Additive Color Mixing

Additive Color Mixing is layering multiple light sources on top of each other to create the desired color. So, when we take a red light source and a blue light source and combine them, we create magenta. This is how most LED fixtures create color.

Amber LEDs

Amber LEDs create punchy pastel colors because they are able to provide a unique blend of yellow and orange hues that are not achievable with other colors. The amber tones of the LEDs can provide a softer, more muted look than red or green LEDs and are ideal for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Art-Net

Art-Net is a protocol for sending large amounts of DMX data over ethernet. It connects a server (your lighting console) to a node. The node would then convert to DMX and connect to your lighting fixtures. Some high-end fixtures (usually with huge DMX channel counts) feature a built-in node.

See Also: DMX, sACN, and Channel of DMX

Backlighting

Backlighting is lighting that illuminates a subject from behind.

Barndoors

Barndoors are flaps built on or attached to the front of a fixture that can be opened and closed to help frame the fixture’s output.

*pictured above is The Springtree COB with built-in barndoors.

Beam Angle

The beam angle is a measurement of the distribution of light from a fixture. Larger beam angles mean the field of light produced by the fixture is more spread out and less intense. Smaller beam angles mean the field of light produced by the fixture is less spread out and more intense.

CMY

CMY is a form of subtractive color mixing where a fixture features a color wheel consisting of dichroic “flags” in the colors; cyan, magenta, and yellow, which are applied in different combinations to achieve the desired colors.

Read more about CMY here: A Beginner’s Guide To Color Mixing!

Color Temperature

Color temperature is a scale to describe the color of white light a source creates as measured in degrees of Kelvin. Around 3,000º and below would be a warm white, and 5,000º and above would be a cold white.

CRI

CRI (Color Rendering Index) (CRI) is a measurement of how faithfully a light source reveals the true colors of objects compared to a natural reference light, such as daylight or incandescent light. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating more accurate color rendering. A CRI of 80–89 is considered good for most applications, while 90 and above is excellent, making it ideal for tasks requiring precise color judgment.

Cues

A lighting cue is a saved look that can be played back by a button or fader.

Cue List

Cue Lists are a saved sequence of cues you can trigger in order. Cue lists are the typical way theatrical lighting is programmed. During a show, the tech will hit the Go button on a console and click through the lighting cues in order, at their marked times, during the play.

(also known as a Cue Stack)

DMX512

DMX (digital-multiplex) is a protocol language primarily designed for controlling theatrical lighting.

DMX Channel

You can think of a channel of DMX like a fader that controls a parameter on a scale of 0-255. Common parameters could be color or strobe. If a DMX channel control’s a fixture’s blue LEDs, then 0 would be off, and 255 would be blue LEDs at their highest intensity.

DMX Universe

A DMX Universe consists of 512 channels of DMX. Light shows can have multiple DMX Universes.

Learn More About DMX!

Ellipsoidal

Ellipsoidal fixtures are static wash fixtures that allow you to adjust focus, shape the light via shutters, and insert GOBOs. Their ability to shape their light output makes them extremely useful stage lights. Most ellipsoidal fixtures feature interchangeable lenses for changing the beam angle. Variable zoom ellipsoidal fixtures don’t allow you to change lenses but give you a range of beam angles by moving the lens.

Also known as lekos.

*The ellipsoidal pictured above is The Springtree HD202RGBWW Color Ellipsoidal

Fresnels

300Watt VW LED Fresnel | The Springtree Spartan – detail view

Pronounced Fruh-nel

Fresnels are static wash fixtures with a soft edge to their beam. Frensnels are used for top and backlighting.

Click here to learn more about Fresnels!

*Pictured above is The Spartan300-VW

Gels

Lighting Gels are translucent pieces of colored, heat-resistant plastics placed in front of a light to change color. Gels are becoming less common these days with the advent of colored LEDs.

GOBOs

GOBO stands for “goes before optic,” and they are a stencil or template that goes in front of a light source to create a pattern.

Click here to learn more about GOBOs!

Hex

A Hex-Color fixture is an advanced lighting unit with six distinct emitters. The most common combination is RGBWA+UV (Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber, and Ultraviolet). This model offers the most comprehensive color palette for a single light fixture.

RGBWA: This combination provides excellent color mixing, with the white and amber emitters providing superior quality for both cool and warm tones.
UV: The ultraviolet emitter adds a “blacklight” effect, causing specific materials and fluorescent paints to glow, which is a popular effect for stage shows and parties.

House Lights

House Lights is a theater term. House Lights are the lights that illuminate an auditorium.

*Pictured above is The LED Spatial Pendant.

Light Plot

A Light Plot is a diagram that shows the layout and position of lights on a stage.

Lime LEDs

Lime LEDs enhance color rendering and expand the color gamut in LED systems, producing more vibrant, accurate colors and improving luminous efficacy. They are particularly useful in creating balanced white light and increasing overall brightness in energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Locking Power Connectors

A locking power connector is a connector with a locking mechanism that is used to securely connect two electrical components, such as a power supply and a device. It is designed to prevent accidental disconnection and to ensure that the connection is secure.

Lumen

A lumen is a unit of measurement that is used to describe the amount of light emitted by a source, such as a light bulb. It is defined as the amount of light that is emitted in a given area, per unit of time. The higher the lumen rating of a light source, the brighter it will appear.

Lux

A lux is a unit of measurement for the amount of light that is present in an area. It is equal to one lumen per square meter. In lighting, a lux is used to measure the intensity of light, typically on a surface such as a wall or floor.

Movers

As the name suggests, movers are lighting fixtures that can be programmed to move. Movers come in all shapes and sizes for a wide array of applications. Some movers are high-energy effect lights made for clubs and concerts. There are beam, spot, and wash movers that are best at one of those applications or hybrid movers capable of producing all three.

Also known as: Moving Heads and Intelligent Lighting

Pars

LED Pars are static wash lights known for their compact design.

Par is an abbreviation for parabolic aluminized reflector, and in the pre-mover, pre-LED world, incandescent par cans were the backbone of stage lighting. Today, LED pars don’t feature a reflector but are categorized for their compact design.

*Pictured above is The Springtree Silent Par.

Pinspot

A pinspot is a type of spotlight used in theatrical and event lighting. It is a narrow, focused beam of light that is usually used to highlight a specific area or object.

Pixel Mapping

Pixel mapping is a technique used to map an image onto an LED display. It involves assigning a specific LED to a specific part of the image, and then programming the LED to display the corresponding color or brightness. This technique is used in LED displays for video and lighting applications.

Quad

Quad-Color fixture contains four LED emitters. The two most common configurations are RGBW (Red, Green, Blue, and White) or RGBA (Red, Green, Blue, and Amber). The addition of a white or amber LED significantly improves the quality of white and warm-toned colors, which can be difficult to create using only RGB mixing.

RGBW: The dedicated white emitter allows for a much cleaner, brighter, and more natural-looking white light.
RGBA: The amber emitter enhances the range of warm colors like yellows and oranges, which are often used for theatrical and accent lighting.

Safeties

A lighting safety cable is a device that is used to secure overhead lighting fixtures in place. It is used to prevent lights from falling and causing potential damage or injury. The cable is made of metal or steel and is attached to the light fixture and the ceiling or wall. It is also used to secure other heavy objects such as speakers, projectors and other equipment.

Scene

A lighting scene is a pre-programmed setting for the lighting in a room or space. Lighting scenes are commonly used in theatrical, film, video and architectural lighting, and can include multiple lighting fixtures, colors and intensities. They can be used to create a specific mood or atmosphere.

Spotlight

A spotlight is a focused beam of light that is used to illuminate a particular area or object.

Three Point Lighting

It is a lighting setup that includes three lights—a key light, a fill light, and a backlight. The key light is the main light source, the fill light is used to fill in the shadows created by the key light, and the backlight is used to separate the subject from the background and to add depth to the image.

Resource:

Learn How To Use Three Point Lighting!

Tri

A Tri-Color LED light fixture has three primary emitters: Red, Green, and Blue. By varying the intensity of each of these three colors, the fixture can produce a wide spectrum of colors. This is the foundational model for additive color mixing in lighting.

Uplighting

Uplighting is a type of lighting used to create ambience in a room or outdoor space. It typically involves placing lights around the perimeter of the room or outdoor area, pointing up towards the ceiling or walls, creating a wash of light.

*Pictured above is The Blade12 RGBL

UV LEDs

UV LEDs are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit ultraviolet light and cause certain materials to glow. They are often used to create an otherworldly atmosphere.