Work Pro LightShark: a new lighting concept

In today’s FocusOn, we’ll take a look at WorkPro’s LightShark, a series of lighting consoles dedicated to medium to small events, providing the user with a high flexibility of use. This is achieved, above all, due to its use in conjunction with tablets, in order to provide a clean and robust interface with inherent reliability. These are just some of the features of this series of devices designed by the Spanish company, targeted at those who are looking for an affordable solution to create a quality show.

THE PRODUCT

LightShark is present on the market in two versions: LS1 and LSCore, both of which are linked, as previously mentioned, to tablets or smartphones.

LightShark Web-Based App

The main menu, which can be recalled via a button at the top left corner of the screen, contains the basic functions for managing show files, patches and schedulers. The latter is useful for managing various automated functions, for example at a particular time interval within a day. The Patch screen is particularly intuitive, allowing the user to set their own lighting plot, whilst containing an editor for the creation and adaptation of new fixtures. Other preferences can also be changed from the main screen, for example the bpm or timings, the clear key operation, dbo mode, the DMX protocol, network setup, and midi and OSC features.

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The top of the screen allows for the switching between palette, virtual playback, cuelist, executors and prog / out page screens.
On Palette, it is possible to select groups or individual fixtures by tapping direction on them, or by using the numerical keypad. On the right side of the screen, the user can select which group of features to operate (with control over intensity, position, beam, gobo, color and effects), either directly controlling the parameter or creating presets. Virtual Playback is useful when working with the LSCore version, allowing the user to view the full ten faders with play, pause, next, previous and release keys. The CueList page is also particularly useful, where users can select a cue and change the ID, name, fade and delay times, as well as manually edit the parameters of the fixtures within each cue.
From the Executor page, it is possible to insert cues that can be activated by a simple on / off button, for example the switching on and off of the smoke machine, effects on multiple groups of fixtures and everything that does not necessarily require a fader. Finally, in the prog/out screen, we can view and interact with the parameters we are working with, all in real time.

Just above the ten faders are the Edit, Update, Del, Copy, Move and Set editing buttons, the Fan button and the Clear, Rec and Find buttons.

LS-1

LS-1 is a well thought out, complete and intuitive control surface that makes it possible to manage all the functions that appear in real time on one or more tablet screen. The comfortable layout allows the operator to program and control his own show in a simple and effective way. All the indispensable functions found on the app are present, with the ten faders and relative page change buttons, grand master, four encoders to operate on the various parameters of the fixtures, the editor buttons (edit, update, delete, copy, move, set and fan), a button to move to the selection of groups or individual fixtures and scroll them with the next and prev buttons and the int, beam, advanced, gobo, color and fx buttons. Finally, the small screen on the right side of the S1 surface allows the user to work on the surface directly, rarely needing to raise their eyes to the tablet. On the back side there are two USB sockets (data and 5v), an ethernet socket, two DMX outputs each with 3 and 5 pins, the wireless antenna and the service lamp connection. LS-1 is able to control up to 8 DMX universes.

LS-CORE

LS-CORE is a compact but extremely powerful device, also capable of handling up to 8 DMX universes and equipped with a Wi-Fi access point, USB socket to connect the optional MIDI interface, a mini display for basic configurations and with the same functionality as the LS-1 control surface, including time event management.

SPECIFICATIONS

ROAD TEST

I had the opportunity to test the two devices for a substantial amount of time, using them for simple and not too demanding private and corporate events, where it was often essential to have a compact console that was easily concealable and remotely controllable. With both controllers, I had the opportunity to manage and modify the various scenarios in real time, moving freely within the location and observing the scene from different points of view.

The configuration was immediate. Once I connected to the lightshark network and set the address on the browser, the web-based software starts and all works perfect. The layout is pleasant, functional and intuitive and I rarely had to consult the manual to look for the various features. The patching is impeccably organised, as is the network configuration where you have the possibility to everything you need in a very short time, all from a single screen.

Once the initial configurations were completed, I organised the various colour palettes, beams and effects. As far as colours, gobos and beams are concerned, the use of encoders on the LS-1 is much more convenient than sliders on tablets. However, I did find the colour-picker works very well on the tablet surface. I particularly appreciated the effects page, where there are some practical presets for each feature category. Here there were size, speed and offset parameters as well as graphical representations of the type of start positions (absolute, plus, minus, normal etc …). In the programming and execution phases, the display on the LS-1 and the excellent colour management of the keys allowed me to understand, with ease, where I was and what I could and could not do.

Once the programming was completed, I quietly left my workstation with the tablet and, thanks to the Virtual PB and Executors screens, I was able to control the entire show remotely.

CONCLUSION

LightShark is a console that presents a new concept of lighting control, one that is incredibly flexible and “mobile”. This is something that is useful, above all, for those applications in which space and time are restricted. The release is stable and light, and I have not found errors or lagging even when loading all the universes and launching different effects at the same time. The LS-1 bench feels to be a solid and reliable piece of kit, ideal for rental and service, whilst LS-CORE is practical, light and versatile. The software is well organised, allowing the user to have everything under control at all times, with colour management that helps the user to understand the programming process.

With a few more universes and a couple more ideal features, this console series would have everything necessary to tackle more demanding situations.

Walter Lutzu – main tester
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Posted by Walter Lutzu

Born as computer expert and programmer, after 5 years dedicated to the development of softwares for logistics, Walter has devoted his professional life to the entertainment lighting, in the first as a simple technician to land very soon on the ground of lighting fixtures, lighting programming and 3D rendering. Today he’s a well renowned Lighitng Professional, especially appreciated for his peculiar style, and also for his managing abilities.