AVOLITES

Avolites’ new Pearl Expert is a high performance version of one of the industry’s most popular consoles - more sub masters, more flash buttons, more power - optimised for use on larger and more demanding shows and events.

Pearl Expert is based on the Pearl 2004 operating system, retaining the user-friendliness and accessibility of Avolites Pearl consoles. It’s powered by the new Intel Core Duo Processor, giving an exceptionally high speed button response which is particularly useful for ‘Take Over’ mode and for busking with Timed Palettes.

An additional five sub master playbacks make a total of 20 — reportedly the most of any console in its class — ensuring every type of show, and user, has all the playbacks they need, instantly accessible.

New Add and Swop buttons for the top row of faders allow easy, uncompromised placement of fixtures and dimmers, on all 60 preset faders. The new ‘Colour Picker’, a highly requested feature from the Diamond 4 console, gives instant rapid and intuitive control of CMY and colour mix devices.

A unique new 'Split Roller' separates the 20 sub masters into two banks of 10 allowing live mix and match of memories. Adding a new dimension to 'buskability', this feature is ideal for operators who enjoy being right 'in the mix' with the band.

The first Pearl Expert went out on tour with Paul Weller, as specified by LD Pip Rhodes. When Weller told Rhodes he wanted his show to be operated ‘live’, rather than pre-programmed or replayed in a cue list style, this seemed an ideal opportunity to road-test the new console.

Rhodes commented: “Avo have done a great job in taking the essence and innate user-friendliness of the Pearl that everyone knows and loves, and moving it up several gears.”

AC LIGHTING

The Jands Vista brings a whole new world of speed, ease of use and sheer intuitiveness to the world of lighting. With its innovative generic fixture model, timeline function and unique user interface for controlling all design parameters with a pen and a large colour screen, the Vista has changed the way lighting is done forever.

The Vista product range is designed to be interchangeable, sharing the same on-screen GUI and control software, so it’s easy for users to switch between products to suit any size budget and application.

In addition to various software enhancements to the full size T4 and T2 models, the range includes the new S3 control surface and Vista App complementary hardware and software solutions.

The Vista S3 control surface becomes a fully operational console when connected to a desktop or laptop PC running the Vista software, but is also compact enough to fit under an arm, making it the ideal solution for rental or production companies wanting to supply a Vista on all jobs, big or small.

The control system is also available as Vista App, a cost-effective software-only version which provides a full lighting system when installed on a PC. Vista App doubles as an offline editor, enabling users to continue programming and editing their shows whilst offline from their lighting system or T4/T2/S3 console.

A.C. Lighting is the exclusive European, Middle East and North American distributor for the Jands Vista range.

ZERO 88

Designed to be used in the most demanding lighting control environments, the Frog 2 is perfect for users wanting ease of programming, comprehensive playback choices, live busking or stand alone control of architectural type events.

The Frog 2 can control up to 2048 channels of DMX and offers multiple cue stack playback, comprehensive palette selections and effects libraries. The use of macros allows for the automatic programming and playback of shows.

There are 2,000 user definable buttons and 1,000 faders that can be assigned to control anything from a single channel to a group of fixtures to a complete memory. Comprehensive feedback is provided via two monitors and an onboard touch screen.

Release 4 marks a milestone in the Frog 2 updates and includes a host of new features including improved auto-palettes, adjustable fixture wheel sensitivity and learn mode for cue stacks. The Update functionality has also been completely revamped giving an extremely powerful interface for users and the ability to build looks and filter updates to the appropriate location. This release also sees significant improvements in the speed and boot time of the desk.

MA LIGHTING

Available in two different versions for DMX distribution in fixed installations, the MA 2Port Node supplements MA Lighting’s product range for networking and integrated system solutions. One version will fit into an 80mm flush-mounted’ box (European version) while the ‘US version’ will fit into a two-gang box.

Both versions are available in three socket configurations: two DMX input connectors, two DMX output connectors or one in- and one output connector. For flexible and mobile use there is also a special ‘2Port Node onPC’ available, that even outputs DMX in combination with the offline-editor grandMA onPC.

With the 2Port Node, MA Lighting fulfils the need of lighting designers, programmers and operators to offer an additional tool within the MA family.

LSC

The maXim range of lighting consoles from LSC provide a great solution for both rental companies and end users, who are looking for a powerful console to create a fantastic light show quickly and simply without any compromise on budget.

With an easy to use ‘fader per light’ operating system, it allows a novice to become productive within minutes, and the experienced operator to work faster and more efficiently. It also has up to 90 physical playback faders for instantaneous control of memories in a live situation. This makes it an ideal busking console for live events.

There are four user selectable video windows that provide detailed information on all aspects of the console's operation. The dedicated cue list (stack) playback window details the previous, current and next two upcoming cues, complete with fade times, and text name for easy reference.

The console's main feature is its unique PaTPad Moving Light Controller system, incorporating six encoders and text displayers for quick programming and editing of moving lights along with a full effects engine for instant creation of movement including circles, ballyhoos, Mexican waves, can-cans and custom shapes.

The PaTPad also has the ability to record memories with filtered information (such as Pan and Tilt only, all colour parameters, just the colour wheel or a single parameter such as Zoom, Strobe, Gobo2). This allows the expert user to create modular building blocks for use in scenes and chases or for live control in an unrehearsed show. The P-Trig button on the PaTPad allows the operator to rehearse a cue live in the editor, rather than having to record it as a cue and then edit it to fine tune the timings. This saves valuable time when programming a show live.

Individual parameter timing allows a single memory to include unlimited multi-part timings for LTP parameters. Every moving light can have its own Move and Delay time for every separate parameter therefore allowing you to create stunning multi-step sequences in a single static memory, without the need to create a cue list.

The maXim consoles have an internal universal voltage PSU with Brown-Out protection via a Mini-UPS. So if mains power is lost, your console will save all data.