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| ACTIVE SENSING | Active sensing is a technique used on MIDI instruments to detect when there is no data being sent |
ADC | Analogue to Digital Converter - A device which converts analogue signals into digital data for recording on digital media such as compact disk. |
ADDITIVE SYNTHESIS | The principle of additive synthesis is that a basic waveform can have further sine waves added to it to create a more complex tone. |
AFTERTOUCH | The name used for the method used by synthesizers to detect whether a key is being pressed harder after the initial strike, alternatively known as Pressure Sensitivity. |
AMPERE | Unit used to measure the amount of electric current passing through a circuit |
AMPLIFIER (Audio) | A device for increasing the strength of a sound signal |
ANALOGUE (Control System) | A piece of equipment providing, or responding to a variable potential difference between a zero (ground/common) point and the control line. Typically 0 to +10V or 0 to -10V. |
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| BACKCLOTH | A scenic canvas or cloth used across the back of a stage |
BALLAST | The elctrical device required for all discharge lamps that limits the current through the lamp. Additional functions may be incorporated in the basic unit such as starting circuits and dimming control. |
BARNDOOR | Movable flaps attached to a Fresnel or PC lantern to shape the light beam. |
BARREL (Bar) | A metal tube generally 48mm in diameter and made from aluminium for suspending lanterns or scenery |
BATTEN | Compartmented multicolour floodlight unit for stage lighting. |
BEAM | The uni-directional flow of light from a lantern |
BEAM ANGLE | The angle at which light spreads from the front of the lantern. Sometimes shown as a minimum and maximum figures depending on the lanterns focussing capabilities. |
BLACKLIGHT | An ultra violet light from which the harmful radiations have been filtered. Used to light specific materials which will fluoresce in a dark area. |
BOOM | Vertical 48mm diameter aluminium barrel for mounting lanters. |
BOOM ARM | Bracket for fixing lanterns to a boom |
BOUNCE | When there aren't enough tracks available on a multitrack tape recorder, it may be necessary to record a number of tracks on to one single track, freeing a number of channels for recording new sections. This is called bouncing down or "Ping Pong" recording. |
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| CHAIN HOST | A Mechanical device that is used to raise and lower heavy equipment, operated via a chain with gear for ease of operation. |
CHANNEL | The circuit from the fader on the lighting or control desk to its associated dimmer, also from sound mixers to thier respective microphones or speakers. |
CID LAMP | (Compact Iodide Daylight) A type of gas discharge lamp with an approximate colour temperature of 5500K. |
CSI LAMP | (Compact Source Iodide) A type of gas discharge lamp with an approximate colour temperature of 4000K. |
COLOUR FRAME | A frame used to support colour media in front of a lantern |
COLOUR FILTER | A coloured material placed in front of a light source to colour the emergent light. |
COLOUR CORRECTION FILTER | Colour medium placed in front of a light source to measure its colour temperature. |
COLOUR TEMPERATURE | The colour quality of light measured in degrees Kelvin, where )K = -273 Degrees C. Daylight colour temperature is 5600K and tungsten halogen lighting is 3200K. |
CYCLORAMA | A verticaly hung cloth (usually stretched) used as a general purpose scenic background. |
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| D54 | Multiplexed signal standard for dimmer control, based on a stream of analogue voltage levels. An original product from Strand Lighting, now being replaced by DMX512 on new equipment. |
DAT | Digital Audio Tape. A samll cassette format giving a much higher quality than that of ordinary cassettes. |
DELAY LINE | A device that electronically delays an audio signal |
DI BOX | A device which enables unbalanced line signals (i.e. keyboards) to be connected to balanced mic inputs on a sound desk. |
DICHROIC FILTER | A glass filter with a specially coated surface that restricts certain parts of thecolour spectrum. For example, when placed in front of a tungsten halogen light source(3200K), the colour temperature can be converted to 5600K (daylight). |
DIMMER | A device used to regulate the voltage to a lamp and therefore allow its light intensity to be adjusted. |
DISCHARGE LAMPS | Light is produced by passing electricity through a gas across two electrodes enclosed in a quartz envelope e.g. HMI, CSI, CID lamps. |
DMX512 | Multiplexed signal standard using entirely digital information. Initially designed for the control of dimmers it is now used to control moving lights, colour scrollers and many stage effects. |
DRIFT WIRE | A flexible steel wire rope fitted with eyelets at each end. |
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| FADER | A control device for indirectly setting the output of a channel |
FLOODLIGHT | A lantern that only has a reflector to control the light output and has a wide beam angle. |
FRESNEL LANTERN | A lantern fitted with a convex lens, built with concentric steps, which produces a soft edged beam of light. |
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| GATE | The optical centre of a profile lantern, where an iris or a gobo can be inserted. |
GEL | See colour filter. |
GOBO | A thin metal template with a cutout design which can be projected when used in the optic gate of a profile lantern. |
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| HMI LAMP | Hydrargyrum Medium arc-length Iodide). A mercury-halide discharge lamp with an aproximate colour temperature of 5600K. |
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| IRIS | A device used with a profile lantern to vary the size of the beam |
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| KILOWATT (kW) | 1000 Watts |
KVA (Kilo Volt Amps) | Unit of electrical power. Power "apparent" described in KVA is not the same as power "tru" expressed in Watts. Power (watts)=Power Factor x power (kVA). The power factor lies between 0 and 1; often 0.8 to 0.9 |
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| LANTERN | A general term to describe a complete lighting unit. It includes the housing, reflector, lens and lamp. |
LAMP | A glass or quartz envelope which contains filaments or electrodes. The term is often used to describe a lantern, which is to be avoided as it can often can cause confusion. |
LENS | A piece of glass with one or both sides curved for concentrating or dispersing light beams. |
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| MCB | Minature Circuit Breaker. A modern version of a fuse for protecting circuits in various sizes up to 63amps. |
MCCB | Moulded Case Circuit Breaker. For protecting circuits above 63amps. |
MIDI | Musical Instrument Digital Interface. The standard communication protocol used initially by musical instrument manufacturers and becoming increasingly common in other related equipment. |
MULTIPLEX SIGNAL | A stream of (usually digital) information transmitted at high speed via a single pair of conductors. The signal can contain many instructions for different equipment i.e. dimmers, colour scrollers, etc. The signal has to be decoded by a demultiplex unit before it can be used. |
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| OPTIMUM THROW | Most effective distance between lantern and the area being lit |
OHM | Unit of electrical resistance |
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| PAR LAMP | A tungsten-halogen lamp in which the inside of the lamp provides a parabolic aluminium reflector. This, together with the moulded glass front (clear, ribbed, or stippled), provides a fixed beam spread with a choice of angles. |
PHANTOM POWER | A device providing power to enable a condensor microphone or some DI boxes to operate. |
PRISM CONVEX LANTERN | A lantern fitted with a convex lens with some diffusion built in, producing a semi hard edged beam of light. |
PROFILE LANTERN | A lantern with a minimum of one plano-convex lens producing an even beam with a very sharp edge. |
PSU | Power Supply Unit. A generic term for a device which is used to supply elcetrical power. |
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| QUARTZ HOLOGEN | See tungsten-halogen lamp. |
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| RIG | To install and set up lighting, scenery and sound equipment in thier required positions. |
RIGGING | A collective term for suspension equipment. |
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| SCRIM | A fine metal mesh used in front of lanterns to reduce light output without effecting the colour temperature. |
SPIGOT | A small metal rod attached to a lantern to enable it to be fixed onto a stand. |
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| TRUSS | A framework, generally made from alloy bars with cross-bracing, to provide light weight rigging structures. |
TUNGSTEN LAMP | A normal lamp whose tungsten filaments usually lose the brightness of their light output. |
TUNGSTEN-HALOGEN LAMP | A quartz envelope filled with halogen gas giving an almost colour temperature throughout its longer working life. |
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| VOLT | Unit of electrical force. |
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| WATT | Unit of electrical Power |
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| XLR | A series of connectors largely used in audio and signal applications |
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