SLX, one of the best-known UK theatrical lighting rental specialists, systems integrators, and venue installers, has invested in nine new FLX range consoles with the purchase of seven FLX S24s and two FLX S48s.

The award-winning next generation FLX range of consoles take lighting control for small-to-medium applications to a whole new level. The decision to purchase by SLX was particularly driven by the transition to LED-based lighting rigs in so many venues at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where SLX is supplying lighting to the Underbelly.

”We needed a console that was straightforward and easy to use with the power to control a reasonable amount of moving and / or LED fixtures with all their parameters, and FLX was a perfect and cost-effective solution,” commented Ruari Cormack, Business Development Manager for SLX

He also mentioned that the two companies are near neighbors, with SLX headquartered in Bristol, with facilities in London and Exeter, and Zero 88’s manufacturing plant just across the Prince of Wales Bridge in Cwmbran.

SLX also has a long history with previous Zero 88 consoles, and Ruari fully expects these new FLX S consoles to become the new raft of “small venue workhorses.”

Features impressing him and the SLX team, including customer service manager Katy Lowe, were the touch screen interface, which gives a very contemporary style of working. The consoles allow users to quickly grab all the available parameters on an LED unit, including complex ones like color picking and mixing and record them swiftly as memories and scenes.

"The ZerOS Software architecture has a great reputation for its networking capabilities, and at a recent training session, Zero 88 undertook for one of SLX's student bursary events; all the network gurus were impressed. The fact that the consoles have been designed and manufactured in the UK was another big plus when making our decisions, together with the absolutely excellent technical and after sales service we received from the Team." - Ruari Cormack, Business Development Manager, SLX

This first batch of SLX FLX S consoles went directly up to Edinburgh where they were deployed around various Underbelly venues. Underbelly is one of the largest comedy promoters of the Fringe Festival and has a firm commitment to programming the best of new writing and talent. Their venues include George Square with the world-famous purple cow (Udderbelly), Circus Hub on the Meadows, their original Cowgate site, and this year they are back on Bristo Square, having taken over the newly refurbished McEwan Hall. This year, the majority of the Underbelly venue specs were upgraded to include LED fixtures, so everything fell into place time wise with the console investment.

“After the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the consoles will be available from SLX’s rental stock for dry / cross hires and used on their own production projects. They are expected to become a 'go-to' console for medium sized shows and events,” confirms Ruari, hinting that they may also feature in the upcoming panto season.

Continuing the theme of being impressed with Zero 88’s support he says, “They are great people and we are absolutely confident that we will continue enjoying this strong and positive working relationship and technical partnership in the future.”