The new Zero
88 FLX lighting console by Eaton made a massive difference to the power and
control that lighting designer Guy Thatcher had at his fingertips on the main
stage at the 2015 Tilfest event – a popular annual real ale and music festival
staged in a marquee in the grounds of the White Horse pub in Tilbrook,
Cambridgshire.
Technical
production – including all lighting and sound – for Tilfest 2015 was provided
by Phantom Power headed by Clive Nicholes, a Cambridgeshire based rental and
production company supplying festivals, live events, dance and theatre shows.
The FLX
console is a new purchase by Phantom Power that was supplied via Impact
Products in Northampton.
Guy first
saw the FLX in action at a Zero 88 product information day – Phantom Power
already owned a Zero 88 Solution console, which everyone liked, but when Guy
received the FLX demo, it really stood out as a desk more suited to their
needs.
Shortly
after, Clive was persuaded to make the investment!
Clive
stated, “The features and price of the FLX really appealed to us, and it’s
ideal for the range of work we cover, easy to programme and good for both busking
and tightly cued shows”.
The first
show for Phantom Power’s FLX was Tilfest – with 12 bands over three days on the
main stage, it was a perfect proving ground for the small, straightforward and
extremely versatile console launched as part of the Zero 88 range earlier this
year.
The lighting
design concept at Tilfest was to make the environment appear much larger than
it actually was – a big look in an expedient space – so it was all about scale
explains Guy.
A variety
of fixtures were utilised including 1K PARs rigged on the advanced bar with
small LED spots for specials; side washes were provided by 150W LED battens and
small LED moving heads, with an assortment of eye-candy from Robe 250E ATs,
Lanta Orion Aspect LED washes, Clay Paky MiniScans and some classic Coemar
Versatiles used for fan effects at the back.
Guy found
patching the FLX quick and intuitive. He thinks ZerOS is a good, stable
software that is constantly moving forward and giving the FLX further functionality.
He programmed a huge variety of looks and scenes that were assigned to the 24
faders across 10 pages.
“I love
the FLX mood boards, the colour picker features and the inbuilt touch screen,”
he commented. Phantom Power has also purchased an additional touch-screen for
extra adaptability.
“It’s a
highly versatile and usable desk that is well made and great value for money,” concluded
Guy, adding that the after sales and technical support from Eaton’s Zero 88 team
has been “Brilliant – nothing has been too much trouble”.
Thrilling
the crowds at Tilfest this year were, Fillet-o-Soul (featuring members of the
Jools Holland and Strictly Come Dancing Bands), The Vees, and Copperhead among others.
Guy
started Tilfest eight years ago with Richard Blinks, landlord of the White
Horse. The marquee based event features
the main stage plus a beer tent with a second stage and a full and lively
line-up of live entertainment. It has become an extremely successful, well
attended and respected sought-after event!
http://www.zero88.com
Photos
: Graham Ibbetson
