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. Hey, hey. Hey, let's go. New gear vibes, new tech jive gear heads unite.
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