FLX for small theatre

[AdrianS]

I am selecting a new lighting console for our small regional theatre and FLX is high on the list. I would appreciate any comments from the FLX community about FLX suitability for this purpose, and in particular anything you think is missing and would be a useful addition to the functionality.

We have had a demo and I have looked at the recent online training material so I am reasonably familiar with FLX concepts.

We have 96 conventional lights and around 20 LEDs/moving lights, and will generally be running shows with a single cue stack rather than busking. We plan to move to all LEDs/movers as budget allows.

Any comments much appreciated.

Adrian

[Davidmk]

Hi Adrian

Welcome to the forum. U sually one of the Zero 88 people responds quite quickly to new posts so they must be busy today. I thought I'd respond in case you were getting lonely but I'm not the best person to answer your query.

I haven't run a show "on the button" in ages and never on an FLX (I work in a music venue where it is all busking) but the FLX should be even easier to use with cue stacks so I'm sure you'll be fine.

While you are waiting there are loads of resources under support on the Zero 88 website at https://zero88.com/support - these include the manual, YouTube videos & the notes from the training course. In addition the FAQs have a number of knowledge base articles on specific topics. There's a demo pack of the Capture visualiser as well at https://zero88.com/zeros

[Edward Z88]

Hi David,

Thanks very much for replying to Adrian with your comments and links regarding FLX.

Adrian had emailed me prior to posting, asking where he could get some thoughts from FLX users. I suggested he posted on the forum.

If you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Davidmk]

Sorry, teach me to go butting in. Best part of this forum is how you guys keep such a close eye on things so a post with no response in 10 hours seemed odd.

[Edward Z88]

15 minutes ago, Davidmk said:

Sorry, teach me to go butting in. Best part of this forum is how you guys keep such a close eye on things so a post with no response in 10 hours seemed odd.

Hi David,

No problem at all! It’s great to have you regularly posting.

I always like to keep an eye on the forum!

Cheers,

Edward

[kgallen]

11 hours ago, AdrianS said:

We have 96 conventional lights and around 20 LEDs/moving lights, and will generally be running shows with a single cue stack rather than busking. We plan to move to all LEDs/movers as budget allows.

Hi Adrian,

My setup is very similar to yours. Like you I run a cue stack for theatre/musical shows. In my case it's a couple of amateur groups which I've been active in, doing lighting and sound for the last 24 years (ouch!). I now own an FLX, having moved up from fully manual preset desks through small "modern" programmable desks like the Strand GSX and Zero88 Alcora and then Fat Frog, prior to FLX which I bought in late 2015.

It would be unfair of me to say FLX is the best desk for your application as I admit to little experience of the current range of competitors desks. But for budget, features and support I think FLX pretty much ranks up there as one of the leading options if you're looking for a "proper" desk rather than a PC based solution. Support for LED and movers is ingrained in the desk, so it's not like they are "bolted on" features to an essentially generics-oriented desk (which if I was being cruel is how you could view say the Frog range or comparable desks of the 2000 era). Standard features like Move on Dark, tracking and triggered/released chases are what for me make FLX an easier desk to work with than say Fat Frog.

Like any other product, FLX is not perfect and you will see many comments and aired frustrations on this Forum for features long awaited. However for sure, if this is a long term investment for you (or your theatre), it is a product relatively early in it's life and we expect many more years of feature additions and enhancements.

Good luck!

Kevin

[van den abbeele Eric]

Hello,

I work with traditional projectors and also Leds + automatic in a Theater configuration.

Work with a Conduct that begins from the start of the show until the end. (I do dance show)

The FLX seems really well designed for this, theater and Culturel center.

Clear display, quick access, either by fader, numeric keypad or groups.
(I chose because I having many projectors from many direction and during Dance rehearsal a reduced time to have 2 more wings that giving me 72 faders)

But so I work1 universe on the traditional light and 1 universe on the Wash LED and Spot + Wash which are motorized

and all is well.

 

Easy to correct, copy and delete modify and so an...

The exterior touch screen is of great help when.

And guys from ZERO88 are reactive and tireless to help and support ...

I think that some have no family life  and must stay at work all days and night (especially Edward ) because we can even have answers in the evening like the weekend.

 

Then there are as said above videos and manual (Version 7.9.6 / 7) which already helps really well.

So I would say it's a console that has great possibilities and capabilities.

And our user community is active to support those who have concerns.

 

 

So have à good night.

 

Eric From France

[Gingersteve91]

Hi Adrian,

For Theatre/Cue stack wise the ZerOS software the FLX runs is really great. Its so simple to use whether creating a new cue, updating, copying or deleting.

The MOD (Move on dark) function works great with forward, Backward & cue only tracking available. This can be delayed and slowed to limit rig noise during quiet scenes aswel

There also lots of individual play back parameters (as well as the global deafults) you can manipulate to suit your own style of operation.

LED work they have put into the colour picker for cyc washing is wonderful... For example  upload a sunset picture to your desk, select the cyc wash heads go to the colour picker and click your picture, then choose the part you wish to recreate by pinch zooming the fixture + + + points across the picture.

Overall a very versatile theatre desk.

Unfortunately I cant say much more as I havent had masses of experience on an FLX (just the odd plotting job outside of my norm). Our theatre runs an OrbXF but the OS/most features are the same.

The only thing I would say is If you go towards busking at all in the future the FLX can be abit small for it in my experience but they can be extended with fader wings bringing them more up to size with the Orb for busking.

Finally I recommend the use of an external screen (touch if possible) makes palet windows so much easier.

hope this helps you.

Steve 😃 

[AdrianS]

Hi all,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply to my question. It is very helpful and greatly appreciated.

All the best

Adrian

[van den abbeele Eric]

👌

[Jason Brameld]

We have used the FLX for a variety of conventionals, LED and movers in a small studio theatre - so probably a similr setup to yours - for about 3 years now.

We have a variety of users from highly competent techs doing complex full-scale shows and musicals, through to users who just want a couple of faders to push and the FLX does the full range easilt - I would recommend it for your set-up fron what you have said. 

We do most shows off a cue stack, bit we have busked some as well.

The other thing I really like about dealing with Z88 is they are close to their user community and the support is great.

Jason.

[Davidmk]

4 hours ago, Jason Brameld said:

The other thing I really like about dealing with Z88 is they are close to their user community and the support is great.

Absolutely!!!

[Uriahdemon]

On 11/14/2020 at 5:57 PM, Jason Brameld said:

The other thing I really like about dealing with Z88 is they are close to their user community and the support is great.

 

Indeed, one of the main reasons I got an FLX was exactly this AND it does not stop when purchased like many others.