LSD Icon system

[Mr Steve]

This is purely for my own interest- was the LSD Icon series supposed to be a more modern competitor to Vari-Lite systems of the 90s? From what I've seen it's some sort of proprietary console, with a rack of proprietary gubbins which spits out power and data over 8 core Speakon to proprietary fixtures. Is this correct - has anyone used them?

[scjb]

I loved it, thought it was a great system. Jolly bright.

 

Near enough. The FOH rack would take in data from the desk on a SCSI line, do its magic and then throw it out down multicores (one data-pair per fixture, 30 fixtures per multicore) which was combined with power at the mains distro racks in dimmerworld. Output from the mains distro racks was via Litton multis, each supplying six fixtures via a trussmount splitter box. In the case of Washlights, the dimmed feed was also sent to the trussmount splitter boxes via Socapex, and then sent down the same 8-pole Speakon.

 

As well as the main console (which had a couple of internal hardware revisions) there was also a Mini-Icon console that plugged into your Apple Powerbook, often used as a backup. There were also fudge boxes to allow control of non-Icon fixtures from the desk, and I seem to remember that due to a patent argument (with VL), the running of more than one non-Icon\VL S300 fixture on a DMX data-line was not sanctioned... Don't ask!

 

And then there was the Icon-M (Medusa)... so near and yet so far...

Edited March 27, 2013 by scjb

[Smiffy]

[snip] And then there was the Icon-M (Medusa)... so near and yet so far...

 

Ah the Icon-M. I can still taste the disappointment!

 

I'm programming and Lighting Directing a tour next month for an LD that was, in his day as a programmer type, one of the Busier Icon Desk programmers. If you've any specific questions I'm sure I'll be able to ask, although programming time seems to be rapidly trickling away!

 

Cheers

 

Smiffy

[lxdad]

I have a pdf of the 'Icon Awareness' manual if you want something to read.

 

I don't think I can upload it here, but message me and I can email it to you.

 

LXD

[musht]

There were also fudge boxes to allow control of non-Icon fixtures from the desk,

 

Universal Guest Luminaire Interface , UGLI...

[scjb]

There were also fudge boxes to allow control of non-Icon fixtures from the desk,

 

Universal Guest Luminaire Interface , UGLI...

Ah that was it. UGLIs and PIGLIs and Wynne-Boxes... oh my!

Edited March 28, 2013 by scjb

[Mr Steve]

So of it's time, was this system successful? If it was mid-late 90s it seems a bit much for a time when a DMX line and hard power would control nearly anything, or am I being naive?

[johnhuson]

I'd say it was successful, it was certainly out on plenty of tours and one off's in its heyday, remember you could only hire the system from LSD (now part of PRG) and at the time the were a big player!

 

I believe the reason for the unique system of having a separate data pair per fixture from FOH was due to concern about infringing on a patent that Vari-Lite held.

 

I loved the way they managed to name an interface UGLI, that and the tales of lighting cigarettes from the beam out of the Icon although I never witnessed it myself so could be an old wives tale!

Edited March 28, 2013 by johnhuson

[Smiffy]

So of it's time, was this system successful? If it was mid-late 90s it seems a bit much for a time when a DMX line and hard power would control nearly anything, or am I being naive?

 

No different to the preferred method at the time with the VL Series 200 and 300 fixtures if run from an Artisan or Virtuoso. They weren't talking DMX either.

 

In the early to mid 90's it wasn't unheard of to have an Artisan Plus (plus hernia!) driving VL's, and Icon Desk driving Icons, and an Avo something or other driving Generics and or Audience etc, all on the one gig, usually with the LD on the Avo, and the ML operators on their respective desks.

 

I never really had a chance to use Icons as I was more of a VL fanboy and it was very early in my Career, but from what I can remember, the Icons were as good as any other fixture, and many LD's loved the scroll on the wash light being able to give them just the colours they wanted rather than the VL5 'plaid' at a time when being able to dial in a lee number to a calibrated console was but a pipe dream.

 

Cheers

 

Smiffy

[indyld]

So of it's time, was this system successful? If it was mid-late 90s it seems a bit much for a time when a DMX line and hard power would control nearly anything, or am I being naive?

 

The key to this is the point in the timeline of events. About '97 or so, Martin dumped a boatload of the new Mac500 / Mac600 into the market with their DMX control and onboard PSUs etc. which significantly changed the landscape. Not only that but anyone could BUY them (if Martin didn't give them to you).

 

Up until then, as Paul says, shows were often running a clutch of proprietary systems such as VL 200 and 300 series, the Icons, Starlite (sp?) all running from their own desk with (sometimes multiple) Avo racks and desks doing the generics. Not only were the operators specialist but the crews were too as the various systems needed training and particular knowledge to set up. Nowadays if you understand basic mains distro, basic DMX systems and have a user manual for the fixtures and desk, you can get a system to work.

 

One thing I remember about the Icon heads (my early career too) was that they seemed huge, even from the deck. Moving lights were a bit of a mystery that only "special" people were allowed to know about, deal with (or in fact, hire, of course). Moving mirrors like the GoldenScan and Intellabeam also had their own controllers, the latter being controlled via a rackmount thing with buttons and a joystick on it, as I recall.

 

E2A: I also forgot to mention Richard Belliveau, High End Systems and the Studio Color in the above although my recollection was that the Martin kit became more prevalent faster in the UK.

Edited March 29, 2013 by indyld

[James Remo]

I still have an intellabeam controller at the back of the unit, for posterity.

[timmath]

"that and the tales of lighting cigarettes from the beam out of the Icon although I never witnessed it myself so could be an old wives tale!"

 

Tis true... back in the days when you could smoke at work that was a much used feature for floor units!

 

Tim

[illumin8]

Hi does anyone still have a pdf copy of the old LSD icon awareness manual???? I’ve lost most of mine to water and dog damage. Also does anyone still have the “interactive” cd-rom from LSD about 1995 vitange I’ve found the sleeve and I know I have the disc somewhere just loved it though with the chill jazz sound track.

 

[Simon_Baker]

Here it is for everyone to enjoy.

Simon B

Icon Awareness.pdf

[alistermorton]

Coming up as unavailable here. 

Edited December 13, 2021 by alistermorton
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