1 of 10
Avolites / Quartz Lighting Console
2 of 10
[8.] LSC Lighting Systems Mantra
3 of 10
[9.] MA Lighting grandMA2
4 of 10
[10.] Martin Professional M-Touch & [11.] Mega Systems Enlighten One
5 of 10
[4.] High End Systems HedgeHog4
6 of 10
[12.] Pathway Connectivity Choreo & [13.] Philips Strand Lighting NEO Lighting Control Console
7 of 10
[6.] Leprecon XC-350
8 of 10
[7.] Lightronics SC810 Programmable Architectural Controller
9 of 10
[3.] ETC ETCnomad
10 of 10
[5.] Jands Vista L5
With the holidays freshly behind us, we only need to close our eyes to picture all those lights—in our productions and everywhere else we went. So what better time to do an update on lighting console technology?
CPM contacted some major lighting console manufacturers, asking about their latest control options for houses of worship. The wide variety of responses range from smaller architectural controllers that have the flexibility to drive 512 channels of lighting to high-end consoles that also have software-based solutions. Some are new, some are well established with updates—but all can find a home in houses of worship from small to large.
(Consoles listed alphabetically by company name.)
[1.] Avolites Arena
The Avolites Arena is designed for applications where a larger control surface is required. It combines the popular interface of the Tiger Touch II with more live control than ever before. Alongside the main display, a second touch screen provides an additional workspace window, also labelling the adjacent macro buttons and rotary pots. These fully assignable playback encoder pots allow intuitive control of channels and effects. The six LCD screens display electronic legends for 30 faders for speedy access to all your playbacks, fixtures and palettes. Offering seamless multi-user compatibility, the Arena can be used as an extra programming surface allowing multiple Titan programmers to program a service simultaneously.
MSRP: Touring Package from $21,995
(631) 396-0184 www.avolites.com
[2.] ChamSys MQ40N
LEDs, moving lights, projectors and screens—users must be able to control complex equipment quickly with a proven solution. The company reports that, using its consoles, software or PC wing solutions, techs can quickly program lighting and video and reduce operation to a simple touch screen interface appropriate for volunteers. Its free software works on Mac, Windows, or Linux. USB to DMX adapters start at $15 (all 64 universes can be output via network). The software includes a free 3D visualizer, free eight-layer HD media server and free built-in 2D/3D pixel mapping.
MSRP: Starting at $1,250
[3.] ETC ETCnomad
ETCnomad provides full lighting control from a user's PC, Mac, or dedicated ETCnomad Puck computer. The powerful Eos family software reportedly provides professional-grade control over cue lists, effects, pixel mapping, media servers and moving lights, plus intuitive, award-winning color controls for LEDs. For the novice user, digital workspaces can be customized to control any rig with the click of a few buttons. Need fast, hands-on programming? Connect via USB to the Eos Programming Wing, a full console face panel that can be easily carried from room to room or set up off-site for special events, the company reports.
MSRP: POR
(Pricing on request – contact your local ETC dealer for pricing)
[4.] High End Systems HedgeHog4
(Distributed by Elation Professional)
HedgeHog 4 consoles (4 II, 4N II, 4S and 4X), are the smallest members of High End Systems' Hog family. Featuring the familiar programming, interface and user-friendly control surface that have made the Hog series so popular, the HedgeHog 4s are powerful, self-contained lighting controllers with a built-in computer running Hog 4 OS software. They all share the same chassis but provide four levels of feature sets, enabling customers to buy the platform right for their application and unlocking additional features when necessary, without the need to invest in new hardware. All models are designed for small- to mid-level venues/shows.
MSRP: $6,400-$9,995
[5.] Jands Vista L5
The award winning, volunteer-friendly Jands Vista lighting console reportedly brings a whole new world of power and simplicity to the control of lighting and media technologies in the worship environment. The console is designed to allow users of all levels, from volunteers to professionals, to get the most from whatever mix of technology they have available, whether dimmers, moving lights, LED, or media. Available in a range of software and hardware options, Vista V2 offers both the simplicity to work fast with the power to control the finest details, so everyone can focus on creating a great looking event rather than on programming a desk, Jands reports.
MSRP: $1,395-$36,500
[6.] Leprecon XC-350
The XC-350 lighting console from Leprecon is designed to easily control LED, intelligent, and conventional fixtures. The XC-350 is reportedly equally at home running improvised performances in live events and production to tightly scripted theatrical shows for houses of worship. Using the LPC Linux-based software, the XC provides an easy-to-use interface for controlling LED fixtures using large edge wheel encoders, and direct access color, beam, and position label keys. Create and recall looks on 480 submasters, 120 stacking playbacks, cue list with over 9,000 cues, and the effects engine. The XC has two DMX ports, an Ethernet (ArtNet) port for 2,048 DMX channels, three USB ports, and a port for a monitor. A monitor is required for use, and an ELO touch screen is available as an option.
MSRP: $7,294-$8,732
[7.] Lightronics SC810 Programmable Architectural Controller
The SC810 is a compact and simple-to-use DMX controller and scene playback device, capable of local, independent control of 512 channels of DMX and 18 user defined, recordable scenes, the company reports. This device can be programmed as a standalone device or connect to a DMX chain with another controller and can snapshot up to 18 scenes to be recalled at the push of a button or slide of a fader.
The SC810 is available in either a wall-mount or desktop version. The SC810 is reportedly the ideal solution for any installation requiring seamless architectural control of DMX512 lighting systems, controlling LED and conventional lighting or as a backup to larger lighting consoles.
MSRP: $1,329
[8.] LSC Lighting Systems Mantra
Mantra combines the ease of use of a fader-based console with the power of a touch screen graphical user interface to give full control of dimmers, LEDs and moving lights. The software shows the user what to do next, ensuring an easy learning curve for even the novice user, the company reports.
The unique Animate feature reportedly quickly creates chases and patterns with just three button presses. An Undo command system, context sensitive Help, 100 cuelists or chases of up to 250 cues each, and Live time controls reportedly help to ensure that Mantra is as powerful as it is simple.
MSRP: $2,795
[9.] MA Lighting grandMA2
The grandMA2 is a powerful and sophisticated lighting controller for live shows. The advanced software and hardware features allow customization for any size show, streamlining programming and playback. With integrated networking solutions you get fully synchronized multiuser environments as well as seamless backup solutions that ensure the perfect system for any scenario. In addition, grandMA2 offers a free visualizer ensuring users can keep programming even when the lights are off, and if video is needed in a show, MA offers an integrated media server solution, as well.
MSRP: $3,125-$75,500
[10.] Martin Professional M-Touch
Martin M-Touch is a powerful yet simple control surface for the Martin M-Series controllers, the most affordable professional lighting solutions on the market, according to the manufacturer. Fully compatible with all M-Series consoles and M-PC software, Martin M-Touch is a plug-and-play solution with an innovative control surface like no other lighting console.
Fourteen force-sensitive resister (FSR) faders allow control of playbacks and fixture parameters while 20 velocity-controlled pads allow for new types of effects. Additional programming buttons such as Record, Edit, Update, Load and Clear are accessible directly from the M-Touch control panel. Martin M-Touch comes with one DMX 512 universe for direct control of any compatible DMX device.
MSRP: $649
[11.] Mega Systems Enlighten One
The Enlighten One console is an all-in-one control surface that combines the Enlighten lighting control software with hardware to provide a turnkey solution. Looks can be programmed as buttons and grouped into faders, making for a visual and user-friendly method of lighting control, the company reports. In addition, volunteers and beginner lighting operators can learn how to use the unit and create spectacular light shows, Mega Systems reports.
With the release of Enlighten software version 5.0, users will reportedly discover an improved workflow for motion effects and multiple playbacks, improved ArtNet compatibility, better live programming and HD video control with +Media (dependent on CPU and video card power).
MSRP: $5,599
[12.] Pathway Connectivity Choreo
Choreo is a powerful lighting controller that can be programmed with playbacks and memories, including all the features found on the Cognito2 console but fits neatly in a three-gang wallbox. A significant feature of Choreo is that intensities, colors, positions and shapes of intelligent lights can be edited directly on the device without the need to bring in an external computer or console. Furthermore, the touchscreen reportedly can be locked in to a password protected Wall Station Mode to enable manual push-button playback of memories and cues—without various operators being able to access the editing features.
MSRP: $3,650-$4400
[13.] Philips Strand Lighting NEO Lighting Control Console
The NEO lighting control console marks a new chapter in the evolution of control, giving designers the ability to seize the light through intuitive controls that offer many timesaving features. Icons and shutter controls are now represented graphically on the display, while floating windows allow the operator to configure their views their way. Effects are revolutionized with “Time Line” features that allow “drag and drop” to create a perfectly timed sequence, the company reports. Now with new submaster and playback wings for increased functionality, the Neo lighting control series is reported to be a robust, versatile lighting console.
MSRP: $1,830-$8,425
