GDS Stage Managers Desks

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1 GDS Stage Managers Desks GDS took the opportunity to look at how the industry currently approached this complicated piece of equipment and gave a much needed review. As a result we have developed a new approach increasing both sophistication and flexibility. Using innovative materials, GDS has created a user friendly ergonomic design that has raised the bar for SM desk design and construction. This case study explains the GDS SM desk systems and how to integrate it into existing and new venues. It explains some of the features and benefits of the GDS SM desk as a whole. Vat No Reg No

2 Existing Installations Some of our GDS stage management desks and systems have been specified and installed at: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff Manchester Opera House Manchester Palace Theatre Bernie Grants Arts Centre, London Rose Bruford College, London LAMDA, London Leicester Haymarket Birmingham Old Rep Wexford Theatre, Ireland Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, London The Barbican Centre, London Howden Park, Scotland The Production Shop (various installations) Australia Carlo Arts Centre, Ireland Crucible Theatre Sheffield Mossley Mill, Northern Ireland Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin Cliftown Studios, Southend Castle Bar Theatre, Ireland. Hong Kong Performing Arts Centre Severn Oaks SM Desk, Kent Severn Oaks Audio Description Unit, Kent Theatre Chatelet, Paris Queen s University, Belfast Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal, East Anglia Vat No Reg No

3 System Overview A typical Layout of a Stage Mangers Desk; Due to its modular design, every desk differs slightly according to the customers requirements, but always maintains a standardised approach. This results in easily expanding a desk in the future if required. For Example, the CueSystem that is integrated into the SM Desk is modular and can start as small as 4 Channel and be expanded to 8, 12 and upwards depending on case type. Vat No Reg No

4 Facilities to Control Within the GDS SM desk system a large number of facilities can be integrated into a single control platform. The type and number of facilities will depend on which case type is chosen for each project. There are 3 different case types, which are described further into this document along with example layouts of the facilities listed below: 1. Local lighting control (lighting for the operator of the desk). a. Stalk lights. b. Blue panel lighting (lighting specifically for the control panels). c. White panel lighting (as above). d. Environment lighting (lighting for hazards such as the SM desk stand). e. Digital lighting control and preset storage of levels. f. Digital Playback of stored lighting states for different operators or circumstances. 2. Remote lighting control (performance or specialist lighting applications). A four channel lighting controller similar to the local lighting control which enables the storage and playback of four presets using four channels of either DMX of Analogue control. This can be used for externally controlling any lighting fixture. Some applications for this include: a. Controlling the GDS Blues system either directly by using 0-10VDC control straight to the dome or beam, or by DMX through the GDS blue system power supplies. b. Control of props such as battery lights, radio controlled lighting etc. c. Any DMX lighting. 3. Video (Monitoring of video feeds) a. 1 to 4 video screens. b. Video control such as brightness, colour and the ability to reverse the video signal should this be required. c. Video screen power controls d. Composite, PAL/NTSC. e. Analogue or Digital transport. Vat No Reg No

5 f. Ethernet/CAT5. g. selection for any number of video feeds per video screen. h. Remote switching of matrix switchers. i. Integration of third party switchers, remotes, or controllers such as Kramer matrix switch units. j. Installation of broadcast quality LCD monitors if required. 4. Audio Monitoring 5. Clocks 6. Timers 7. Intercom a. Loudspeaker monitoring of any line level signal. b. Selectability of any number of individual feeds if required. c. The ability to mute this locally. d. The ability to mute globally functions such as show relay. e. Local volume control. a. Digital clock with 12 or 24 hour selection. b. Rugby or international time sync. c. Clear Red display with smaller seconds display for easy reading. d. Display dimming. e. Analogue if required. f. Any number of clock modules can be installed for display of different time zones simultaneously. a. Digital Timer with count up and count down. b. Lap function. c. Clear Green display with smaller seconds display for easy reading. d. Display dimming. e. Any number of timer modules can be installed as required. a. All intercom systems can be integrated in the GDS SM desk system. b. 19 Third party units can be installed if required. c. Standard intercom facilities can be integrated in the panel design when using case types that don t support third party 19 rack equipment. This is Vat No Reg No

6 particularly useful when using the fibre glass lightweight case type A as this low back to front profile is suited to prop corners or control rooms that are tight on space. d. Functions such as i. Ring select ii. Mic control iii. Volume control iv. Aux control v. Headset paging interface e. GDS provide a custom intercom card that is designed for use with the standard analogue intercom systems such as tecpro, metro, asl etc. This approach allows a standard panel layout using standardised buttons etc. f. Intercom power supplies can be integrated into the SM desk system if no master station exists. 8. Paging a. Paging Mic provided as a plug in stalk b. Any number of zones can be controlled c. Page all button if required d. Electronic flip guards to eliminate flimsy mechanical guards that get broken off. e. Intercom interfaces so the headset mic can be used for paging. f. Other third party paging systems can be integrated as required. 9. Auxiliary Control of any other items such as a. Effects Circuits b. Telephone ringers c. House lights d. Working lights e. Touch panel AMX/Crestron/ETC for above facilities. f. Bar Bells g. Automated show calls h. Curtains/Tracks/Blinds i. Independents j. The above facilities can be analogue switched cabling out or interface into third party I/O units that are housed within the SM desk. An example of this is using an ETC interface for the working lights. Vat No Reg No

7 10. Cue Lights a. The cue lights within the GDS SM desk system are identical to the Cue System range of products and are therefore compatible. b. The cue light options are: i. Analogue ii. RS485 iii. TCP-IP (For information on the above please refer to the Cue System section at gds.uk.com.) c. Provided in banks of 4 channels and expandable with the only limit being the operational width of the SM desk. d. If using the TCP-IP Cue System, full programmability is possible via the Cue System software. Vat No Reg No

8 Case Types There are in general 3 case types to consider when selecting a GDS SM desk. They are all designed for covering the range of applications within a theatrical space. This may be from small studio control room to a large multiuse venue. 1. Console (Variuos Sizes depending on facilities). Designed primarily as a desk mount unit for use in control rooms or smaller studio spaces and schools. Can be used to complement a larger desk for a rehearsal/second space desk. The console desk comes with Stalk lighting as standard. 2. Type A. This unit is the most popular choice and comes with uni-polar stand with locking casters, fiberglass enclosure with 19 facilities and desk storage space. It is compact and lightweight and has been specifically designed for medium to large theatre installations. Being easily removable from the stand, it is suited to control room and Front of house operation. 3. Type B. This unit is the largest case size and is designed with specific third party integration in mind, or where there is a requirement for a large number of cue light channels. The enclosure is of high quality ply construction and fits to the same design uni-polar stand offering all the same features as the type A enclosure but with more space and depth to install larger pieces of 19 equipment. Vat No Reg No

9 A typical larger Console Overview; Console desks consist of a sloped desk mounted enclosure with Oak cheeks and rubber feet. The Console case is expandable by width to cover a large range of facilities whilst being equally suited to smaller simpler installations. Vat No Reg No

10 A typical Larger Console Layout; The larger console case can be made wider or thinner depending on the facilities that are required. In general the left section is reserved for clocks, timers and intercom, the middle section is cue lights, with functions such as paging and intercom on the right panel. The cue light section normally comes with a padded wrist rest for the operator when using cue lights. LED Littlelites and digital step dimmers are supplied as standard. Vat No Reg No

11 A typical Smaller Console Overview; Vat No Reg No

12 A typical Smaller Console Layout; Smaller console desks are very compact and facilitate a large number of facilities in one panel. LED Littlelites and digital step dimmers are supplied as standard. Normally all console desks have intercom headset connections at the front with loom connections at the rear. Vat No Reg No

13 A Typical stand Case Type A; The type A Case is ideally suited to Small to medium venues that have up to 12 cue light channels and do not need other third party equipment installed as there is limited depth in the rear of the case. However, the type A case is constructed from reinforced fibreglass which makes it extremely light, strong and normally can be lifted from the stand by one person. The compact size makes it appropriate for limited stage wing spaces and control rooms. Vat No Reg No

14 A Typical stand with SM Desk Case Type B; The uni-polar stand design results in a clutter free area around the operator s legs and feet. Under desk lighting illuminates the stand and floor area greatly reducing the risk of an accident due to collision. The SM desk rotates on the stand with all connections recessed at the rear. These features allow the desk to be installed in very compact areas. Anti rake can also be added should it be required to the stand. The above features are available on both type A and B cases Vat No Reg No

15 A typical case B Layout; The type B case offers a larger control area and can accommodate up to 24 cue light channels, additional touch panels for working light controls etc and a further ½ 19 panel section on the right for extra facilities. However, the type B case is constructed from marine grade plywood, finished and polished black and is much heavier than the type A case. The type B case is just as easily removed from the stand for control room or front of house operation although this is a two man lift. Vat No Reg No

16 Connection GDS supply the SM desk connection Loom, which is the cable that connects the desk to the wall panel. The connector type and size vary from project to project depending on the required facilities. In addition, a 19 connection unit can be supplied for touring applications that act as a hub for the interconnection of all the facilities. Below shows an example of the 19 touring connection unit: Vat No Reg No

17 A B Standard Touring/installation Connection; In this example the SM Desk is shown connected to a 19 touring connection unit. For permanent installations, these connections are simply mounted into the wall enclosure within the venue. The above example shows a typical system using analogue cue lights. When using digital cue lights, the VDM connector size can be reduced and nominally uses a 25, 37 or 54 pin multipin, depending on functionality required. Vat No Reg No

18 A B Example of installation Panel; Any number of connection points may be added to the system to allow for the console to be connected in a number of areas. Vat No Reg No

19 Example of connection loom pin out; SM Desk Pinout Pin Cable Colour 1 Cat 5 Wht/Org Cue Light 1 Red 2 Cat 5 Org Cue Light 1 Green 3 Cat 5 Wht/Grn Cue Light 2 Red 4 Cat 5 Blu Cue Light 2 Green 5 Cat 5 Blu/Wht Cue Light 3 Red 6 Cat 5 Grn Cue Light 3 Green 7 Cat 5 Wht/Brn Cue Light 4 Red 8 Cat 5 Brn Cue Light 4 Green 9 Multi-core Red-Black Whites SW 10 Multi-core Red-Brown Whites Lamp 11 Multi-core Yellow-Blue Blues SW 12 Multi-core White-Blue Blues Lamp 13 Multi-core Blue-Black ROH Page Access 14 Multi-core Orange-Blue ROH Page Access 15 Multi-core Green-Blue ROH Lamp Busy Feed 16 Multi-core Grey-Blue ROH Lamp Busy Feed 17 Multi-core Yellow-Green FOH Page Access 18 Multi-core White-Green FOH Page Access 19 Multi-core Green-Black FOH Lamp Busy Feed 20 Multi-core Orange-Green FOH Lamp Busy Feed 21 Multi-core Grey-Green Bar Bell SW 22 Multi-core Yellow-Brown Common 0V 23 FST Red Paging Mic + 24 FST Blue Paging Mic - 25 FST Green Paging Mic Screen 26 FST Red Intercom + 27 FST Blue Intercom - 28 FST Green Intercom Screen 29 Tempus Red Working Light CTRL 1A 30 Tempus Blue Working Light CTRL 1B 31 Tempus Green Working Light CTRL 1C 32 Tempus Yellow Working Light CTRL OFF 33 Tempus White Working Light CTRL 2A 34 Tempus Black Working Light CTRL 2B 35 Tempus Brown Working Light CTRL 2C 36 Tempus Violet Working Light CTRL OFF 37 Tempus Red Working Light Common +V 38 Tempus Blue Working Light Common 0V 39 Cat 5 Orange Pair Working Light CTRL +V 40 Cat 5 White-Blue Working Light CTRL CAN H 41 Cat 5 Blue Working Light CTRL CAN L 42 Cat 5 Green Pair Working Light CTRL 0V 43 Cat 5 Brown Pair Working Light CTRL SH Vat No Reg No

20 Standardised Panels The GDS SM desk panels can be broken down as follows: Lighting Panel: The lighting panel is a 1U panel that controls the desk lighting. The desk lighting is broken down into 4 sections; under desk, stalks and blue and white panel lighting. These lighting levels can be digitally stored for recall by different operators if required using the preset recall buttons In addition to the local lighting control, a further lighting control is often added that can control the GDS Blues System around the venue. This is achieved via either an analogue or DMX signal which runs from the GDS SM desk to the GDS blues system power supply: Vat No Reg No

21 This Blues System control on the SM desk is also capable of storing presets and allows the user to quickly recall performance working light states around the venue from this position. Applications include reducing the working light levels during a low light level scene. Vat No Reg No

22 Video Panel: The Video module offers 2 x flat screen monitors which can use either NTSC/PAL Composite video feeds into the desk, these being provided in the connection loom. It is possible if using TCPIP video systems in the venue, free issue cards can be fitted internally and then subsequently fitted to the LCD panels by GDS. Vat No Reg No

23 Video Panel 2: The video panel can be designed with 2 timers if required, as shown below: Vat No Reg No

24 Show Relay Monitor The show relay monitor takes a line level signal in and allows monitoring of the show relay signal at the desk. There is a local mute button that allows you to switch the local speaker off, and a global mute button. The global mute button interfaces into the installed paging system and turns off the building show relay should this be required. Vat No Reg No

25 Intercom/Paging Panel The intercom paging panel consists of intercom, paging and auxiliary control. All intercom systems can be integrated with the user console designed as required. The auxiliary buttons are software configurable for Momentary, latching, local feedback, remote feedback and virtual flip guard to cover all requirements. A B The paging section allows for the user to choose to page through either the stalk Mic that plugs into the panel or the intercom headset. The paging section can control 4 zones and have remote feedback for indicating which zone is busy. Vat No Reg No

26 Intercom/Paging panel showing 4 zone intercom system: INTERCOM AUXILLARY PAGE MIC SELECTION STALK MIC A B C D BAR BELLS SR MUTE SPARE SPARE H/SET STALK VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME BAR BELLS SR MUTE H/SET STALK PAGING BACK FOH STAGE STAGE AUD LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN FOH BACK STAGE STAGE AUD LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK A B C D GDS recommends that the master station in the venue is not installed in the SM Desk console as often if the desk gets disconnected or moved to another location, the intercom system will not function. However, if required the master station can be integrated in the SM Desk console, but the case type may have to be changed to accommodate the depth. Vat No Reg No

27 Intercom/Page Panel Connection Examples; A B As there are a number of digital paging systems on the market, GDS can integrate free issued cards to work with the programmable buttons on the front panel. The proprietary system cabling is then built into the connection loom. Vat No Reg No

28 The Intercom Page Panel is often customised for specific applications; STALK MIC SHOW CONTROL BLUES MASTER BLUES MASTER SPARE INTERCOM A VOLUME CALL CALL MIC MIC VIDEO CONT PWR 1 PWR 2 ADJUST 1 BRT COL 2 REV PAGE MIC SELECTION H/SET STALK H/SET STALK STALK MIC SHOW CONTROL DAY SHOW MUSIC STANDS SILENCE SIGNS INTERCOM B CALL MIC AUXILLARY BAR BELLS SPARE SPARE SPARE PAGING FOH BACK STAGE CONTROL AREAS ALL AREAS MUSIC STANDS SILENCE SIGNS VOLUME CALL MIC BAR BELLS FOH BACK STAGE CONTROL AREAS ALL AREAS In this example a key lock system has been installed to lock out certain functionality. Vat No Reg No

29 Auxiliary Panel The Auxiliary panel allows for up to 16 functions to be placed here. These functions are run from the standard GDS button panels and are configurable for Momentary, latching, local feedback, remote feedback and virtual flip guard to cover all requirements. INDEPENDENTS WORKING LIGHTS HOUSE LIGHTS SPARE STAGE 1 STAGE 2 RUNNING ORCH FLYS GRID UP DOWN ROOM PIT STAGE 1 STAGE 2 FLYS GRID RUNNING ROOM ORCH PIT UP DOWN Vat No Reg No

30 The auxiliary panel can be connected to in a number of different ways depending on the functionality of the panel. A number or all buttons can be controlled via a proprietary system such as ETC; INDEPENDENTS WORKING LIGHTS HOUSE LIGHTS SPARE STAGE 1 STAGE 2 RUNNING ORCH FLYS GRID UP DOWN ROOM PIT STAGE 1 STAGE 2 FLYS GRID RUNNING ROOM ORCH PIT UP DOWN The auxiliary panel is generally configured on a project by project basis, and sometimes not required at all. In this circumstance, a 1U blank panel is fitted for future expansion. Vat No Reg No

31 Example of auxiliary panel with a number of different systems connected together; INDEPENDENTS WORKING LIGHTS HOUSE LIGHTS SPARE STAGE 1 STAGE 2 RUNNING ORCH FLYS GRID UP DOWN ROOM PIT STAGE 1 STAGE 2 FLYS GRID RUNNING ROOM ORCH PIT UP DOWN The standardised approach to the buttons and layout result in a number of different systems being connected together and appearing on the auxiliary panel in a clear layout that is easy to understand and use. Vat No Reg No

32 Cue Light Panel The cue light panel provides red/green light cueing in the field and comes as modular 4 way panels. These 4 way panels are then installed to make up the required number of cue light channels. A 19 panel will cater for 4,8 or 12 channels. If more are required, case type B can then go up to 24 channels. Vat No Reg No

33 20 Way Cue light panel use in case type B ; CUE LIGHTS CUE LIGHTS master master The GDS cue light system used in the SM Desk range is fully compatible with the Cue System range and uses the same outstations and electronics. The cue light controls are configurable for; 1. Flashing speed 2. Green momentary function 3. Green Dual Function 4. Lose red on go 5. Red toggle 6. Clear preset The system can operate as analogue (3 Wire), RS485 (point to point digital) or TCP-IP fully networkable system. For more information, please refer to Cue System for more information. Vat No Reg No

34 An analogue cue light example; As the number of channels increase using an analogue system, the number of connections rise in the connection loom and larger systems can end up with very bulky looms. GDS recommends that larger cue lights systems use the digital or TCP-IP system as savings will be made from the connection loom and building infrastructure costs. Vat No Reg No

35 A digital cue light example; The above example is using the RS485 point to point digital cue light system with 12 channel I/O unit. For more information, please refer to Cue System for more information. Vat No Reg No

36 A TCP-IP cue light example with outstations; The above example is using the TCP-IP cue light system with a 12 channel and 4 channel output node. For more information, please refer to Cue System for more information. Vat No Reg No

37 Case Studies Venue: Barbican Centre Location: London, UK Date: Aug 2008 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue light, 4 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, 2 x Video. 1 x FOH SM Desk for plotting with 24 way Cue Light, 4 Ch Intercom and paging. Picture below of original desk. Vat No Reg No

38 Barbican, Main House Desk Vat No Reg No

39 Barbican, FOH Desk (for plotting) Vat No Reg No

40 Venue: Wexford Opera House Location: Wexford, Ireland Date: Sep 2008 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 16 way Cue Light, 4 Ch Intercom, Paging and ETC Sensor working light control via Touch Screen, Digital Show Clock and Stopwatch, 2 x video. 1 x Rehearsal/Studio Desk, 6 ch Cue Light, Intercom, Paging, Show Clock and real clock and working light control Vat No Reg No

41 Wexford Opera House, Ireland Studio/Rehearsal Desk Vat No Reg No

42 Venue: Opera House Location: Manchester, UK Date: Aug 2007 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue Light, 2 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, Digital Show Time clock and stop watch and working light control, 2 x video. Manchester Opera SM House desk. Vat No Reg No

43 Manchester Opera House, UK Main House SM Desk (Close up of Digital Clocks) Vat No Reg No

44 Venue: LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) Location: London, UK Date: Aug 2007 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue Light, 2 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, Digital Show Time clock and stop watch and working light control, 2 x video. LAMDA Main SM desk. Vat No Reg No

45 LAMDA Main House SM Desk (Close up of Cue Light section) Vat No Reg No

46 Venue: Brisbane School, Location: Brisbane, Australia Date: Aug 2008 Specification 2 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue Light, 2 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, Digital Show Time clock and stop watch and working light control, 2 x video. 1 x Demonstration SM Desk for Australia All 3 Desks before shipping to Australia. Vat No Reg No

47 Australia Desks Vat No Reg No

48 Venue: Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith Location: London, UK Date: July 2008 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue Light, 4 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, Digital Show Time clock and stop watch and working light control, 2 x video. Lyric Theatre Main SM desk. Vat No Reg No

49 Venue: Berni Grant Arts Centre Location: London, UK Date: Aug 2006 Specification 1 x Small Studio SM Desk with 6 way Cue Light, 2 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, Digital Show Time clock and stop watch and working light control. Berni Grant Main Studio SM desk. Vat No Reg No

50 Venue: Birmingham Old Rep Theatre Location: Birmingham, UK Date: June 2008 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue light, 2 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, 2 x Video. Picture below of desk. Vat No Reg No

51 Birmingham Old Rep Vat No Reg No

52 Venue: Hong Kong Performing Arts Centre Location: Hong Kong Date: Jan 2010 Specification 3 x Main house SM Desk with 12 way Cue light, 2 Ch Intercom, Paging and working light control, 2 x Video. 2 Console desk Vat No Reg No

53 Hong Kong Performing Arts Centre Vat No Reg No

54 Venue: Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin Location: Ireland Date: Oct 2009 Specification 1 x Main house SM Desk with 20 way Cue Light, 4 Ch Intercom, Paging and ETC Sensor working light control via Touch Screen, Digital Show Clock and Stopwatch, 2 x video. Vat No Reg No

55 Grand Canal Theatre Vat No Reg No