your console of choice?

I'm thinking about selling off my beloved hog1000 for another console and am considering a few different options.

My Q's are: What is your console of choice? and Why?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brit Manning on January 19, 2011 at 10:17am

I've just begun learning the Ion. So far I really like it. At this point I've only dealt with conventional fixtures on it, but I'm hoping to get some multi-paramater lights hooked up soon so I can see first hand how they integrate.

terry schwartz said:

i believe the ETC EOS Family is extremely inovative. This console can do anything & Everything. ok almost, no really... so user friendly....the ION is the EOS in a smaller package. get touch screens.

Permalink Reply by Jason R on May 2, 2011 at 6:47pm

GrandMa all the way.

Permalink Reply by Axel Sundbotten on May 12, 2011 at 4:49am

GrandMA2 is THE concole, but you must spend the time nessecary to go deep into the commands and like it or not, read the whole manual and do the tutorials. Then you can make Magic Sheets (layouts), do free 3D visualisation with MA3D and export patch info to LightWright.

Permalink Reply by Kyle Bjordahl on June 21, 2011 at 4:49pm

I'm a diehard Chamsys op, mostly because it too is incredibly flexible for operation, and can be set up in so many different ways. Networking is great, support is amazing, and the hardware is very competitively priced. Most of all, I can run the MQPC software from either my Win7 tablet or my Macbook.

Not to mention they have a FREE iPhone remote.

After Chamsys, I prefer ETC, then Hog3/Hog2. Have had lots of crashing issues with the Hog.

I've only had one show on an Avo, but I liked it. Sadly, no chance yet to work an MA, but really like the hardware.

The bottom line is, every show is different, every operator is different. Hooray for diversity!

PS- Has anyone ever used the ETC Congo?

Permalink Reply by Brendan Watts on August 4, 2011 at 4:33pm

ETC ION or EOS. but if you can wait a little bit check out the new ETC GIO. basically really easy to program and run intel lights and conventionals. ive never had a problem with them and you can basically learn the basics within an hour of working with them.

Permalink Reply by Brendan Watts on August 4, 2011 at 4:35pm

Yes the congo is basically an ion but not. they can be setup with syntax like the EOS but theyre default syntax is a little backward and takes time to get used to.

Kyle Bjordahl said:

I'm a diehard Chamsys op, mostly because it too is incredibly flexible for operation, and can be set up in so many different ways. Networking is great, support is amazing, and the hardware is very competitively priced. Most of all, I can run the MQPC software from either my Win7 tablet or my Macbook.

Not to mention they have a FREE iPhone remote.

After Chamsys, I prefer ETC, then Hog3/Hog2. Have had lots of crashing issues with the Hog.

I've only had one show on an Avo, but I liked it. Sadly, no chance yet to work an MA, but really like the hardware.

The bottom line is, every show is different, every operator is different. Hooray for diversity!

PS- Has anyone ever used the ETC Congo?

Permalink Reply by JPalmerLD on August 16, 2011 at 6:43pm

The ETC Congo is not at all like an Ion or Eos. The similarities between the Ion and the Congo Jr. are purely cosmetic.

The Congo is a direct action console. The Eos/Ion series is a command line tracking console. For my money, the Congo is closer to the Expression line than the Ion is.

I love the Congo. The default programming syntax is RPN. I will grant that the syntax is not one which most North American programmers are familiar. I learned/adjusted to its syntax in about the same time that it takes to learn to program a new console. There are things that you can do with few keystrokes that make busking a show on the console very easy.

These days, I program on three platforms primarily: Expression, Congo, Avolites Diamond 4. The Congo is the only console that I would want with me on a desert island. I can do any type of show on the Congo with any amount of multi-attribute fixtures. If I need to busk a show, 40 masters/page and 5 pages of 40 direct selects give me instant access to my rig with out having to take my eyes off the stage. If I need to program a cued show, I can put a sequence on the main playback and sit back and take my cues. Adjust a cue as it is running, the rate thrusters are right above the "GO". If I want to run the sequence with manual fades, I just run the crossfader from preset to preset.

Take care,

John

Permalink Reply by Speedy Gonzales on October 21, 2011 at 3:10pm

there is No console that compares to the GrandMA. thats all i have to say about that.