Autofollow Board

[soundlight]

I'm looking for basically the cheapest light board that has Autofollow/Wait cues, at least 24 submasters (if not faders for every channel), and can control between 32 and 48 dimmers. The other criterion is that it not crash when i'm running a show, so it can't be just cheap junk.

It also, obviously, has to be able to speak DMX.

[koncept]

what kind of price range are you looking for? is used/remanufactured equipment acceptable?

[jbeutt]

if you're going cheap, leprecon is almost all you can consider. Basically all those dj products (behringer, chauvet, american dj) aren't solid. Too many gizmos and low quality. Look at the 600 series.
Of course there are other, cheaper, but they're mostly 2-scene boards. You can look at lightronics, they may also have something suitable.

[Radman]

ETC Express series has a good OS that has never crashed as far as I've heard. It comes in several sizes, varying by physical faders. They all have 2 universes of output. There are also some newer cheaper boards by ETC called the SmartFade, though I cannot speak for thier reliability or even if they can autofollow.

There are others here who can tell you about the various other brands of boards available.

It would be nice to know the price range as well.

[jbeutt]

He certainly doesn't need to go ETC to get what he described. A second DMX universe would go quite unused on 48 dimmers.
ETC is high quality but also high price. The features you described would obviously be covered by any ETC board, but you'd be paying for a ton of features you'd never use.

[Radman]

Originally Posted by soundlight

...Autofollow/Wait cues, at least 24 submasters (if not faders for every channel),... between 32 and 48 dimmers.... that it not crash...it can't be just cheap junk.... has to be able to speak DMX.
Pittsboro, NC

Those were the key points I noticed. Specifically "at least 24 submasters", "that it not crash", and "can't be just cheap junk". From that I assumed he wanted something above a DMX Operator and below a Hog. Of course, I could still be wrong.

[soundman1024]

Yeah, I'm with Radman, the Express line would be good. It looks like a 24/48 could probably be had for under $5k.
I have no idea what you budget is being that I heard "I'm looking for basically the cheapest light board" and "it can't be just cheap junk." If you could throw out a maximium price that may help to find a good board.

[Foxinabox10]

A 24/48 ETC Express can be had for about $3300-$3500.

[soundlight]

Used is fine. I like the keypad deal on the colortran and etc desks, and there is an etc express 24/48 on ebay right now, 2000 starting. If i could conn that kind of money out of the administration, it might happen, bit i am afraid that i am going to have to go with a leprecon 1500 or 1600 series (those are the lowest-priced leprecons that have the autofollow/wait cue condition). I would ask the people on this site to donate money, but I can guess that most are not in the finacial situation to do that at this point. I just need some way to get enough for a leprecon or colortran or etc. Another idea...what about the NSI MC 24/48? It was what I saw first online as an option. Or the EDI Bijou? I like the "above a DMX operator and below a hog" assessment. It doesn't need moving light capability at all, even though almost all desks these days have it.

[Radman]

I'd try a fundraiser. We did one to raise money for a new sound board that was over $2k in a week or two. I think we raise over $5k in the end. You can always sell old stuff too to help raise money.