Summary: This week on the Podcast we’re going to discuss ways that you can run lighting from the stage. Sometimes, there may not be a dedicated person to run the lights so I want to share some ways you can work around this.<br> If you’re new here and you’re not sure how or where to get started with your lighting be sure to take this <a href="http://learnstagelighting.com/quiz">Quiz</a> and I will send you a Guide based on your answers to help get you pointed in the right direction.<br> <a href="http://learnstagelighting.com/quiz">How to Begin with Lighting Quiz</a><br> <br> Main Segment (1:13)<br> Before we dive into ways you can run your lights from the stage you want to take a step back and consider the reasons why you need to your lights from the stage.<br> Perhaps it’s because your a small band and you don’t have the budget to afford a lighting person but you still want to bring that “wow” factor to your show. As we’ve discussed before working with Sound Active Mode is a no go and can make the show look like it’s done by amateurs.<br> Another scenario is that maybe you’re a small church that is already tight on volunteers and you just don’t have the manpower for someone to run the lights.<br> How Do You Do It?<br> The most important piece to know is that you need is a Trigger, the lights won’t trigger themselves! In order to run lights from the stage and have it automated you don’t necessarily have to have backtracks.<br> While it is simpler to have backing tracks but some bands like to work on the fly. So, with that you need to have is a Trigger. There are a few options you can work with.<br> Propresenter – Often used in the Church world is Propresenter or other MIDI capable software that you are using on stage.<br> Footswitch – Another great option is having a Footswitch that you or another band member can use to trigger the next cue.<br> Segmented tracks in Ableton Live – Ableton Live can work with backing tracks but still has the ability to work in a Live show and be able to skip certain parts if need be.<br> Full Backing tracks – As we mentioned in the beginning just having full backing tracks will work as well.<br> <br> Basic: DMXIS<br> As we’ve mentioned many times a great and simple software is ENTTEC’s DMXIS. This is a great program to use and very easy to learn. DMXIS is very popular with those who are still new to working with Lighting.<br> What I really like about DMXIS is that it was designed for those who want to run their lights from stage. With DMXIS you have options such as running it with a Footswitch, using a DAW such as Ableton Live, or you can run it with a companion program like ShowBuddy.<br> To learn more about how to program with DMXIS just check out this article: <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/how-to-program-with-dmxis/">How to Program With DMXIS</a>.<br> Advanced: Onyx/MIDI macros (or D-Pro, LightShark)<br> Perhaps you’re doing bigger shows, have a lighting console already, or you may have to reprogram shows more often. When you’re using a more advance console you’ll have the option to trigger things via MIDI.<br> <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/how-do-i-begin-with-onyx/">How Do I Begin With Onyx?</a><br> <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/how-to-begin-with-the-lightshark/">How to Begin With the LightShark</a><br> <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/begin-enttec-d-pro/">How Do I Begin with ENTTEC D-Pro?</a><br> With these more intermediate consoles it’s a little more complex to program because they were designed with advanced lighting experts in mind.<br> I’ve discussed triggering lights with MIDI a few times on the podcast. What you’re able to is use something like a footswitch, Ableton Live,
