News
All our fixtures are available and supported by Capture 2025, AltaBase and GDTF with full MA3D pre-viz features.
Universe25
Production Engineering & Design
Since 2008
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CSM is an MA Lighting / GrandMA3 design space, offering full production design and Capture pre-visualization and staging. From concept to implementation, we work with you to develop your event long before load-in.
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With over 150 fixtures in inventory, including 56 moving heads, CSM has a portfolio of industry-brand and custom-designed fixures, with full Altabase, Capture and GDTF support. Fixtures include Clay Paky Sharpys, Chauvet pixel bars, custom CSM Hybrid Spots, Beams, Matrix, LED Strobes, Blinders, and IP5 RGBWA+UV LED wash fixtures.
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CSM provides large-scale live video production services. Our systems leverage BlackMagic workflows, including the ATEM HD8 ISO desk, live SSD recording (multi-camera), streaming and broadcast. We have a suite of BlackMagic Studio 4k, Cinema Cam (roaming) and URSA for long-throw. Our large show system includes 7 camera stations, connected ClearComm and GenSync for low-latency frame loss. We employ Resolume Arena workflows, including LTC and MA3 net for show control and multi-screen arrays.
From the Desk
Mark Lockett, Robert Fuller, & Martin Phillips
If younger me could see me now
Collaborating with a legend: Martin Phillips
Chicago IL - September 2026 • I had the opportunity to spend 3 days with Martin Phillips and Robert Fuller, futzing around with the latest MA3 workflows. I put together an 88-page curriculum, orbiting training around a hypothetical festival rig MVR in pre-viz. Martin, best known for his work with Daft Punk, Deadmau5, and many more, was an incredible dude to spend time with and collab on the desk.
CyberMirror - 16-bit Pan/Tilt Custom DMX Controller
Engineering a harness for a legacy
From the lab: Reviving a CyberLight Mirror Assembly
Port Chester NY - August 2026 • For the Soundship Space Bus Tour, Team Pretty Lights developed a rotating prism platter, the robot mechanics being the brain child of genius Robert Fuller. I have (had) 20 HES CyberLights in various states of boneyard in my inventory. I removed the mirror assemblies and created custom 4ch DMX transcoders for them, which puts them through self-calibration on start up, and allows 16-bit pan/tilt control from a GDTF profile. It was fantastic being able to reuse components from these amazing, legacy fixtures.
PL1 & PL2 - Custom DMX-controllable LED head-wear
Engineering pretty lights for … Pretty Lights
From the lab: “Derek wants something awesome”
Port Chester NY - August 2026 • I just returned from a week of rehearsals and the first set of shows kicking off the Pretty Lights Soundship Space Bus Tour. A couple months ago the team reached out saying Derek wanted “something cool the band could wear that was controllable from the FOH desk.” I just got to see the devices I built used for the first time, and wowza. Read the article here.
PL1 Demo -watch here-
PL2 Demo -watch here-
Final Product -watch here-
DFConnect - 8 Stepper Motor DMX Controller
Engineering DMX Motor Control
From the lab: Building a DMX 8 channel stepper motor controller
Bloomington IL - April 2026 • I was asked to engineer a stepper motor driver that could be controlled and programmed over DMX. “Ok”. The end-product is a 2U rack-mount unit that has 8 distinct stepper motor drivers. It accepts ArtNet via EtherCon, connects to DragonFrame software for USB control, and has an internet WiFi server and app that allows programming and control via iPad. Oh, and of course a GDTF profile for full control from a desk. Custom designed and printed PCB, fabricated the chassis to be able to be opened with a drawer slider to configure the drivers, & some other easter egg surprises.
DFConnect Demo -watch here-
Easter Egg -watch here-
MAConnect - MA3 OnPC Controller (with a brain)
Engineering more than my own MA3 Wing
From the lab: Building an a custom MA3 Wing with a brain
Bloomington IL - March 2025 • I have an MA3 Full in inventory, but I feel ridiculous hauling that thing in and out of hotels for gigs where I need more programming time before my FOH slot. I figured, before I pull the trigger on an MA3 Command Wing, I’d really like to develop more programming UI capability too. So, 11 PCB designs, 2 chassis fabrication versions, a day of soldering, and the joy of component assembly, I have my own Wing…with a brain. With a 7 inch touch screen, I have my own sMArt view with color control, and stacks of programming helpers, like a GridWizard and ConnectFX. 12 motorized faders, and the greatest hits of programmer buttons preserving desk muscle memory. Optional plug-in for encoder control, and fader & state feedback.
The Prayer Chain @ The Cannery / Nashville TN, Sept 2025
From the road: Think of your favorite band growing up…
Going out with a bow
Nashville TN - September 2025 • Growing up, Andy and I would listen with intent, from the root of our souls, to The Prayer Chain’s Mercury record. Every percussion hit, every nuance and ear worm of genius. In spring of 2025 I was reminded of my age when learning the band was going to do a limited run of shows supporting the 30th anniversary of the record. During my early career touring, we had crossed paths with producer/musician Steve Hindalong, to whom I reached out pitching, “Hey, can I run the show?” Through a chain of communication and good luck, I poured my heart into producing a full show, which I got to run at the Cannery in Nashville. There was a moment during the show, when I was pushing queues to Sky High, and the music was just written into my DNA…I found my pansy-self weeping hitting bumps and singing every word. Rewind time to that record that obsessed your soul, and imagine being able to have full creative control to run the visual experience for that record live. This show was the perfect bow-out as well, as I had decided to begin divesting from being a production hardware provider, and move into programming, design, and engineering. Hecuva way to close the curtain.
Mark Lockett & Steven Douglas
Summerfest 2025
From the road: Surrounded by greatness
Milwaukee WI - June 2025 • I had the wonderful opportunity to L2 four weekends of Summerfest’25 shows, as well as working with the wonderful crew at Clearwing for a week of pre-production. It is hard to describe the creative energy these guest LDs bring to FOH. This year’s shows showcased the work of Steven Douglas (The Killers / Hozier), Tom Wagstaff (James Taylor), and many others. These gentlemen not only brought their A-game, but had a spirit of mentorship and pass-it-forward. It helps we are all in the same boat named The S.S. Humble, as the industry is slowly converting from MA2 > MA3. I started in the gate with MA3 workflows, so appear to be the go-to geek at FOH to help with QA and fixture profiles.
Vision • Design • Concept • Development • Execution
Creative Partners & Friends
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Business Excellence Awards
2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 • 2025 • 2026
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Annual Banquet
2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 • 2025 • 2026
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Various Production / Events
Lighting • Live Event Streaming • Video Wall • Outdoor Festival Production
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Two•Friends | Borgore | ShipWrek | Biscits
2019 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 • 2025
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Colosseum Tournaments
Full Production & Live Stream
2017 • 2018 -
Corporate Events
Offsites & Workshops
2022 • 2023 • 2024 -
DeepRacer Event
2023 • Hosted with Precision Planting
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American Idol ABC Special
Leah Marlene Uptown Normal & Corn Crib 2022 Events
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Production Partners
Since 2017
Mark Lockett was the founder and president of CSM (Creative Sites Media, Inc.). Lockett studied studio engineering at Greenville College (IL) & Belmont University, before beginning his career touring professionally out of Nashville TN. Working as a songwriter, touring musician, session musician, producer, and production engineer, Lockett toured with The Normals, Caedmon's Call, Waterdeep, CCM Festival Circuits, and Michael W Smith’s Songs4Worship Tour featuring Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche and Darlene Zschech. While touring, CSM was started in 2000, and quickly branched into video and event production by the time he moved back to his hometown of Bloomington-Normal IL in 2004.
Over the next decade, CSM partnered with multiple marketing agencies to provide video and event production, alongside the web application development services. CSM's Event Production arm ramped up in 2013 as the growth of the web application development side of the business grew. CSM began partnering with other production companies, such as MMS (Champaign, IL) and Palace Events (Bloomington, IL) to combine assets and skills to offer a production quality level unlike anything else that exists in Central Illinois. Working with creative partners, CSM further evolved into a dedicated production partner, teaming up to envision, design and execute events that pushed the bar even further.
In 2021, CSM was acquired by AGCO / Precision Planting, including its 20+ employees. This ushered in a new era of production engineering and R&D, working with close industry peers, engineering custom production electronics, fixtures, motion control, and gadgetry.
History
Faking a comm call for a glam shot.
Show Design
U25 specializes in vision-casting, creative stage design, and event content development. We work with you on concept and show file design, ensuring you know exactly how your event will look and operate before a single piece of gear is rolled in. Our pre-visualization studio has full-fixture support in Capture using GrandMA3 workflow standards, and networked Resolume Arena media content control.
Pre-Production
Your event design can be fully pre-staged during pre-production, optimizing set-up time and ensuring you know exactly how your production will look & function ahead of your event. U25 is passionate about facilitating student training and engagement opportunities as well.
Execution
Simply put: We love building a great show. We are passionate about working with creatives, venue teams, partners, students, and volunteers to execute an amazing & unique production. You get to see your vision come to life.
Universe25
References
Daniel Schultz
Lighting Designer
Young The Giant, Rob Thomas
Walk The Moon, Mute Math, Skillet, Matchbox Twenty
Robert Fuller
Lighting Designer
Has served every band/artist on earth…
(Inquire for contact ref)
Contact Universe25
Contact me, tell me your invention idea. Let’s build something cool.