College Lighting Console

[IanCurrie]

My wife works at a college where they have a rig with 76 channels of dimming and four moving lights and two scrollers, they're looking to increase their stock of movers and have been given funds for a new desk. The question is what desk? I suggested a congo, their tech says he wants a whole hog 3, I have no idea why, he's going to plugging it into wembley any time soon, anyway, the wife would like industry advice from fellow professionals rather than from her husband. Ideas please???

[J Pearce]

Are they mostly presenting plotted theatre, or busked music?

[vinntec]

Are they mostly presenting plotted theatre, or busked music?

And what sort of budget has been made available?

[indyld]

And who will be using it? Is it just to facilitate shows or for students to learn on?

[IanCurrie]

mostly plotted shows, mostly drama, some dance, no massive music gigs or anything. Students will need to sometimes operate but not to plot or learn as it's not part of the learning

 

no specific budget was mentioned but I'm guessing around the 10k as an absolute max, more the 5k realistic I expect. Whatever the top guys are presented with they won't understand anyway, it's what's best for the venue that counts

[J Pearce]

If mostly plotted I'd probably suggest an Ion, or may be an Element, but be fully aware of the differences. Chamsys also have some products that could fit.

 

I'm not entirely sure how a Hog fits the needs, but then I don't know much of that range.

[top-cat]

I hate to say it but along with ETC and Chamsys, Zero88 products should also be considered.

 

I installed a Solution XL into a school and they love it.

 

With bigger generic rigs (the OP says 72ch of dims) in educational environments, fader-per-fixture layouts can still be well appreciated. But having playbacks as well, plus capacity for moving head programming, makes it able to handle plotted shows well.

 

I know Zero88 has become a little bit of a naughty word to some people, but I still think their products are well suited to the educational sector.

[Mystic]

Considering the budget, how about a good traditional console (for faders) like an Avo/Frog/stairville ;) and either a DMX merger or using the DMX In of a movers console (or something more modern) like a Chamsys ? it provides resilience and faders. Also using something like a chemises can help student to play with the PC version of it at home to learn how to use it before going live with a real rig.

[chelgrian]

My wife works at a college where they have a rig with 76 channels of dimming and four moving lights and two scrollers, they're looking to increase their stock of movers and have been given funds for a new desk. The question is what desk? I suggested a congo, their tech says he wants a whole hog 3, I have no idea why, he's going to plugging it into wembley any time soon, anyway, the wife would like industry advice from fellow professionals rather than from her husband. Ideas please???

 

If it's plotted theatre the Hog 3 is the wrong desk, it's also not a current product. What desk is appropriate really depends on if you are expecting people to learn on this desk before going off to other venues or not.

 

Also consider if a control surface is actually needed. Would a PC based solution such as the ETC Nomad software and ETC Gadget DMX dongle fit the bill. Nomad is useful as it would allow you to use either the Cobalt software or the Eos/Ion/Element Family software with the same dongle and DMX interface. Note the Congo itself doesn't seem to be available any more only the Congo Jr. or Kid.

[top-cat]

Considering the budget, how about a good traditional console (for faders) like an Avo/Frog/stairville ;) and either a DMX merger or using the DMX In of a movers console (or something more modern) like a Chamsys ? it provides resilience and faders. Also using something like a chemises can help student to play with the PC version of it at home to learn how to use it before going live with a real rig.

 

Whilst I agree with your concept that an old skool "fader-per-fixture" console teamed up to a Moving Lights console via a merger or DMX input can be an excellent way to get 'the best of both worlds' without excessive spending.... I do think it completely defies the "KISS" principle that is often best kept to when installing for schools.

[timsabre]

...and anything from Avo could handle the moving lights, no need for a second console.

 

But I would agree with the ETC opinions, an Element would do it nicely, be familiar to any visiting company and teach a standard theatre desk to students.

[top-cat]

Yes, I know Tim won't like this, but an Avo is the wrong tool for the job in a school theatre. I appreciate Avo have developed their theatre side a bit since the days of old when it was awful; but still I think in an educational environment you should try to use something where the interface will be familiar for people who want to go on to work in theatrical lighting. So ETC will indeed by the best bet as it's probably the most common brand of board in theatres now.

[timsabre]

Yes, I know Tim won't like this, but an Avo is the wrong tool for the job in a school theatre.

 

Actually, I would completely agree with you, much better to have a console that students will encounter in most other theatres.

I was just pointing out that it would make no sense to have an Avo console for the dimmers then add something else to do the moving lights.

[DonkiDonki]

I also think the etc range is the obvious choice, it seems to be the most common choice in theatres.

As to which console, I guess the deals your local etc dealer can offer may guide that decision, I should think any of the current offerings could meet your requirements.

 

If keeping mr hog3 happy is an issue with the etc route then you may want to consider the Chamsys MagicQ range, your budget again gives a few choices in console model and accessories that would be useful.

 

Like the avo titan range; the magicq is more than capable but not so common in theatre use.

[paulears]

Let's be honest about this one. We talk about preparing kids for work in the industry (and I've done it myself) but it's rubbish really. There really are very few bad controls now, and there is no 'standard' just operator, venue and company preferences. If you like ETC then you will still use the others. I prefer Chamsys while others are Avo people. Nowadays we just have pretences and we argue continually about tiny features or minuscule differences on how things are done. In this example, the person who will have to use it wants a Hog. If one is within the budget, then buy it. They can all have a few faders labelled up so anyone can make lights come on. If a pianist in an orchestra liked steinways it would be silly to buy him a bosendorfer because a non-pianist thought it best. In the old days , some controls really were horrible but now they all have substantial followers.