Vari-Lite Neo X5 console hits the market

Vari-Lite’s new Neo X5 console is now shipping, making the entire line of consoles from Vari-Lite available to purchase.
The Vari-Lite Neo X Series is a family of lighting consoles designed for mixed-use applications such as performing arts centres; stadiums and arenas; houses of worship; studios; schools; touring rentals; and more. The Neo X Series includes the 15-fader Neo X15 and the newly shipping Neo X5.
“Feedback on the Neo X Series has been great,” commented Jon Hole, Global Product Manager, Vari-Lite Controls at Signify. “Customers speak highly of the professional-quality hardware and premium features of the X15, with a strong response across a variety of markets, and we’re excited to begin shipping the smaller X5 to our customers as well.”
The Neo X5 is a lighting console running the Neo platform, offering five multifunctional motorised playbacks, backlit encoders, and a built-in monitor as well as a soft touch control screen. The console includes an effects engine that supports pixel mapping, media playback, timelines, and more and can output over 50,000 channels out of the box.
“The response from our customers to the Neo X15 has been positive, and we’re excited about the X5 as well,” commented Walt Dowling, President and Chief Operating Officer of Parlights. “The seven-inch touch screen really speeds up programming and puts the right keys at your fingertips when you need them. Neo has always had powerful software, and the updated user interface make that power easier to use. From there, it’s lots of little things that make a difference – support for Capture presentation files, rotary encoders to change the colour of a submaster, backlit keys, a smooth keyboard drawer, etc. This desk shows well and is fun to drive.”