USA – The LDI show in Las Vegas, United States, once again becomes the stage where brands not only showcase products, but also vision. For OBSIDIAN Control Systems, this show is a key space to connect with users, listen to the community, and demonstrate where its control platform is headed. From the booth, John Lopez, Director of Sales for the Americas, sums it up clearly: “The idea and concept of the booth is for users to come in, play with the consoles, and learn Onyx.”
That logic of closeness defines OBSIDIAN’s DNA. ONYX, its control platform, is the core of an ecosystem that grows year after year, incorporating new tools, hardware, and functions designed from the real-world experience of operators.
ONYX in expansion: users, learning, and a platform that continues to consolidate
Lopez knows ONYX’s journey from the inside. “I’ve already spent four or five years getting to know this Obsidian Control system, and every year I see more and more people wanting to come in and learn about this platform,” he explains. That growth is not only measured in the number of users, but also in diversity: “There are many new users and many more experienced users who are hearing about Onyx and want to come learn how it’s used and how the system works.”
One of the pillars of that adoption is its operational logic. “The operation of the control is something very familiar; it’s a command line syntax where you already know how to use the keypad to select the fixtures and make them do what you want,” he details. That familiarity reduces the learning curve and allows new users to start working quickly: “Learning how to use Onyx doesn’t take much. There are many people who come in, learn it easily, and start working.”
Added to this is a key differentiator: the integration of a media server within ONYX. “We created a media server system that is integrated inside ONYX, which really helps users apply video content over luminaires without having to buy another device, to create very dynamic and very fast effects,” Lopez notes, highlighting one of the features that currently generates the most interest in the market.
NX W, NX3, and a user-driven strategy
At LDI, OBSIDIAN introduced two new developments that reinforce this philosophy. On one hand, NX W, which expands access to the system: “We are introducing the NX W, which is a PC Wing, with motorized faders, all backlit, and everything can be customized with color changes.”
Alongside it, the brand showcased a console aimed at the next level: “We are showing a new console that we hope will be available by mid next year called the NX3, using the same system with motorized faders that change color and much more power in the console.”
The addition of motorized faders is no coincidence. Lopez acknowledges it as a direct demand from the market: “That was a requirement that users have been asking us for. So that’s what we’re seeing across all the products.” And he anticipates that development will not stop: “Soon we’re going to see some good changes in the software. We have everything planned to keep moving forward.”
In parallel, the Netron line plays a strategic role within the ecosystem. “The Netron part is very important because outside of control, people also need to implement data signal distribution for lighting,” he explains. Its strength lies in versatility: “It works very well with Onyx, but it can also be integrated with other console brands. It doesn’t have to be only for Onyx.” It even adds an operational backup layer: “Our Netron devices have a license to use Onyx. You plug one into a computer and you can open Onyx and start working if you’re in an emergency.”
Latin America as a strategic territory
As head of sales for the region, Lopez outlines a clear picture of OBSIDIAN’s present in LATAM: “We have many clients there. We have distributors that are providing a lot of support and making progress in Latin America.” Colombia and Venezuela stand out as strong markets, while Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, and Peru show growing activity. “We are everywhere and soon we’re going to enter Argentina,” he anticipates.
Direct contact with users is an essential part of that strategy. “This expo and all the expos we can attend are the only way we can meet so many people in one week,” he states. And he closes with an idea that sums up the spirit of the brand: “When they come and we meet them, it’s really nice to know who is doing what, and in which part of the world.”
OBSIDIAN continues to consolidate its path with a clear premise: listen to the user, simplify access to control, and expand its ecosystem without losing coherence.
With NX W as a new gateway, ONYX as a constantly evolving platform, and an increasingly active regional strategy, the brand strengthens its presence in Latin America and makes it clear that growth is not accidental, but part of a sustained plan.
At LDI, OBSIDIAN didn’t just show products: it showed direction.
