A number of ideas included the ability to create selectable colour changing in a variety of set pieces. These included very large pieces on either side, referred to as "waffle flats" which consisted of a matrix of lycra panels with webbing in-between. At the intersection points of the webbing, they wanted a "starry light" RGB effect. Fortunately, CDA was able to offer a unique, cost-efficient solution in the form of two custom ShowLED looms manufactured with 200 full RGB LEDs and the necessary controllers and power supply equipment.
The set's backdrop is a solid panel construction on which a "starfield" effect was called for. Once again, CDA was able to achieve this via 18 strings of standard white ShowLED looms and controllers. This same product was also incorporated into a revolving piece that is mounted centrally in the main set and is used to reveal the contestants imitating selected artists.Central to the set is a large acrylic star and some circular features set into the floor. Divided into segments, the star and the circles have been lit using 500 of CDAs Covelight 100mm RGB colour changing LED strip running from three DC-8 controllers, each of which is capable of running up to 400 LEDs. The star is now a dominant lighting effect in the show with its stunning ability to segment the star using full RGB control.
Also fitted in the floor set pieces are approximately 40 MR16 downlights, fitted with full RGB DMX controllable modules, as well as an additional 70 MR16 uplighters (rated to allow full public pedestrian access) also fitted with full RGB DMX controllable modules. Other set pieces utilize 150 of CDA's white LED modules fitted flush into fixed panels.
All of the LED systems are controlled by DMX, using either the Covelight DC8 control/driver or Coemar Regoled controllers all under control from the studio's lighting console. In addition to supplying the LED lighting and control components, CDA also prepared custom-designed power supplies for all of the LED products. CDA says that its modular design includes pluggable inputs and outputs which make the weekly mounting and demounting works on the set simple and cost-efficient.
(Lee Baldock)
