woody74 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I need a theatre based console... We use movers but not on a huge scale, often use scrollers and other DMX controlled kit and occasionally take it out on location.I will second (or third or fourth) the Eos vote. Like you, at work we do a fair amount of theatrical programming with conventionals and movers, and move the desks around to accommodate different programming positions. We just traded out our two Virtuoso DX consoles for two Etc Eos desks, and we love them. Portable, self contained (read: no external computer), intuitive theatrical syntax, easy patching, wireless RFU, and free software upgrades for the life of the console (unlike our deal with the Virtuosos). The only drawback to your situation is the desk only has network ports on the back; I don't know if you can get it configured with 5-pin ports, but I'd doubt it; so you'd need a device to output to your devices. One man's opinion,-w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceecrb1 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 This is actually a pretty decent topic for me too...I currently have a 520, a 520i and a 550 in my workshop in need of spare parts which are not and never will be available... I´ve been trying to get the boss to buy some hogs as we have pearls which cover our concerts and "general" gigs but the hog does seem a little more "theater friendly" yet close enough to the pearl for the other techs to spend very little time getting to know it..... Truth is I´m a noise boy so lighting desks are not my strong point so I cant add more to this but I will be following with intrest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxbuzz Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 "The only drawback to your situation is the desk only has network ports on the back; I don't know if you can get it configured with 5-pin ports, but I'd doubt it; so you'd need a device to output to your devices." a very good point!! I will put this to the suppliers. this whole forum thing is incredibly helpful!! and starting to get really interesting re console direction and people's preferences!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac500 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Don't forget that coming soon is the new Grandma series 2. Should definatly worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 "The only drawback to your situation is the desk only has network ports on the back; I don't know if you can get it configured with 5-pin ports, but I'd doubt it; so you'd need a device to output to your devices." a very good point!! I will put this to the suppliers.A minor concern. Most building are bristling with network patch lines these days, and running your lighting system over ethernet has many advantages. Our particular system consists of a 530, two 520i's, an SN104 node and three iPaq wireless remotes (and sometimes a PC acting as either an FTP server or an xConnect remote), all of which talk to each other over an ethernet network that consists of a number of network points throughout the building connected via a switch and three hubs. A system which is based around an ethernet-to-DMX device in the control room or dimmer room, distributing control signals to dimmers and other devices, would be very easy for us to implement and would make for a very streamlined system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHenstock Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Hi there, As another dyed-in-the-wool Strand user (From Gemini to Galaxy to 520), I am also sad to report that I am less than impressed with the Palette. Oh Strand! Why did you abandon me? And I can also add my voice to the masses who are considering what they'll do once their Strand 520 breaks something important (and now irreplacable). At present, the two consoles that are being seriously considered are the Eos and the GrandMa 2. Which way we'll jump is still uncertain, but it's fascinating to see that I'm are not the only one with this dilemma. Personally, it seems to me that the Eos still needs a little "tweaking" to make it a truly "user-friendly" LX console, but is miles better than the Palette. I do, however, have high hopes for the GrandMa 2... Has anybody had a chance to get their fingers onto one yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bleasdale Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 As for the Grand MA 2 series I am going to ask to see one if it is avalible while I am at thier office in the next few weeks. The price I didnt realy think was very good, I dont know how good your budget it is but stage LX are going to start knocking them out at around the £31 000 mark, after they are released in december. I should expect there will be one at PLASA though. So im not sure whether this is is whithin your budget.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
son of lx dad Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 From a tutor point of view I think you have to try and buy the console that your students may most often come across in the future, and lets face it, it is very unlikely that any of your students will only ever do just theatre lighting work in their careers. So on that basis what is the desk that we meet across the board in not just theatre but rock, corporate, event and many other genres? What is the desk that is being heavily invested in by the major hire companies? And, as was mentioned earlier, has the networking, pixel mapping, server controlling teaching ability in one box? What console can work like an AB preset desk or a basic cue stack or like a pearl or in fact be made to work/look like pretty much any other desk on the market?The simple answer is - GrandMA. This isn't a personal preference choice as far as I can tell, in my opinion, (having come through a college with a Compulite 4D as the main desk and never seen one in use since) you should be looking to help your students future by giving them the best chance in this field - a GrandMA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJones Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 We had a 550. Which I loved and knew pretty much inside out. We "upgraded" to the Congo Junior and have had nothing but issues. Dodgy hardware and ropey software combine to make a desk that is unpleasant to use. This has been the case for all four of the ones I have used. I haven't used any other new ETC desks so can't comment on them. Andy Jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_cooper Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 We had a 550. Which I loved and knew pretty much inside out. We "upgraded" to the Congo Junior and have had nothing but issues. Dodgy hardware and ropey software combine to make a desk that is unpleasant to use. This has been the case for all four of the ones I have used. I haven't used any other new ETC desks so can't comment on them. We went the same route from a 520i when it died. Our experience has been the exact opposite of yours, sure there is a steep initial learning curve, but now I've got my head around it I find it a pleasure to use. I find I can now plot just as fast on the Congo Jr as I could on the 520, in some cases faster. Hardware has worked as expected, and never had a software glitch. I did come across a bug early on in relation to MIDI Show Control but that was swiftly dealt with by ETC, it wasn't even a real bug more an incorrectly implemented feature. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bleasdale Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I used the V5 software on the congo, it has not only fixed bugs and small things, but added more features. just thought you may want to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody74 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 it seems to me that the Eos still needs a little "tweaking" to make it a truly "user-friendly" LX consoleI'd recommend having at look at their forum; they (the devs) answer questions directly, and even tell you when to expect updates (and if your particular request will be addressed in said update). The software updates for Eos seem to be coming out quarterly, so if enough people agree with whatever you consider "tweaking", chances are it will make it into a future build. -w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxbuzz Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 of course some of my students will go on to use all kinds of desks but our course is a technical stage management course and not specialised lighting so I need to make sure I can arm them with good skills on desks they will be most likely to use when picking up tours or doing relights. they learn the strand and now im looking at what other system of work will be most useful. I think I am swinging towards ETC eos or ion direction but I will be getting in grandma, avolite, pearls, etc. as demonstration desks so they realise the great scope of technology console wise out there. I myself am excited by the grandma but we couldnt use it to its potential and would just be wasted on our mainly theatre directional course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokm Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Would recommend contacting David or Sam at London Light if you want some views on the the EOS/ION consoles. They might eventually get round to posting some of their views about them on here, but I know their pretty busy currently and for the next week. We'll see. it seems to me that the Eos still needs a little "tweaking" to make it a truly "user-friendly" LX consoleI'd have thought they'd strongly disagree with the above comment! They've had their EOS since November (IIRC) last year, and programmed many'a show on it, so should be able to offer some useful comments on how it is to program, operate, etc, compared to say a strand 500 series. Thought I'd have thought they'd strongly disagree with the above comment! From the few experience's I've got using the EOS (yes.. that's programming & op'ing. Not just a taster course like some posters seem to base their comments on ), id say it has a very strand feel to it, in as much as the command syntax is roughly the same (but with obviously a lot more to it once your past patching, channel selection, cue recording), so from the start you have some idea of where your going and not just dropped in the deep end like you are when your learning/using for the 1st time, some other consoles. HTH, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj Dunc Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Have to say our Congo has been great to teach people on, moving up from a bullfrog. I had to jump in and cover a show and I managed to learn the operational basics in a little over an hour. The one thing I must say is its a bit bad if some gonk kicks the power, as you have to reboot, then shut down, then reboot otherwise it has a tendency to crash, and lose all saved data even if you saved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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