Buying LX Desk

[mog]

Hi There

 

Was wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice on lighting desks!

 

I work as chief LX in a theatre in Tunbridge Wells (kent), the theatre holds 1000, it's a very busy house, we have a real mix of shows in. We run a strand 530, and I use the the graphics tablet to operate our eight Macs, (500's and 600's). Allot of the shows we get in are one nighter rock and roll type stuff, although the graphics tablet works it's not quite as quick as I'd like it to be.

 

Basically to get to the point I want to buy a new desk to use for these rock and roll type gigs, hopefully next year I might be able to get some more Macs too. I'll keep the 530 and run two desks, unfortunately my budget isn't as much as I thought it would be, I'm probably looking at £6000 to £8000, although budgets a bit vague at the moment. I know very little about the new desks on the market, and now the new strand/genlite desks come out I thought it might be worth waiting a year or two and get that if it's going to become the new industry standard. I really don't want to make the wrong decision, but have very little time to research anything. I might not even be able to get to plasa to have a look, so any advice anyone can give me I'd be extremely grateful for!

 

Cheers!

[tom_the_LD]

There are alot of threads on desks at the moment. I always thought the Pearl was good for busking on (plus it has a graphics tablet). Very nice desk, although it might be slightly out of your proce range. Although you might be able to pick up a slightly older one (maybe the 2004) off ebay.

 

Will post if anything comes on Ebay.

[IRW]

There are alot of threads on desks at the moment. I always thought the Pearl was good for busking on (plus it has a graphics tablet). Very nice desk, although it might be slightly out of your proce range. Although you might be able to pick up a slightly older one (maybe the 2004) off ebay.

 

On the contrary, Stage Electrics are currently selling a Pearl 2004 desk for £6,480, a Pearl 2008 console for £6,480 (not sure what the difference there is!) and a Pearl Expert for £7,500

 

You might get a warranty from them as well :P

[mog]

On the contrary, Stage Electrics are currently selling a Pearl 2004 desk for £6,480, a Pearl 2008 console for £6,480 (not sure what the difference there is!) and a Pearl Expert for £7,500

Cheers, I use stage electrics so I'll have to look at that

 

There are alot of threads on desks at the moment. I always thought the Pearl was good for busking on (plus it has a graphics tablet). Very nice desk, although it might be slightly out of your proce range. Although you might be able to pick up a slightly older one (maybe the 2004) off ebay.

 

Will post if anything comes on Ebay.

Thsank you!

[gareth]

At those prices, and given the sort of gigs you're looking to get a desk in order to service, I'd have said that a Pearl Expert is the no-brainer choice. There are better desks out there, but they cost a lot more, and a Pearl is the one that people who come into your venue with bands will know how to use.

[mog]

At those prices, and given the sort of gigs you're looking to get a desk in order to service, I'd have said that a Pearl Expert is the no-brainer choice. There are better desks out there, but they cost a lot more, and a Pearl is the one that people who come into your venue with bands will know how to use.

 

Thanks, do you know if there is a massive difference between a pearl expert and pearl 2004, or is it just a bigger desk with a USB?

[tom_the_LD]

Pull out QWERTY keyboard, USB, CD burner, USB, two roller-decs are all things on the expert which I don't THINK are on the 2004.

 

Look at the demo on the avolites website

[smeggie]

the expert has a split roller that makes busking gigs far easier and more flexible when in a hurry to program it before the show, it also has bump buttons on the top layer of faders so you can avoid messing about with selecting movers when you've too many to use the bottom row alone [ shouldnt be an issue for a while in your case]

 

It's a nicer desk to use, But there is a waiting list (at least there was the last I heard) and the Avo base is running full tilt to produce enough of the beastys.

 

If you can wait a while, then I'd suggest getting an expert as it's more likely to be future proof than the 2004 [I'm not putting the 2004 down at all, just remember that once it catches on, I know I'm happier using an expert over a standard pearl]

 

If you do end up doing more large scale stuff, you may wish to take a look at the GrandMA range of boards - very similar to the hog selection but I personally find them to be nicer to use - in a hurry once you've got your head around the syntax you're flying with it.

 

Though having said that, I suspect for your needs then it'd be too highly specced and not that many people are familiar with the use of the range to make it worth buying.

 

AC

[niclights]

Another vote for the Expert. I use every day for busking rock & roll and is perfect. As others say the Pearl series is not only ideal for busking but familiar to touring ops.

 

Regarding Avo specifics, there is no difference between 2004/8 except for USB storage. 2008 replaces 2004.

 

The Expert, however, is very much more than the extra control surfaces. Internal hardware is all completely new whereby all elements are USB devices making it very flexible for the future (a touch screen LCD for example). Most importantly is the scope for software which has not yet been touched upon. Unfortunately the 10 year old rigid architecture of the original Pearl (in all flavours) means it has now effectively reached its limits. That's not to say they aren't excellent boards but if you have the budget then the Expert is the wise investment.

 

Quick addition about features on Expert:

 

Extra 5 playbacks.

Hard drive.

Dual core Intel. XP OS (tested 100% stable in hard working environment now over 7 months!)

The 'upper bank' Add/Swop buttons main advantage in a busking environment is another 30 palettes instantly available on each page and easy selection of upper fixtures when programming.

[benweblight]

For what you describe, I'd also recommend a pearl 2004/8 or Expert: -ideal for this type of gig, and will please any touring op's who come in. I'd also agree that the Expert, from the limited experience I've had with it, is well worth the extra money

[AndrewR]

Yet another vote for Pearl I'm afraid....

 

I'm not a huge fan, but I can tell from personal experience that if you buy almost anything else the reaction from visiting LX folk will be "what the heck is that and why on earth did you buy one?"

 

Although if you are seeing a decent number of people familar with Hog and want something with a really good crossfading cuestack check out the MagicQ desks. (and to go OT do any other desks exist that can switch from tracking to crossfading?.... Mallet alternative anyone?)

[mog]

Thanks for all your advice,

I'm new to blue room but finding very handy!

 

I'm going to look at pearl's, seems to be the majority in favour, and I've seen a few used and looks like the sort of desk I need, (to pull stuff out of the hat at the last minute) One point, most of the visiting companies will either tour their own desks, or it will be me, (or deputy) opping the shows, so I'm not really worried about whether other people are familiar with the desk, (although it does help I suppose)

 

Thanks again for advice, I should know what I'm looking for but always so busy, working 90 percent of time, in pub the other 10! Cheers!

[philis]

Another vote for the MA range from me the ultralite is a great desk to use and will cost you less than a pearl or at least that was the case when I got one a few years ago your budget may stretch to a light witch has a few more features I know people on here will disagree but for a venue the MA is so much more versatile than the pearl if you are just busking then go for the pearl the roller is great for that but if you do any theatre type shows the MA wins hands down.

 

also for those who are used to a strand desk and you know that your front of house lanterns are say 1 thru 24 you can type 1thru 24 @ 0 enter or bring them up on the wheel

 

not to mention that the effects engine on the MA is much more versatile and the touch screen makes programing a breeze.

 

Phil

 

do yourself a favour get someone to demo the desks for you in your venue before you buy!!

[mog]

Thanks,

 

The MA has been recommended to me buy a couple of people who have come into my venue, best of both worlds I've heard! for some reason I thought they'd be really expensive, (motorised faders I think!) I'll look into it. I deal closely with stage electrics, don't know if they will demo desks, how els do you go about it?

 

Thanks again!

[Zak]

The lower end of the Grand MA range doesn't have motorized faders. I doubt you'll get a "WTF is this?" type reaction from too many people if you buy any Grand MA model, though the Pearl does seem to be a bit more popular. The low-end models shouldn't cost any more than a Pearl.