BREMEN, GERMANY – Chauvet Germany GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of ChamSys’ parent company, is now exclusively responsible for selling and servicing the complete line of ChamSys products in the German market. In conjunction with this move, which reflects ChamSys’ commitment to building on its success in Germany, Frank Alofs has been appointed the German Business Development, Training and Support manager.

Highly regarded throughout the industry, Alofs brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new position. “We’re very excited to be direct in Germany and to welcome Frank to our team,” said Henning Oeker, Operations Manager for Chauvet Germany. In his new role, Alof will be responsible for conducting training sessions and tutorials that cover the full range of ChamSys consoles in German. Information on these can be found on ChamSys’ new German language website: www.chamsyslighting.de and social media support page: www.facebook.com/chamsysgermany 

“Going direct gives us greater resources to meet the demands created by our rapid growth in Germany,” said Chris Kennedy, managing director of ChamSys. This, combined with the deep understanding of the market that Frank brings to ChamSys, puts us in an ideal position to build on the success we’ve already achieved, so we can grow even more in 2021.”

Frank Alofs is equally optimistic as he assumes his new position. “I have always been a big believer in ChamSys products,” he said. “They offer a practical, realistic and user-friendly solution to programmers and designers. The sky is truly the limit.”

ChamSys products will be more readily available than ever in Germany. Poised as it is for growth in the year ahead, this is a welcome development for its expanding base of customers in the German market.

NEW ALRESFORD, UK – Seen from a distance, the Steam Illumination Christmas Train appears like a rolling band of moving light cutting through the dark night as it rolls past the farms and fields of the Hampshire countryside. To those inside, the experience is even more magical, as they find themselves immersed in a rotating tunnel of brilliant colors and patterns. 

Covered entirely by LED lights, this special 120-metre-long train seems like something out of a fantastical Hollywood Christmas movie suddenly come to life in South East England. In reality, however, it was the result of extensive of planning and hard work by the nonprofit Mid Hants Railway’s Watercress Line and a creative team that includes Simon Horn.

The owner of Purple Lighting in West Sussex, Horn was responsible for designing and programming the 78-universe Steam Illuminations lightshow with the help of his ChamSys MagicQ MQ500M console and MagicVis software. “This was the kind of project you become completely immersed in,” he said. “The Watercress Line typically has visits with Santa every December, but this year that was impractical because of COVID, so the foundation turned to something new.

Horn spent two weeks programming and four months on background research for his show, which involved two Steam Illumination trains, each adorned with 14,000 individual fixtures. (Some fixtures are banked, so the console sees just shy of 10,000 heads and pixels.) He programmed roughly 1000 cues for his show, breaking them down into an internally timecoded cue stack for each section, which cover the intervals between the two stations on the 20-mile roundtrip route as well as the time spent at each station.

“I programmed everything on my MQ500M,” said Horn. “Although the design was originally built on another software, I ended up using the MagicVis Visuliser to preprogram this show, as it was far more stable and smoother with visualizing such a big array of pixels.”

The ability to manage a large number of pixels was a key benefit of using the MagicQ MQ500M in this project, according to Horn “Being able to make pixelmap grids automatically from the plot, saved me days of work, as 10,000 pixels all in a slightly complicated array would have been nearly impossible to do myself,” said Horn.

Given the size and scope of this lightshow, the channel capacity of the MQ500M was another important benefit for Horn. “At 78 Universes and with limited space on the train for control gear, my console was a life saver, because it handled everything with no need for any racks of external processing.

“The on-board audio playback was also essential,” continued Horn. “Using the console to play back the Audio content was a fantastic help. One gain, the meant I needed less equipment. It was nice and simple to have an all-in-one solution with audio and time code all in one place!”

Aside from dealing with cramped quarters, Horn also had to content with power and data distribution issues. “There are a great many long cable runs in a railroad environment,” he said. “This can play havoc with distribution. We got around this by using custom waterproofed and powerful PSU and drive modules that were built for this application with its complex cabling system.”

Dealing with these issues freed Horn to push the creative envelope for Steam Illuminations. For example, he created immersive and memorable looks by rolling an intensity effect from one side of the train over the roof and down the other side. In addition to creating a jaw-dropping impression on those viewing the train from the outside, this created an engaging tunnel effect for the train’s socially distant passengers.

Horn also used his lighting to play off the tress that the train passed along its 20-mile roundtrip route. Hitting the trees from two angles from the wash lights under the train, he created animated color shadows that mesmerized passengers as they passed through wooded areas.

At some points, Horn even created rainbow chase effects, something he normally avoids.

“In the concert world, I would look at these as ‘my first lightshow’ kind of effects,” he said. “But as it’s Christmas — and also as a nod to our hard-working NHS – I did it, and frankly it looks pretty epic in this scenario.”

For those visiting Steam Illuminations, which ends January 3, many of the looks created for this event will be “epic.” By combing a centuries old form of transportation with cutting edge lighting technology, this popular attraction is transporting visitors away from the daily concerns of life in 2020, to a place where the magic of the Holidays blooms in vibrant color.

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – Zach Scott has been a self-described “huge fan” of New Found Glory since sixth grade. Following the rise of the quartet from their early days through their ascendent to the top of the alt rock charts, he’s developed a deep appreciation of their ability to balance raw power with subtle emotions. 

So, when Scott got the opportunity to light a holiday show by the band in the parking lot of Seat Geek Stadium (home of the NSWL’s Chicago Red Stars), he decided to depart from his usual near-total busking mode and program a heavily cue-stacked lightshow for the band’s 90-minute performance.

“Because of my connection to the band, I wanted to do this,” said Scott. “I decided to cue stack a lot of the songs I knew they would play.”

Scott’s plan may have seemed simple, but there was a complicating factor: he was given only 48-hours-notice that he would be LD for the show. To make matters even more problematic, he also had to light two other bands on the second night of the holiday show, along with providing supplemental lighting at the start and conclusion of the movies that were shown each night. 

It is under circumstances such as these, says Scott, that his go-to console, the ChamSys MagicQ MQ80 really shines.

“I had minimal time to get things together, but that is the exact reason why the MQ80 is my favorite desk,” he said. “I used an MQ80 with an Extra Wing on this project. That combination is always my first choice, because of the size allows me to take it anywhere, including on airplanes, and because of how quickly it allows me to be up and running. From getting a basic file ready 15 minutes before showtime to spending 3 months programming a tour together, it will do whatever you ask of it.”

In this instance, Scott programmed six New Found Glory songs, each with 30-40 cues. The rest of his show was busked. The user-friendly, logical setup of the console and the MagicQ Software made the programming easier.

“The MagicQ software is basically my third arm,” said Scott. “Whatever I can imagine in my mind, I can then translate to the software without a lot of complications slowing down the process.”

While the MagicQ software expedited programming in the tight window available to Scott before the two-day show, the intuitive layout out of the console and its 12-inch screen made busking “infinitely easier” for New Found Glory as well as the other bands.

“Being able to take my desk on the stage deck to do my DS focus without having to ask a tech to assist with moving it made my days a lot easier,” said Scott. “I never fail to be amazed at how something so compact can be so easy to work with in real time at a show. Things like the eight Encoder Wheels put so much at your fingertips.”

Using this power, Scott conjured up nonstop intensity in his four-universe shows during the two-day event. “I always strive to create a totally immersive environment,” he said. “This is more challenging to do at a drive-in show environment, so I pushed beams with extra intensity into the lot to pull the cars into the experience. 

In the end, the whirlwind show experience, left Scott with an immense sense of satisfaction. “I can’t really explain the feelings I got at the end of the New Found Glory Show,” he said. “Seeing my work created under time pressure, come together to revolve around a band I have always loved, is something I’ll never forget.”

SOUTHAMPTON, UK – ChamSys has added a whole new dimension (quite literally!) to building lighting designs on its award-winning MagicQ series of consoles and software. The company’s just-introduced XYZ positioning feature makes it simple for designers and programmers to achieve the looks they envision in 3D space, without getting slowed down adjusting fixture pan and tilt parameters.

Building on the company’s existing Focus Point and Focus Line, the new feature allows MagicQ users to store XYZ palettes referencing static positions, dynamic trackers, and Visualisation objects.

MagicQ supports direct import of patch and XYZ information from popular 3D Visualisation packages, such as WYSIWYG, Capture, Depence, L8, and Vectorworks.  (ChamSys has recently implemented the emerging industry standard GDTF MVR protocol enabling direct import from Vectorworks.) 

“Our customers often patch and pre-program their shows in advance either using our ChamSys free fully featured MagicVis visualisation or their own choice of third party visualisation packages,” said Chris Kennedy, ChamSys Software Director.  “Whichever option they select, we ensure that they only have to set up the patch and the positioning of the fixtures one time to seamlessly transfer this information to MagicQ so they can take full advantage of the 3D XYZ features.”

Using MagicQ PC free software on Windows, Mac or Linux, a designer/programmer can create, visualise, and pre-program a full show of virtually any size with MagicVis or 3rd party visualiser software. 

“MagicQ does not require expensive per universe external processing nodes for show playback or for pre-programming,” said Kennedy.  “An entire show can be pre-programmed on a laptop without any hardware connected, which makes this feature ideal for those last- minute tour bus situations.”

Dynamic trackers can be received from external inputs over industry protocols such as Esta E1.59 Object Transform Protocol (OTP), PosiStageNet (PSN), or ChamSys simple open tracking protocol.  With any of these protocols, lights can be made to follow performers automatically in real time, track lighting of moving set pieces, and make compensations for lights on moving trusses. 

For those that are more adventurous, MagicQ allows the use of dynamic tracking inputs in its inbuilt automation system.  Automation events can be built-up to trigger events when received Trackers move in and out of areas on the stage, allowing changes in intensities, zoom, colours or any attribute to be triggered automatically.  

Areas are created simply by adding and positioning objects such as rectangle and circular forms into MagicVis. The user can choose whether events snap in and out as the Tracker enters the object area, or changes proportionality as the Tracker moves from the edge to the centre of the object.

“ChamSys has always been committed to leading edge software features and has been a strong supporter of third-party open protocols,” said Kennedy. 

The company’s support for XYZ Trackers, OTP and MVR maintains this tradition, offering our customers excellent system integration opportunities.”

ChamSys MagicQ software can be downloaded from https://chamsys.co.uk/mqdownload/

DANANG, VIETNAM – Lighting, like music, is a universal language. That’s one reason why MiQ, a New York-based global market research firm, retained designers Martin Dudley and Chris Davey through UK-based event technology specialists Great Expectations, to provide professional lighting design services for a series of events the company was holding around the world for local clients and other interested parties.

But even though lighting has the power to move people everywhere, the availability of lighting fixtures cannot always be relied upon in every corner of the world. Understanding this, Dudley of Martin’s Lights Ltd. and Davey of Stagelighting Tech (both of the UK), knew they would need a powerful, yet flexible, controller that would allow them to accommodate a wide variety of rigs. They also wanted a control solution that they could they could carry on international flights.

These considerations led them to pack two ChamSys PC Wings for their globe-trotting “MiQ Ignite” tour, which concluded shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown. “We are both longtime ChamSys users,” said Davey. “This made us confident that we would manage very well running MagicQ software on Windows laptops with the PC Wings as we traveled to places that were not on the main international lighting circuit. Its programming power is fully fledged, yet it’s in a format that makes sense for travel.”

This confidence was well founded, as Dudley and Davey created engaging and aesthetically pleasing looks, often with widely different rigs in places like Cancun, Mexico and Danang, Vietnam. With Dudley handling the main conferences, while Davey took care of the entertainment lighting, the pair created looks that ranged from professional to festive, all while reflecting positively on their client.

“With all production equipment being supplied locally there was always going to be an element of surprise,” said Davey.  “We knew that no matter how much we put into the pre-production, what turned up on site was always going to be uncertain, both in terms of the type of equipment and also its of service history.  So, we often had to do things on the fly.”

In addition to having to deal with inconsistent rigs, Dudley and Davey had to design for a wide variety of entertainment specifications. “One day it could be a handful of lights for a roof-top reception, and the next night a vast acre of beach party, but the client expected -and got — the same vibe for both,” said Davey. “The power of the MagicQ software, its ability to morph quickly and transform shows, was invaluable; so too was the way it allowed us to find and create head files quickly and easily for random unknown fixtures.”

The ability of their control solution to handle different venues was also appreciated by Dudley and Davey. To illustrate this point, they recall how easy it was to move from copper DMX to ArtNet and back again, from a single PC Wing.

When things didn’t go as plan, their system served as fast diagnostic tool. “The ChamSys PC Wings made it incredibly easy to troubleshoot when the unexpected happened,” said Davey. “We both found ourselves playing teacher to the local crews and they were all very impressed with what we’d brought with us. It’s nice to know that in addition to serving our client, we helped advance local lighting markets.”

NANTES, FRANCE – Like a fierce winter storm blowing in off the nearby Atlantic, Mass Hysteria shook this port city to its foundations two years ago, when they performed a show for the 10th anniversary of the Elvish. Small wonder then, that the metal icons selected this show for their April 8 stream. Featuring 75 minutes of nonstop heart-pounding intensity, the show served up a pure distilled shot of the band’s fire driven passion.

Throwing fuel on the flames of Mass Hysteria’s sound was a relentless Romain Dronne designed lightshow powered by a ChamSys MagicQ MQ80 with an Extra Wing.

Part of the Chirac Design team, Dronne turned up the brightness of his rig at key points throughout the show, transforming the relatively tight confines of Club Le Ferraileur into a ball of light. The close-in setting of the club made the show well-suited for streaming, since many fans would be watching on mobile phones with their relatively small screens.

However, beyond this “technical” consideration, the size of the venue also reinforced the close relationship that the band has with their fans according to Dronne. “This is a small venue by the standards of Mass Hysteria,” he said, noting that the band has opened for the likes of Metallica. “But, the intimacy of this show’s venue is in keeping with the kind of connection that the guys share with fans.”

The connection, Dronne speaks of is readily apparent during the streamed show, as the band exchanges quips with the crowd and tosses swag into the audience, while fans share the moment with Mass Hysteria singing along and clapping in rhythm to songs.

Through it all Dronne’s design races forward in step with the show, accenting crescendos with bursts of light, engaging the crowd with audience lighting, strobing, creating evocative silhouettes and changing perspectives with unusual side lighting.

If the lighting seemed to flow naturally with the music to those watching the stream, it’s because Dronne is fully immersed in his client’s sound. He busked the entire show, never pausing for a millisecond. Indispensably valuable to him in this process was the user-friendly layout of the MagicQ MQ 80 with its 12-inch display.

“The brilliant thing about the MQ80 is how easy it is to navigate, especially for its size,” said Dronne. “I mean, here is something that is compact enough for me, yet its display is really easy to work with because of its size and high resolution.

“I especially like the Execute Buttons on the MQ80,” continued Dronne. “I used them, including Play and Pause to control Grid One. The Color Palette was also very important, since I relied on gradients of different shades when creating silhouettes to change up the mood on stage.”

Although his show used three universes and 32 fixtures, Dronne was able to create expansive looks and unsettling intensity without interruption. Like his client, who played in a smaller-than-usual venue for this show, he proved that the power to move comes in all sizes, an especially important lesson when streaming to an audience watching on smaller mobile screens.

SOUTHAMPTON, UK – Touring and live events may be on hold for now, but learning and career development continue to move forward at the ChamSys Training Academy. The lighting console maker has been actively expanding its online education resources with new courses, tutorials and appointment opportunities being added on a continuous basis. In addition to providing programmers with the chance to sharpen their skills (and develop new ones), the academy is serving as a platform for them to remain connected to the industry in the wake of the closings and cancelations that have taken place.

Open to anyone, the academy offers daily online webinar training sessions. Conducted by active lighting designers and programmers, like Philip Watson, Brett Lorins and Charles Courser, these sessions cover a range of basic, intermediate and advanced topics.

The ChamSys Training Academy also features an expanded menu of video tutorials, including Beginners Sessions that provided a basic look at subjects like windows, buttons, faders and shortcuts; to Intermediate Sessions that deliver in-depth guides to topics like using the Execute Window to its maximum benefit.  An extensive collection of Advanced Sessions is currently under development. 

Another highlight of the academy is its free MagicQ and QuickQ online training sessions. Free of charge, the sessions provide practical user-friendly guides to mastering these powerful software tools.

For programmers and designers seeking a more personal learning experience, the ChamSys Training Academy offers one-one-one consultations during normal business hours. There is no charge for these sessions, but they must be scheduled in advanced via the academy’s website. 

For more information visit the “Training” section of the ChamSys website: 

US: https://chamsyslighting.com/pages/training

Outside US: https://chamsyslighting.com/pages/uk-training 

SOUTHHAMPTON, UK – After careful consideration and consultation with its customers as well as end users, ChamSys has elected not to participate in the rescheduled Prolight + Sound 2020. Although the company will miss the opportunity to meet with its friends and colleagues at Frankfurt, this decision was necessary given the large number of exhibitors who have already withdrawn from the show and the difficulty in rearranging scheduling and travel plans.

ChamSys looks forward to participating fully in Prolight + Sound 2021. Meanwhile, the company will continue to present customers with information about its new products through upcoming roadshows as well as its standard marketing and communications channels.