ETC has released major new software for its popular Congo and Congo jr lighting control desks: Congo v5. The new software introduces an impressive new effects package, new graphics and handling, as well as better editing tools, more functions and accessories. Congo users at theatres, TV studios and other entertainment venues worldwide will find a whole package of new solutions for their multimedia lighting rigs.
New effects
Congo v5 rethinks the management of lighting effects for theatre and live events, making them as easy to control as a dimmer with a scroller. Using all the tools available for device control, Congo v5 functions create endless new effects. The new Chase effect provides a simple editor for creating intensity effects without using up presets and sequences. The new Dynamic effect uses the existing dynamics concept and brings them into the new Effect Playback world. The new Content effect lets users reuse their existing show data – groups, palettes and presets – to create complex effects quickly and on the fly. All of these effects are handled in the new Effect Playbacks – users will select and control them just like channels and record them into presets within sequences or on masters. Existing Dynamic Effects and chase-sequence settings remain in the software so that past work can be brought into Congo v5 without any problems.
New graphics
ETC has changed the underlying graphics handling in Congo, providing improved speed in channel layout views and better display within tables.
Better editing tools
ETC has added a new Groups & Palettes Overview tab showing all the texts of items which have already been recorded. This tab can be used as a portal to the editors for those items as well. Track Editing for Attributes has also been improved, allowing users to choose whether to update the last preset that sourced a move, or multiple presets containing repeating data.
Improved show management
ETC reorganised the browser to make it more task-based and added important settings information to the New Play dialog. A Default Show Data wizard has been added to extract things like patch, groups and palettes, among other things, to always start with in a new play. A Delete Data wizard has been added to make it easier to clear larger sections of a play.
Improved Masters
Inhibit and Exclusive modes have been added to all the Masters. These roles are determined in the Master Page settings. Any console key or soft key can now be assigned to any master.
New Direct Select options
Screen layouts may now be given text names and may be deleted. The Direct Selects also provide quick access to the direct Gel Picker function (users can also assign colours from a Gel Picker tab that displays the complete libraries of the ten supported gel manufacturers, including gel numbers and colour swatches).
New accessories and network tools
ETC’s Net3 RFR, Net3 I/O Gateway, 2x20 Universal Fader Wing and the upcoming 1x20 Universal Fader Module are all supported in Congo v5. Also, a new large-venue management tool is included that allows the user to assign output universe mappings to named logical networks – such as Studio A, Studio B, etc. and choose which configuration the system should start up in.
Faster programing
Jussi Kaatrasalo, event coordinator at the Finnish National Skills Competition in Espoo, Finland was one of the first to try out the new Congo v5 software. He says: “It’s amazing how fast and easy it was to create effects. When programming the opening ceremony I thought it would take at least half an hour to program the effects I wanted, but it only took two minutes! It was very reliable. When working with this software there is definitely a fine line between work and play.”
For more about Congo and its new v5 software, please visit www.etcconnect.com/congov5