The project required flexible and easy to use systems to enable the students to stage a variety of performances from fashion shows to live concerts and stage shows, plus conferences and media presentations.
The PAIG team, led by project manager Steve Timlin chose Logic System loudspeakers, for their ruggedness, quality and cost-effectiveness. They reconditioned and re-used the college's existing cabinets for side fills. The system is powered by QSC amplifiers, and the FOH desk is an Allen & Heath GL3300.
"It was also important to give the students technology that didn't intimidate them" says PAIG's technical director Andy Bonehill. "The whole idea of kitting out the Arts Hall was also to hopefully encourage them to get further interested in some of the technical aspects of their courses." Provision was also made for adding a possible future 5.1 surround system.
On the lighting front, they worked to the same principals. Twenty one new theatre luminaries were specified and were installed - a mix of fresnels and profiles, plus several new 6-way internally wired bars which were installed - ready for more lanterns to be added at a later stage. PAIG supplied a new Zero 88 48-way Alcora FOH lighting console. Dimmers are three 24-way Zero 88 Chilli packs. The spec also included ETC Source Four profiles.
With regard to video facilities, the brief was to continue using the existing VHS recorder, DVD and network computer and their Hitachi 2000 projector. PAIG cleaned and totally reconditioned the projectors including changing the lamps. Once the installation was completed, PAIG also undertook a full programme of staff training.
(Jim Evans)
