New Desk Required

[MartinT]

I'm looking for a new desk and wondering what other people might suggest.

 

it's main requirements are thus

 

To be used in a mainly theatrical environment so a good cue stack is important, plus all the good cue attributes of a Strand would be nice. I'm also used to Strand programming logic so something which works in a similar vain would be nice - although not imperitave

 

Tend to use movers although the most so far is 30 nice easy effects engine would be good

 

Needs to be portable - so no Strand 500's please

 

I prefer using a keypad, we have a Frog at work and I'm not too fussed with it - (although it doesn't have nearly enouh channels for me either)

 

Preferably 4 DMX outputs and should not require too many extra monitors to view relevent info

 

So far I'm thingking of a Pearl 2004 - but never used one, also I saw the new Compulite Vector on a job last week and was impressed so may look at Sparktop and Stagetec are nearby

 

Price - under £10k please to stop girlfriend killing me when she finds out how many new outfits, pairs of shoes or handbags she could of brought!!!

 

 

Any ideas

[peter]

For £10k you can pick up a second hand HogII. (Not sure of the list price of a brand new one).

 

Other than that, Pearl 2k4 (easy effects engine), Zero88 Illusion (probably not enough channels), Strand 300, or a brand new Hog 500 or Hog 1000.

[Shaun Foster]

Out of interest, does the hog work well as a theatre desk, as I always thought it was more of a rock 'n roll desk.

[sam.henderson]

How many channels do you want exactly ?

 

Is 30 movers enough for you?

 

What do you think of a Bull Frog- tHat would be way under budget :D

 

Sam

[peter]

Er Sam, the Bull Frog only has 24 moving lights, thus it wouldn't be enough for the OP.

[MartinT]

Not a fan of any of the Frog series because you programme your scenes from the faders - just me

 

also it's a big desk - I have to program from the auditorium and then get the kit to the lighting box - as well as lugging it to the car at the end of a long day

Thought about a Hog II but again not sure it's a theatre desk like wise with the Hog 500/1000 - also not too sure if I want to spend a large wedge on second hand

 

Has anyone else got any experience with the compulite stuff?

[gareth]

Sounds like you need a second-hand HogII. It's so much more than just a rock and roll desk - it's quite at home doing r'n'r, but it's equally happy doing other things - especially theatre.

 

You can have as many cue lists as you like, and each one is programmed and plays back in the same manner as a Strand-style cue stack. The programming syntax is very much like the Strand Lightpalette syntax (anyone who's used to programming a 500-series will be at home with it within a few minutes). Excellent in-built Effects Engine (which is, I'm told, a name which was trademarked by Flying Pig Systems when they first developed it on the Hog), with the ability to easily create your own effects alongside the provided ones. It's about as portable as you can expect a desk of that nature to be - I can fit mine into the boot of my car, along with two flightcased monitors, a toolbox and a small suitcase, without even folding the back seats down. It has 4 DMX outputs, expandable to 7 with Overdrive boxes. It has two in-built LCD touchscreens, which are more than adequate for programming/running smaller shows, with the option to add two external VGA monitors if more display area is required. And if you shop around, you can probably find an older ex-rental one (which might not quite be in tip-top cosmetic condition, but which will do the job) within your £10K budget (although that'll probably be ex. VAT).

 

Edit - should also have mentioned - there's also the Hog500 and Hog1000. Same operational syntax, etc., but less features - fewer DMX outputs (2 rather than 4), only one in-built LCD (which isn't a touchscreen), you can't create custom Effects Engine effects on the console (although you can using HogPC, then just load the show into the desk). But of course this reduced functionality saves you some dosh!

[martinw]

Hog 2 makes for a good theater style console, and if you are familiar with strand 500 series, you should be able to pick it up quickly. The FPS training course is pretty cheap too. The command line syntax borrows heavily from the Strand Lightpallette console, and it is currently used on several West-End shows. The second hand market for them is pretty active as well.

 

Martin

[ziggyP]

If you can wait the new Chamsys Magic Q will give you 6 universes, color touch screen ala Hog3 at a price no one else seems to be able to match. The interface is like a souped up Pearl, there is a load of Hog2 stuff with cue stacks but not being a Hog user cannot say how good it is. There seems to be 2 versions with and without a wing (the setup menu on the PC allows for 6 wings to be enabled) giving extra playbacks, you can access over 200 playbacks thru the main screen. There does not seem to be limit to the number of moving heads, if you have enough channels left and can patch it. Heard the other day that the guys behind it worked at Flying Pig Systems on the design of the Hog3.

 

Not seen one yet but come across more people who have, it was at 4th Phase recently. Been told it will be cheaper than a Pearl 200X. Has to have better reliability than a Pearl.

 

The Offline editor can be downloaded from www.chamsys.co.uk/support.html and has a full on screen manual. The OLE can work as a fully functional desk if you plug a dongle or Artnet box in. The OLE can also be set to take in Artnet ie the main desk and then merge it with the OLE allowing for a second desk or a portable to give an on line standby console, great for theatre use. Download and have a play.

 

If anybody from Chamsys reads this do a plug in programmer for the PC version and you will have a brilliant system for low budget use as well.

 

Maybe this desk will cause the prices of all desks to come down a bit.

 

Ziggy

[Bryson]

I don't understand the portability problem with a 520i. If you're familiar with Strand, want Strand functionality etc, why not buy a Strand?

 

A 520i lists at around 10k too, so you could get a spanky new one for your budget, plus a couple (or even just one if you prefer) of TFTs and some money left over for some shoes for the good lady...

[MartinT]

Bryson

 

I don't really have a problem with the Strand, My main venue has a 520i however it has two ladders to get to the box which make access with the desk and monitors a bit of a nightmare, also movers are a bit of a chore although some people swear by it and consider it excellent.

 

Also I find the channel upgrade prices a bit excessive (£950 per 50 is a bit steep) to get 1024 channels will probably put it outside my buget, that said I'll go and have a chat with Ivor and see what the latest deals are.

 

Shall have a good look at all those suggested so far (keep them coming) I'd prefer to have a unit in my sweaty paws before PLASA which prevents me doing the tour (when not working on my stand)

[andystone]

Obviously I'm going to recommend Compulite as their UK distributor and definitely the Spark 4D meets all your criteria, although it only has 3 DMX outputs.

 

It is extremely portable and includes all the features of much larger and more expensive desks in a very small package.

 

We are here to help, so if you need any more info or a demo let me know.

 

Andy Stone

Stagetec

www.compulite.co.uk

[Bryson]

two ladders to get to the box

 

Ah - so very portable then. I see the problem. How about Hog PC on a big fat laptop with the little ""Miniwing" extra control surfaces you can get?

[SceneMaster]

How much does a hog 3 cost and where are the list prices from flying pig systems on their website?

[Neil Vann]

Hi Tekkie,

 

You could also have a look at the GrandMA Light or the GrandMA Ultra Light.

Both have the same software, the Light talks to 2048 DMX channels, the Ultra Light 1024.

 

If you would like to have a closer look at these, drop me a line and we can arrange for you to have a proper demo of the console.

 

Neil

 

Neil Vann

Technical Sales and Support

AC Lighting

 

neil.vann@aclighting.com