Sayen
Active Member
Tuesday I have a meeting to propose to the financial people that we purchase a new lighting console, and convert our Innovator into a paperweight. I'm on my fourth version of the Innovator 600, and am continually disappointed and frustrated by the poor software and design of this console. What I'm wondering is why people like this console? I've seen several posts in the last few weeks where people were almost cheerful about the existence of their console.
For straight conventional lighting control, the console is decent. All four that I have used have a tendency to lock up when using the number pad, but they did do what they were supposed to do. For movers or any other DMX controlled devices, the console is hit or miss. It won't record movers into cues reliably, or effects, and that to me defeats the entire purpose of this particular console - blending conventional control with basic movers.
Don't even start down the road of a lack of 'Record Only' function. Once you assign DMX devices, they're programmed into every subsequent cue, sub, or group, whether you like it or not. If you remove or change a device, it often involves the console automatically deleting your cue or sub.
It's the same price as an ION (ballpark) or equivalent Strand, but has almost twice the footprint on my desk. Only uses floppy disks for data transfer, and only stores on the console one show at a time. Even the keyboard connection on the back is non-standard (whatever the name is, it's one size larger than a PS2 connection).
Leviton tech support might call you back the same day you call for help, but the last time I called I had to train their guy on how to access the screen I was having trouble with. Needless to say he was not able to help me.
My own frustrations stem from lockups, programming difficulties, and the tendency for the memory to do strange things with DMX devices. I've had submasters swap, or effects run different channels than those programmed, and devices just flat out refuse to run in cues.
This is for a community theater with moving devices, not the school where I work full time.
I'm not trying to blast the console or the brand, but I really am curious why people like this console - and maybe there's something I'm missing that I should be aware of before my meeting this week. From a management perspective one console is the same as another, so they're going to grill me a bit.
For straight conventional lighting control, the console is decent. All four that I have used have a tendency to lock up when using the number pad, but they did do what they were supposed to do. For movers or any other DMX controlled devices, the console is hit or miss. It won't record movers into cues reliably, or effects, and that to me defeats the entire purpose of this particular console - blending conventional control with basic movers.
Don't even start down the road of a lack of 'Record Only' function. Once you assign DMX devices, they're programmed into every subsequent cue, sub, or group, whether you like it or not. If you remove or change a device, it often involves the console automatically deleting your cue or sub.
It's the same price as an ION (ballpark) or equivalent Strand, but has almost twice the footprint on my desk. Only uses floppy disks for data transfer, and only stores on the console one show at a time. Even the keyboard connection on the back is non-standard (whatever the name is, it's one size larger than a PS2 connection).
Leviton tech support might call you back the same day you call for help, but the last time I called I had to train their guy on how to access the screen I was having trouble with. Needless to say he was not able to help me.
My own frustrations stem from lockups, programming difficulties, and the tendency for the memory to do strange things with DMX devices. I've had submasters swap, or effects run different channels than those programmed, and devices just flat out refuse to run in cues.
This is for a community theater with moving devices, not the school where I work full time.
I'm not trying to blast the console or the brand, but I really am curious why people like this console - and maybe there's something I'm missing that I should be aware of before my meeting this week. From a management perspective one console is the same as another, so they're going to grill me a bit.
If I did, we would be looking to replace rather quickly.
