Lighting designer John Broderick once taught me that it is important on the first day to fully test the spare console. He stressed that I must turn it on, save a show on the main console, and load this show on the backup console. Then I need to connect the spare to the rig and confirm DMX512 output. This way I have established that the spare console is in working order early enough to order another if necessary.
— Brad Schiller, "Feeding the Machines," PLSN, March 2008
