ETC has received over a hundred orders for the new SmartFade ML in London alone, even though the console, which is designed for smaller venues and non-technical users, is not yet shipping!

Making sure that great professional moving light control is available to any production - no matter how small or budget-challenged, ETC has introduced the SmartFade ML - ML for moving lights - which brings ETC-quality control to the smallest venues and events, within a super compact, portable and easy to use board.

The latest addition to ETC's Smart Solutions line of basic lighting gear - which includes portable control consoles, dimmers, luminaires and stands - the SmartFade ML will be a smart choice for small touring acts, schools, product launches, corporate events and countless other applications.

SmartFade ML brings professional features like palettes, parameter "fan" and built-in dynamic effects to novice and experienced users alike. Its direct access style of operation means that students, volunteers and non-technical staff can be lighting memorable shows in minutes.

Adam Bennette, ETC's technical director in London says: "Until now, novice end-users and small scale productions haven't had access to really good - in terms of both quality and usability - but still affordable equipment. That's something that I, as the SmartFade ML design team leader, wanted to do something about. As more people add moving lights to their rigs, I'm sure they'll find the SmartFade ML to be the perfect solution."

With a capacity for up to 24 moving lights and an additional 48 intensity channels (dimmers), plus the ability to patch to two complete universes of DMX512A (1,024 outputs), SmartFade ML provides a solid range of control for smaller lighting rigs. ETC engineered the SmartFade ML with colour-coded backlit keys to make it easy to operate in the dark without requiring additional worklights. The keys and built-in LCD displays also provide status feedback for the rig without the need for an external monitor.