Derek’s response to the new ETC Ion Lighting Control Console, baby-EOS or not? 08/21/2007
First, an attempt at humor. Definition. An "Ion" is what happens when you take all the functionality of an Express away from an Expression. The result is the Ion, pronounced “shun,” as in, “I shun ETC’s new console--I won’t use it.” But I called the first Obsession the “Excessive,” and the Obsession II “that Star Trek board.” I believe the Expression family has achieved status of “the best-selling console ever built.” Did I read that somewhere or am I hallucinating? Help me out here, farmerjo1111, [or Sarah?] The Ion is positioned to replace the Expression3 and soon, the Express. I believe there's a typo on the webpage under "Ion Software Features" where it says "Data import from...Express/ion...". Even ETC admits it’s the hind end of an Expression.
I disagree with most of you; except gafftaper, jezza, and Icewolf08, you’re all spot on. If you ONLY use dimmers, buy/rent an Express or Expression3, depending on amount of dimmers you need to control. If you currently use now, or ever anticipate using >10 moving lights, buy/rent a REAL Moving Light Console: something from the families of grandMA, HogIII, or MAXXIS. (or Vista, some seem to like that one : )
Moving Light Consoles can control dimmers really well, but the Reverse is definitely NOT true. You know what I mean. Dimmer Consoles don't/can’t control Moving Lights well.
My first memory console was the Strand-Century Light Palette v4J in 1979. In 1985, I ran some of the first moving lights in Chicago: Prestige 1000 controlling PanCans. I love and have been using ETC consoles since the original Vision and Expression I. But I would not recommend ANY of their consoles to run moving lights, even the EOS. I’ve done up to 24 movers on an Expression 3 and it took easily four times as long to program a 35-minute musical review as it would have on a Hog II.
The only gray area I see is small productions/theatres wanting to use <10 movers. An Express or Expression3 will work, but it will be tedious and time-consuming, depending on the design of course. Perhaps the Ion would fit the bill here. But it will still be tedious! At least it has palettes, but only one cuelist active at a time.
I just worked on a corporate show with 340 movers, >10 media servers, and 240 dimmers. Consoles used were two grandMA full-size(s) and one Express 250, because it had lots of submasters the LD could run. I would have probably spec’d an Insight3.
There’s a reason Broadway and Las Vegas shows used to use both an Obsession and a Hog II; and now use Obsession II (maybe EOS, Strand 550i) and GrandMA (maybe HogIII, Virtuoso); again, best tool(s) for the job.
Your mileage may vary. I miss the Kliegl Performer, the first mass-produced moving light console.
First, an attempt at humor. Definition. An "Ion" is what happens when you take all the functionality of an Express away from an Expression. The result is the Ion, pronounced “shun,” as in, “I shun ETC’s new console--I won’t use it.” But I called the first Obsession the “Excessive,” and the Obsession II “that Star Trek board.” I believe the Expression family has achieved status of “the best-selling console ever built.” Did I read that somewhere or am I hallucinating? Help me out here, farmerjo1111, [or Sarah?] The Ion is positioned to replace the Expression3 and soon, the Express. I believe there's a typo on the webpage under "Ion Software Features" where it says "Data import from...Express/ion...". Even ETC admits it’s the hind end of an Expression.
I disagree with most of you; except gafftaper, jezza, and Icewolf08, you’re all spot on. If you ONLY use dimmers, buy/rent an Express or Expression3, depending on amount of dimmers you need to control. If you currently use now, or ever anticipate using >10 moving lights, buy/rent a REAL Moving Light Console: something from the families of grandMA, HogIII, or MAXXIS. (or Vista, some seem to like that one : )
Moving Light Consoles can control dimmers really well, but the Reverse is definitely NOT true. You know what I mean. Dimmer Consoles don't/can’t control Moving Lights well.
My first memory console was the Strand-Century Light Palette v4J in 1979. In 1985, I ran some of the first moving lights in Chicago: Prestige 1000 controlling PanCans. I love and have been using ETC consoles since the original Vision and Expression I. But I would not recommend ANY of their consoles to run moving lights, even the EOS. I’ve done up to 24 movers on an Expression 3 and it took easily four times as long to program a 35-minute musical review as it would have on a Hog II.
The only gray area I see is small productions/theatres wanting to use <10 movers. An Express or Expression3 will work, but it will be tedious and time-consuming, depending on the design of course. Perhaps the Ion would fit the bill here. But it will still be tedious! At least it has palettes, but only one cuelist active at a time.
I just worked on a corporate show with 340 movers, >10 media servers, and 240 dimmers. Consoles used were two grandMA full-size(s) and one Express 250, because it had lots of submasters the LD could run. I would have probably spec’d an Insight3.
There’s a reason Broadway and Las Vegas shows used to use both an Obsession and a Hog II; and now use Obsession II (maybe EOS, Strand 550i) and GrandMA (maybe HogIII, Virtuoso); again, best tool(s) for the job.
Your mileage may vary. I miss the Kliegl Performer, the first mass-produced moving light console.
