Featured Product: ETC ColorSource 40 AV Lighting Console
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Designed for small venues, churches, and educational theatres
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Built-in AV playback with touchscreen interface
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Simple color mixing and cue-based operation
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Supports DMX and sACN protocols
Choosing the best lighting console for a small venue or theatre can feel like an overwhelming task. There are dozens of models across price ranges, from compact DMX boards to full-featured touch-based consoles. The goal is to find the right balance of usability, expandability, and budget.
Below we compare some of the most popular and reliable options in 2025 for small theatres, community venues, and worship environments.
🎛 What to Look For in a Small-Venue Console
When selecting a console, consider:
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Ease of programming — intuitive interface for quick learning curves.
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Fixture support — ability to handle moving heads, LEDs, and dimmers.
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Connectivity — number of DMX universes or network outputs.
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Playback control — cue stack and fader layouts that match your show workflow.
🧩 Top 5 Lighting Consoles for Small Venues (2025)
💡 Theatre and Community Venue Recommendations
For small theatres, consoles like the ETC ColorSource 40 AV or Chamsys QuickQ 20 deliver professional-level functionality without complexity. Their cue-based design and intuitive touch controls make them ideal for limited crew operations or student environments.
Community venues and churches benefit from software-hybrid systems like the Obsidian NX Touch — a compact device offering the flexibility of Onyx software with tactile control.
🎚 Workflow Tips for Smaller Venues
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Pre-program cues and use labeled playback faders for repeatable scenes.
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Leverage built-in effects engines for dynamic movement and color chases.
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Utilize Art-Net or sACN for easy network expansion when your rig grows.
These consoles make it possible to scale your system affordably — moving from two universes to full networked control without replacing your entire setup.
🏆 Editor’s Choice
If you’re looking for a single recommendation:
The ETC ColorSource 40 AV remains the most balanced console for small venues in 2025 — combining intuitive control, strong manufacturer support, and network expandability at a reasonable cost.
