Entertainment Installations is a company that likes to keep up with the latest lighting innovations and so it was no surprise to hear that they have purchased eight of the new Martin MAC 301 Wash™ LED moving head washlights with zoom. Also purchased at this time from Show Technology was a MA Lighting grandMA2 light plus a wing and a bunch of Kupo eight-way molefays.
After getting to know his Martin MAC 301 Washes™ on tours for Shannon Noll and The Screaming Jets, managing director Neale Mace decided to use all eight fixtures on a national tour by songstress Elaine Paige.
“We were using MAC700 fixtures for front wash on Shannon Noll but as soon as their LD Bryce Mace saw the Martin MAC 301™ he had to have them due to their brightness and lightweight,” commented Neale. “In fact he changed the show around midstream.”
For Elaine Page eight Martin MAC 301™ fixtures were hung from the back truss, ten Martin TW1 tungsten fixtures were used for front wash, and ten MAC700 profiles were on the back truss and on the floor behind the band. Two Robert Juliat Victor follow spots were also used.
The show held at Sydney’s State Theatre was filmed for a live DVD and so extra gear was bought in including sixteen Pro Shop LED floor cans, thirty-two Kupo Par 64’s, sixteen Kupo Par 56, and eight Martin MAC250 Entours.
”We were using the MAC 301™ fixtures for general stage wash from the rear and they saved us from hanging heaps of gear,” explained Neale. “I guess it’s not so much what they added to the show, it’s more like what they took away – they took away a whole bunch of weight! We got wonderful colour out of them and amazing punch. They were used alongside MAC700 fixtures and in terms of punch, they were close. Even the deep blues and deep reds would punch through very nicely and actually light the stage as opposed to just throw a bit of colour in the air.
“I was incredibly happy with the MAC 301™ fixtures and I have to say that I feel that LED technology has “turned the corner” and really come into its own with this product. LED’s have gone from lots of pretty, flashy little things to a much more serious, well thought out and useful product with the MAC 301™. It’s a product that delivers light rather than just eye candy.”
According to Neale, the reputation of the Martin brand and the great backup and service from Show Technology played a key part in the decision to purchase the MAC 301™ fixtures.
After the Elaine Paige tour, Neale’s MAC 301™ fixtures were sub-hired straight to Bytecraft for a Tori Amos tour.
Although Neale has not yet had much time to acquaint himself with the grandMA2 light he reports that Bryce has and that he loves its ease of programming.
“It looks the business and is certainly the most expensive lighting console that we’ve ever bought,” said Neale. “It goes in, goes up and works the first time. Bryce seems to not have any problems programming a great show on it with ease.”
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