Three Controllers From Elation Meet Different NeedsWith Extras That Go “Beyond Control”

No matter what you’re trying to light up, these days there’s a lighting controller with your name on it. Controller manufacturers have introduced an array of specialized light boards aimed at everyone from the DJ spinning out special effects with his/her beats, to the stage manager dimming par cans, to the tech-savvy production artist who uses intelligent DMX moving lights.

Recently we looked at three new controller products from Elation Control Systems aimed at these very different groups. Two of them, the Light CoPilot III and Stage Pak 1 -- a chase controller and stage dimmer respectively-- are complete turnkey packages that include power or dimmer packs and cable. The third, the DMX Operator Pro, is a professional DMX controller combined with a par can dimmer. As different as these boards are from one another, we found they shared one thing in common. Elation has put some “extras” into each product that users will find a welcome surprise

Take the Light CoPilot III. This package, designed for DJs and clubs, features Elation’s popular LC-Control II 16-channel analog chase controller bundled with two LC-4SP 4-channel power packs. That’s right – two power packs. Elation didn’t have to include the extra pack, but it certainly gives users a lot more options for configuring their lights. You can string four fixtures in two different areas of a club, for example, rather than having to put all your lights on one area of your truss or T-bar, plus, you won’t have as many messy wires and extensions cords to deal with. This option works well with the Light CoPilot II controller itself, which has four 4-channel zones on its control panel (you can expand the system from up to four LS-4SP power packs). You can set each zone separately in one of three operating modes -- sound-active, timed chase or standard – then sit back and relax as your lights gyrate to16 built-programs. And the Light CoPilot III is an affordably priced package that will easily accommodate DJ and small club budgets.

The Stage Pak 1 is a stage dimmer package featuring Elation’s 16-channel DMX Stage Setter 8 console, along with (again!) two 4-channel DP-415 “hybrid” dimmer/switch packs and cable. Already a bargain, it becomes an even greater value when you consider the extras you get for the money. The hybrid packs have dual Edison outputs on each channel, so you can rig more than one par can per channel. They’re also switchable from dimmer packs to power packs, for added versatility. Plus, the Stage Setter 8 console itself now provides more versatile rigging options, because Elation has added a separate DMX output on the unit’s rear. The Stage Setter 8 comes with four built-in programs, so it’s super easy to use, but you also have the option of creating your own programs -- another nice extra.
For pros who use intelligent moving lights, there’s the DMX Operator Pro. But this 136-channel board does more than control DMX effects --- it’s actually a “hybrid” 2-in-1 controller that also dims par cans. Eight channels are for par cans, the remaining 128 for DMX lights – which means you can control all your stage lighting from one board!
But the addition of a par can dimmer is just one of the DMX Operator Pro’s special nuances. There’s also a joystick for pan/tilt control, a 32 MB compact flash card slot for data exchange/back-up, and removable rubber rails that allow the controller to be used either as a rack mount or tabletop unit. So no matter what type of controller you’re looking for, Elation has one that will give you some pleasant surprises that go way beyond “control.”