In a recent post, we looked back at the birth of the Wholehog – how a bold idea, a handful of brilliant minds, and a shared passion gave rise to a console that would go on to change the lighting world forever. But the story of Hog isn’t just about how it began. It lives on in the hands of those who use it every day – from touring productions to festivals, studios to film sets. This is their story.
For many designers, Hog isn’t just a tool, it’s a creative partner. From the early days of the Hog II to the more recent Hog 4-18, the platform has evolved alongside its users.
“I’ve grown with Hog – as if watching your children grow and evolve,” says Susan Rose, who has programmed for Ringo Starr, Louise Mandrell, and numerous cruise ship productions. “I'll always love my Hogs!”
Dan Hardiman, LD for Goo Goo Dolls, Tori Amos, and Evanescence, has relied on Hog 4 for years across multiple tours and productions. “I love almost everything about it, but the pixel mapping and plots system has radically impacted how I approach programming.”
Daniel "Secko" Ganado, LD for Sin Bandera and Marco Antonio Solis, has used the Hog 4-18 for large-scale productions such as the 4 Latidos tour at Arena Ciudad de México. He values practical software features like plots, SMPTE time code, the change type and the connection to the visualizers. A longtime Hog user, his journey with the platform began with the Hog 500 console.
Touring professionals need gear they can trust. Hog delivers.
“I used the Full Boar on a Jennifer Lopez tour and it performed flawlessly,” says Sean Burke. “It’s so intuitive, even my teenage son could run a show on it.”
Sean Semler, LD for Granger Smith, programs song-for-song with Hog 4. “The command keys are a godsend for punting. I use them for specific hits and overrides without eating up faders.”
Michael Ledesma, who has toured with Santana, Kenny Loggins, John Legend, and Gloria Estefan, values the compact power of the Road Hog 4 with wings. “It fits perfectly in tight FOH spaces. And the Change Type feature is a powerful fixture cloner – it keeps color mixing and positions aligned.”
Flexibility for Every Show
Whether it’s a club gig or a stadium show, Hog adapts.
“Hog 4’s ability to scale from small to big shows is unparalleled,” says Brendan Watts. “Plot View is my go-to for creating intensity and color effects. I also love how approachable the console is – I can teach someone to run a show in 30 minutes.”
Aaron Warren uses a Hoglet 4 for travel shows and a Road Hog 4 with DMX processors for larger events. “Patching feels more fluid on a Hog,” he says. “It’s evolving with every software update.” His credits include Pat Green, Parker McCollum, and Jim Belushi.
Cormac Jackson, LD for international artists, preprograms shows using Hog 4PC and a programming wing. “It’s a huge time saver – I can update files quickly and walk into any venue ready to go.”
Creative Control, Simplified
Hog’s power lies in its simplicity. It gives designers the tools they need without getting in the way.
“I don’t need 85 ways to do the same thing,” says Alastair Watson, LD for Joe Satriani. “Just a handful of good ones that work.”
Daniel-Joseph “Gordo” Gordon, who has toured with Paul Kelly, INXS, Kendrick Lamar, and Carole King, loves the Effects Engine. “It’s powerful but simple. I can create complex effects without diving into endless submenus.”
Scott Barnes, a lighting programmer for motion pictures, uses Hog’s networking features to control multiple stages. “It makes my job easier and saves money. And updates for the console just keep pouring in.”
A Global Community, On Every Stage
Hog consoles have long been trusted by lighting professionals around the world, powering productions in every setting imaginable — from arena tours and televised broadcasts to festivals, cruise ships, and corporate launches.
In Latin America, John Jairo Orduña used a full Hog network for the Central American and Caribbean Games ceremonies in Colombia, where the system’s reliability meant the backup console was never needed. Javier “Kito” Jasso, LD for La Ley, Café Tacuba, and the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, highlights the platform’s stability and the power of tools like Fixture Builder and Plot View for adapting to diverse venues and lineups.
Across Europe, Hog consoles have supported a wide range of productions, including tours for Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, and The Cranberries, as well as major televised events like the MTV European Music Awards and Later… with Jools Holland. Designers such as Cormac Jackson and Mark Ninnim rely on Hog’s consistency and flexibility to deliver under pressure, whether in a festival tent, a concert hall, or a broadcast studio.
In the United States, Hog consoles have been used on Netflix and HBO specials, national tours for high-profile artists, and long-running theatrical and corporate productions. From the Moody Theatre in Austin to Caesars Palace in Lake Tahoe, Hog continues to be the desk of choice for designers who need power, portability, and reliability.
Designers like Patrick Hayes, who has worked on Rob Thomas tours and streaming productions, call the Hog 4-18 “rock solid.” While Matt Guminski, who has programmed for JoJo, Neon Trees, and Jon Bellion, says, “The Hog platform has always been my console of choice. One of the things I loved was how seamlessly I could move from Hog 3 to Hog 4, and I haven’t looked back.”
Hog consoles have also played a role in global spectacles. In past years, they were used at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where their ability to manage complex cueing and large-scale networks made them a trusted tool for lighting designers on the world stage.
From cruise ships to concert arenas, fashion runways to televised ceremonies, major film productions to high-end brand launches, Hog consoles continue to demonstrate their versatility and impact. Wherever there’s a show to run, there’s a Hog ready to take the cue.
The Hog Legacy Lives On
From stadium tours to studio shoots, from seasoned veterans to new adopters, Hog continues to earn the trust of lighting professionals around the world. With every update and every show, the platform proves its worth — reliable, intuitive, and always ready.
As we look to the future, one thing is clear. The Hog story is far from over. In fact, it’s just getting started.
For more soundbites from Hog users, check out Hog Spotlight on our website.