Behind the Halo: How Master FX Keeps the Fog Flowing at Intuit Dome

Master FX isn’t just a manufacturer; they are a solutions partner. From fog, haze, confetti, and snow to fully engineered atmospheric systems, the team develops purpose-built integrations designed to operate flawlessly in the most demanding live environments. Each system is a collaboration between design, engineering, and control disciplines, crafted to perform day after day where consistency matters most.

Their work can be found in some of the most unexpected places: from airports to theme parks and hospitality spaces. Each project starts with the same mindset: build it like it’s part of the architecture, not an add-on.

Fluid Distribution, Explained

In a touring show or theatre, a fog machine sits side stage where a crew member can top it off between scenes. Permanent venues and theme parks don’t have that luxury. The machines might live in walls, ceilings, ride enclosures, or... giant scoreboards? These locations might even be sealed off once construction is complete.

That’s where custom fluid distribution systems come in. Instead of refilling each machine individually, fluid is supplied from a central tank, often a drums or tanks in a service area. Pumps and tubing deliver haze or fog fluid to every machine automatically, keeping levels consistent and eliminating manual refills. Each system is engineered into the facility itself. Temperature, fluid levels, and error alerts are tracked remotely so venue teams can monitor performance from a control room or tablet. It’s the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that keeps atmospheric moments reliable, repeatable, and invisible to the audience.

Case Study: Intuit Dome & Master FX

The Intuit Dome project set out to create an immersive fan experience unlike anything in another arena. Master FX handled the full scope of the fog system from concept to design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

Inside the dome’s massive Halo Scoreboard, 39 Atlas LED Upshot Fog Generators hang above the crowd. Each unit connects to a fully automated fluid distribution network that draws from multiple 55-gallon drums located over 200 feet away. The system is managed through a custom touchscreen interface that shows live fluid levels and system alerts in real time.

Remote Monitoring and Maintenance

This installation introduced remote alarm notifications and real-time data collection on run hours and fluid use. The analytics help identify machines operating inefficiently before anyone needs physical access, which would otherwise require a 100-foot boom lift. Routine maintenance is as simple as refilling the drums in the catwalk; the system handles the rest automatically.

Machine Control and Show Integration

On the control side, the Atlas fixtures tie into the venue’s ArtNet system and are operated through an MA console, while the fluid system runs on a separate protocol. The entire scoreboard syncs with interactive crowd lighting and in-seat lasers, allowing atmospheric cues to hit perfectly in time with game intros and live show moments.

"The system is designed with full remote control capabilities, including remote alarm notifications, data collection on machine running time and fluid consumption for efficiency monitoring, and multiple safety fail-safes." - Jesse Walk, Mechanical Engineer

For Master FX, this project wasn’t just about installing fog machines. It was about designing a full-scale, networked infrastructure capable of delivering consistent effects to tens of thousands of people with precision and safety built in.

Custom Atmosphere Installations

Master FX has applied the same design philosophy in projects worldwide.

• Theme park installations at Knott’s Berry Farm use networked tanks and pumps triggered by ride sensors for perfectly timed bursts that sync with each scene.

• At Disney Parks, Master FX helps create the magic of snow, using systems to deliver immersive winter moments that feel effortless to guests but are engineered for reliability.

• The underground low-fog system at Singapore Airport provides rolling cloud effects in a space where maintenance access is nearly impossible.

• Resort systems like Great Wolf Lodge integrate atmospheric effects into guest experiences, blending theatrical detail with operational simplicity.

  
  

Each system can incorporate sensors, show-control triggers, and even custom fluid blends formulated for the environment. From chlorine-safe fog for water rides to long-hang haze for projection shows, every project is treated as its own ecosystem. It’s a level of design thinking that supports creative professionals who want their effects to run as smoothly as the lighting console they’re programmed on.

See It at IAAPA

Master FX will be exhibiting at IAAPA, showcasing the latest in fog, haze, and fluid distribution technology. For designers and integrators interested in large-scale or permanent atmospheric systems, the team will be available to talk through project concepts and system design.

Learn more or get in touch at masterfx.com.