Rumor Mill: ETC Re-Release Express UPDATE
We here at iSquint have learned of a new update to the rumors of ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls) next addition to their console line up. We previousely hinted at that ETC might be re-releasing the Express Lighting Console with a new design inside due to the fact that parts were becoming increasingly difficult to get. We have now heard that ETC is planning to release a new addition to their Ion/Eos line up of consoles.
The first one being a smaller version of the Ion rumored to be called the Ion Jr. While details are scarce. We are speculating that the Ion Jr. will have half the abilities of the Ion 1K such as the ability to only handle 1 universe of DMX and half the control channels. It is also heard that rather then purchasing a separate wing panel for subs, there will bee a set of dedicated slider built it. How many, we would assume some where in the realm of 10-24.
The other addition to the Ion/Eos line is going to be a bigger brother to the Ion 1k. While again, details are scares, we would assume that in might have double the capabilities of the Ion, but time will just have to tell.
The last and finally rumor is that ETC is expected to re-release the expression line of consoles with updated insides due to the fact that parts for the original design were difficult to get.
Again, thesse are all things over heard in the halls, and only ETC knows the truth. We will just have to wait for ETC to make the announcement which could be as early as March.
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By: icewolf08
Frankly it both saddens and amuses me that people felt so attached to Express. Yes, it was a great console, probably the best selling console ever. Sure, almost every high school student in the country learned on one in the past 10 years. Why are we so resistant to change? Today you can buy and Ion with fader wing for the same if not less than what you used to be able to get a new Express for.
If you are going to make an investment in a lighting console, why would you invest in older, inferior technology? it is like buying a computer, you wouldn’t go out and buy a 13 year old computer even if it was new would you?
Ultimately I think the debates over this stem mostly from a generation gap. Any lighting student in college today will feel right at home on any of the new generation consoles. They have grown up with at least one computer in their house, a Playstation or XBox, and probably a tricked out cell phone. Running a new generation lighting console is going to be child’s play for them. I have to believe that it is really only the veterans, (and the vets of Express for the most part) who are afraid of change.
From personal experience with Ion, it can be as simple or as complex as the user needs it to be. If your high school or small community theatre needs a few subs to be able to run up, you can do it, if you want a bunch of handles each to correspond to one channel, it can be done. However, if three years from now that same school or theatre starts using moving lights or even just RGB gelled cyc lights, you have the expandability in the console to handle it without a second thought. Can’t do that on Express.
So while it could be a good thing for ETC to produce a “middle of the road” console, I believe that the real problem is not marketing Ion such that it actually seems accessible to all. I think also that we (the industry) have to be willing to accept change, it isn’t so bad, in fact it is probably really good!