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Lighting Consoles

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This month’s Buyer’s Guide covers Lighting Consoles & Accessories from a variety of manufacturers and distributors. We encourage you to go to the company websites and explore their full range of solutions.

ADJ Lighting: LINK

LINK is a 4-universe controller designed to control compatible DMX devices with control from the dedicated Airstream DMX LINK iOS App for iPad. LINK can connect to an iPad wirelessly or hardwired. When connected wirelessly, LINK creates a private standalone 2.4 or 5 GHz DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) Wi-Fi network between an iPad and LINK console, which can coexist in busy RF environments alongside other wireless technologies. Connecting wirelessly will also allow you to undock the iPad and remotely control, program and playback your light show.

www.adj.com/link

Altman Lighting: Genesis Console

The Genesis Lighting Control Console combines the ease of use of a fader-based lighting controller with the power of a touch screen graphical user interface. A 7” capacitive touch screen provides a powerful user interface with the familiarity and comfort of today’s smart phones, making it easy to control. The Genesis can control up to 24 individual fixture groups over 512 control channels with 100 Cue Lists with up to 1,000 cues or effects.

www.altmanlighting.com

Avolites: Diamond 9

Avolites’ new flagship console Diamond 9 includes 11 screens, with the option of 2 additional external screens, all new controls, and unique media integration that intuitively combines control of all visual aspects of the show. The D9 programming and control surface features three 15.6” 1,000nits touchscreens, three 4.3″ 1,000nits media preview touchscreens, 5 +1 attribute wheels, an X/Y/Z optical trackball, a vertical level wheel, a T-bar with 5 control buttons and a color LCD screen, 70 optical rotary encoders with 72 Cherry MX low profile illuminated programming keys, 30 + 2 motorized and touch-sensitive Penny and Giles faders, 70 optical high-res rotary faders, and 180 short-travel flash buttons with positive haptics.

www.avolites.com

Baxter Controls, Inc.: BestBoy2 Pocket Console Wireless DMX

The Wireless BestBoy2 Transmitter & Receiver are designed for wireless communication of the ANSI E1.11 – DMX512-A protocol over the LumenRadio CRMX™ 2.4 GHz link between the two devices. The transmitter and receiver can both operate using included wall wart power supplies, a 9-volt battery, or a combination of the two. The BestBoy2 Pocket Console DMX comes with the Playback-8 firmware, capable of driving one universe of DMX through its discrete 8 Channels that can then be recorded into 8 Submasters as well.

www.thepocketconsole.com

Blizzard Lighting: Enigma™ M4

Blizzard’s Enigma™ M4 allows real-time control of 4 universes (Art-Net) or 2 universes via DMX with a 7” TFT-LCD touch screen & fully loaded keypad command section; control panel provides 3-color adjustable backlit buttons, 4 backlit encoders, 15 linear faders (+40 pages) & 20 playback keys (+20 pages) to make programming a breeze. Enigma™ M4 offers MIDI I/O to connect alongside other consoles or trigger FX using an external MIDI device. It’s equipped with an internal HDD to backup/store show data and has a USB port to connect other storage devices, plus a large fixture profile library.

www.blizzardpro.com

ChamSys: MagicQ MQ250

MagicQ MQ250M Stadium combines a high capacity of show control with portability for a complete on-the-go console solution. MQ250M has the ability to control up to 128 universes without any additional processing equipment with the ready-to-go MagicQ software you are already familiar with. Ten backlit and motorized faders and 10 backlit playback encoders with executors give you a lot of programming real estate in the small frame MQ250M is designed in.

www.ChamSysLighting.com

ETC, Inc.: Eos Apex

ETC’s flagship Eos Apex consoles enhance the familiar Eos interface with industry-leading hardware built for comfort and customization. Features include generous 4K displays, haptic-feedback touchscreens and encoders, Target Keys, book lights, charging ports, motorized playbacks (5, 10 or 20) with dedicated scroll wheels, and a flexible I/O Garage to mix and match outputs. Within the desk, the Eos software—the product of two decades of ongoing development—boasts a 3D-programming and visualization suite, interactive Magic Sheets, award-winning color tools, a full effects suite, and more.

www.etcconnect.com

High End Systems: Hog 4-18

The flagship console of the Hog family, the Hog 4-18, is designed for the largest stadium shows, theme park installations, and concert tours. With 16 universes of onboard processing and 8,192 output channels—expandable with DP8K processors—Hog 4-18 shines in any environment requiring a multi console setup and networking. Hog 4-18 embraces the latest technology while retaining the familiar control surface of previous generations. Programmers will power through cueing sessions using touchscreens, high resolution encoders, jog wheel shuttle, LCD keys, and motorized faders. Includes 18.5” multi-touch screens, an updated industrial design with aluminum encoder knobs, and integrated accessory mounts.

www.etcconnect.com

MA Lighting: grandMA3 onPC Software

The grandMA3 onPC range offers powerful and easy to use solutions that are a cost-effective entry into the professional lighting world of MA Lighting. It consists of two components—the free-of-cost, easy-to-install-and-use grandMA3 onPC software for OS X and Windows, plus the powerful and large range of onPC hardware solutions. The reliable, flexible, and intuitive grandMA3 software allows for full performance of the grandMA3 range with up to 4,096 parameters. It’s a safe and expandable investment for sensitive budgets who need a solution today. MA Lighting products are distributed in North America by ACT Entertainment.

www.actentertainment.com

MEGA-LITE: MEGA CONSOLE

The MEGA CONSOLE is the first console to feature three control platforms in one package, including Lumen8, Enlighten, and Disco. The software programs range from a simplified introduction to the control platform to advanced production and theatrical control. All three programs include simple fixture profile builder, multi-universe output via Art-Net, direct fader channel programming, and simplified built-in 3D visualizer. With this console, suppliers are now able to inventory one unit and still be able to offer it to a variety of customers including those in the club, event venues, Houses of Worship, production and theater industry.

www.mega.lighting

Obsidian Control Systems: NX1

The NX1™ is an ultra-compact yet full-featured lighting controller designed to handle a variety of shows using the full ONYX Operating System. Designed for smaller to medium projects where an intuitive console is needed without a PC, this small yet powerful console offers a slate of professional features and can process 8 Universes right inside the console. Features include 10.1” HD multi-touch screen + 1 HDMI output for extra monitor, 10 Motorized Playbacks, 10 Playback / Function Hybrids, 4 Encoders, Master Go section. It is expandable with a playback wing (NX P) and 10-digit keypad (NX K).

www.obsidiancontrol.com

Pathway Connectivity: Cognito2 Theatrical Console

The Congnito2 is a theatrical controller that delivers advanced control of incandescent dimmers, moving lights, and color-changing LED fixtures using Task Oriented Navigation and Natural Language Control, which uses “real world” terms and labels rather than slot numbers and data-level values. Supports E1.31 sACN, Pathport Protocol, Art-Net and KiNET DMX-over-Ethernet protocols. Continually updated fixture library, currently with over 3,600 commonly available, multi-attribute lights. Ideal for small and medium size venues, such as school theaters, cafetoriums, and Houses of Worship.

www.pathwayconnect.com

Vari-Lite: Neo X15 Console

Running the mature Neo platform, the X15 console is perfect for both theatrical and live event lighting. Neo software includes an advanced effects engine that supports pixel mapping, media playback, timelines, and more. The X15 is designed for flexibility, offering 15 multifunctional motorized playbacks and backlit encoders, and can output over 50,000 channels out of the box. The intuitive hardware layout includes two built-in monitors and a soft touch control screen, rugged metal chassis with a powerful processor and premium components, including backlit Cherry keys, Bourns faders, and Neutrik connectors.

www.vari-lite.com

Vista by Chroma-Q: Vista EX Control Surface

The Vista EX control surface provides large amounts of physical control within a compact footprint, capable of delivering small to large-scale shows. Featuring 12 customizable playback faders and 60 assignable buttons to ensure that you have enough hands-on control for even the most demanding of shows, while providing the flexibility to adapt to any genre of production or event. It also features 4 function keys, which, when combined, offer up to 300 user-definable actions per page, providing unrivalled control from a unit that is so small.

www.vistabychromaq.com

 

NEXT MONTH

Ensure your IP65 or higher Luminaire product is included in the January Buyer’s Guide by contacting PLSN Co-Editor Michael S. Eddy at [email protected].