--- title: "Evolve With Eos Part 2: Filling Out the Family" description: Discover the evolution of the Eos Family of consoles, featuring new models and software enhancements that transformed lighting design and user experience. image: https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Overture_Hall_107-1.jpg --- - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [ABOUT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [AUTHORS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [CONTACT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [![EtCetera\_319x104](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "EtCetera_319x104")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) [![ETC Blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "ETC Blog")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) Search ## [![blog-header](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.png?width=476&height=155&name=blog-header.png "blog-header")](https://www.etcconnect.com) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [✕](https://blog.etcconnect.com/evolve-with-eos-filling-out-the-family#gwen-offcanvas-primary) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) # Evolve With Eos Part 2: Filling Out the Family ![Bryce Corning](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Headshot.png?width=34&height=34&name=Headshot.png)By [Bryce Corning](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/bryce) 6 Nov 2026 ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Overture_Hall_107-1.jpg)   In our [previous post](https://blog.etcconnect.com/evolve-with-eos-pt-1), we left off in 2009, when ETC had just completed what would become known as the first Eos Family, featuring Eos Classic, Ion Classic, and Element Classic. With the first family of Eos consoles rocketing in popularity, it was time to figure out what Eos' future would look like. Traditionally, lighting companies invented new desks every eight to ten years, usually from the ground up. Instead of following that approach, ETC hoped to improve the Classic Family, rather than completely invent a new line of desks. To facilitate this, the development of software and hardware was split in a way it hadn’t been in the past; hardware launches would focus on refreshing designs, displays, and user tools, and new desks that would fill in places where Eos did not have an offering. New features for Eos would now come primarily from software releases available on all Eos Family consoles. The second generation of Eos desks would see two new models released in addition to updates to the first family consoles. The first of these new models from Eos’ second generation was the [Gio](https://plsn.com/articles/road-tests/etc-gio-console/), which was envisioned as a portable touring console. With this, it needed a sleeker build. ETC’s R&D team designed a streamlined profile for the new desk, inspired by the folded angles and curves of the modern architecture spotted around New York.  ![NurembergStateTheatre\_Beijing\_06](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NurembergStateTheatre_Beijing_06.jpg?width=679&height=450&name=NurembergStateTheatre_Beijing_06.jpg) (Gio at the Nuremberg State Theatre in Germany) Throughout Gio’s development, the Eos team was hard at work on a series of software updates from Eos v1.9.0 through v1.9.8. These releases saw countless new features added, including remote device startup/shutdown, and adding Shift functions, which brought a modifier key to the Eos Family for the first time. Alongside those features, Pixel Mapping was added to the family, providing dynamic effects for people who didn’t have the experience or budget for a full media server.  Gio launched in 2012, and the Eos Classic was approaching seven years in production. The Eos team felt it was time for some updates to the flagship desk. The refresh would take the same design elements as the Gio, paired with the latest in touchscreens and tactile response to maintain the Eos feel. [Eos Ti](https://plsn.com/newsroom/product-news/eos-titanium-ti-console-debuts/), like the Eos Classic console it was replacing, would include designated encoder displays which were not included on the Ion, Element, and Gio consoles for size and budget constraints.  ![Overture\_Hall\_107-1](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Overture_Hall_107-1.jpg?width=685&height=457&name=Overture_Hall_107-1.jpg) (Eos Ti at the Overture Center - Circa 2013) The launch of Eos Ti in 2013 also coincided with the release of Eos Family software v2.0, which introduced Magic Sheets, a feature in Eos which is still widely popular today. The addition of Magic Sheets allowed users to graphically map out and interact with their show file for the first time, changing how people worked on Eos systems around the world. Eos v2.0 also added device lists, which combined the previously separate RDM feedback and Sensor feedback into a single feature. With the new Gio and Eos Ti complete, the Eos team set its sights on another project that had landed on its roadmap. Feedback from end users helped ETC spot a gap between Ion and Gio in terms of size, functionality, and pricing. To fill this gap, the Eos team would develop the Gio @5, which borrowed from the same design as the two other consoles. The chassis was a Ti cut down the middle, but to save space and weight, it adopted the Gio’s encoder positions and introduced five short-throw motorized faders with a dedicated screen for playback. Ultimately, Fred liked the console's working name, and Gio @5 became the product name (In Eos syntax, \[@\] \[5\] \[Enter\] is how you get a light to half of its output, and this console had around half of the previous consoles’ hardware offerings: 1 touchscreen, 5 playback faders). Following the launch of [Gio @5](https://plsn.com/newsroom/product-news/etc-gio-5-console/), R&D set out on a project that would bring the Eos family to more places than ever before.  At the heart of this project were replacements for the smaller Classic consoles. Ion Classic was first replaced by [Ion Xe and Xe 20](https://plsn.com/newsroom/product-news/etcs-ion-gets-an-upgrade-introducing-ion-xe-consoles/) in 2017. The following year, [Element 2](https://plsn.com/featured/etcs-eos-console-family-gets-new-element-and-focus-remote-hardware/) was released, with a refreshed take on the design of the Element Classic. Alongside the two new desks was a flurry of new accessories including Eos Fader Wings, Motorized Fader Wings, and the Eos Programming Wing. ![Programing Wings\_glam\_Eos color](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Programing%20Wings_glam_Eos%20color.png?width=650&height=433&name=Programing%20Wings_glam_Eos%20color.png) (Eos Programming Wings at Launch - Circa 2017) Throughout the development of new hardware, the Eos team was constantly adding and improving features within the software. Coinciding with the launch of Ion Xe in 2017, Eos v2.6 brought improvements to Snapshots, USB MIDI, and new pop-up tools. The next year, Eos v2.7 launched, bringing support for Element 2, multi-cell fixture control, and additional Flexi states. In 2019, Eos v2.8 would roll out featuring fixture editor updates, new effect editing tools, full-screen Magic Sheets, and tons of other features alongside smaller bug fixes. Eos v2.9 followed shortly after, bumping the Nomad base license to 1024 addresses, Break mode in effects, and the Mac 64-bit installer.  Following the release of v2.9, the Eos team focused on small feature extensions and bug fixes for several patch builds. Big change was on the horizon again, and the team was preparing for large feature additions, and new hardware which would redefine the Eos Family of control. ![Magic\_sheets\_2](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Magic_sheets_2.jpg?width=668&height=445&name=Magic_sheets_2.jpg) Stay tuned for part 3, where we will look at the Apex line of desks and the newest Eos software features!   | March 2013 | Ti is released, Eos v2.0 released with Magic Sheets, RDM changes, and lots of bug fixes | | --- | --- | | December 2013 | Eos v2.1 released with Tap Rate added, major performance improvements | | June 2014 | Eos v2.2 released with support for ETCnomad and Puck, display tools added, and effects tools | | July 2015 | Eos v2.3 released with new color tools, OSC, Lightwright and MLA imports, and Direct Select configuration | | August 2016 | Eos v2.4 released with new Fader configuration tools, sACN trigger input, sACN offset, and targeted macros | | December 2016 | Gio @5 released, Eos v2.5 released with shutter controls, IFCB fader lists, custom direct selects, channel-level release, and MIDI Notes input | | July & August 2017 | Ion Xe, Ion Xe 20, Ion Xe RPU, Standard Fader Wings, Motorized Fader Wings, and Eos Programming Wing released. Eos v2.6 released with a snapshot rework, MIDI via USB, iRFR & aRFR, priority marks, popup tools, and Arduino support for Lighthack | | May 2018 | Element 2 releases, Eos v2.7 releases with multi-cell channels, sACN Viewer, Setup reorganization, fixture editor improvements, and adding the manual inside Eos | | January 2019 | Eos v2.8 releases with full-screen magic sheets, improvements to effects editing and effects in cue parts, improvements to color and the PSD cue display | | August 2019 | Eos v2.9 releases with increased output on ETCnomad, break mode for effects, ESF2 show file format, I/O & timecode magic sheet objects, a new display picker, and lots of bug fixes and cleanup |   - - - 0 [#Eos](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos) [#SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) [#Eos Family](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos-family) ### Behind the Console: Meet ETC Trainer Gianni Bertoli [Next article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/meet-trainer-gianni-bertoli) [Bryce Corning](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/bryce) ![Bryce Corning](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Headshot.png?width=180&height=180&name=Headshot.png) Bryce grew up working at ETC as a summer student before joining the marketing team full time in 2024. When he's not at work Bryce spends his time reading, golfing, spending time with family and cheering on Wisconsin and Iowa State sports. #### You may also like [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/ETC-ITA-1.jpeg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/cue-the-upgrade-at-internationaal-theatre-amsterdam) [Eos](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos) ### [Cue the Upgrade at Internationaal Theatre Amsterdam](https://blog.etcconnect.com/cue-the-upgrade-at-internationaal-theatre-amsterdam) By [Opasna Randev](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/opasna-randev) 9-Jul-2026 When you're home to world-class productions and an ambitious touring programme, your lighting control system needs to keep up. That was exactly the challenge facing Internationaal Theatre Amsterdam... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/cue-the-upgrade-at-internationaal-theatre-amsterdam) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/salzburger.festspiele3.png)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/salzburg-festival-etc) [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) ### [Salzburg Festival upgraded with ETC](https://blog.etcconnect.com/salzburg-festival-etc) By [Guest Blogger](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/guest-blogger) 18-Jul-2024 Founded in 1920, the Salzburg Festival is regarded as the world's most important festival of classical music and performing arts. The six-week cultural spectacle that takes place every year in July... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/salzburg-festival-etc) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/IMG_3559.jpeg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hog-the-spotlight-richard-larkum) [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) ### [Hog the Spotlight: Richard Larkum](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hog-the-spotlight-richard-larkum) By [Bryce Corning](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/bryce) 19-Mar-2026 Lighting designer Richard Larkum has spent nearly two decades touring the world with Hog consoles. From his early days on the Hog IPC, to taking the new Stage Hog on tour with Biffy Clyro, his... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hog-the-spotlight-richard-larkum) - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [About](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [Authors](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [Links](https://blog.etcconnect.com/links) - [Contact us](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Privacy Policy & Legal Notices](https://www.etcconnect.com/Privacy-Policy-Terms-of-Use-and-Acceptable-Use.aspx) [CA Transparency Act & Transparency in Coverage](https://www.etcconnect.com/About/California-Supply-Chain-Transparency-Act.aspx) [Do Not Share My Personal Info](https://www.etcconnect.com/Do-Not-Share-My-Personal-Info/) [CA Privacy Rights](https://www.etcconnect.com/CA-Privacy-Rights/) ![ETC blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/ETC-logo_footer-wh.png)   ![ETC 50 anniversary](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedimages/Main_Site/Images/50yr_160x80.png "ETC 50 anniversary") [![ETC social networks](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/Images/social_Footer.png "ETC social networks")](https://www.etcconnect.com/Get-connected.aspx) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bryce Corning", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/bryce" }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-06T16:47:38.620Z", "datePublished" : "2026-11-06T16:47:01.000Z", "headline" : "Evolve With Eos Part 2: Filling Out the Family", "image" : [ "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Overture_Hall_107-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/evolve-with-eos-filling-out-the-family", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Logos%20-%20Icons%20-%20Design%20Elements/ETC_4c.png" }, "name" : "ETC" } } ```