Plumb my Express into WYSIWYG or get a Congo jr?

[Paul Graham]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm looking for some advice/guidence on a upgrade.

 

At the moment I run 96ways of dimming and 12 scrollers off my express 125.

I teach (theatre) lighting design to students with minimum experience, I find the express brilliant for this.

But I've got some cash (£6.5K) and want to get a couple of movers and a CAD package to keep this up to date.

 

My initial idea was to get an Emphasis 3D server and plumb straight in - Plan A.

 

Plan B is to upgrade the 125 to a 250, get WYSIWYG learn on my PC and then stick in a ETClink node so the two things can talk to each other.

 

However, I've just played with a Congo Jnr at the AC Trade show, This could be plan C. I love the desk and can see that plotting the movers would be alot easier with it, but it's pricey!

 

Obviously the less I spend on the control side the more/better movers I can afford. I've been looking at AC's used kit list and fancy 2 x tourwash575 & 2 x tourspot575 (£995ea)

 

Has anyone done any of the above, or got any better suggestions?

[PDD]

However, I've just played with a Congo Jnr at the AC Trade show, This could be plan C. I love the desk and can see that plotting the movers would be alot easier with it, but it's pricey!

I would wholly recommend the Congo Jr., but I would suggest you stretch the cash to include the Master Playback Wing. Having made the move myself from an Express 48/96 to Congo Jr., it's so much easier with movers (as is any LTP-style desk), and it's also pretty powerful with conventional theatre work. However, I'm not sure you'll get your movers and CAD package for the price. Also, have a look at the Congo forum for some of the issues.

 

I personally think WysiWyg is over-rated for use in schools, but maybe not so much in a college if your students have time to learn it too. I use a conventional CAD package for my own work. And I would like the Congo Jr. to use with a basic visualiser - Capture - but AFAIK it still isn't supported by the Jr.

 

Plan A or B maybe best for you, although not as future-proof. I guess it comes down to if you really want/need a new desk, or if the other things are more important to you?

[Just Some Bloke]

When we had our training at ETC on the Congo Jr. they were using Capture, so it seems it does support it (though it's not bundled in the price).

 

I would agree with PDD that the Congo is a great desk and that you should aim to get the Master Playback Wing as it's really, really useful.

 

The good thing is that once you've got it you can add anything else to your setup and the Congo will cope.

 

I always think that when you get a big budget you should buy the most expensive thing you feel you need (that's need!), and leave buying the cheaper stuff for when you've got a smaller budget.

[GregB]

I would agree with JSB on that, get the desk, think about WYSIWG later. Just a thought thogh, WYSIWYG has a teaching package which is £300 plus £1k for the training. This includes up to 10 (I think) licences for sub users (students) which makes it more affordable and flexible;)

[Tomo]

The latest version of Congo (4.3.0) adds compatibility for the built-in Capture plugin to Congo Jr.

 

However, it must be remembered that the built-in Capture plugin is not for show visualisation use!

It's there for training purposes only - basically to allow you to try out and learn some of the features before connecting to a real rig.

It's also only a viewer - you can't edit the existing Capture shows.

 

Personally, I'm not a fan of Wysiwyg - I think it's extremely expensive for what you get, and you need to keep subscribing to keep the library anything like up-to-date, or to get software bugfixes.

 

Plus you do really need the training - it's not really a package you can just pick up.

 

Take a look at Capture 2005 from Capture Sweden - considerably cheaper, and much easier to learn.

It doesn't do as nice 2D still renderings, but the 3D live visualisation is on a par.

Also, it Just works when you plug it into an ETC Net2 network, rather than spending ages settings up the inputs as you do with Wyg.

 

Finally, given that you're working with students, you probably will want the Congo Jr Submaster Wing.

If nothing else, it's easier to teach basic lighting concepts using faders, then move onto the keypad.

[merlin24]

I think it's extremely expensive for what you get, and you need to keep subscribing to keep the library anything like up-to-date, or to get software bugfixes.

No its not though if you get as suggested Wyg LEARN.... There is also NO subscription on Wysiwyg LEARN... Updates are free..

[Paul Graham]

Many thanks for all your input.

I have just recieved my jr and slowly working my way through it!

Big thanks to James at AC north who managed to get it with 3 movers all in buget!

 

Paul.