Straun was keen to get a closer look at the MA dot2 console after his first brief encounter at a show in Sydney, Australia. "I didn't have time to have a proper 'play' to explore what it could really do so I grabbed the chance to attend one of the sessions offered by Ambersphere. It provided a good insight into the basics of the desk but the Ambersphere team were also on hand to answer more in-depth questions. However well you think you know a console you always learn new tricks and quicker programming styles when going through everything from scratch in that sort of environment.
"For me, MA produce good software that works - with good hardware that works and the dot2 carries on this tradition," continues Straun. "Even though the touch screens are small they display all the information you need. By plugging in an external monitor you can see even more information. The desk is lightweight but feels well made; the buttons feel the same as on a full-size MA2. The software works solidly and is extremely easy to use and understand. Coming from MA2 it's the same language; the networking is foolproof, literally as easy as connecting a cable, launching the software and starting a session."
After the seminar had ended Straun spent time talking to Thor André from the Ambersphere team. "Sitting down with Michael after the training in Glasgow was fun," comments André. "He had very clear ideas about what he wanted the console to be able to do and I was able to show him solutions to all the scenarios he set me. At first glance, the console looks almost too simple and easy. And it is! But once you start digging a bit deeper, you realise just how advanced it really is. And this tends to be the turning point for experienced programmers like Michael."
It was decided the next best step was to try a console out on a live project; Up Down Man was identified as an ideal opportunity.
"I had the console during the last week of rehearsals so I was able to get familiar with it and start to pre-programme the cues using WYSIWYG. This was fantastic and a big time saver. By the time we got to the programming session I already had 80 cues in the desk and only minor adjustments were needed before we could start the tech rehearsals."
After handing over the operation of the console, Straun received daily show reports: there wasn't a single negative mention of the console during the whole run.
(Jim Evans)
