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PixelPARs or Air Conditioning?
This was the burning question facing Dave Morrisey, lighting designer and technician at Manchester’s three highly active Academy venues – and specifically in relation to the 500-capacity Manchester Academy 3.
The hugely popular venue – at the hub of the University Student Union Building – showcases an eclectic array of bands including many on the edge of greatness. However, to put it kindly, it was a complete “sweat box” when in operation.
So much so that the unpleasantness and discomfort was becoming a nightmare for both performers and audiences alike. “We had to do something,” explains Morrissey, so they initially considered upgrading the air conditioning – and face a bill of about £50,000. Onstage, a large proportion of the heat was generated by the 24 PAR 64 cans lighting the small area.
PixelPARs came to the rescue in lateral inspiration! Morrisey had originally seen the James Thomas units in action at PLASA 2002 – when they had been launched. He immediately fell in love with the fixtures and vowed that he’d use them one day, as and when the appropriate moment occurred – and this was it!
Morrissey approached JTE, and worked out a deal for replacing the conventional PARs with PixelPAR 90s. Including the wiring, it cost a little over half of what the AC costs would have been.
The result has seen a stunning transformation in the gig climate at the Academy 3. The temperature has gone from being unbearable to really pleasant for those onstage and in the audience during the show.
“Virtually every band and their tour or production managers have commented on it,” says Morrissey – “all completely positive” – rather than groaning every time the venue came up on the itinerary, now everyone is happy to play here because the heat is no longer an issue. Visiting lighting designers are also really impressed, as the PixelPARs also offer so many more creative options that the conventionals.”
Benefits include the massive colour range which increases the overall versatility of the rig. No gel need be bought, no bulbs need replacing, no dimmers are required, there is much lower power consumption – the entire rig is run off two 16A supplies – and the result is a much lower running cost. “It’s a venue operator’s dream,” enthuses Morrissey.
The lighting rig also contains six Martin MAC 250 Plus’s and is controlled from an Avolites Pearl 2004.
Morrissey is now looking at upgrading the lighting rig in the larger Academy 2 venue to use Pixel range fixtures, and predicts that this is the way forward in the future for venue owners and operators of all types.
28th October 2004
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