BenFranske, you did not know what the Grand MA is, but you have programmed it? You may be right with some of your comments but I have noticed over the past year or so that
Martin is slipping. That have focused so much of their engrgy to clubs and DJ's that I feel that there pro gear is not up to todays standard. For instance, that are currenly working on their version of the "PDA
DMX remote" but if you have seen any demo pics or even used it you will see that its about the size of a shoe box. I personally again have been using Grand MA's version and will soon be getting the HES version. So many people are set on
Martin gear. Now dont get me wrong, Most of their fixtures I would use any day (Maybe except the
Mac 300) But you have fixtures like the DL1 and the HES Technobeam ( I belive the technobeam is the best scanner on the market today) I don't know much about Vari*Lite fixtures because I have yet to run into them much so far. But you got alot of moving light fixtures that most people overlook. Eh, the more I read what im writing it makes it seem like I dislike
Martin. Like I said, I will use a
Martin fixture anyday, but im still not set on their
line of consoles for the most part. They just are not user freindly and dont have much support for their consoles in terms Manuals, off-line editor & visualizers. This might not mean to much to you, but I dont always have time to sit down at a
console and program it. But I do usually have time at 2AM to sit at home and program via my home computer. Heck, I just programed a show tonight via the
ETC offline edit. Now all I have to do is show up, pop my disk in, and I'll be able to run the show within the hour. I don't have to spend 4 hours on Friday sitting at a
console programming. All I have to do now is fine tune the cues and effects. You see how simple it makes life by including a free download? The Maxxyz is still a great
console. I mean how many consoles do you know of that have "
ground effects"
. Over time im sure the
console has a great chance of becoming very popular. But If you could learn any
console in and out, I would say the Hog II. You will run into that
console more times then any other
console ever made except the
ETC Express . I would download the
manual for the Maxxyz and Light Jockey (Light Jockey is just a computerized
console from
Martin and is not similar to the Maxxyz in anyway except you can
play around and program fixtures) and
play around with stuff. Everyone has different opinions on everything. Im sure you will get your time on the Maxxyz very soon. It's a great
console to know, just not one I would pick if I had a chooice at this time. I kinda went back and forth but Im sure you seem my
point and ideas. I'll try to let you know of tours that might be coming through your area that is using the Maxxyz. Glad to chat about this stuff anyday.
Nephilim, Blue Man Group is a big show. Are you talking about the latest tour (Complex) or the shows? The tour was a huge sound show and have alot of different lighting/ video applications that is not seen often. I got to say, those guys put on one heck of a show. I'll have to look into my archive of what equipment they took out with them.