Theatre Design & Technology - Dec 1970 - 34

"SOLMATIC, the most advanced, most dependable
system yet developed for stage and TV lighting"
Strong statements like the above
are dangerous in advertising a product. They tend to turn people off because so many advertisers claim
that "theirs is the best".
But when it came to telling you
about SOLMATIC we found that we
dared not tell you anything less. For
we firmly believe SOLMATIC to be
definitely the best lighting control
system available.
Simply stated, SOLMATIC utilizes
techniques developed for computer
technology; virtually unlimited capacity magnetic disc, solid state memory
and a versatile logic control center.
The result is a hard wired system
which, while almost fully automatic
once programmed by the operator,
remains totally under the operator's
control at all times. Possibilities are
virtually unlimited since the magnetic
memory has a capacity for 120,000
possible cues - more than could conceivably ever be used.

To begin, the Lighting Designer
simply rehearses his program and records the cues in any order on the
magnetic disc by pre-setting dimmer
light levels on a unique meterpotentiometer controller. Cues may
be played back in automatic sequence
or at random. An inhibit feature
blocks complete or partial programs
or individual cues. Cues can at any
time be added between any adjacent
pre-recorded cues and they can be
deleted instantly. This is useful for
developing lighting arrangements and
experimenting during rehearsals. It is
anticipated that the exceptional versatility and capacity of SOLMATIC
will lead to experimentation which
will advance the art of stage and television lighting considerably.
Other useful operating features
of SOLMATIC are: complete visual
display of channel outputs for preview of cues, in sequence or at random, forward or backwards; manual
control, when desired, allowing direct
access to the system at all times and
modes; slow fade of lighting over a
number of cues.

An important advantage of SOLMATIC is, of course, reduced labor
costs compared to old fashioned
manual control systems. Once SOLMATIC is programmed to the Lighting Director's satisfaction, an operator with little training can control the
entire lighting for any number of performances. Control in this case consists of only moving a single fader
control lever to introduce the next
cue on the program.
Optional with SOLMATIC is
"walkaway storage". Contents of the
magnetic disc can be transferred to
magnetic tape in 45 seconds or less.
This means rehearsals for upcoming
shows can be held between current
productions, as for repertory applications. In addition, lighting deSigners
are assured against accidental wipe
out of their material.
To learn more about SOLMATIC, write
for our brochure. Or to arrange a demonstration, telephone collect 416-7574131 and ask for John Barnes, referring
to SOLMATIC.

WARD LEONARD OF CANADA LIMITED
1070 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, Ontario
416 757 -4131, TWX 610-492-1386

Wl7001

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Dec 1970