Hog vs GrandMA?

[Thomas]

I need to buy a new console soon. Very soon. I’m torn between HogIII or GrandMA, both of them in their PC instances. Hog is pretty much a standard around here, but a lot of the bigger companies are moving to GrandMA- I’m from a Martin background, using ProScenium first (yes, in a theatre setting), and then LightJockey in recent years (Doing events etc). LightJockey is a joke, no doubt about it, but it can do what you want quickly. I haven't used Hog or GrandMA myself, but they're both serious consoles, and that's the object of the exercise.

I like the Ethernet part of the GrandMA onPC, but don’t trust Ethernet- hell, I can’t get my i-Tech amps to do much either- so I’m more comfortable running DMX cable, especially since I’ve got a really good wireless system already. GrandMA comes with a visualizer, and that's all good, but I don't use LightJockey's visualizer either, so that doesn't really make my day any brighter. Hog has to be fed into WYSIWYG or Visual Sweden, and I don't want to spend money on that just yet. Another plug on GrandMA is the 1-in-1-out function, so I can still stick a manual desk on the line to rock my generics, although at the same time I usually run two separate DMX lines for that anyway- as a redundant backup system.

So, questions of price aside, who recommends what, and why?

[avkid]

i-Tech is a horrible example of Ethernet control protocol in entertainment.
They belong at the trade in counter of your local Crown dealer.

[lighttechie5948]

does anyone know of a Hog offline editor to play around on??

[soundlight]

Originally Posted by lighttechie5948

does anyone know of a Hog offline editor to play around on??

You can download Hog III PC from the Flying Pig Systems download page.

[Thomas]

Well, that doesn't really answer any of my questions, but thanks anyway guys.

[soundlight]

I'll put my vote in for Hog. We use their PC solution at school for various moving light demos and shows and what not, and it's very stable. We're able to Remote Desktop in to the host computer and control it with relatively low latency from the stage (computer with the USB>DMX widget is in the booth, connected in to the DMX input for the theatre). The software doesn't seem to slow down the computer at all (can't tell you the specs of our comp, but it's pretty good). If you've used a hog console before, you know how it is, fairly easy layout. I would say that you should get an X-Keys and use the Hog Layout to do your programming, it helps alot. A trackball (my favorite) is also a great asset for moving fixtures around.

[sound_nerd]

If all you want is a straight answer with no questions asked, MA. Make sure to get some sort of hardware interface though, otherwise pc based lighting can really be a drag*.
Even a couple touch screens might do the trick I suppose.



*No computer pun intended.

[len]

The first question I have is always:

is this for you to use or will you rent it out to others? If it's just you, then get the one you're most used to, best price, features, etc.

But if it's for rentals, or for a venue where there are a lot of visiting LD, you have to get what THEY like and what will be the most profitable. That could be an Avo or a Hog or a MA or a bunch of switches on a homemade wooden box.

[Grog12]

MA 4tw...I've used both and really like the MA better. MA ethernet is simple to use and simple to wire together with other MA consoles. But sound nerd is right, make sure to get a programming wing of some sorts no matter which way you go. Straight programming on a computer is slow and tedious.

The question I have for you is why a PC instance and not a real board?

[DarSax]

Based on the amount I've heard MA's going out or being used on big tours, compared to the amount that the Hog's done the same, I'd have to say MA, hands down. People swear by it, but I've yet to really hear anyone swear by a HogIII (with the iPC or Road Hog available now, maybe it'll draw more people, who knows). I remember that one of the lighting mags did a feature on how the HogIII interface is finally getting accepted as usable (I've heard it used to have compatability issues, or bugs, or whatever).

Again though, I'd have to refer back to the earlier posters (too lazy to look), about who's going to be using it, and why not the actual hardware, just the PC version? (I'm probably preaching to the choir, but have you considered something like the GrandMA pico?)