carmellights
Member
in my opinion never get rid of an express - they are fantastic simple flexible consoles. in my experience I go for the mfg that is going to provide best long term customer support..and that is ETC.
as far as the grant money - rather than convert everything just now - consider this. depending on the type of existing dimmer rack - if it is modular ( like a ETC sensor or Strand SV - maybe select a few circuits ( like the cyc dimmer circuits ) and buy some constant modules from your local ETC dealer. this will provide flexibility for supplying constant A/C to the new LED fixtures wherever you may mount them.
I can tell you up front you do not have enough money to replace dimming or distribution - you will tie up half of that dropping A/C circuits or reworking your electrical.
1 - look at the Opti Tri PAR LED fixture - for your short throws it is good, can nicely substitute for all your Fresnels. affordable too.
2- concentrate on changing out a " type " of conventional fixture - like all your cyc and Fresnel fixtures with LED.
3 - Wait to go after the ellipsoidal hard edge fixtures ( and their associated dimming circuits ) - something wonderful is about to happen ( I sound like the movie 2001 ) but it's true. the " Holy Grail " LED Source 4 fixture is almost here - and it will eventually change everything.
4 - DMX signal distribution out to whatever new LED fixtures you can afford will be more of an issue than anything else - look at the City Theatrical " Show Baby " wireless DMX transciever - amazing solution for 375.00 per DMX universe.
keeping the express lets you use the 2nd ( 513-1024) DMX output port for the distributed DMX to the new LED fixtures.
if there really is the catch 22 of " getting rid of " all your conventional fixtures for only 30K- doesnt make sense to pop open that can of worms - you will not get an equivilant LED package for that price installed, DMX 'd and ready to use. just go for the 14 K - that will get you about 15 Opti Tri PARS, and a good start down the road of LED conversion. next year go after another grant for more - remember to budget in a DMX cable for each LED fixture - can hurt to overlook that detail. C
as far as the grant money - rather than convert everything just now - consider this. depending on the type of existing dimmer rack - if it is modular ( like a ETC sensor or Strand SV - maybe select a few circuits ( like the cyc dimmer circuits ) and buy some constant modules from your local ETC dealer. this will provide flexibility for supplying constant A/C to the new LED fixtures wherever you may mount them.
I can tell you up front you do not have enough money to replace dimming or distribution - you will tie up half of that dropping A/C circuits or reworking your electrical.
1 - look at the Opti Tri PAR LED fixture - for your short throws it is good, can nicely substitute for all your Fresnels. affordable too.
2- concentrate on changing out a " type " of conventional fixture - like all your cyc and Fresnel fixtures with LED.
3 - Wait to go after the ellipsoidal hard edge fixtures ( and their associated dimming circuits ) - something wonderful is about to happen ( I sound like the movie 2001 ) but it's true. the " Holy Grail " LED Source 4 fixture is almost here - and it will eventually change everything.
4 - DMX signal distribution out to whatever new LED fixtures you can afford will be more of an issue than anything else - look at the City Theatrical " Show Baby " wireless DMX transciever - amazing solution for 375.00 per DMX universe.
keeping the express lets you use the 2nd ( 513-1024) DMX output port for the distributed DMX to the new LED fixtures.
if there really is the catch 22 of " getting rid of " all your conventional fixtures for only 30K- doesnt make sense to pop open that can of worms - you will not get an equivilant LED package for that price installed, DMX 'd and ready to use. just go for the 14 K - that will get you about 15 Opti Tri PARS, and a good start down the road of LED conversion. next year go after another grant for more - remember to budget in a DMX cable for each LED fixture - can hurt to overlook that detail. C