Control/Dimming - Need new Lighting board ideas

[SouthFloridaSFX]

We need to replace our current lighting board. I was looking at the express 24/48 but was told that its being discontinued. Looking for something similar?! Any ideas. Really just need a 24/48 board w/ a few subs.

[icewolf08]

Well, we have had like three threads on this subject in the past month, so you might want to try a search. Everyone will jump on my for this, but if you want to stay with ETC then what you want is ION. ION is the replacement for the Express line, and for only slightly more than the cost of an Express, Ion brings you much more.

However, if you like the feeling of having lots of faders you might want to look into the Strand Palette line. I also have heard that Strand is planning on launching a new console at LDI that will be priced around $6K and will be direct competition to Ion.

[gafftaper]

There have been several topics like this lately so do some searching. The Express although the most popular console of all time has been discontinued after about 15 years in service. The folks at ETC feel that there is no longer a need for a two scene preset console in the modern lighting world and they are not directly replacing the Express (I agree with them 100% on that idea by the way). ETC has replaced Express with an extremely simplified product called the Smartfade or a high end replacement product called Ion. Smartfade has not impressed many of us around here. Ion is an excellent console but it may be a lot more console than you need. The Strand Palette series is an excellent alternative and they do still a two scene preset (as well as my favorite suggestion for small theaters the Basic Palette).

Other products to look at include Zero 88, Leviton, EDI, NSI all of these are going to be cheaper than ETC/Strand options. They are also much older technology. If you have any plans to use any sort of DMX controlled toys (moving lights, color scrollers, gobo rotators etc) you want to get an ETC or Strand console as the software is VASTLY superior.

Tell us more about the rest of your rig and budget. How many dimmers? What is the facility like? Quantity and type of lights you use? Do you use any DMX gear now? How likely are you to expand into the DMX world in the future?

Alex: Have you looked at Palette VL yet? If they can price it for less than Ion it's going to be a serious challenge to ETC. I'm not sure if this is the new one coming to LDI or if there is another one as well.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Alex: Have you looked at Palette VL yet? If they can price it for less than Ion it's going to be a serious challenge to ETC. I'm not sure if this is the new one coming to LDI or if there is another one as well.

I have no idea what the console is, all I know is that Bobby Harrell is coming to do the demo for us on November 11 and the console is to be launched at LDI.

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Smartfade has not impressed many of us around here.

I got to see a demo unit at USITT '05, and I had the same feelings. It's rather quite misnamed; I find it incredibly stupid to drive. I think it was their attempt to get in with the DJ-lights crowd, where the flashy multicolored light-up buttons are something people actually like.

Back to the original question, what's the existing board?

[SouthFloridaSFX]

Acclaim

[gafftaper]

Still need the basics...
How many dimmers?
How many lights in your inventory?
Do you have any DMX controlled toys? What are they? How many?
Do you plan on purchasing DMX controlled toys?
What's your ideal budget range?
Any specific things you want to do with the console or specific features (must be 2 scene preset, need 20+ submasters etc).