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Plug & Play

A full light show that runs itself. We program the lights to your songs before the tour. Your crew plugs them in, and the show plays along with your music every night. No lighting person on the bus.

See if it fits your show →Talk to us
Polyphia · 2023 · ran on Plug & Play
The controller

One small case runs the whole show.

It sits next to your playback computer and follows your music. No one has to operate it.

  • Touchscreen laptop
  • LTC timecode in (XLR)
  • grandMA3 or grandMA2 ready
The Plug & Play controller: a small rack case with a touchscreen laptop on top, in front of stage lights

How it works

Step 1

Program

We agree on a lighting package and tailor it to your show. You send your songs, and we program the lighting to every one.

Step 2

Plug

We join your rehearsals for 2 to 4 days to set it up, fine-tune the show, and build the cabling to fit your stage. On the last day we train your crew.

Step 3

& Play

Your crew runs the show on tour, with your music. If anything comes up, call us.

Is it right for you?

Four quick questions. Not sure about one? Pick "Not sure" and we'll sort it out on a call.

1 · Does your show use click / backing tracks?

Usually run from a laptop by your music director or playback tech.

2 · Is someone on the road who can plug it in?

A backline, audio or playback tech, or a tour manager who sets up gear.

3 · How big are most of the rooms?
4 · Do you want the venue's lights to follow along too?

The house lights every venue already has, on top of your package.

Your answer

Answer the questions to see.

It takes about ten seconds.

What you'd tour with

Three example packages, each with a different look. Every one comes with the Plug & Play controller, and every one can be changed to fit your rooms and your show.

See all ten packages →
Render of lighting package A on a stage
Beams look

Package A

Sharp beams cutting through haze, with strobes for the big hits.

  • 4 moving beams
  • 2 colored strobes
  • 2 side lights
  • 2 tripods
  • Hazer
ControlPlug & Play controller, programmed to your songs
Start with package A →
Render of lighting package B on a stage
Color look

Package B

Washes of color across the stage, with LED tubes for movement.

  • 4 moving washes
  • 12 pixel tubes (1 m)
  • 2 side lights
  • 8 tripods
  • Hazer
ControlPlug & Play controller, programmed to your songs
Start with package B →
Render of lighting package I on a stage
Shapes look

Package I

Spotlights that throw patterns and shapes, with strobes for the big hits.

  • 4 moving CMY spots
  • 2 colored strobes
  • 4 side lights
  • Hazer
ControlPlug & Play controller, programmed to your songs
Start with package I →

Who does what

Duck Lights

We handle

  • The designThe look of every song, programmed to your music.
  • The gearA lighting package tailored to your show.
  • Rehearsals2 to 4 days on site to set up, fine-tune, and train your crew.
  • SupportWe're a call away for the whole run.
Your crew

They handle

  • Set upPut the lights on stage and plug in the labeled cables.
  • ConnectPlug the control box into the computer that plays your tracks.
  • PlayStart the show like you always do. The lights follow.

What if something goes wrong?

We can fix most things from wherever we are. Connect the control box to the venue's wifi and we can log in to the whole lighting system remotely, see what your crew sees, and sort it out.

Your crew never has to touch a lighting console or learn lighting software.

Plug & Play started as the system Lee built to run the lights for Lee's own band on tour. Our story →

Questions

Do we need a lighting person?

No. The show is programmed before the tour and runs from your music. We train your crew at rehearsals to set it up and plug it in.

What if we don't play to tracks?

Plug & Play needs tracks to follow. We can help you set up playback, or send a Duck Lights operator to run the show live. About touring operators →

Which lights do we get?

Tell us the rooms on the run and we'll recommend a package. You can also browse all ten under Lighting packages.

Do you travel?

Yes. We work across North America and abroad, and a lot of the work can be done remotely to save on travel.

For your playback or production tech

Forward this part to whoever runs your playback. It's everything they'll ask about.

  • ComputerThe Mac or PC that runs your show.
  • DAWAbleton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase or Digital Performer.
  • SyncLTC timecode in (XLR) from your playback rig fires every lighting cue.
  • ControlA 2U flyrack with a touchscreen laptop, grandMA3 or grandMA2 ready.
  • CablingPre-loomed and labeled for fast setup and strike.
  • RemoteFull remote access to the control system over wifi.

Guides

All guides →
Duck Lights Plug & Play 101TIMECODE 101: How to Use Timecode for Live Shows (+ a free timecode download!)Lighting ProgrammingSyncing Up to Showkontrol: A Beginner's Guide

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