The Dewan Tunku Canselor (DTC) at University of Malaya, one of Malaysia's most iconic university auditoriums, has recently undergone a significant upgrade to its stage lighting infrastructure. This enhancement reflects UM's commitment to maintaining a high-performance standard for its multipurpose venue, which regularly hosts academic ceremonies, cultural performances, conferences, and theatrical productions.
At the heart of this upgrade is the installation of the ADB Mentor 240 lighting control desk, a sophisticated yet user-friendly lighting console designed to meet modern stage requirements.
This initiative demonstrates its proactive approach to adapting to evolving performance demands while preserving the usability and flexibility of the existing lighting ecosystem.
Prior to this project, Dewan Tunku Canselor operated with a legacy lighting control system that had served the university faithfully for many years. However, the growing complexity of stage performances and increasing technical expectations from event organizers called for a more robust and flexible lighting control solution.
The existing desk was limited in its capabilities and could no longer meet the dynamic lighting demands of today's multipurpose stage environment.
The university recognized the need to invest in a more versatile system one that could easily interface with modern lighting equipment, including intelligent moving heads, while remaining operable by in-house technicians.
After a careful assessment of available control platforms, the ADB Mentor 240 was selected as the optimal solution for its combination of portability, reliability, and intuitive design.
The ADB Mentor 240 was chosen as the preferred lighting desk for several strategic reasons. First and foremost, the console offers a compact form factor, making it easy to relocate for mobile productions or external events. Despite its size, the Mentor 240 is a full-featured console, capable of handling complex cue structures and fixture control, including conventional lighting and intelligent fixtures.
One of the key features of the ADB Mentor 240 is its integrated ISIS software, a powerful control platform that allows for real-time editing and seamless playback. The system is designed with both beginners and experienced operators in mind, offering clear interface navigation and fast access to scenes, chases, and dimmer settings. It is particularly well-suited for educational institutions and performing arts centers that require consistent and reliable operation with minimal learning curves.
Moreover, the desk is equipped with dual DMX output ports, which allow it to interface with both the house dimmer rack and existing moving head fixtures simultaneously. This capability was crucial for the Dewan Tunku Canselor installation, where legacy dimmer-based fixtures and modern intelligent lights coexist on the same rig.
One of the challenges addressed during the upgrade was the need to integrate the new console with older moving head fixtures already installed in the auditorium. These older fixtures were not natively supported in the factory library of the ISIS software, as the manufacturer regularly updates the library only for newer devices.
To bridge this gap, the technical team, in collaboration with the on-site operators, undertook a custom fixture profile creation process. Through the console's onboard library editor, each of the older moving heads was manually defined. This ensured that all lighting elements regardless of their generation could be fully controlled from a single console.
Following this configuration, full compatibility was achieved, allowing seamless control of pan, tilt, color, gobo, and intensity settings from the ADB Mentor 240. Operators can now build scenes that incorporate both conventional and intelligent lighting elements into a unified lighting design.
As part of the commissioning process, a hands-on technical training session was conducted for the University of Malaya's auditorium staff and lighting crew. The objective was to familiarize operators with the Mentor 240's interface, programming methodology, and library management functions.
Special attention was given to teaching the team how to configure and store user-defined fixture profiles for the older moving heads. Participants found the process straightforward after training and appreciated the flexibility that the console offered.
The hands-on training session empowered the in-house technical team to manage, adapt, and expand the system's capabilities without external dependency. As a result, the DTC team is now well-equipped to handle more advanced productions and accommodate the growing technical needs of future events.
With the integration of the ADB Mentor 240, Dewan Tunku Canselor has significantly enhanced its technical infrastructure, ensuring a new level of professionalism and visual impact for its stage events.
Whether used for convocation ceremonies, cultural performances, or university lectures, the lighting system is now capable of delivering consistent and high-quality results. The system's reliability and ease of use ensure that stage lighting at UM continues to meet international standards, while the training investment ensures that operations remain sustainable in the long term.
