Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Light and Sound Equipment for new theatre

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My local CT is in the process of building a new theatre. It’s very exiting! We're not a very big group – the new theatre is 120 seats - and we do mostly plays. When the group does do a musical, we typically rent the local professional theatre which is pretty much fully decked out. 

Back to our new building. Part of the funding will be to replace the existing light board and dimmer system (which is 25+ years old and inherited used) and to add a sound system and I’ve been put in charge of drafting some proposals for the executive. 

Our budget is limited, so we cannot go over the top, but we do want something that is expandable and won't need to be replaced in 5 years. I've been researching lighting consoles and dimmers and I like the ETC SmartFade 2496. We currently use ETC SourceFour Jr's as part of our (limited) lighting inventory. I also like the wall mount ETC SmartFade Dimmers. I’m not committed to these products, they have are just the ones that stood out while doing online research. 

For our sound system, currently we have nothing that will be brought over. Our requirements are for sound fx and pre-show, intermission and post show music. There are no mics, no live mixing, etc – however I’ve been talking to one of the directors who thought he might “tackle” a musical in the new theatre – so the possibility to need more channels is out there. 

We also want to add a party-line intercom system. We currently use those personal-style walkie-talkies that you can buy for $50.00/pair at almost every electronics store… They “get the message across”, but – anybody who’s used them knows – they chirp at the end of a message which is no good for live theatre and once our neighbors have cut in on us. We’d be happy with a wired system. 

I'm open to suggestions for various systems, manufactures, models, and let me know your thoughts on the ETC SmartFade 2496 if you've used it. 

Thank you

David

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dpc78 Walk-On Joined: 10/07/07 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Light and Sound Equipment for new theatre Posted: 10/07/07 at 7:29pm
	My local CT is in the process of building a new theatre. It’s very exiting! We're not a very big group – the new theatre is 120 seats - and we do mostly plays. When the group does do a musical, we typically rent the local professional theatre which is pretty much fully decked out. Back to our new building. Part of the funding will be to replace the existing light board and dimmer system (which is 25+ years old and inherited used) and to add a sound system and I’ve been put in charge of drafting some proposals for the executive. Our budget is limited, so we cannot go over the top, but we do want something that is expandable and won't need to be replaced in 5 years. I've been researching lighting consoles and dimmers and I like the ETC SmartFade 2496. We currently use ETC SourceFour Jr's as part of our (limited) lighting inventory. I also like the wall mount ETC SmartFade Dimmers. I’m not committed to these products, they have are just the ones that stood out while doing online research. For our sound system, currently we have nothing that will be brought over. Our requirements are for sound fx and pre-show, intermission and post show music. There are no mics, no live mixing, etc – however I’ve been talking to one of the directors who thought he might “tackle” a musical in the new theatre – so the possibility to need more channels is out there. We also want to add a party-line intercom system. We currently use those personal-style walkie-talkies that you can buy for $50.00/pair at almost every electronics store… They “get the message across”, but – anybody who’s used them knows – they chirp at the end of a message which is no good for live theatre and once our neighbors have cut in on us. We’d be happy with a wired system. I'm open to suggestions for various systems, manufactures, models, and let me know your thoughts on the ETC SmartFade 2496 if you've used it. Thank you David
	Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

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Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 10/07/07 at 11:11pm
	As your budget for gear is tight, would it be possible ti include the Electrical wiring for lighting & audio [talk back].Included with the Electrical mechanical instalation, while they are building? This would shift it from your budget to the new buildings. To include 'dip traps' on stage. With none dim, patch, power.audio/talk back outlets, Mic imputs, Patch Lighting Bars & Battens instaled. I'd have a look at the new Fluro 4 colour 'Boarder' [Xposition] light battens, which would give you a standard rig colour wash. {British National Opera;- http://www.plsn.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2049&Itemid=1 With the talk back I prefer the Jands belt pack head sets, that can be plugged up to cover the stage zones from outlet stations, from a mic cable. However there are a lot of systems available to you locally, that others would recommend. One thing to be cafefull of is being landed with obsolete gear, that supliers will dump on you. With the Profiles, Fresnels & floods it's good to stick to a good known brand, such as ETC for your standard rig. Also by doing that you can squeeze them for extras & add ons easier. Call a number of suppliers to give you a quote & an idea of what you need for the space, take the building plans with you or get them to front up. Have a look at the Selecon Range of Lamps as well. Also retain all the Mechanical plans & circuit drawings for your archives. It would be in the theatre groups interest for you or one of your techies to liase, as the project contractors, during the building process. It surprising how a caton of beer, works wonders & to your advantage.
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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Lights and Sound
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Lights and Sound

Topic: Light and Sound Equipment for new theatre( Topic Closed)