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Merging Art-Net with an MA2

Fig. 1-A: To receive Art-Net for controlling video, you need to assign the Art-Net universe and DMX starting channel in the ArKaos program’s preferences box.

Merging Art-Net with an MA2

A while back, I wrote an article describing the process I used for pixel-mapping the RGB values from a media server to the LEDs of a lot of GLP impressions in my rig (“Video Digerati,” March 2012, page 52). Fast-forward to December of 2013 when, on another gig, I again set out to pixel-map RGB values from a media server (an ArKaos MediaMaster Pro) to 48 MagicPanel 602 fixtures while controlling the other features of the panels using a grandMA2. Luckily for me, the grandMA2 has a very convenient feature for merging incoming Art-Net values to outgoing Art-Net stream. Here are the steps involved for setting up this Art-Net /DMX Merge functionality.

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ADJ Vizi Beam Hybrid 2R

ADJ Vizi Beam Hybrid 2R

It is nice to have a pleasant surprise once in a while. I had just that after ADJ, formally American DJ, sent me one of their latest products, the Vizi Beam Hybrid 2R. Let me start off by saying that this is not your typical DJ fixture. Think of it a crossover between a DJ light and a professional grade fixture — hence the “hybrid” reference in the fixture’s name. It truly is a hybrid, meaning that simple DJ setups can include a light that could also work well in a professional rig.

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The BGA Greener Lighting Guide

The BGA Greener Lighting Guide

The Broadway Green Alliance, a group founded in 2008 to promote environmentally beneficial practices within the theatre community and entertainment industry, has been compiling information about live performance lighting instruments within its BGA Greener Lighting Guide.

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High School Stage Collapse Injures Two Dozen Students

ANAHEIM, CA — A portion of the stage at Servite High School here collapsed March 8 when some 250 visiting students from Rosary High School in Fullerton, CA were onstage as part of their annual “Red and Gold” musical theatre challenge. Two dozen were injured. Although some of the injured suffered broken bones, most of the injuries were described as minor to moderate. All hospitalized students had been released from hospitals within a day of the incident.

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Johnson Systems J-PACK Series

Johnson Systems J-PACK Series

Let’s face it, the way we use power devices is changing. This is a reflection on the changing fixture counts in our rigs. We have fewer traditional incandescent fixtures, of course, and a bigger percentage of gear with solid-state LED light sources. In addition, among incandescent fixtures, the shift to lower-wattage compact filament is reducing dimming loads.

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Windows: A View from the Top

Automated lighting consoles are amazing machines built on powerful software platforms. These systems are usually composed of many different “windows” that can be displayed on various screens on the console and/or external monitors. Many of these windows have very specific purposes with color-coding, viewing options and more. Every lighting programmer should have an understanding of the common types of windows and their uses.

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U2 atop Rockefeller Center for the Feb. 17 premiere of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Photo courtesy of NBC

Lighting U2 on Top of the Rock; Quick Cues, More

U2 harnessed the beauty of the New York City skyline glimmering on a wintery night as their panoramic set. You could call it “Elevation” meets “360°” — the mashup of two tour names for the band. The band sang “Invisible,” but the only invisible aspect about it were the behind-the-scenes challenges that came with performing outside, 70 stories up on the Top of the Rock observation deck atop Rockefeller Center’s tallest building in bone-chilling Polar Vortex weather.

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Illustration by Andy Au

Power of the Pen

There’s an old line I like to use. “You cannot win if you do not play.” Some think that may refer to gambling, or playing the lotto, but I look at it a different way. I look at it as, “Nothing’s gonna happen unless you make it so.” Rarely will someone give you something without you asking for it first. Lord knows this is true about getting a raise in the entertainment biz. Nobody’s giving you one unless you ask for it. But there’s a lot of ways to help yourself in life, to win a few bucks back, if you just pick up a pen.

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Sean McCarter

LightParts Names Sean McCarter Sales Manager

AUSTIN, TX — LightParts Inc. named industry veteran Sean McCarter sales manager, a newly created position. McCarter previously served as repair coordinator at LightParts, joining the company after a long tenure with High End Systems. In his new role, McCarter will be responsible for all inside and Internet sales activities at LightParts, including parts and equipment sales, both new and used.

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Moe. Winter Gigs Lit with Robins in the Rigs

Moe. Winter Gigs Lit with Robe Moving Lights

SYRACUSE, NY — Preston Hoffman of Pulse Lighting, LD for jam band Moe., used 16 Robe Robin Pointes and 16 LEDWash 300s for the band’s East Coast U.S. winter tour, relying on three companies to provide the much-in-demand fixtures — KM Productions, Main Light Industries and TERI Productions.

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