ETC Express 48/96 – Two-Scene Preset Lighting Control Console. 

The ETC Express 48/96 is a versatile, hands-on lighting control console designed for professional theatrical, educational, and mid-scale production environments. Built on the acclaimed ETC Expression software platform, it offers intuitive two-scene preset operation with the flexibility of single-scene wide mode, providing robust control over dimmers and DMX-compatible fixtures such as the Martin Atomic 3000 or Elation Platinum Beam 5R Pro. With a capacity of 96 channels in single-scene mode or 48 channels in two-scene mode, it supports up to 192 channels and 1024 DMX dimmers, making it ideal for theaters, schools, houses of worship, and rental applications. Its comprehensive programming capabilities include 600 cues, 500 groups, and advanced effects, delivering professional-grade control on a budget. 

• • Control Modes: 
  •    - Two-Scene Mode: 48 channels per scene (96 total), with two rows of faders (Scene A and Scene B) for manual crossfading, allowing smooth transitions between lighting looks using A/B faders. 
  •    - Single-Scene Mode: 96 channels on a single set of faders, doubling channel capacity for larger setups.
• • Channel and Output Capacity: Controls up to 192 channels and 1024 DMX 512 dimmers, with proportional patching for flexible dimmer assignments. 
• • Programming Features: 
  •    - Stores up to 600 cues per show across 25 pages for complex lighting sequences. 
  •    - Supports 500 groups, 99 focus points, and 2000 macros for streamlined programming and operation. 
  •    - 24 submasters across 10 pages for playback of cues, effects, or manual control. 
  •    - Eight-part multipart cues for intricate scene transitions. 
  •    - Effects engine with up to 100 steps per effect for dynamic chases and animated lighting sequences.
• • User Interface: 
  •    - Backlit LCD display for clear visibility in low-light environments. 
  •    - Tactile faders, dedicated function keys, bump buttons, and a numeric keypad for intuitive, hands-on operation. 
  •    - Stage display for real-time channel editing, with immediate output to connected fixtures. 
  •    - Spreadsheet editing for efficient cue and submaster management.
• • Connectivity: 
  •    - Two 5-pin XLR DMX 512 output ports for controlling fixtures like the Dataflash AF1000 or Platinum Beam 5R Pro. 
  •    - MIDI and SMPTE timecode inputs for show synchronization with audio or video systems. 
  •    - Optional ETCNet for network-based control and integration with other ETC systems. 
  •    - Disk drive (3.5” floppy) for show storage and backup (on older units).
• • Construction: Compact, rack-mountable or desktop design with a rugged metal chassis, built for durability in touring or fixed installations. 
• • Applications: Ideal for mid-sized theaters, educational institutions, churches, and rental houses requiring reliable, hands-on lighting control. 
• • Software: Runs ETC Expression software (version 3.1 in later models), known for its reliability and user-friendly interface.