Lighting desk

A lighting desk is a device which allows you to control various devices (such as Dimmers and Intelligent Fixtures) from a remote location, like a tech box. Most modern desks use DMX, but some older devices use analog control.

One/Two Scene Preset Boards
One and two preset boards are the simplest boards available. They are nearly always analog, so can't control DMX devices.

A single scene preset board has a fader for each dimmer and often a General Master. This type of board is useful when you only have a few lights, for example, for a Garden Show.

A two scene preset board is a board which has two faders for each channel. As well as the GM, it will have two scene masters. By having the scene A master at 100% and the scene B master at 0%, you can have the current scene on the scene A faders, whilst setting up the next scene on the scene B faders. You can then crossfade the scene masters to change from scene A to scene B, allowing you to set scene A up for the next scene.

Memory boards
Memory boards are more advanced than preset boards, as you can record all the scenes into the board before the show, then just crossfade between cues during the performance. Some also allow sequences or chasers and allow you to store fade timings. They are still controlled by rows of faders.

Computer based boards
Most modern desks are just a computer operating system running on specialist hardware (for example, the Strand 520i runs MS-DOS). This makes them much more powerful than memory boards, as everything about a cue can be programmed and customised. They also nearly always have at least one monitor, showing you the current levels of all channels and the cue list.

They also have much better support for Intelligent Fixtures, such as wheels allowing you to have much better control of pan and tilt, or colour pickers. Instead of using faders, most desks use a keypad to change values. You can often still use faders, but you need to assign channels or functions to them. The command syntax of each board is often different and will give you an error if you make a mistake.

Virtual boards
A very new technology is the use of software running on standard computers. By using a USB to DMX adaptor, you can control a DMX universe from a piece of software or an app on a smartphone (this is useful when focusing lights).