Oct. 24, 2025
FutureTech Featuring ETC - ETC's 8-Port DMX Gateways Debut
ETC has expanded its Response Mk2 DMX Gateway lineup with two new 8-port models, designed for high-density and efficient DMX output. Chris and Lacy break down what this means for concert production setups, examine some space-saving tricks, and explore how these tech upgrades shape the industry.
1
00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:21,920
All right, welcome back to
another future tech episode with
2
00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:25,360
Geezers of Gear.
Today we're diving into ET CS
3
00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,280
latest drop, the new 8 port DMX
gateways.
4
00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,120
Chris, I don't know about you,
but when this press release
5
00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:37,400
landed in my inbox, high density
DMX basically screamed at me.
6
00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:41,920
Yeah, high density and compact
footprint are like magic words
7
00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:44,440
for anyone who's ever stared
down a rack that's stuffed to
8
00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,760
the gills, right?
ET CS Response MK2 Gateway
9
00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:51,160
family is getting these full
width and half width 8 port
10
00:00:51,160 --> 00:00:54,720
models, one with all XLRS, one
with terminals.
11
00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,760
For those who've not followed
along, that's 8 outputs squeezed
12
00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:02,080
into either a classic full rack
or this much smaller half rack
13
00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:05,000
style with terminals and.
Help me out Chris.
14
00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:08,320
So terminal connections instead
of XLRS means you're wiring
15
00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:12,160
direct, no bulky cables.
Exactly, spot on.
16
00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,520
XLRS are still super handy, but
when you're packing a lot of
17
00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,600
runs into a rack, think LED
coves, architectural installs,
18
00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,800
or a big concert tour.
Terminal strips are brilliant.
19
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,680
The clincher here is that the
half width terminal version is
20
00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,800
exactly the same size as ET CS
old 4 port Gateway.
21
00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:32,440
But now you get twice as many
connections in that space.
22
00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:35,200
Twice as many?
I mean, that's massive.
23
00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,880
That is wild.
I'm picturing those crazy racks
24
00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,720
backstage where it's like you've
got to squeeze another device in
25
00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,280
with a crowbar.
So if you can double up your DMX
26
00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,160
lines without doubling up your
gear, that's kind of a dream,
27
00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:48,840
no?
Oh, totally.
28
00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,360
Let me tell you, back in the day
we'd have these ginormous racks
29
00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,560
just stuffed with DMX gear and
every extra output felt like a
30
00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,760
commitment.
You'd run out of rack space
31
00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,080
before you ran out of ideas for
what to control.
32
00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,320
With these 8 port gateways,
especially being able to mix and
33
00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:07,960
match XLR or terminals, you save
a ton of space and also cut down
34
00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:11,160
on cost.
More outputs, less physical
35
00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:13,080
headache.
And they didn't skimp on the
36
00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:16,240
network options either.
The mounting is flexible.
37
00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,000
Network ports are repositionable
so you can slot these anywhere
38
00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,960
in the chain instead of planning
your whole rig around like where
39
00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,400
the doors open.
That used to drive me mad.
40
00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,440
The flexibility is key, and as
someone who's not exactly
41
00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,400
rewiring these racks myself,
I'll just say anything that
42
00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,720
brings more DMX outputs into a
smaller, easier footprint.
43
00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,000
The whole team's going to be
grateful.
44
00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,400
No arguments there.
It's a small change with a big
45
00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:43,080
impact.
Makes life a bit easier and
46
00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,600
lowers cost too.
As Kirk from ETC put it, this
47
00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:50,720
kind of trusted DMX control just
opens up more options whether
48
00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:53,400
it's a permanent install or a
big concert tour.
49
00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,960
Actually we talked a bit about
that teams maximizing value when
50
00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,880
we covered gear shares AI driven
rental platforms a couple
51
00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,480
episodes back.
This is another chapter in the
52
00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:07,160
Do more with Less story.
Yeah, it really all ties
53
00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,840
together.
All right, so let's dig even
54
00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,120
deeper into what happens when
you actually start stacking
55
00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:15,480
these things in your rack and
look at the real world cost
56
00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,120
savings.
So this is my favorite part from
57
00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,160
the release.
You can get 16 outputs out of a
58
00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:25,320
single one U rack space by
stacking 2 half width gateways.
59
00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:29,160
That's that's a lot for one
little bit of real estate.
60
00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,720
I know, right?
Picture 2 half width terminal
61
00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:36,200
gateway sitting side by side,
just one unit tall in your rack,
62
00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:40,320
but giving you 16 DMX outputs?
Even five years ago that would
63
00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:41,880
have sounded like wishful
thinking.
64
00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,080
Usually you'd need what, 21-U4
port boxes?
65
00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,680
Or a big clunky array.
And don't forget about the
66
00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:50,880
tangle of power leads and
network cables.
67
00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,720
ET CS really streamlined it.
Just slap them both in an
68
00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:58,200
existing rack mount kit, screw
them down, and you're ready.
69
00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,640
It's a huge deal for budgets
too.
70
00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,520
You get twice the density and
it's actually less expensive
71
00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:08,040
according to ETC.
So now you can allocate more
72
00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,440
money to things people actually
see on stage, instead of
73
00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:13,520
spending it all on
infrastructure hidden behind a
74
00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:14,840
curtain.
Right.
75
00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:16,279
And think about the ripple
effect.
76
00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,880
Less rack space means lighter
racks, easier to move, cheaper
77
00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,680
to ship, especially for touring
groups or anyone who's worried
78
00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,600
about freight costs.
And you know those fun surprises
79
00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,280
when you go overweight at the
airport.
80
00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:32,120
I'm not going to say it's as
cool as a brand new moving light
81
00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,880
or a next Gen. console, but
honestly when you were in the
82
00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,880
trenches your backbone gear
matters most.
83
00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,120
Yeah, nobody's flashing their
gateway stacks and Instagram
84
00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,600
posts, but man, it matters
behind the scenes.
85
00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:48,040
And honestly, seeing these kinds
of efficiency improvements makes
86
00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:49,880
me hope more companies go this
route.
87
00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:54,040
Like, remember how that ETCF Dr.
RX we talked about a few
88
00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,320
episodes back centralizes LED
drivers?
89
00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:58,360
This feels like the same
playbook.
90
00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,760
Smarter, denser, lower
maintenance, and totally
91
00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,040
scalable for the future.
Absolutely, future proofing
92
00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,840
counts and ET CS really
listening to the pain points
93
00:05:07,840 --> 00:05:10,320
this time.
A little thing like mounting 2
94
00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,920
boxes instead of four changes
your whole approach to system
95
00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:16,240
design.
Anyway, I think that's a wrap
96
00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:18,360
for today's DMX hardware deep
dive.
97
00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:21,560
If you want the visuals, you can
check out ET CS site for all
98
00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:25,440
three Gateway photos for now.
Thanks for tuning in everyone.
99
00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,120
We'll be back with more news and
fresh gear updates.
100
00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:32,480
Chris, I'll see you next time.
Always a pleasure Laci, and
101
00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:33,920
thanks to everyone out there
listening.
102
00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:43,560
Stay tuned for the next one.
Sure Tech is here.
103
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:49,360
Come on, get him.
You make the specs so clear.
104
00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:54,320
Oh, La La with music to your
ears.
105
00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,400
Hey, hey.
Hey, let's go.
106
00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:03,080
New gear vibes, new tech jive
gear hits unite.
107
00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:07,560
We keep it live.
Oh yeah, come on, this gear, the
108
00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,200
leaders gear, we got it here.
00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:21,920
All right, welcome back to
another future tech episode with
2
00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:25,360
Geezers of Gear.
Today we're diving into ET CS
3
00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,280
latest drop, the new 8 port DMX
gateways.
4
00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,120
Chris, I don't know about you,
but when this press release
5
00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:37,400
landed in my inbox, high density
DMX basically screamed at me.
6
00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:41,920
Yeah, high density and compact
footprint are like magic words
7
00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:44,440
for anyone who's ever stared
down a rack that's stuffed to
8
00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,760
the gills, right?
ET CS Response MK2 Gateway
9
00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:51,160
family is getting these full
width and half width 8 port
10
00:00:51,160 --> 00:00:54,720
models, one with all XLRS, one
with terminals.
11
00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,760
For those who've not followed
along, that's 8 outputs squeezed
12
00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:02,080
into either a classic full rack
or this much smaller half rack
13
00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:05,000
style with terminals and.
Help me out Chris.
14
00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:08,320
So terminal connections instead
of XLRS means you're wiring
15
00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:12,160
direct, no bulky cables.
Exactly, spot on.
16
00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,520
XLRS are still super handy, but
when you're packing a lot of
17
00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,600
runs into a rack, think LED
coves, architectural installs,
18
00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,800
or a big concert tour.
Terminal strips are brilliant.
19
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,680
The clincher here is that the
half width terminal version is
20
00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,800
exactly the same size as ET CS
old 4 port Gateway.
21
00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:32,440
But now you get twice as many
connections in that space.
22
00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:35,200
Twice as many?
I mean, that's massive.
23
00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,880
That is wild.
I'm picturing those crazy racks
24
00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,720
backstage where it's like you've
got to squeeze another device in
25
00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,280
with a crowbar.
So if you can double up your DMX
26
00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,160
lines without doubling up your
gear, that's kind of a dream,
27
00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:48,840
no?
Oh, totally.
28
00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,360
Let me tell you, back in the day
we'd have these ginormous racks
29
00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,560
just stuffed with DMX gear and
every extra output felt like a
30
00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,760
commitment.
You'd run out of rack space
31
00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,080
before you ran out of ideas for
what to control.
32
00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,320
With these 8 port gateways,
especially being able to mix and
33
00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:07,960
match XLR or terminals, you save
a ton of space and also cut down
34
00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:11,160
on cost.
More outputs, less physical
35
00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:13,080
headache.
And they didn't skimp on the
36
00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:16,240
network options either.
The mounting is flexible.
37
00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,000
Network ports are repositionable
so you can slot these anywhere
38
00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,960
in the chain instead of planning
your whole rig around like where
39
00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,400
the doors open.
That used to drive me mad.
40
00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,440
The flexibility is key, and as
someone who's not exactly
41
00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,400
rewiring these racks myself,
I'll just say anything that
42
00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,720
brings more DMX outputs into a
smaller, easier footprint.
43
00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,000
The whole team's going to be
grateful.
44
00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,400
No arguments there.
It's a small change with a big
45
00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:43,080
impact.
Makes life a bit easier and
46
00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,600
lowers cost too.
As Kirk from ETC put it, this
47
00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:50,720
kind of trusted DMX control just
opens up more options whether
48
00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:53,400
it's a permanent install or a
big concert tour.
49
00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,960
Actually we talked a bit about
that teams maximizing value when
50
00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,880
we covered gear shares AI driven
rental platforms a couple
51
00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,480
episodes back.
This is another chapter in the
52
00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:07,160
Do more with Less story.
Yeah, it really all ties
53
00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,840
together.
All right, so let's dig even
54
00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,120
deeper into what happens when
you actually start stacking
55
00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:15,480
these things in your rack and
look at the real world cost
56
00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,120
savings.
So this is my favorite part from
57
00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,160
the release.
You can get 16 outputs out of a
58
00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:25,320
single one U rack space by
stacking 2 half width gateways.
59
00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:29,160
That's that's a lot for one
little bit of real estate.
60
00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,720
I know, right?
Picture 2 half width terminal
61
00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:36,200
gateway sitting side by side,
just one unit tall in your rack,
62
00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:40,320
but giving you 16 DMX outputs?
Even five years ago that would
63
00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:41,880
have sounded like wishful
thinking.
64
00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,080
Usually you'd need what, 21-U4
port boxes?
65
00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,680
Or a big clunky array.
And don't forget about the
66
00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:50,880
tangle of power leads and
network cables.
67
00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,720
ET CS really streamlined it.
Just slap them both in an
68
00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:58,200
existing rack mount kit, screw
them down, and you're ready.
69
00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,640
It's a huge deal for budgets
too.
70
00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,520
You get twice the density and
it's actually less expensive
71
00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:08,040
according to ETC.
So now you can allocate more
72
00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,440
money to things people actually
see on stage, instead of
73
00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:13,520
spending it all on
infrastructure hidden behind a
74
00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:14,840
curtain.
Right.
75
00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:16,279
And think about the ripple
effect.
76
00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,880
Less rack space means lighter
racks, easier to move, cheaper
77
00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,680
to ship, especially for touring
groups or anyone who's worried
78
00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,600
about freight costs.
And you know those fun surprises
79
00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,280
when you go overweight at the
airport.
80
00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:32,120
I'm not going to say it's as
cool as a brand new moving light
81
00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,880
or a next Gen. console, but
honestly when you were in the
82
00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,880
trenches your backbone gear
matters most.
83
00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,120
Yeah, nobody's flashing their
gateway stacks and Instagram
84
00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,600
posts, but man, it matters
behind the scenes.
85
00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:48,040
And honestly, seeing these kinds
of efficiency improvements makes
86
00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:49,880
me hope more companies go this
route.
87
00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:54,040
Like, remember how that ETCF Dr.
RX we talked about a few
88
00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,320
episodes back centralizes LED
drivers?
89
00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:58,360
This feels like the same
playbook.
90
00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,760
Smarter, denser, lower
maintenance, and totally
91
00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,040
scalable for the future.
Absolutely, future proofing
92
00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,840
counts and ET CS really
listening to the pain points
93
00:05:07,840 --> 00:05:10,320
this time.
A little thing like mounting 2
94
00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,920
boxes instead of four changes
your whole approach to system
95
00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:16,240
design.
Anyway, I think that's a wrap
96
00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:18,360
for today's DMX hardware deep
dive.
97
00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:21,560
If you want the visuals, you can
check out ET CS site for all
98
00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:25,440
three Gateway photos for now.
Thanks for tuning in everyone.
99
00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,120
We'll be back with more news and
fresh gear updates.
100
00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:32,480
Chris, I'll see you next time.
Always a pleasure Laci, and
101
00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:33,920
thanks to everyone out there
listening.
102
00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:43,560
Stay tuned for the next one.
Sure Tech is here.
103
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:49,360
Come on, get him.
You make the specs so clear.
104
00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:54,320
Oh, La La with music to your
ears.
105
00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,400
Hey, hey.
Hey, let's go.
106
00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:03,080
New gear vibes, new tech jive
gear hits unite.
107
00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:07,560
We keep it live.
Oh yeah, come on, this gear, the
108
00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,200
leaders gear, we got it here.