Live performances are dynamic by nature. Whether it’s a concert, theatrical production, or outdoor event, show elements often shift on the fly—timings change, performers improvise, or unexpected cues emerge. In these situations, lighting operators need fast, reliable control without rebuilding cue stacks from scratch. This is where submasters become invaluable.
Submasters are programmable faders or buttons on a lighting console used to control specific fixture groups, effects, or cues independently from the main playback. They offer quick access to key looks and give designers and operators room for real-time creativity and responsive adjustments.
A submaster is a user-defined controller, typically assigned to a physical fader, that brings up pre-programmed lighting states, intensities, or effect parameters. Unlike the main cue stack, which follows a linear sequence, submasters allow parallel or spontaneous changes.
Submasters may be configured to control:
Dimmer levels for a fixture group
Effects or chases
Color palettes
Scene overrides
Flash or bump cues
Movement or beam parameter shifts
What makes submasters powerful is their ability to override or supplement programmed cues without disrupting the overall show structure.
Submasters can be categorized based on their function:
Intensity Submasters: Control brightness levels for selected channels or groups—useful for live adjustments to front light or audience wash.
Effect Submasters: Trigger color chases, strobes, or movement effects—ideal for syncing to music manually.
Cue List Submasters: Play through a short list of cues independently of the main stack—useful for pre-show lighting, transitions, or dance breaks.
Palette Submasters: Load color, gobo, or position palettes—helpful for fast look switches mid-performance.
Submasters allow the operator to make nuanced changes during live operation. For example, if an actor steps forward more than planned and lighting needs to be rebalanced instantly, a front-light submaster lets you gently boost intensity without affecting programmed backlight cues.
Other use cases include:
Fading in audience blinders during spontaneous applause
Cutting haze output temporarily if ventilation issues arise
Reacting to encore performances by re-triggering prior looks
Softening harsh beam angles for late-arriving camera operators
Submasters ensure the show remains visually cohesive even under unplanned circumstances.
To make the most of submasters, it’s important to plan their function ahead of showtime:
Label Clearly: Whether on physical faders or touchscreen UI, label each submaster for fast recognition.
Prioritize Access: Assign critical groups—such as key light, haze, or FX strobes—to easily reachable controls.
Use Cue Tracking Intelligently: Some consoles allow submasters to be included or excluded from cue tracking. This determines whether submaster overrides are persistent or temporary.
Build Previews: Use visualization software or pre-show time to simulate submaster interactions with existing cues.
While some operators use the “Release” or “Blackout” functions to stop playback for override, this approach is less elegant than using submasters. Playback overrides tend to interrupt cue progressions, whereas submasters allow layered interaction. They behave more like a live musician improvising over a base track rather than resetting the song.
In unpredictable venues—like touring houses or outdoor stages—submasters offer valuable control redundancy:
Assign venue-specific elements (e.g., side truss blinders or local LED walls) to submasters for site-specific tweaks.
Load base looks into submasters for power-up testing without relying on full cue sequences.
Integrate temporary fixtures into submaster control when local suppliers or rental gear vary.
Submasters offer a modular, flexible layer that complements a structured show file.
In live music settings where busking is common, submasters become even more critical. A busking operator may assign:
Drum hits to white strobes
Chorus sections to color chase effects
Vocal solos to center beam enhancements
Submasters allow musicality to drive visual changes. Since busking relies on operator intuition and timing, submasters function as essential instruments for live visual performance.
Using submasters introduces the risk of conflicting states if not programmed carefully. To minimize issues:
Use HTP (Highest Takes Precedence) or LTP (Latest Takes Precedence) rules consistently.
Avoid assigning overlapping fixture groups across multiple submasters.
Use console-provided priority rules to define whether cues or submasters take control in case of conflict.
Include submasters in rehearsals to verify cue transitions behave as expected.
Newer consoles are incorporating “smart submasters” with contextual logic—faders that behave differently based on cue status or fixture availability. Future developments may include:
Submasters that auto-disable when a fixture enters a specific cue
Fader banks that remap in real time based on show mode (pre-show, performance, post-show)
App-based submasters for assistants to manage atmospherics or effects remotely
As lighting systems become smarter, submasters may evolve from passive faders to interactive, logic-driven components of a flexible show control ecosystem.
Submasters are not just backup tools—they’re creative instruments that empower designers and operators with responsive control. For last-minute cue adjustments, they provide flexibility without compromising the artistic integrity of a show.
Whether fine-tuning front light intensity, pulsing a chase in time with music, or recovering from a misfire during a live show, submasters make high-pressure moments manageable. In the fast-paced world of live entertainment, that kind of control isn’t just useful—it’s essential.
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Blue Sea Lighting is an enterprise with rich experience in the integration of industry and trade in stage lighting and stage special effects related equipment. Its products include moving head lights, par lights, wall washer lights, logo gobo projector lights, power distributor, stage effects such as electronic fireworks machines, snow machines, smoke bubble machines, and related accessories such as light clamps.
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