Martin Lighting and Control Package for Daystar Television Network, Texas

Daystar Television Network is the second largest Christian television network in the U.S. and broadcasts all over the world. Based out of Bedford, Texas, the network recently purchased a Martin lighting and control package for its Studio ‘A’ which features the station’s flagship show “Celebration,” as well as the “Joni Show.”

The package consists of MAC 550 profile spots, Maxxyz lighting console and a very recent purchase of Martin’s Maxedia Digital Media Composer, all supplied by Gemini Stage & Lighting of Dallas. The network also plans to add MAC 700 Profiles.

Michael Cerione, Television Lighting Director and Lighting Designer at Daystar, commented, “The Martin lights have done everything we have expected, and we have only touched the surface of what they can do. They give movement and really set the mood for the music portions of our productions, as well as helping create an atmosphere with the talk segments. We just recently started a Music Show that will really help us utilize the Martin lights, Maxxyz, and Maxedia to their fullest ability.”

Twelve of the MAC 550s are used on the band set in Studio ‘A’ with four of those soon to be replaced with MAC 700 Profiles. The four 550s will then transfer to Studio ‘B’ and also be used for road shows. Eight of the Studio ‘A’ 550s are located in a grid and used for wall break-up and floor patterns while two are hung vertically on pipe behind the drummer with two operating from a floor position. “The speed of the MAC 550 has been great,” Michael comments. “The intensity is really great as well. We use a lot of gobo rotations and prism rotations at every speed. The slowest speed is great for subtle moves when we need just a little something. The indexing has shown to be very good at getting back to the desired position.”

Maxxyz takes ease of programming to new level
Robby Kurtz, Lighting Designer/Programmer at Daystar, has had the opportunity to get hands on with the Martin lighting console. He comments, “I have been a lighting programmer for almost eight years and the Maxxyz is the easiest and most user friendly console I have ever used. I really appreciate how it has a lot of similarities to the Hog 2 but it has taken the ease of programming to a new level. It just makes sense. I love all the thumbnails for gobo's, colors, and every other parameter. I know that when you have a new product there are always things that can improve and Martin has worked very fast at writing new software to meet everyone's requests. We have run as many as 90 intelligent fixtures on this console, and it worked flawlessly.

“I really like the built in visualizer. It has been great for working in blind. The layout of the console is very user friendly for fast programming. I like being able to see my options for every parameter rather than having to scroll through a wheel to find out what I've got. With the Windows Media built in, it has made it great to program to songs that the band will be playing on our program. The timing feature is a huge step up from what I had used before. It is a lot easier to check your timing and make adjustments.”

Robby sums up, "Martin's staff has been great in assisting me with any Maxxyz/MSD questions. In addition, Dallas freelance programmer Eric Wade has also helped out a great deal. When I have been in a pinch and called them, I have always had a quick response in helping me solve the problem. Daryl Sutton has also been a huge help in facilitating anything we needed involving the equipment or getting in contact with the people that could help us.”