Table of Contents

• 1. Understanding Lighting Configurations
• 2. Creating a Static Lighting Configuration
• 3. Creating Animated Lighting Configurations
• 4. Animating the Lights
• 5. Additional Animation Techniques
• 6. Managing and Recalling Static and Animated Cues
• 7. Using Static Lights and Changing Colors

Complete Guide: Static and Animated Lighting Configuration on Mantra Lite

1. Understanding Lighting Configurations

Static Lighting Configuration:

A static lighting configuration refers to lighting setups that remain constant without any transitions or movements over time. These setups include adjusting the brightness, color, and position of each light source and then saving those settings as a cue. Static configurations are ideal for settings where the lighting doesn’t need to change during the performance, such as spotlight effects or preset scene settings. Once saved, these configurations can be recalled instantly during a performance, ensuring consistency in lighting.

Animated Lighting Configuration:

An animated lighting configuration involves creating a sequence of lighting changes that evolve over time, giving the illusion of movement, color changes, and dynamic effects. This configuration includes transitions between various cues and parameters like intensity, color, position, and strobe effects. Animations are useful for creating dramatic changes in lighting, such as during a performance's climax or a scene change. Each cue can be set with fade times and custom movements, adding a layer of dynamism to the overall lighting design.

2. Creating a Static Lighting Configuration (Basic Setup)

Step-by-Step:

Set Up Your Lights: Start by adjusting each light’s intensity, color, and position to achieve your desired static look. You can control intensity through faders, choose color using color wheels, and adjust position for moving lights (pan and tilt). This basic configuration allows for a single, fixed lighting scene. If you want additional effects, such as strobe or gobo (patterns), configure those as well. This setup forms the foundation of your lighting configuration.

Record the Static Configuration: After setting the lights to your desired position and settings, press the Record button to save the configuration. You’ll be prompted to assign a name to this cue (such as “Scene 1” or “Intro”). Save it into an empty cue slot and confirm. This action locks in the current lighting settings, which you can recall later to recreate the exact scene you’ve designed.

Playback the Static Configuration: To activate your saved static cue, simply go to the Playback Screen and tap the cue name or move the fader corresponding to it. This will apply the exact lighting setup as when it was recorded. Using this method, you can instantly bring back the same lighting configuration for consistency across performances.

Modify and Overwrite Static Cues: If you want to modify an existing static cue, recall the saved cue and adjust the lighting parameters (intensity, color, etc.). Once you’ve made the adjustments, press Record again and choose the original cue slot. Confirming this will overwrite the old cue with your new changes, ensuring you always have the most up-to-date configuration ready.

3. Creating Animated Lighting Configurations (Dynamic Effects)

Step-by-Step:

Set Up Your Initial Lighting Configuration: Begin by setting up the starting point for your animation. Choose the light positions, color, intensity, and effects for the first frame of your animation. This initial setup will serve as the first cue in your sequence. For example, if you want a simple color fade, you can start with a red color and adjust the intensity to 50%. This creates the foundation for your animated sequence.

Record the Initial Lighting Cue: After setting up your first lighting configuration, press the Record button to save it as a cue. This cue will act as the starting point of your animation. Name it (e.g., "Start Position") and assign it to an empty cue slot. Once saved, you’ll have a reference point from which you can begin creating additional cues for your animated sequence.

Create Intermediate Cues (Animating Over Time): Now, record additional cues that represent key moments in your animation. For example, you could change the lights from Red to Blue or adjust the brightness over time. To animate the lights, each subsequent cue should gradually alter the settings from the previous one, creating smooth transitions. These intermediate cues are the building blocks of your animation and allow for gradual changes in the lighting configuration.

Set Fade Times for Animation: Fade times control how quickly or slowly lights transition between cues. If you want a smooth, gradual transition from one cue to the next, set a fade time of several seconds (e.g., 5 seconds). These fade times can be adjusted for each cue individually. The longer the fade time, the smoother the transition. Experiment with different fade durations to create the desired effect for your lighting animation.

Add More Intermediate Cues for Complex Animations: To create a more complex animation, continue adding cues that change various lighting parameters like color, intensity, and movement. For example, you can add cues for lights to move across the stage, change color mid-animation, or adjust strobe effects. Each cue should create a distinct change, and when played in sequence, they’ll combine to form a complete animation.

Record Final Cue for the End of the Animation: The last cue in your animation should represent the final state of your lighting configuration. For example, you may want your lights to end in a bright white color with 100% intensity. After setting up the final parameters, press Record again and save this as the last cue in your sequence. This cue will ensure that the animation concludes as intended.

4. Animating the Lights (Putting It All Together)

Step-by-Step:

Link the Cues into a Playback Sequence: After recording your cues, go to the Playback Screen to link them together. Arrange your cues in the order in which they should play. You can trigger them in sequence, and the console will automatically move from one cue to the next. This creates the desired lighting effect by seamlessly transitioning from cue to cue over time, producing the animation you’ve designed.

Adjust Faders for Dynamic Control: If you’d like to manually control the animation during a performance, assign your cues to the faders. By moving the fader up or down, you can adjust the timing and intensity of the animation. This allows you to have real-time control over the lighting effects, which is especially useful for improvisation or changes on the fly during a live performance.

Fine-Tune the Animation: Once you’ve linked all cues and assigned them to faders, run the animation and observe how the lights transition between cues. If there are any abrupt changes or timings that feel off, adjust the fade times or lighting parameters. Fine-tuning ensures that your animation flows smoothly and looks polished during the performance.

5. Additional Animation Techniques

To create even more dynamic lighting effects, you can experiment with various techniques, such as:

• Chases: This involves a sequence of lights that move from one position to another in a repeating pattern. Chases can be used to create a sense of movement across the stage, like in a crowd-waving effect.
• Strobe Effects: Strobe lighting can add dramatic intensity to an animation, flashing lights on and off in quick succession. Adjusting the speed and intensity of the strobe effect can create various visual impacts.
• Color Fades: Smooth transitions between different colors or gradual color changes can be used to add emotional depth to a performance. Set the fade time and color transitions for a subtle or dramatic effect.

6. Managing and Recalling Static and Animated Cues

Managing cues effectively is essential for smooth performances. The console provides options to recall any saved static or animated cue by simply tapping the cue name or moving the fader. Here’s how to organize and recall cues:

• Labeling Cues: Give each cue a descriptive name that helps you identify it quickly. For example, "Intro Lights" or "Scene 3 Fade" will help you recall your cues faster during a performance.
• Cue Slots: Use the available cue slots to store your lighting configurations, both static and animated. Group similar cues together (e.g., "Scene 1" static cues or "Scene 2" animated cues).
• Using Multiple Playback Tracks: If you have multiple sequences of cues (such as different scenes), assign each sequence to a separate playback track to keep everything organized and easy to navigate.

7. Using Static Lights and Changing Colors

Static lights can be used to create a foundation for your lighting design, especially when you want consistent illumination throughout the performance. However, you can also experiment with color changes to add variation.

Change Colors Using Color Wheels: On the console, use the color wheel to change the color of your static lights. You can choose a single color or create gradual transitions between different hues.

Modify Static Light Positions: While the lights stay static, you can adjust their position or orientation (if applicable) to highlight specific areas or create visual focus on performers or props.