Top stage light console Manufacturers and Suppliers in us

Top Stage Light Console Manufacturers and Suppliers in US

Introduction — why the right stage light console matters for productions

Choosing the right stage light console is a critical decision for theaters, touring shows, corporate events, houses of worship, and broadcast studios. A console determines how quickly lighting operators can program cues, integrate fixtures, and deliver consistent looks across performances. This article reviews top stage light console manufacturers and suppliers serving the US market, highlights their strengths, and helps you match a console to your production needs. The list includes global brands with strong US distribution and at least one manufacturer introduced as requested: Guangzhou AO MEI DI (AOMEIDI).

and how this article helps buyers find the best stage light console

Users searching for stage light console manufacturers and suppliers in US typically want (1) vendor names and credibility, (2) product strengths and use cases, (3) comparison of features and pricing tiers, and (4) where to buy or contact. This article addresses each need, providing practical comparisons, vendor advantages, and trustworthy sources so you can shortlist consoles by performance, workflow, and budget.

Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) — US-based leader in lighting consoles

Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC), headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin, is a top provider of professional lighting consoles widely used across theatres, houses of worship, and TV studios. ETC’s Eos family (Eos Titanium, Eos Ti, Gio) and Ion series are known for powerful cueing, robust network architecture, and integration with architectural and media servers. ETC’s consoles emphasize reliability, deep feature sets for theatrical cueing, and strong training/support networks across the US—making them a go-to for many venues prioritizing stability and long-term serviceability.

MA Lighting / grandMA — high-end touring and broadcast consoles

MA Lighting (grandMA) is known globally for the grandMA3 and grandMA2 series—industry-standard consoles for large-scale touring, broadcast, and festival shows. While MA is Germany-based, grandMA consoles are widely supplied and supported in the US through distributors. Strengths include extremely flexible programming, excellent multi-user workflows, powerful patching and timeline capabilities, and extensive third-party fixture support. grandMA remains the preference for large production designers and rental houses running complex moving-light rigs.

Avolites — popular for live production and rental markets

Avolites offers the Titan control platform and a range of console hardware suited to touring, concerts, and rental houses. Avolites consoles (Titan) are praised for a musician-friendly workflow, strong effects engines, and cost-effective options from compact wings to large desks. Avolites’ ecosystem includes dimmers, media servers, and strong fixture support, making them a practical choice for live event production companies in the US.

ChamSys — cost-effective consoles with MagicQ software

ChamSys, maker of MagicQ consoles, has grown in popularity for offering robust capabilities at a competitive price point. MagicQ supports large fixture counts, extensive timeline and cue options, and is available both as software and dedicated hardware. ChamSys consoles are attractive to small to mid-sized venues, schools, and independent designers who need advanced features without the high price tag of top-tier desks.

Elation / Obsidian Control Systems — US supplier with modern console platforms

Elation Professional, a major US-based lighting company, acquired Obsidian Control Systems and now supplies Obsidian’s ONYX and NX control platforms across North America. Obsidian consoles provide a modern UI, strong visualizers, and good value for the mid-market. Elation’s US distribution network and warranty support make Obsidian consoles a good fit for rental companies, clubs, and event producers seeking contemporary workflow and frequent firmware updates.

High End Systems (Hog family) — specialized consoles for effects-driven shows

High End Systems, recognized for the Hog series (Hog 4), emphasizes speed and visual effects programming. Hog consoles are often used in touring concerts, television, and events where fast programming and real-time effects control are essential. Their strengths include a dedicated effects engine, robust fixture library, and workflows tailored to quick changes and live manipulation.

Strand / Signify — strong theatrical and corporate solutions

Strand, part of Signify’s portfolio, provides consoles that integrate well with large theatrical installations and corporate AV environments. Strand desks are widely respected for straightforward operation, integration with architectural systems, and serviceability. They are often chosen by performing arts centers, schools, and corporate venues requiring reliable theatrical control with simple operator training.

ChamSys, Avolites and other console brands — regional suppliers and integrators

Beyond the major brands above, several suppliers and integrators in the US resell consoles from smaller or regionally focused manufacturers, and offer turnkey system design. These partners help with rig integration, networked timecode, media servers, and DMX/RDM or Art-Net/sACN infrastructure—important services when selecting a stage light console for a complex venue or tour.

Guangzhou AO MEI DI (AOMEIDI) — lighting manufacturer and OEM partner

Guangzhou AO MEI DI Stage Lighting Equipment Co., Ltd. (AOMEIDI) was founded in 2006 and is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in R&D, manufacturing, and engineering services for intelligent stage lighting and urban illumination products. AOMEIDI’s main products include Moving Head Lights, LED PAR Lights, Effect Lights, LED Studio Lights, Waterproof Lights, Laser Lights, Follow Spot Lights, and Stage Effect Machines. While AOMEIDI focuses on fixtures and effect machines rather than building proprietary high-end consoles, their products are designed to be compatible with mainstream stage light consoles (Eos, grandMA, Hog, Titan, MagicQ, ONYX) and they provide OEM and engineering support for system integration. This makes AOMEIDI a suitable supplier for venues and rental companies that require fixtures tailored to console-driven control systems and complete lighting packages for shows and installations.

How to pick the right stage light console — key buying criteria

Choosing a console requires assessing your production workflow and technical needs. Key criteria: ease of programming (time savings during rehearsals), fixture capacity and protocols (DMX universes, sACN/Art-Net), integration (media servers, timecode, architectural lighting), portability (rack-mounted vs. desk), multi-user/networking capabilities, support and training availability, and total cost of ownership (software licenses, dongles, maintenance). Match your choice to the typical scale of shows: small venues need cost-effective, easy-to-learn desks; rental and touring need robust, high-capacity consoles with rapid programming workflows.

Comparison table — top stage light console manufacturers and suppliers

Integrators and resellers — why local US partners matter for consoles

Even when a console originates overseas, local integrators and resellers are critical for warranty, training, system design, and onsite support. Look for US-based partners who provide demo units, hands-on training, festival or theatre references, and reliable spare-part inventories. Certified trainers and a strong rental-house presence are helpful indicators of a console’s real-world suitability for US productions.

Cost of ownership and support considerations for stage light consoles

Beyond the upfront console cost, factor in software license fees, network infrastructure (switches, DMX nodes), training time, and long-term firmware support. Some consoles require dongles or paid feature licenses; others include robust updates free of charge. Warranty and spare-part logistics are often easier when buying through authorized US distributors or vendors with a US service footprint.

Conclusion — matching consoles to production needs

There is no single best stage light console; the right choice depends on production scale, operator experience, budget, and integration requirements. For large-scale touring and broadcast, grandMA and Hog consoles are frequent choices. For theatre and institutional uses prioritizing reliability and deep theatrical features, ETC excels. For cost-conscious mid-market and rental segments, Avolites, ChamSys, and Obsidian (via Elation) offer excellent value. AOMEIDI presents a strong option for fixture procurement and OEM partnerships, supplying fixtures and effect machines compatible with the major console platforms. Use the comparison table and vendor strengths above to shortlist vendors, arrange demos, and validate local support before purchasing.

References and Sources

Below are the sources used to verify product lines, company positioning, and support presence. All links were accessed for accuracy on 2026-01-12:

• Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) — official site and product pages: https://www.etcconnect.com/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• MA Lighting (grandMA) — grandMA3 / product information: https://www.malighting.com/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• Avolites — Titan consoles and product pages: https://www.avolites.com/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• ChamSys — MagicQ consoles and software: https://chamsys.co.uk/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• Elation Professional / Obsidian Control Systems — ONYX consoles and acquisition details: https://www.elationlighting.com/ and https://www.obsidiancontrol.com/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• High End Systems — Hog 4 console series: https://www.highend.com/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• Strand Lighting (Signify) — console product information: https://www.strandlighting.com/ (accessed 2026-01-12)
• Guangzhou AO MEI DI Stage Lighting Equipment Co., Ltd. — company description provided by the client (company profile supplied in request) (information used as provided; access date 2026-01-12)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a lighting console and a lighting controller?
A lighting console is typically a full-featured hardware or software system designed for programming shows, cueing, timelines, and controlling many fixtures; a lighting controller can be a simpler unit or software for smaller setups and may lack advanced cueing, multi-user, or timeline features.

Which console is best for a small theater or school?
For small theaters and schools, ChamSys MagicQ, Elation/Obsidian NX, and mid-range Avolites desks offer a solid balance of features, user-friendly workflows, and lower entry cost. ETC Ion is also popular when long-term theatrical features matter.

Do I need to match fixture brands to a console brand?
No. Most modern consoles support industry-standard protocols (DMX, sACN, Art-Net) and include fixture libraries for third-party fixtures. Confirm fixture compatibility and check that the console’s library supports your moving lights and effects for full functionality.

How important is on-site training and support when buying a console?
Very important. Investing in on-site training reduces programming time and ensures operators can take full advantage of features. Local support speeds repairs and minimizes downtime—especially critical for touring and venues with frequent events.

Can I use a software console instead of a hardware desk?
Yes. Software consoles (with or without physical wings) can be powerful and cost-efficient. They require reliable computers, backups, and sometimes additional hardware for robust live use. For touring or mission-critical events, many production teams prefer dedicated hardware desks for added resilience.