Mastering Stage Lighting Basics: Truss, Fixtures, DMX, and Power Cable Fundamentals

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

A bit of a different video here. A deep dive into the basics of stage lighting. Tackling DMX, truss considerations, and power cables with info and tips. I've had some requests to do a video like this, and obviously stage lighting is still part of the live production niche of the channel. If you want more videos on this side of things, definitely LMK. I've touched on lighting, but this is the most 'focused' (pardon the pun! ;) ) lighting live production video on the channel. Channel FB Page: facebook.com/groups/livesoundproduction Patreon: www.patreon.com/AlanHamiltonAudio 🎶🔊Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/alanhamiltonaudio “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” "I earn from affiliate link purchases"

[@phillipzx3754]

This was fun to watch. Back in the mid-80s I controlled several Teatronics dimmers using a Commodore SX64 and a custom interface I built. I had complete computerized control over 32 channels, which was a lot back them.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

That's cool! Back in the 80's I'm sure we were using an ETA controller of one kind or the other. Eventually, moving from that to NSI. Computerized control in the 80's would've really been cutting edge then.

[@phillipzx3754]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio There was a 16 channel interface for the Apple II. It sold for $1600. I was building my own using the Analog Devices "AD558" 8-bit D/A. They were $2 each at the time. With the first 16 channels for $32 bucks, some wire wrapping, and many hours of writing code, I had a system that worked well enough that I stopped using the (actually) Teatronics board I bought with the dimmer packs. I used the game cartridge port to access the 8 bit I/O in the C-64. I'm unsure if the 64 had enough umph to run 256 channels, so I stayed at 32. 🙂 It was wicked fast with Instant scene changes. I'm old and retired now. I'm using ESP32s with "WLED" and a boatload of LED lights to satisfy my lighting "needs." 😁

[@zensational.]

I greatly appreciate the candor and concise information! ...We dont need a - 12 yr old disney host on aderal, caffiene, sugar high, manic ADHD spazes - to keep attention spans. It is refreshing to have an actual adult sharing info without clickbait. Thank you!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@ThinkTech-q4d]

Yes, love this explanation on lighting. More of these please.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

More to come!

[@MurrayWilliams]

Great video! I’m a performer who handles sound and tech too and you have shown me how to do it effectively. We transitioned from using house-provided sound equipment to doing it ourselves and our quality has skyrocketed. Thanks for teaching me how to do it.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MichaelNatrin]

That nuts and bolts intro caught me off guard - hilarious. Really great informative video!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!!

[@mullencat2]

Great video! Yes move lighting and video will too!

[@MistaCham]

Great primer video... yes would love to see more lighting and dmx content from you.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@flashanddancedj]

I would love to see a video series about what you have in your business inventory and what you use them for… I myself am a single op Production company… This weekend I am working with a Tribute band. I’ll be doing video and lighting.. Next step for me is Trussing and a Video Wall

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Good suggestion!

[@peterziders7249]

How about a video on equipment and liability insurance. Always look forward to viewing your videos.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

I've debated on doing a business related video. I was thinking more along the lines of ROI and business viability discussions. I'm sure insurance would get touched on, but I hadn't thought about a full-blown insurance discussion. That's probably the kind of thing where I'd have trouble figuring out what people want to know. There's a lot to think about, including dealing with COI's these days. Heh, maybe this is a topic for the insurance agent to tackle! Thanks for the idea!

[@peterpal5398]

This video is great! Thank you !

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@harlanchaput]

Great video! I really like your videos. Also, I’d like to see more about lighting.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thank you!

[@johnmichaelmacdonald9117]

Thank you! Learned so much - keep up all of the great videos

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Great to hear!

[@cnew4682]

This is a great video. Thank you. I would like to watch more vids like this with this type of content.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@NonnyStrikes]

Right on time! Very small setup I have, but perfect for learning. I have it all setup through a tetra 512 controller. Only 1,8,15,22 but that's all I needed for the time being to get started. IT also has built in banks/premade chases etc. The ability to switch between multiple scenes and chases without a ton of editing is so nice, especially for this DJ xD I'm looking at getting MaestroDMX. AI will be mapping based off learning, so I'm pretty pumped for that. Feels like cheating almost. I still get the option to manually input direction though. That's a benefit of having basic coding knowledge on the pc side of things. THanks for the content as always!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Cool. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@huntercurry]

Hi Al!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Hello Hunter!

[@davidclark3603]

That was interesting that!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@HURPSYYEMRAY1]

Tnx

[@DrnkTheWildAir]

Hi 👋🏼 Al.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Howdy Cindy!!

[@replaycraig]

ALAN! thanks for this. I will be sharing with the team. I saw you use the Chamsys software. Any way you could do a short video about making a simple scene in Chamsys software? Thanks again!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks for the idea! I might be able to do something in the future. Especially around the software itself.

[@valeriodemelo]

Hi, just wanted to ask you in a big stage lighting setup is it more convenient to patch an LED par to the console as a dimmer or a fixture ? What would be more convenient?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

As long as you have, or can get (or create), the proper personality file for the console, patching it as a fixture is going to be the way to go. In fact, it would be worth going to the trouble of patching it to dimmer channels and figuring out what channels do what, noting them, and then creating a profile from that. Then in your show, post it as a fixture that matches what you learned from the dimmer channels. You either should be able to find a generic profile that will work, or you'll have the info you need to create your own personality/profile for it.

[@valeriodemelo]

Is it possible to take an output from 1 splitter and give it to the input of another splitter

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Essentially yes. The Chauvet splitter in the video even has a thru port that is for exactly that.

[@mitas3484]

What are the benefits of using bolts instead of the pin style truss?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

It's pretty easy to find a grade 8, 15/16" bolt/washer/nut at well-stocked hardware store in a pinch or when outfitting your 'box o' bolts' to have plenty of spares. Bolts don't tend to get stuck might be the biggest benefit. (Edit: Also, that size tends to stay consistent across a lot of brands and sizes of truss... so you just have one size of bolts in inventory for several sizes of truss). Of course, things like the Global Truss pin style truss I believe doesn't reach the weight limits of other truss in similar sizes. Plus, AFAIK they don't make larger sizes like 18x12 or 20x20 (you can check me on that though because I'm not up on the Global truss lineup these days). I'm not talking about the stuff that uses a clevis bolt... I'm talking the 'insert' with the pin and snap pin style pin style truss.

[@mitas3484]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio are there any benefits to the bolt system? Stronger, easier to use? Sometimes the pins annoy me a great deal..

[@jimc5096]

@@mitas3484 After decades of putting truss together in all sorts of situations, bolts are hands down easier and faster. The "Trick" to using bolts is to make sure all bolts face the same direction so that the individual tightening the bolts doesn't have to change the tools around (1 deep well socket and one open/box wrench). It's always about the out and this little "trick" saves time and helps you meet everey hands goal of finishing before the "minimum" time.

[@Richard1977]

You're wrong on why the OLD (=no XX in the model number) are not to be connected under load. Long story and has more to do with how the contacts were made. The new Powercon (in fact every Powercon with XX in model number, even the old blue model) is connectable under load.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

I don't believe there is a version of the solid blue (or gray) Powercons as shown in the video that are suitable for live connection. There's the updated version that is mostly black with a blue or gray band as the identifier that changed the design. Is there a solid blue or solid gray (or white) version of the Powercon that allows live connections that existed before they changed to the black housing with just the colored indicator band?