What kit do you have at your school?

[Joe Bleasdale]

Lighting:

200 meters of data cable

300 meters of power cable

18 ways of 2k dimming via betapack 3's

8 x LDR express colour scrollers

1 x Jester ML 24

about 20 or so Par cans, fresnels and profiles

 

I recently upgraded to DMX. I am a fan of MLs.. but not in school. I learned that lesson on here.

We all know that movers in schools is wrong. You can be far more creative with generics and if your lucky.. scrollers. Thats what I did.

 

When we upgraded I thought about movers.. and thought again. They requiere maintainence and parts when they break. Now I am a Martin trained technician for the entire Mac series. But think about others. Your going to leave one day, then it will be somebody elses responsibility... not yours. They are heavy, assuming you can even get them into the rig, you need to know how to address them and "decode" error messages. Again, I know what all the error messages are (In Macs), because I am trained. But a teacher or performing arts tech probably wont. Do any of you know what BTER or FBER mean...?

 

They are costly. Even ones aimed at schools (Mac 250 entours for example). A Mac 250 Entour will set you back the best part of 2K. Not good because you would buy in pairs. I will mention parts again. parts are expensive when they break, which they will at some point because a ML is a robot. A machine.. all machines break in thier lifetime. Do you know how much a new CMY flag is for example..?

 

Instead of spending money on MLs I bought scrollers. There is far less to go wrong with a scroller than a ML. Parts are cheaper and they themselves are cheaper. The 8 scrollers now do the majority of the work. 21 colours is alot of choice and you can make some cool looks with them.

 

Furthermore if your school does want to HIRE moving light, then OK. Giving the students a SMALL exposure to them is OK. Just dont let it get out of hand. In the 5 years I have been at school, we hade moving lights ONCE, that was enough. Even then it was a favour given to me by a friend at Martin. If you decide to take your lighting career further, you will then need to learn about them. But not at school. There are college courses and manufacturer courses to take this further. If you manage to get a job in the LX industry, you will be trained. If you are sooo desperate to play with these things, do it in a virtual world with a visualizer and free offline editor. Before you ask where to find free ones, look on the Wiki please... Or use the search function of the forum.

 

Take it from somebody who has been there. ML in school is a bad idea, so is upsetting people around here. Carry on posting rubbish and the Moderators will put you on whats called Pre-Mod. It is where there have to approve your post before it is visible. It is not good.

 

Regards,

[Ollie Wilkinson]

NOTE: We have a control room with full veiw of the hall, in which most of the control equipement is installed, EG Fat Frog, Edirol V-4.

 

LX:

3x Zero 88 Betapack 3

2x Robe Club Spot 250

2x Robe Club Wash 250

16x Par 64

4x Flood

1x Zero 88 Fat Frog

3x F.O.H Bars

3x Rear Stage Bars

2x DMX Lines

1x Fat Frog: 17" Screen

 

Video:

1x Edirol V-4

2x Remote PTZ Camera

1x Everfocus Camera Controller

2x Preview Screens (1x PC, 1x Duplex)

1x Duplex (Input Previews)

1x 12CH Video Swicher

1x 12CH Patch Bay

1x PC > Video Convertor

1x Tescam HDMI DVD

1x Back Stage Camera

1x F.O.H Bar Camera

2x Electronic Video Screen

2x Hitachi Projector

2x VGA Inputs (Rear Stage)

1x HDMI Input (Rear Stage)

4x Video Inputs (Rear Stage)

1x 32" Samsung LCD (Preview On Stage)

1x VGA Distribution

 

Sound:

1x Behringer 1600WATT Amp

2x Behringer 800WATT Amp

1x Bose Controller

1x Stereo > 6CH Audio Distribution (Alice)

1x rack Fans

1x Behringer EQ

1x Behringer Gate

1x Behringer Compresor

1x Behringer FX Unit

1x Mackie 16CH Desk

1x 8 Way Stage Box

2x Senhieser 200 Series

3x Senhieser 300 Series

6x JBL Control 1 Speakers

2x Bose 402's

2x Behringer 1600WATT SUBS

 

Power:

2x 16A Power Distribution

2x 63A Three Phase Power Outlet

2x 32A Power Outlet

12x 13A Power Outlet

[robhall3192]

Well...new control...tower platform being installed at the moment...takes half the hall space, but means new flying sound system...

 

In terms of lighting :

1 x Zero 88 fat Frog

1 x Zero 88 Jester

79 x 15Amp sockets, located in drama hall

24 x 15amp sockets between 4 bars , drama studio

 

9 Par 64

8 500W fresnels

4 600W PC

2 Source 4 Jnrs

3 Profile spots

10 Box floods

4 Floods

3 Codas

2 RBG

1 x Showtec moving head...

hoping to get more equipment soon .

is that alot or average ?

[tokm]

Joe, see your inbox Re. your message.

 

I'm sure you didn't mean to come off as patronising in your last post here as you were.

 

T

[y05byromj]

hi.

 

We currently have a 110 seat main theatre, a 180 seat assembly/ arts theatre and 2 drama studios. The lamp, desk and dimmers are shared between the 4 venues but are mainly in the Main theatre. the school currently occupies 750 pupils!

 

LIGHTING:

 

6 x Strand quartet 15-25 degree profiles

2 x CCT zoom profiles

6 x Strand patt 23 profile mk1

6 x Strand Patt 23 profile mk2

4 x Strand quartet fresnel mk1

4 x Strand quartet fresnel mk2

10 x Par 64 long nose

11 x Par 56 long nose

2 x Par 56 short nose (floor mount)

2 x Par 64 short nose (floor mount)

6 x LED Par 56 short nose

8 x Selecon Acclaim fresnel

6 x Colortran PC

2 x Strand Harmony 12 profiles

13 x Strand Patt 743

 

5 x Strand Patt 803

2 x Strand Minim F

1 x CCT Starlette F

2 x CCT 500w flood

2 x Colortran 500w flood

2 x Strand S Batten (Cyc flood)

1 x LEDJ Stratos UV

2 x Strobe Cannon

 

There are a few more but I can't think off the top of my head!

 

LIGHTING CONTROL:

1 x Zero 88 Jester 24/48 (main theatre control)

1 x Strand MX (Arts theatre control)

1 x Zero 88 level 18 (Drama studio 1 control)

1 x Zero 88 Alcora 12/24 mk1 (backup/ touring control)

1 x Zero 88 Alcora 12/24 mk2 (backup/ touring control)

1 x Zero 88 level 6 (Drama studio 2 control)

1 x Strand 200 series (main theatre backup)

 

LIGHTING DIMMERS:

2 x Zero 88 Betapack 2

2 x Zero 88 Betapack 3

3 x Strand Act 6 (DMX)

1 x 3 phase distro unit

1 x Strand Act 6 (analogue)

1 x Green ginger datapack (analogue)

1 x Strand SP40 (analogue)

1 x Strand S72 d-mux unit

1 x Strand JP40 (analogue)

2 x Strand Act 6 digital

 

Fog / Haze:

1 x Skytec 1000w DMX low level fogger

1 x Antari 700w Hazer

2 x Martin Magnum 500 fog machines

1 x Martin Magnum 600 fog machine

 

SOUND RIG:

 

At present the whole sound rig is based in the Assembly hall/ Arts theatre

 

Speakers:

2 x Mackie SRM450 (12"/1" mid tops)

1 x JBL JRX 118SP (18" Sub)

2 x DB opera (10"/1" side fill)

2 x Behringer 1520 (15"/1" Stage wedge monitors)

 

Amps:

1 x Behringer eurolive (powering stage wedges)

 

Desks:

1 x Soundcraft MFX12

1 x Behringer PMP5000

1 x Behringer 2442 FX

 

Playback:

2 x Marantz cd(text) players

2 x Sony minidisk players

2 x Intel quad core PC's (both 19" dual monitors)

1 x Tascam minisisk player

 

Outboard:

1 x Behringer feedback destroyer pro

1 x Alesis Multiverb effects engine

1 x Behringer composser pro

1 x Behringer ultracurve 1824

1 x Redbox audio distribution amplifier

 

headphones:

4 x Beyer Dynamic DT100

 

Mics:

4 x Shure SM58

3 x AKG D1000

1 x Sony stereo condenser

4 x Audio technica condenser

4 x Audio Technica lavelier radio uhf radio mics

various other senheiser, AKG, Audio technica and sure mics etc.

 

Multicore:

Peavey 16/4

 

That is the the majority of what we have. there is more but just bits and bats!

 

Cheers

James

[intyra]

LIGHTING:

11x Quartet F

2x Quartet 22/40

6x PAR64

6x Source 4 PAR

2x Coda

 

Zero88 Jester 24/48

7x Pulsar 6 channel dimmers

36x 15 amp sockets in IWBs

6x 15 amp sockets in floor for floor PARs

Pulsar demux

 

SOUND:

2x dB Technologies Arena 12

2x dB Technologies Sub 05

1x Behringer XENYX 1204

1x AKA Intimidation amplifier of some kind

1x AKA Intimidation EQ

1x Numark CD player

2x Shure PG58 wireless system

 

Equipment is generally hired in on a show-to-show basis to suit the needs of the performance to compliment the house rig.

[helgrind]

let me see:

 

LIGHTING:

 

 

zero88 Elara 12/24 desk

 

zero88 Sirius 24/48 desk (older but way better!)  :up:

 

24  :down: channels of ooold anytronics 10 or 15A (I forget) per channel dimmers (need to replace fan soon! - rattle rattle)

 

er about 8 par 64s

 

about 8 selecon 500w fresnels

 

a couple each of patt 23s (my fav. bulb  :( ) and 123s

 

er a selecon zoomspot

 

about 8 selecon 1kW Fresnels

 

an odd selecon PC

 

about 3 selecon 750w profiles

 

and not enough cables

 

and due to the schools new working at heights policy I can't bloody go up the ladder anymore  :)

 

 

 

SOUND:

 

Phonic 6/2 desk 

 

300w amp (quite unstable - lots of internal HF feedback)  :)

 

4 150w speakers (I didn't do the sums - and no the impedances don't make it work :( )

 

a couple of studiomaster 300w PA cabs

 

a couple of peavey MF/LF subish things (500w)

 

and a new carlsbro 300w portable PA arriving for the new cricket pavillion (not my choice)

 

 

 

Unfortunatly for a private school we have a HUGELY restricted budget. Private schools are actually worse off than state scools as the latter can get grants for equipment whereas in private schools most of the money goes to building and teaching costs. It's the same story in the workshops (rotten old lathe).

[Killyp]

I know what you mean - our school's theatre budget is just about enough to cover maintenance - little or no chance to upgrade anything. A bit silly when you consider the theatre is used by external groups too, and better kit would allow for higher charges. The theatre space itself is fantastic...

[helgrind]

yeah actually we should really push to hire it out more. The problem is all the money goes straight to the school pot, which is a bit like aid funding going to the Sout African government  . Oh well. Hopefully we'll be getting a A&H GS3000 soon. Trouble is we'd only use it for the musical (at a larger theatre) as we don't have a box (my worst hate) :) .

[danburns]

...as we don't have a box (my worst hate) :) .

 

OT for a minute...I used work with a local amdram company who hired Helgrind's school's theatre and we all loved the lack of a box as you could hear everything! Although you have to walk up an exceeding creeky seating bank to get there.

 

Schools seem to have huge piles of kit - well, some of them. I'm guessing most of them have a technician. My old school had a purpose built studio theatre constructed after I left a few years ago. They had a technician for a year and a half at most, and again, students aren't allowed to work at height and no-one else will relamp or focus for them. Seems a bit of a waste really!

 

When I was there, we had a radio studio with some fairly decent audio gear and mics, average (for the time) lighting, and a decent projector. Not sure what their tech spec is now!

[helgrind]

Were you at Ryde High then?

 

Also yes that would have been good but at the time I took over doing S&L the seating was removed due to fire hazard so we are now forced to sit halfway down the audience at the side. horrible position - have to stand up to see over heads. Also they want to get some electric raked seating and will poss design a 'box' on top however the wooden floor has warped due to the bank slipping so a surveyor will need to fix it. This coupled with the though of a new theatre in 5 or so years means that nothing will be done before I leave in a year.

 

 

 

 

Oh well

[Ollie Wilkinson]

...as we don't have a box (my worst hate) :) .

 

OT for a minute...I used work with a local amdram company who hired Helgrind's school's theatre and we all loved the lack of a box as you could hear everything! Although you have to walk up an exceeding creeky seating bank to get there.

 

Schools seem to have huge piles of kit - well, some of them. I'm guessing most of them have a technician. My old school had a purpose built studio theatre constructed after I left a few years ago. They had a technician for a year and a half at most, and again, students aren't allowed to work at height and no-one else will relamp or focus for them. Seems a bit of a waste really!

 

When I was there, we had a radio studio with some fairly decent audio gear and mics, average (for the time) lighting, and a decent projector. Not sure what their tech spec is now!

 

 

 

 

 

Actully, most schools dont have a technician. I know for a fact, my school has 3 ICT Technicals, but they are only their for PC support and server maintence, etc. I run the AV, Lighting, & Sound throughout my entire school.

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

I'd agree on this one. School that have part time crews who work in their lunchtimes, free periods and after school just dont have the time to dedicate to the programming and maintainance of moving lights.

 

And directors with very little technical knowledge are prone to the mindset that "Buy some expensive gear and it's bound to look/sound amazing" and its then your fault when it doesnt. (This is from personal experience)

Well not to start a "war" here, but I run, independantly my school's entire LX, Sound & AV system, which involves 2x robe 250 Club Wash, 2x Robe 250 Spot, Fat Frog, & a 48WAY gweneric rig... Fully loaded. I programmed up an entire concert with about 25 cue's to each song in about 2 weeks by just staying on after school till 5.30PM at night,

movers make sence in a school, It is a hazard for students to be using scaff, etc to go up and position generic fixtures, (even though I do, and I have been on a training course, & I am insured). Sorry if I come accross as a bit forward here, but it doesnt matter what the venue is, EG school, it matters on what lighting is needed, sound etc, and if movers are needed, so be it.

[Ali2580]

2x robe 250 Club Wash, 2x Robe 250 Spot, Fat Frog, & a 48WAY gweneric rig... Fully loaded. I programmed up an entire concert with about 25 cue's to each song in about 2 weeks by just staying on after school till 5.30PM at night,

movers make sence in a school, It is a hazard for students to be using scaff, etc to go up and position generic fixtures, (even though I do, and I have been on a training course, & I am insured). Sorry if I come accross as a bit forward here, but it doesnt matter what the venue is, EG school, it matters on what lighting is needed, sound etc, and if movers are needed, so be it.

 

Cue the "movers in schools" war :)

[smalljoshua]

Well, I resisted as it has been done before. Suffice to say, the general consensus is that they aren't a good thing. Have a good search on here for why.

 

Josh

[Stutwo]

if movers are needed, so be it.

 

With a 48 way generic rig, I wouldn't dream of even setting foot in the place. How on earth does anyone manage shackled with that?

 

(Dammit, I wish sarcasm was possible over the internet)