ETC Lighting Control Systems: Which Console Is Right for Your Venue?

ETC Lighting Control: The Industry Standard

ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls) produces the most widely used lighting control systems in the theatrical industry. From small community theaters to Broadway, ETC consoles are the backbone of professional lighting control. As an authorized ETC dealer in Kansas City, we sell, install, and support the full range of ETC control products.

ETC Console Lineup

ColorSource Console

The entry-level option for venues that need simple, intuitive control. The ColorSource console is designed for non-technical users and smaller venues. It controls up to 40 or 80 faders (depending on the model) and integrates directly with ETC’s ColorSource LED fixtures. A great choice for houses of worship, small event spaces, and educational settings where the operator may not be a trained lighting technician.

Element Console

The ETC Element is the workhorse of educational and community theater. It offers a clean, intuitive interface with both manual faders and a command line for more advanced programming. Available in configurations from 250 to 1000+ channels, the Element is powerful enough for complex shows while remaining accessible to student operators and volunteer crews.

Ion Console

The Ion is ETC’s mid-range professional console, used in regional theaters, touring productions, and larger houses of worship. It offers the full Eos software suite with support for moving lights, LEDs, and conventional fixtures. The Ion Xe adds additional processing power and expanded output capabilities.

Gio Console

The Gio is ETC’s flagship console for large-scale professional productions. Broadway, national tours, concert venues, and major regional theaters rely on the Gio for its extensive programming capabilities, dual motorized fader wings, and the complete Eos family software platform.

ETCnomad

ETCnomad turns a Mac or PC into a fully functional ETC console using the complete Eos software suite. Combined with a Gadget II USB-DMX interface, it’s a powerful and affordable option for programming, education, and small venue control. ETC offers a special Education Package for students and educators at a significant discount.

Choosing the Right Console

The right ETC console depends on your venue size, fixture count, the technical experience of your operators, and your budget. A community theater running 50 conventional fixtures has very different needs than a regional theater with 200 LED luminaires and moving lights.