Program as few position presets as possible. Programming too many positions is time consuming and most of them won’t be used because you won’t have time. I like to use 10 position presets.
- Position 1: This is my workhorse. It is symmetrical, beautiful and effective. The front light covers the entire band, the sidelights are hitting the stage, the Sharpys are in an array, etc.
- Position 2: is very similar to Position 1 but it crosses the beams when they move.
- Position 3: is similar to Position 1 but is farther upstage so that when my tilt effects spill into the audience I can throw them into Position 3 to bring them back to the stage.
- Position 4: is similar to Position 1 but it’s asymmetrical and abstract. I use this position when the song is weird and I’m tired of symmetry.
- Audience: I point the lights at everyone in the audience except me and I save this as a position for later use.
- DSC: This will be used for lead singers
- DSL/DSR: This is usually where the guitar player will be and the random MC that wants to make an exciting announcement before the show.
- Drums: There is often a drum solo. Be prepared for it.
- 50/50: Tilt at zero and pan at zero. Prevents flips when focusing.
–Chris Lose, from “Focus on Fundamentals,” PLSN, Aug. 2016, page 55.
