TCS and TCS2 (Lightboard) Technical Documentation

Design of memory control for large scale repertory theatres, developed from 1973-76 from a concept by Richard Pilbrow, the consultant for the new British National Theatre and chairman of Theatre Projects. His concept was based on a fully saturated rig, controlled by a highly sophisticated purpose-built lighting control. Total control of intensity, colour change and orientation of some spotlights was provided. The system was project named TCS (Total Control System) and was marketed as Lightboard.
The concept of latest-action-takes-precedence (LTP) and multiple timed fades were also pioneered on this desk, together with the idea of a lighting designers palette control.

The system had multiple memory-content submasters, two manual / timed playbacks with multi-speed cues and VDUs focussing only on used channels. The first systems (TCS) launched the National Theatre in 1976, with later TCS2 systems having colour VDUs sold in Germany.

Due to the need to use minicomputers (and needing a dedicated co-processor) it was very expensive, but provided the model for the later much more popular Galaxy system using microprocessors.

This record is the design and technical documentation of the system. A narative description of the genesis of the system and the origin of the British National Theatre is hosted at   http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6299862