Dimmer Packs

[Swizzuk]

Hi Guys,

 

I really am a big newbie in lighting and been thrown in the deep end!

Our panto group just lost all our equipment when our previous lighting engineer took all his gear away with him when he left.

I have about 12 lights fixed in place all cabled back to belgin plugs on the wall.

 

We are looking at getting a new board and Im fairly settled on the Jester from Zero88.

What Im struggling with is understanding the dimmer packs and what I need.

(side question: when a board says 12/24 channels, how many do I have?)

 

We probably wont add more than about 6 or 8 lights to what we presently have. These will probably be either on standard plugs or the duraplugs I think they are called.

 

We also dont have a power distribution at all, is this something I need to think about too?

 

I have been browsing through usedlighting.co.uk and will probably buy second hand as we have a limited budget.

 

I really appreciate any guidance anyone can give.

Many thanks

[Andrew C]

I'd suggest that you would be well served by having a face-to-face chat at the venue with someone who knows what they are talking about. Approach another local amateur company or local theatre, offer some beer, and see where you go from there. It is perhaps a bit involved to go through every thing you'll need to consider in text alone!

[karl]

We are looking at getting a new board and Im fairly settled on the Jester from Zero88.

What Im struggling with is understanding the dimmer packs and what I need.

(side question: when a board says 12/24 channels, how many do I have?)

The Jester has DMX outputs so any DMX compatible dimmers will work with this desk (subject to having the right cable).

 

We also dont have a power distribution at all, is this something I need to think about too?

Ooh yes. And that's where it gets fun.

 

It's not so much the desk or the dimmers that are the problem it's how all the bits are connected together. I would second Andrew's suggestion of asking around amongst local contacts. Probably a good idea to talk to a reputable professional as well.

 

Oh, and the 12/24 means it will support 12 channels in two preset mode and 24 as a single preset. If you plan to use programmed cues it is effectively a 24 channel desk. There's more info in the Wiki here http://www.blue-room.org.uk/wiki/Two_Preset_Operation

 

Edited due to confusing "write" and "right" and to include link to Wiki.

[Swizzuk]

Thanks for your information.

The venue is our local village hall and there is no 'technician' for the hall, the original was the guy who is gone.

Im the only other technician, but my experience is all in sound. Lights were a long time ago for me, and even then I only was an operator, programmer and monkey! All places were pre-wired if thats the correct term.

 

Do Zero88 do suggestions and technical setup help at all? I cant afford to buy new, but would like to know what to buy.

[peter]

Hi Swizzuk

 

Yes, we do suggestions and technical help - feel free to drop me an email off-forum and I'll do my best to help you out. peter.kirkup@cooperindustries.com

 

Regards,

 

 

Peter

[Tigglet]

I am just down the road from you in canterbury and run the Jester desk. I too started off knowing nothing but now run the school theatre system which I have built up from scratch. Drop me an email if you want to chat further. I can probably come over to your venue If it helps.

 

Good luck.

[Just Some Bloke]

Hi, I work as a Technical Manager at a professional venue in Maidstone (which, according to your profile, is where you live/work). You'd be very welcome to drop in and have a chat about dimmers, lighting boards etc. at a time to suit.

 

My work email is ericlund@maidstone[dot]gov[dot]uk (trying to avoid spam there!) if you'd like to drop me a line.

 

Eric.