GDS SM Console

The Stage Managers Console is at the heart of every production, supporting all aspects of the show from time keeping to every cue being executed in the right order and on time. The Stage Manager has the unenviable responsibility for this and needs a control position from where they can co-ordinate all areas of theatre both back stage and front of house.

GDS design and manufacture a range of bespoke stage managers consoles for any size venue to the international theatre and event industry. The company started manufacturing Stage Managers Consoles in 2006 and since then we have supplied numerous consoles worldwide GDS took the opportunity to look at how the industry currently approached this complicated piece of equipment and gave a much-needed review. As a result we developed a new approach in both hardware and software increasing sophistication and flexibility.

Due to its modular design, every desk differs slightly according to the customer's requirements, but always maintains a standardised approach. This results in easily expanding a desk in the future if required.

For Example, the CueSystem that is integrated into the SM Desk is modular and can start as small as 4 Channel and be expanded to 8, 12 and upwards depending on case type.

Facilities to Control

Within the GDS SM desk system a large number of facilities can be integrated into a single control platform. The type and number of facilities will depend on which case type is chosen for each project. There are 3 different case types, which are described further into this document along with example layouts of the facilities listed below:

1. Local lighting control (lighting for the operator of the desk).
   1. Stalk lights.
   2. Blue panel lighting (lighting specifically for the control panels).
   3. White panel lighting (as above).
   4. Environment lighting (lighting for hazards such as the SM desk stand).
   5. Digital lighting control and preset storage of levels.
   6. Digital Playback of stored lighting states for different operators or circumstances.
2. Remote lighting control (performance or specialist lighting applications). A four channel lighting controller similar to the local lighting control, which enables the storage and playback of four presets using four channels of either DMX of Analogue control. This can be used for externally controlling any lighting fixture.
   
   Some applications for this include:
   1. Controlling the GDS Blues system either directly by using 0-10VDC control straight to the dome or beam, or by DMX through the GDS blue system power supplies.
   2. Control of props such as battery lights, radio controlled lighting etc.
   3. Any DMX lighting.
3. Video (Monitoring of video feeds)
   1. 1 to 4 video screens.
   2. Video controls such as brightness, colour and the ability to reverse the video signal should this be required.
   3. Video screen power controls
   4. Composite, PAL/NTSC.
   5. Analogue or Digital transport.
   6. Ethernet/CAT5.
   7. Selection for any number of video feeds per video screen.
   8. Remote switching of matrix switchers.
   9. Integration of third party switchers, remotes, or controllers such as Kramermatrix switch units.
   10. Installation of broadcast quality LCD monitors if required.
4. Audio Monitoring
   1. Loudspeaker monitoring of any line level signal.
   2. Selectability of any number of individual feeds if required.
   3. The ability to mute this locally.
   4. The ability to mute globally functions such as show relay.
   5. Local volume control.
5. Clocks
   1. Digital clock with 12 or 24-hour selection.
   2. Rugby or international time sync.
   3. Clear Red display with smaller seconds display for easy reading.
   4. Display dimming.
   5. Analogue if required.
   6. Any number of clock modules can be installed for display of different time zones simultaneously.
6. Timers
   1. Digital Timer with count up and count down.
   2. Lap function.
   3. Clear Green display with smaller seconds display for easy reading.
   4. Display dimming.
   5. Any number of timer modules can be installed as required.
7. Intercom
   1. All intercom systems can be integrated in the GDS SM desk system.
   2. 19" Third party units can be installed if required.
   3. Standard intercom facilities can be integrated in the panel design when using case types that don't support third party 19" rack equipment. This isparticularly useful when using the fibre glass lightweight case type 'A' as this low back to front profile is suited to prop corners or control rooms that are tight on space.
   4. Functions such as
      1. Ring select
      2. Mic control
      3. Volume control
      4. Aux control
      5. Headset paging interface
   5. GDS provide a custom intercom card that is designed for use with the standard analogue intercom systems such as tecpro, metro, asl etc. This approach allows a standard panel layout using standardised buttons etc.
   6. Intercom power supplies can be integrated into the SM desk system if no master station exists.
8. Paging
   1. Paging Mic provided as a plug in stalk
   2. Any number of zones can be controlled
   3. Page all button if required
   4. Electronic flip guards to eliminate flimsy mechanical guards that get broken off.
   5. Intercom interfaces so the headset mic can be used for paging.
   6. Other third party paging systems can be integrated as required.
9. Auxiliary Control of any other items such as:
   1. Effects Circuits
   2. Telephone ringers
   3. House lights
   4. Working lights
   5. Touch panel AMX/Crestron/ETC for above facilities.
   6. Bar Bells
   7. Automated show calls
   8. Curtains/Tracks/Blinds
   9. Independents
   10. The above facilities can be analogue switched cabling out or interface into third party I/O units that are housed within the SM desk. An example of this is using an ETC interface for the working lights.
10. Cue Lights
    1. The cue lights within the GDS SM desk system are identical to the Cue System range of products and are therefore compatible.
    2. The cue light options are:
       1. Analogue
       2. RS485
       3. TCP-IP
          (For information on the above please refer to the Cue System section at gds.uk.com)
    3. Provided in banks of 4 channels and expandable with the only limit being the operational width of the SM desk.
    4. If using the TCP-IP Cue System, full programmability is possible via the Cue System software.

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