Thinking about buying a ION

Joe, the short answer to almost all of your questions is yes! Please see my more specific answers below.

Some things I would like to know before I make this purchase. I would be buying the ION 1000 and a 2x20 wing.

--If I program some of the (FBC) palettes at the theatre, and I take the ION home, can I program a show, while using Capture? If so, what do I need to accomplish this? I have a desktop PC with XP. I also have a enttec USB to DMX.

 Yes there is a free offline editor for both PC and MAC that you could easily import your show and use for writing cues at home. With capture all you would need to do is enable the “output for visualizer “ options within settings. I also know of a small issue with capture that if you are using the offline and capture on the same machine you still need to be connected to a network or switch of some kind.

--If I have a cue list of 600, for shows I've made throughout the year, and there is a encore at the end of the year, Can I take for example different cues ranging from 1 - 600 from the cue list and make a 137 cue list show using copy??

 Yes. The ion supports up to 999 cue lists, 200 of which can be running at the same time. There is both copy to and move to functionality that allow you to rearrange the cue list at any time. Also you can merge cues from other existing show files!

--If I would to buy the ION right now, from any dealer, what IS included with the console? As in a dust cover, keyboard, DVD's. Also whats included with the Fader Wing?

The ion comes with power cables, keyboard, a mouse, a dust cover, and part 1 of our training dvd series. The fader wing comes with power and data cables and a dust cover.

--Is there a flight case made for it or can you recommend something?

 There is no specific case we recommend but most of the major manufactures have seen it and know enough to be helpful!

--About the itouch. Can I just buy the itouch and the software on itunes to control the console? Or do I need to buy something else also?

 Yes the iRFR is bought directly from itunes and all the proceeds go to charity!  In order to connect to the console you need some form of wireless router.

--With the multiple User ID's, Does this mean I can program a show and run it (user 1), then rent the board out for 2 days, so they can program something on it (user 2), and return it with my show still intact (user 1), with a password type of lock-out?

 Multiple user IDs refer to how multiple consoles can network together and interact. What you’re asking is what we are calling security features which is on the list of development but not here yet!

--Is there a ION skin made for this? For those who don't understand, remember the soft plastic cover for your old keyboards. (I know it wont cover the faders or wheels). Looking at the printing on the keys, it seems like the ink would wear out over time. I would just like to keep it clean and new looking!

This one I don’t know about. But if you find one let me know!

Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you!

 Lowell Olcott

lowell.olcott@etcconnect.com

Just curious as if I would need a dongle then? I would like to save money, if its not needed.  This purchase is coming out of my pocket.

The dongle would allow you to interact between your laptop and your console. Without the dongle you would still be able to use the offline editor and you can use mirror mode (which lets you view what is happening on the console in realtime). However, would have no control

-Lowell

Also, about the Fader Wing... From using the SmartfadeML, when I have a ML scene in a fader and slide it up, to put it into effect, then bring it back to zero, the effect goes "still or static". But does not shut off. Can this ION wing change that? Or do i have to somehow only do it before another cue is next in the list - the only way to change it I found.

So does this mean, I can't record/save my show at home with the console on my desktop. Or do you mean, I could run my show on a laptop, without the ION, if I had the dongle.(after programming on it with the ION)   Sorry this is new to me.

Ok, first I'm not sure what you are asking about in your question about fader wings and effects? Are you talking about running effecs off submasters or running cues on the fader wing?

As for the dongle question. You can of course record/save your show at home with the offline editor and then transfer it to your console via USB drive with or without a dongle. If you have the dongle then you can network your laptop and the console together and be using both at the same time to control the lights. i.e leave the console in the booth and do your focus on stage controlling though your laptop. You however always need the console at least present to control your rig! Sorry if i was confusing

-L

Ahh for the fader wing, running submasters using a moving lighting effect with 4 fixtures on the wing. Just wondering or wishing the same effect doesn't happen like when using the SmartFadeML. In other words.. I have a scene on stage and already have a moving light effect recorded into the cue. I then slide the fader up to override the moving light scene. But when I bring it back down to zero, the lights just sit there and don't move, until I push GO, to goto the next cue in the stack. I'm just curious, if this is different in the ION, when I bring it back to zero, it returns to the original programmed cue.

As for the dongle - TY for the answer.  So does the iTouch with software act the same way?

Ah! You are talking about rubberbanding... And no the ion does not do this.... yet... but there are some ways of working around it.

LowellOlcott said:

Ah! You are talking about rubberbanding... And no the ion does not do this.... yet... but there are some ways of working around it.

Rubberbanding? And could you explain somewhere either here or in the forums.

Rubberbanding is exactly what you were talking about.

Here's what Ion currently does:

An effect is running on some movers in a cue. Then a submaster takes control of them and does something else. When you take the sub out the lights return to where they previously were, however without the effect from the cue running.

 Rubberbanding would return the lights back into the effect after the sub is pulled down.

what I use as a work around is the [goto cue][enter] command which refreshes the current cue.

-L

Whoa.. I never thought about that!!  Thank You! I'll try that tonight.