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New Media Arts Centre at Lampeter College
The PAI Group (PAIG) has completed the design, specification and installation of full sound, lighting and AV system at the Media Centre Arts Hall, University of Wales in Lampeter.
The project included the supply of a full live stage sound system, stage lighting and video equipment to the Arts Hall adjacent to the Media Centre. The building is used by Media Studies students to learn about all aspects of the media, including working in various disciplines and practical applications such as running shows.
PAIG’s strength as an integrated solutions provider came into its own here. The Arts Hall required extremely 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, first produced a detailed design study of the venue. They suggested a number of ways in which it could be developed as a multi-purpose performance space with the addition of some well thought out production facilities. This initial research was then developed into part of PAIG’s tender document, which was selected from several others as the best option.
PAIG 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 – all these again picked for quality and price.
“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, so as and when that happens, all the cabling is in place.
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. Once again, the client was keen on PAIG’s idea of setting up a template for future expansion.
PAIG supplied a new Zero 88 48-way Alcora FOH lighting console, a desk with a ubiquitous presence in schools and small theatres around the UK, and renowned for its intuitive and simple operation. The 48 channel model was also specified, says Bonehill, because of its soft patching facilities to the actual luminaires, reducing electric shock risks or cross phasing issues commonly found on standard patch cord systems. Dimmers are three 24-way Zero 88 Chilli packs.
The spec also included ETC Source Four profiles, picked for their great optics, environmental friendliness and high light to low heat output.
On the video front, part of 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.
The biggest challenge says Andy, was getting the design detail spot on, maintaining quality, offering flexibility and keeping to budget. ”Everything was carefully value engineered to extract the best possible deal.”
On the creative front, the galvanising part was ensuring the installation was fully functional and easy for staff to understand and use.
Once the installation was completed, PAIG also undertook a full programme of staff training.
13th July 2005
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