Control/Dimming - Which Lighting board for a cabaret show??

[SouthFloridaSFX]

I am working with a group who is looking to do a cabaret show in a local nightclub. They have mac 1ks, 600s, mini mac, and atomic strobes in there now. I will need to add some conventional lighting for a few things. I am wondering what is a good, rugged lighting board to use. They currently are using light jockey, which I dont think is any good for a love show purpose. I am not a fan of it and have never been trained on it. Whats a good intermediate board which allows cues and scenes to be programmed with intell fixtures.

[DaveySimps]

How many of each instrument will you have / how many DMX channels will you be using? Will the show be run back like a traditional theatre show, or will it need to interface with other equipment? The more information you can provide about the rig and the show, the more useful responses we can provide you.

~Dave

[SouthFloridaSFX]

I would guess somewhere about 30-40 fixtures total. The board will only be used for lighting.

[mstaylor]

When you say "only for lighting" do you mean just conventionals or both conventionals and movers. I originally thought the latter but your last sounds like the former.

[metti]

Are you against having a computer based board (eg would you consider MagicQ + a wing)? Also, what is your budget.

[BDS0111]

Originally Posted by SouthFloridaSFX

I would guess somewhere about 30-40 fixtures total. The board will only be used for lighting.

Do you mean 30 - 40 automated fixtures or conventional fixtures, or both total?

[kiwitechgirl]

What desks are you familiar with? If you're running the show (which you don't say, but I'm presuming you are) then it's going to be a matter of working out which of the desks you know is best going to fit the bill. Unless, of course, you want to take advantage of the show to learn a new desk!

[SouthFloridaSFX]

Im know how to use ETC boards, but have never really done anything big like this w movers. Theres only gonna be a few conventional lights, maybe 8. The rest are all movers.

[Arez]

My vote goes to the hog if you have the budget and a day or two to learn how to use it.

[NickJones]

I second the Hog, it's nice and simple, I also love the GrandMA range, it's pretty easy to learn, there are YouTube vids on LightingTrainer, you can learn it using the GrandMA onPC software and GrandMA3D so you can patch and program your movers and then see Visualisations of what you have done, it's all free and you can get it here, I got it a few weeks ago as I'm using a GrandMA for an upcoming show, so if you have any questions in regards to the basics, feel free to PM me, also contact the hire shop to see if they actualy have one, no point learning Hog & GrandMA only to find that they don't have one.
Nick