Future Tech We get to share in a couple of major announcements
from our newest sponsor, ETC, who are celebrating 50 years in
2025. Fifty years.
Can you believe it? That's how long ETC has been
innovating, shaping, and honestly dominating the world of
entertainment lighting. From theaters to arenas and
pretty much everything in between, they've set the gold
standard for reliability and creativity.
And don't forget bridges and aquariums and probably a few
places we wouldn't expect, Like, I don't know, maybe a themed
restaurant with lasers. Definitely possible, but
seriously, when I think of ETCI, think of milestones like the
Source 4 for example. It it changed the game back in
the day, over 3 million units sold and it's still you know, in
high demand. Even the used market for these
are places like gear sources thriving.
That's how much staying power it has.
Wait, 3 million? That's insane.
Do you remember the first time you saw one in action?
Oh yeah, I it was at this local theatre festival.
Small stage, nothing fancy, but the main lighting rig was all
ETC. And I remember one of the techs
saying these fixtures never let us down.
That always stuck with me. Later I got my hands on some and
the gear was it was a dream to work with.
You could actually focus on the creative side without worrying,
you know, whether the tech would hold up.
That's the thing, isn't it? They've kind of given artists
this freedom to experiment because the tools just work.
It's like having a super dependable sidekick.
Exactly. And with 50 years behind them,
it's not just about the products, it's about the stories
they've been part of. Every designer, every programmer
probably has some memory tied to an, ETC.
Product. Oh, now you've got me curious.
Hey listeners, we want to hear your ETC memories.
If there's a fixture or console that saved your show or maybe
just made your day easier, share it with us.
Celebrate this milestone together.
Talking about milestones and memories, let's look at where
ETC is heading next. With 50 incredible years behind
them, they're celebrating by launching the next generation of
their Hog consoles. And let me tell you, this new
lineup is packed with everything a Lighting Pro could dream of.
I mean, you had me at Next Generation.
What's making a buzz about this series?
Spill it. OK, let's start with the tour
Hog. This one's like the Swiss army
knife of consoles, built for those fast-paced high energy
productions like festivals. It's compact yet powerful enough
that you don't feel like you're compromising.
Dual dashboard touch screens. A 24 inch articulating display.
It's all about giving you quick access to everything you need,
right when you need it. And it's portable, right?
So you're saying you can take it on tour without feeling like
you're lugging around gym equipment or a whole other
person? Exactly.
It's built for speed and flexibility.
Then you've got the Stage Hog, which is basically the Tour Hogs
customizable sibling. It's headless, meaning you can
bring your own monitors or tablets to fit your workflow.
One amount like cameras or extra laptops for your setup?
Go for it. It's made for productions where
personalization is key. Wait wait, headless?
That sounds kind of spooky but also oddly practical.
You mean instead of locking you into certain hardware?
It's like choose your own adventure for tech setups.
Exactly. Yeah, you can build it the way
that works best for you, and for smaller venues or tech
positions, you've got the Flex Hog.
It strips back the extras like the dashboard displays, but
still gives you precision and performance in a smaller
package. So sort of like the minimalist
sibling who packs light but somehow still has everything
they need. I love that.
Right. And then there's the Gig Hog,
which is like your Ultimate Programming wing.
It's USBC powered, can connect to Ethernet, and when paired
with Hog PC, it unlocks 12 universes straight
out-of-the-box. When linked to the HPU hybrid
processor, that number jumps to 64 universes.
It's perfect for portable setups.
Or, you know, DX programmers on the go. 12 universes or 64?
OK, that's Galaxy level power. I need a minute to wrap my head
around that. That's what I mean.
It's all about scalability. Whether you're running a massive
festival or an intimate theatre show, the Hog Family has one
solution or another that adapts to the demands of your gig and
your imagination. Speaking of how hardware powers
imagination, let's pivot to software for a SEC.
Laci the Hog OS version 5 Point O is a game changer.
It's not just compatible with older systems, but it makes
everything so much smoother for both seasoned pros and, you
know, folks who are just starting out.
Wait, so even if I'm that tech who still occasionally panics at
the sight of a touchscreen, this is friendly enough for me?
Absolutely. It's designed to bridge that
gap. You get all the power and dare I
say, flare of a Hog Console without feeling like you're
climbing this massive learning curve.
Plus, if you're already running version 4, your show files work
seamlessly in version 5. No stress, no reprogramming
nightmares. That sounds like a win nobody
enjoys. What do they call it?
Software induced existential dread.
Exactly. Now combine that with the Gig
Hog programming wing. This thing is built for tech
savvy folks who need major connectivity on the fly.
USBC, Ethernet, you name it. And when paired with HOG PC you
instantly unlock control over 12 universes.
It's like giving your setup a turbo boost. 12 OK, I feel like
I need a Cape just hearing about it, but seriously, who comes up
with this stuff? It's like they know exactly what
we need before we know we need it.
That's ETC for you. They've always had this knack
for anticipating where the industry's headed.
I mean, they're celebrating 50 years, but they're clearly not
slowing down anytime soon. They're constantly paving the
way forward, even for like the quirkiest venues.
Speaking of quirky, can we just pause to imagine a gig hog
running the lighting in, say, an underwater concert at an
aquarium? Tell me that's not someone's
next big project. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise
me. ET CS tools are so versatile.
They kind of encourage people to push boundaries like that.
Whether you're lighting a Broadway stage or yeah, a deep
sea jam session, they make it possible.
Well, Chris, I got to say, talking about the Hog lineup and
ET CS legacy, it feels like the future is bright, pun absolutely
intended. Couldn't agree more.
And that wraps up today's episode of Future Tech Thanks
for tuning in, and cheers to ETC for 50 years of lighting the
way. And to the next 50.
We'll see you next time. Future tech is here.
Come on man, we make the spec so clear.
Oh La La with music to your ears.
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