Theatre lighting board

[mitranator]

Hi guys, anyone can get me some suggestions about a lighting board?

the needs are: hands-on style for the theatrical use plus DMX control over moving lights, LED fixtures and so on.

It needs to be use by me and trained students BUT needs to be easy enough to be ocassionally used by non technically people.

I had a look at chamsys but the complete version is far too expensive.

I am looking at the Zero 88 solution Xl. It is in my budget and looks great for what I want.

My question is: are there better and easyer to use consoles?

Avolites, ETC, or any other brand.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dan

[Nicktaylor]

You will get dozens of answers! I for one would go down the Zero 88 route. I have used the Sirius then Frog range. My amdram home society has a Jester. I actually thing the Frog range is best for the widest use as it can be left in "fader mode" for the occasional user but be programmed up for movers and other DMX controlled devices.

[lite_lad]

Really you want to be looking at ETC, ideally an ION, but you would be better off (seeing as your on a budget) getting an Element with a touch screen or 2 to allow for the occasional moving light programming you may need to do. But if you are going to have a substantial amount of intelligent fixtures then I would recommend going down the Ion route (as I guess if you can afford them then you'd be able to afford the better desk to control them...).

[ianknight]

The Solution is probably the best fit for what you're looking at - the faders make it look big and ungainly but they really allow just about anyone to get some basic lighting working in a hurry. Some folk prefer the Jester for the same reason but the fixture section on that can confuse folk, plus there are no dedicated submasters - writing an idiot sheet for getting a submaster state running isn't easy!

 

The post suggesting ETC is in fairness OK but it sounds like the OP is writing in a School/Academy where a lot of the time there isn't a 'cadre' of people able to become au fait with a slightly more complex desk. I would have suggested a look at LimeLight as it's a cheaper solution altogether but again, not having that cadre available may work against it.

[jonhole]

I am looking at the Zero 88 solution Xl. It is in my budget and looks great for what I want.

 

We'd be more than happy to arrange a demo of the console if you would like to see it in the flesh - just drop me and email and we'll find a date that's convenient for you.

[dbuckley]

I had a look at chamsys but the complete version is far too expensive.

 

Chamsys have their new compact range of consoles threatening to appear this year, has there been any suggestions of pricing on these yet?

[Pattern123]

I think there are lots of us in the same boat at the moment, and we seem to be at a crossroads in terms of what the future of consoles will be, and it appears to be heading rapidly towards software based solution with a small 'console' user interface. BUT no-one seems to be aiming anything at the lower/education end of the market. I have been looking around and in the end only the Solution, the Jester TLXtra or the Element seemed appropriate, I have also looked at the Avolites Titan Mobile and we have bought a Titan one, but they are probably too complex for students to learn for a basic theatre show. I am not familiar with the Chamsys stuff - but it looks horrible. If someone were to come up with a 'QLab' type solution simple and Mac based which mimicked a preset desk with some attribute controls I think they would clean up.

[mitranator]

Excatly what I am looking for. It looks like this would be the answer then. An ocasional simple "old school" fader mode for anyone to be able to pop some lights whitout any knoledge.

Thanks alot.

 

 

 

You will get dozens of answers! I for one would go down the Zero 88 route. I have used the Sirius then Frog range. My amdram home society has a Jester. I actually thing the Frog range is best for the widest use as it can be left in "fader mode" for the occasional user but be programmed up for movers and other DMX controlled devices.

 

That would be great but we are Belgium based. Thank you anyway, I will try to find a demo around here.

I have had a demo with the latest Chamsys line, very easy to use, I mean VERY easy to get your grips with but in a idiot proof state it is nothing more than a big screen sorrounded by lots of buttons. It will never work with somebody not being trained. But it does look like your stuff can be used as an educational tool from ground zero to pro level.

 

I am looking at the Zero 88 solution Xl. It is in my budget and looks great for what I want.

 

We'd be more than happy to arrange a demo of the console if you would like to see it in the flesh - just drop me and email and we'll find a date that's convenient for you.

[jonhole]

That would be great but we are Belgium based. Thank you anyway, I will try to find a demo around here.

 

PM Sent

[harrison110]

I had a look at chamsys but the complete version is far too expensive.

 

Chamsys have their new compact range of consoles threatening to appear this year, has there been any suggestions of pricing on these yet?

 

I got a quote for the smallest new desk just before christmas, I just e-mailed them, but seem to have misplaced it... Think they are planning on a release in march?

[tommulliner]

Just had a new Solution XL at college to replace their old frog. It's a good desk and very easy to pick up. Whilst not the nicest desk in the world to use, for the price it certainly fits our bill and is a much needed upgrade from the frog!

[jonhole]

Hi Tom,

 

Glad you are liking the console! If you have any feedback or feature requests, please send them through. We are pushing software updates at the moment so it's the perfect time to get your thoughts heard!

 

Cheers

[CallumP93]

Whilst it isnt my favorite desk in the world, due to some of the limitations in programing with moving lights etc, I have used the Jester 48 ML alot. The most complex show we ran on it was, 8 movers, 12 LED Pars, 10 LED Panels and 8 Scrollers (obviously with some pairing to stay below the 30 fixture limit) plus 30 channels of generics. The students have no issue using it or even programming fixtures, they just have to think slightly differently for programming live events, e.g. programing just colours onto faders and overal brightness elsewhere to give more live control. Failing the Jester ML the Jester TLXtra is also nice to use, although if you do have enough money for the Solution I would recommend it as it would do more than what you want to do, without having to spend the extra on something like the ETC Ion.

 

@jonhole - Who do we send feature requests through to, there is 1 or 2 things we would love to see on the ML.

 

Callum

 

[jonhole]

Hi Callum,

 

Send them through to me - my contact details are in my signature below.

 

Thanks!

[callumb]

Failing the Jester ML the Jester TLXtra

 

 

I have aired my feelings on that desk... I wouldn't call it something to go for. Solution would be idea over all. Zero88 already know the issues I had with it along with the guys at my college.