Red light indication
- Thread starter Nadege
- Start date
Help Support GroupDIY Audio Forum:
SSLtech
Well-known member
um.... a switch and some wire?
You're really not being very specific.
Keith
You're really not being very specific.
Keith
Sounds like you want a red light for when the system is recording.
Again, the simplest would be switch and a bulb, but if you want to get really clever, then use one of your outputs to send a constant signal, and take that signal to a signal rectifier, then some smoothing caps and then to a schmitt trigger. Use the schmitt trigger to drive a relay circuit that switch the light on and off.
That way, whenever you have any kind of playback, and that channel is playing, the light will come on.
Alternatively, look at the uCapps.de guys, they may have a solution.
Again, the simplest would be switch and a bulb, but if you want to get really clever, then use one of your outputs to send a constant signal, and take that signal to a signal rectifier, then some smoothing caps and then to a schmitt trigger. Use the schmitt trigger to drive a relay circuit that switch the light on and off.
That way, whenever you have any kind of playback, and that channel is playing, the light will come on.
Alternatively, look at the uCapps.de guys, they may have a solution.
keefaz
Well-known member
[quote author="Rochey"]
Alternatively, look at the uCapps.de guys, they may have a solution.[/quote]
That was I thought, a MIDI interface so when you hit record in the daw, that would switch on the light :thumb:
But then I wonder about the maximum length a MIDI cable can have, and if someone pushes the door at the moment where you start to record that could disturbs the tracking...I guess a simple switch would be better then (so you can switch the light on before you start recording)
Alternatively, look at the uCapps.de guys, they may have a solution.[/quote]
That was I thought, a MIDI interface so when you hit record in the daw, that would switch on the light :thumb:
But then I wonder about the maximum length a MIDI cable can have, and if someone pushes the door at the moment where you start to record that could disturbs the tracking...I guess a simple switch would be better then (so you can switch the light on before you start recording)
SSLtech
Well-known member
SSL had a red light facility on the E, G, J and K series.
It started out as a button which turns on the light.
Then people said "I want it on when the tape machine is in record"
So they modified it to only light when in record.
Then people found that people still walked in right before a punch-in.
So they modified it to light when the transport was at play speed.
Then people complained that it was going on, off, on off, on, off, and came on even when the thing was just playing back for listening.
So guess what? -They went back to a switch.
It really is the best answer: You want the red light on or a while? -You switch it on. -It seems that no single 'automated' solution works for all circumstances, or all people.
We have three J-series here, they all have red light switches... none are used. -We also have three Rupert Neve 9098i's... they too have unused red light switches on them... The one time a client went out and bought a load of expensive "on-air" lights to hang over the doors, we found out that the red light opto output on his 9098i didn't work! (never got it working, either!)
Keith
Keith
It started out as a button which turns on the light.
Then people said "I want it on when the tape machine is in record"
So they modified it to only light when in record.
Then people found that people still walked in right before a punch-in.
So they modified it to light when the transport was at play speed.
Then people complained that it was going on, off, on off, on, off, and came on even when the thing was just playing back for listening.
So guess what? -They went back to a switch.
It really is the best answer: You want the red light on or a while? -You switch it on. -It seems that no single 'automated' solution works for all circumstances, or all people.
We have three J-series here, they all have red light switches... none are used. -We also have three Rupert Neve 9098i's... they too have unused red light switches on them... The one time a client went out and bought a load of expensive "on-air" lights to hang over the doors, we found out that the red light opto output on his 9098i didn't work! (never got it working, either!)
Keith
Keith
SSLtech
Well-known member
That's just to light the record lamp... even if your machine doesn't have tally outputs, you can wire optos in series with the play and record lights, then wire a switch to pick red-light on play or red-light on record...
But no matter what you build, someone will ask for something different...
Keith
But no matter what you build, someone will ask for something different...
Keith
stickjam
Well-known member
[quote author="SSLtech"]SSL had a red light facility on the E, G, J and K series.
It started out as a button which turns on the light.
Then people said "I want it on when the tape machine is in record"
So they modified it to only light when in record.
Then people found that people still walked in right before a punch-in.
So they modified it to light when the transport was at play speed.
Then people complained that it was going on, off, on off, on, off, and came on even when the thing was just playing back for listening.
So guess what? -They went back to a switch.
It really is the best answer: You want the red light on or a while? -You switch it on. -It seems that no single 'automated' solution works for all circumstances, or all people.
We have three J-series here, they all have red light switches... none are used. -We also have three Rupert Neve 9098i's... they too have unused red light switches on them... The one time a client went out and bought a load of expensive "on-air" lights to hang over the doors, we found out that the red light opto output on his 9098i didn't work! (never got it working, either!)
Keith
Keith[/quote]
Why not rig the red light to come on when any tracks are armed? It would reduce the on-off-on-off syndrome and indicate any future intent to record, regardless of the state of the transport.
--Bob
It started out as a button which turns on the light.
Then people said "I want it on when the tape machine is in record"
So they modified it to only light when in record.
Then people found that people still walked in right before a punch-in.
So they modified it to light when the transport was at play speed.
Then people complained that it was going on, off, on off, on, off, and came on even when the thing was just playing back for listening.
So guess what? -They went back to a switch.
It really is the best answer: You want the red light on or a while? -You switch it on. -It seems that no single 'automated' solution works for all circumstances, or all people.
We have three J-series here, they all have red light switches... none are used. -We also have three Rupert Neve 9098i's... they too have unused red light switches on them... The one time a client went out and bought a load of expensive "on-air" lights to hang over the doors, we found out that the red light opto output on his 9098i didn't work! (never got it working, either!)
Keith
Keith[/quote]
Why not rig the red light to come on when any tracks are armed? It would reduce the on-off-on-off syndrome and indicate any future intent to record, regardless of the state of the transport.
--Bob
owel
Well-known member
Lock the door. 
SSLtech
Well-known member
[quote author="stickjam"]Why not rig the red light to come on when any tracks are armed? It would reduce the on-off-on-off syndrome and indicate any future intent to record, regardless of the state of the transport.[/quote]
...people will still go for lunch and leave a track in ready...
Someone will always tell you that it's not what they need... they need some CLEVERER form of logic.
The cleverer you try to make it, the more a simple switch appeals.
Keith
...people will still go for lunch and leave a track in ready...
Someone will always tell you that it's not what they need... they need some CLEVERER form of logic.
The cleverer you try to make it, the more a simple switch appeals.
Keith
stickjam
Well-known member
True. The best solution is probably to forget the red light and hire this guy to stand outside the door...
:green:
:green:
I have come across radio studio mixers with micro switches on the microphone channel faders - normally used to mute the monitor speakers to avoid feedback, but could also light a red lamp.
Important to have a good isolation interface - especially if the red lamp is mains operated - we don't want mains voltages inside mixing desks.....!
JG
Important to have a good isolation interface - especially if the red lamp is mains operated - we don't want mains voltages inside mixing desks.....!
JG
SSLtech
Well-known member
Opto isolator -> Zero-crossing-Solid-state relay -> Light bulb.
No clicks, no ticks, no muss no fuss.
Keith
No clicks, no ticks, no muss no fuss.
Keith
clintrubber
Well-known member
[quote author="rodabod"]And it doesn't have to be red![/quote]
True, but it depends on the kind of music...
For recording black metal you just have to have red
True, but it depends on the kind of music...
For recording black metal you just have to have red
G
Guest
Guest
I switch on the light before hitting "Record" button, and announce through a talkback simultaneously. It's a habit.
Hi,
I totally agree with SSL tech in a music recording studio application, the red light is not so usefull.
I was asking this for another application.
I'm working in a sound for movies studios and the people making the recreation of the soundtrack of the movies (all the noises, footstep, ...) (don't know the english names of them) Would like to have this as a very subbtle indication inside the studio to let them know that they are in record.
I don't know if my explanation is clear :?
thanks for the help
I totally agree with SSL tech in a music recording studio application, the red light is not so usefull.
I was asking this for another application.
I'm working in a sound for movies studios and the people making the recreation of the soundtrack of the movies (all the noises, footstep, ...) (don't know the english names of them) Would like to have this as a very subbtle indication inside the studio to let them know that they are in record.
I don't know if my explanation is clear :?
thanks for the help
mikeyB
Well-known member
"Red light indication"!!! - rough looking birds/fishnets/stilletos :razz:
> the people making the recreation of the soundtrack of the movies (all the noises, footstep, ...) (don't know the english names of them)
Often "Foley artist":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_artist
> indication inside the studio to let them know that they are in record.
I tell the artists to count 3 seconds after I yell "Take 47!" before they begin playing (or clapping coconuts), then when done stand still for 3 seconds before relaxing and moving around.
You could use the RECORD lamp on your tape recorder. If you still use tape or some dedicated machine with a REC lamp. As Keith says, either tap the lamp wire or use an electric "eye" (photodiode) to sense the light, flip a relay, send big 120V/230V power to your "on air" light.
I have used a big (3 feet, almost 1 meter) card. Two pieces of colored "poster-board" cardboard glued together. One green, one red. This was for live concerts with many short pieces of music of uncertain length. Normally the green side faced the performer. When I got near the end of a reel of tape, I turned it around so they saw the red side. I asked them, if they took a bow and saw red, to waste time before beginning the next piece, so I could change tape. Sometimes they did.
Often "Foley artist":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_artist
> indication inside the studio to let them know that they are in record.
I tell the artists to count 3 seconds after I yell "Take 47!" before they begin playing (or clapping coconuts), then when done stand still for 3 seconds before relaxing and moving around.
You could use the RECORD lamp on your tape recorder. If you still use tape or some dedicated machine with a REC lamp. As Keith says, either tap the lamp wire or use an electric "eye" (photodiode) to sense the light, flip a relay, send big 120V/230V power to your "on air" light.
I have used a big (3 feet, almost 1 meter) card. Two pieces of colored "poster-board" cardboard glued together. One green, one red. This was for live concerts with many short pieces of music of uncertain length. Normally the green side faced the performer. When I got near the end of a reel of tape, I turned it around so they saw the red side. I asked them, if they took a bow and saw red, to waste time before beginning the next piece, so I could change tape. Sometimes they did.
Similar threads
