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For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

Stagecraft Digest, Issue #182

 1. Re: Bizarre Multiple Catastrophic Truss Failure
    by "Shawn Nolan" <ShawnN [at] entertainmentstructures.com>
 2. Re: sculpt or coat on a budget
    by "Stephen E. Rees" <Rees [at] fredonia.edu>
 3. Re: Mold release
    by "Stephen E. Rees" <Rees [at] fredonia.edu>
 4. Re: LED birds for Into the Woods
    by "Johnson, Keith" <Keith.Johnson [at] EKU.EDU>
 5. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "K. Daly" <KDaly973 [at] comcast.net>
 6. Re: Colorado Springs
    by doran [at] bard.edu
 7. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Dorian Kelly <dorian [at] essex.ac.uk>
 8. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Rick Fears" <rick.fears [at] serco.com>
 9. Re: Colorado Springs
    by Dorian Kelly <dorian [at] essex.ac.uk>
10. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Pat Kight <kightp [at] peak.org>
11. RoboColor II Lenses
    by Noah Price <stagecraft-web [at] theprices.net>
12. Re: sculpt or coat on a budget
    by "Booth, Dennis" <boothd [at] ncarts.edu>
13. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by MissWisc [at] aol.com
14. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
15. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Paul H. Sullivan" <phsullivan [at] yahoo.com>
16. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Rick Fears" <rick.fears [at] serco.com>
17. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
18. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Rick Fears" <rick.fears [at] serco.com>
19. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
20. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
21. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Charlie Richmond <charlier [at] RichmondSoundDesign.com>
22. Re: Drop cleaning
    by Barney Simon <barney [at] JosephCHansen.com>
23. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Bill Sapsis <bill [at] sapsis-rigging.com>
24. Re: Drop Cleaning
    by Barney Simon <barney [at] JosephCHansen.com>
25. Re: Bizarre Multiple Catastrophic Truss Failure
    by Derek McLaughlin <mclaugdl [at] email.uc.edu>
26. Re: LED birds for Into the Woods
    by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
27. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
28. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Pat Kight <kightp [at] peak.org>
29. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "Steven J. Backus" <backus [at] math.utah.edu>
30. Animals onstage
    by "Kacy Woody" <kacy.woody [at] ci.high-point.nc.us>
31. Re: Animals onstage
    by Steve Larson <tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com>
32. Re: DIY DMX
    by ". Mitch  Hefter" <mitch.hefter [at] DesignRelief.com>
33. Re: LEDs
    by "Karl G. Ruling" <kruling [at] esta.org>
34. Re: mold release
    by "Karl G. Ruling" <kruling [at] esta.org>
35. grass on stage and working fountain
    by "Jarrod Bray" <brayjarrod [at] hotmail.com>
36. Re: DIY DMX
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
37. Re: LEDs
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
38. Re: grass on stage and working fountain
    by "Randy B." <rgbrzosk [at] usermail.com>
39. Re: grass on stage and working fountain
    by "Storms, Randy" <rstorms [at] bham.wednet.edu>
40. Re: grass on stage and working fountain
    by "Waxler, Steve (waxlers)" <WAXLERS [at] UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
41. Re: DIY DMX
    by David Duffy <david [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
42. Re: Mold release
    by "Frank E. Merrill" <Lamplighter [at] TCON.net>
43. Re: ice cubes
    by Steve Larson <tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com>
44. Re: DIY DMX
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
45. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
46. Write only memory
    by Mark O'Brien <marko [at] email.arizona.edu>
47. Re: Animals onstage
    by Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
48. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Stephen Litterst <slitterst [at] ithaca.edu>
49. Re: DIY DMX
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
50. Re: grass on stage and working fountain
    by Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
51. Re: Colorado Springs
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
52. Colorado Springs
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
53. Colorado Springs
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
54. Colorado Springs
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
55. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Mark O'Brien <marko [at] email.arizona.edu>
56. Colorado Springs
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
57. Colorado Springs
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
58. Re: cold water ground
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
59. Re: Write only memory
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
60. Re: Write only memory
    by "Andy Leviss" <Andy [at] DucksEchoSound.com>
61. Re: cold water ground
    by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
62. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by gregg hillmar <gregg [at] hillmardesign.com>
63. Re: cold water ground
    by "Andy Leviss" <Andy [at] DucksEchoSound.com>
64. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Stephen Litterst <slitterst [at] ithaca.edu>
65. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by "will kent" <etcs4 [at] hotmail.com>
66. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Stuart Wheaton <sdwheaton [at] fuse.net>
67. Re: DIY DMX
    by "Harold Hallikainen" <harold [at] hallikainen.com>
68. Re: Febreeze scentstories
    by Greg Bierly <gbierly [at] dejazzd.com>
69. Re: DIY DMX
    by David Duffy <david [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
70. Re: DIY DMX
    by David Duffy <david [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>

*** Please update the subject line of your reply to use the subject
*** line of the message you are replying to! Please only reply to
*** one message subject in each reply.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shawn Nolan" <ShawnN [at] entertainmentstructures.com>
Subject: Re: Bizarre Multiple Catastrophic Truss Failure
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 08:20:47 -0500
Message-ID: <!~!UENERkVCMDkAAQACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC4AAAAAAAAAkvX1TNboQEi7s1tTDUjTJgEA4hxcBJL4QEqL3Ca+wd7hJAAAAAdDtAAAEAAAAMMZWhmAWX9Jsr8yQM3I1xgBAAAAAA== [at] entertainmentstructures.com>

All,

(sorry for the late reply, I've had some trouble getting the list to 
accept my emails...)

As regards the "Bizarre" truss failure posted by Dale Cyr, I think this 
failure was not bizarre at all but, highly predictable and inevitable.
  
I suspect that several things were going on.

1.  I think they probably exceeded the allowable span for the load.
Extrapolating from the info on the load table as shown in the photo, 
the allowable bending moment for this truss is apx. 8,100 lb.ft. to 
8,400 lb.ft.  Say we use the average of 8,250 lb.ft. as the allowable 
value (note:  I have included the self weight of the truss in my 
calcs).  For a 65' span, the allowable UNIFORM LIVE LOAD is about 
9.1 pounds per foot.  This would give a TOTAL LOAD, UNIFORMLY 
DISTRIBUTED of 591 pounds.  Even without accounting for the 
slenderness of the truss, the load is very close to the raw, 
theoretical capacity of the truss.  In addition, IT MUST BE NOTED, 
that the truss, at 65' long, is VERY SLENDER.  When a beam-like 
(like a horizontal truss) element is loaded, the top of the beam 
(in this case the top chord) is placed in compression.  We all 
empirically know that, if you have a tall skinny column (imagine a
2x4 that is 10' tall, trying to support a thousand pounds...it is 
apparent that it will buckle...) that is not properly braced, it 
will fail.  If you have a well braced column, however (take the 10' 
2x4 and brace it securely and stoutly at 1' intervals...much better 
chance of it holding the load) you can support a much higher load.  
The top chord of the truss is acting like that slender column.  
You might say that it is braced by the bottom chords.  This is true, 
up to a point.  At some point, the ENTIRE ASSEMBLY also becomes too 
slender.  Consequently, even though I calculated an extrapolated 
capacity for 65', it is VERY LIKELY THAT MY CALCULATION IS WRONG!  
I did not consider slenderness (somewhat complicated) but, suffice it 
to say, there is a reason the manufacturer publishes a span limit of 
50'.  

2.  I think that the unusual rigging of the spansets induced 
torsional forces into the truss.  These trusses are generally 
intended to be loaded uniformly.  Torsion is not allowed!

3.  Rigging of the curtain from the top chord would also tend to 
induce torsion into the truss.  The mass of the curtain would 
tend to impart a horizontal component into the bottom chord of 
the truss, as it draped past that chord.

4.  If it was rigged the same way as the "20 to 30 times" before, 
why did it fail now?  There are a few possibilities:
	A.  Dale Cyr states that the rigging of the spansets was 
	"unusual".  The attachment of the span sets may have induced some 
	torsional tendencies (however small) into the truss arrangement.
	B.  Since Dale was not on site, he may not really know if it was
	"done the way it has always been done".  
	C.  It is pertinent to point
	out that, apparently, the trusses have been seeing some torsional
	forces for some time (as evidenced by the "rocking" of the trusses
	when placed on a flat floor).  This indicates that the trusses
	have likely been being overstressed for some time.
	D.  Was there some other load we don't know about that just put 
	this over the edge?  Were the motors different, such that the 
	load upon starting and stopping (shock load) was greater than 
	was seen before?  Did the operator "bump" the motors too much, 
	setting up either a vibration or a shock load greater than 
	"normal"?  Was this just the night when, for a variety of 
	subtle reasons, that the trusses, loaded well beyond the limit 
	of their design capacity, finally exceeded their yield 
	strength and decided to let go?

5.  I believe that this 65' span, rigged with two motors, was well 
beyond the design capacity of the truss.  It did not fall down earlier 
due to a combination of luck and, the fact that, while the trusses 
were WELL BEYOND their capacity, the design factor had not been 
totally exceeded.  (Note: Most manufacturers do not publish their 
"design factors" for good reason.  If this is published, someone 
will say, "Hey, I've got another 50 pounds per foot before it breaks!  
Go ahead!  Load it up!!)  Design factors are complicated; they are 
a function of many variables having to do with material, connections, 
tube shape and wall thickness, usage, etc, etc, etc....  
On this night, the combination of the "unusual" rigging of the span 
sets, perhaps connected with the slightly heavier drapes due to the 
humidity, perhaps combined with "bumpy" motors, resulted in finally 
truly exceeding the capacity of the truss.  Both of the trusses 
failed at mid-span.  This had nothing to do with bad welds or bad 
construction.  
When something fails due to being overloaded in bending, it fails 
at mid-span.  This would have happened whether or not there was a 5' 
section was at mid-span.  The fact that, in several places, material 
ripped apart and plates bent tends to indicate GOOD WELDS.  Remember, 
when you exceed design capacity, initially you are just "biting into" 
the design factor (the factor of safety).  Look up the capacity for a 
2x10 joist at a 10' span.  Can you put more load on this joist than 
the tables recommend before it breaks?  Absolutely!  Is it a good 
idea?  NO!!!  Allowable design stresses are intended to prevent 
failure due to the inevitable unknowns that exist in the real world.  
Things such as imperfect manufacturing, varying material strengths, 
slight overloads, human error, etc... are the reason that design 
factors exist.  If something is loaded, to the best of everyone's 
ability, to it's allowable capacity, then, if you miss calculating 
the load by 5%, everything will still be o.k.  However, if you 
have a truss, loaded right up to it's ultimate capacity (well 
beyond a reasonable design load) and you "add 5% load" either 
due to actual additional load or due to torsion, shock load or 
whatever then, that truss WILL FAIL!

So, in conclusion, I think this was an accident waiting to happen.  
I think that, if the manufacturer truly knew the nature of the 
loads and the rigging they would say "NO WAY!".  If the 
manufacturer publishes a span limit (apparently clearly indicated 
on the truss...) then, those guidelines should be followed.  
If a user wants to try and exceed those guidelines, they should 
get a FORMAL ANSWER FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR A LICENSED STRUCTURAL 
ENGINEER IN WRITING.
  
The industry as a whole continues to be very lucky with failures 
of this type.  If accidents continue to happen, it is inevitable 
that our luck will run out.  There are many smart and knowledgeable 
people working in this industry, which includes, I believe, most 
of us.  If you think something looks or "feels" wrong, if your 
gut tells you it's wrong, you are probably right!  Please pay 
attention to these things, it may be you, your best friend or 
your kid sitting at the concert who gets injured or worse.  
What we do takes vigilance, discipline and knowledge.  We all 
have the ability to apply these things to insure that we can all 
sleep at night.  I am not pointing fingers at anyone.  I know 
that none of us would intentionally do anything dangerous but, 
I think that surely someone must have wondered about exceeding 
the published span or, thought that this rig seemed to "have a 
bit more deflection than seemed reasonable" 
or, "seemed a bit more bouncy than usual".  If you think a rig 
has a problem, I would encourage you to say something.  Politely, 
insistently, say something.  
Don't just let it go.

O.K. Done preaching for today. 
 
Shawn Nolan, P.E.
Entertainment Structures Group
A Division of Steven Schaefer Associates
10411 Medallion Drive, Suite 121
Cincinnati, OH  45241
(513) 699-2571 direct line
(513) 542-3300 main line
(513) 542-5540 fax
(513) 706-3125 mobile
Shawn.Nolan [at] EntertainmentStructures.com
www.EntertainmentStructures.com

 



------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186398B.5060405 [at] fredonia.edu>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 08:26:35 -0500
From: "Stephen E. Rees" <Rees [at] fredonia.edu>
Subject: Re: sculpt or coat on a budget
References: <list-4844826 [at] prxy.net>

Hi,
To my knowledge, Jaxsan is available only from Plastic Coatings, Inc. in 
West Virginia.  I have found a reasonable  product at Home Despot but 
only used it for a slight texture, not a true coating that would see any 
abuse.  I gotta say, I've used Jaxsan for about 12 years now and have 
always had great success with it.  The company also makes other similar 
products as well.
HTH<
Steve Rees,TD
SUNY-Fredonia

Fred Schoening, Jr. wrote:
> 
> One product I've used is called Jaxsan. A decent builders' supply company ought 
> to be able to provide this or something similar. Maybe even Home Depot.
>


------------------------------

Message-ID: <41863B35.4020207 [at] fredonia.edu>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 08:33:41 -0500
From: "Stephen E. Rees" <Rees [at] fredonia.edu>
Subject: Re: Mold release
References: <list-4814919 [at] prxy.net> <list-4851188 [at] prxy.net>

Paul,
I've used Pol-ease 2300 from the Polytek Development Corp. in Easton,PA 
(610)559-8620.  Don't know if they have a web presense.  Worked fine for 
  epoxy, elastomeric and and polyester molds.
Steve Rees

Paul Guncheon wrote:
> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> I am going to attempt casting some ice cubes in polyester resin for a food
> stylist friend.  I have decided, after a lengthy period of research and
> investigation, to use, as a mold, an ice cube tray.
> 
> If anyone on the list has done this, I would like to know what to use as a
> mold release.  I would prefer some sort of locally available product if
> there is one that will work.
> 
> Mahalo,
> 
> Paul
> 
> "It's a tree," Tom said, woodenly.
> "It's the 14th letter of the alphabet made out of plywood" said Tom,
> woodenly.



------------------------------

Subject: RE: LED birds for Into the Woods
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 08:42:58 -0500
Message-ID: <30ECD69B1163C64EA657B3B29D4A938A6E542F [at] FACSTAFF.facultystaff.eku.edu>
From: "Johnson, Keith" <Keith.Johnson [at] EKU.EDU>

Try Tools for Stagecraft for the LED's that run on 9 volt batteries.

<toolsforstagecraft.com>=20

Keith W. Johnson
Designer/Technical Director
Associate Professor
EKU Theatre Program
306 Campbell Building=20
Eastern Kentucky University
521 Lancaster Ave.
Richmond, Kentucky  40475
859-622-1321
email: keith.johnson [at] eku.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Scott
Parker
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 12:09 AM
To: Stagecraft
Subject: LED birds for Into the Woods

For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

Greetings all,
We want to create some sort of twinkling birds for Into the Woods. I
am thinking about a bunch of multi colored LEDs attached to a 9V
battery hanging from a pipe. Maybe make the LEDs blink. Does anyone
have any suggestions or any of the following info?
Source for LEDs that work on 9v dc?
Source for a very small circuit board to create a variable blink
pattern?
Perhaps someone has done this and has diagrams?

Thanks, Scott

------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.2.20041101091337.01c11ad0 [at] mail.comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 09:16:55 -0500
From: "K. Daly" <KDaly973 [at] comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
In-Reply-To: <list-4857349 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4857349 [at] prxy.net>

In a show that needed someone smoking pot on stage, I used crushed oregano 
and made a faux joint out of it each night. One reviewer said the 
"marijuana cigaret" smelled suspiciously authentic. I was kind of proud of 
that, actually.

At 02:24 AM 11/1/2004, klyphstanford [at] earthlink.net wrote:
>"... and the Tony award for Ooutstanding Scent Design Goes to..."
>
>I am deeply disturbed. ;)



------------------------------

Message-ID: <1099319609.4186493958a29 [at] webmail.bard.edu>
Date: Mon,  1 Nov 2004 09:33:29 -0500
From: doran [at] bard.edu
Subject: Re: Colorado Springs
References: <list-4847810 [at] prxy.net> <list-4851617 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852575 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4852575 [at] prxy.net>

CB,

Ah, the Golden Bee.  Yards of beer, pub songs,  and all just a few minutes 
from skiing on Ice.  Have Fun!

Andy C-D


Quoting Mark O'Brien <marko [at] email.arizona.edu>:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> CB, What you are going to like about the Broa'more,  is the door SL 
> from backstage, that leads to the basement pub. One they brought over 
> from England.
> 
> Not that I ever used it...
> 
> Mark O'Brien
> Opera Technical Director
> University of Arizona, School of Music
> Tucson, AZ
> 520/621-7025
> 520/591-1803 Mobile
> 
> 
> On Oct 31, 2004, at 9:28 AM, Kevin Lee Allen wrote:
> 
> > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see 
> > <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> >
> > you're gonna die from the cold.
> >
> >
> >
> > On Oct 30, 2004, at 6:10 PM, CB wrote:
> >
> >> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see 
> >> <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> >> ---------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Hey, I've got a corp gig up in Colo Spgs next month, and I may need 
> >> some
> >> local guys at the Broadmoor forAV waiter stuff.
> >
> >
> > -----
> > Kevin Lee Allen
> > Production Designer
> > http://www.klad.com
> > 973.744.6352.voice
> > 201.280.3841.cell
> > klad [at] klad.com
> > ð
> >
> >
> 
> 



------------------------------

Message-Id: <l03130302bdabf843f19b [at] [155.245.53.27]>
In-Reply-To: <list-4852751 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 14:29:03 +0000
From: Dorian Kelly <dorian [at] essex.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories

I tried smellothetre in the seventies for "Eh?" by Henry Livings by frying
mushrooms in the air con system. Big mistake...

Dorian



------------------------------

From: "Rick Fears" <rick.fears [at] serco.com>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 15:01:52 -0000
Message-ID: <MAENICCGDPFFFMLNJMIAOEDACJAA.rick.fears [at] serco.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4861587 [at] prxy.net>

Hum - I seem to remember the boiled goat droppings in a large bucket, wafted
around the auditorium just before the audience were let in, for "Death on
the Nile"...

Rick.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net]On Behalf Of Dorian
> Kelly
> Sent: 01 November 2004 14:29
> To: Stagecraft
> Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
>
>
> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> I tried smellothetre in the seventies for "Eh?" by Henry Livings by frying
> mushrooms in the air con system. Big mistake...
>
> Dorian
>
>


------------------------------

Message-Id: <l03130300bdabfff49760 [at] [155.245.53.27]>
In-Reply-To: <list-4852731 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4851640 [at] prxy.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 15:06:05 +0000
From: Dorian Kelly <dorian [at] essex.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Colorado Springs

>  The higher ed system continually hires ONE professor to teach both
>AV Tech AND Waitstaff.  This has got to stop, and equal respect must be
>observed.  This type of generalization has got to be stopped.  We only have
>ourselves to blame for this perpetuation.

Spaeking up on behalf of the poor downtrodden WAITSTAFF ( Worldwide
Association of Interpretive Technical System  Tuners and Ftter-outers of
Funpalaces)  I couldnt agree more. We are a cut above mere AV-Techs and
deserve more respect.



------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186544D.3030600 [at] peak.org>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 07:20:45 -0800
From: Pat Kight <kightp [at] peak.org>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
References: <list-4861761 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4861761 [at] prxy.net>

Rick Fears wrote:

> Hum - I seem to remember the boiled goat droppings in a large bucket, wafted
> around the auditorium just before the audience were let in, for "Death on
> the Nile"...

A particularly inappropriate case of accidental "smell-o-vision": During a 
production of "Stalag 17" here some years back, a cast member evidently got 
the munchies and availed himself of the green room microwave; the audience 
was treated to the strong aroma of fresh popcorn wafting out from the 
German prison camp ...

-- 
Pat Kight
kightp [at] peak.org


------------------------------

Message-Id: <AF89622C-2C19-11D9-90CA-000A958ABBF8 [at] theprices.net>
From: Noah Price <stagecraft-web [at] theprices.net>
Subject: RoboColor II Lenses
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 07:21:21 -0800

Posted for Ken Holyoak

> From: ken [at] kenholyoak.com (Ken Holyoak)
> Date: November 1, 2004 6:26:25 AM PST

Anyone have any lenses for RoboColor II - I need 5. The fixtures were
donated to our youth coffeehouse but came without lenses.

Ken Holyoak
St Luke's UMC

317-253-7000

ken [at] kenholyoak.com or holyoak1 [at] comcast.net


------------------------------

Subject: RE: sculpt or coat on a budget
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 10:21:17 -0500
Message-ID: <DEF9C5FC613BEC46BB08F973317F22A7E94628 [at] email.ncarts.edu>
From: "Booth, Dennis" <boothd [at] ncarts.edu>

You might try a product called "Polar Seal", another elastomeric roofing =
compound with good flexibility.

http://www.polarsealinc.com/applications.php

Or "Polar Cap"

http://www.coatingsbyohms.com/products/pcp-108.htm


DGB

Dennis Gill Booth
Technical Faculty & Assistant Dean for Operations
=A0 North Carolina School of the Arts=20
=A0 School of Design and Production=20
=A0 1553 South Main Street=20
=A0 PO Box 12189=20
=A0 Winston-Salem, NC=A0=A0 27117-2189=20
* Voice:=A0 (336)770-3232 x105=20
* FAX:=A0=A0 (336)770-3213=20
* Email: boothd [at] ncarts.edu=20
* D&P URL: http://www.ncarts.edu/ncsaprod/designandproduction/=20
* Faculty=A0URL: http://faculty.ncarts.edu/dandp/booth/


-----Original Message-----
From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Steve =
Larson
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 2:22 PM
To: Stagecraft
Subject: Re: sculpt or coat on a budget

For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

Do you have a brand name and source for that?

Steve

on 10/30/04 1:05 PM, Joe Meils at bipolarber [at] cyberback.com wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see =
<http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>=20
> We use elastometric roofing polymer for coating styro and other foams. =
It
> comes in a couple of different densities, and dries to a tough =
latex-like
> texture. It's also about 1/4 the cost of Rosco foam coat.
>=20
> Joe
> UCA Theatre
> Conway, Arkansas


----------------------------------------------=20
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content and is believed to be clean.
----------------------------------------------


------------------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 10:51:11 -0500
From: MissWisc [at] aol.com
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Message-ID: <2A35058F.1AA3B504.007B9F2A [at] aol.com>

Sounds like a migraine waiting to happen. No thanks.

Kristi R-C

------------------------------

From: "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 10:54:15 -0500
Message-ID: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE930D700 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>
In-Reply-To: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE934AB49 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>

I seem to remember a horse on stage during a Three Penny Opera
production and letting the audience enjoy a graphically visual and very
pungent smell-o-theatre experience.  In a 450 seat indoor theatre, of
course. Now, if I can remember how we got that horse on stage in the
first place..........

Bob Robins
Resident Lighting Designer
Hippodrome State Theatre
352.373.5968
352.371.9130 fax
lighting [at] thehipp.org
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Pat
Kight
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 10:21 AM
To: Stagecraft
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories

For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

Rick Fears wrote:

> Hum - I seem to remember the boiled goat droppings in a large bucket,
wafted
> around the auditorium just before the audience were let in, for "Death
on
> the Nile"...

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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------------------------------

Message-Id: <5.2.1.1.0.20041101110807.00b54400 [at] pop.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 11:19:44 -0500
From: "Paul H. Sullivan" <phsullivan [at] yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
In-Reply-To: <list-4854279 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net>

Baltimore had several great scent events.  Remember the great Fish Market 
debacle.  Opry land underwrote the conversion of the Baltimore Fish Market 
into a multibar, multiperformance  space.  1st mistake was no sound 
isolation between spaces, the second was that the place had been a FISH 
MARKET for 50 years.  Every morning it had a 'distinct' aroma that shocked 
you when you walked in the door.
The place lasted about 4 months before management snuck out of town in the 
dead of night.

Across the harbor was the McCormick spice factory, on a good hot, humid day 
with little breeze, downtown was a giant pepper spray shower.  It would 
burn when you sweat, breathe, or opened your eyes.

Yahoo




Paul H. Sullivan
Production Manager
Times Union Center for the Performing Arts
Jacksonville FL 32202
(904) 633-6192
(904) 633-6190 fax 


------------------------------

From: "Rick Fears" <rick.fears [at] serco.com>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 16:35:17 -0000
Message-ID: <MAENICCGDPFFFMLNJMIAMEDDCJAA.rick.fears [at] serco.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4862185 [at] prxy.net>

don't Hippodromes come equiped with horses by default...

Rick.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net]On Behalf Of Bob
> Robins
> Sent: 01 November 2004 15:54
> To: Stagecraft
> Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
> 
> 
> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> I seem to remember a horse on stage during a Three Penny Opera
> production and letting the audience enjoy a graphically visual and very
> pungent smell-o-theatre experience.  In a 450 seat indoor theatre, of
> course. Now, if I can remember how we got that horse on stage in the
> first place..........
> 
> Bob Robins
> Resident Lighting Designer
> Hippodrome State Theatre
> 352.373.5968
> 352.371.9130 fax
> lighting [at] thehipp.org
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Pat
> Kight
> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 10:21 AM
> To: Stagecraft
> Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
> 
> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> Rick Fears wrote:
> 
> > Hum - I seem to remember the boiled goat droppings in a large bucket,
> wafted
> > around the auditorium just before the audience were let in, for "Death
> on
> > the Nile"...
> 
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
>  
> 

------------------------------

From: "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 11:37:46 -0500
Message-ID: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE930D703 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>
In-Reply-To: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE934AB8B [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>


Now don't start that thread again...

Bob Robins
Resident Lighting Designer
Hippodrome State Theatre
352.373.5968
352.371.9130 fax
lighting [at] thehipp.org
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Rick
Fears
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 11:35 AM
To: Stagecraft
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories

For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

don't Hippodromes come equiped with horses by default...

Rick.



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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------------------------------

From: "Rick Fears" <rick.fears [at] serco.com>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 16:40:22 -0000
Message-ID: <MAENICCGDPFFFMLNJMIAMEDECJAA.rick.fears [at] serco.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4862590 [at] prxy.net>

Oops, newbie on list, sorry...

Rick
-- 
LD Whitwell Players
Whitwell, Hertfordshire
UK.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net]On Behalf Of Bob
> Robins
> Sent: 01 November 2004 16:38
> To: Stagecraft
> Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
> 
> 
> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
> Now don't start that thread again...
> 
> Bob Robins
> Resident Lighting Designer
> Hippodrome State Theatre
> 352.373.5968
> 352.371.9130 fax
> lighting [at] thehipp.org
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Rick
> Fears
> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 11:35 AM
> To: Stagecraft
> Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
> 
> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> don't Hippodromes come equiped with horses by default...
> 
> Rick.
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
>  
> 

------------------------------

From: "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 12:28:07 -0500
Message-ID: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE930D704 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>
In-Reply-To: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE934AB92 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>

I thought it was funny...

Only new for the past 10 years or so, I can't remember...

Bob Robins
Resident Lighting Designer
Hippodrome State Theatre
352.373.5968
352.371.9130 fax
lighting [at] thehipp.org
 



>Oops, newbie on list, sorry...

Rick
-- 
LD Whitwell Players
Whitwell, Hertfordshire
UK.



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
 


------------------------------

From: "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 12:34:41 -0500
Message-ID: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE930D706 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>
In-Reply-To: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE934ABC5 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>

Now that I think about it. I seem to remember the list back in college,
early 1980's.  Could that be right?
Just how long has the list been active?
Some of you must remember...

Bob Robins
Resident Lighting Designer
Hippodrome State Theatre
352.373.5968
352.371.9130 fax
lighting [at] thehipp.org
 

>I thought it was funny...

Only new for the past 10 years or so, I can't remember...>

>Oops, newbie on list, sorry...<

 

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
 


------------------------------

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 17:43:12 +0000 (GMT)
From: Charlie Richmond <charlier [at] RichmondSoundDesign.com>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
In-Reply-To: <list-4863114 [at] prxy.net>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.60.0411011737380.6530 [at] viscount.richmondsounddesign.com>
References: <list-4863114 [at] prxy.net>

On Mon, 1 Nov 2004, Bob Robins wrote:

> Just how long has the list been active?

Stagecraft in its current incarnation as a generally accessible email list was 
begun in the early 90s.  Prior to that, the most popular list of this type was 
USITT's Callboard which piggybacked on a dialup network since the late 80's. 
The internet was in its infancy in the 80s and was not accessible to most people 
outside the military and universities.

Charlie

------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186760E.3020002 [at] JosephCHansen.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 12:44:46 -0500
From: Barney Simon <barney [at] JosephCHansen.com>
Subject: Re: Drop cleaning
References: <list-4851306 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4851306 [at] prxy.net>

Marty_Petlock [at] sarasotagov.com wrote:

>I'm pretty sure that Rose Brand in NYC can do that for you 800-223-1624
>  
>
RB will NOT do it themselves, and therefore will not be the least 
expensive, nor the most knowledgeable choice.  Try Reynolds Drapery in 
Newport NY, 315-845-8632.  Speak to Mike Moody.  Call earlier in the 
day, I think that the plant hours are such that they try to have the 
drying machines shut down by like 3pm.  I send a dozen drapes to 
Reynolds each month, if you really want to send it to a middleman that 
will mark it up, call me  :)

Remember that the cotton WILL shrink; the gray may fade or change color, 
and not all stains can be removed.

I believe that Reynolds will issue you a five year certificate, it will 
be up to your local fire authority as to if they will accept it.

Barney
J C Hansen Co.
Drape, Drops, and Dance Floors
New York,NY

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 12:50:36 -0500
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
From: Bill Sapsis <bill [at] sapsis-rigging.com>
Message-ID: <BDABE19B.A7C%bill [at] sapsis-rigging.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4863114 [at] prxy.net>

on 11/1/04 12:34 PM, Bob Robins at hipplights [at] gator.net wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> Now that I think about it. I seem to remember the list back in college,
> early 1980's.  Could that be right?
> Just how long has the list been active?
> Some of you must remember...
> 
> Bob Robins
> Resident Lighting Designer
> Hippodrome State Theatre
> 352.373.5968
> 352.371.9130 fax
> lighting [at] thehipp.org
> 
> 

Geez, now that you mention it, I can't remember the name of the guy who
started this list.  Somebody help a senile old phart.  He was from Utah
somewhere and he ran the list for a few years till he no longer had the
time.  

It was in the mid-late 90's, yes?

Bill S


www.sapsis-rigging.com
800.727.7471
800.292.3851  fax
267.278.4561  mobile

We stand behind, and under, our work.


------------------------------

Message-ID: <418678E4.6080309 [at] JosephCHansen.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 12:56:52 -0500
From: Barney Simon <barney [at] JosephCHansen.com>
Subject: Re: Drop Cleaning
References: <list-4846371 [at] prxy.net> <list-4847658 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852655 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4852655 [at] prxy.net>

Tony Deeming wrote:

>>From personal research last year, I'd hazard a guess that it may well be
>cheaper to buy a new cyc! 
>
This is a very true point on some fabrics... I believe that if you are 
shipping Reynolds a drape/drop etc. they charge 50 to 60 cents per sq 
foot to clean/re-FR/fix minor problems.  Looking at 31' gray leno, a new 
yard costs US$150.00; to clean the same costs US$55.

Barney
JCHansen Co
Drapes, Drops, and Dance Floors.

------------------------------

In-Reply-To: <list-4825115 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4825115 [at] prxy.net>
Message-Id: <40BFF499-2C30-11D9-8D95-000393D8AAC2 [at] email.uc.edu>
From: Derek McLaughlin <mclaugdl [at] email.uc.edu>
Subject: Re: Bizarre Multiple Catastrophic Truss Failure
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:02:54 -0500

Hello everyone,
	I know this subject about the truss has already received a lot of 
discussion, especially about the welds themselves.  I sent the pictures 
to a weld engineer I know and this is what he had to say about them.

"Looking at the pictures, I would say with 90% certainty the problem was
they used the wrong filler metal for the application.  I could make that
100% if they told me what the base material is the current filler metal
used and the process used to weld (MIG or TIG).  Looking at the 
pictures I
would gues it was MIG welds that failed.  Now it looked to me like they
took a standard truss and welded some stuff onto it, is that what 
failed?
Regardless, I would focus on the filler metal."

Thought this would be of interest to everyone.



#####################################
#                                   #
#	Derek McLaughlin                #
#	Theatre Design & Production     #
#	University of Cincinnati:    	#
#	College-Conservatory of Music   #
#	E-mail: mclaugdl [at] email.uc.edu   #
#	                            	#
#####################################


------------------------------

From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
Message-ID: <1db.2de16507.2eb7d6c0 [at] aol.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:13:20 EST
Subject: Re: LED birds for Into the Woods

In a message dated 01/11/04 01:14:23 GMT Standard Time, sdwheaton [at] fuse.net 
writes:

> > LEDs are current operated devices. They have a forward voltage drop of 
1.5 
> to 
>  > 2V, depending on colour, and always need a series resistor to limit the 
>  > current. So you select a resistor that will drop, say, 7V at the design 
> current if 
>  > you're on a 9V supply.
>  
>  You can also put the LEDs in series to add up to the supply 
>  voltage and get by with no resistor.

I shouldn't chance it, myself. You can get LED lamps which are physically 
compatible with small, low-voltage bulbs. These have the resistors built in.


Frank Wood

------------------------------

From: "Bob Robins" <hipplights [at] gator.net>
Subject: RE: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:15:08 -0500
Message-ID: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE930D708 [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>
In-Reply-To: <D365D01A2E29A74E8DEEE32D050E9DE934ABDF [at] invalid.168.192.in-addr.arpa>

I get my decades mixed up now and then.
After the Utah guy, did Steve Jones take it over?

Bob Robins
Resident Lighting Designer
Hippodrome State Theatre
352.373.5968
352.371.9130 fax
lighting [at] thehipp.org
 


>Geez, now that you mention it, I can't remember the name of the guy who
started this list.  Somebody help a senile old phart.  He was from Utah
somewhere and he ran the list for a few years till he no longer had the
time.  

It was in the mid-late 90's, yes?<

Bill S




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
 


------------------------------

Message-ID: <41867D7B.9070601 [at] peak.org>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 10:16:27 -0800
From: Pat Kight <kightp [at] peak.org>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
References: <list-4863267 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4863267 [at] prxy.net>

Bill Sapsis wrote:

> Geez, now that you mention it, I can't remember the name of the guy who
> started this list.  Somebody help a senile old phart.  He was from Utah
> somewhere and he ran the list for a few years till he no longer had the
> time.

 From the "Credits" line on Noah's stagecraft list Web site:

"The stagecraft mailing list was started by Brad Davis in 1989 at 
cai.utah.edu and was moved to jaguar.utah.edu before moving to zinc.com. 
In 1996 Brad moved the list to inquo.net.

In 1998 the list moved to stagecraft [at] mtsu.edu, under the care of Steve 
Jones. On October 22, 2002, the list moved to its new domain, 
stagecraft.org."

Anybody know how Brad's doing these days? For that matter, anybody know 
how Steve's doing?

-- 
Pat Kight
kightp [at] peak.org

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 11:18:20 -0700 (MST)
From: "Steven J. Backus" <backus [at] math.utah.edu>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
In-Reply-To: Your message of Mon, 01 Nov 2004 12:50:36 -0500
Message-ID: <CMM.0.92.0.1099333100.backus [at] sunfish.math.utah.edu>

Bill Sapsis <bill [at] sapsis-rigging.com> writes:

> Geez, now that you mention it, I can't remember the name of the guy who
> started this list.  Somebody help a senile old phart.  He was from Utah
> somewhere and he ran the list for a few years till he no longer had the
> time.  

Brad Davis

> It was in the mid-late 90's, yes?

The earliest posts I have are from 1994, but the list was around
before then.  Brad ran it on jaguar.cs.utah.edu, an unassuming
little Sun 3 box from the computer science department (now called
the school of computing).  Eventually Brad moved the list to
zinc.com, a local ISP.

Cue music from _The Way We Were_.

Steve

------------------------------

From: "Kacy Woody" <kacy.woody [at] ci.high-point.nc.us>
Subject: Animals onstage
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:36:58 -0500
Message-ID: <KKEHJHBOENJKFKKJAAPKCEHJCDAA.kacy.woody [at] ci.high-point.nc.us>
In-Reply-To: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>

I have a question for those facility people around here.  Does your facility
have any kind of rules about animals onstage?   Since we've got a client
who's putting on Annie in the not too distant future, we're looking at our
policy, and all we really have is the usual "no animals other that those
used onstage or service animals" and "your animal makes a mess, you clean it
up." (and this is one of those clients that you give 'em an inch, they take
5 miles.)

Any ideas are appreciated.
Thanks
Kacy


--
"Don't try this at home..... I'm a trained professional idiot."
Kacy Woody
TD, High Point Theatre
336-883-8523
kacy.woody [at] ci.high-point.nc.us


------------------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 13:40:18 -0500
Subject: Re: Animals onstage
From: Steve Larson <tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com>
Message-ID: <BDABED42.1CCF%tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4863703 [at] prxy.net>

Then you should use a very short leash.

steve

on 11/1/04 1:36 PM, Kacy Woody at kacy.woody [at] ci.high-point.nc.us wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> I have a question for those facility people around here.  Does your facility
> have any kind of rules about animals onstage?   Since we've got a client
> who's putting on Annie in the not too distant future, we're looking at our
> policy, and all we really have is the usual "no animals other that those
> used onstage or service animals" and "your animal makes a mess, you clean it
> up." (and this is one of those clients that you give 'em an inch, they take
> 5 miles.)
> 
> Any ideas are appreciated.
> Thanks
> Kacy
> 
> 
> --
> "Don't try this at home..... I'm a trained professional idiot."
> Kacy Woody
> TD, High Point Theatre
> 336-883-8523
> kacy.woody [at] ci.high-point.nc.us
> 
> 
> 


------------------------------

Message-ID: <62779.208.215.238.2.1099335144.squirrel [at] 208.215.238.2>
In-Reply-To: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:52:24 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
From: ". Mitch  Hefter" <mitch.hefter [at] DesignRelief.com>

On 10/31/2004, Jerry Durand wrote:
<snip>

>Hint:  You do NOT need to receive every packet, fast controllers
>(like our box) can send out about 800 packets/second for 15
>channels.  Even if you dim every half cycle at 60Hz, that's
>only 120 times a second you could possibly update.  So, to
>prevent flickering (or crashing) that cheap dimmers do, once
>you have a dim value for this 120/th of a second, TURN OFF
>the serial input until you're ready for the next packet.
>Then, just wait for a break to start the next packet.

No - you can't ignore packets.  Otherwise, how can you follow Jerry's next
piece of advice?

>Oh, properly handle start codes other than 0x00 (ignore
>the entire packet) and don't crash if you get too few
>(or zero) channels of data or more than 512.

Also, the 1990 spec says "Maximum Update Rate for 512 dimmers 44.11 times
per second" - DMX512-A: "Maximum Refresh Rate for 513 Slots - 44 -
updates/sec"  513 slots = 512 "dimmers" plus the START Code.

. . .
-------------------------------------
Mitch Hefter   mitch.hefter  [at]  DesignRelief.com

Office:  Entertainment Technology /
            a Division of the Genlyte Group
mhefter  [at]  genlyte.com
+1-214/ 647-7880 x 7967  (Direct 214/ 647-7967)
+1-214/ 647-4738 Fax
http://www.etdimming.com

------------------------------

From: "Karl G. Ruling" <kruling [at] esta.org>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:16:56 -0500
Subject: Re: LEDs
Message-ID: <41864558.16984.10C1FB1B [at] localhost>
In-reply-to: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>

> 
> You can also put the LEDs in series to add up to the supply 
> voltage and get by with no resistor.
> 

Yeah, you can do that, but "get by" is dodgy engineering. If the 
supply voltage doesn't equal the sum of the forward diode voltage 
drops, you get nothing. It has to be slightly above that, but only 
slightly because you are relying on the bulk resistance of the diodes 
to act as the current limiter, and that bulk resistance usually isn't 
much at all.

Check out the current/voltage curves at 
http://www.jiannwa.com.tw/con-3.htm (or any of the linked pages). The 
curve for the RED (AIGalnp) is almost a vertical line past about 2.2 
volts. It just runs away. Look at the curve for RED (GaAIAS). If the 
forward voltage is increased from 2 volts to 2.2 volts, the forward 
current more than doubles. Ohm's Law doesn't hold and the curves 
aren't linear. 

I'd make a joke about "Smoke Emitting Diodes" but overdriven LEDs 
aren't that entertaining. Overdrive them and they just make a little 
crack noise and then go dark, and, if they're wired in series, they 
all go dark. Boring. 

If you leave out the ballast resistor you save maybe a dime. It 
hardly seems worth it. 



------------------------------

From: "Karl G. Ruling" <kruling [at] esta.org>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:16:56 -0500
Subject: Re: mold release
Message-ID: <41864558.14019.10C1FA50 [at] localhost>
In-reply-to: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>


> I am going to attempt casting some ice cubes in polyester resin for a
> food stylist friend.  I have decided, after a lengthy period of
> research and investigation, to use, as a mold, an ice cube tray.
> 
> If anyone on the list has done this, I would like to know what to use
> as a mold release.  I would prefer some sort of locally available
> product if there is one that will work.

I've never cast polyester resin in an ice cube tray, but I have cast 
polyester resin in various polyethylene containers and used 
polyethylene sheeting as floor protection. It doesn't stick to 
polyethylene. Not much does. Some ice cube trays are polyethylene 
(mine are a home). I'd get some and try it. If it doesn't work, 
you've wrecked a cheap ice cube tray.  

------------------------------

From: "Jarrod Bray" <brayjarrod [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: grass on stage and working fountain
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 11:42:20 -0800
Message-ID: <BAY9-F4B1t93Lx9w5dR00023ddd [at] hotmail.com>



Hey guys--
I have a few interesting challenges in my upcoming production of Big Love. 
As there are always many ways to solve a problem, I'm looking for some 
alternative solutions.

Prob. 1: Grass on stage.
I need a lot of it. I am trying to get some grass mats from autograph, but I 
think they are too expensive. There is always real sod, as it is a short 
run, but how do I keep it from falling apart? Any other ideas?

Prob. 2: Working fountain.
I know many of you have done pools on stage a la Metamorphosis. The fountain 
in hexagonal in shape, and is about 6' in diameter, and 2'-6" high. I was 
considering essentially building a stout box and lining it with plastic, but 
I am worried about the lining tearing when the actress (or some zealous crew 
member) gets inside of it. Any other good ideas?
Thanks, I'm looking forward to your responses,
Jarrod Bray

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/


------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20041101113914.00b19a18 [at] localhost>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 11:44:48 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
In-Reply-To: <list-4863841 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4863841 [at] prxy.net>

At 10:52 AM 11/1/2004, you wrote:

>No - you can't ignore packets.  Otherwise, how can you follow Jerry's next
>piece of advice?

So, what am I supposed to do with the extra data?  If my box is sending 800 
updates a second, and you only have one dimming pulse every 120th of a 
second, there's noting to update until the next 120th of a second.



> >Oh, properly handle start codes other than 0x00 (ignore
> >the entire packet) and don't crash if you get too few
> >(or zero) channels of data or more than 512.
>
>Also, the 1990 spec says "Maximum Update Rate for 512 dimmers 44.11 times
>per second" - DMX512-A: "Maximum Refresh Rate for 513 Slots - 44 -
>updates/sec"  513 slots = 512 "dimmers" plus the START Code.

Yes, maximum IF you're sending all 512 channels.  The max goes up as the 
number of channels goes down until you reach a min packet time (1196uS per 
spec).  So, if you're only sending 15 or so channels, the update rate can 
be 836 packets/second.  I send out one byte every 50uS to allow a little 
margin for cheap UARTs, so I set my min packet at 1200uS.

Got to read those specs carefully.



----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20041101114523.00b34b78 [at] localhost>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 11:48:38 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: LEDs
In-Reply-To: <list-4864075 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4864075 [at] prxy.net>

At 11:16 AM 11/1/2004, you wrote:
>I'd make a joke about "Smoke Emitting Diodes" but overdriven LEDs
>aren't that entertaining. Overdrive them and they just make a little
>crack noise and then go dark, and, if they're wired in series, they
>all go dark. Boring.

Back in the days when Sygnetics published a data sheet for the Write Only 
Memory (WOM) as a joke in their data book they (or someone else) also 
published a data sheet for the Darkness Emitting Arsinide Diode 
(DEAD).  They said between those and LEDs they got 100% yield.  The DEADs 
were intended for uses such as "detonated indicators on nuclear weapons".

BTW, my wife's CAD teacher (back when she was learning CAD on an Apple ][) 
taught the WOM as a real product.  When he wouldn't listen to reason, we 
found the guy that had written the original data sheet and had HIM tell the 
instructor.  Some people will believe anything if it's written.


----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

Message-ID: <007001c4c04c$50dec240$640aa8c0 [at] GLOBAL.SCJ.LOC>
From: "Randy B." <rgbrzosk [at] usermail.com>
References: <list-4864322 [at] prxy.net>
Subject: Re: grass on stage and working fountain
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:52:27 -0600

On the fountain:

I have done some stuff for a local garden center when we used landscaping
blocks to make the walls,  added a pond liner after we got the bricks to the
right height and than added one more row of bricks to hold the liner in
place.  The trick is to have some extra liner handing over the edge of the
bricks at the height you want,  fill it half way with water.  then add the
capping row of bricks and trim the liner.

Randy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jarrod Bray" <brayjarrod [at] hotmail.com>
To: "Stagecraft" <stagecraft [at] theatrical.net>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 1:42 PM
Subject: grass on stage and working fountain


> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Hey guys--
> I have a few interesting challenges in my upcoming production of Big Love.
> As there are always many ways to solve a problem, I'm looking for some
> alternative solutions.
>
> Prob. 1: Grass on stage.
> I need a lot of it. I am trying to get some grass mats from autograph, but
I
> think they are too expensive. There is always real sod, as it is a short
> run, but how do I keep it from falling apart? Any other ideas?
>
> Prob. 2: Working fountain.
> I know many of you have done pools on stage a la Metamorphosis. The
fountain
> in hexagonal in shape, and is about 6' in diameter, and 2'-6" high. I was
> considering essentially building a stout box and lining it with plastic,
but
> I am worried about the lining tearing when the actress (or some zealous
crew
> member) gets inside of it. Any other good ideas?
> Thanks, I'm looking forward to your responses,
> Jarrod Bray
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
> http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
>


------------------------------

Subject: RE: grass on stage and working fountain
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 11:57:13 -0800
Message-ID: <555928311F8B2943B65FC7197942C3B732397E [at] es1.bsdnet.wednet.edu>
From: "Storms, Randy" <rstorms [at] bham.wednet.edu>

A couple of years ago we did The Miracle Worker, which required a =
working hand-operated water pump.  The lesson I learned from that was, =
if you are relying on silicon or some other type of caulking to make =
your reservoir box watertight, allow 3-4 days *minimum* curing time =
before letting it get wet. Rushing this process will ensure that the =
caulk *never* sets up, and leaks will be a plague on your house for the =
duration of the run.

May you have better luck,
-- r.

Randy Storms
rstorms [at] bham.wednet.edu
_____________________________

I know many of you have done pools on stage a la Metamorphosis. The =
fountain=20
in hexagonal in shape, and is about 6' in diameter, and 2'-6" high. I =
was=20
considering essentially building a stout box and lining it with plastic, =
but=20
I am worried about the lining tearing when the actress (or some zealous =
crew=20
member) gets inside of it. Any other good ideas?

------------------------------

Message-ID: <886EF25AF8BEF64EB89A820EF84064FF09E132B2 [at] UCMAIL4>
From: "Waxler, Steve (waxlers)" <WAXLERS [at] UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
Subject: RE: grass on stage and working fountain
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 14:58:23 -0500 

No help on the grass, but for the fountain I have had a lot of good luck
building the box (or what ever) out of 3/4 ply that is painted with two
coats of pool paint.  Additionally, when I build the box, instead of using
glue, I use silicone caulk.  Make sure it is the real silicone and not one
of the mixtures that make it paintable.

Steve Waxler
Technical Director
College Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati

-----Original Message-----
From: Jarrod Bray [mailto:brayjarrod [at] hotmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 2:42 PM
To: Stagecraft
Subject: grass on stage and working fountain

For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------



Hey guys--
I have a few interesting challenges in my upcoming production of Big Love. 
As there are always many ways to solve a problem, I'm looking for some 
alternative solutions.

Prob. 1: Grass on stage.
I need a lot of it. I am trying to get some grass mats from autograph, but I

think they are too expensive. There is always real sod, as it is a short 
run, but how do I keep it from falling apart? Any other ideas?

Prob. 2: Working fountain.
I know many of you have done pools on stage a la Metamorphosis. The fountain

in hexagonal in shape, and is about 6' in diameter, and 2'-6" high. I was 
considering essentially building a stout box and lining it with plastic, but

I am worried about the lining tearing when the actress (or some zealous crew

member) gets inside of it. Any other good ideas?
Thanks, I'm looking forward to your responses,
Jarrod Bray

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

------------------------------

Message-ID: <41869B25.1000108 [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 2004 06:23:01 +1000
From: David Duffy <david [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net> <list-4863841 [at] prxy.net> <list-4864338 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4864338 [at] prxy.net>

Jerry Durand wrote:

> At 10:52 AM 11/1/2004, you wrote:
>
>> No - you can't ignore packets.  Otherwise, how can you follow Jerry's 
>> next
>> piece of advice?
>
>
> So, what am I supposed to do with the extra data?  If my box is 
> sending 800 updates a second, and you only have one dimming pulse 
> every 120th of a second, there's noting to update until the next 120th 
> of a second.


I currently update the RAM whenever new data arrives but only read
the RAM when I'm working out the next phase angle in the case of my
dimmer. With the relay board, I check the state of the channel in every
packet but use a "anti-chatter" timer to delay the state change so glitches
and (too) fast moving data values are effectively ignored.
David...


------------------------------

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:27:19 -0500
From: "Frank E. Merrill" <Lamplighter [at] TCON.net>
Message-ID: <48127320.20041101132719 [at] TCON.net>
Subject: Re: Mold release
In-Reply-To: <list-4851188 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4814919 [at] prxy.net> <list-4851188 [at] prxy.net>

Howdy!

Sunday, October 31, 2004, Paul Guncheon wrote:

PG> casting some ice cubes in polyester resin...use, as a mold, an ice
PG> cube tray...what to use as a mold release.

I successfully used a polyethylene mold several years ago when making
some polyester resin doo-dads, and used PAM cooking spray as the
release agent.  I used Vaseline jelly for my first attempt, thinking
that the -ester would stick to the -ethylene too aggressively, but
quickly became lazy and just hit the mold with PAM.

A word to the wise-to-become, however:  Use the least catalyst
possible to minimize the heat produced by the curing resin.
Polyethylene DOES melt...

Why yes!  As a matter of fact, I DID learn that lesson the hard way.


Best regards,
 Frank E. Merrill
 MERRILL STAGE EQUIPMENT
 Eastablished 1946
 Indianapolis  
 317: 255 4666

 Running The Bat! Natural e-mail system v3.0
         mailto:Lamplighter [at] TCON.net



------------------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 15:51:29 -0500
Subject: Re: ice cubes
From: Steve Larson <tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com>
Message-ID: <BDAC0C01.1CDE%tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4864076 [at] prxy.net>

Why not get some 3/4" plexi and cut it into cubes?

Steve

on 11/1/04 2:16 PM, Karl G. Ruling at kruling [at] esta.org wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
>> I am going to attempt casting some ice cubes in polyester resin for a
>> food stylist friend.  I have decided, after a lengthy period of
>> research and investigation, to use, as a mold, an ice cube tray.
>> 
>> If anyone on the list has done this, I would like to know what to use
>> as a mold release.  I would prefer some sort of locally available
>> product if there is one that will work.
> 
> I've never cast polyester resin in an ice cube tray, but I have cast
> polyester resin in various polyethylene containers and used
> polyethylene sheeting as floor protection. It doesn't stick to
> polyethylene. Not much does. Some ice cube trays are polyethylene
> (mine are a home). I'd get some and try it. If it doesn't work,
> you've wrecked a cheap ice cube tray.
> 
> 


------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20041101125029.032abab8 [at] localhost>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 12:53:32 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
In-Reply-To: <list-4864677 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4863841 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4864338 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4864677 [at] prxy.net>

At 12:23 PM 11/1/2004, you wrote:
I currently update the RAM whenever new data arrives but only read
>the RAM when I'm working out the next phase angle in the case of my
>dimmer. With the relay board, I check the state of the channel in every
>packet but use a "anti-chatter" timer to delay the state change so glitches
>and (too) fast moving data values are effectively ignored.
>David...

Right, so if you have a really slow processor (like cheap dimmers use) 
where the interrupts from incoming data will cause the zero-crossing detect 
to mess up, it's better to disable the UART during that time.  Then, once 
the pulse has started, turn the UART back on and save any updates that come 
in.  If no updates come in by the next 120th of a second, you just use the 
old value from RAM.



----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186A415.2B61A4B7 [at] cybercom.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 16:01:09 -0500
From: Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net>
	 <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>
	 <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4862406 [at] prxy.net>



"Paul H. Sullivan" wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> Baltimore had several great scent events.  Remember the great Fish Market
> debacle.  Opry land underwrote the conversion of the Baltimore Fish Market
> into a multibar, multiperformance  space.  1st mistake was no sound
> isolation between spaces, the second was that the place had been a FISH
> MARKET for 50 years.  Every morning it had a 'distinct' aroma that shocked
> you when you walked in the door.
> The place lasted about 4 months before management snuck out of town in the
> dead of night.
>
> Across the harbor was the McCormick spice factory, on a good hot, humid day
> with little breeze, downtown was a giant pepper spray shower.  It would
> burn when you sweat, breathe, or opened your eyes.

    Another McCormick spice factory is out in Hunt Valley, MD.  I worked a
gig nearby for a month.  On the days that they were running cinnamon, you
started tasting the cinnamon when you drove down off the ridge into the valley.

Fortunately, I like the taste of cinnamon.  The same industrial park also had
a Johnson & Johnson scent division plant.  Best smelling industrial park I
ever worked at.

    --Dale



------------------------------

In-Reply-To: <list-4864381 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net> <list-4864075 [at] prxy.net> <list-4864381 [at] prxy.net>
Message-Id: <D054DCB8-2C48-11D9-BEF2-000393897332 [at] email.arizona.edu>
Cc: marko [at] email.arizona.edu (Mark O'Brien)
From: Mark O'Brien <marko [at] email.arizona.edu>
Subject: Write only memory
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:58:42 -0700

I would like to find the original data sheet for this If anyone has it.

  The obvious antonym to read-only  memory. Out of frustration with the=20=

long and seemingly useless  chain of approvals required of component=20
specifications, during which no  actual checking seemed to occur, an=20
engineer at Signetics once created a  specification for a write-only=20
memory and included it with a bunch of other  specifications to be=20
approved. This inclusion came to the attention of  Signetics management=20=

only when regular customers  started calling and asking for pricing=20
information. Signetics published a  corrected edition of the data book=20=

and requested the return of the  =91erroneous=92 ones. Later, in 1972,=20=

Signetics bought a  double-page spread in Electronics magazine's April =20=

issue and used the spec as an April Fools' Day joke. Instead of the=20
more  conventional characteristic curves, the 25120 =93fully encoded,=20
9046 x  N, Random Access, write-only-memory=94 data sheet included=20
diagrams of  =93bit capacity vs.: Temp.=94, =93Iff vs. Vff=94, =93Number =
of pins=20
remaining vs.: number of socket insertions=94,  and =93AQL vs.: selling=20=

price=94. The 25120 required a 6.3 VAC  VFF supply, a +10V VCC, and VDD=20=

of 0V,  =B12%.


Mark O'Brien
Opera Technical Director
University of Arizona, School of Music
Tucson, AZ
520/621-7025
520/591-1803 Mobile


On Nov 1, 2004, at 12:48 PM, Jerry Durand wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see=20
> <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> At 11:16 AM 11/1/2004, you wrote:
>> I'd make a joke about "Smoke Emitting Diodes" but overdriven LEDs
>> aren't that entertaining. Overdrive them and they just make a little
>> crack noise and then go dark, and, if they're wired in series, they
>> all go dark. Boring.
>
> Back in the days when Sygnetics published a data sheet for the Write=20=

> Only Memory (WOM) as a joke in their data book they (or someone else)=20=

> also published a data sheet for the Darkness Emitting Arsinide Diode=20=

> (DEAD).  They said between those and LEDs they got 100% yield.  The=20
> DEADs were intended for uses such as "detonated indicators on nuclear=20=

> weapons".
>
> BTW, my wife's CAD teacher (back when she was learning CAD on an Apple=20=

> ][) taught the WOM as a real product.  When he wouldn't listen to=20
> reason, we found the guy that had written the original data sheet and=20=

> had HIM tell the instructor.  Some people will believe anything if=20
> it's written.
>
>
> ----------
> Jerry Durand
> Durand Interstellar, Inc.
> 219 Oak Wood Way
> Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
> tel:  +1 408 356-3886
> fax:  +1 408 356-4659
> web:  www.interstellar.com
>
>
>


------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186A681.559594D1 [at] cybercom.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 16:11:29 -0500
From: Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
Subject: Re: Animals onstage
References: <list-4863703 [at] prxy.net>



Kacy Woody wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> I have a question for those facility people around here.  Does your facility
> have any kind of rules about animals onstage?   Since we've got a client
> who's putting on Annie in the not too distant future, we're looking at our
> policy, and all we really have is the usual "no animals other that those
> used onstage or service animals" and "your animal makes a mess, you clean it
> up." (and this is one of those clients that you give 'em an inch, they take
> 5 miles.)
>
> Any ideas are appreciated.
> Thanks
> Kacy

    Put into the contract language that any damages caused by said animals
be fully repaired to your satisfaction.  ( I.e.  That stain left on the wooded
stage floor from when the horse decided that it needed to pee is not
satisfactory.  They need to actually replace the wood that got ruined.
and the hoof mark in the loading dock door is damage, not a sign of
character. )

    --Dale



------------------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 16:13:12 -0500
From: Stephen Litterst <slitterst [at] ithaca.edu>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Message-id: <4186A6E8.E8F62295 [at] ithaca.edu>
Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4862406 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865050 [at] prxy.net>

Dale Farmer wrote:

> > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> > ---------------------------------------------------

>     Another McCormick spice factory is out in Hunt Valley, MD.  I worked a
> gig nearby for a month.  On the days that they were running cinnamon, you
> started tasting the cinnamon when you drove down off the ridge into the valley.
> 
> Fortunately, I like the taste of cinnamon.  The same industrial park also had
> a Johnson & Johnson scent division plant.  Best smelling industrial park I
> ever worked at.

My office in Richmond, VA was smack dab between the FFV cookie factory
and the Wonder Bread bakery.  A marked improvement over attending
college downwind of the mushroom capital of the world.

-- 
Stephen C. Litterst
Technical Supervisor
Ithaca College
Dept. of Theatre Arts
607/274-3947
slitterst [at] ithaca.edu

------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20041101130305.032aaba0 [at] localhost>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 13:16:34 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: DIY DMX

Actually, there's normally no need to update the pulse width 120 times a 
second.  You could just use the same pulse value 4 or more times in a row 
and then calculate a new value.  Nobody would see the difference with 
incandescent lights.  This would give you a lot more opportunity to receive 
data and maybe allow you to leave the UART on during this time.

Aside from having to support a new packet every 1196uS, you also have to 
allow for slow updates.  Per the spec the channel data can also be spread 
out with a LOT of time between bytes, it's still legal as long as the 
entire packet completes within one second.  You could even have a fast 
burst of channel data, a 3/4 second pause, and then another fast burst.

----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186A84C.605FC5B6 [at] cybercom.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 16:19:08 -0500
From: Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
Subject: Re: grass on stage and working fountain
References: <list-4864322 [at] prxy.net>



Jarrod Bray wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> Hey guys--
> I have a few interesting challenges in my upcoming production of Big Love.
> As there are always many ways to solve a problem, I'm looking for some
> alternative solutions.
>
> Prob. 1: Grass on stage.
> I need a lot of it. I am trying to get some grass mats from autograph, but I
> think they are too expensive. There is always real sod, as it is a short
> run, but how do I keep it from falling apart? Any other ideas?

    Astroturf or equivalent.   Garden centers will usually be able to order
however much you want.  Warning, the stuff is slippery for people wearing
leather soled shoes.

    --Dale



------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101142350.02150a50 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:23:50
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Re: Colorado Springs

>they have to be AV techs AND waiters ? 

No, they have to be AV techs *LIKE* waiters.  "I'd like the flip-chart, and
the markers and a mic at the podium, uhm, a screen, and a lav.  Ooh!  How
much is the LCD projector?  Uhm, can I get a blue marker and a red one?
Can you put my overlays on the LCD projector? No, I don't have a laptop.
No one told me I'd need one."   ad infinitum
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101142948.02150a50 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:29:48
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Colorado Springs

>CB, What you are going to like about the Broa'more,  is the door SL=20
>from backstage, that leads to the basement pub. One they brought over=20
>from England.

Wel, as budget would have it, it looks like all the breakout gear is going
to have to live backstage for the duration.  I guess we could always blame
the changeover noises on the heavy drinkers in the pub...
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101143114.02150a50 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:31:14
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Colorado Springs

>CB, What you are going to like about the Broa'more,  is the door SL=20
>from backstage, that leads to the basement pub. One they brought over=20
>from England.

Wel, as budget would have it, it looks like all the breakout gear is going
to have to live backstage for the duration.  I guess we could always blame
the changeover noises on the heavy drinkers in the pub...
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101143114.02150a50 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:31:14
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Colorado Springs

>CB, What you are going to like about the Broa'more,  is the door SL=20
>from backstage, that leads to the basement pub. One they brought over=20
>from England.

Wel, as budget would have it, it looks like all the breakout gear is going
to have to live backstage for the duration.  I guess we could always blame
the changeover noises on the heavy drinkers in the pub...
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

In-Reply-To: <list-4865172 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net> <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4862406 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865050 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865172 [at] prxy.net>
Message-Id: <36BD7924-2C4D-11D9-BEF2-000393897332 [at] email.arizona.edu>
Cc: marko [at] email.arizona.edu (Mark O'Brien)
From: Mark O'Brien <marko [at] email.arizona.edu>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 14:30:12 -0700

My sister worked at that McCormick factory, and her office was next to 
the kettles where they would distill vanilla. One would think it would 
smell good, however, it REALLY stunk.

I once worked on a project at Gillette, and I worked with a guy named 
Carl Clump.. This person knew EVERYTHING about smells, perceived and 
otherwise.  Oddly, although the potion he mixed for me to spray smelled 
nothing like the product we were introducing, Until the ballroom was 
full of people.  Most amazing.


Mark O'Brien
Opera Technical Director
University of Arizona, School of Music
Tucson, AZ
520/621-7025
520/591-1803 Mobile


On Nov 1, 2004, at 2:13 PM, Stephen Litterst wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see 
> <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> Dale Farmer wrote:
>
>>> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see 
>>> <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------
>
>>     Another McCormick spice factory is out in Hunt Valley, MD.  I 
>> worked a
>> gig nearby for a month.  On the days that they were running cinnamon, 
>> you
>> started tasting the cinnamon when you drove down off the ridge into 
>> the valley.
>>
>> Fortunately, I like the taste of cinnamon.  The same industrial park 
>> also had
>> a Johnson & Johnson scent division plant.  Best smelling industrial 
>> park I
>> ever worked at.
>
> My office in Richmond, VA was smack dab between the FFV cookie factory
> and the Wonder Bread bakery.  A marked improvement over attending
> college downwind of the mushroom capital of the world.
>
> -- 
> Stephen C. Litterst
> Technical Supervisor
> Ithaca College
> Dept. of Theatre Arts
> 607/274-3947
> slitterst [at] ithaca.edu


------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101143114.017ac770 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:31:14
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Colorado Springs

>CB, What you are going to like about the Broa'more,  is the door SL=20
>from backstage, that leads to the basement pub. One they brought over=20
>from England.

Wel, as budget would have it, it looks like all the breakout gear is going
to have to live backstage for the duration.  I guess we could always blame
the changeover noises on the heavy drinkers in the pub...
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101143114.0198f7b8 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:31:14
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Colorado Springs

>CB, What you are going to like about the Broa'more,  is the door SL=20
>from backstage, that leads to the basement pub. One they brought over=20
>from England.

Wel, as budget would have it, it looks like all the breakout gear is going
to have to live backstage for the duration.  I guess we could always blame
the changeover noises on the heavy drinkers in the pub...
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041101143938.02150a50 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:39:38
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Re: cold water ground

>When we refer to a ground loop, we usually mean that more  than one 
>return path has been established.  One of these will have more  resistance 
>(or in the context of audio more properly expressed as impedance)  than the 
>other.  This sets up the differential voltage in the "signal"  that is
interpreted 
>as hum or buzz.

I'm pretty sure that that is what I said, but I took all the 'skweekese'
out of it.  I dunno where I got the impression, but I was figuring it was
someone without a buncha sound tech experience.  I could be wrong...

>I'm oversimplifying here

Not as much as I was...  ; >
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				MON AZ

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20041101134617.00ac0760 [at] localhost>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 13:48:06 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: Write only memory
In-Reply-To: <list-4865086 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4864075 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4864381 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4865086 [at] prxy.net>

At 12:58 PM 11/1/2004, you wrote:
>Instead of the more  conventional characteristic curves, the 25120 =93fully=
=20
>encoded, 9046 x  N, Random Access, write-only-memory=94 data sheet included=
=20
>diagrams of  =93bit capacity vs.: Temp.=94, =93Iff vs. Vff=94, =93Number of=
 pins=20
>remaining vs.: number of socket insertions=94,  and =93AQL vs.: selling=20
>price=94. The 25120 required a 6.3 VAC  VFF supply, a +10V VCC, and VDD of=
=20
>0V,  =B12%.

Some of the data curves were impossible like going back in time and I=20
believe there was the outline of a woman in one of the graphs (that=20
probably didn't make the magazine version).  It also had a chip destruct=20
line that required some number of mega-amps.



----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

From: "Andy Leviss" <Andy [at] DucksEchoSound.com>
Subject: RE: Write only memory
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 18:00:59 -0500
Organization: Duck's Echo Sound
Message-ID: <000101c4c066$a7bd8870$a19afea9 [at] AndyLeviss>
In-Reply-To: <list-4865086 [at] prxy.net>

Mark O'Brien wrote:

> I would like to find the original data sheet for this If 
> anyone has it.

This is text only, no graphs, but it has the full text of the press
release and data sheet:
http://www.ariplex.com/tina/tsignet1.htm

--Andy, currently in Norfolk, VA with the Muppets

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
 


------------------------------

From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
Message-ID: <15c.4250e6a6.2eb82211 [at] aol.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 18:34:41 EST
Subject: Re: cold water ground

In a message dated 01/11/04 21:40:37 GMT Standard Time, psyd [at] cox.net writes:

> >When we refer to a ground loop, we usually mean that more  than one 
>  >return path has been established.  One of these will have more  
resistance 
>  >(or in the context of audio more properly expressed as impedance)  than 
the 
> 
>  >other.  This sets up the differential voltage in the "signal"  that is
>  interpreted 
>  >as hum or buzz.

It depends a lot on the sort of audio system you are talking about. Cheap and 
simple, unbalanced audio systems are heavily dependant on the earth system. 
These use the earth as one of the signal paths. Professional ones are run as 
balanced systems, where the earth is not in the signal path.

OK, there are always earths somewhere in the system: in power supplies and 
cable screens, for example. But, unless there's something very wrong, they 
should cause few problems.

Not none. 7A of earth fault leakage may upset the best designed system.



Frank Wood

------------------------------

In-Reply-To: <list-4865172 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net> <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4862406 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865050 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865172 [at] prxy.net>
Message-Id: <9548F22C-2C65-11D9-8E6D-000A95D99210 [at] hillmardesign.com>
From: gregg hillmar <gregg [at] hillmardesign.com>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 19:24:39 -0500

On Nov 1, 2004, at 4:13 PM, Stephen Litterst wrote:

>>     Another McCormick spice factory is out in Hunt Valley, MD.  I 
>> worked a
>> gig nearby for a month.  On the days that they were running cinnamon, 
>> you
>> started tasting the cinnamon when you drove down off the ridge into 
>> the valley.
>>
>> Fortunately, I like the taste of cinnamon.  The same industrial park 
>> also had
>> a Johnson & Johnson scent division plant.  Best smelling industrial 
>> park I
>> ever worked at.
>
> My office in Richmond, VA was smack dab between the FFV cookie factory
> and the Wonder Bread bakery.  A marked improvement over attending
> college downwind of the mushroom capital of the world.
>
> -- 
> Stephen C. Litterst
> Technical Supervisor
> Ithaca College
> Dept. of Theatre Arts
> 607/274-3947
> slitterst [at] ithaca.edu
>

Stephen, wasn't your office also in an old tobacco warehouse? And/or 
equidistant to the tobacco plants in south richmond? "In the old days," 
the reek of tobacco production overcame most great smells. Ages ago, 
the building behind the Empire theatre was a dairy. Oye, the smells 
coming from that could be dangerous!

On good days, the smell of Sauer's vanilla several blocks down the 
street almost made up for it.

sniff...(still living in Richmond...)
g.
_____________________
gregg hillmar
scenic & lighting design
portfolio & life as we know it:
http://www.hillmardesign.com

"Work like you don't need the money.  Love like you've never been hurt. 
Dance like no one's watching."
                                    Satchel Paige


------------------------------

From: "Andy Leviss" <Andy [at] DucksEchoSound.com>
Subject: RE: cold water ground
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 19:26:55 -0500
Organization: Duck's Echo Sound
Message-ID: <000801c4c072$a8780860$a19afea9 [at] AndyLeviss>
In-Reply-To: <list-4866523 [at] prxy.net>

Frank Wood wrote:

> It depends a lot on the sort of audio system you are talking 
> about. 
--snip--
>Professional  ones are run as 
> balanced systems, where the earth is not in the signal path.
> 
> OK, there are always earths somewhere in the system: in power 
> supplies and 
> cable screens, for example. But, unless there's something 
> very wrong, they 
> should cause few problems.

In theory, yes. In practice, there's this little evil bastard of a
glitch known as the "pin 1 problem" which is present in tons of
"professional" gear without being acknowleged or remedied. Fully
balanced systems, but they'll hum/buzz till the cows come home, and
without going inside the gear and actually rewiring the connections on
pin 1 of the XLR connector, there's nothing you can do to fully remedy
it.

(For a completely simplified explanation of the pin 1 problem, it's when
pin 1 of the input is connected to the ground traces on the circuit
board rather than directly to the chassis, which causes noise to get
into the audio circuits. Not pleasant, and all too common. There's been
tonsssss of detailed discussion of this on the Theatre-Sound list by
folks like Jim Brown, who are far, far, far more knowlegeable about this
sort of stuff than I am.)

--Andy, currently in Norfolk, VA with the Muppets

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004
 


------------------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 19:32:37 -0500
From: Stephen Litterst <slitterst [at] ithaca.edu>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Message-id: <4186D5A5.62E2142D [at] ithaca.edu>
Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4862406 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865050 [at] prxy.net>
 <list-4865172 [at] prxy.net> <list-4866902 [at] prxy.net>

gregg hillmar wrote:
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Stephen, wasn't your office also in an old tobacco warehouse? And/or
> equidistant to the tobacco plants in south richmond? "In the old days,"
> the reek of tobacco production overcame most great smells. Ages ago,
> the building behind the Empire theatre was a dairy. Oye, the smells
> coming from that could be dangerous!

Our building was one of the earlier Pleasant's Hardware stores.  Our
loading dock out back still had their name painted on the bricks.  The
reek of tobacco production was a familiar smell, not because of
Richmond but because I grew up in MD surrounded by tobacco barns.  I
remember fondly the smell of tobacco curing.


Steve L.

-- 
Stephen C. Litterst
Technical Supervisor
Ithaca College
Dept. of Theatre Arts
607/274-3947
slitterst [at] ithaca.edu

------------------------------

From: "will kent" <etcs4 [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 2004 00:32:04 +0000
Message-ID: <BAY24-F20r65JP59qub0006cee2 [at] hotmail.com>



There is a Ledestri Food Factory down the street from me that makes Tommato 
Sauce and when im on the bus home (yes im a senior in Highschool and I ride 
the bus) you usally get a good strong wiff of the stuff.

Will Kent
Owner/Operator/LD
Kent Production Services
www.kentlighting.cjb.net

_________________________________________________________________
Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to 
School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx


------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186DAFC.5060806 [at] fuse.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 19:55:24 -0500
From: Stuart Wheaton <sdwheaton [at] fuse.net>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
References: <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net>	 <list-4852295 [at] prxy.net>	 <list-4853719 [at] prxy.net> <list-4862406 [at] prxy.net> <list-4865050 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4865050 [at] prxy.net>

Dale Farmer wrote:

>>Across the harbor was the McCormick spice factory, on a good hot, humid day
>>with little breeze, downtown was a giant pepper spray shower.  It would
>>burn when you sweat, breathe, or opened your eyes.
> 
> 
>     Another McCormick spice factory is out in Hunt Valley, MD.  I worked a
> gig nearby for a month.  On the days that they were running cinnamon, you
> started tasting the cinnamon when you drove down off the ridge into the valley.
> 
> Fortunately, I like the taste of cinnamon.  The same industrial park also had
> a Johnson & Johnson scent division plant.  Best smelling industrial park I
> ever worked at.

The first shop for my current employer was across the street 
from Cincinnati's sewer plant.   A few years later, we moved 
to a shop just down the street from the Keebler Cookie 
Plant, that was a MAJOR improvement, though tough in it's 
own way.  Now we're at the other end of town, and no fun 
smells at all.

Stu


------------------------------

Message-ID: <45156.207.177.227.29.1099357237.squirrel [at] kauko.hallikainen.org>
In-Reply-To: <list-4865211 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4865211 [at] prxy.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 17:00:37 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
From: "Harold Hallikainen" <harold [at] hallikainen.com>

I run a pic18f452 in several products. One is a 4 channel dimmer that uses
the pic capture compare register to time the firing of the four triacs.
The uart runs continuously receiving dmx. Most of the datastream is thrown
out since it's only a 4 channel dimmer. The 4 channels we want (based on
the user set starting channel) get stored in 4 bytes of ram. At AC zero
cross, the timer values required for each channel is looked up using a
table. The first channel that needs to be turned on is then stored in the
compare register. The pic generates an interrupt at this time, turns on
that triac, loads the compare register with the value for the next channel
to turn on, and continues on. DMX reception is an interrupt routine. Triac
firing is another interrupt routine. Various other housekeeping things are
done in the mainline code.

The pic is running at 40 MHz.

Harold



-- 
FCC Rules Online at http://www.hallikainen.com

------------------------------

In-Reply-To: <list-4866990 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-4866990 [at] prxy.net>
Message-Id: <B149BFE6-2C6C-11D9-A66F-000D936BFA94 [at] dejazzd.com>
From: Greg Bierly <gbierly [at] dejazzd.com>
Subject: Re: Febreeze scentstories
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 20:15:32 -0500

Growing up in Elizabethtown Pa.  I knew it was going to rain (due to 
the wind shifting) when I could smell the M&M Mars plant on the other 
side of town from my house.  Driving through neighboring Hershey Pa was 
pretty cool too.  A lot better than the usual scent of fields spread 
with LCM (Liquid Cow Manure).

Greg Bierly
Technical Director
Hempfield HS


------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186E0CA.9080802 [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 2004 11:20:10 +1000
From: David Duffy <david [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
References: <list-4865211 [at] prxy.net> <list-4867209 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4867209 [at] prxy.net>

Harold Hallikainen wrote:

>For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
>---------------------------------------------------
>
>I run a pic18f452 in several products. One is a 4 channel dimmer that uses
>the pic capture compare register to time the firing of the four triacs.
>The uart runs continuously receiving dmx. Most of the datastream is thrown
>out since it's only a 4 channel dimmer. The 4 channels we want (based on
>the user set starting channel) get stored in 4 bytes of ram. At AC zero
>cross, the timer values required for each channel is looked up using a
>table. The first channel that needs to be turned on is then stored in the
>compare register. The pic generates an interrupt at this time, turns on
>that triac, loads the compare register with the value for the next channel
>to turn on, and continues on. DMX reception is an interrupt routine. Triac
>firing is another interrupt routine. Various other housekeeping things are
>done in the mainline code.
>
>The pic is running at 40 MHz.
>  
>

Hi Harold,
Sounds pretty much what I do. I don't kill the uart interrupt either.
There's no need to if the firmware is writtten to process the DMX
stream and the phase angles independently. I only run the micro at
20MHz and usually on a 16F628A or similar device. Works well.
David...


------------------------------

Message-ID: <4186E1D2.8080900 [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 2004 11:24:34 +1000
From: David Duffy <david [at] audiovisualdevices.com.au>
Subject: Re: DIY DMX
References: <list-4860439 [at] prxy.net> <list-4863841 [at] prxy.net> <list-4864338 [at] prxy.net> <list-4864677 [at] prxy.net> <list-4864982 [at] prxy.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4864982 [at] prxy.net>

Jerry Durand wrote:

> David Duffy wrote:
> I currently update the RAM whenever new data arrives but only read
>
>> the RAM when I'm working out the next phase angle in the case of my
>> dimmer. With the relay board, I check the state of the channel in every
>> packet but use a "anti-chatter" timer to delay the state change so 
>> glitches
>> and (too) fast moving data values are effectively ignored.
>> David...
>
>
> Right, so if you have a really slow processor (like cheap dimmers use) 
> where the interrupts from incoming data will cause the zero-crossing 
> detect to mess up, it's better to disable the UART during that time.  
> Then, once the pulse has started, turn the UART back on and save any 
> updates that come in.  If no updates come in by the next 120th of a 
> second, you just use the old value from RAM.


Most dimmers would be using PIC or AVR micro's wouldn't they?
That's plenty of horsepower to receive DMX and do phase control.
I've not had problems with the zero crossing "messing up" on mine.
Maybe you're not using an interrupt to sense the zero-cross?
David...

------------------------------

End of Stagecraft Digest #182
*****************************