Extra Submasters

Eos and Ion both support up to 300 add-on submasters.

The subs are actually "Fader Wings", which allows any fader to be a Submaster, Cue Playback Fader or Effects Playback.

The wings can be physically attached to the Ion, and/or are stand-alone as wings of 1x20 (actually called the Fader Module) without LCD, 2x10 with LCD and 2x20 with LCD.  All can be connected via USB to the console and allows flexibility as to placement.

In my opinion, and due to the smaller footprint of the Ion, it may be the more appropriate console for your needs, as adding TOO many wings becomes problematic in physical size.  I currently have 3-2x20 wings with the console and that's the absolute max. I would want to have to run live.

Check out the downloads sections of the website for details on the fader wings.

SB

I run my Ion with 2 - 2x20 Fade wings. I've NEVER used more then  one single wing at a time.  But Love the 'pages' function. Press the Pages? button then the corresponding number on the Fader LCD and that page of faders appears. For me one page equals 20 faders. I use Excell to organize ALL of my lighting charts for referance. And use them extensivly when I can't quickly call up info on the ION.

I also have an ION with two 2x20 fader wings and I really love the setup. In our theater we host all kinds of events from concerts to plays and even really boring lectures. I think that regardless of what type of show you are running, the fader wing is still invaluable. I have a light template with all of my most common lights on the submasters and it takes no time to set up the basic outline of a show and record it to cues. Then, when I have a random event like the concert this weekend I just put groups of things on submasters and let the operator play. Also, an effect is a parameter that can be programmed into a sub so you can even set up an effect and whenever you want to run it pull up that submaster.

When I started with the ION I, like you, was a little leery of the conspicuous lack of sliders that give me that warm feeling of control. I know have come to realize the power of fewer well programmed submasters, plus it cleans things up and I don't have to spend nearly as much time doing finger stretches.

That being said, as I understand it, the Congo series is targeted more for shows that don't rely on cues than the EOS series, as well as more moving light controls. I have never used one myself but if that is your primary focus then you might want to check those out.