Gearheads: Kinesys Vector Console

GEAR HEADS

KINESYS VECTOR CONSOLE

Following its eagerly-anticipated debut at Prolight + Sound 2019, Kinesys Managing Director and Founder, Dave Weatherhead, talks to TPi about the company’s brand new Vector Console.

When did development for the Vector Console begin? The concept development started in May 2018 with first prototypes built and run in late August 2018. We showed off one of the prototypes at LDI in Las Vegas in November 2018 - it was a very soft launch, used primarily to gauge interest in the market and to gather feedback from existing clients.

What are the primary mechanics and conventions of the Vector Console? Vector is conventionally installed on a PC/laptop and, typically, used with the Kinesys Vector Keypad accessory. The Vector Console integrates the necessary computer hardware in to a single ergonomically designed package with in-built 15.6-inch touchscreen display, keyboard and an extended backlit control surface dedicated to Vector functionality. Additional displays may be connected if needed but, essentially, the console is ready to run straight out of the flightcase.

What benefits does the hardware bring to the pre-existing software? Ultimately, it’s all about ease of use and convenience for the operator and programmer, with the software running on a built-in dedicated PC.

Everything an automation engineer needs to run and program a show is at their fingertips, with dedicated key access to core features such as cues, grouping and channel setup. In addition to individual playback controls like go and pause there are jog wheels that provide flexible rate and speed adjustment as well as a 2-axis joystick. They can even choose between using the touchscreen display or the more conventional mouse, trackpad and keyboard setup.

Are there any additions to the software’s core functionality? We’ve extended the user management system to allow individual user logins. We have also added to the core of the Vector software to allow realtime cue speed adjustment and joystick operation for manual operation. The console surface can also be used to control a backup computer or laptop even in the unlikely event of an issue with the console’s internal PC.

What are the safety and security elements of the console? A hardware DMH and e-stop achieve a SIL3 rating when used in conjunction with Kinesys Mentor series safety controllers - which is absolutely vital

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KINESYS VECTOR CONSOLE

Kinesys’ Dan Dufaur; Dave Weatherhead; Martin Honeywill; Ed Williams & David Bond.

for anyone considering flying anything above an audience or stage. Our favourite addition is the contactless (RFID card) user identification and quick login to Vector. You’d be hard pushed to find anyone who’s not forgotten their login details for something important at one time or another. Thankfully, with the Vector Console, you can set up multiple admin and user profiles and assign them to individual RFID cards and limit access to elements of Vector based on the user profile. For example, this means that the operator running the cues can be locked out of being able to edit the cues.

How does the Vector Console benefit live production? Vector Console benefits operators with rugged integrated hardware dedicated to running the Vector application; the ergonomically laid out control surface and safety functionality improves workflow and operator efficiency during a show. As anyone on a show can tell you, space is at an

absolute premium both backstage and on a touring truck. Creating an all in one console for Vector that takes up little desk space and doesn’t require an external PC as well as its ability to be stowed securely in its own flightcase is a massive selling point. The RFID login allows operators and admins to login at the swipe of a card which also encourages operators to log out when not next to the console for further security.

What has the reception from the live events market been? We have had some amazing feedback from the prototype we sent out over the Christmas period to Rigging In Motion, our partners in Hungary. Since the official launch at this year’s Prolight+Sound we have sold out our initial production run and we have had lots of interest from existing customers wanting to upgrade their existing Vector systems. TPi www.kinesys.co.uk

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