Console Training at LDI

There is still space in an exciting new training course with MA Lighting's grandMA console in the 2007 LDInstitute, with consoles provided by A.C.T Lighting, and taught by A.C.T's Joe Cabrera, the leading grandMA expert.

This session is new this year, designed especially for LDI by A.C.T Lighting and is a great way for those familiar with the grandMA to get more in-depth training in a small personalized class where individual problems can be solved:

L30 A.C.T: grandMA Advanced Training (Level Three) and MA Network Engineering

Thursday, November 15

9:30am-5:30pm

Class limit: 12 people

This course is designed for experienced grandMA programmers or system engineers who wish to take their knowledge of all things grandMA to the next level. It's an opportunity to get intensive instruction on advanced console functions such as time code and bitmap effects, as well as increase your knowledge of networking and other system design and management issues. Participants are encouraged to bring their personal application-specific and project-related questions and issues, which will be addressed by experts in the field.

The target audience includes advanced grandMA users as well as designers and programmers and systems integrators who do large installations or shows using the console. Session highlights include: advanced console functions, show control applications, and system configuration for large networks. “This is an opportunity to get some very intensive one-on-one training from A.C.T Lighting's grandMA guru,” says Ben Salzman, A.C.T's executive vice president.

EOS, CONGO and LightPalette TRAINING

The other popular console courses at LDI this year include training on the Eos and Congo from ETC. The Eos has had a banner year since its formal introduction at LDI2006. It has won a hat trick of awards: Best Debuting Product at LDI2006; the Showtech 2007 (Berlin) Product Award for Lighting and Projection; and an Innovation Award at PLASA 2007 in London just last month. “Eos is rapidly becoming accepted globally as a solution for fully-integrated control of modern lighting rigs,” says Anne Valentino, one of the console's developers. “Everything from high schools to Broadway theatres have embraced this flagship console from ETC.”

There is still space in the advanced Eos course on Wednesday, November 14, topics include: what “move fade” really means and how it is managed in a complex show; using filters and selective storing to control record target contents; advanced creation and control of relative, absolute, and step-based effects; data management in a multiple programmer environment; and shortcuts, little known features, and more. Both courses will use pre-visualization software.

Sarah Clausen, controls product manager at ETC, will teach the Congo console training courses. The Introduction to the Congo Console on Tuesday, November 13, covers patching and setting up an operating environment; selecting channels and creating groups; setting levels and manipulating moving lights; creating and updating palettes, presets, and cue lists; and applying, modifying, and creating basic effects.

The Advanced Congo Programming course on Wednesday, November 14 includes a look at Congo's flexible playback options and how to use them to your best benefit; in-depth use of Congo's effects, shortcuts, and little known features. This class will also cover management of multiple cue lists, reuse of presets, advanced editing and storing techniques, as well as advanced effects, using partitioned control and backup and full data management. Previous experience with Congo or completion of a Congo training course is highly recommended.

Training on the Strand LightPalette Series Consoles will be taught by Broadway moving light programmer, Bobby Harrell (Spring Awakening, History Boys, and Walmartopia (off-Broadway), who will share his experience in learning how to use advanced cue timing and fixture timing to create elaborate transitions with very simple programming commands. The new LightPalette's Abstract Control Model allows the programmer to communicate with the desk in real world parameters. “Never again will you have to worry about DMX tables or percentage values for advanced fixture commands. It's all built right in,” says Harrell.

Harrell's list of subjects includes: touchscreen programming that greatly simplifies command line syntax; advanced features of the submasters to light shows on the fly; the infinite variety of the effects generator for both conventional fixtures and automated luminaries; and how to program LEDs intelligently without all the hassle of RGB fixtures. He will also cover how to turn the channel grid into your Magic Sheet and how to transform your strip lights into color mixing fixtures complete with effects “You won't believe this one!” he says.

Basic LightPalette Series one-day training is available on Tuesday or Wednesday, November 13 or 14, with the advanced Training session on Thursday, November 15. The advanced course also covers: advanced conventional programming techniques, advanced moving light programming techniques, and multi-console programming. “Take this course on its own or as a follow-up to Strand's basic training,” Harrell recommends.

For additional information on these courses and the entire, comprehensive LDI2007 conference program: www.ldishow.com For online registration, visit: http://ldiregisternow.com