How Do You Choose a Professional Lighting Console or Software?

What should you look at when choosing a Professional Lighting Console?
What is should you consider and where should you start looking?
00:00 Introduction
02:17 Onyx
04:37 Capabilities
08:15 What is important in a console?
10:29 What console should I get?
13:13 Closing
ONYX NX Wing www.learnstagelightinggear.co...
ONYX NX Touch www.learnstagelightinggear.co...
ONYX NX Netron EP2 www.learnstagelightinggear.co...
ONYX NX1: www.learnstagelightinggear.co...
Full Post on Learn Stage Lighting:
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Video Specs:
Video Shot On Sony ZV-E10: geni.us/lkqnAg
Airwave Wireless Microphone: www.airwavetechnologies.com/c...
Voiceover Mic: Heil PR-40: geni.us/fcN0hAO
Lighting Visualization By Capture: www.learnstagelighting.com/wa...
Video Card: GTX1050 TI: geni.us/WBTe
Backdrop/Ambient lighting:
Eliminator Par Mini RGBW: geni.us/QKXI
Gamma TX5 for Pattern on Backdrop: www.learnstagelightinggear.co...
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Comments Policy: Be nice, and treat others well. This channel has grown a lot, and if I want to keep up with helping folks in-depth, I can't reply to the comments personally.
Creating these videos takes a TON of time and effort, and I am not always available to answer questions here personally.
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Many of the questions that come in here can also be answered by simple searching on Learn Stage Lighting .com via the Search Bar in the top right corner: www.learnstagelighting.com/al...
Thanks for understanding!,
-David

[@MostorAstrakan]

What I'm missing in this video, is the difference between a mid-range and high-end lighting deck. These things cost five figures, why? What does a top-of-the-range model offer that a mid-range deck does not? I can imagine a few things: - More universes. - More advanced programming options. - A more advanced user interface that lets you visualise your stage and the lights thereon - Support for more different types of light and their special features - More sliders, maybe motor-assisted ones. But it doesn't say here. Perhaps a follow up video?

[@sinogaris9854]

Honestly the differences between mid-range and high-end is just screens, universes (and parameters) and faders, and even that line is blurring more and more (well, not the screens). Looking at any of the big consoles; MA, Hog, ETC, etc, if you buy a 40,000 dollar console the actual software is exactly the same as the 10,000 dollar console. In fact I think Chamsys is one of the only systems that has different software depending on the console, mainly the difference between QuickQ and MagicQ, but I am pretty sure the stadium version of MagicQ has a few extra bells and whistles. Everything else though? It doesn't matter if you are running a Hoglet, or a Full Boar 4, you've got the same software. GrandMA3 Command Wing, or a GrandMA3 full size, exactly the same software. Same thing with Onyx. So ultimately, in my opinion, the best console (even at a professional level) is the one that you feel most comfortable in the software, and it fits your price point for the hardware you want. But unfortunately the actual answer is GrandMA, simply because there are still people that can't get past that word on the rider. Hell, it's the system I am most familiar with, but there are plenty of features I wish it would pull from other consoles. (I should add that I'm still on GrandMA2 so gen 3 might have added a lot of the user friendly functionality I'm seeing in Chamsys and Onyx)

[@ItsJustPhillip]

Hey there!! Any chance you can do a SoundSwitch vs ADJ WMX1 comparison video!? That would be great!!

[@brandontan4876]

Best advice, learn as many consoles as you can.... all consoles output dmx and can all create the same outcome..... Just gotta learn..... I see this topic all the time.... no console is more superior than another..... You just need to work out the following: 1. What events are you doing (do you need timecode? ) 2. How many fixtures are you controlling? 3. What's your budget 4. will it be you programming / operating OR will there be other users? How complex do you want to go..... Just a few things to think about We own both Hog and MA consoles..... only because they are currently in demand over others....

[@sinogaris9854]

Your last line is the crux of it, people still push to book anyone that has Hog or MA on the rider and many ignore the rest regardless of the incredible calibre of work that comes out of Chamsys and Onyx systems.

[@VegasDominic]

Wondering if a pro grade software is cheaper than an intermediate console - why still go thru an intermediate console when clients will be bound to upgrade in the future? 🤓

[@chibude4350]

Whats with an MA3

[@MrEzoperator]

I need a simple consistent setup for a traveling show. We want it to interface with Livetraker! 8 uplights and three spotlights. We currently use DMXis and a splitter. Would you recommend something different?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Hey, please mail us on [e-mail] and we can get a custom quote to you!

[@cssaziado]

Hi! I wanted to know what do you think about doing lighting for metal bands, where you actually "play" the music like a keyboard player. What consoles do you recommend? I was checking the Chamsys, what do you think? BTW, I started doing lighting with your videos with DMXIS! Now I am operating mostly Avolites. Thank you!

[@hiptoalieu]

Chamsys would be great for that!

[@tnikiforov]

chamsys can do anything. and the bang for buck is unbeatable.

[@sinogaris9854]

there is a really good training video on here for Onyx that is specifically about live music, I learnt a lot from it while getting to know the system. I also find Chamsys to be a fantastic system for busking a show, although i have spent some time actually learning the software lately (I've used it at walk in shows where everything is already programmed) and it has a VERY different programming language than MA or Onyx. I can't speak for how it works relative to Hog as I haven't touched a Hog system since the 1000. Apparently, it is run by some ex Hog 2 guys so I imagine it's similar though. I'm actually currently trying to decide between Chamsys and Onyx for my console upgrade and I am leaning towards Onyx.

[@Harleyfunman]

Can you do an in depth video on how to program and use the Chauvet obey 70 DMX controller and the software to use for Android Samsung Tablet 7fe

[@grumpyoldmanracing]

Dave, with respect, I try to watch your videos because your the only person that does it, but you videos go for 20 mins and you say very little. Full of cliches and no actual technical content. Ultimately it's just an ad for onyx and enttec. I really have to give up on you, sorry

[@giglight]

Was literally about to comment the same thing, this channel over the years has been interesting but lately its just a platform for pushing Onyx - I dont recall ever seeing any other consoles featured at all on here apart from some Shark piece of crap no one uses.

[@Harleyfunman]

vague as shit on details

[@_0O0O0O0_]

Holy shit this was some old school sales pitching right here. The last thing I want is an Onyx after watching this. Such a hollow, meanless video with one purpose; to push one brand. You've got yourself an unsub after years of watching your channel.

[@user-og9mi6yw7u]

Only console.