MA Scancommander

[tannj001]

Hello

 

just need some advice on a desk I want to buy. I'm looking at buying the MA Scan commander and just wanted to no what peoples thoughts are on the desk. just wanna no if its worth getting it and if its a good desk.

 

Many thanks

Jamie

[Flyingwysiwyg]

Hi Jamie,

 

As I remember them, they were good little desks. The desk of choice for a lot of people (before Avolites brought out the Pearl). It's a really long time since I've used one though.

 

Just out of interest, why a Scan Commander particulalry?

 

F - Wyg

[tannj001]

Hi,

 

Ive Herd Ma's are good ish desks but cannot afford a grand MA. However, the scan commander is in my price range and is also a Ma desk. most of the shows I do have moving lights in it and being a moving light desk, thought it could be a good investment for what I want it to do.

[Tomo]

In that case, all I can really suggest is that you play with the desk.

 

Given that you've only 'heard' that MAs are 'good ish' desks, you may find that another desk is better for you.

The Scan Commander is rather limited in that it can only control 16 moving lights out of the box - if you want more, you have to buy an extension unit.

 

If you can get to PLASA in London, it's a great place to check out the offerings from all the major manufacturers - MA Lighting, Zero88, High End and ETC will all have consoles there for you to try out. (And sales guys to tell you how much they cost!)

 

Personally I find that it's really fiddly to do things on MA's, but I know people who swear by them.

 

Also, a lot depends on what kind of shows you're doing - for live busked shows, Pearls are still pretty much the best, but for a theatre-style show I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.

 

Added link to PLASA

[back_ache]

looking at buying the MA Scan commander and just wanted to no what peoples thoughts are on the desk

 

I've been looking into that desk though a post I put on earlier that everyones ignoring, from speaking to an experienced MA man, he says they are an old desk which has been superseded by others in the MA range and as an old desk its personality list is not very up-to-date and is a PITA to set up your own.

[oh lordy]

Hi,

 

The scancomander is a great desk if you are only doing simple things on it. I used to use one quite often for small bands etc. Need someone to point you in the right directions about something as the manual used to be a little vague as it was a translated german one!!

 

I can only say yes if you want a small easy going desk.

 

Personalities are easy to make you do them on the desk. May struggle with modern fixtures with avalible channel numbers but not used one for a while so they may have fixed this.

 

Happy hunting.

 

Oh Lordy

[Rob]

I've been asked to find an MA Scancommander for a job on Sunday in London. Does anyone know if anyone still has them in hire stock?

[Gwion]

I've been asked to find an MA Scancommander for a job on Sunday in London. Does anyone know if anyone still has them in hire stock?

 

Try Hawthorn Theatrical Hires on 01664 821101 (hire Desk) and ask for Rigsby or Dave Slater

 

They have a Grand MA as well for next time!!!

 

Nice one

Gwion

[Jonny DMX]

PRG also have them kicking around but not sure if they are official hire stock. The trick is finding some of the data cards to store your show onto.