Insta Whisper

With the Insta Whisper control system, you create works effortlessly and safely

Every stage is unique, and stage operation must be reliable and safe. Our Insta Whisper control system has been developed to suit the changing operating environments of stage productions, so it will always suit them perfectly. The customizable user interface, which is based on the newest web technologies, is not only seamless to use, but also pleasing to the eye. The timeline-based tools make it effortless to create productions.

You do not need to compromise on safety issues to create spectacular performances. Insta Whisper’s development has complied with industrial automation standards for the safety of machinery to meet a high level of safety requirements.

The control system’s safety features include emergency stop switches; security door and gate control; and monitoring of cutting and shear point hazards, load and excessive speed. The system’s two-fold brakes are enough to support an overload of 125%, and mechanical safety limits prevent the machinery from being driven into an area where it may break.

Screenshot of the user interface of the Insta Whisper control system. In the picture, free control.

Operational reliability and usability are the cornerstones of The Finnish National Opera and Ballet's stage mechanics

See in the video how we carried out the renewal of the 30-year-old Opera House's stage mechanics control system in close cooperation with the staff.

Effortless creation of productions

The user experience of the visual software is based on an intuitive, touch-based interface. Every function has a consistent color code that is used across all of the software’s elements.

With Whisper, you can create productions by programming a number of sequences that control elements during the performance. The software’s features include synchronized sequence groups and the programming and triggering of various dynamic controls.

Creating control sequences is effortless with the touch screen-based drag & drop function. The digital twin feature allows you to simulate controls across the board, which enables comprehensive design and testing of performances before the big day. Free control allows you to quickly react to changing circumstances – even if they were not considered for the pre-programmed control sequences of the performance.

Screenshot of the user interface of the Insta Whisper control system. Pictured is the function editor.

On the main stage of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Insta's Aleksi Nurmi and Finnish National Opera's Timo Tuovila discuss the stage mechanics control system Insta Whisper.

Update of the stage mechanics control system for the Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Long cooperation guarantees magical stage mechanics for the Opera's main stage

In the update of the stage mechanics control system of the main stage of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, the whole was developed to run smoothly together with the stage operators.

- Even a single lift malfunction can cause the show to even have to be canceled and the audience to be sent home. The stage mechanics system has over two hundred axes or robots that must work reliably. The direction must be flexible and fast, because every single production is a prototype, Timo Tuovila, production director of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, emphasizes.

First-class design

The finishing touches for the Insta Whisper user experience come from the first-class design of the high-quality operating panels. The material of the panels is a robust and durable plastic, certified for prostheses and food contact use, among other demanding use cases.

The system’s Master Operating Panel is a modern operating panel for creating performances and their primary control. The device can be placed on any surface, and a single cable is used for all its necessary signals. The panel’s 21” touch screen features multi-touch support and brightness control. Two ultra-precise joysticks allow you to change cues and control machinery manually.

The main controller of the Insta Whisper control system, the Master Operating Panel, depicted from three different perspectives.

The Wireless Operating Panel is suited for situations that require quick and wireless control from challenging places. The wireless controller allows you to control machinery from nearly anywhere in the stage area. The removable battery has an operating life of over four hours.

The Wireless Operating Panel of the Insta Whisper control system depicted from three different perspectives.

The Side Operating Panel allows you to control stage machinery during setup and control cues from places where it may be difficult to place the master panel. The Side Operating Panel is connected to the system by a cable, and it is suited for situations where the panel must not lose connection under any circumstances. The precise control wheel allows you to intuitively control direction and speed.

Side Operating Panel of the Insta Whisper control system depicted from three different perspectives.

Predictable life-cycle management

Even the best stage needs regular maintenance. However, the lifecycle expenses of stage machinery can be predicted for years at a time. Whisper monitors lifecycles under the control system, logging information such as operating hours and cycles. Insta’s holistic maintenance and lifecycle service ensures the functionality of your stage machinery by offering around-the-clock service, backups, and the Insta Wahti™ Support cloud service, which allows you to review your system’s lifecycle management.