Looking for a lighting console in the 20K range. Will be using it to control elations moving heads, martin auras, knockoff moving heads, strobes and maybe a led wall in the future. I'm looking at the grandma ultra-light, hog 4 and chamsys mq100. I will mostly be using this for myself but am considering doing some cross rentals to supplement income. What are your thoughts? Thanks.
Lighting Consoles for 20K
- Thread starterjohnnynyc
- Start date
tomthetechie
Member
Judge
Active Member
My desks of choice are usually Avolites, the Sapphire is an excellent desk, well worth having a look at. I also really like ChamSys products and used them almost exclusively for a couple of years. I would not consider the MQ100 or MQ200 because they are really old and have actually been retired and the new MQ500 is taking the place - of both of them as far as I can see. Dual HD screens, latest software, really nice control surface. I had a play with one at PLASA last month - its very sleek and incredibly useful, powerful and easy to use.
Its not actually available yet though - probably will be out early next year.
All these boards are superb tools for the job but have different ways of going about things. If it willbe mostly you using it then play with them all. Go on training courses. See which you get on with the best.
Its not actually available yet though - probably will be out early next year.
All these boards are superb tools for the job but have different ways of going about things. If it willbe mostly you using it then play with them all. Go on training courses. See which you get on with the best.
WayfarerAM
Member
jxgriffi
Active Member
For me...for the price range, I'd go Hog or Avo.
I'm in the same boat...I can't do a Ultralight Ma2. You lose way too many things to get down to the price level. Motorized faders, the screen directly above the faders (which you really need)...conveniences yes, but needed.
I'm a Hog guy for the most part but also program Ma2's.
But like everyone has said...get in touch with vendors and play with all of them. It will be apparent to how you operate as to what works for you.
I'm in the same boat...I can't do a Ultralight Ma2. You lose way too many things to get down to the price level. Motorized faders, the screen directly above the faders (which you really need)...conveniences yes, but needed.
I'm a Hog guy for the most part but also program Ma2's.
But like everyone has said...get in touch with vendors and play with all of them. It will be apparent to how you operate as to what works for you.
Judge
Active Member
Judge
Active Member
I was just looking at the differences between MA2 Light and MA2 ultralight. The chief differences seem to be that the ultralight does not have a screen above the masters. Thats right. So you have no visual representation of what is on them. And no motorised faders. That I can deal with - no worries, but no second screen? Really? How much do they cost? $100 bucks or so.
And yet the price difference is $55k vs $30k
Might be worth thinking about. Especially given that a Full Boar 4 is around $25k.
And yet the price difference is $55k vs $30k
Might be worth thinking about. Especially given that a Full Boar 4 is around $25k.
I think you're ideas about what the desks cost is a little bit high.
jxgriffi
Active Member
Actually...no they aren't. While, yes, I'm quoting list prices and no one pays list (or at least they shouldn't)...
From the ACT Lighting website...
120111 grandMA2 full-size - 8,192 Parameter Lighting Console $75,000.00
120112 grandMA2 light - 4,096 Parameter Lighting Console $55,000.00
120113 grandMA2 ultra-light - 4,096 Parameter Lighting Console $30,500.00
I did but the screens are to small and I don;t think it will do well for dry rentals. Most people only want the ma2 versions.
I don't think any of those will bring you much, if any crossrental buisness.
Adding an external ELO touchscreen fixes most of the UltraLights downfalls, but it's still not at all rider friendly and there will be no cross rental market.
What you loose in an ultra light is the following
-one 15" touch screen
-built in keyboard
-1 row of executor buttons (they share the same PCB as the beyboard)
-motorized faders
-dimmer wheel
If you are okay with these hardware limitations, its a great control system. If you can stretch your budget, or hunt around for a while you might find a Light in your price range, and those are pretty rider friendly; you could make $2-300 an a dry rental.
The roadhog 4 seems like a lot of desk for the price, not real sure about cross rentals though, it seems like most people IF they want a hog, also need a playback wing, but both should fit in your budget.
Camsys- The MQ100/200/300 are discontinued, and I dont think f the 500 is shipping yet.
I saw an M6 out on a tour recently, it looked like a pretty cool desk, if not a little odd in layout, but it might be worth a look.
Adding an external ELO touchscreen fixes most of the UltraLights downfalls, but it's still not at all rider friendly and there will be no cross rental market.
What you loose in an ultra light is the following
-one 15" touch screen
-built in keyboard
-1 row of executor buttons (they share the same PCB as the beyboard)
-motorized faders
-dimmer wheel
If you are okay with these hardware limitations, its a great control system. If you can stretch your budget, or hunt around for a while you might find a Light in your price range, and those are pretty rider friendly; you could make $2-300 an a dry rental.
The roadhog 4 seems like a lot of desk for the price, not real sure about cross rentals though, it seems like most people IF they want a hog, also need a playback wing, but both should fit in your budget.
Camsys- The MQ100/200/300 are discontinued, and I dont think f the 500 is shipping yet.
I saw an M6 out on a tour recently, it looked like a pretty cool desk, if not a little odd in layout, but it might be worth a look.
soundlight
Well-Known Member
I highly recommend the Martin M6. The Martin M-Series are my second choice after MA2, and are great for busking. It's very easy to learn, and I'm a big fan of the way the M-series handles effects. You can swap the submaster module for the T-bar module so the subs are down on the surface and the T-bar is up center. You can also move the subs and/or T-bar to the end of the desk. It's modular like that.
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