Spain – From Integrated Systems Europe 2026, Electronic Theatre Controls presented a series of developments that reflect the evolution of its lighting technology ecosystem.
Based in Middleton, Wisconsin, ETC is one of the most influential companies in the sector, with decades of innovation in control consoles, intelligent luminaires, dimmers and tools used in theaters, live entertainment, television, architecture and large international productions. At the Barcelona show, the company used the global stage of ISE to demonstrate how it continues to integrate control, programming and luminaires under a single design philosophy focused on workflow speed, operational flexibility and light quality.
One of the main focuses was the control universe with the Hog family, where ETC presented its console ecosystem alongside the new Tour Wing, an accessory designed to expand programming and playback capabilities in dynamic production environments. The lineup includes solutions such as Tour Hog and Stage Hog, as well as programming surfaces like the Gig Hog Programming Wing, configurations designed to adapt to different production sizes and professional lighting workflows.
Sarah Clausen, Senior Product Manager at ETC, explained that the philosophy behind the Hog system directly responds to the real working conditions of lighting designers. “The Hog system is known for being easy to learn and very fast to use. It’s very well recognized for being able to go from pulling an empty console out of the case to having a show that same night,” she said.
According to Clausen, the key lies in an intuitive workflow that allows complex scenes to be built in very short timeframes. “The entire family is designed for people who don’t have much rehearsal time. They need to build a show on the fly, very quickly,” she added, emphasizing that the system’s syntax and operational method are designed so that designers can program quickly without sacrificing control or creativity.
Within the control segment, ETC also presented a significant evolution of its Apex platform with the launch of the Apex FP (Face Panel), a new programming surface that expands the system’s configuration possibilities. Unlike other models, the Apex FP removes the integrated monitor and allows the connection of up to three external 4K monitors, opening new installation options depending on the operator’s workspace.
Cory Cascio, Field Project Coordinator at ETC, noted that this modular architecture responds to the flexibility demands of today’s productions. “The Apex FP, the newest member of the family, doesn’t have a mounted monitor, so you can connect up to three 4K monitors and place them wherever you want: on the side, on the wall, or even suspended,” he said while presenting the system.
The panel also incorporates a series of tools that streamline real-time programming. The section dedicated to moving light control includes eight encoders that allow parameters to be manipulated directly depending on the type of fixture being used. “Before we had two encoders for pan and tilt and four additional ones, but now we’ve added eight full encoders, which allows access to different parameters depending on the fixture you’re using,” Cory explained.
The surface also includes additional touchscreens that allow users to work with magic sheets, direct selects or macros, as well as motorized faders and infinite encoders that can be assigned to effects, haze machines, work lights or other control functions. The system also features customizable display buttons, a drawer with a backlit keyboard, and USB-A and USB-C ports intended both for device charging and show file storage.
Alongside its control solutions, ETC used ISE to introduce a new generation of luminaires designed to respond to the needs of different types of stages. Among them was the Lone Star Prime, a new compact moving luminaire that expands the Lone Star family with optical and color improvements.
Matt Stoner, Product Manager for automated luminaires at ETC, explained that this model introduces significant advances compared to its predecessor. “The Lone Star Prime is our new offering within the Lone Star family. It’s a compact IP54-rated moving light with several improvements over the original model, including a second gobo wheel, enhanced CMY color mixing and a CTO flag,” he said.
The product is designed for applications in small and mid-sized venues where a versatile luminaire with profile capability and framing shutters is required. But the launch did not stop there. ETC also presented the new Gigapix and Megapix, two wash luminaires that incorporate an integrated Fresnel lens to generate a soft beam with a smooth transition from narrow angles to wider apertures.
According to Stoner, these fixtures stand out both for their color quality and their scenic versatility. “They use an integrated Fresnel lens that produces an incredible wash with a very smooth falloff from a narrow beam to wider angles, with color mixing ranging from 2000 to 10,000 Kelvin,” he explained. In addition, the system achieves a P1 rating on the TM-30 scale, ensuring precise color rendering across different lighting environments.
The presentation was completed with the DataFlash 5000, a powerful high-intensity strobe that retains the distinctive circular design of the DataFlash series while introducing new creative possibilities through interchangeable optical accessories. “It has the classic round front of the original DataFlash, but now includes accessories such as reflectors, eye candy and diffuser domes that expand the visual possibilities,” Stoner stated.
With these additions, ETC reinforces its focus on developing a complete lighting ecosystem that connects consoles, control surfaces and luminaires within a single technological language.
At a time when productions demand greater programming speed, system integration and operational flexibility, the solutions presented at ISE 2026 demonstrate how the company continues to evolve its tools to support the transformation of live entertainment and the new dynamics of lighting design.
