Lighting board recommendations?

[pluto]

We may be in the market for a new lighting desk and I'm looking for recommendations and advice. We currently have a 10yr old jester 48 channel desk. However it has been suggested that we buy in some new LED lights and possibly some movers.

 

Now we would like to possibly purchase a new board that will allow us to add these LED fixtures now and maybe some movers next year. I was looking at the Zero 88 Jester ML48 as a possibility. Budget is vague at the moment, I guess max would be around £3500 but we have some wiggle room on that. Ideally we would not be shelling out that much. Oh currently we only have around 35 standard fixtures to control.

 

 

 

 

Any advice or recommendations???????

 

 

 

[Jevans]

 

Any advice or recommendations???????

 

 

Yes, don't buy a Jester ML under any circumstances. In any case, the Jester range is being phased out in favour of the FLX S, which sit at the same price points and is far more powerful (and far less stupid - the Jester ML software was like banging your head against a brick wall).

 

At £3.5k though you could also look at the full size Z88 FLX, or maybe even stretch to an ETC Element 2 (can't remember the exact price point).

 

 

 

[Ynot]

+1 for the Element as a suggestion.

Eos software is pretty darned good on any console. :)

 

 

 

[Shez]

What kind of shows do you need to be able to run with the desk? There are a number of options at that price point but some suit some types of shows better than others. Difficult to make useful suggestions without knowing what your usage is.

[pluto]

Well we have a panto at xmas time and are doing sister act later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What kind of shows do you need to be able to run with the desk? There are a number of options at that price point but some suit some types of shows better than others. Difficult to make useful suggestions without knowing what your usage is.

 

 

 

 

 

[alistermorton]

The Element 2 still lacks the rotary encoders that the FLX range has. This may or may not matter to you, but personally I'd miss them. I've tried using on screen encoders for movers and I don't get on with them, but that's just a personal view.

 

The FLX range is the first Zero88 console(s) I've really "got". Wouldn't be my first choice, but that's purely based on familiarity with EOS (but I wouldn't want an EOS console with encoders, so budget comes into it) and I wouldn't baulk at doing a show on one.

[Edward- Z88]

Hi Pluto,

 

Just to give you a little more background on the FLX range that have been suggested:

 

FLX S24 - 48 fixtures, up to 2 universes of DMX

FLX S48 - 96 fixtures, up to 2 universes of DMX

 

FLX - No fixture limit, up to 8 universes of DMX

 

Jester series consoles are now legacy products and have been replaced by the all new FLX S series consoles. For more information on FLX S, see the website below...

https://zero88.com/products/consoles/flxs/index.shtml

 

If you have any questions feel free to message me direct, or head over to the Zero 88 forum if you have any Z88 specific questions...

https://zero88.com/forum/

 

Edward

[Richard CSL]

Grand MA , best desk on the market, but very expensive.

Hog 4, great desk good for rock concerts. still expensive.

ETC perfect for high school musicals, and all things theatrical. medium priced.

Chamsys, new kid on the block, cheap and good at everything.

[Bryson]

...and how does discussing a Grand MA or Hog help someone with a 3500UKP budget? :blink:

 

There's plenty of good products in that price range, though. The FLX and Element 2 are both good suggestions depending on the type of events and the user's comfort level with that software. The Colorsource is probably not the greatest plan if you're going to eventually get stuff that moves but for a static rig with LEDs it's pretty great. Avolites Titan Mobile, maybe? Or Vista EX?

 

They're all worth looking at, but given:

1. the budget
   
2. the anticipated fixture types
   
3. the anticipated type of production
   
4. the user's previous experience
   

I'd be inclined to suggest the FLX (Fullsize! Not the S48 or S24)

 

 

I'm surprised the "just do it on your laptop!" crowd haven't been by yet. ;)

[lonemorf]

...and how does discussing a Grand MA or Hog help someone with a 3500UKP budget? :blink:

 

 

I'm surprised the "just do it on your laptop!" crowd haven't been by yet. ;)

 

The command wing, and a decent dedicated PC setup for MA falls within this budget I would think. (not saying its the right choice, but it could be a valid option).

 

 

[themadhippy]

The command wing, and a decent dedicated PC setup for MA falls within this budget I would think

 

MA Lighting MA onPC command wing £3,782.76 so −£282.76 left for the laptop

[osmosis]

...and how does discussing a Grand MA or Hog help someone with a 3500UKP budget? :blink:

 

 

HedgeHog would be within budget, also upgradable.

[Bryson]

HedgeHog would be within budget, also upgradable.

 

 

HedgeHog 4 lists at above US$7k. That's about UKP5500...*

 

Do you mean the Hoglet maybe? That could maybe be an option. I stand by my recommendation above, though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* = My keyboard doesn't have a pound symbol, ok?

[lonemorf]

The command wing, and a decent dedicated PC setup for MA falls within this budget I would think

 

MA Lighting MA onPC command wing £3,782.76 so −£282.76 left for the laptop

RRP. Who pays that?!

[Bryson]

 

RRP. Who pays that?!

 

 

One-time buyers who are unlikely to bring additional business?

 

 

Let's say you get 10% off. That's still less than 100 quid left for the computer and screens. 250 if you get it to 15%. It's too close to sensibly recommend.