Control/Dimming A simple or fancy DMX board? Help!

[northcoastlts]

Greetings, all,
Our theater group just purchased 24 channels of new DMX/Analog dimmers, and now are looking to replace the old analog board. We can go with a DMX only board, but are overwhelmed by the choices. There also are two catagories; DMX boards under $1000 and DMX boards at $2000+. What the heck's the difference (memory? one-button cueing?).
What kind should a small theater group get, anyway? Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot.

 

[Footer]

Read through this thread: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/14564-help-me-pick-console.html as well as the threads that are linked there. What we need from you is your ideal budget, what kind of operator will be working with the console, what kind of shows you do, and how many dimmers you have and want to have in the future.

You are right there is a price gap there. You should be able to get the right console for you for under 5k new, 1-2k used.

 

[lightingguy1]

May I suggest an ETC smartfade board.

Lighting solutions for Theatre, Film & Television Studios and Architectural spaces : ETC

It as a Cue stack and memory Playbacks. Doesn't have Submasters.....

I love my Submasters....


Meaning I hate Smartfade. But LOVE my Expression 3




Thnx
-Lightingguy1

 

[northcoastlts]

Read through this thread: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/14564-help-me-pick-console.html as well as the threads that are linked there. What we need from you is your ideal budget, what kind of operator will be working with the console, what kind of shows you do, and how many dimmers you have and want to have in the future.

Our ideal budget is around 1-3K$. Used equipment would be OK if dependable. Operators are used to a 24-channel analog board with X-Y faders. Many of the operators are high school kids learning about theater. We have 24 dimmers now, and plan to expand to 36; probably not more than that.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Les]

Perhaps you should look in to the zero88 Jester 12/24, 24/48 or TLXtra. They are harder to find, but they're good consoles. I like the TLXtra because it has 10-key data entry.

Zero 88

Lighting Desks:
Zero 88: Theatrical - Controls: Zero 88 Lighting Desks