Yesterday we posted about the long rumored Element Console from ETC.  Today, the start of USITT Stage Expo in Cincinnati, we have more information and photos.

The Element Console is based on ETC’s Eos control operating system but with a simplified feature set in an all in one package. The Element is designed for smaller lighting systems with the larger selection of faders on board.  Which can either be channel faders or submasters at the turn of a switch, similar to the Congo’s master and channel knob.

The Element comes in two hardware versions based on fader count.  That being the Element 40 or the Element 60.  From there each supports either 250 or 500 channels depending on how many you need.  All the models of the Element support up 2 universes of DMX on board or via ETCNet.  The thing to remember as in most modern lighting consoles, one channel now can equal one device.  That one device can be a one DMX address dimmer, or a 36 DMX address moving light.

Channel Faders you say?  The element gives you 40 or 60, depending on which model you go with.  These are true LTP (Last Takes Presidents) channel faders.  This means that building shows from channel faders for use as submasters or cues is quick and easy, thus not requiring channel and intensirt enter via the keypad.  Another nice feature about the channel faders is that you can edit levels of channels stored in subs or cues all while live.

Now you want to play with submaster on faders, no problem, turn a switch and there you go.  The faders that were once channel faders now act as submaster faders. On the Element 60, you have 20 dedicated submaster on board and then an additional 40 with the switchable 40 channel/submaster fafers.

The Element is design for smaller lighting systems and thus not needing the ability to have 999 cue list likes is big brother, the Eos.  The Element only has the ability to run one cue list.  But when the time is right, a novice can become a master of their domain by jumping into more complex timing functions such as cue parts, follow/hang to create more intelligent lighting transitions.

More information will be coming on the Element as the time progresses.  In the mean time, visit the newest section of ETC’s website, www.etcconnect.com/element. Now what everyone has been waiting for, more pictures!

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