"We've listened carefully to feedback from lots of sound engineers over the last 12 months," says Summit's Jon Bray, "and come up with this solution to address all their needs when flying line arrays on masts."
The SmarTmast 4 had its first outing at the high profile Music On Fire, a son et lumière and firework spectacular staged in the grounds of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Four SmarTmast 4s were used by sound designer Paul Keating for the V-Dosc main stage PA arrays and out-fills that were supplied by Delta Sound.
A key factor in maximising the full 15m height of the SmarTmast 4 is that the chain hoists are located at the base of the structure rather than at the top, as has been the case in previous incarnations. This also makes the whole installation neater. The masts are designed to lift loads of up 2000kg to 15m trim, with independent back and front lift points on the PA flybar. The cruciform shaped bases have the head offset at 45°, so the PA can be stacked in a clear area on the ground (without having to lift it onto the legs) and then picked up cleanly and with minimum effort.
The towers are self-erecting using a sheer-leg system, needing no cranes or mechanical handling devices or vehicles at all apart from a forklift to position the ballast weights.All the elements of the mast have been designed for quick assembly and neat appearance. The ballast weights are slim steel plates, specifically designed for these masts. The diagonal braces, screw jacks and head beam were all developed by Summit and work on the SuperTruss lug system, again to ensure clean and quick rigging.
Summit launched its original SmarTmast back in 2001, and has since developed different versions giving higher reaches, greater weight loadings and accommodating other technical items like LED screens. All varieties of SmarTmasts have proved hugely popular and are backed up by full structural reports. They are utilised weekly by Summit on numerous different shows and events.
(Lee Baldock)
