What equipment is in your pre-programming studio?

The pre-programming studio is equipped with the same media servers, lighting consoles and screen configurations we use in production – which means the pre-programmed show mirrors the actual delivery very closely. We can visualise exactly how the lighting programme, video run and effects will look without being on site in the venue.

Can you pre-programme a show with hundreds of cues?

Yes. We have programmed shows with hundreds of timecoded cues – complex gala segments, synchronised opener videos and full-scale concert programmes. Our pre-programming studio is sized for exactly that type of production and our programmers have long experience with time-critical execution.

How long does it take to pre-programme a show?

It depends on the complexity of the show. A simple intro sequence with timecoded lighting takes a few hours. A complete gala night with synchronised segments, nominee videos and effect sequences can require 2–5 programming days. We always give a time estimate at the quotation stage.

Can you programme interactive and sensor-driven installations?

Yes. In addition to timecoded programming, we also handle trigger-based installations – sensors, button presses and motion detection that trigger light, sound and video in real time. This is the standard technology for showrooms, exhibition stands and interactive activation areas.

Can you programme in our venue if we can't bring you to the pre-programming studio?

Yes. When it is more practical, we can programme directly in the venue. The advantage of pre-programming in the studio is the time saved during the build, but if the schedule requires it we adapt the workflow.

What is the difference between Resolume, Watchout and Disguise?

Resolume Arena is a real-time VJ server, optimal for loops, interactivity and live-driven video. Dataton Watchout is a timeline-stabilised media server for complex, pre-produced multi-screen productions. Disguise (d3) combines powerful real-time rendering with strong timecode support and is the industry standard for large live productions and broadcasts. We choose the platform based on the production's requirements.

Timecode programming and Watchout – EDGE Pre-programming

Pre-programming

Pre-programming is a very effective way to save time and resources on show day. Our programming and visualisation studio in Bredden north of Stockholm is fully equipped with the latest technology to pre-programme lighting and video and carefully build a show long before we have access to the venue.

We pre-programme media servers, light shows, cues, SMPTE timecode sequences and much more. To visualise the show, we use the latest software from WYSIWYG, Vectorworks and Depence2, among others.

Pre-programming for different occasions

Here are some examples of occasions when pre-programming is used:

Save time on site at the event venue

Getting sufficient programming and rehearsal time on site at an event venue can be both difficult and costly. Access is often granted on show day itself and time is tight. A good solution is to build a virtual copy of the event in 3D software such as WYSIWYG or Depence2. We then build the entire show together with you, step by step, at our visualisation studio. On show day we load our media servers and lighting consoles with the same show file we built with you in the studio – and the entire show is ready to run.

Create complex video and lighting sequences

As technology develops across video and lighting, sequences have become more advanced. It is no longer a question of whether something is possible – only a question of which approach you choose.

Building a complex show or sequence requires careful thought, and it is not something you want to work through on show day. Let us pre-programme and build your show together so we make full use of the technology's potential.

Perfect timing

One of the most common occasions for pre-programming is when synchronisation and timing between multiple disciplines is required. For example, an intro video that triggers a synchronised light show, or a dance number with integrated video.

We are experienced in working with timecode and timecode generators that send a shared signal to all technical control units such as lighting consoles, media servers and beyond. When the timecode starts, the pre-programmed cue list steps are triggered automatically and the show's cues fire at exactly the right moment – every time. Perfect for demanding sequences where timing is everything.

Our pre-programming services

Here are some examples of the services we offer:

Pre-programming of lighting setups

By pre-programming lighting setups in visualisation software, we can get a highly realistic picture of how the lighting will look on site. This gives us the opportunity to test different fixtures and techniques to achieve the result we are after.

Pre-programming also enables us to build lighting setups and looks in advance to save valuable time on site. We can also build entire sequences and cue lists well in advance in our pre-programming studio.

Timecode programming

We have extensive experience in programming controlled by SMPTE timecode. This is a very effective way to create tight sequences and allows a lighting console and a media server to be controlled along the same timeline. Our programming studio has all the equipment needed to create timecode-controlled programming.

Pre-programming of media servers and Watchout

Media servers have become increasingly advanced and these days the question is rarely whether something can be done – it is a matter of which approach best suits the project. As media servers have become more capable, expectations for video sequences have also risen and programming time has grown accordingly.

In our programming studio we have a complete set of the same media servers from Dataton Watchout that we use in the field. This provides a unique opportunity to programme and build timelines at our own pace and then run them directly on show day.

Frequently asked questions about pre-programming

What is pre-programming and why does it matter?

Pre-programming means building and programming the entire show in our studio well before show day – using a virtual copy of the event as a reference. It saves valuable time on site, reduces the risk of errors and enables more complex and creative sequences than would otherwise be achievable under time pressure.

What is SMPTE timecode and when do we need it?

SMPTE timecode is a standard format for synchronising multiple technical control units along a shared timeline. When the timecode starts, pre-programmed cues in lighting consoles and media servers are triggered at exactly the right moment in relation to each other and to an audio or video track. It is the standard solution for intro videos with synchronised light shows, gala numbers and concert moments where timing is critical.

What equipment is in your programming studio?

The programming studio is equipped with the same Dataton Watchout media servers we use in the field, GrandMA lighting consoles, WYSIWYG and Depence2 for real-time lighting visualisation, and a timecode generator and signal infrastructure. This means the show file we build in the studio can be loaded directly into the on-site equipment without conversion.

Can the client attend and sign off on the show in the studio?

Yes. This is one of the great benefits of the programming studio. We can invite you as a client to follow the programming process step by step and give feedback directly. It creates a shared reference and significantly reduces the risk of surprises on show day.

What is Dataton Watchout and why do you use it?

Dataton Watchout is one of the leading media server platforms for live events and show production. It handles multiple video outputs with high precision and synchronises cleanly with SMPTE timecode. We use Watchout for everything from straightforward presentation playback to complex multi-screen sequences with synchronised light shows.

How long does a pre-programming session take?

It varies considerably depending on project complexity. A simple lighting setup with a handful of looks can be programmed in a few hours, while a complex show with synchronised timecode sequences for lighting and video may require one or more full programming days. We always price pre-programming separately and plan the session in dialogue with you.

Can you pre-programme for equipment we hire from another supplier?

In most cases yes, but it requires the equipment to be compatible with the platforms we work with. Contact us and describe your setup and we will assess what is possible and how best to coordinate the pre-programming with your supplier's equipment.

What happens if something changes after the pre-programming session?

Changes are handled either with a supplementary studio session or directly on site during the build if the change is limited in scope. The more we manage to pre-programme and the more complete the material is at the time of the session, the more time we save on show day.