9 May, 2019 | Electro-Voice
On Friday May 3, beloved Bedfordview venue Bailey’s Live welcomed
the iconic South African rock band Clout. With the gig powered by a new
Electro-Voice (EV) rig, the crowd were treated to a night of great music and
top-quality sound.
Musician Gary van Zyl has played bass in
some of South Africa’s most esteemed bands, including Juluka and now Clout, who
are best known for their hit single, “Substitute.” He explains that Prosound
have been sponsoring him since the 80s, though he has worked at the company –
as repairs manager – for the last 11 years.
This relationship led to Prosound
sponsoring the rig for the Clout show at Bailey’s. The rider featured new gear
from US company Electro-Voice, including two EV ETX35P speakers and two ETX18sp
subs for the main PA (left and right), solutions which have been praised around
the world for their power and portability. This was complemented by a stage
setup of one EV TourX TX 1122FM 12” monitor speaker; three EV Phoenix PX 1122M
12” monitor speakers; one ZLX 15p powered speaker and two EV Q1212 amplifiers,
with EV PL series drum microphones to ensure fantastic low-end response and
snappy snare drum sounds.
Murray Grassow, the full-time sound
engineer at Bailey’s Live, says that he “likes the EV rig, because for its
weight and size, it packed a hell of a punch.”
He also mentions the attractive look of cabs, and says that – in his experience – the company makes durable and reliable gear.
“For
example, I have been working with a second-hand TourX single 15” tops
and single 18” subs for many years, and they just keep pushing on like
they’re brand-new.”
Reflecting on the show, Grassow says “it
was great to work with Prosound and Clout are still some of the best musos I
have worked with.”
From the band’s perspective, “We had a
fantastic night and Lee Brune (of Prosound) did a great job as always,” van Zyl
says. “Bailey’s is a beautiful venue and Murray, their sound technician, was
very helpful. The EV rig kicked butt!”
30 Apr, 2019 | ETC
Tree of Codes, based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer, was the opening programme at the most recent edition of the New Vision Arts Festival at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Lighting designer Rob Halliday employed a range of ETC lighting products to bring the performance piece to life, including the Source Four LED Series 2 Lustr spotlight and Eos control system.
‘From early discussions about the show, it felt like we would need to create white light but with the ability to just subtly shift that white,’ said Halliday. ‘Also, that there would be moments where we’d want to move into deeper colours. The Lustr felt like the perfect tool for that, able to get to any colour but for all of those colours to have the richness and life, particularly when lighting human skin, that we have for so long enjoyed from tungsten Source Four fixtures. It was the perfect choice for the show.’
Halliday had prior experience in using the Eos control system to manage rigs on other shows. ‘Eos works in a way that just feels comfortable when creating theatrical shows, while also letting you work very quickly in the often limited time you have to create those shows. ‘It is particularly powerful when working with the Lustr fixtures, since the calibrated colour library allows you to set the Lustr fixtures to match gel colours you are familiar with, and to precisely control fades between colours. The powerful group controls also let us easily create graduations or wipes across our cyclorama.’
An Eos Ti main console was paired with a Gio @5 console for the Hong Kong performance of Tree of Codes. Data was carried from the console to rig via ETC’s Net3 networking system, which was already in place at the venue, while additional Net3 DMX gateways were provided.
The rig was installed by a team led by Hong Kong-based production electrician Maggie Law and the show’s UK production electrician John Delaney; Andy Tsui was the production manager for the New Vision Arts Festival; and Jim Leaver the production manager for Manchester International Festival.
17 Apr, 2019 | ETC
ETC’s ColorSource Spot Pearls lit this year’s Lotus Make-Up India Fashion Week (LMIFW) in Delhi, India. The ColorSource Spots with Pearl LED array brought an impressive feature set, with bright tunable white output and simple user interface, and were perfectly designed for this installation where white light was vital on the catwalk. The fixtures lit signature autumn and winter fashion collections for 2019 at the event which was organized by the Fashion Design Council of India.
Delhi based rental company Modern Stage Services Pvt. Ltd managed the audio, video and lighting production during the four day event. Managing Director, Davinder Wadhwa commented: “A reliable lighting system was crucial for the fashion gala. 12 ETC ColorSource Spot Pearls were implemented for the first time at the LMIFW. The fixture is a variable white-light LED array which enables users to set the color temperature anywhere between 2700 K and 6500 K. The ColorSource Spot Pearls brought a much needed natural glow to the ramp.”
Renowned lighting designer Viraf Pocha, worked on the set for LMIFW autumn / winter 2019 and selected ETC’s ColorSource Spot Pearl to light the fashion show. “I prefer a more organic and subtle way of lighting. In a fashion show the light should enhance the fabric exhibited by the models on the ramp and ETC offers the right scope of lighting that compliments a fashion show”, explains Pocha. “I have been in the industry for over three decades and am well aware of ETC’s presence, globally. Everyone makes profile lights, but ETC just makes it better.”
ColorSource Spot Pearl features flicker-free operation and an impressively smooth dimming curve. Hi-Tech Audio Systems Pvt. Ltd is the distributor in India of ETC’s US-manufactured lighting fixtures and controls. Managing Director, Rajan Gupta comments: “ETC’s well regarded reputation in the market is recognized around the world. With regular demos of ETC products, we have been able to create a niche clientele that appreciates cutting-edge and world-class lighting products. Lotus Make-Up India Fashion Week was a breakthrough event with Modern Stage Services Pvt. Ltd and ETC. With time, we believe that ETC products will be the first preferred choice in any live show inventory or installations in India.”
12 Apr, 2019 | ETC, High End Systems
Tens
of thousands of visitors arrived in Frankfurt last week for Prolight +
Sound 2019. Crowds gathered at the ETC and High End Systems stands in
Hall 12.1 to get a look at the latest product innovations and the Hog
Factor 2019 competition final.
Attendees
to the stands were able to catch demonstrations of Augment3d, ETC’s new
fully integrated 3D programming environment in Eos v3.0. This
innovation
lets users control and design in a three dimensional space; as well as
interacting with their fixtures through augmented reality. Augment3d
made its European debut at Prolight + Sound, alongside High End Systems’
TurboRay.
TurboRay
is the newest automated fixture in High End Systems’ FX family. Its
distinctive appearance with a classic retro design and radial diffusers
attracted many visitors to the High End stand. Used as a narrow-angle
wash light or as a powerful hard edge beam, TurboRay produces stunning
aerial effects and more.
ETC’s
Relevé Spot was another main attraction at this year’s exhibition. The
moving light, specifically designed for theatre brings a calibrated
four-color
additive mixing system and unique Ani-gobo wheel that creates textures
like never before. It is an automated light that brings affordable, high
quality color mixing to smaller venues.
Visitors
explored the innovative Prodigy P2 hoist, with Prodigy Cable
Management, and were introduced to ColorSource Raceway a lightweight
power and
data distribution system perfect for small venues.
High
End Systems’ Hog 4-18 console was used for the Hog Factor 2019 final
which drew big crowds as three teams went head-to-head in the academic
lighting
programming contest. Industry lighting professionals Jojo Tillman,
Marco Silva and Sander Den Otter judged the teams and awarded first
place to ‘Team Vienna Illuminates’. The winning contestants – Andreas
Aichholzer and Sebastian Schmid from Austria, performed
in front of some of the industry’s most well-known companies and
professionals. ‘Team AKA’ from the UK won second place, followed by
‘Team STEX’ from Austria. The teams took home a host of High End
products as prizes and lighting design software company Capture,
provided software licenses to each team as part of the prizes.
ETC
and High End Systems also delivered the annual Student Session in Hall
4.0. Experts from both companies hosted a Q&A discussion for
aspiring lighting
professionals and a behind-the-scenes look into the daily running of
both companies.
This
year’s exhibition saw countless visitors eager to explore ETC and High
End Systems’ latest products. Both companies plan to continue raising
the bar with new, exciting and innovative products at Prolight + Sound
2020.
5 Apr, 2019 | Electro-Voice
Nestled by the Swan River and right in front of Perth’s new $1.5
billion Optus Stadium, The Camfield boasts an impressive set of numbers:
9000 square metres, 3,000 person capacity, 2 km from CBD, 300 kegs of
beer delivered every week, 125 kegs of beer made in-house, 80 m long
bar, 175 beer taps, and 180 staff on an average night. Then there’s 96
Electro-Voice loudspeakers and amplifiers used to provide sound for
functions, ambience and pure raw entertainment, whether it’s a game
coverage or live music in its spacious beer-garden.
The pub is
extremely spacious, and welcoming at the same time. It caters for a wide
variety of patrons and uses: from the sports fan visiting next door, to
workers popping in for lunch or an after work drink, through to meals
with friends and family, or corporate events of all shapes and sizes.
Not only does The Camfield provide the suitable spaces, extensive menus
and a wide selection of beverages (including in-house micro-brewery
products) for a wide variety of patrons, it also features the
professional audio system required for a venue this size.
“The performance of both the indoor and outdoor speakers selected outdoes what was proposed to the client”
The Canteen
The
bright and tasteful bistro space caters to reservations, walk in guests
and small to large functions. The combination of bar, dining and lounge
style seating offers an ideal space for meeting up with friends and
family or networking with clients.
Electro-Voice’s EVID-S, the
latest award winning commercial installation loudspeakers, provide
background music in this space. EVID-S offers impressive performance,
faster and easier installation, and great value for money. Due to the
expansive area and changing volume in chatter from varying numbers of
patrons, EVID-S loudspeakers are reinforced with Electro-Voice EKX
passive subwoofers, to extend the frequency response of the system at
all volumes.
The Terraces & Surrounds
There
are a number of terraces with spectacular views of either the Swan
River, Optus Stadium or the Beer Garden. Perfect for cocktail events, or
just for chilling out, the spaces combine both high and low seating.
Industry staples, the Electro-Voice EVID ceiling speakers are used
across the terraces. Designed with both the contractor and the listener
in mind, EVID ceiling speakers are aesthetically pleasing and sonically
proven to provide exceptional sound for patrons. Corners of buildings
feature ZX5 loudspeakers that easily fill the outdoor spaces with music.
The Beer Garden
The
Beer Garden is at the heart of the venue. The space has access to the
Main Bar, Garden Bar and the Container Bar with roof-top seating. The
space has a huge, custom-built screen surrounded by an arrangement of
high and low seating, as well as beanbags. Across the outdoor spaces a
full-range of high performance Electro-Voice ZX5 loudspeakers provide
sound for the big screen as well as outdoor entertainment.
The ZX5
is lightweight and combines audio performance, with versatility,
aesthetics and a tremendous output capability. ZX5 loudspeakers are
known in the industry for their installation versatility, durability and
high-spec performance. They deliver 600 W power continuously (2400 W
peak), produce a maximum SPL of 132 dB and have a very smooth frequency
response.
The Amplifiers
Every amplifier
used to drive the loudspeakers at the Camfield comes from the
Electro-Voice CPS range. Engineered in Germany, the CPS 2 and 4 channel
amplifiers are industry workhorses known for their reliability and value
for money. The 2 channel models drive the low-impedance ZX5
loudspeakers while the 4 channel models drive the EVID-S 100 V line
loudspeakers.
Words from the Integrator
Marcus
Stackpole, Project Manager from Vision Cabling explains why
Electro-Voice gear was chosen for the project. “Vision Cabling Systems
designed the concept around the EVID-S wall-mount and the ZX5Pi
weatherised range for the performance, quality and ease of installation.
Backed with The Camfield being so close to the Swan River, speakers
that could perform in an environment such as this were integral to
deliver the project. Since the opening of the venue the support for the
product from an integrator’s perspective has been outstanding and we
look forward to working with Electro-Voice and Audio Source
(Distributors of Electro-Voice in WA) again on upcoming projects. The
performance of both the indoor and outdoor speakers selected outdoes
what was proposed to the client, exceeding their expectations and
delivering a higher quality of sound than previously thought with
acoustic challenges throughout the venue including stadium ambience.”
4 Apr, 2019 | Dynacord, Electro-Voice
The Christian Reformed Church was established in Sydney’s leafy
Sutherland Shire in 1960 and is one of 45 Reformed Church congregations
across Australia. Following three location changes the current church
building was completed in 1991, in the suburb of Barden Ridge, and
serves an average service attendance of 250-300 parishioners.
“The sound quality is great. Dispersion is very even throughout the church and the band are raving about how good they sound.”
PA History
The
first loudspeakers installed in the new church were only good enough
for speech and were not used for the amplification of the band. Few
years later, Matthew James, the sound specialist at the church, sourced a
pair of the ever-reliable Electro-Voice SX-100 speakers from Bava’s
Music.
When asked how Matthew got introduced to EV audio gear he
replied: “I’ve always been interested in sound and speakers and used to
build my own speakers using the “loudspeaker design cookbook”. I soon
learned that to get the most natural best sound it takes years of
testing drivers, crossovers and cabinet design, something that is impo
ssible to do in the garage on a very limited budget!
I think what
got me first interested in EV speakers was when we used to go down to
the Black Stump conferences once a year at the Cataract scout site. EV
speakers were extensively used, and I thought they sounded great.”
The New Audio Visual System
Earlier
in the year the church committee took the decision to upgrade the Audio
Visual system for a number of reasons. Firstly, even though the SX-100
loudspeakers did a decent job for over a decade, the coverage they
produced was not ideal around the back or sides of the church. “The EV
SX-100 loudspeakers are great value for money and they sound nice,
however they were just not designed for a church space of this size.
There were a few areas where the sound was a bit thin.”
Apart
from the church band screaming for a new system, the second major reason
for a new audio system, was the introduction of two new projectors and
projector screens. The SX-100 loudspeakers were in the way. Hence,
Matthew James started researching which Electro-Voice loudspeakers might
suit a church if this size and provide quality sound, even coverage and
value for money. He came across the Vari-Intense model and sought
advice from Bava’s Music and subsequently Electro-Voice product
specialists who confirmed the choice was very suitable.
The EVC-1122-VI (Vari-Intense) in Detail
With
the main floor of the church being 18 m long x 14 m wide, and ceiling
height of 7 m or more, it made sense to use the EVCVari-Intense
loudspeakers. As they are hung at just over 6 m, the unique driver, horn
and waveguide combinations allows the EVC-1122-VI loudspeaker to throw
and cover evenly across an area of 3 times their height position to the
front, and 2 times their height to each side. This meant that just two
of these would suffice to deliver quality sound across the entire floor.
The
advantage of the VI approach is that there is reduced variation in
sound level from the front to the back of the audience, compared to
typical point source solutions. The high frequency section of the EVC
1122/VI loudspeaker comprises a single 1¼-inch pure titanium dome
compression driver directly coupled to a compound waveguide that
combines long-throw and short-throw behaviour in a single acoustical
device. This unique waveguide creates uniform pattern control and
smooth, linear response.
Dynacord L Series Amplifier
Dynacord’s
L2800 amplifier was chosen to power the Vari-Intense loudspeakers. With
1400 W per channel at 4 ohms, the amplifier is more than capable
driving the 300 W continuous (1200 W peak) Vari-Intense loudspeakers.
The L Series amplifiers are engineered for demanding live music
applications. They are ideal for live performances in venues such as
houses of worship, sports venues, school auditoriums and clubs. The L
Series power amplifiers comprise a best-in-class, tour-grade feature set
that brings real professional performance to a new price point. Their
high-quality components and professional processing power and
performance characteristics enable exceptional sound quality with plenty
of headroom.
An on-board DSP includes multi-band PEQs,
crossovers, limiters, and delay per channel. It also has true channel
grouping control with extra DSP capabilities like PEQ, GEQ and delay for
each group. The amplifier is also equipped with advanced FIR-Drive, a
premium feature normally reserved for the highest quality tour-grade
DSPs. It optimizes original factory loudspeaker settings, yielding a
level of performance unheard of at this price point. Due to these
reasons no additional DSP unit was required for this project.
EV PolarChoice Lectern Mic
An
Electro-Voice PolarChoice lectern microphone was chosen for the spoken
audio. PolarChoice is apremium lectern microphone that is very flexible
in terms of pick-up patterns. The user can select between omni,
cardioid, supercardioid or hypercardioid patterns.
The microphone
is designed to provide a smooth and uniform frequency response, no
matter what pattern is selected. An extended low frequency response and
switchable high-pass filter can be utilised.
The Monitors
The
band, featuring 3 vocalists, keyboard/organ/piano player, drummer, bass
and guitar players, use three EV ZLX-12P powered loudspeakers as
monitors. An EKX-15SP powered subwoofer for supplements the monitors and
FOH speakers.
