Show control
Encyclopedia
Show control is the use of automation
technology
to link together and operate multiple entertainment
control systems in a coordinated manner. It is distinguished from entertainment control (a term much less common than its specific forms, e.g. lighting control
), which coordinates elements within a single entertainment discipline
such as lighting
, sound
, video
, rigging or pyrotechnics
. An example of show control would be linking a video segment with a number of lighting cues, or having a sound track trigger animatronic movements -- or all of these combined. Shows with or without live actor
s almost invariably incorporate entertainment control technology and usually benefit from show control to operate these subsystems simultaneously or independently. Shows which are performed once or only a few times are often not considered candidates for show control since considerable preplanning and programming is usually required, but this may change as the technology, ease of operation and programming of show control software and systems matures.
(MSC) standard is an open, industry wide international communications protocol
through which all types of show devices may easily communicate. To create the MSC spec, Charlie Richmond headed the USITT MIDI Forum on their Callboard Network
in 1990, which included developers and designers from the theatre sound and lighting industry from around the world. This Forum created the MSC standard between January and September, 1990. it was ratified by the MIDI Manufacturers Association
(MMA) in January, 1991, and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee
(JMSC) later that year, becoming a part of the standard MIDI specification in August, 1991. The first show to fully utilize the MSC specification was the Magic Kingdom Parade
at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
in September, 1991.
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
to link together and operate multiple entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
control systems in a coordinated manner. It is distinguished from entertainment control (a term much less common than its specific forms, e.g. lighting control
Lighting control console
A lighting control console is an electronic device used in theatrical lighting design to control multiple lights at once...
), which coordinates elements within a single entertainment discipline
Discipline
In its original sense, discipline is referred to systematic instruction given to disciples to train them as students in a craft or trade, or to follow a particular code of conduct or "order". Often, the phrase "to discipline" carries a negative connotation. This is because enforcement of order –...
such as lighting
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
, sound
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, video
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
, rigging or pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
. An example of show control would be linking a video segment with a number of lighting cues, or having a sound track trigger animatronic movements -- or all of these combined. Shows with or without live actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s almost invariably incorporate entertainment control technology and usually benefit from show control to operate these subsystems simultaneously or independently. Shows which are performed once or only a few times are often not considered candidates for show control since considerable preplanning and programming is usually required, but this may change as the technology, ease of operation and programming of show control software and systems matures.
MIDI Show Control
The MIDI Show ControlMIDI Show Control
MIDI Show Control, or MSC, is a significant Real Time System Exclusive extension of the international Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard...
(MSC) standard is an open, industry wide international communications protocol
Communications protocol
A communications protocol is a system of digital message formats and rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing systems and in telecommunications...
through which all types of show devices may easily communicate. To create the MSC spec, Charlie Richmond headed the USITT MIDI Forum on their Callboard Network
Callboard Network
One notable event which occurred on this network was the creation of the MIDI Show Control standard between January and August 1990. This was done using the 'MIDI Forum' which was set up by Charlie Richmond. Several dozen participants from around the world logged in using a variety of means,...
in 1990, which included developers and designers from the theatre sound and lighting industry from around the world. This Forum created the MSC standard between January and September, 1990. it was ratified by the MIDI Manufacturers Association
MIDI Manufacturers Association
The MIDI Manufacturers Association is an organization where companies work together to create the standards that assure compatibility among MIDI products. The MMA is a U.S. organization established in 1985 by the original developers of the MIDI 1.0 Specification in 1983. Since 1985 the MMA has...
(MMA) in January, 1991, and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee
Japan MIDI Standards Committee
The Japan MIDI Standards Committee is the body that ratifies and proposes MIDI standards within the Japanese manufacturing and developer community. It now operates within the Association of Musical Electronics Industry . The JMSC ratifies MIDI as Japanese Industrial Standards through the Japanese...
(JMSC) later that year, becoming a part of the standard MIDI specification in August, 1991. The first show to fully utilize the MSC specification was the Magic Kingdom Parade
Magic Kingdom Parade
The Magic Kingdom Parade is a large theatrical presentation at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World which dates back to the beginning of the theme park....
at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
in September, 1991.
Show Control Systems
Generally, there are two kinds of show control systems, PC based and embedded systems. Manufacturers of embedded show control systems use their own micro controller designs. They have to develop the software and hardware. PC based show control systems use standard PC's, enhanced by standard interfaces (RS232/422 ports, Ethernet, USB etc...).| System | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| embedded | small devices with low power consumption. Usually robust, disk less systems. | expandable only with controllers from the same manufacturer. More expensive than PC based solutions. |
| PC based | cheap and manufacturer independent hardware platform, available everywhere in the world. Expandable with any standard PC interface from any manufacturer. | Most PC based show control software runs on Windows only. |
Companies
(Alphabetical order)- Alcorn McBride
- AMX
- Anitech Systems
- AV Stumpfl
- BRAINSALT MEDIA
- Crestron
- Dataton
- Ethereal FX
- Figure 53 - Qlab QlabQLab is a multimedia playback cue-based software designed for theatre and live entertainment.- History :QLab is a multimedia playback software created by a company based in Baltimore, Maryland, known as Figure 53. Version 1.3.5 of the software was released on May 25, 2007, for use on Macintosh OSX...
- Gilderfluke
- Kissbox
- Inter2face
- inSynergie
- Medialon
- Plateforme Virage
- Richmond Sound Design
- RSF
- Showlogix
- Smart Monkeys
- Stage Research
- Talia
- Videmus
External links
- John Huntington's Show Control Web Page has further definitions and links to many Show Control resources.
- Control Systems for Live Entertainment (third edition) by John Huntington, Published by Focal Press, 2007, ISBN 978-0-240-80937-3
- The MIDI Show Control (MSC) standard (V1.0, still a valid subset, is now superseded by V1.1)
- The Show Control Mailing List subscription page.
- Index of Books and Articles related to Show Control.