512 protocol. I prefer my own system, I find it a lot more responsive than DMX 512! You can build your own 16-256 channel multiplexer (see electronics for schematics and PCBs)
Listed below are the basic operating instructions for the desk, as mentioned before, it is based on the idea of the Rank Strand MMS, so that anybody who has had the privelage of working on this desk should be able to grasp its operation fairly quickly.
The first module is the channel control, situated bottom centre of the desk. The channel control module is used to build and modify lighting states that are stored in the playback module or the sub group faders. Its functions are as follows:
Numeric Keypad
This is used to select the number of the channel to be controlled.
Wheel
Once a channel has been selected on the keypad, by using the wheel, its intensity can be set at any level between zero and 100%. Once the level has been set, it is held in the appropriate playback store until reselected, modified, cut, or cleared.
The meter displays the level in percent of the currently selected channel.
The 'ON' Button
This is used to switch a selected channel on or off. The 'on' level will be determined either by the original level stored in the channel control, or a level previously set using the 'all last' button.
'All Last' Button
This button is a sort of temporary store, it will store a level set by the wheel, once stored this will be the level applied to the channel when the 'on' button is used.
To set a level using the 'all last' button, first select a channel on the keypad, and set the required level using the wheel. The press the 'all last' button. Any channel now switched on using the 'on' button, will be set to the level stored when the 'all last' button was pressed.
'Return' Button
This button is used to return a channel to its originally stored level after it has been reselected and modified from a playback or sub-group channel. Example: Say channel 45 was selected on the channel control, and by use of the wheel has been set at 60% as part of the lighting state and then deselected whilst other channels are being worked on. It was then found necessary to modify channel 45 by reselecting it and using the wheel to alter its level to 40%. At this point, the 'return' button would be illuminated to show that its current level was different to that of the original level. Now it is found that the modification was not required after all, rather than attempting to remember its original level, simply press the return button to restore it to 60%.
'FF' Button (Flash Full)
This button will flash the selected channel to 100%.
'FO' (Flash Out)
This button will flash out any selected channel.
This module is the heart of the board and is used to temporarily store the lighting states for playback to the stage. All lighting states other than those stored in the subgroups are recorded or recalled via this module. Its controls are as follows:
'CC' Buttons (x2) (Channel A and Channel B)
These are used to select which playback channel is to be accessed by the channel control module or to monitor the contents of the playback store on the Mimic Display Module.
These are used to record the contents of either channel A or channel B into the memory location selected on the memory store module providing the record lock is off. (see memory module)
Cut buttons x2 (Channel A and Channel B)
The cut buttons are used to load pre-recorded lighting states from the memory store module into the appropriate playback store.
'/' buttons (clear buttons) x2 (Channel A and Channel B)
These are used to clear to the empty state the contents of the appropriate playback store channel therefore allowing the operator to build a new lighting state from scratch, or to insert or record a blackout.
SEQ (Sequence Button)
This button allows for automatic cutting in of lighting states in numerical order on completion of a cross fade and will only function when the sequence button on the memory store is illuminated.
Master Fader
The master fader overrides all other fader functions on the playback module.
Blackout Switch
This switch has three positions. In the centre position, the lighting states will be displayed normally. In the down position, the output from the playback module to the stage will be inhibited. The up position function is the same as in the down position, but does not lock.
Channel Faders x2 (Channel A and Channel B)
There are two channel faders, one coloured red to control channel A, and one coloured grey to control channel B. Under normal operation, if both faders are down, the contents of Channel A will be active on stage. Moving both the faders up will crossfade to the contents of Channel B. When A fader is up, and B Fader is down, no lighting states will be active. Alternatively, if A fader is down, and B fader is up, the contents of both stores will be displayed. When the playback module is in sequence mode, the red fader will always bring in the new lighting state, and the grey fader will always remove the old one therefore allowing the operator to advance or retard lighting states.
Please note that because I consider myself to be a skilled lighting operator, I did not incorporate a timed crossfade facility because I don't like them, I prefer to 'feel' the lighting!
The Memory Store Module can store up to 256 separate lighting states, which can be called up into the playback stores (A or B).
Numeric Keypad
This is used to select the memory location/scene lighting to be called into the playback store for displaying on stage. The memories can be called manually in any order or called in sequence in numerical order only.
Sequence Button
When illuminated this enables the playback store (if in sequence mode) to call memories automatically in numerical order only.
This button allows the operator to record into any selected memory location what he actually sees on stage, i.e lighting states composed using the main faders and/or subgroups.
Record Key Lock
In the locked mode, this disables the operator from recording lighting states and from clearing lighting states from the sub groups. (see subgroup module).
My next project is to interface a hard drive to the desk to store lighting states, although to date it has been found that 256 memories are sufficient for most productions.
This module gives an indication of any channels that are active either on stage using the 'live' button, or in either playback stores or subgroups, using the 'CC' button. The channel number is illuminated for any channel that is on at a level of 20% or higher.
This module has 16 separate subgroup faders and separate crossfade and master faders. It can be used as a small lighting desk in its own right, if the main part of the desk is not required.
Each fader can be programmed via the channel control module, providing the 'record lock' is unlocked, with all 256 channels at any level. Each fader has a button below it, this button is used to select the fader for modification when in programme mode and becomes a flash button when in live mode. (as opposed to 'record mode').
Page Buttons (x8)
Each of the 8 buttons will select a page for the 16 separate faders, therefore expanding the module to control 128 possible lighting states.
'/' (Clear Button)
This button will clear a subgroup providing the channel button is held down at the same time and the record lock is in the unlocked position.
Faders x 2
These faders can be used to crossfade between the top and bottom rows of subgroups when the split button is illuminated.
Split Button (two arrows)
When pressed, this button will illuminate, allowing the top and bottom row of faders to be split. They can then be crossfaded between using the two faders at the bottom right of the module. Therefore providing a simple two preset desk.
Master Fader
This fader is the master fader for the subgroup module only.
This module can be programmed with up to 256 steps and has its own memory store of 256 memories. It is used to control the subgroup module only to provide fully programmable chased sequences. Its operation is too complicated to fully describe here, but it can be programmed to your requirements.
At present, this module sends out data to control moving lights. It will move any lamp which has either been selected on the channel control by using the 'CC' button on this module, or a channel you wish to be controlled, may be locked into the module using the local button on this module providing the lamp is equipped with a control unit and motors. At present we have only one operational prototype, which only operates on pan and tilt. I am currently re-designing this part of the desk, so as to allow full control and sequencing of his moving light system. Please note, this system is not compatible with standard DMX 512 protocol (see moving lights for full details).