Update: Zero 88 Officially Announces the ORB XF Desk

Just this morning, I mentioned that Zero 88 was planning on announcing a new lighting desk at the ABTT show.  Looks like the OFFICIAL announcement was just made on their web site.  While the press release mentions everything from this morning, the ORB’s official web site, www.orbdesk.com has a load more information about the ORB XF.

Right off the bat, the most noticeable difference is the slider count.  The original ORB desk offered 10 playbacks with multiple pages, while the ORB XF offers 60 multi functional faders. ALMOST everything underneath the hood of the ORB XF is similar to it’s big brother, the original ORB.  Such as 2048 control channels across 4 universes of DMX, 1000 cue stacks with 1000 cues per stack, 2 playback master faders and tons more.  I’ll let you read more about all the specifications about the ORB XF on it specifications page.

A retail price has not yet been mentioned about the new ORB FX or when it will be released to the public, but I am sure if you are heading to the ABTT show in London England this week, it might just make an appearance. Hopefully the ORB XF will make an appearance in Las Vagas in October for LDI as well.

Learn more about the ORB Series of control desk from Zero 88 by visiting their web site at www.orbdesk.com or www.zero88.com.

Cooper Controls Releases LightFactory Version 2.2

Cooper Controls just recently announced the release of their upgrade to the PC based lighting controller, LightFactory, to version 2.2.

LightFactory is a unique PC based lighting control system. Offering a no compromise approach of traditional dimmer control and fully featured moving light support. LightFactory was designed with the idea that every lighting engineer, operator or designer could own their own control desk. One desk they are completely familiar with, one desk that works for every situation and one desk they can rely on every time. Most PC based control systems focus on moving light support but lack the many features that make traditional lighting desks standout.

Some of the Key Features of Version 2.2:

• Up to 64 DMX universes
• Up to 30,000 lighting fixtures
• Unlimited cue lists and millions of cue
• Full tracking console
• 5 different effects engines (including LED/Matrix)
• Built in scheduler, macros, palettes, user security and fixture library
• Audio, MIDI, and Timecode triggering
• 1000s of submasters
• Full multi user support
• Free wireless rigging remote software
• Free off-line use

Want to earn more about LightFactory from Cooper Controls or download a copy to try out, visit their website at www.lifact.com. Current users of LightFactory can upgrade to version 2.2 at special price until December 31, 2009.

Awesome Laser Video from #LDI2009 by @pkirkup

I just saw a great YouTube video from Peter Kirkup from Cooper Controls via @pkirkup about how lasers are coming back. If you were on the show floor, there was no way you could miss the laser effects going on over heard.  Peter put together a great video compilation with cut aways that are fantastic!

Great job Peter, you really brought back some great memories from the show floor!