Clearlight Shows Product Review
The FLX is the next level above the already popular FLX S series of lighting consoles from Zero 88 and sits at the top in the series’ range. A small, yet extremely powerful console, the FLX lighting desk unlocks more potential than its smaller brothers and sisters and competes far above its price class for lighting desks. Now venues that were previously out of the budget range for high-performance console can access comparable functionality for less with the FLX. Designed for ease of controllability and enhanced function- the FLX is a flexible and reliable console.
Furthermore, the FLX has MIDI input, sound to light (via jack input) and remote switching control (with 9 pin D sub connector). It also has a tracking backup option, which allows you to link the console with another matching console or control device running identical software to achieve a master/backup setup. There are also Blind and Preview modes to assist with cue programming, playback and editing.
Blind mode feature allows a user to update cues during a live show, without interrupting the playback. This allows for seamless cue updates and plotting flexibility during live performances.
The addition of a physical numerical keypad and extra physical command and attribute buttons, allows you to input command line syntax, speeding up channel, group and attribute selection and functionality. It offers the best of both worlds for users that wish to control individual channels via channel control faders or interface with command line inputs.
Offering 2048 patchable channels (with the ability to upgrade up to a maximum of 8192), which can be patched across 64 universes supporting DMX, sACN, Art-Net 4 and CITP protocols, output can be routed globally or separated into individual pathways per universe. The console is RDM compatible and features Zero88’s Rig Sync function.
On the back panel are 2 x 5 pin DMX output connections, an Ethernet port, 1 x DVI-D connector for an external monitor (touch screen) and extra USB connections to cater for additional add-ons such as additional fader wings, keyboard/mouse or USB-DMX dongles.
The console features 24 fader controls which can be toggled between channel and playback operation. These faders can be paged across 99 channel pages and 10 playback pages, giving up to 240 programmable single or multi-cue playbacks and control features like programmer time, speed override and global tempo. There is also a dedicated master playback with separate Go and Pause/Back buttons and an exclusive Grand Master and Blackout button.
The console is equipped with 4 x User Definable Keys, which can be page toggled to control up to 40 UDK’s. Each UDK has the ability to function as a recorded lighting state; a shortcut key for a group, palette or macro; or a pre-defined advanced function (e.g.: park, rem dim, global tap to tempo, etc.)
Boasting a fixture library of over 20,000 fixture personalities, controlling conventional, LED and moving light fixtures is made simple and easy. 4 encoder wheels, colour mixing, picking & image colour picker, colour filters library containing LEE, Apollo and Rosco ranges, all selectable within the 7” multi-touch screen. Available are 240 palettes per Group, Colour, Beam, Shape and Position attribute, plus up to 240 Effect Palettes. Auto-generate your palettes based on your patched fixtures or create your own. You can also create your own user-macros, which can be applied to UDK’s or cues to help speed up programming or control tasks.
Control your cues giving them fade and individual attribute fade times. Use auto follow on functions, add specific chases or macros to your cues, even assign the next cue to play if you need to jump around your cue stacks. Cues may also be triggered by time code, MSC (MIDI Show Control), remote triggers or real-time events.
Free mobile/tablet apps for both android and iOS are available and give you the ability for remote access to your console to control channels, cue stacks and attributes or an additional functioning touchscreen.
You could easily use this console to run a musical production, theatrical performance, conference, church service or live music event. It’s suitable for a variety of venues, small through large and is capable of providing the backbone control for not only entertainment lighting, but also architectural lighting installations.
www.zero88.com
Australian Distributor: Clearlight www.clearlight.com.au
