Lighting boards and software are used by lighting designers and technicians to control lights for theater performances. Lighting boards are most often found at in theaters, in audio-visual control rooms or at outdoor performances with programmed lighting. Lighting boards usually have one or more screens operating as monitors, several clusters of buttons and multiple sliding controls called faders. Some portable lighting boards do not have screens.
Computer software is an important part of a completed light board control set-up. Special software designed to operate each lighting board programs the lighting board to control the properties of lights connected to the system. The light board operator programs each lighting look based on the show for which the design is being created. She may choose to time the looks to trigger by the clock or to sequence the looks and trigger them manually.
Using lighting boards and software helps the lighting designer and light board operator design a more elaborate and precise lighting producing. Without these things, lighting must be controlled manually, which limits the number of light looks available in the venue. Some buildings have architectural lighting control boards, allowing for a central console that can control all of the lights in a building or complex.
Most light board companies offer offline software designed to allow the light board operator to program light sequences from home. Using this software, the operator runs a virtual light board interface that allows her to program and save controls to play back on the control unit. The programmed light sequences are transferred to the light control board using a floppy disk or USB drive.
The amount of control a light board operator has over the lights in a venue depends on the type of lights and the type of light board and software. Most basic light boards allow the operator to program the timing and intensity of several lights. Coupled with newer lighting technology, some light boards can control light movement, color and shape, creating advanced and realistic effects.
Manufacturers that make light boards include ETC, Avolites, Leviton, Lightronix, Stagecraft and Entertainment Technology.