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    Centerstage Theatre
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Your opinion of ION

I'm looking at going from an Expression 3 with an Emphasis 3D server to an ION.  Our theatre has 10 automated fixtures and 250 conventionals with a handful of scrollers.  Can anyone lend me their opinion of the ION?  Best thing since sliced bread?  EOS vs ION?  Ease of use?  On the fly programming?   When I purchased Emphasis I thought it would be the perfect tool for a mostly conventional house but with the added ability to work with the automated fixtures a little easier and neater but I rarely use it now and wonder if it's me or if ION is closer to what I'm looking for.  

Thanks for any input.


 

  

  • I come from a theatre that uses an Expression 3 and Express. I also have a background in Hog 2 and Avolites Pearl. The Ion has been a wonderful console to use from the beginning. The way you program movers is quite good and really easy. The syntax for conventional lights will take some getting used to if you have never used an Obsession or Strand console. I am continually finding more and more things I appreciate about this console. Eos is too big for your space. While there are some cool tricks that Eos has, I feel like the Ion is perfect for a rig like yours. On the fly programming - once again, it helps to know Obsession or Strand, but I am sure you can pick that up pretty quickly. I actually was supposed to get an Emphasis upgrade, but I held out for the Ion, and am glad I did.

     

    Brian Webber

    University of CA, Davis

  • I agree with Brian.  You should also look into getting a submaster wing with your Ion.  If you don't you will likely miss the subs on your emphasis node.  The syntax is very similar to Obsession for conventionals and the moving light module is not difficult to use.  Instead of "Focus Points" you can make palettes more like a VL console or a Hog.  Good luck!

     



    [edited by: merimes at 2:41 PM (GMT -6) on Sun, Feb 10 2008]

  • We bought an EOS last year, replacing a Strand 520 and am 99% happy. I saw and tried the ION at LDI and was very impressed. For the price it seemed to be a perfect board. I would love to add the ION as a deck sized board should the need arise. I am most pleased with the addtion of a DMX output on the ION. The idea of ACN only output on the EOS may have seemed great to some, but it has only hampered our ability to use the EOS to it's full extent. The idea seems fine, run ethernet everywhere and plug in nodes as needed. Great in theory. Then we had our on board ethernet switch go down on us. No output till we got a new one. Then we've been waiting for our Net 3 node since last June. Also can't get a single port node shipped. So much for dropping nodes at our ethernet ends. Ended up having to buy a Pathport node which came in 2 days. If I had the choice again I would buy the ION for that choice alone. Good luck.

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