Barney

Thanks Tim, tat's what I suspected. Just to close this one out, Thomann have got back to me and advised that unfortunately there isn't a list of programmes, and also no option to overlay scenes. Cheers, Barney

Hi all, I have the opportunity to use some Stairville LED Pixel Rail mkII and associated controllers on an upcoming production. They potentially use a fair few universes of control if run in full mode, therefore I'm trying to see whether the in-built effect programmes are (a) any good and (b) can be overlaid. There are two programme channels when the unit is run in 10-channel mode, but it's not clear whether these are exclusive, or if two effects can be run simultaneously. Similarly, I'm wondering if an effect be run and the background colour set to blue, for example. I've had a look through the manuals, but there is no description of the effect types or whether the above is possible, that I can see. I'm trying to borrow a controller and bar to have a play, but this may not materialise before I need to commit to using them on the show. It seems like a quite a neat solution, as the bars themselves only require an RJ45 cable between them (up to 4 per controller output), to distribute power & data. Does anyone have any experience of these units, and can comment on the above queries? Namely, in simple control mode, is there a list of effects - and can these be overlaid with each other or on top of an R/G/B base? Links to product below, for info: Pixel Rail Pixel Drive I'm hoping somebody may have used these and can advise! Many thanks, Barney

I believe, in my current investigations into lectern mics, that the v11 model has 'RFi shielding technology to prevent interference noise from mobile phones' 🙂

Hi all, Been a while since I've been in the live sound field, but I recall we used to use the AKG C747 mic on lecterns and top tables many years ago. In my day job now, we have occasional need for a lectern that could do with a fixed mic - think small office presentations etc. We have a couple of radio mics anyway, but my question is - is there an equivalent type of lectern mic to the C747 that is a bit more budget friendly? It won't be used often enough to go to the full AKG level. We'll probably need two, either side of the lectern, due to the use of laptops that could mask a central mic position. If I remember, the C747 was phantom-powered. A cheaper alternative that utilises an AAA or AA battery would be acceptable in this instance, especially as the existing PA system does not have a 12-48V power option. We could add a discrete power injector I suppose, but still... Many thanks in advance! Barney

Thanks Kerry, Useful info. Brand recognition not too much of an issue in this case, so the only real compromise is with audio! Barney

Hi all, I used to use the AKG C747 condenser microphone when doing events, usually two on a lectern or several across a top table etc. Happy with the performance and never had any issues with them. I now have a client who is interested in a similar setup, however they only do presentations a few times per year, for internal events, and are looking for a more cost effective solution. I've been out of the sound game for a while, so can anyone recommend a similar alternative please? I'm aware that there are a couple on eBay etc for around £100 however the user would like new, but doesn't think the £500 price-tag for these is money necessarily well spent (given how often they are used). I'm inclined to agree with them having seen their usage/requirements, as it is basically internal 'office briefings' etc where audio isn't critical but some sort of reinforcement would be nice. Any tips on equivalent mics would be well appreciated! Many thanks, Barney

Hi musht, Thanks for your replies. I'm not specifically against addressable LEDs, however the following are considerations for me in this case: * I've never used them (or had to control them) so it would need a bit more effort on my part to get up and running * All the LEDs will need to be on at the same time in the same colour, so the added complication of pixel tape seems unnecessary (?) * I have all the RGBW LED tape and decoders etc already, so the only additional thing I need to get hold of is the 12V battery(s). If there is a significant benefit to addressable tape in this case, I'd certainly look at it - if you have any thoughts that would be useful. Guess I need to find some time to buy some new kit and start to play around with it! Cheers, Barney

Sorry for being dim (haha). The trucks will be used inside in a typical theatre, so cold weather shouldn't be an issue. Load is likely to be 75W max for the LED tape (assuming all on full, which is unlikely). The decoder is a typical basic unit (something like this) which should have minimal power draw (?). Number of chargers and batteries shouldn't be an issue, so we can plonk in a new full 12V battery per show. I can get hold of 7.0 Ah batteries so am hoping that would be sufficient for the 10 minutes I need the LEDs on per show (even assuming that all LEDs will be on at 100% for that time. Hopefully that sounds reasonable, but I don't have the knowledge to be able to work it out with any certainty. I guess the simplest way is to make a mock-up and see if it lasts that long! Apologies, I just can't get my head around how quickly the battery would discharge to say 50% with a 75W load on it. Back to school for me!

Agreed, especially as I'm new to all this type of battery power thing! So bear with me... Based on a suspected 7.5 W/m tape (RGB/W) and a nominal 10m length (actually 2x 5m) then I'm assuming that a load of 75 W would be reasonable as a max draw (excluding other losses which I assume would be negligible). Simple equation-ing would suggest a current draw of 75/12 = 6.3A for the 10 m strip as a worst case... So a 6.3 A/h battery would last about an hour, and a 3.2 A/h about 30mins (assuming full RGB/W power etc and some losses for DMX decoder etc)? Let's assume I need 10mins at full power per show (at one per day) to make it simple. A 3.2 A/h battery would be sufficient, right? Including a few minutes of rig check, etc. Does this look right - am I missing something obvious?? Is there a de-rating factor that should be allowed for, or something? Appreciate that batteries lose charge but these would be brand new and only need to accommodate a fairly short run. Thanks, Barney

Hi DrV, It will be around 4 - 5 metres of RGB / RGBW tape per truck. Hopefully I can find a good price from one of the re-sellers. Thanks, Barney

Thanks so far. It's for standard RGB(W) tape rather than pixels at this stage. Fairly short runs of up to 4 metres tape length on each truck. If I'm understanding this correctly, the RC4 unit can drive the LED tape directly (i.e. without the need for a standard DMX decoder/driver)?

Morning BR, A production I will be working on is looking for LV lighting to be included on a number of trucks etc. This will most likely be LED tape or similar, so hopefully not a massive power draw. Not practicable to have power/DMX cables to each (moving) unit. I'll admit, this is not something I have done before, so am looking for advice and tips from those in the know. I anticipate that I will need some form of wireless DMX transmitter with a receiver on each truck. This and the LED tape can presumably be powered from a battery secreted within the truck. I am aware of a few wireless DMX solutions, but not sure of the best products to go about this, and also how to connect the (12V / 24V) tape and decoders. I'm sure it's fairly straightforward and within my capabilities, but just wanted to ask those who have done it before for advice on suitable equipment, and any tips on practical installation. For example, does the battery (what type is best?) need a fuse? Does the battery need to be disconnected from the rest of the system for recharging, etc... I imagine that each set piece will only be used for 15-20 mins on each show, so I am assuming that batteries don't need to be huge - but am happy to take any pointers. Budget is reasonable, especially if the kit can be re-used on future productions. Also, is this the sort of thing that can be hired..? Many thanks, Barney

Thanks all. Looks like the set has been simplified somewhat, with now only a dozen or so small windows on the flats. Probably only needs to be a single control per flat now too (i.e. all LEDS on same channels), so hopefully less fiddly wiring during fit-up. @TomHoward - Good shout on the extension cables / snip trick, will probably go down that route. Cheers, Barney

Thanks for the quick reply Alister. I've just edited to add that plug/socket connectors would be preferable! I'll have a look at IDCs though, thanks. Barney

Afternoon all, Apologies if this has been covered before. I need to incorporate LED (RGB) tape into flats that will have a significant number of small windows as part of the set design. These will only need a few LEDs per window, and the windows will be far enough apart so as to make continuous runs of tape (behind the flat) inefficient. The ideal solution would be to fix suitable connections (in/out) to smaller sections of the tape, and link these together with 4-core cable cut to appropriate lengths. Does anyone have suggestions for suitable (4-way) connectors? Solder or screw terminals would be ok, although screws maybe easier for future re-use (not critical though, as it may just be skipped afterwards). Edit to add: Male and Female in-line connectors preferred, so they can be quickly plugged up in-situ/unplugged, rather than a 4-way terminal strip type. Ideally nothing overly expensive as we are going to need quite a lot! I could use choc-block but was hoping for something a bit more elegant... Any ideas or experience appreciated. Edit to add: There will be a couple of channels of window lighting per flat, so not all of the windows will be adjacent either. Many thanks, Barney

Thanks Sandall, To give some context, it's for a test rig that we need to use regularly. From experience, the fewer bits of equipment that are liable to get lost/broken/cause head-scratching the better! It's not always audio engineers that go out to site (some of them struggle with Speakon connectors for example!). I've not come across the TF/U modules before, so thanks for that. Am certainly happy to retrofit one if that's the solution. I'll have a look now that I know what I'm looking for. Any other ideas also more than welcome 🙂 Cheers Barney

Hi all, Bit of a random one, but I am looking for something quite specific that I can't find using Google etc. I am after a graphic equaliser with pink noise generator, as a standalone unit rather than software on a tablet or laptop etc. It needs to meet the following criteria: EQ range between 100 Hz to 4 kHz (minimum) Ideally 1/3 octave band controls, but octave band may do the trick Only single channel (mono) required Built-in pink noise generator as the source (to be controlled by the EQ settings) Ideally, reasonably small / lightweight Physical unit (not software on a tablet etc) Standard mains power (not battery operated). If anyone has any pointers, that would be much appreciated! Cost (within reason) not prohibitive. Many thanks, Barney

Just to close this one out... The arrow shot effect had to be done in a mini blackout anyway (to set the arrow in the target), so the auditorium was totally dark. I ended up using 6x lasers with staggered cues to 'bounce' the arrow path around the auditorium before hitting the target on stage. Triggered with an audio cue to synchronise ricochet sounds with the lasers. The scene before used a fair bit of low smoke so there was plenty of haze in the air to see the beams. Worked really well. Actually got applause most nights. Hope that helps for others in the future. Cheers, Barney

Thanks for the comments all, I will discuss with the Director and hopefully move this on. If they insist on a lighting effect(s), does anyone have any experience of (not too expensive) green lasers that will produce a single beam? I may need about 6 to produce a staggered effect (rather than a single unit with mirrors). Appreciate there are other H&S factors to consider in that case - would much prefer an acting solution! Thanks, Barney

Thanks Dave, I had a similar idea, using several lasers, but can't rely on the haze in auditorium being consistent. From experience, the vents in the roof have a habit of opening automatically to purge heat when you really need the haze!

Thanks for the suggestions and replies. I'm leaning towards the acting gag, which puts it back on the talent! Maybe with some tight beams (as per Kerry's suggestion above) in case the haze cover is adequate, but not solely relying on it (in case it disappears). Fishing line or similar won't work in this case, as the arrow needs to bounce around left-right-up-down etc from the auditorium before hitting the 'target' on stage. Will keep thinking. Any other comments welcome! Thanks, Barney

Hello, hoping that the 'hive mind' can come up with some thoughts! I have a group that are looking for an effect of Robin Hood shooting an arrow from the auditorium (mid way) down to the stage, to hit a bullseye target. The appearance of the arrow in the target is not an issue, but the director is after a visual representation of the arrow 'flight' from the seating down to the stage, with several changes of direction en route (incl sound effects). I have considered the use of laser beams, pinspots, etc as a possibility - however, although we can use haze etc, there is a distinct possibility (from experience) that this will disperse by that point in the show due to rooftop vents opening etc. What I don't want to do is build their expectations up in the dress etc, only for this to be thwarted when we have a house in. Can you think of any way to achieve this, apart from the typical panto 'cast running with prop arrow' (not feasible given the required changes in direction/height etc? We can consider the use of additional haze machines in the auditorium etc but I am wary that this will all disappear when required due to the BMS and other quirks. No possibility of addressable LED tape etc strung across the auditorium, due to the sightlines for the rest of the show. Am struggling a bit (apart from the haze solution), so an extra set of eyes/thoughts would be appreciated! KR, Barney

Hi Kenn, No, it's still in the corner waiting to be looked at when we get a few minutes! I want to check that it is indeed the ballast, as things were pretty hectic when we tried to do the initial faultfinding half an hour before the dress! I was given a contact at White Light to try, but not sure if they would just forward on to Ambersphere? If you have any parts that may assist, I'd be glad to hear about it - DM me if you can? Kind regards, Barney

Hi all, I have two Robert Juliet Buxie followspots in a venue, one of which failed to strike just before a dress rehearsal. Managed to get a Foxie to see us through the week, but now need to look at getting the Buxie fixed. Have tried cross-plugging between the two Buxies, and it seems to be a failure of the ballast (not the lamp, not the fuse). Can anyone recommend a company to look at repairing the ballast? I am based in the Midlands. Many thanks, Barney

Hi all - Bit of a long shot, but I'm wondering if anyone here has a single Martin Mania SCX-600 (tungsten) that they would be willing to hire/loan for a short (week) production that I'm working on in June? I already have 4x units that are available, but I need 5 for a particular sequence. Am happy to pay for the hire, or purchase (within reason) if you have one. I have recently acquired 2x SCX-700 (the discharge version) to supplement the rig, but they (a) aren't exactly the same in terms of personality, and (b) look different in terms of beam etc. I can see there are a couple on eBay at the moment, which might do at a push, but not sure on the 'vintage' of these, or the functionality given the seller (no disrespect implied). I would be grateful to hear if anyone has a single unit knocking around that they don't need for a couple of weeks in June, or were willing to get rid of. If anyone is interested in the 2x SCX-700 units that I have, they could be a swap or even a direct sale to fund the fifth SCX-600 that I'm after. (Mods - I am happy to put the SCX-700s through the For Sale channel / make a donation as appropriate). Thanks, in advance, for any comments or help. Barney