Large Format Venue
This large format venue case study shows how we’ve worked with a college to set up audio, lighting and theatrical production areas.
Large Format Venue Case Study
Canterbury College is an independent, also co-educational, College affiliated with the Anglican Church of Australia. The campus is located on 32 hectares in Waterford in the Logan District on the south-side of Brisbane.
The College has an extremely strong Performing Arts Program and is pro sports, therefore their Canterbury Events Centre is multi-discipline. The footprint of the building is 75m x 45m, including a stage size approximately 24m x 12m. There is also wing space and side of stage areas, which is impressive, to say the least. Consequently, in full seating mode the centre can host 2000 people.
Being consulted early in the project, we were certainly able to assist in developing realistic long-term plans to implement a full theatrical fitout over multiple years. This addressed infrastructure requirements for power, rigging, cabling, and also ambitious goals for the venue’s ongoing use.
LARGE FORMAT VENUE AUDIO
Using JBL EASE system drawings and calculations, we were able to recommend the JBL VRX900 Series powered line array consisting of eight VRX932LAP and four VRX918SP with confidence. “We’ve installed a number of VRX 932 unpowered versions, subsequently deciding to run with the powered 932 mid high boxes. Four per side and the two 918 powered subs,” Noel commented. “They’re an easy box to fly and point and client is extremely happy with the clarity and also coverage. The low weight of the boxes was also critical as there were issues with engineering restrictions. Three JBL AE Compact AC29/95 boxes provide rear delay powered by a Crown XLS2500 amplifier.
We also installed a DBX 4800 digital audio processor,” continued Noel, “which also has many excellent features. The LAN control is great for diagnostics and also mid show changes.” A Lexicon MX300 digital effects unit was added, and above all for foldback, JBL EON510 powered wedges. These provide low-profile, compact solutions both for Foldback and also other events around the College.
For audio control, a 32 Channel Soundcraft LX7 MkII console was originally installed. For easy upgrade and/or swap-out to digital, a Roland Digital Multicore was also used. A Roland 400 V-Mixer was subsequently introduced for high-profile events. Members of the College Tech Crew now enjoy training both on digital and also analog control systems.
Large Format Venue, Large Scale Productions
“The College’s bi-annual Musical Productions are certainly on a pretty massive Disney-type scale. This is where the Digital V-Mixer certainly comes into its own. It copes with a live orchestra and also a full complement of wireless headset microphones for the leads and chorus”, explained Noel. “A selection of Shure Wireless and Cabled Microphones, and also an over-stage choir microphone grid complements the audio system. This also comprises of Audio-Technica Unipoint microphones. For backstage comms, an Ezicom 4-Channel Master Station with Ezicom Beltpacks and also Beyer Headsets provide reliable, easy-to-use solutions”.
Furthermore, early stages of the installation included Audio-Visual Presentation solutions. This incorporated two Mitsubishi Venue Projectors and also electronic 200 Da-lite Projection Surfaces. Positioned both sides of the proscenium arch, also two slightly smaller systems left and right mid-way back in the auditorium. A Kramer VP-747 Pro-scale Presentation switcher certainly brings the package together. Above all, it provides great viewing options over the large auditorium seating area.
Large Format Venue Stage Design
Over a number of years, an impressive stage lighting set-up has been developed. This commenced with thirty Spotlight Combi 1200w PCs, eighteen Spotlight Combi 1200w Fresnels, and four ETC Source Four Zoom Profiles. a selection of ProShop LED Cans complemented the colour washes. Martin 350 Entour Moving Lights and Selecon P1 LED Cyclorama Fixtures add a professional polish to the rig. The purpose-built cyclorama wall is provided endless colour wash options and fantastic coverage for great visual impact. An ETC Smartfade ML was the control console of choice early on in the project.
However, in 2013, the College looked to expand on it’s already significant Audio-visual capabilities. PLS introduced High End Systems DLV Digital Moving Lights incorporating Projectors. These were controlled via the Jands i3 / Vista Digital Lighting Control Solution, to provide fabulously versatile edge blended imagery to the cyclorama wall. The results were absolutely breath-taking! “The College has a proud history in musical performance” explained Noel, “and the amazing effects and professional standards they have achieved in this new venue have blown them away”.
Stage Curtains have also been installed, including Verdi Velvet FOH Tabs, Black Wool Intermediate Tabs, Legs & Sky Borders. Noel didn’t hesitate to use Jands curtain tracks, having successfully done so in other projects, “We have installed two large tracks almost 22-metre-wide for FOH and Intermediate tabs,” he said. “The curtain motor kits come with just about everything you need to get the install underway, and we find if there are any tech difficulties or enquires that the additional support from Jands is excellent.”
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