I’m back again to share my experience and point of view using the DPW MegaCtrl Box. For those of you who aren’t yet aware, this is a compact piece of kit that provides four encoders and a level wheel for your Eos Nomad rig. Please note three things right away:
- This is not a review. This is your nerd console buddy talking about something they have played with and used, but has not conducted an exhaustive bunch of testing prior to writing.
- I was not paid, but I did receive it “at cost” from the person who makes them. This may have skewed my opinion in some way, so you should know.
- This is for Nomad ONLY. You currently can’t use this with a full Eos console since it requires a driver.
Function and Size
The unit’s main function is to give you access to the current four encoders you are viewing in your Encoder Display and it throws in the level wheel as well. The way it does that is by using six Macros (901-906) that you need to merge into your show file. The two buttons at the top function as a one-button method to page through your encoders (the button on the right) and another button that allows you to page through each encoder category when there is more than one page of parameters (the button on the left). This is obviously slower than a full console or the other main product you may think is in this category, which is the JOSC. I say “you may think” because I believe the MegCtrl is a new category of device. I’ll get back to this in a little while.
The Box is small— almost tiny. It’s 8.25” long, 2.5” deep, and 2 5/8” high, which is something I both love and do not love about it. But it’s SO small and light, the encoders kind of need to be gripped with your first two fingers to be worked well. Part of this issue can be resolved by adding some sticky feet to the bottom, or finding some way to attach it solidly to a surface. But the rest is simply the size of the encoders themselves. They are 1.25” in diameter, which makes them a little tricky to work with at full speed.
The encoders by default will travel 2 points of value unless you press and hold down the encoder. Then, it travels 1 point in 16-bit resolution and 0.5% travel in 8-bit resolution. The Level Wheel has no modifier, so it always does the default 2 points. There is an occasional issue with sensitivity with the encoders where they will sometimes jog down a value while you are moving up or vice versa. It’s annoying, but not tragic.
Ordering was easy, and the VAT and tariffs are all dealt with by Dawson, which is great and means you truly know the cost at the time of purchase.
Updating software is made easy by going to the website (using Chrome) and pressing a couple of virtual buttons and one actual button on the unit.
Category
Since there is no other product (that I’m aware of) that exists at this price point, it’s worth paying attention to. Tiny is often the most important value when you are traveling, or are strapped to a train or moving vehicle while programming. (Don’t laugh too hard— I’ve done it.) At a price of 110 pounds (around $150 in USD) plus shipping/tariffs, and with the form factor I mentioned above, I’m certainly glad I now own one, foibles aside. It fits where other products don’t and offers simple control over Eos. I see this as being ideal for pre-programming at home, hotel programming, and rigging programmers. All are cases where you don’t want to lug around extra gear, and if the device does a weird thing, no one but you notices.
Check it out.
What other devices for Nomad have you heard of or bought? Hit me in the comments.
***
Mark LaPierre is a programmer in film, television and theater based out of Albuquerque. He grew up in live entertainment and has been a designer/programmer for musicals, concert dance, live music, circus and corporate. Mark is a proud member of IATSE, an ETC Eos trainer and an enthusiastic trainer of many other platforms and subjects. He offers remote console coaching in 30 minute to 4 hour times as well as a full range of training in person. If you enjoy his content, please consider commenting on his posts on the website to appease the Algorithm.