Tekkie Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Hi there, My school are in need of a new lighiting desk (we are on a 15 year old Sirius at the moment). We would use it for a huge variety of different shows, theatre, live music, concert, corporate etc etc 36 dimmer channels available to use at the moment. Needs to be capable of handling more (ie futureproof for movers/scanners/LED gear/effects etc) £2400 budget At the moment the Zero88 Jester ML48 is a contender although when I saw it at PLASA this year I wasn't too impressed. Suggestions much appreciated, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMac Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Suggest you use the very comprehensive search facility at the top of the page. Here we go again...... John Mac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davethsparky Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 At the moment the Zero88 Jester ML48 is a contender although when I saw it at PLASA this year I wasn't too impressed. Zero 88 were at PLASA this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 We have some demo units that fit in your price range, if you want a demo unit to be sent to you to try it, just give us a call and we'll be more than happy to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmeh2 Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Hi For that price you can get yourself a well-used but good condition Pearl 2000. I'd give usedlighting a ring and see what they had available. All the bestTimmeh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBoomal Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 At the moment the Zero88 Jester ML48 is a contender although when I saw it at PLASA this year I wasn't too impressed. Zero 88 were at PLASA this year? NO they weren't. Sounds like you've been rumbled. Why weren't you impressed at "Plasa". I would have thought it was one of your best options. It's a nicely thought out sensible desk that does exactly what it says on the tin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali2580 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 As others have said, use the search above. There have been many topics on school lighting desks before. 2400 is a big budget for a school lighting desk and if it was all to be used, it would hopefully be used A LOT! Desks such as Jester and Frog ranges tend to be used in schools a lot so you may want to consider going down that path. There is obviously other considerations to take into though. After looking at your profile: _________________________________ I work at my school as a senior technician and head of lighting. I'm studying electronics in systems. I also work occasionally at my local theatre (Pendley Court) as a sound designer, lighitng technician, rigger etc.. ____________________________ Others may have to take over the lighting if you leave so how easy would it be for them to use etc? Will pupils use it often? There are many thoughts to take into consideration but as others have said, have a good look through the forum, discuss it with other heads that may be in charge, phone local and national dealers and suppliers, try demo's. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geminius Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 working at a school, with a Jester24/48, and having used a frog, I find that zero88 are one of the easiest boards to teach to somebody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobus Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Could get yourself a Leap frog 48 in the price range would do a treat bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinntec Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 My school are in need of a new lighiting desk (we are on a 15 year old Sirius at the moment)...AlexYou have a considerable budget to play with - first thing to be clear about is this just the desk or dimmers as well? The person with the purse might not understand the distinction! Your dimmers are probably elderly like at most schools so you need to be sure. Also beware if you are keeping existing analogue dimmers which will need a DMX to analogue converter(s) plus all the right cabling.Next thing - do you want to stick with a slider per channel kind of desk, like the current Sirius, which can do both preset and memory playback, or doesn't it matter? Preset desks to consider include:1. Zero 88 Leapfrog (the new ones I mean) is an obvious candidate, and as a school you might get Zero 88 to sponsor a large chunk of the price. This would be an easy migration from a Sirius and adds a lot of channels for non-conventionals. You could also use it without monitors in the short term. 2. ETC Element is similar to use although less sure about using movers with this and does need a monitor.3. Strand (Philips) Basic Palette costs about the same as the Leapfrog, or a Preset Palette for the sliders again which costs a little more. Not sure about these as they don't seem to be popular? If you don't care about having presets:1. ETC ION seems to be coming out as the desk of choice at medium sized theatres but fairly pricey and needs wings to be added if you want sliders.2. ETC Congo Jr is similarly priced and has a lot of features which you may or may not want. Again I think a monitor is essential and may need wings to be added.3. Zero 88 Frog 2 or an ORB might also be worth a look but I haven't used either of these. However again Zero 88 might offset a chunk of the cost. Work out what you need - try and guess what might be needed for 15-20 years into the future and write it down, as you expect whatever you purchase to last like the Sirius has. Second, use the Internet to download the specs of suitable desks - you can use my list as a guide or start from scratch (AC Lighting website, for example, has desks split into manufacturers which might help http://www.ac-et.com/products/control.htm). Make a shortlist then get to see them yourself. Discuss with the supplier what your requirements are and make sure they do everything you can think that you might need and still be usable for simple shows and dummies that might come after you. I know you will want to rush to get the new toy in before you leave - but this is a long term committment and worth some thought. Just my thoughts - Peter Vincent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydey Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I just got a LeapFrog 48 for my school from Central Theatre Supplies for a really good price. Well under your budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tekkie Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 I dont think Zero88 were at PLASA, the desk was though. as for not being impressed that is down to personal taste Thanks to those who offered their help - I have used a bullfrog before (at Pendley funnily enough) so am going with the leapfrog 48 because I like the range - easy to use and sturdy. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lightnix Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Always worth a look: http://www.usedlighting.co.uk/category/1/11/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulDF Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I dont think Zero88 were at PLASA, the desk was though. as for not being impressed that is down to personal taste Thanks to those who offered their help - I have used a bullfrog before (at Pendley funnily enough) so am going with the leapfrog 48 because I like the range - easy to use and sturdy. Alex As said above, if the old dimmers are analogue and you want to use them with the new board you'll need a demux and the necessary leads.The old Sirius desks were generally analogue but DMX was available as an optional extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Despite second hand being a sensible option, many schools and colleges cannot buy second hand equipment - just one of the many rules they have. Crafty ones find ways around it,, but most need the three quote system for expenditure of that price, so cannot work with a single source of purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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