- "We choose equipment with a dB meter," states Finnish lighting and set designer Valo Virtanen, referring to his recent decision to use the Martin MAC TW1 on Finnish symphony orchestra's Tapiola Sinfonietta. "Quiet operation was the most critical factor, but I still wanted a powerful and multifunctional tool."
Tapiola Sinfonietta sought to deviate from the typical black suits and concert lights to create a story about musicians' fantasies, both happy and sad, by incorporating acrobats, magicians, dancers, singers, and even a 'wild vacuum cleaner.'
Valo chose the virtually silent MAC TW1 Tungsten washlight because "traditionally powerful Tungsten washlights have been a problem. When the TW1 came out our local distributor Electrosonic Lightinen kindly sent one to me for testing. Now we have 20 on tour.
"Quiet operation, not just virtually silent, combines with really good color mixing and a wide zoom range to make these units heavy workhorses for us. I really enjoy working with them. They have received only positive interest wherever we have been. I am using 230 V units and even those are bright, but I can hardly wait until I can work with the 80 V models."
Valo says that the same TW1 units will be used heavily during the upcoming season for pop and rock tours. "I am glad that I finally have a quiet and powerful tool to use for operas, classical music concerts and at dance theatre, as well as TV shows. Nowadays the sound guys speak and smile to me!" Other Martin products in use on Symphonic Fantasies are MAC 250 Washes and MAC 250 Entours. For more information visit www.martin.com.
