Another 'which desk to get' thread

[Jamtastic3]

Ello BR,

 

So I've been used to my Pulsar MP108 for nearly 3 years now and I think it's time to move on because it's coming to a point where a change is slightly necessary for the place I work.

SO... what board do people recommend???

 

My boss says that he's looking for a Fat Frog but I've stopped him because personally I don't think they are that great, and too theatre orientated.

I work in a live venue of around 400 capacity so I'm looking for a desk that will mostly be used for band lighting, club lighting and the odd cabaret show. Nothing too big, nothing too small. Something like a Pearl is too much out of reach and too large a desk for what we need. The best thing about the Masterpiece is the Chase Generator, so something that has similar qualities of producing fantastic effects both for pars and movers would be great. Another thing I like is the layout - like a keyboard. So easy to use presets or good busking abilities is also what I need. Remember that I'm used to the MP ways of programming and cue-ing, so user friendly would help.

 

At the moment we have 8 moving lights (possibly 12 soon), 6 Datamoons, 22 ways of dimming (possibly 30 soon) so the DMX is nearing 170.

[Pete]

Sorry to say but I think your after a Leap frog at least. The fat frog won't cope with the extra heads.

There's alot to be said for writing your own chases,and the frog range arent to bad to busk from!

[StevieR]

I'll second the Leap Frog idea.

 

Frog's are often looked down upon because people who haven't used them heavily may not have found all the features. Some of the really good stuff is hidden away and you need to RTFM to find them. For example, the Pallettes, once programmed, really speeds up programming of intelligents and the inbuilt pattern generator can quickly produce impressive movement effects. All scenes, chases and effects can them be assigned to a submaster for easy playback.

 

We use these desks for all types of show - not just theatre. So some of their advanced functions are not so obvious to access they should not be ruled out.

 

Go get a proper demo of the desk from a dealer and get them to show you the 'hidden' bits. You might be surprised...

 

Steve

[dosxuk]

I know you said the Pearl is too big, but have you looked at it's smaller relative the Azure? Almost as powerful as the Pearl in a smaller (and cheaper) package. We have two of them, running rigs of 12 movers, 18 dimmers and 6 switched channels, so not too different to you, and we find the desks very simple to teach and op.

[johnhuson]

I'll second the vote for an Azure, if anything it's more suited to nightclub style operation than a Pearl and as pointed out before is physically smaller and cheaper. List price on Azure's is £2,800 for the splash proof touch panel version (perhaps a good idea in a club environment) and £3,880 for the version with the same type of buttons as the rest of the Avolites consoles.

 

If budget is an issue and your not in a major hurry to replace then keep an eye out on the second hand market.

[paulears]

In the last two years I've bought 2 azures for projects. Totally hate the damn things. For a nightclub they are fine, the water proof surface keeps out beer - if they spill it into the faders you can put a new module in pretty quickly - but - they are simply dreadful to use for non-liquid use. The membrane tactile effect is yucky, and you have to put your fingertip exactly in the middle of each pad to trigger the switch. unless you have really good sensitivity in your finger tips, moving from one button to one ten away needs your eyes. The version with real buttons is fine, but the membrane surface is truly horrible - but essential for some jobs!

 

10 faders, and then button access to the others is a bit limiting unless you plan well in advance.

 

All that said, the two I've put in have been pretty reliable - the only reported faults being user problems, ot desk problems.

 

For fixed installations, great things, but for touring and busking, I would not want to use them. In emergencies with a conventional panel you can quickly stab at a button - you can't do this on Azures, you MUST be accurate or else it doesn't work. Not a problem with the desk, just the membrane.

[mumbles]

Hows about having a look at the chamsys magicq pc range. I haven't used them myself, but they always seem to get a good report from those who have. I believe that if you're just using the software on a pc then something like the enttec widget will work with it, but if you get the pc wing (3 types available) then you have DMX outputs on the back.

 

Can't find the list price at the moment but was looking a while back, and I'm sure the maxi wing was about £2500 list, and the mini wing about £1500, with the other somewhere in the middle. I'll carry on looking for the prices and will post them if I find them.

[bil]

I would go for a Leap Frog, go down to Zero 88 for one of the training days they do. Peter and the rest are a great bunch and you'll get free lunch too!

 

Like other have said Pallettes on the desk can really speed up programing and for busking its easy. I've done a few shows on a Fat Frog busking.

 

BiL

[mac.calder]

I would go for the LSC maXim personally - it is comparable in price to the frog range, their training CD is great and will have you using the board like a pro within minutes and it is generally just a great desk for busking with movers etc.

[mumbles]

Like other have said Pallettes on the desk can really speed up programing and for busking its easy. I've done a few shows on a Fat Frog busking.

[rant]I would expect james realises the use of pallettes etc, and is just wondering what is out there with the range of features he needs as he presumably, like many of us, doesn't get to play with a large range of desks so wants to find out which ones others have used.

 

As a further point, with the exception of the masterpiece (because of its adding channels values together as opposed to HTP or LTP), I can't think of any new desk marketed towards the live music or club enviroment that doesn't have pallettes. Or a chase generator of some kind. Or a whole host of other features that you can't find without playing with the desk, and when reading about in the spec sheet will think that there couldn't be a use for it until the need came up.

[/rant]

[trotboy]

One word: Qcommander, may be old, but it'll do everything you need.

[tanko]

G'Day

 

Having working in a venue with an Azure, for nearly two years, I think it might well be just the right thing your looking for, despite there size, and layout, if you get to grips with it, they can really be very powerful. I would always get the shadow version, doesn't have the 'beer' spill cover, but the buttons are easier to 'feel' your way around in the gloom of a live event control booth!

 

Ta

Tank

[Simon E]

Why not stick with the masterpiece? its a pain to learn but you've aready done that and its got a good a chase generator and the only desk I've used with good sound to light capabilities. Get a RPU to add another 106 channels (and a DMX merger to stick the two DMX lines together agin) and stick with what you know! (and spend the spare cash on more lights). Personaly I'd prefer a MP to a frog anyday :)

 

Si

[Aaron Dootson]

Hi,

 

I would really recommend the new zero 88 'Frog 2', the fat frogs are theatre based desks but this new one is great for live venues as well 'I think'! I think they have combined a strand and a pearl desk, with the same zero 88 advantages.

 

Have a look on they web.

 

Ive used it and thought it was superb!

[gareth]

I would really recommend the new zero 88 'Frog 2' ... they have combined a strand and a pearl desk

Errr, actually, what they've done is taken the Wholehog2 baton and run with it. Where on earth did you get your Strand analogy from?!