ETC or High End Hog? Two flagship platforms, two very different worlds. ETC Eos owns theatre; the Hog has long been a concert and touring favourite. Here’s an honest head-to-head of what operators report \u2014 useful now that both brands live under one roof (ETC acquired High End in 2017).<\/p>\n
A synthesis of recurring opinions across English-speaking communities (r\/lightingdesign, ControlBooth) and operators who’ve run both. See our ETC Eos review<\/a> and High End Hog 4 review<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eos is built around a command-line, cue-based workflow<\/strong> ideal for scripted theatre, opera and education. It dominates US theatre, support and training are excellent, and the Eos software is free to download for offline learning (live output needs a paid ETCnomad USB key). If your world is plotted, cue-stack productions, Eos is the reference.<\/p>\n The Hog (the Hog 4-era Road Hog and Full Boar, now succeeded by the Tour Hog, Stage Hog and Flex Hog running Hog OS) grew up in concert and live touring<\/strong> \u2014 fast busking, a strong effects engine and a workflow operators describe as quick and musical. It has a loyal following in live music, especially in the US, though it’s less common than grandMA on the very biggest riders.<\/p>\n It’s the classic theatre vs concert<\/strong> split: Eos for plotted, cue-based shows; Hog for live, busked music. Both are deep, pro platforms with free learning software (the offline Eos software and Hog PC). On the very biggest touring riders you’ll more often meet grandMA than a Hog \u2014 see our ETC vs grandMA<\/a> and Avolites vs grandMA<\/a> comparisons.<\/p>\n There’s no winner here, just sectors: theatre leans ETC Eos, live concert busking leans Hog<\/strong>. Pick by the shows you want to do, learn it deeply (both have free PC\/Mac software to start with), and remember grandMA is the third name in this conversation for the biggest tours. See our pro DMX controller guide<\/a>.<\/p>\nETC Eos: the theatre standard<\/h2>\n
High End Hog: the concert busker<\/h2>\n
Where each one wins<\/h2>\n
Choose ETC Eos if\u2026<\/h3>\n
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Choose the Hog if\u2026<\/h3>\n
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The honest difference<\/h2>\n
My honest take<\/h2>\n