There are several key manufacturers of lighting consoles in our industry, and each have their pros and cons when it comes to programming and operation. Most manufacturers also offer more limited versions of their top-of-the-line, full-featured products. By offering a range of consoles, manufacturers have opened the door to a wider range of customers while also allowing programmers to focus on a single platform of control. Once you learn how to program on one variant, then you should know the procedures, syntax and common features on any of the other models. In many cases, smaller versions in the platform are used for backup or tech consoles, as they offer a reduction in both rental costs and the space they occupy. While this provides programmers with a full range of choices, the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” certainly applies here. The lower the cost of the console, the fewer abilities it may have.
-Brad Schiller, from “Feeding the Machines,” Sept. 2019, page 81
