Lorenzo operates the laser and lighting systems himself during the Ministry’s two public nights - Friday and Saturday. He uses the laser thoughtfully. In addition to the piercing beam effects, he maximises and animates a small, well-chosen selection of effects and graphics - ensuring the best impact and retaining the venue’s unique ambience. Lorenzo and the Ministry’s operations director Nodd McDonagh researched carefully and compared several different laser systems before going with Laser Studio. The system is one of Laser Studio’s Performer ‘Beam In A Box’ series - appropriate because it’s installed in the Ministry’s main music room - The Box. The laser itself is a 2.5W air-cooled ndDPSS unit with integral flightcase for maximum portability within the venue and out-and-about on the Ministry’s many live shows, tours and events. Weighing just under 40kgs it offers over 10,000 hours of life and runs off a single-phase power supply. It has a green beam, offering the equivalent brightness to an old-style 5W Argon laser - in a highly compact.
The Ministry’s laser control package is a customised Laser Studio PFE 3D Graphics system that can be run via the laser desk for ‘live’, hands-on situations, or from the PC for more pre-programmed operation. Laser Studio also installed a selection of mirror ‘targets’ and diffraction devices around The Box. "It’s important to hit the right balance between the brightness of the beam and the ability to create shapes," states Lorenzo: "We picked the system that gave the maximum brightness and value-for-money - and we’re very pleased with it."
