Now that I have some experience in lighting design, I would like to share what I’ve learned about running lights live. I am starting to explore possible pathways and technologies that I could possess for larger events.
Stage lighting is the practice of creating stunning visual displays and effects to engage audiences and set the mood and tone of a live experience. I spent the last couple of years doing all the programming for a show that took place at the FitzFest music festival on May 20th, 2023. It’s fun and a lot of work. I designed and created a bunch of scenes and chases that are saved and played back.
Setting up stage lighting is not as easy as you may think. When I started setting up lighting fixtures, I first looked over the user manuals and read the instructions carefully before I hung them around the room. I had to make sure I got the correct DMX cables to plug in the fixtures so that the DMX input is working properly. Stage lights can be mounted directly on a DJ truss or simple light stand depending on the amount of space it takes in a specific location. I have a 15-foot-long aluminum truss on the back and two T-Bar stands on the front of stage that fit the number of lights I have in the setup.
I use a DMX-512 console called the OBay 70 controller which allows me to map the scenes with multiple channels (color, brightness, strobe, sensitivity). It is MIDI-competible and easy to use with my foot piano. This type of equipment has helped me be able to know which scenes to select and what key it is on. Since I cannot operate the console itself with my weak fingers, I’m lucky enough to do it independently with the MIDI pedals and rely on assistance to turn the power on and off.
Each scene is divided into separate fixture groups that come together at the same time. For instance, I have several par cans, 12 moving head lights (both spot and wash), and the Chaucer DJ Mini Kinta and Swarm 5. Some of them are from ADJ and other companies like SHEHDS and U’King. I also use a fog machine that releases fog into the air to make light beams more visible."Stage lighting is the practice of creating stunning visual displays and effects to engage audiences and set the mood and tone of a live experience."
Common effects in Stage lighting include flashing, color changing, and side movements. If they are sound activated they have the capacity to sync the music as long as the audio gets picked up. When they are not synchronized automatically through DMX I am capable of operating the light show manually with MIDI so that they are considered sound-active.
Alex demonstrating Apache Rose Peacock Midi Pedals
I attend many professional live concerts and local gigs with lots of lights run by a licensed technician that operates the system from the backstage to provide a wide variety of advanced audio/visual effects. I would be interested in learning more about the role of a licensed lighting technician and how they can be designed/set up for event productions. When I did the research on concert lighting, I got a long list of top production companies that provide audio and visual equipment for events like this. One of these that inspired me is the All Stage & Sound Company that offers a wide range of services from mobile stages and dance floors. The YouTube videos that show how the job is done were useful to me as well. My favorite was the one featuring Mark Cunniffe who was chosen to light Ed Sheeran’s latest concert tour. Studying this type of stage lighting inspires me and makes me hopeful there may be similar opportunities available for me someday. For now, I am considered a “hobby technician” because I just do it for enjoyment while listening to music and participating in jam sessions. The next steps I will take on my stage lighting journey are going to be more structured. I’m even hoping to purchase more lighting equipment and continue the programming that will give me more options for a bigger show.
