The Manshead Make-over with CHAUVET, Allen & Heath and Martin Audio
Posted on: 11th October 2023
River Audio is a reputable sound, lighting, staging, and video systems installation company based in Gloucestershire. The company serves a diverse range of clients, including schools, offices, hotels and restaurants located in the southwest, London, and the Midlands.
One of River Audio's recent projects involved Manshead Academy secondary school and the transformation of their main school hall through state-of-the-art audio and lighting solutions.
Manshead Academy wanted to enhance its audiovisual capabilities and approached River Audio after a previous successful collaboration. River Audio had fitted their art studio with CHAUVET lighting and Martin Audio sound equipment in the past and now they wanted River Audio to upgrade their main school hall focusing on lighting and sound systems again.
River Audio's experience with CHAUVET products consistently demonstrated their quality and performance, making them the preferred choice for the school project. For the Manshead installation, River Audio incorporated CHAUVET lighting solutions and for the control system, they decided on the ChamSys QuickQ 10 lighting desk.
The installation was executed during the school holidays, where River Audio's team spent a week on-site, establishing new DMX runs to all the bars from the splitter. Programming the lights with the QuickQ 10 meant the school had a user-friendly, easy-to-use, lighting control system perfect for staff and students to use.
Recognising the limitations of the existing sound system, River Audio installed new amplifiers with time alignment and EQ to significantly improve the audio quality. An Allen & Heath QU24 mixer was also integrated into the setup, offering versatile mixing options and live recording capabilities. Additionally, a rack-mount mixer was included for day-to-day use, with the ability to switch to the QU24 for larger performances. With ten radio microphones installed, Manshead Academy now has the necessary tools for high-quality and captivating stage performances.
Along with this, Manshead also required all new lighting solutions. River Audio picked CHAUVET DJ’s EVE and Intimidator range for their own unique reasons which were as follows;
Ten of the EVE P-160 Wash lights with barn doors were used on this project. This RGBW light is a fan-less design which ensures silent operation for Manshead Academy. It was the perfect light solution which features a high-frequency, flicker free operation; so, when performances are recorded, they’re as high quality on camera as they are in person.
To accompany the P-160, the P-100 warm white lights with barn doors were added. The aluminium housing meant the school could have high powered lights without the extra weight. The barn doors also enable the school to easily control the light output on a show-to-show basis.
Finally in the EVE range, the E-100Z Ellipsoidal spotlight was added to the collection. Its versatility with metal and glass gobo’s means the Manshead Academy can get the desired lighting patterns to fit all performance needs. Plus, the manual zoom and framing shutters makes the light beams easy to control.
Next was CHAUVET DJ’s Intimidator Spot 375Z Moving Head. This excellently bright 150W LED includes built-in, automated and sound-activated programmes which was needed to make the schools music shows come to life without the need for a lighting professional.
Last but not least, River Audio incorporated the Data Stream 4, which is designed to distribute incoming DMX signals and daisy chain configurations to all part of Manshead School’s rack. This also provides the school an easy way to control each fixture without needing professional support.
Overall the Manshead project was a success. “The school are delighted with the installation and how it has transformed their hall…the EVE range truly delivers great colours and light output!” said Howard Williams, Director for River Audio. “The school now has a high quality and easy-to-operate lighting system that they’ll use for years to come”.
Courtesy of River Audio
About Leisuretec
Established in 1990, we are Trade Distributors of Professional and Commercial Audio, Lighting, Video, Special Effects and Ancillary. Through our AV Hire Production, AV Installation and Re-seller customers we address the live entertainment, leisure, commercial, residential and retail markets throughout the UK.
We support our trade customers with immense stock holding across a vast choice of products, knowledgeable technical support, competitive trade pricing, speedy delivery and attentive after-sales support.
