Auditorium Changes that Outshine and--even Outsound--the Rest!
Lights! Sound! Technology! This year the IAR auditorium has gotten a big update- both the sound and lighting equipment have been replaced with newer, more high-end boards. Returning AV Club members are excited to see the change from the old machinery, and they can’t wait until they will be able to work with such superior gadgets up in their private booth.
Last year, the lighting system was divided into several switches: a blue-gray box the size of a classroom piano that was named “The Clunker” by AV Club members and a forty-eight slider panel that only worked some of the time, and was very finicky at others. The old soundboard was a bunch of dusty knobs and old CD and audio players, whose operator had to either wear a headlamp or turn the board lights on, which didn’t really illuminate all that much. Surrounding the box was a mess of wires going this way and that, which either had to be covered or carefully stepped around to avoid tripping or accidentally unplugging something as you walk past.
The lighting and sound board replacements, however, fulfilled the dreams of both new and returning AV Club members. The lighting board, (a NCI MC 7024 for those of you who want specifics) was replaced by a sleek ETC Element. The Element has 250 channels as well as two monitors so the operator can see specific statistics for the desired light. It even has a cover to keep it in good condition. Alongside the board are two touch-screens that can change specific lighting as a whole. One is on the wall where The Clunker used to be and the other is back in the AV booth. While they cannot control light intensity, its easy preset programmability makes it great for when the big board is not necessary.
In addition to replacing the lights, the audio also got an upgrade--instead of being a bunch of auditory machines stacked atop one another, there is a single board. The VLZ Mackie sr24-4 is a powerful instrument when it comes to AV, as it has everything an operator could need in one place, no headlamp required. The vast amount of control knobs gives its conductor lots of options when it comes to improving sound quality from microphones and imported sound alike.
People today are more concerned about the environment than ever, and the revamped auditorium reflects that. The LED lights are more energy efficient, and can last longer than a traditional light bulb. The LEDs can also change color at the click of a mouse, without the use of pesky gels that need to be replaced often. These lights also used to give people a washed out appearance, but with the new LED’s actors and performers look far more attractive.
Overall, the IAR auditorium has gotten a significant upgrade. Students can finally learn how to run AV and complex boards, permanently increasing the quality of all productions. Parents are happy as well, as they can see their kids’ faces better than ever before. Even if you do not plan on joining the AV club or working backstage at all, you will see the improvement when you watch any performance on that stage. All in all, the new lighting and sound systems will make the entertainers look and sound their best.