Quick Start

Take a Look at the Congo getting started.

Details

Lighting desk developed by Avab but branded and sold by ETC (ETC bought Avab in 2002).

There are two versions:- the full-size Congo (pictured top) and a smaller, Congo Jr. (pictured below). There is also a Master Playback Wing for the Jr.

Both consoles use the same software and come with two RDM DMX outputs as standard, plus eDMX through Ethernet (supporting up to 3072 devices/channels and 6144 outputs/parameters. Designed to replace the Expression range of consoles.

It's cousin is the Eos, which is solely a LTP or Tracking desk, which replaces the Obsession range of consoles. More info on the websites at the bottom of the page.

For 30 years ETC has been known for revolutionary lighting control design. For 30 years Avab products have been known for a spirit of bold innovation. Now those great minds have met, in Congo. Melding together the engineering brilliance and experience of ETC and Avab systems, Congo maintains the simplicity of classic systems with the feature-rich functionality of a dedicated moving lights console. Clean functions for everyday theater work with conventional lights, plus advanced control of hundreds of moving lights, without mouse operations or computer menus. Like today's sophisticated but deadline-driven productions, Congo is high energy -- with short commands for fast results.

With Congo, you can move independent channels such as work lights, conductor lights, followspot and smoke machine control to a special section that isn't affected by the rest of the system. You have somewhere to put your screens without blocking your view of the stage. You see the important information, at any time, on the screens or in the console displays. And you can even have remote control of your rig with your own cordless phone. Simple, intuitive and innovative lighting control with a big brain for complexity wherever it arises. Congo handles the future without forgetting the past. Congo is designed for theater, broadcast, club systems, concert and special-event lighting. At the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast in Kyiv, Ukraine, Congo consoles controlled 300+ moving lights, 200+ conventionals and 16 media servers, among other devices. Complete with a theatrical-style main playback fader pair, 40 multipurpose Masters for group, submaster, effect and additional sequence control, 40 Direct Selects and a dedicated moving lights control section, Congo's hardware is suitable for any kind of playback situation. Over 200 moving-light templates and 30+ Dynamic Effects are provided within the console, with the ability to build and edit your own on the fly.

Software Features Multiple Formats for all channel views including graphical channel layouts Channel purpose database with auto groups Special Jam Mode for busking with moving devices Direct Channel Mode Client/server networking & synchronized backup Electronic manual with User Profiles Product Features Supports up to three monitors starting at 1024 x 768 resolution Four graphical master displays 572 x 90 LCD programming display Number Input and Channel Info displays Up to 3072 devices/channels and 6144 outputs/parameters 2 x DMX512 direct outputs, RDM ready Ethernet (Avab protocols, ETCNet2, ACN Draft 2.0) USB memory stick Hard disk memory Show import via ASCII MIDI In/Out Contact closure triggers 4 x USB multipurpose bus (memory, pointing device) APN Connector (Avab Peripheral Network)

See Also

• Congo Software Release Announcements
• Congo getting started hints

External Links

• ETC
• Congo Users Forum