Fade (lighting)

A fade-out (also known as fade-to-black) refers to gradually decreasing the intensity of light until none is shining on the stage.

Similarly, decreasing lighting intensities to a level above black is referred to as a fade-down.

A cue refers to the recorded state of illumination for the entire stage at that time.

The dimmer board, now referred to as the lighting console, especially with newer digital control systems like DMX, uses a serial data stream to control multiple groups called "universes" of 512 DMX addresses to control compatible fixtures including dimmers, via different methods leading to a single twisted pair of wires connected to the fixtures.

DMX consoles are largely computerized, thus allowing digital process control from multiple input devices, and synchronization via MIDI, SMPTE etc.