Category: Lighting

First Steps on Site

11/2/2022

Just a few weeks ago Lambda started a full AV install on a new building project! Over the last year we have worked to build designs, CAD, procure equipment, and test and program it all to work together in our design. Finally, all the behind-the-scenes work is done, and the install is in full swing! So, what are the first steps for Lambda when we come on a new site?

Sleek New Lighting

1/12/2022

Good lighting will make all the difference, whether you are building a studio or a stage look. We’ve talked before about how lighting can really make your space and set the mood you want to convey for your audience. So, how do you get that perfect lighting look? Let’s check out some products that we love to use!

Hive Lighting builds quality lasing lights that offer a range of use and application. We recently used several of their products in a video production studio; one of them was the Hornet 200-CX.

The Hornet only weighs 2.2lb’s and draws 150W and is designed to work with a variety of applicators including softboxes, Fresnel’s, beauty dishes, reflectors, and more. Billions of color combinations combined with 12,000 lumens of sharp ultra-bright output make the Hornet 200-CX one of the most versatile lights ever built. Along with lots of customizable options, you can also use Bluetooth control from your phone to choose from hundreds of presets or create your own unique light colors, animated lighting effects, and controls right from your pocket!

At a glance, the Hornet is built from durable aircraft-grade aluminum, with a high, Omni-color LED output at 12,000 lumens. It’s light, portable, and easily controlled or changed up in a few minutes making it the perfect, versatile light for any occasion.

Gear Highlight - Quasar

1/12/2022

We love our Quasar lights! Quasar produces a neat LED light bar that is lightweight, versatile, and great for a variety of applications. Their Linear Lamps offer a low profile yet broad lighting source that is capable of providing everything from traditional three-point subject lighting to architectural accents and general area lighting. So, whether you are planning to light actors or environments, Quasar has it covered!

Quasar’s Crossfade Linear Lamps can be used as a single bar or stacked together to create a light panel for lighting backgrounds with energy efficiency. The crossfade can create an effect from ‘Overcast to Daylight’ and is compatible with most dimming systems. As a single linear unit these are a great low-profile option when you do not have lots of space. The lights are easily mounted on the wall or ceiling without compromising framing. They have a single end power input, making it easy to plug in and go without a complicated wiring web or tangled mess at the end of the day. It also makes them easy to move in a hurry or when you need to change up your set.

With color, fade, and dimmable options, Quasar is a great choice for creating your next lighting project or stage design! If you are interested in a demo, or have any questions about Quasar, you can email support@lambdaav.io anytime!

Lighting Solution for Small Studios

10/21/2021

We recently completed a small in-house studio for a client and thought it would be useful to talk about some of the infrastructure pieces involved. With this studio one of the primary goals was to maximize a small space. Many times, clients contact us thinking they have a giant newfound space to build a studio in. When empty, these spaces generally seem huge, but in reality, a 25ft x 25ft room is not huge in the world of video. First, this is because gear like cameras and operators take space, and second, because lensing, set pieces, and lighting all needs to be spread out to work properly. A green screen when lit will reflect green causing issues with any talent standing in front of it. (Read all about Green Screens HERE) Camera lensing requires space to get people into the frame. A room with small dimensions turns into a cramped space very quickly, leaving barely enough room to work and tons of tripping hazards.

In order to maximize space for this business one of the things we could do was lean to a professional studio design and create a lighting grid. A lighting grid is a system of suspended steel pipes in a crisscross design for hanging lights and other devices from the ceiling. A typical grid has pipes spaced with 4ft gaps proving lots of spaces for mounting anything you would need in a studio. Before trying to rig up a grid in your space make sure to first consult a professional as these need to be set up safely and up to building code. A typical grid for a small space can weigh as much as 800lbs and needs to be anchored correctly to be able to handle even more load than you plan to attach. For this grid, we used special concrete anchors to hold one direction of the grid and another custom grid clamp to join everything together from our favorite people at The Light Source.

Making AV Goals

5/18/2021

Easter is just around the corner and it’s a good time to talk about making AV Goals. Audio Visual systems are an investment for your business, but sometimes it can be hard to make the final decision on when or how to invest in new equipment. How do you know which areas to invest in your AV system and what things can wait? This is where a little careful planning can take you a long way.

It’s very important to start with the big picture of what your business or house of worship is looking to achieve in the long term. It is a good idea to understand the ultimate goal before you start. Do you want to stream in the future? Are you hoping to move to a larger building? Are you going from something portable to something permanent? Are you hoping to have a video wall before your holiday service? Sitting down and brainstorming the goals for your company will help you make decisions about what is essential for your AV system.

If you aren’t sure how your future goals are connected to your AV gear, you can call or email Lambda to ask any questions about ways to attain your dream system. Sometimes we have items in our shop that we can demo for you. Last year a client tried out a camera demo and found that the setup they wanted for the long term was not what they initially thought it would be. Lambda can help point you in the right direction about an upgrade without wasting your time on quoting processes or equipment that won’t meet your needs down the road.

DIY Projects With Lambda

3/2/2021

We realize that sometimes you just want to make a simple cable swap or another easy change on your own. At Lambda our main mission has always been to empower people to know their equipment and be able to get the most out of it. This is why the team at Lambda has been working hard to create resources for you to use this last year, including instructional graphics for camera operators.
We want to continue to provide practical tips for you to use so your company and staff can continue to grow. So, be sure to send us any questions or topics you’d like to see addressed here or on social media. Also, be sure to keep reading future issues as we have a lot of DIY tips coming up and if you haven’t heard about our jobsite guide, we’d love to get one into your hands! More to come!

5 Tips to Prepare for the Season

2/18/2021

With more holidays just around the corner and the continued uncertainties of what will happen next with Covid, the team at Lambda wants to make sure you we can give you the best tools and tips for making this season special! This year certainly wasn’t what we all expected and will look different as we plan ahead. Be sure to read last week’s article with a few ways you can make your system better this season without ordering a whole new system!
As we continue to look at ways to improve video stream, audio, and lighting for the holidays, we thought it would be a good week to check out these five tips to prepare your system for holiday productions!

Creating the Look and Atmosphere for your Camera

2/18/2021

And getting the most from your equipment

It’s Christmas planning season and many of our friends and customers have found themselves in a different place with their technology than they had ever dreamed they would be. Where many people had planned on making small upgrades this year, they instead found themselves making entire changes to how they go about working with or reaching people. Some of our customers are still waiting, months later, for their system upgrades to come in stock. If anyone waited just a few weeks after the first COVID-19 challenges to make large video system improvements, there was already a massive delay in the industry. Normally, this time of year we encourage everyone to finalize their Christmas upgrade plans and ideas so we can get items ordered, but most have either already ordered or video equipment is so backordered into next year there may not be an opportunity, even now, to get the project done. So, where do we start in this new world as we go into the Christmas season? Especially, for churches with production on the horizon? The crew at Lambda would like to suggest two areas to focus on: training and lighting.

Free AV Resources

2/17/2021

We were very excited when we walked into a job and saw the Lambda Audio Guides printed off and sitting on the desk. If you haven't already checked out the great resources on our website, now's the time! These guides will change the way you train your volunteers and are a solid resource for reminding yourself of the essentials too! Check out lambdaav.io/resources for Audio AND Video guides!!!

Preset Lighting

10/20/2020

Another very important element to the Summit lighting system was the Preset wallplate.

The Doug Fleenor Preset Wallplate can save up to 10 of your favorite lighting presets in the DMX based PRE10-Ethernet system from Doug Fleenor Designs. Working in conjunction with a lighting console, presets are captured via programmed output and available for quick use. The PRE10-Ethernet can operate independently from the lighting console, holding a look if one unit goes offline or simplifying control when needed. Its an easy way to save your best looks or general stage looks for visiting artists, or easy lighting for day to day use. Each preset can be assigned a unique fadetime and simply recalled at the touch of a button.

Using this wallplate, not only tied perfectly into the rest of the AV system for Summit, but allowed anyone to access certain preset lighting without the need of a lighting director in the room. It saves time and ensures that even simple events or gatherings will still be well lit.

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Resources

Check out our resources page for FREE checklists and tools we mention in articles! We are here to help you improve and maintain your Audio Visual Systems!

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