Thread: What is a good stage lighting controller for a high school?

My school stage lighting controller is really old and doesnt work and also isnt very flexible, does anyone have a good suggestions?
We have AMX for our control cableing and as far as scrollers and intelegent fixture go I don't think we will ever ave any but I would like the option because I can borrow some of my churches equip for shows if I ever need it...THANKS!

Strand Lighting recently came out with a new addition to their control line: the Palette Series. Really versatile, made for theatre, pretty good for the money if you're looking to go new. Otherwise, you could try an older Strand 300i, though they don't make them anymore. It comes in two parts: the processor and the control surface. You can get different control surfaces based on what you need. ETC Lighting also recently retired their Express control line, making them even more affordable than they already were. They come in lots of different sizes and you can still get them if used if you do some searching. These are by no means the best consoles on the market but still, I think, the best and most affordable for high school theatre. Good luck!

Don't buy a Strand Palette, they're not a patch on the old Strand desks, and they're overpriced for what they are. Plus it's probably overkill for a school - but if you do want something of that size and capability, an ETC Ion is a much better option. I'd be looking at something like a Zero88 Frog or Jester, perhaps a smaller ETC desk or, if you can find one in the States (unlikely, but not impossible!) a TheatreLight CueMaster is ideal for schools. How many dimmers do you have, are they DMX or analogue, and do you have anything like scrollers or moving lights that need to be driven from the desk as well as dimmers? Best advice I can give you is to get a local lighting company in to advise; they'll be on the spot and can look at your performance space and the gear you currently have and specify something that will suit your purpose.