On The Road

LAS VEGAS

TPi’s Stew Hume went ‘On The Road’ in Las Vegas to discover a vibrant community of manufacturers, designers and rental houses putting the desert on the live production map.

Last month TPi set course for none other the Sin City, Las Vegas, for InfoComm’s biennial visit to Nevada. As well as checking out the latest innovations and product launches, we took some time away from the trade show floor to visit some of the companies that call this region home. Since the boom in development of Las Vegas as a destination for revelry, entertainment has gone hand-in-hand with the city’s make up. However, what TPi found out while battling the desert heat, the entertainment oasis also acts as a superb base for both national and international touring industry. TPi

INFOCOMM 2018

In June, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) once again took up residency in Las Vegas Convention Center for its first InfoComm under the AVIXA banner. The biennial Las Vegas version of the show had its usual offering of product launches from the AV and entertainment markets. The event boasted a 10% increase in attendance from its previous Las Vegas event. TPi was on the ground to speak to the organizers and exhibitors to see what 2018 rendition had to offer.

The event kicked off with a record-setting TIDE conference and concluded with a trade show exhibition that attracted nearly 43,000 registered attendees. “It was another fantastic week for a show and an industry that never stops innovating,” said Jason McGraw, CTS, CAE, Senior Vice President of Expositions, AVIXA. “We continue to develop new offerings that celebrate and explore in depth the many facets of technology experiences. Our exhibitors took the lead with solutions that continue to push the envelope of what AV can deliver, and our many subject-matter experts and thought leaders contributed to a program that gave all attendees the opportunity to think differently about the role audio-visual technology plays in people’s lives.”

With over 964 exhibitors spanning 550,000 sq ft including stands, demo rooms and special events spaces, this marked the biggest InfoComm to date and with 94% rebooking for next years, there seems to be little signs of slowing down.

One of the highlights came from the world of audio with several companies showcasing various version of immersive sound including; d&b audiotechnik’s Soundscape, L-Acoustics L-ISA and Astro Spatial Audio collaborations with Alcons Audio and Martin Audio.

“AVIXA thanks all the exhibitors, attendees, and media who made InfoComm 2018 a success,” stated AVIXA CEO David Labuskes. “I hope that nothing that happened this week in Vegas stays in Vegas. I encourage all our attendees to take home what they learned and experienced and share it with their colleagues and customers. It’s a great and important time to be in AV, connecting people and changing the way they experience the world around them.”

www.infocommshow.org

2018 PRODUCT LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS

Elation Professional’s Eric Loader; ADJ’s Brian Dowdle and Alfred Gonzales; Martin Audio and Astro Spatial Audio showcasing the benefits of immersive audio.

Adamson introduced its IS-Series, bringing the performance of its touring products to the world of integration.

Alcons Audio presented its Pro-Ribbon Immersive Experience, showcasing its remarkable possibilities of high quality, object-based immersive audio from 3D live sound specialist Astro Spatial Audio (ASA).

Chauvet Professional introduced its high performance 8-inch LED fresnel equivalents; engineered with energy-efficient optical systems in full colour, warm white, and variable white versions to satisfy the diverse needs of lighting designers.

Coda Audio celebrated its new partnerships with highly regarding rep firms at this year’s InfoComm, the company hosted its inaugural rep meeting and top sales agencies from across the US came together for an exclusive demo of the Coda Audio portfolio. d&b audiotechnik allowed visitors, for the first time, to explore the full extent of what tailor-made means at d&b, with the newly launched d&b Custom Solutions programme. In addition, the GSL System from the SL Series made its US show debut, the GSL System is a complete solution created specifically for the largest sound reinforcement applications in significantly sized arenas, stadiums and festivals, to accurately deliver any performance style or musical genre. DiGiCo announced the new V2.2 software upgrade for S-Series consoles, which incorporated a number of much-wanted features, as well as the 2 new DMI modules; the DMI-AMM and DMI ME.

Digital Projection launched a total of 4 new projectors across 3 ranges at this year’s InfoComm. Alongside the projectors themselves, the coinventor of DLP technology unveiled two new innovations: IP60-rated 100% sealed optics as well as its proprietary ColorBoost + Red Laser technology. The company also launched its E-Vision Laser 11000 4K-UHD. disguise showcased the Solo, its latest media server: the HDMI 2.0 VFC card, new OmniCal hardware kits, and the upcoming r15 software.

Elation Professional showcased its latest luminaires in the awardwinning Artiste series of creative, full-featured moving heads, the Artiste Picasso and Artiste Dali. Elation, additionally, showed off its new Smarty Hybrid, a full-featured spot/beam/wash fixture and the most compact CMY colour-mixing hybrid Elation has released to date.

GLP displayed its latest fixtures, including the S350, FR1 and the Force 120 stage effect fan, additionally its award winning fixtures such as the JDC1 hybrid strobe and impression X4 Bar.

Martin Audio introduced Sound Adventures, a 3D immersive sound experience in cooperation with its partner, Astro Spatial Audio. The demonstration showcased core experiences including movable sound effects and mixes in real time, and in full 3D, electronically shaping the venue with different acoustic properties and extending the stereo image for the audience.

ROE Visual successfully launched its ground-breaking high-resolution Sapphire LED display. ROE’s ground-breaking product not only delivers best-in-class image quality and clarity but also presents a completely new approach for building and mounting large display LED screens.

Solid State Logic announced the release of its L100 live console - the newest member of the SSL Live console range. L100 provides a physically smaller premium solution for customers who prioritise outstanding sonic performance in space restricted installations, for sub-mix positions or corporate production.

Waves Audio displayed its Waves TRACT Loudspeaker Correction, a powerful corrective EQ and system time alignment tool for live PA systems or studio environments. In addition, also exhibited its acclaimed Waves eMotion LV1 mixer, a revolutionary live digital mixing console that provides real-time audio mixing for front-of-house, monitor and broadcast engineers.

www.infocommshow.org

The Solid State logic team at the pre-InfoComm launch of the L100.

SOLID STATE LOGIC

www.solidstatelogic.com

In the famed Las Vegas Art Quarter, English console manufacturer Solid State Logic has its own place within the city, with an office facility and training area for visiting engineers to try out the latest equipment the company has to offer.

Leading SSL’s Vegas operation is Jay Easley, Vice President, Live Consoles. “We’ve had a sales and support base in Las Vegas of at least 5 years now, thought the dedicated space that is The SSL Design Studio - only officially opened last year,” commented Easley. The SSL Design Studio is purpose-built for training and to allow for one-to-one time with engineers to build files for upcoming shows. The space even offers temporary office space with desks and phones available for busy tour and production managers passing through. Easley is full time in the Vegas office with regular visits from staff at other US and international SSL offices - mostly for special events and training.

“Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world!” enthused the VP, while discussing the importance of having a presence in the region. “The high-profile resident shows are part of that, and almost every tour stops in Vegas for a show and a day off. It makes sense for us to provide a comfortable facility where any engineer can get support, be hands-on with the consoles, attend training sessions, and much more.”

This year, the day before InfoComm 2018 officially opened, the team from SSL hosted an evening to launch its new offerings the live touring world - the L100. Now alongside the L200, L300 and L500, SSL has its “grand slam” of live desks. Easley continued: “It was particularly gratifying to watch InfoComm attendees make straight for the stand, then jump right onto the L100 and start mixing. This new, smaller live console brings SSL Live and the SSL Sound to a substantial new audience, and the enthusiasm of that audience was obvious from watching the crowds at the demo consoles. The new 12-fader Remote Tile was a hit too. It’s a simple, affordable way add up to 24 additional faders to an existing SSL Live console. We look forward to Orlando next year.”

Easley went on to talk about the reception the SSL live range has had in the US. “People love SSL and understandably come to us with high expectations. They anticipate sonic superiority, flexible and creative workflows, and unrivaled support - I’m pleased to say they haven’t been disappointed. The SSL Live console range was launched 5 years ago and has more than proved its metal over hundreds of international tours and many miles on the road. The feedback we’ve received is consistently positive, which is why engineers are coming back and specifying SSL for their second, third, and fourth tours already.”

CHRISTIE LITES

www.christielites.com

As North America’s largest lighting-only company, it’s really no surprise that Christie Lites has a Las Vegas operation. But what may surprise some readers is that its presence in entertainment capital is relatively recent. “We first moved to Las Vegas in 2008,” began CEO Huntly Christie. “Any production company that has multiple offices has to find their way to Vegas sooner or later, and arguably we were late in our timing.”

Currently, the company has 40 staff that run the Christie Lites warehouse, situated in the north of the city. However as the CEO confirmed, Christie would be opening a whole new facility later in the coming year. “Our current premises are 80,000sq ft but the new on moving into a new facility that is 160,000sq ft,” enthused Christie.

One element of the Christie Lite empire that the CEO is particularly proud of is the seamless transition touring crew personnel get to experience when moving from one facility to another. “We have a defined blueprint of what each Christie Lites facility should be like,” he stated. “It’s all in the details from the organisation of the warehouse to the state of the equipment so it’s easy moving from one site to the other. Our Vegas site functions as a standard distribution centre and has the same products as other Christie Lites locations including fixtures from Martin by Harman, GLP and ETC.

“Around 90% of our business is local in the Las Vegas office. It’s such a desirable location for special events because the entire city revolves around corporate shows and entertainment ranging from 1 to 25 truck shows. For example, we are currently in the midst of a large Microsoft event, taking place in the city. ”

President & Chief Executive Officer of Pyrotek, Scott Dunlop.

PYROTEK SPECIAL EFFECTS

www.pyrotekfx.com

Located north of the city centre, down the road from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, sits Pyrotek Special Effects. “We’ve made very large investments in expanding our facilities to keep pace with the needs of our clients over the last few years,” stated President & Chief Executive Officer, Scott Dunlop. “We’ve now grown our presence to 5 facilities, including New York, Nashville, Lititz PA, along with the larger Las Vegas facility and our Toronto head office.”

Overseeing Pyrotek’s operations, including the Las Vegas Facility, is Vice President of Operations, Brian McDavid. An operations and logistics expert by trade, McDavid joined Pyrotek a few years ago to add depth to its team as it embarked upon the service expansion programme that Dunlop described previously. One of the key needs that McDavid got involved with early on was product training. “Pyrotek has always had an extremely skilled and talented team of crew out on the road with very deep expertise in the safe and effective design, set up and use of special effects. Our goal is to formalise a programme that can harness all this knowledge and deliver it systematically and reliably across the labour pool, all with the aim of keeping everyone at the leading edge of the trade and to help train the next generation of special effects technicians.”

With over 10 full time warehouse staff and 5 office positions, the Las Vegas operation handles up to 80% of the company’s stock for the touring market. From pyrotechnics to flames, lasers to confetti, the warehouse is a treasure trove of eye-catching effects. While touring the warehouse, TPi got an up-close demonstration of the Dragon - a propane fed device that emits a controllable flame column or fireball effect with a height variable from 6ft to 40ft.

“The Las Vegas team is a very dedicated and talented group of individuals,” noted McDavid proudly. “Our warehouse lead, for example, has over 30 years of experience on the road and brings with him a great deal of knowledge that helps the facility run efficiently and that he has been able to pass on to those on the team who are new to the industry.” To help harness this knowledge for Pyrotek’s training programme, Pyrotek has added a technical writer and program developer to the Las Vegas team, with the goal being to help further support the company’s training objectives.

Once complete, the idea is that the training programme will allow anyone new to the company to receive standardised training so they can reach their full potential in the field quicker. Coincidently, the day we visited the warehouse was the first day at the office for Pyrotek’s new intern. As McDavid noted: “We have built a relationship with University of Nevada, the purpose being to give local students the opportunity to learn the trade. Our new intern walked in and, within her first day, she was learning how to repair a hazer.”

Dunlop described Pyrotek’s Las Vegas facility as key to the company’s service model. “Las Vegas is our warehousing and technical service hub, and we think our clients are well served by having these capabilities in that location. There is a large critical mass of events in the Las Vegas area, including many of the TV award shows we work on, and it is well suited as a transportation centre for the rest of the US west coast.”

The last word goes to McDavid, whose last name may be recognised by anyone who follows the NHL, and the prodigious exploits of his son, Connor, which leads nicely into his analogy: “In hockey, the best players skate to where the puck is going, not where it’s been. At Pyrotek, we’ve seen the live event business get increasingly sophisticated and complex and we don’t see this trend abating any time soon. We’ve made lots of changes to our business, including the investments in Las Vegas, to ensure that we stay at the forefront of being able to seamlessly cater to our clients’ needs.”

SOLOTECH

www.solotech.com

Founded in Montreal in 1977, Solotech has evolved from providing equipment rentals and sales to becoming a premier end-to-end provider of entertainment technology services in lighting, video, audio and rigging.

On the touring side of the business, the company currently has a full roster of artists out on the road including the likes of Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, P!nk and The Rolling Stones to name but a few. In total, the company has 9 offices across North America. The Las Vegas facility was officially opened in 2003, primarily to service the Celine Dion’s residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Not only that, long-time partners Cirque du Soleil also had a big presence in the region and it only made sense for its main supplier to be close by.

Dean Roney, Solotech’s Vice President of Touring has been based out of the Vegas office for the past 10 years. He spoke to TPi about the growth of the offices. “Vegas is really one of the globe’s major hubs for entertainment!” he began. “Every single week there is somebody that is coming through town either a client or a new potential client. It’s so vital have a presence here. It’s clearly not just us that thinks that as despite being a relatively small city we have almost 20 of the major production companies from the states with one sort of presence here.”

The Vegas HQ currently houses between 25 -40 employees, which fluctuates depending on what tours are out. “There are also times where we will bring in crew in from our other bases in the US or Canada if there is a big installation happening.”

He continued to discuss some of the other logistical benefits of the city. “It’s certainly more cost effective to have a warehouse center here than it is in LA. Currently, our LA space is an office with Vegas being our main stock house for the west coast for now.”

To close, Roney explained that in business, there is always a need to look towards the future. “In terms of expansion we are always looking at add an extra 20,000 - 30,000 sq ft of warehouse space. At the moment we have a lot of equipment out on the road but it could always come back through the door, and we need to be prepared for that.”