Clear answers about show control design, programming, specialist integration and commissioning for theme parks, museums, exhibitions and immersive experiences.
JP ShowSystems (JPSS) is a UK-based specialist in show control and systems engineering, providing design, programming, specialist integration and commissioning for complex attractions, exhibitions, museums and immersive experiences.
Yes. JPSS is an abbreviation of JP ShowSystems. Both names refer to the same company and the same team.
JP ShowSystems (JPSS) has worked on projects featured in our portfolio, including F1 Exhibition, Aramco Visitor Center, Jurassic World Experience, House of Hype, UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, teamLab Phenomena, Avatar Experience, SEVEN Tabuk, SEVEN Abha, Frameless, Urban Playground, Lotus Cars, Gettysburg Civil War Museum, Nemesis at Alton Towers, Bentley Motors, Chaos Karts, The Cube at Canary Wharf, Yas Waterworld, Broad Institute Discovery Center, Ducati Experience, Deloitte Smart Factory, LCOR, Kryptonite Collider at Warner Bros., Demon Gruft at Heide Park, NEOM Experience Centre, Tower of London, and TikTock Unlock. See our Projects page for detailed case studies of selected projects.
A show control system is the operational layer that coordinates audiovisual, lighting, media, special effects, interactive and attraction systems so they behave as one experience. It manages show sequences, schedules, operator commands, equipment feedback, faults and recovery states. In a complex attraction, the show controller turns many separate technical systems into a repeatable, understandable and supportable operation.
A show control specialist defines how every technical subsystem communicates and behaves throughout normal operation, maintenance, faults and emergencies. The role can include control architecture, interface schedules, cause-and-effect logic, operator UI design, programming, device drivers, network coordination, factory testing, commissioning, training and handover.
Ride control is responsible for the safe movement and permissive logic of ride machinery. Show control coordinates the creative and operational systems around that machinery, including audio, video, lighting, effects and media. The two exchange defined statuses and triggers, but safety-critical decisions remain within the ride-control or safety-PLC layer.
Ideally, show control should be appointed during concept or schematic design, before subsystem responsibilities and network interfaces become fixed. Early involvement identifies missing interfaces, conflicting assumptions and operational requirements while they are still inexpensive to resolve. JPSS can also join later to recover or complete a project.
A useful specification should define architecture, controlled devices, protocols, operational states, sequences, schedules, user roles, interfaces, monitoring, alarms, logging, redundancy, cybersecurity, life-safety boundaries and acceptance testing. It should also include a responsibility matrix and cause-and-effect documentation.
No. JP ShowSystems (JPSS) is a specialist show-control and systems-engineering company, not an AV integrator. We design and engineer the control architecture, software, interfaces, operator workflows and specialist technical systems that make complex experiences work together. The appointed AV integrator typically remains responsible for the wider hardware package, procurement, rack build, cabling and installation.
JPSS works alongside AV integrators as a specialist engineering partner and can be appointed directly by the AV integrator as part of its project team. The AV integrator remains responsible for the wider AV package, while JPSS provides specialist show-control, systems engineering, programming, interoperability, commissioning and technical assurance. JPSS therefore strengthens an integrator’s team without duplicating or replacing its wider AV delivery role.
JPSS carries out specialist technical integration within a clearly defined scope. This work makes show-control, audiovisual, lighting, media, interactive, attraction and special-effects systems communicate and operate as one coordinated experience. This does not make JPSS the appointed AV integrator. The AV integrator remains responsible for the overall hardware package, procurement, rack build, cabling, physical installation and wider AV delivery.
JPSS can be appointed as a specialist partner by an AV integrator, client, consultant, creative agency, main contractor or experience designer, depending on the project’s procurement and delivery structure. Whatever the contractual route, JPSS works collaboratively with the wider project team and maintains clear responsibility for its specialist show-control and systems-engineering scope.
Where independent specialist show-control and systems-engineering expertise is required, JPSS can be appointed separately by the client, consultant or creative team. This provides specialist ownership of the control layer—the part of the system that connects creative intent with technical execution—while allowing JPSS to collaborate transparently with the appointed AV integrator. Alternatively, JPSS can work directly for the AV integrator, strengthening its delivery team with specialist show-control design, programming and commissioning capability.
JPSS’s responsibility depends on the project’s requirements, procurement structure and contractual scope. Its core responsibility is normally the show-control and systems-engineering layer. This can include control architecture, specialist AV and network design, show-control programming, interface development, system interoperability, testing, commissioning, operator workflows, documentation and technical assurance. JPSS defines how the systems should communicate and behave. The appointed integrator or installation contractor remains responsible for the wider equipment supply and physical installation package.
No. JPSS does not normally replace the appointed AV integrator. JPSS provides specialist show-control and systems-engineering expertise that complements the wider AV integration team. Where a project requires JPSS to take on additional technical responsibilities, these are agreed as part of the project’s specific scope and procurement structure.
Yes. Where a project requires additional specialist technical responsibilities, these can be agreed as part of JPSS’s defined scope and the project’s procurement structure. JPSS’s core specialism remains show control, systems engineering and the technical coordination of complex experience systems.
The right platform depends on scale, sequencing complexity, device count, operator workflow, redundancy, audio requirements, maintenance capability and client standards. Medialon is highly capable for large, timeline-driven experiences. Q-SYS can combine audio, control and monitoring. Alcorn McBride is strong for deterministic attraction playback and control. JPSS selects platforms around project requirements.
Yes. Q-SYS can manage audio processing, device control, operator interfaces, monitoring, schedules and attraction logic within one software-based environment. It is particularly effective when audio and control are closely integrated. The architecture must still provide suitable redundancy, network segmentation and separation from safety-critical ride control.
Medialon is well suited to attractions with complex timelines, multiple zones, extensive device integration, scheduled operation and central monitoring. Its architecture supports detailed sequencing while presenting operators with a simplified control environment. JPSS has delivered Medialon systems for large immersive venues, museums and touring exhibitions.
A show controller can integrate with media servers, audio DSPs, lighting desks, projectors, displays, network switches, PLCs, building systems, tracking platforms and specialist effects. Common interfaces include TCP, UDP, HTTP APIs, serial protocols, OSC, MIDI, timecode, GPIO, Dante, sACN and DMX. Reliable command, feedback, timeout and recovery behaviour must be defined for every interface.
Yes. JPSS develops custom Q-SYS plugins, Lua scripts, device drivers and control components for equipment that is not covered by standard integrations. This can include command and feedback handling, connection management, monitoring, user controls, error states and reusable components for wider Q-SYS systems.
Yes. JPSS develops custom Medialon MXM modules to integrate specialist, bespoke or unsupported equipment with Medialon show control systems. Modules can provide structured commands, live feedback, connection status, fault handling and reusable device control for reliable operation and maintenance.
Yes. JPSS provides PIXERA and 7thSense Delta programming, show setup, timeline and cue configuration, control-system integration, device communications, testing and commissioning. We coordinate media-server behaviour with show control, audio, lighting, projection and attraction systems so playback operates as part of one dependable experience.
JPSS programmes, integrates and commissions media servers, projectors, displays, video processors, matrices, switchers and related networked video systems. Work can include control integration, startup and shutdown sequences, source routing, monitoring, fault reporting, projection alignment coordination, system testing and operational handover.
Yes. JPSS designs and commissions network architecture for show control, audio, video and immersive systems using platforms including Netgear and Cisco. Services include topology and redundancy design, VLAN and multicast configuration, QoS, IP and port planning, switch configuration, system testing, performance validation, fault finding, documentation and operational handover.
JP ShowSystems is a Medialon Certified Programming Partner, with certified Q-SYS, Alcorn McBride and NETGEAR programmers. JPSS is also a founding member of the Smart Monkeys ISAAC Expert program and a member of IAAPA, the Themed Entertainment Association and Experience UK.
The process begins with the creative intent, guest journey and operational model. These are translated into states, sequences, device interfaces, network architecture, user permissions and fault responses. Detailed design then produces control schematics, interface schedules, cause-and-effect matrices, UI wireframes and testing requirements.
Commissioning validates each device interface before testing complete sequences, schedules, operating modes, alarms, emergency responses and recovery procedures. Factory acceptance testing should resolve as much logic as possible before site work. Site acceptance testing proves the installed system, followed by training, backups, documentation and recorded acceptance.
Yes, when secure access, reliable on-site technical support and a structured test plan are available. Remote work can include programming, interface development, diagnostics, updates and portions of commissioning. Physical checks such as cabling, signal integrity and final sensory alignment still require competent people on site.
A touring system must tolerate repeated installation, changing venues, different networks and varying local support. Designs should use repeatable addressing, clear patching, rapid health checks, portable configuration and predictable startup and shutdown procedures. JPSS developed touring-ready show control, audio and network systems for the F1 Exhibition.
A good interface presents the decisions an operator needs without exposing unnecessary complexity. It should show the current operating state, clear controls, device health, actionable alarms and guided recovery steps. Access levels should distinguish daily operation from engineering functions.
Monitoring should report device availability, communication failures, abnormal states and critical network conditions before they disrupt guests. Useful systems combine dashboards, event logs, alerts, remote diagnostics, controlled backups and documented escalation routes. Support should include configuration management and periodic lifecycle review.
