What is the correct pc program

to control from your own hardware (pc or mac), download "Eos Family Nomad Software v2.2.0 for PC" or "Eos Family Nomad Software v2.2.0 for Mac" from here: http://www.etcconnect.com/product.downloads.aspx?ID=22179

as an alternative you can buy a mini-PC called Nomad Puck, which runs the same software but in dedicated hardware and with a locked down OS.

so you have Nomad installed, now you need two more things: the dongle and an output interface.

the dongle is the size of a USB-plug and it provides the license. the smallest license is 256 output addresses, the biggest one 2048. this is only the license, this does not provide hardware to output.

as output interface you have different choices: output through USB by a product called ETC Gadget. this provides one universe of output (if you have a license of at least 512 addresses), only one gadget can be connected to a PC or a Mac. or you output through network with either sACN or ArtNet as protocols. in this case you can use ETC Net3 DMX Gateways (1, 2 or 4 ports) or products by another manufacturer.

you can use Nomad also to backup an exisiting Primary console or as client. when using it as a backup, you need to be aware that the output capacity of your whole system will be determined by the lower license of backup and primary.

Replying to all actually.

I do want to add I am mobile, venue to venue, concerts and theatrical so there is no permanent install in my case, which applies to the universe section primarily. However I do have opportunities to make suggestion to venues for purchase so good to know options.

Thank you for the info. I have purchased two different programs/dongles in the past to control lighting from my laptop in order to save all the time, space and security of my ION with wings, monitors, etc, I have not successfully been able to use either of them comfortably. So, money down the drain and this is a really great thing, however looks a bit pricy.

It looks like for me since I currently have nothing I will need to get the dongle however here's one thing still confusing. ION has two 512 universes. What do we do about each universe since of course my patch is on both?

Now tied with that I do have one older stlye two port Node I seldom use because of having to power it by either my Power Injector or a 24V power supply. All it really does is eliminate one dmx run and strike. So it hasn't been worth using for the work comparison. We did install them in my church and I use them all the time because they are permanent. So if I use the Node would I have two universes at 512 each as it is currently programed through the network if I purchase the 1024 or higher dongle?

If I purchase a Gadget then I am definitely limited to one universe no matter how much output I purchase, correct?

Hi Jeff,

The output is based on what is patched, not how many ports you have. That Ion can be anything up to 3,072 outputs it just has 2 local ports. If you only use 512 addresses across both universes you only need a 512 dongle. That said, there's no point backing up an Ion with Nomad unless you have a separate node as if the Ion goes down those ports won't output.

You need to make sure the node supports sACN (Net3), eDMX (Net2) isn't supported by Nomad. If that is the case and you purchase a 1,024 Nomad it's going to allow you to output 2 full universes via that node.

At the moment you can only connect one gadget to a PC/Mac at a time, so yes one universe via the gadget but others can go out via the network.

Dan

with a gadget you are limited to one output, as long as you don't add other means of output. this can be network but not a second gadget.

about this "older style two port node": i could be wrong, but i think only Net3 nodes are allowed since EDMX is not supported...

with a gadget you are limited to one output, as long as you don't add other means of output. this can be network but not a second gadget.

about this "older style two port node": i could be wrong, but i think only Net3 nodes are allowed since EDMX is not supported...