LIGHTING FOR ENTERTAINMENT
STAGE LIGHTING AND SYSTEM DDM
The common method of lighting tQday is the creation of
a number of stage pictures each meticulously balanced and plotted.
The ch ang es between each repres ent a cue whose nature and timing
has to be rehearsed. These pictures
in execution and content at
into the repe r toire or the run for repeat perf or man ces.
This tr a ditional approac h ideally suits
system
t heatre is not a place
- mere repeats - it is
may have to be as "live"
production ideas
audience the man at the lighting control may have to play a part,
in public, just as subject to the inspiration
the actor. He may indeed
the show is lit at all let alone appropriately.
rehearsed on the one hand with the "free for all " on the other.
So mewhere
es peci ally in the instant magnetic form available now but
for playing records wh et }..er sound or visual
a cre a tive pro cess. In this the lighting
of eJ::temporisation and "participation" by the
Syste m
between the t"wo lies the com position pr oces c and this is
DDM reconciles the two extremes - the exact and
subse c:;_uent rehearsc:.ls and finally go
as all the rest. Indeed with some of today's
have to live on his wits to ensure that
and cues are then improved
a dimmer memory
of the moment as
ire time ·when, hoirn ver disciplined the conduct of the rehearsal,
flexibility
value - with System
far as lighting is concerned.
a n d r apidity of response in the control is of untold
DDM "t he stage waits" no longer applies - as
FPB/1/9/1970
CONTENTS
1. Use of Software
2. Economic Sizes
3. oasi c Principles of Operation
4. The Controls
5. Ch a nnel Controls
6. Numeric a l Selection
"Cue Select
11
3. P l ayback Controls
9. Operation of a Cue
10. Speed Regul ~tion
11. Switching and Cut
12. Use of two playbacks
13. Zrgonoaic Layout
14. Schedule of Controls
7. Memory Action
•
-1-
1. USE OF SOFTWARE
While the
11
action
11
of system DDM is based on "software"
namely an instructional programme fed into the computer instead
of rigid circuitry joined together with a soldering iron or some
equivalent, there is a great risk that this will lead to anarchy.
Every blessed switchboard will be different and everyone who
believes he
h ~s an idea for the good of mankind or merely a
personal fancy can have it indulged in and add to the confusion.
A confusion which would lead to a con~iderable training period
before any new operator
:leels at home in the parti ... ular theatre
installation. There has to be standardisation and the best
agency for this at the moment would seem to be Rank Strand itself.
'What the "software" approach confers, which rates way
above the mixed blessing of being able to change one's mind,
is the ability to specify ergonomic action completely divorced
from the discipline imposed by the characteristics
electrical and the
electr~nic circuits which of practical
of the
necessity may have to be used. Until now a control system has
always been
the circuits economically woul _d
a compromise between what one wanted to do and what
allow one to do. To der:..i.gn a
lighting control it was necessary to be an engineer with
knowledge of the
techni~ues of the means to do it. With the
use
of full computer techni ques, as in the case in System DDM,
specification begins and ends in ergono mic terms. What does
an operator need to be able to do
to expect
lighting the
hio to be able to appraise and use as either the man
show or his intermediary?
it? What is it reasonable
This last is very import ont. Although we cannot
permit the control to require
play upon it we
have to recognise that any theatre requires the
a Barenboim or an Ashkenazy to
man at the control to bring something more to the actual working
of the rehearsal and the show
than mere hack operation. Use
of the machine must stimulate ano. e:,::tend 1-iis interest so that
he and the . lighting he controls are a live part of a live show.
If this is so in any theatre it is even more so in the kind of
theatre which envisages spending the amount of
coney a first
class dimmer memory system involves.
Thus it is
th &t the control we are discusaing and
describing in these pages presents a paradox. It can record
exactly each lighting picture
of crossfades one
after the other in which literally only one
and reproduce them as a series
control has to be used each time; yet any process can be
-.. ----
-2-
interrupted and any other course of action substituted with
comD~ete disregard of the state of the switchboard at the .:tt.&.me.
The machine itself makes all decisions necessary to ensure
that the
- they
at one
Precision and improvisation are
combined
these intentions in practical form and
It is suggested that, in view of the
shall be
acceptable to the
ligh -ting _ changes occur without untoward interruption
flow from one _c.ondi tion to another. System DDM combines
and the same time dead accurucy with live vamping.
e~ually possible and can be
at any time and in any proportion.
The controls enumerated
and described herein express
this is being manufactured.
time scale, changes to them
confined to just those essential to make the result
Royal Shakespeare theatre both operationally
and physically. Once the control is working the result can be
appraised,
and thanl~s to the software approach, modifications
made if necessary. Further changes could follow after a period
of active working in
2. .:::CON01'!IC SIZES
the theatre.
The following description assumes that System DDM is
based on a 120 channel 100 memory module but the actual
figures
need further consideration,. Thus a 240 channel control consists
of two identical systems working
degree
of reliability is aimed at nevertheless this does carry
in tandem. While a very high
the insurance that a major fault could afflict at most half the
number
of channels. It is suggested that to make the most of
this insurance channels should be split odd numbers on one and
evens on the other
rather ihan as 1 to 120 and 121 to 240.
Dimmer memories can be increased As multiples of 100 but because
this includes
Oas a number this mean3 that the top nucber is
99 or 199. The use of O itself as a memory number is not
recommended
ordinary mortals regard as nothing (i.e. no light at all) but
the computer regards
zero intensity).
c.s there is a certain advantage in using it for what
as a recording of zeros (i.e. lights at
-3-
3. BASIC ?RI!J.'.::IPLES OF OPERATION
System DDM is designed to be operated either as a
completely flexible composing instrument or as a machine for
exnct reproduction of information already recorded. Roughly
speaking the first corresponds to the rehearsal period and the
r
second to public performance. In
these two methods of operation in any proportion re cluired by
circumstances. Thus it could be that
stand without any. rehearsal time would be vamped fro1 ;1 end to
end while
already recorded information either solo or in combinationo
to every
make up the picture or series of pictures to be recorded.
These channel controls
function, indication and everyt h ing else of
neture is integrated in this special unit invented just for
this purpose.
time further extend the services they
advnntage of the roc k er over the conventional dim 1ter lever is
that while one can readily increase or decrease light by
a r ehea rsal on the other hand might consist of
SyDtem DDM is provided wi th an individual control
dimmer channel so that lighting can be adjusted to
~~ke the form of Rockers and dimmer
Eode switches affecting all the rockers at one
i' act system DDM can combine
a public one night
an individual
can. provide. A particular
touching the top or the bottom it
quality. Thus it can take over and modify a channel without
the need for the
the position of that cha nnel at th e time of t ake -over.
operator to match the control lever at all ·±o
ha2 no inherent positionnl
J A stage picture once set can be recorded in the magnetic
store; this can be thought of as filing under n reference number.
and
J
The process is virtu a lly instantaneous both in recording
subsequent plc .yb nck so the term "memory" is used. A form of
Numeric~! selector is used to start a sequence or to break it
but it is not
one number to
both the number last recorded and that in playbnck.
The means of playback takes the form of a set of
master push buttons providing RAISE, DIM, CROSSFADE, CUT IN or
CUT OUT in respect
represented by a particular memory can be naded to, be
necess~ry to use these in normal pro gression from
thG next. Sepnrate indic a tor windows display
of these oemory numbers, Thus the lighting
subtracted from or
on the stage. The rate ut which tnis happens is governed by
an adjustable speed
c~n replace the lighting, if any, existing
regulntor while corresponding indicators
show the progress of the change.
Any procedure can be interrupted and/or another
,..4_
substituted at any time both at individual channel
level and at
master level. The various controls to be provided and t h eir
operation is now described
in detail.
4. THE CONTROLS
There are three distinct ty p es
the
dim n.er memory system DDM (a) The Channel Controls to create
stage li gh ting pictures using t h e dimmers in t h e first place
the
and subseque n t ly to modify them at any time.
Selectio n co n trols to enabl e eac h p icture to be recorded (filed)
under
playback.
a reference (cue) nu raber and subse qu ently .selected for
The Ea ster Controls which determine what is to
(c)
be done with t he pieture se l ected for pla yback. Sh a ll it be
added tot
1at a lready on t h e st ag e or substituted and at what
rate of speed?
All controls can
t h e ch am1el controls c a n
be n ounted on one desk but if preferred
form a qu i te separate wing unit on one
of control function in
(b) The Numerical
side or split eit h er side in a formation rese mbling t h e stop
jambs
of an ortho d ox org an console.
5. CHANNEL CONTROLS
These are completely differentiate d fro m all others.
They ta k e
effect integrates three push buttons and three
one unit mounting
vertical. Th e top of' the roc ker i s available for t he
any supple mer,!tary in f orm a tion i f desi:ned, for exa mple: - FOH
of
Flys, Di p s or something of the sort: th e bottom c arries t he
channel nu mber.
di mwer and the botto m lowers it.
finger stops t h e process insta n tly. Th e action is monitored by
a green pi lot
fo r all i ntermedi a te
the form of a centre stable ~toc k er tablet wh ich in
p ilot la mps as
at~ inch horizontal centres and 3 inch
engraving
Touc h in g
t h e top of the roc ke r raises the channel
In both cases
r~ moval of t h e
la mp inside t h e top. Th is comes on at half light
dim i:~er levels and at full when the channel
1
is full on - no further
gain being possible. The completion of
t he reverse process to out is i ndi cated
Precise
infor r..iation is given on t h e C~·H,rrt·JEL DIAL. Whenever a
by extinction of the lamp.
channel rocker is touched the dial monitors that particular
di mmer position.
simult a neously, perhaps in conflicting directions, then the one
actu a lly touc h ed first t akes precedence on the dial. The position
of p articular ch annel dim mers can be ascert a ined without move ment
by using t h e p ush button in t h e centre of the rocker.
The fact t hat excellent provision is made for monitoring
and reading t h e p osition
meter must not be allowed to suggest t h at
be much used.
where the op erator has neither to write down nor read a plot
this exact information is but
computer looks after all
designer will
stage in purely visual ter ms.
controls. These qualify or alter the function of t h e rockers.
Most obvious is the
find h i 1.1self concentrating on is the effect o n the
Associated
If several are held under t h e
of dim mers on a large scale dead-beat
in pr a ctice this will
In a full di r..1Ernr memory system, such as DDM,
of very occasional interest. The
th a t, what the operator and/or lighting
-...,ri th the channel rockers are cert a in MODE
SPE~D control. This consists of twin linear
fingers to travel
potentiomet ers. That
take
zero to full or vice versa. The range of speed is from instantaneous
(top) to
it becomes
consequence the second
This enables the level to wh ich the ch annel or channels are
switched
known
the channel(s) to function exactly
a normal switc h board dim mer lever.
switches in the
switch it out. A lu minous sign indicator ap p ears im.·.1ediately
under the channel dial in which t h e word SPEED or TOP SET
reminds the oper a tor at
give a gr a dual or
when operate d manually from t h e rockers to
Jo sees (bottom). At instantaneous speed (i.e. switching)
desir 2ble to be able to limit dimmer travel and in
to be pr ecisely deter mined. Fovement of this control,
a s TOP SET, while a rocker or rockers are held will cause
A.s und er tli.ese circumstances the top of t h e rocker
dim r,1er instantaneously, touching the bottom will
an inst antaneous change without the need for
on the left regulates the time di 1amers will
11
travel
potentio o eter is auto matically brought in.
as if they were worked from
a glance whether touching rockers will
11
from
J
him to c arefully examine t h e position of t h e twin p otentiometers.
There is
each rocker which
memory in playback. Return of the c h annel to the l evel prior
to modification or re-recordi ng re moves this warnin g . Th e lamp
and push are
a lso used as part of AUTO MOD (q.v.).
an amber warning lamp in the centre push of
lights whenever a roc k er is used to modify a
-6-
A socond mode switch in rot ar y form enables the rockers
to control dimmers :in association with ihe RED PLAYBJ.CK system
(q.v.) instead of with the GREEN system as is normal. The red
lamps are in the bottom section of the rockers and the green
]
in the top enabling both to be displayed simultaneously without
confusion when necessary. The
of this mode switch provides fu.~EZN control, the second notch
extrene cnti-clockwise position
RED control and t he third FLASH and AUTO-MOD combined.
This last is a special function which is described under AUTO-
IviOD later on.
The use of the rockers for other purposes in addition
to channel dimmer control is as
only a matter
switch. It could have notches for lantern
also colour filter change. This subject is treated more fully
under "Other Control Possibilities" below.
of adding further stations on the rotary mode
far as operation is concerned
pan, tilt and focus
A .third mode control known as the DIS PLAY MODE, more
frequently used,
switch. In its norm al "centre" position the rockers display 2.nd
operate the lighting ON STAGE • Held in the bottom position
the display and operation
~akes the for ra of a three position sprung-centre
is of the lighting in the
11
NZW" store
and in the top position in the CUT store. These functions
will become clearer in
~he Playback section below.
6. NUNERICAL SELECTION "CUE SELECT"
A set of luminous push buttons is provided to enable
the
re~uisite range of nw~bers to be selected for filing in, or
obtaining for playback from, the memory. These are arranged in
columns for units, tens
addition there is a black
To provide the co mputer with
must be
digits
Any push when usea. substitutes its number for any other which
may be already selected in its
indicator windows, for RECORD,
respectively. Th e numbers c on be shown in these ag &inst black,
occupied5 Thus 11one
colu mn automatically sets zeros in the other columns.
Associated 1-·ri th ntIB1erical .selections are three luminous
and where ap ~ lic&ble hundreds. In
non-lu r.~inous CJ...HC:i:!':L push.
a message all colu mns
11
dis pla ys as 1100111. Use of the
own colun1n.
GRZEN PL.AYB.l.CK and aED PLh.YBACK
green, red or amber b a ckgrounds as described later. Each time
a number is used it is automatically cancelled, the lights being
-7-
extinguished at the pushes. Selection of numbers in this way
is only necessary to start a sequence or when breaking it to go
back or to jump well ahead. Except when using the special CUT
pushes the Next
the
NZX:T control which forms part of each playback. Should
an operator inadvertently
pushes it
can either be changed by immediately selecting the
correct one or cleared without using it be pressing the
nu@ber is usually obtained by inching-on with
select a wrong number on the numerical
CANCEL
push. (Alternative: if preferred the numerical selector can take
the form of an eleven push Bell telephone type selector in
which case
nere is an extra indicator window so that the number
is checked before actual use, there being no visual indication
at the pushes the1:.1selves in that type).
7. :MEI-WRY ACTION
The
memory controls consist of an indicator window
displaying numbers against either
Under this is a sprung centre switch. Pushed down this takes
the number
off the numerical selectors (if alight), records the
stage picture against it and puts it in the window against an
a black or runber ground.
amber ground
indicating that it has been so used.
If however that memory number is already occupied
with
a recorded picture the number appears against a black
ground and an audible warning is sounded to give the operator
a chance to have second thoughts. Pushing the switch down a
second time
removes the inhibition, recording takes place and
the amber background appears. Pushing the switch up inches
the number in the window up
one at a time but always with a
black ground ( a process known as Next-ing ). When pulled
down at any time it records subject only to the inhibitory
action
any
as before. Use of the switc h to record without selecting
new number and in consequence the amber b~ckground is already
pres~nt will both reraove this to leave that nUL1ber against a
blackg-ounci.
and sound the warning.
The RECORD switch puts into the instant memory system
the
cocplete lighting picture as present on the stage at the time.
If there is no light then it will
i •
e • the memory set to zeros. J.. mer.uory with zeros throughout
is of course considered
tifree
II
be raraembered as no light
and sounds no warning.
-8-
The GRE:SN and the RED ?:WAYBACJ{ syst.enu;; _ have a record
push under their
because this is its cor.mwner use. tJhen pressed it records the
contribution of that master s.1ste r.1 only to t h e stage. Any
attenuation because the NEv-J master l-1as not been brought to full
will be recorded as attenuated.
is on or
thus makins it possible to set u .. :, ,,~ernories without disturbing
the
stage.
re-recording whet h er it has a coloured background or not. If
however
will be
the playback window.
showing that t h e p a rticular 11.UL-'lber h a~ not necessarily bean
recalled as li ehting in fact. Indicatio n t ·~at recording h as
taken pl a ce when using these in d ividual
off is however ignored bot n by RECO~D a nd RE-RECO RD
The nui:.1ber in the playback window will be used when
a number is dioplayed on t h e nu merical selectors, this
taken over for recording instead and that m.m;.ber put in
..rindows, which is referred to as RE-RECORD
Whether t h e B~~C~~ur control
Eowever the background will be black
playback re-record
faci!ities is g iven by a n amber light appearing in t h e push
itself.
that actually used to reccrd or re-record the amber light is
extinguished.
word giving an accuracy of 1~%. The playback controls will act
linearly and are continuously progressive.
will be provided to prevent unaut h orised recording.
clearins
rather
equi pment is for t h e
time using NEZT
need to
irrit a ting w:,en manually recording to have to k eep disrege~rding
the warning ble ep - one mi5 ht come to disregard it once too often.
T!Jhen au ·::omc.tic ta p e cus.sette re-progra r..·n:dng is used no such
As soon as t h e nu mber in the win dow is changed fror.1
The levels of the channels will be recorded
A keyswitc h lock
switch can be provided if desired but t h is could be
dangerous. An altern ative not :requiring any special
oper a tor to record zeros one memory at a
- a rather usefully deliberate action. The
cle ar memories to nothing is debatable; it could be
us a 6-bit
A ceraory
problem
exists.
8. P Li'.~YBl, CK CCNT:..--10 LS
Either the Gre en or t h e Red playback syste m can be
used in exactly the
colour
of t h e displ ay at the ch annel rockers and elsewhere.
sa r,1e ,,ray, the only difference being in the
-9-
Each playb a ck system has a numerical display window
and
it (i.e.
regulators to get t h e ti ming ri gh t. hn action decision is made
and t h en the te mpo is varie d to provide the va mpe d element of
a cue - to tie in with t h e
a set of controls. Associated with each is a store referred
to as the
st a te
auto ma tic a lly p ar k e d as
this store co mple tely. The computer alone decides when to use
to fulfil the particular oper a tional instruction given it.
11
actions n so that t r..e operator t h en only rides t h e SrEED
stage.
of lighting at the ti me of initiating a new cue is
NEW. There is in fact another store in which the
a holding action. The operator ignores
11hen to h old channe l s in t h ere or remove them) in order
The Playback controls provide sustained f unctions or
hunmn goings on to be seen on t he
The action push
NEXT Memory Number ( ..4.DDitional)
NEXT
11 11
but ~ons to eac h p laybac k system are:-
(Substitute)
J
CROSSFADE (subject to b oth Ra ise
RAI SE (subject to Raise speed)
DIM (subject to Dim speed)
REVi:!:RSE (return to "as you were" for all above)
INSTANTAHEOUS (tempor arily cuts out both raise and dim
an d Dim speeds)
speeds)
--:R03SFADE· has a positive rel a tion to a memory. It will, unless
interru p te d
proportionately to
no ch anse is rec orded and re move all others.
but in the case of channels which are already in use it will be
the higher lev 'el which will
already at higher levels there will be no cha nge. h ovement to
higher levels is proportional not sequenti a l, i.e. in t h e case
of a cue in which chann el 'X' is to increase from Oto 50% and
ch annel
a t an intermediate position, ta k e cha nn el dimmers
t l1ei r recorded levels, ho ld those for ~rl~ich
RAISE will bring in cha nnels to t heir recorded levels
t ake precedence. Where c hann e ls are
I
Y' fror.1 70% to 80% both actions begin a t the sm:1e time
but of course
arrive at its desti nat ion at an earlier ti me.
cue
be required, the Red and Green .:?l nyb e.clc syste r.1s are used together.
of t h e type co t:L.only ca rried out on ortho dox prese t controls
In the case of
ch ange before ch an ne l 'Y'.
'X' will c~ange a t a f ast er r a te t ha n 'Y' but not
Shou ld a pile
t he ab ove use e xam:;:.)le, ch anne l 'X I would t h en
-10-
Use
matically
the
tJumerical Selector and the computer decides what to do with
the information in order to carry out that instruction.
ree.ds the memory using the number in the window or at
of the CROCSFADE, RAISE or DIM push buttons auto-
on ;; has to use the memory in a different way it
discards the posi
at the time
(parked) until such time as an operation a l instruction to the
c.omputer requires use
of starting a new cue is automatically stored
9. OPERATION OF CUES The process of operating lighting cues
as distinct
This
buttons. Either
push takes that number or the push is used on its own to inch
up numbers one
has to be put in the playback windo, ,r by using the N~ZT push
from composing them, begins by selectin
tion c.l information and u~:;es it only to identify
In all cases the
of it.
the Numeric a l Selectors are used and the NEXT
at a time until the nu mber requirea. nppeurs. In
existing stage lighting state
a number.
6
either
of it will not interrupt the progress of the previous cue on
that m:?Lster.
used
taken
is used when the memor.y number is to be added to others. In
this
together (highest levels in any common channels taking precedence)
before
push lir;hts up intern a lly and rem a ins il i uminnted until the NE}Ci'
push
the
on~
NEXT does not. To obtain a preview of the contents of memories,
whether solo or added, and then modify eier ,; the 3-way Display
case the number will have a black ground. a n d the selection
Two ·NEXT pushes are provided, the left hcnd one is
when a memory nm,ibar is to be substituted i.e. is to be
solo a~d operated exactly ns described. The rig h t hand
case the contents of a number of memories can be added ·
a cue is initiated. ')lhere t:1.is is done the ADD NEXT
pressed to
is
last
and R~VE :{SE controls
nu mber added.
obtcin
memory solo;
a
J\DD NE:X:T
also their
t: , e
wi:nC:.ow
trips the
sign indicator, whereas
CctOSSF J.DE, RJ.ISZ,
will show
mode switch is used.
The memory
reG_uired action push is pressed; this lights internally and in
addition lights
nnd DIM as ap p ropriate.
memory number.
the
there
if J.DD NEXT had be ...:n used to add memories). Completion
the indicator sign to show CROSS.? 1-;;yz Ri-.ISE
number or numbers once selected the
It also puts a green background behind
(N.B. the green background will already be
-11-
of the action extinguishes t he lig h t in the
Indicator sign and also
nmnber, A new number remove s the l a tter and use of another action
push changes t h e sign. The rate of ch a nge is sh own on a dial
just above the speed control. For RAISE a nd CR
re a ds from Oto 10 but
1
] the pus h
REVE~ SE in e a ch of t h e above t h ree actions i n itiates a return
to t he condition be f ore
follows t h ere fo re
push h as bee n use d c an do n ot hin g wha tever. Because t i:;is is so
green b ac k groun d in t h e window.
been
t h e
not)
up itself until t h e reve r se
put t here by any one of the t:nree a cti on pushes, whet h er
a ction its e lf is co mplete or not (or still in ~rogres s or
t he REVERSE push will extinguis h the a ction push and light
push but leaves the
the green ba ckground to the memory
SSFADE t h a dial
f or DI M t h e needle runs from 10 to O.
the p articul nr p us h wa s pr e sse d . It
t "!.1at pressing t h e - EVEH.SE p us h before an action
will neit her li 1.:,h t up wh en touched nor will it put a
Once t h e gre en ba ck ground has
is cp mplet e d.
The e f fect of' i{EVERSE in the ca se of C~-WSSF J.DE, RJ.ISE
]
l
and DIM is t o return t he st a ge l i ght in g to exactly the state
before
nu mbe r wi n d ow t h e REVERSE pus h will be abl e to t ak e e f fect.
This
conse quence
the n ame of t h e l a st c ctio n will b e, a s a re minder to t h e
oper a tor as to
exting u is h es t h e light in the
of a different action will a lter t h e sig n in dic a tor. h reverse
actio n li k e any ot h er
control ( q .v.) but a s a n op er a ti onc ,l p recaution t h e s pee d w:i:1en
in full to p position is one sec. n ot i n st a ntaneous. Thus
obviatin g t h e
di mLin,g cue into a s witching one. Use of t h e I NSTANT push will
provi d e an i n s t antaneous switc hi ng
t he p articular push wa s presse d .
So · l ong as a gree n b ack ground ap ~ ea r s i n t he memory
will of te n b e in res p ect of a juzt comp leted a ction an d in
n o a cti on pus h is a li ght but the si gn in dic a tor with
what it we s . Completio n of t h e revers a l
REVERSE pus h but only initiation
ca n be i nterrupte d or sto pp ed..
All a ctio n s e xce p t Cuts a re i n f lu ence d by t he S~E ED
ris l;: of t he op er a tor run .. "'1.ing ina dvertently from a
vrt~en re ~uired, see Switchin g
Cut. As to wha t ch annels switc h i n to a n i n crease d and wha t
and
to a decrease d lev el or to out will be entirely governed by the
lig h tin g effect recorded on t he memory used.
10. SPEED REGULATION
-12-
Since we are dealing
anything is possible in
ergonomic. The
the operator particularly so that he can carry out
important riding
of a cue with the action on the stage. The more complicated the
arrangements the less li k ely he will be to
Outside opera very slow
worth. It
one
perforcic.nce with another whether a change of 20 minutes is
really
time
half
of
slowness
right the lever has to be set with fiendish accur&cy each
division representing, as it does, one minute!
speed for normal dimming changes and to these an adjustable
is very difficult to gather from rehearsal or indeed
going to play 18 or 22. Further to get even the theoretical
Concentration should be on obtaining the ideal sc~le
factor c an be added by push button. As a basis for
problem is to provide something convenient for
of the speed in order to align the completion
ranse, the difficulties are purely
changes are more bother than they are
with electronic timing devices
t~e a ll-
bring that off.
l
discussion it
standard Rank Strand quadrant lever should each represent roughly
half as
1 sec end the bottom 60 sees. The SLOW push when engaged would
multiply the duration by a factor
and the bottom 10 minutes.
so that the factor can be altered when necessary. Since the
control is dealing with speed
master
advantages
be then 21
sec and
(instantaneous) for the
so
that all risk of riding from a speed condition to a switching
one is
much again as its predecessor. Thus at the top we get
a series of decisive notches on the regul a tor may have
60 sees. It is proposed to reserve the fast~st speed
obviated. One sec has sufficient lag cushion effect still
is suggested that the eleven full divisions of a
of ten. Thus the top is 10 sees
A single control could be sited in a secondary area
of; not travel position of, the
over a continuously variable regul a tor. There would
contacts i.e. nineteen intermediate steps between 1
various CUT pushes, BLACKOUT and TO? SET
J
J
J
to be able to call it
There will be a twin linear lever to each playback.
Where there are t ,·ro playb a cks the second pair will be mounted
adjacent to the other . so t ~ at all four can be regulated together
by one
channels which are
decreasing. Thus
hand if necessary. The right hand of e a ch pair concerns
CROSSFADE concerns both speeds at once but
dim Lling.
increasi~~ in intensity, the left hand those
-13-;-
RAISE only the right hand lever and DIM the left hand, The
ma ster panel layout leaves a certain amount of extra space in the
speed area so
fader to be adopted .
is speed re gulation and not positional .regulation and in conse quence
fader
every little jerk and
lighting
11. S~ITCHING AND CUT
to
alon s side at the s ame time. This overrides the sp eed which
then ·immediately reverts to normal when released.
be used to ~ile switc ~ing cues on the Green playback without
interrupting
whether of the sin.-::;le or double playbacl-1: type there is only one
cut
performance is far l~ss critical.
whereas in this case it is not.
The three push es CROSSF~~E, RAISE and DIM c an be made
oper a te as switching :functions by p ressing the INSTt..NT push
In addition there is an
stor~. For ~el evision t here are always two playbacks and
that there is freedom of choice in the type of
It should be remembered
In positional regulation
uncert ~inty is directly conveyed to the
auxilary cut store whidl can
long dur a tion ch a nges . In theatre installations
hm --rever U1at this
J
two cut stores.
For the Cut store there
CUT-OUT and they obtc.-.in their memory nu.Taber direct from the
CUE SELECTOR. The CUT-IN lights u p it self , switches on the
channe
ag ainst a
already going on is not interrupted e..nd both that mmiber and the
display of its content (for individual rocker
necessary) ,,Jill appear if' the Displ ay r.10de switch. i.s held down .
operating
of RAISE) . Memor ies c an be switched-out either by selectin g
a specific number
which case just the con tent of that parti cu lar r.1emory will be
tripped or by simply pressing t h e CUT-OU'I' vri thout selection
whereu p on the enti::te content of th.e
In the first c ase the light .. in the CUT-IN push will not be
1 s to the l eve 1 of the ~.elilory and pu :..: s t:he nm:~be r
red ground in the Green window . The green function
Further me~ories can be switched-in by selecting anci
CUT-IN. (The effe ct bein~ similar to co ntinued use
i'or the i::;urpose and pressin~ the CUT-OUT in
are two ~us h es CUT-IN and
wodification if
Cut store will be trip i;,cd.
extinguished
window
CUT-OUT is used. Thus to Cut-In c:nd Cut-Out a single memory
it is only ~ecessary to select a nu:.1ber for the first purpose
and subse quently trip it by
will revert to its no r mal action Green number whenever
until the store is co mpletely clear. However the
pressing CUT-OUT. Hol<.rever a whole
-14- -
series of switching cues can be put in one by -one and taken out
specific e,lly by selecting their nwnbers wh ile the act ·ors leap
unpredictably
froc1 11prop
11
fitting to 11prop
11
fitting trying to
catch out
the operator at the control.
In t h is
ki'nd -of situation
the :nemories .-rould be given nu mbers in the units colUEn only and
only one selector push would then ne 8d to be pressed in each
case since t h e computer would put in the zeros for the tens and
hundreds.
as
flashin
controls
(In television, provisi on for autom a tic effects such
signs, if reCj_uired, would be added to t h e
0
of the Cut-stores.)
As an exa mple of t h is special operation a Crossfade
to
give a sunset to ta ~;:e 5 rains is in progress with cue 10 in
the window
selected, t h e CUT-IN is pressed, the
stage a n d the nllr.lber 11 a ~'):!_Jears a6ainst a red ground in the
the
window. The
action on the
by
the li.t:;ht in the caoSSF. ::.DE :push and t he di a l move ,dent.
against a gre e n ground. The Cut nw ;-;ber ( 11) is
lig a ting switches in on
cross :C'ade continues undisturbed wit h out any further
part of the op erator.
Its progress is still shown
The nur:.ber of t h e cro :ssf a de r;iemory ( 10) has been lost
fro m the window but t h is can be recovered te ~porarily as a
reminder 'by usin s t}ie Displ ay mode switch to exa :.:;ine the New
store.
a n umber, in
If the CROSSFADE push is touched while still alight when
t h is case 11, is appearing again s t a red ground in
t h e green wi ndm ·r :the pus h being reversible will go out arid the
crossfade stop. Touch it
i.e. memory
10 since Ci.i.OSSF ADE, RJcISE and Dl r'i will ignore any
ag a in and it will continue as before
nu mber with a red ground in the p l a yback window. The nm nber
belonging to the Cut will re1 :1ain with its red ground until a
new nu mber is s e lected
switched out by
using the CUT-OUT push, further Cut cue nuffibers
a:r.,d Cut- I n. Th e Cut with cue 11 can be
selected and Cut-In or Out wit ~o ut disturbing the progress of
cue 10.
The above arrange ment assu ~ es t ha t a Cut differs
from
aaise or Dim in the fact t ha t is li k ely to be piled with
a sust a ined slow cue. Heither the Cut nor the continued action
in progress interfere with each other but a change to
a totally
different cue on that play ba ck, re p resented by a~ ·green
b ackground
nur.;ber, can and indeed must. It would be a bad t hing
for a Cut of any k ind to be left stranded hi gh and dry unaffected
any general sta0e crossfades and f'adeouts which might follow.
by
-15-
Therefore as soon as a new cue number is set in action
(Raise
Dim or Crossfade) and a green background a~pears the
1
content of the Cut store is parked and becomes an integral part
of the stage lighting picture which will
the cue change or changes
this trip action deliberately the
manually
while using other &ction ~- ushes.
as memo rised that follow. To prevent
CUT-IN p ush must be held down
be affected or not by
Red Cut-in levels are piled with t h e levels of the
normal Green
channels which
chang e in progress highest taking e f:fect. Thus
are co L~,on to both a lighting fittings cue and
a dawn will continue to grow as they would in nature until the
daylight
cue by
prop. lighting
overt ak es the a rtificial light. Revers a l of the Cut-In
touc h ins t h e CUT-OUT pus h may by that time only have the
fitting itself to kill.
On
t wo p l ~y ba ck systems the Green and Red ~la yb&cks
can be used si r.ml tnneously. The dawn t aking place on t h e one
and the Cuts on
the other. This will still ensure the appropriate
l_
swamping action in respect of those
to both the
possible to
both the Green
regulators set to
cues could be
virtuosity is
nwitching cues an d the dawn cues. It is of course
im ag ine a serie.s of di r:w er chn nges going on using
pl2.yback and the Red plc.--.yback with all f' our
different s pe eds.
su~eri np osed using t he Cut store but such
c_ f a r cry from h,a esse1-:tial sirnpiici ty of the
ch o.nnels which are common
On top of this switc h ing
di.:.11.1er memory system.
12. SECOND PLhYBhCK
This is brought in by tu ~ning the rotary mode switch
:to
Red. The c h2.nn-:i l rockers t h en oper a te the d.imr:1ers through a
red store and the result is displayed as a red l~mp at the bottom
of the rocker. No light, half
green. While in the
rockers will
read the position on the Dial in respect of that
Red mode the pushes in the centre of the
store.
light, an<l full li&ht as with the
It is of course possible at
any time, whether the rotary
mode switch in used or not to initiate a Red playback action
by simply using its controls instead of those of
playback. The
to speak
at the channel dimmers at one end and at the chan..YJ.el
two playbacks are quite s~parate and only meet so
the · normal Green
-16-
rockers at the other: both of which they share• In television,
l
J
Green controlled
be in co mmon p 1ay - part
theatre.
studio will mainly represent separ a te areas viewed by separate
cameras -
stages
Because they
pl ayback will be co mpl ete in a television version of system DDM.
is viewed by tho a udience at the sar.1e time and the runount of
inde pend ence nll01 ·.red to one pla ybac k from anothe r has ·to be
care fully considered and
demand
critical
switchboards
firstly the recording of memories in advan c e under cover of' he
In television Green
er theatres alm ost - and conn'i1on lights wil l be rare.
are likely to be uned quite independently - each
In theatre
an unnecessary amount of operator virtuosity at times of
action . He sho ul d not find himself pla ying two
at once!
There
and Red controlled channels are less likely to
of the same effect - than in the
and Red playback areas of the
t he co:ncern is with one stage, all of which
restr~cted otherwise it can set traps and
nre two obvi ous uses of the Red playbac k :-
Red Blackout while lighting is h eld on th e stage from the Green
p layback ; secondly the independent playing of two action &reas
in the theatre, r a t her like television pra ctice but of course in
this case fue audience sees both at once. This could be done on
one playba c k only , by adroit calling Ui_::> of memory nurnbers
especially as any p rocess C<Olll be interrupted by , or c ombined with ,
other when the appropriate action controls and/or memory add
any
are used.
However it
quite separc::.tely for a time anyway - after all t hey are there.
To get
only
and CROS.SFi. :JE on the Red playback. This will remove all Red
contribution but
Green change would depend on the nature
from this into normnl single playback conditi on it will
be nece .s.sa ry to press
When one blackout
may be convenient to use the two p laybacks
11011
in the unit.s colu mn of CUE SELECT
whether this is done before, after or during a
of the lighting cue.
11
pu~h is
11
on
(i.e. showing white
warning light wit h no-light from that source on the stage) the
channel rockers
read hat one _;_::iL::yback only. Thus combinati ons of . lightin_s c an
be preset
affectin.s t he stage lighting . Under other circ umstan ces, including
when both
using TOP-SET, for example, and put on memories without
blackouts are
if so indice. ted by the mode s,·ri tch modify or
11on11
the ch o.nnel rockers will affe ct both
-17-
playbacks so that lighting on the sta ge is bound to be modified
thereby.
This means that t he operator requiring to modify a
particular ch ann el on stage does not have to concern himself
J
I
1
whether
display. Pressure
bottom decrease it. The system
account that t he green contribution and red contribution may
not match . a t the ti me . For example t he green mig h t be at 70%
and the Red at 15%. When two pla yb a ck s are in use at t he sa me
time the result is piled so it is a c a se of 11hi gh est
and operation fro~ t h is latter level will be immediate and the
two levels will
thereafter both act effectively as one.
a ph otograph showing suggested mast er panel layout and ano t he r
of a channel wing layout. The latter show s a p ro posal for 120
ch ann els and assumes th a t it will be mounted on the left of the
r.:1aster panel or !!ear vertic a l as e. wing unit; in which c a se
a roc ker is showing a green, or red, or green and red
at the top will increase light nnd a t th e
ha s automatically to take into
11
automatically be lined up on t h is value and
ERGONOI,IIC LAYOUT ( Se e photographs)
J..ccompanying this description of the DDM controls is
namely 70%
J
]
]
double
very
be two wing units (one either side of t h e master panel)
dial panel
the number of controls dovm and arrange the m so ih at they convey
t hei r function and rel a tions
There are four distinct function al areas. The first is the ~emory
at
then the Red
height of the pa nel. Bottom left is the numeric a l selector area
cominon to the other t hree.
windo ws remindin g the
memory system no r:1atte r how much v amp ing and ad-libbing ti1.e show
may re quire ·. t the tin :e . To the left at the top is t he memory
recording
·th e number o:f cha nnels could e a sily be ·accomodated. In
large inst al lations or where it is preferred, there could
and the
p &rt would be r ep eate d on e &ch but opposite handed.
The
the top left, fo llo wed to its rig h t by t he Green F l ayb acl: and
mas ter panel shown in the ph otograp h aims to keep
.. ip with t he minimu m labelling.
?la yb a ck both of which occupy t h e entire vertical
Alo ng the top are the all-important numeric e.l displ ay
opera tor that he is in fact dealing with a
number w·i th the Next/He cord centre sprung s witch below.
Below hat are t he lw :1inous numerical selector pushes for starting
or bre a}ring memory number sequence anywh -are on the controi.
-18-
This area would be occupied by the alternative
eleven
be an extra indicator window to all ow the oper a tor to confirm
th at
push call-up system if preferred, in which case there will
he has selected the right number before he a ctually makes
use of it. This would be smaller than the ot he rs to avoid
confusion. The system sho~m in the photograph is self confirming
since t h e
push buttons us ed to select the nw:1;:,ers li gh t u -) when
presse d . The number displayed in this manne r c a n be c an celled if
not required by pres s ing t he bl ::,c k:
11011
push alongside.
Immediately under the numerical displ a y windows to
the playba c k s
are th re e useful pushes which nevertheless are
capable of making a nuisan ~e of the mselves if a c c ident all y
touc hed . They are therefore kep t up there well out of the way.
Ri~CO::lD ( Amber lur..1inous) is on t he left.
(Reversible
rig h t is
wipe
p l 2.yb ac k cle a~ but not the memory store.)
and lm::1inous to wa rn when it is in use).
CJ.lJC;~L ( 110
11
on black non-luminous aI1d non -reversible to
In
the centre is BLACKOUT
On the
Below this c omes t he sign indicator to repeat t he
action in iti a ted on the
group of action pu sh buttons directly
below.
The top two
of these are concerned ·with obtaining the
Next memory nm:1ber either solo by r.iea:ns of t he black push o:c
additionc::.l by the coloured push. Once Dore ihan one memory is called
up at t he same time this latter lights internal l y. Unless there
a number sho't'm on t he "cue select" push buttons the nm:1ber
is
cal l ed will be the next afte r t ha t already in the window. Any
amount of
11
ne x ting
11
c an be carried out before using a nui:1ber.
This number ap:r-,ears in the windo w above.
To
use t he con tent filed under a r..1emory number a
decision
them
The two pushes
side
alongside
must be mad e to RhISE t h e ch an nels co mpr ising it, to Raise
and Dim t he r ema inder (i.e. CROSSF ADE), or only to DI L them.
c on cern.a ~ with a mi sing a c-tion are pla ced side by
and the DII : push below. The push to REVERSE c:.ny acticn is
·;: h"'"t.
Al l a cti on pushes are
11
on-off
11
or "oi'f-on" each
ti me t h ey are touched and in conse quence the s&me push c an be used
1
to start
it is active
by a repeater ~ign.
an actbn c,S to stop it, the int e rn al lamp shm ,ring whether
at ·:the time. Continuity of' indic &tion is provided
-19-
These actions ca n be turned into ~,itching ones by holding
J
down the black
the dimming speed can be regulated by the linear levers. These
are grouped together so
can
be operated together by one hand. The pair of levers enables
a different speed to be chos~n for the increasing and decreasing
ch &nnels, for e:::~m~1ple, of the crossfade. These levers are
positioned
on them
Both the levers and
operator without the need t o loo l: down at the m. Over the speed
levers
change
ch ange on e a c h :;;ilayback. The
the pl ayback i.e. green or red.
of
number displ a y window constitute vit a l information which needs to
be taken in at
c an activate one of the action pushes involuntctt"i1y.
are the "X" pushes to multiply the dur E.tion of' a lighting
while 2.b0ve ihem is a dial to show the progress of a
The pla yback dial, t he sign indic a tor an d the memory
INST..t..NT push iumediately adjacent. Alternatively
that all four (a pair to each playback)
clear so that none of the fingers of the hand resting
the action p ushes are intended for use by the
11X11
pushes light up in the colour
a glance. To en sure this they are p ositioned on
]1
t he top hnlf of the pa nel well clear of obstruction by the
operator's hands and ar ms in most of the actions he regul a rly
undertakes.
The
a mplest a nd com monest of t he se will concern the
NEXT and CROSSFJ:..DE to obtain progressively t he next memory &nd
then substitute its lig h ting effect Sr that already in use. To
facilitate th is the two pushes are pl a ced toget h er, one i m;.:.;ediately
over
producti on
spe e d regulator), although it has in f e.ct a plot of many cues.
~wo extr a
one side towards t h e CUE
obviously influenced by th e Gre.)n Playback window. This is because
they do not obtain their memory
pushes/fro m the CUE SELECT
cues can always be performed by using RAISE, CB.OS SF ADE or DI:r-·~ along
tie ot he r an d ~ay well be t h e only two used in an entire
(subject only to the occ a sional a lteration of the
The
push buttons CUT-IN and CUT-OUT. These are p laced to
but
Green playback (both p layb ucks in a TV oodel) has
SZLECT pushes though still. below and
nu r,ibers frm :1 the NEXT and ADD NEXT
numerical pushes only. Cut or S-;·ri tching
with the INSTANT (Speed) push an d will in general be better done
that
indic ~ted
The specific Cut pushes
wa y. The connection beb ·re c n INSTJ;J .JT and swi tc .hin g is also
by placing its push in vertical line with the CUT pushes.
are intended as an auxiliary when it is
-20-
convenient to Oi_)erc:te a number of switching cues at any time
within a suste.ined cue. Tha splitting up inta, and recordin g
for separate CE",ll-up of, a nmnber of r.1e,~;or ies representing
J
]
several
accessory within~ pla yb a ck is eraph~sised by the sharins of the
green display window z.n d not p r ovidin g a sign indic a tor, Thus
many
That these a rc haj,_j"";eninr; is Dho-,v11 both by tho CUT push and the
unusual red. bt , cl~ground in t he Green wind ow but as soon as a
ne1;.r nur,1ber ap ~Jears in the window with .:i green
operator receives an in<lic~tion t ha t t he pla yback h2s reverted to
normal,
combin a tional v ~riations c~n be avoided. Th at it is an
s·:Ti tching cues may be pe rfor r.1eci during a slow change,
round ilen
6
the
AUTO HCD
Th is is r a t : .. er a luxury :for t h eatres but in the case
of
TV however i·t is e saenti al . Certain ro~ue channels (i.e. l r..e1p
out of position or wrong l aQp plugged up) have to be ~nrked so
th a t -.whenever a r.1e;;;ory inclu des c:-.n.y of the .. 1 they go to the level
of the J.uto mod instead of th e one r ~ corded - in the tneatre this
lik~ly t o "be ;r.ero but in 7V cou ld be nn y level, i-::.roce clurc will
is
be: - set
c:C.!.annel to re quired new level using TO? SET whereupon el::,ber lamp
in push li.::;hts u p to show the usual unrecorded - mod condition.
Once the rot a ry
conditi on is l ,:.,cked 2.nd ooth the r;10dification .and. the indicEction
of it will appea r every tima a mem ory brings in that particular
channel, It can only be unlocked by re moving the mod or re-
recording
position.
(see separate sheet)
rotary mo d e s t·ri tch in extre me clockwi. se po sition, Set
mode s wit c h is mov ed off t his position the
when t }ie Mode switch is put again in the Auto mod
sm ,J.·:J3Y c~ DDM CONTROLS
SUMMARY OF DDM CONTROLS AUGUST 28th 1970
J
]
Square
where otherwise stated.
GREEN PLAYBACK Numerical indicator to show Black or Green background with
Red for Cut cue numbers. Items grouped as below:
ADD NEXT
NEXT
(Repeat use of NEXT inches-on to skip numbers; ADD NEXT adds memory and
lights up when two or more are added. Highest content will be effective.)
CROSSFAIE
.RAISE
DIM
REVERSE
(All subject to speed control. Lights in pushes reversible to stop also
tripped at completion or by another push. Movement shown on dial.
will not latch unless green ground is present. Sign repeater to each green
push only tripped by use of another.)
SPEED RAISE twin lever
II DIM
luminous Pushes reversible on-off and off-on to start and stop except
White
Black
Green
"
"
"
Number next-ed and added on green ground.
"
Memory
"
levels
" "
"
As-you-were
Range from 1
chanr.els
" substi lttedon black " •
substituted:
add highest:
to out:
sac . to 1 min. nonnal.
green
"
"
II II
ground
"
II
REVERSE
J
J
INSTANT· black
(X factor switch-in by green
adjustable, say 5X to
G.
CUT-IN
CUT-OUT "
(CUT-IN is non-reversible. Red ground, number and all content tripped by·
CUT-OUT unless restrictod by calling specific number. CUT-IN push luminous
but not CUT-OUT. CUT-IN and content also tripped by any green push unless
manually held. Cue select for Cuts from numerical pushes only.)
BLACKOUT Green Reversible mainly used to set memories
CANCEL (
RED PLAYBACK Exact repeat of the above but for Green substitute Red. The
controls of the one system do not interfere with the other except that memory
content is shared. There is no special Cut store or controls on the Red Playback
(Unless it is a television installation.)
11011
Re
)
Black Non-reversible; clears all except memory, and number.
20X7 for all four as a whole i.e. Red playback as well.)
Instantaneous speed while held
:ceversi ble push over each lever. Factor
Memory levels instantly add highest: red ground
II
...
"
II
"
tripped: green
]
J
J
l
RECORD SYSTEM
CUE SELECT White Number range as required
(Numerical selection right to left automatically adds
takes precedence anywhere but is tripped on adoption.
series or break sequence
~xcept in Cut.)
zeros. The memory number
Used only to start a
1
IJ
Record
NEXT
RECORD
(Records the
Re-RECORD
(Records contribution to stage of either Playback, ignores
Channel System
"Raise "
"Lower"
"Stop "
' (Channel modification affects lighting on stage_ but can be restricted by
mode switches below. Half light indication for levels other than full or
off . Modification lights amber while
to original position removes this.)
"Dial"
TOP SET
SPEED
CUT
STAGE
NEW
Indicator
Black or Amber background to number
Push up for ne xt , down to Record. Audible warning
Sprung
switch
lighting
Amber
pushes
Rocke.r Green lamp in top, Red in bottom, Amber push
twin lever
Mode switch
picture on stage but unaffected by Blackout.)
-
if number engaged (removes amber background if
already there). Second attempt overrides and
gives amber ground.
Light after recording; trip when number put in
window. Will not record when black ground present.
BLACKOUT).
relevant~ Re-recording or return
Monitors channel
rocker centre push.
Range from
brings in TOP SET.
Displays on-stage content in rockers. Pushed up
displays content of Cut store at Rockers and
number on red ground. Pushed down does same for
New Store but green number.
3'.) sees.
d{mmers. Also indicates from
to instantaneous which latter
Sig n repeater ,under dial.
]
]
]
GREEN/RED/
AUTO MOD
Mode switch
Anti-clockwise (normal) gives Green Playback then
red. Clockwise gives Flash/Auto-Mod.
Loading...