MX-1 Ecstasy at Paramount in Canada

In 2003 hospitality and entertainment group Peter & Paul’s Inc. undertook a project to create one of the largest and most technologically advanced event venues in North America. In order to achieve this goal they required a state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and video system. 

The Paramount Conference & Event Venue in Toronto, Canada celebrated its grand opening in early June with the latest in event technology including an impressive in-house audiovisual set-up and completely integrated sound and lighting package featuring Martin MX-1 scanners. 

The contemporary convention venue boasts 61,000 square feet of event space that can accommodate up to 1,650 guests. Serving an international cuisine amid a rich and elegant decor, the Paramount features a multilevel performance stage and much more to make it Canada’s premier event venue.

S4 Show Solutions and Audio Dynamics Sound & Lighting provided the design and concept expertise and also installed the systems. The brief called for lighting to be physically incorporated into the venue’s design thus catering to the needs of clients without having to outsource additional equipment. This concept included an arsenal of Martin fixtures supplied by Domino Entertainment Group through Martin Canada.

All design aspects were met including the ability to individually spot every table in the venue. Because normal generic pin spots are limited and require manual adjustment of each fixture, the solution was the Martin MX-1 moving mirror scanner. Cosimo Candeloro of Audio Dynamics comments, “When all the calculations were done, a custom MX-1 fixture modified by Martin gave the capability to enhance every table with custom colors and gobos anywhere, anytime.”

Incorporating over 140 MX-1 scanners plus 22 MAC 250 Entour profile spots, 12 MiniMac Wash, 8 MX-4 scanners, and 3 Martin Magnum Hazers for projection canopy purposes, control of the massive lighting system proved to be a major challenge due to the fact that the facility can be split into three separate rooms, as well as the sheer number of DMX channels needed to control the lighting system.

“We needed a system that was very user friendly but also powerful enough to handle that many DMX channels,” Cosimo explains. “The Martin LightJockey was our obvious choice due to its ease of use and its compatibility with LJ Manager via touch screens. Our biggest problem was getting around the fact that LightJockey can only handle 99 fixtures at a time. We got around that problem by linking the three LightJockeys together via DMX IN. A wireless tablet PC was used, allowing the freedom to access the three LightJockeys that are networked via VNC View. Thus we are able to effectively control all 178 intelligent fixtures.”

Concept: Rennie Colelli (S4 Show Solutions)
Design & Installation: Cosimo Candeloro (Audio Dynamics)
Control Concept, Design & Programming: Philip Pompili (Audio Dynamics) 
Lighting Designer/Programmer: Cosimo Candeloro / Rennie Colelli
Lighting Supplier: Domino Entertainment Group