Ion v Congo Jr

[highschooltech]

I'm working for a church who is looking to move into the world of movers. They have an expresss 24/48 and would like to stay with an ETC board. Anyways of the two which do you think would work better with 5 movers (1 technobeam, 2 S4 revolutions, and 2 Mac 700s) plus an array of 40 conventionals and some LEDs.

[derekleffew]

I haven't seen Ion in person, and have only spent a little time with Congo Sr. at LDI, but I would go with the Ion. The syntax of the Congo series is radically different from all other ETC consoles, whereas the Ion is similar. I suspect the Ion would also be less expensive. Just my 2¢.

[highschooltech]

is the congo closer to the syntax of a hog? For me it doesn't matter because i have used several different types of boards before but for the volunteers it might be more difficult. In the end how easy was it to pick up?

[Charc]

Either buy the Ion, or buy both, and mail the one you don't like to me!

(I have NO qualification for my input. From my limited understanding it sounds like the Ion is better suited for your needs. However, most importantly, it's the newest board. I mean, you do wanna be the cool church on the block with your flashy new Ion... right? )

[avkid]

Originally Posted by highschooltech

is the congo closer to the syntax of a hog? For me it doesn't matter because i have used several different types of boards before but for the volunteers it might be more difficult. In the end how easy was it to pick up?

If they have an Express how is the Hog relevant to their skill levels?

[soundlight]

Yeah, I don't see where the hog fits in here either. The Ion will be much easier to pick up for anyone who has used an express. I've been using the offline editor quite a bit to get used to the software, and I like it. It's much, much easier to use than an express for ML stuff. I'd go with Ion, and get a 40-fader wing or two (I'd go with two, just because of my programming style, but get what you need). Also make sure that two 17" LCD monitors are in that package, as well as a USB trackball and probably a USB hub.

[jmabray]

Originally Posted by highschooltech

I'm working for a church who is looking to move into the world of movers. They have an expresss 24/48 and would like to stay with an ETC board. Anyways of the two which do you think would work better with 5 movers (1 technobeam, 2 S4 revolutions, and 2 Mac 700s) plus an array of 40 conventionals and some LEDs.

Either one will work just fine.

Yes it is true that Congo's programming syntax is different. Some people can't get over that fact and it trips them up. If you just accept is and move on to learning about it, it takes about 15 minutes of programming to get it right and after about an hour or so I was faster on the Congo than then Express/Expression (where I have 10 years or so of experience).

What you have to understand here is that ETC has had two different philosophies of consoles for years now. There is the Express/Expression series - which is a "Preset" or "Cue-Only" style of console. Then there is the Obsession line - which is a "Tracking" style of console. (In each of their default states, that is) This is a pretty significant difference in the way each console operates.

The Preset style records the entire look on stage (including values of channels and attributes that are at zero) into the cue. Thus the cues actually look like this:

Cue 1
1 50
2 0
3 75

Cue 2

1 50
2 25
3 75

Cue 3

1 50
2 25
3 0


The tracking style of desk only records the changes that have been made in going from cue to cue. Thus if you are looking at the same series of cues as above, the data actually recorded in the cues would be as follows

Cue 1
1 50
2 0
3 75

Cue 2

2 25


Cue 3

3 0

Data from channel 1 "tracks" through and when cue 3 is played, you still see the same look on stage, just that the data is recorded differently.

This is a significantly different way of thinking than the Express works. That is not to say that you can't record in cue-only mode on the ION, because you can, only that in it's "Natural habitat" its a tracking desk.

Some people are going to have a much harder time wrapping their head around Tracking rather than the syntax change in Congo world. Either way you go, the desk will typically come with a factory certified person doing the training, so you will have that going for it. Plus you will have ETC's support behind the product as well.

In each of their respective versions are priced about the same (more or less) so that isn't much of a consideration in the comparison's between the two.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to help you as best I can.

Jeff

[Lightingguy32]

I would say the ETC Ion because it has syntax close to (very similar) to the expression series. The congo Jr. I have heard has a some what difficult syntax to pick up due to being "reverse polish" and it's learning curve is a little higher.

[zac850]

I'd personally go with the Ion as opposed to the Congo Jr. The RPN isn't ALL that hard to learn, it takes a bit of time to get used to, but the learning curve isn't all that difficult. Even so, the Ion seems a little more intuitive to use. When I learned the Ion it was rather straight forward, whereas when I was learning Congo Jr I had to wrap my mind around a few new concepts (it deals with cues slightly differently, chases and effects are different as well). The Congo is more for a concert situation, while the Ion is better (IMHO) for a more theatrical setting.

If you had a larger rig of movers I'd say go with the Congo, but for just 5 movers, I think the Ion will be more then powerful enough.

I suppose though, it comes down to what you will be using it for. The Ion has some very nice, very powerful move-while-dark abilities (channel 1 mark q17) which is very good for theatrical venues. The Congo would be better for a massive rock show.

[Brilliant2007]

I have not used the ION but I have been through full EOS training with ETC at the factory and it is a wonderful system. You also want to consider where you will be in a few years and what your future needs will be. Will you add forty movers to your inventory within a year or two? When you are spending between $20,000 and $40,000 for a console, you want it to last and meet your needs for a while. A couple other brands to consider if you are planning on adding more automated stuff in the future...Avolites, Compulite, and MA Lighting.