ETC's Ion control desk is set to be seen for the first time in Germany at Prolight & Sound in Frankfurt on 12-15 March, hall 9.0, stand 80 (walkway B).

Like its big sister, Eos, with which it shares the same programming syntax, Ion is designed for today's multimedia lighting rigs, delivering seamless control over conventionals, moving lights and LEDs. College and community theatres, TV studios and rehearsal halls are among the venues that will benefit from Ion's operational style. With its convenient small footprint, only 48cm wide, the Ion is a compact, affordable solution for space starved venues, with the flexibility to grow even more powerful as needed.

Also on show will be the first public view of SmartSoft, a new software application that runs on a PC and can be used to get to know the SmartFade ML lighting control console using its on-screen virtual console face panel. ETC Controls Product Manager Sarah Clausen says: SmartFade ML show files can be used with SmartSoft as an offline editor and the file can then be saved to computer's hard disk. And, by connecting the PC to a SmartFade ML desk using USB, users can access direct data editing tools as well as display the show.

Please stop by ETC's stand, where you'll be able to experience Ion and SmartSoft, as well as demo some of the rest of ETC's range of lighting, dimming and control equipment. You can also preview, for the first time, Congo v5.0 the exciting new software version for this award winning control system, which includes an amazing new effects engine, and will be released this spring.