NASHVILLE, TN – Touring artists, production managers and lighting designers can now get a hands-on look at new lighting and control products from Elation Professional at Music City Lab, courtesy of Theatrical Lighting Systems, Inc. (TLS, Inc.), along with other lighting, video and control products. Located in downtown Nashville, Music City Lab was started by video screen manufacturer XL Video to give industry professionals the opportunity to view video, lighting and audio gear. The 5,000 square-foot Music City Lab space replicates a club/stage-like setting.
Currently, Elation's EWDMX wireless DMX control system, Impression RGB LED moving head, Platinum Spot 5R with Philips MSD 5R lamp technology, Design Beam 300 spot/wash/beam projector, and Opti Tri Par RGB LED par can are among the products on display.
The showroom also features products from Elation's sister companies Global Truss and American DJ, and the Elation lighting display is shown in combination with other lab partners' video and sound gear.
"Music City Lab is set up to look like a nightclub with a stage — only I don't know of any club with that much gear. said David Milly of TLS, Inc., whose company provides lighting for the tours of Nashville artists including Brad Paisley. "It's a place where people going on tours can get an idea of what's available, what's happening and actually pick out some items they want to use on their set."
The idea of launching Music City Lab came about after XL Video got favorable results from a similar lab concept in New York City. "We could tell right away it was something the industry needed. Professionals from all over were drawn to it," said XL Video's Ken Gay, who is now the director of Music City Lab.
Based on that experience, the video manufacturer decided to implement a lab in Nashville, but gear it toward the city's touring artist segment and invite others in the industry to show off their wares as well.
"Nashville did not have a central location for pre-production," noted Gay. "Music City Lab is the city's first pre-production facility that is friendly and open for any tour manager, production manager, artist or designer to see the latest and greatest in touring technology and get creative."
Music City Lab's location, in downtown Nashville's Cummins Station building, is close to the Sommet Center concert arena and Broadway Street club district. The lab is open to industry members by appointment and it's also available on a rental basis for parties and special events.
"We've had everything from control console training sessions to after-awards-show parties and No.1 record parties in there," said Milly. "Or if a production manager needs a place to meet with his crew, we'll let them come in and use the space. What we're trying to do is get people in there, so they say, ‘What in the world is that new light,' then go back and tell other people, ‘You gotta get down there and see this.' That's what gets the buzz going."
Recently appointed as an authorized Elation service center, TLS, Inc. is committed to maintaining the Music City Lab lighting display for the long haul, said Milly. "There's maybe $100,000 worth of Elation products in there, and it's all strictly for display. We're not going to take it down or rent it out."
TLS, Inc.'s Elation warranty center will be located at its Huntsville, AL office and will be run by Marcus Caylor.
For more information, please visit www.musiccitylab.com , www.tlsinc.com and www.elationlighting.com .
