Show Networks and Control Systems: Formerly "Control Systems for Live Entertainment"

by John Huntington

Show Networks and Control Systems, the industry standard since 1994, is both a learning guide for beginners and a reference for experienced technicians. With its unique combined focus on computers, networks, and control systems, the book covers the art and practice of using these tools for live shows such as concerts, theatre productions, theme park attractions, themed-retail installations, cruise ship shows, museum exhibits, interactive media projects, and traditional performing arts. The book offers an in-depth examination of the technology used behind the scenes in lighting, lasers, audio, video, stage machinery, animatronics, special effects, and pyrotechnics and show control, the technique used to interconnect and synchronize two or more show systems. In this extensively revised and updated second edition (after three editions with the previous title, Control Systems for Live Entertainment), Huntington draws on more than three decades of experience in the field and classroom to clearly explain what goes on behind the scenes and inside the machines that bring bold performances to life in real-world settings.

Genres: Reference

474 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 1994

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the right depth for someone in my position, enough to get a network up and running and/or troubleshoot issues without going too deep into the protocols. Tone was friendly and conversational even funny at times, which is rare for an academic textbook. This book was enjoyable to read, not a chore like similar texts and I suspect the book started as a series of lecture notes. Finally hats off to the ridiculous "Purple Floyd" and "Comfortably Rich" case study. Man I miss live entertainment.

[Hugo Vázquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with lots of information. It's a big book so I recommend to pace yourself and read it with a highlighter in your hand. There are a lot of standards and instructions that will make this book slow to read, but it is worth it. It has a wealth of information that not many people know about, especially if you're new to show business.