Really low end console

Lextech

Well-Known Member
Okay I am completely out of my comfort zone here. I am trying to help a small camp out with specing a small lighting rig and am having a hard time finding a basic console that has the ability to program cues. Does anyone know of a sub $1000 board that will do the following things:

Program cues
Run LED fixtures
Hardware based, no iOS or computer products
Be simple enough for HS kids to run

Thanks in advance,

John
 
You might try and find an old Leprechon 612/624, or an ETC Express. Not sure if you can get those used at an affordable price. Most of the sub $1000 control out there is aimed at DJs, and most of them don't care about a cue stack. You'll see a lot of chase and flash, but nothing as controlled as you'd like.

Could you define small? If you can get away with using some sort of two scene preset, or work with your scenes on sliders, the Elation Scene Setter 24, or the Scene Setter 48. The problem with these is that they don't give you a cue list. They only give you access to scenes programmed one to a fader. They also don't have specific control over LEDs, so you would just have to have them manually controlled via faders. They aren't a perfect situation, but they are pretty cheap.
 
I know you said no computer based, but for less than $300 you could have a LightFactory setup with a MIDI fader control board.

http://www.lightfactory.net/shopping_cart/?mPath=7&

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/nanoKON2bk

All you need is a computer running Win7, you can get that stripped down version of LightFactory that includes the USB-DMX dongle and plug in as many of those nanoKontrol boards as you'd like. They output midi and can be used to control pretty much everything in the software.

If you've got another reason for no computer I get it, but this setup will give you the physical handles you need and is incredibly cheap for as potent a controller as LF is.
 
Also look at ETC Smartfade 1248 if it's enough channels.
http://www.lighttrader.com/Controll...bNEBeWUVwjpSKuL28ufZgOa__IV3GEK5VHBoCiLjw_wcB

Or probably the cheapest non-pc solution Scene Setter 48. Chauvet probably makes one that is similar on paper.
http://www.elationlighting.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=1180&MainId=1&Category=Controllers Distributed By American DJ

While I'm usually a proponent for PC solution instead of an underpowered hardware board, for a camp, the elation is honestly the most intuitive option; a fader for every control channel. A PC solution can work miracles for experienced users with a budget below their expertise, but for a general purpose board I'd go for cheap self-explanatory hardware that you can afford to replace if it gets soda spilled on it.
 
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The mention of LEDS worries me. A conventional 12/24 board will run out of channels VERY quickly.

Look at the Jands Stage CL. It lists a bit out of your range but would be far more suitable than a DJ board or software with a steep learning curve.
 
I am a big fan of the ETC Expression 3.

https://www.usedlighting.com/22823/etc-expression-3

Solid as a rock, easy to use, has the more advance capabilities for expandability, and has encoders. These can be used with LED's or Movers. It is 500$ more than your budget, but I feel its the best deal you can receive in this price range.
 
I am a big fan of the ETC Expression 3.

https://www.usedlighting.com/22823/etc-expression-3

Solid as a rock, easy to use, has the more advance capabilities for expandability, and has encoders. These can be used with LED's or Movers. It is 500$ more than your budget, but I feel its the best deal you can receive in this price range.
Note about the Expression 3s, my experience had almost always been bad memory due to age (with the 2 I have used), so be sure to get a UPS and a healthy supply of floppies if you go this route....
 
Program cues
Run LED fixtures
Hardware based, no iOS or computer products
Be simple enough for HS kids to run

I don't think this is possible under about $2000. Possibly if someone is selling a used console like an Element or a newer Strand unit. PC-based systems like Light Factory and using PC-wings like the ENTTEC wing make a system possible under $1000 that does what you want, and you can get it set up by an expert so that the kids (and you) will have no troubles operating it. But with no computer products, you're pretty much out of luck on a real console that meets all three of your requirements. Frankly, I think you can meet any three of your four requests under $1000, but not all 4. Sorry!
 
I'm getting the Jands Stage CL for an LED rig. They do profess to run conventionals too. Price is around $1500. Some software revisions have given it up to 24 fader channels. Check it out and see what you think.

http://jands.com/stage-cl/

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Lextech,
How many/what type of LED's are you looking to run? How many conventionals?
No conventionals, a dozen, simple LED units, no movers. Blizzard or similar fixtures are what I am looking at.

And Blackfaer, I'm not worried about me running it, if I have a manual, I can run anything. I just need something that high school kids can figure out. And they won't read a manual. My problem is I have not done small system design in twenty plus years. Since we have people here who don't have the big toys I thought I might find a lead, my local sources are very limited.

I'll check out the jands and see if I can make it work.
 
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with 12 units (assuming 6 channels each?) then yes the Jands seems like the only option presented so far that will physically be able to control. If you were to group some or run in 3 channel mode, then Scene Setter 48 would technically be able to control them but not as easily as the Jands.

I've used the Jands CL with LED's and the HVS algorithm it uses really only operates with RGB. So if you are going for ease of use I'd put any LED into RGB or RGBI mode if using the Jands.
 
If you have any questions about operating the StageCL, feel free to ask!

The 1.3 software gives you 24 fixtures of control, and an additional two functions on top of color and intensity (ie. zoom and strobe)
 

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