The Roundhouse at The University of New South Wales Kensington campus has been hosting major rock gigs, corporate functions, and student parties for five decades. Recently re-opening after a major refurbishment, the heritage venue now sports an updated and refreshed lighting rig driven by High End System’s flagship Hog 4. Seasoned road dogs and freelancers now feel right at home every time they step up to the FOH control position.
Sydney integrator The P.A. People were responsible for helming the fitout, ensuring that lighting, audio and AV were world-class, and perfectly integrated for seamless control. “The Roundhouse wanted industry standard equipment and consistency,” said Chris Dodds, managing director of The P.A. People. “That’s why they now have a d&b audiotechnik PA, DiGiCo audio consoles, Shure microphones and a Hog 4 lighting desk. The Hog 4 has integrated nicely with the UNSW’s existing inventory of Hog family consoles, meaning their regular operators don’t need to learn another platform.”
The Hog 4, with its two 17” touchscreens, 6” centre touchscreen, vast range of keys and encoders and integrated keyboard, provides and incredibly fast workflow perfectly suited to busking one-night-stands and corporate production. With its ability to run unlimited universes through HogNet-connected DP8Ks, and HogNet’s unparalleled networking capability with UNSW’s other Hog consoles, The Roundhouse has ensured that no gig’s lighting requirement, however extreme, will ever be too much for the venue.
“The Hog 4 is an extremely versatile desk, and all of our regular operators and visiting crew enjoy busking on it,” said Mark Nicholls, Production Manager for Arc, the company that runs The Roundhouse for UNSW. “Most of our freelancers are regular Hog users. They come in with their Hog show files, get their looks set-up, and get the show going quickly.”
Mostly working on corporate gigs during the touring off-season, The Roundhouse is set to attract major festival sideshows and touring acts as 2018’s season kicks off later in the year. “We have the Hog 4 set-up with a few general cues so an audio guy like me can get a corporate gig or dinner going really easily,” continued Mark. “Our existing operators are completely familiar with the Hog operating system, as we have multiple desks on campus. The reaction to the refurbishment and new desk has been totally positive from both our regular crew and visiting techs.”
High End Systems consoles are distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Lexair, who proudly support their range of products with industry-leading training and support. “It is a pleasure to deal with Lexair,” commented Chris Dodds, “In particular, they truly understand the financial and timeline requirements of working in a project-based contracting environment. As an integrator, that kind of understanding and co-operation from your suppliers is essential to delivering quality projects like The Roundhouse successfully.”
