It would be more important to invest your extra budget into more lighting fixtures than into a physical lighting console or surface.
Computer based control should be opted for if possible as it allows you the most flexibility for future expansion.Īnd even though convenient, a console with physical faders and encoders for a small lighting package is not a necessity.
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If your lighting rig only consists of a handful of front stage wash fixtures and a few kick/back lights, then a simple, small console or lighting software is the solution. Based on your lighting package/rig size and weekend service style, some systems and console choices may lend themselves to be more effective than others. And this comes down to choosing the right system and getting your volunteers trained (and No… YouTube training tutorials don’t count!).Īnother aspect (and an obvious one) that is far too often missed is choosing a lighting control system that best fits the application. It simply means you must set your lighting volunteers up for success. Just because your lighting team is volunteer led, does not mean that excellence cannot be achieved in lighting. These courses are designed to get your volunteers programming efficiently, more creatively and in less time than ever before (with less mistakes too). We’ll send you info on private and online training courses built for volunteer teams. If this is YOU – stop now and fill out the form to the left. No volunteer should be spending 2+ hours programming lighting for a weekend service. This all comes down to bad choice in control system, no training and poorly set up controller. We’ve polled churches across the country and 86% answered programming takes 2hrs+ per week to program lights – with the average being 3 to 4 hours. So with that being the case – it’s of most importance to take into consideration the time that volunteers are able to dedicate to programming.
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So…since a full time lighting designer/director staff person is not a reality for most churches – we’ll assume that your churches lighting team of programmers and operators will be volunteer. The other 5% of churches would include a full time LD (lighting director) as a paid staff position which is a “luxury” most churches can’t even fathom. In 95% of churches, volunteers will be doing the weekend worship service programming as well as operation – with the occasional staff tech / production director hopping in for some programming and playback sessions along the way to help out their team. With that all said… Let’s dig in!Īn important factor to consider is who will be behind the lighting desk for programming and operation. You can check out some of our Lighting Programming Training Courses Here. Training is one of the lowest cost investments you can make in taking your church lighting to a whole new level. Also, plan on getting training for your volunteers. So before you pull the trigger on a new lighting control system, first and foremost talk with a true Lighting Expert. And due to the fact that there are so many options out there – churches like yours get lost and end up usually making a bad decision out of pure frustration.
I’ve also seen far too many so called “AVL integrators” recommend lighting consoles or lighting software to churches that should never be. I’ve seen far to many churches purchase a lighting control package that is “top-of-the-line” thinking that the “platform” or “software” will give them “amazing” and “pro level lighting looks”. Don’t miss that! TRAINING IS KEY! Write That Down! There are a few factors in determining which lighting software/console platform to adopt, but ultimately the quality of your lighting cues, looks and creativity all comes down to the level of training you have and receive in that software. From GrandMA to Onyx, Chroma-Q to LightKey, Chamsys to Hog and many many many more… All control platforms come with advantages and disadvantages, but used properly all of them (well… mostly all) can help programmers achieve great lighting looks within a church worship service. In my years in lighting design, I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure to work behind many lighting softwares and consoles. When it comes to choosing a lighting control system for your church, there are endless options… And, if you ask any church Lighting Designer, chances are they will share with you why they believe their chosen platform is the best.
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