AUSTRALIA: Sydney-based Master Sound Productions has expanded its lighting inventory with eight Claypaky Mini-B washes, five MIDI-B washes and eight Mini-B spots, adding to an existing fleet that already includes Alpha Beam 700s and Alpha Spot HPE 700s ; all facilitated by Show Technology Australia & New Zealand – Claypaky’s official distributor in the region. The company operates as a one-stop production supplier, covering staging, lighting, sound and backline, with Company Lighting Designer Kyle Stephens describing the existing Claypaky fixtures as reliable performers.

“They’re easy to set up because they’re so compact and lightweight,” he said. “On many jobs, we load in the gear, run the show, and then pack everything down again. With a lot of the equipment we use, that can take two or three people. Even though I’m in lighting, I often help the sound team set up, and they’ll come over and help with the lighting in return.”

The newly acquired MIDI-B washes have also changed the way Master Sound approaches front wash duties. Stephens says the fixtures have replaced the Claypaky B-EYEs the company typically uses in that role, with their higher output proving particularly useful for outdoor productions.

“We do a lot of daytime as well as night-time shows, so we need fixtures that can cut through both sun and shadow, and the Midi-Bs are perfect for that,” he added. “I also really like their colour correction, which looks very accurate to my eye. For me, the biggest drawcard is the amount of punch they deliver for the power they draw. They’re also very quiet, which is a real bonus.”

The Mini-B fixtures bring the same emphasis on compact dimensions and low power consumption, while giving the company additional options for both conventional lighting and effects work.

“The Mini-B washes are fantastic,” Kyle said. “Their output is incredible for the amount of power they draw, and the beam angle and colours are excellent. I also like using them for eye-candy effects. During daytime shows, we may not be able to use them as true backlights, but those looks are great for adding visual interest and dressing the stage.”

That combination of output and physical size proved particularly useful on a recent play staged in a small theatre where the lighting rig had a strict weight limitation. The Mini-B washes allowed Stephens to achieve the required looks without pushing the available load capacity.

“They had a huge output, and I never needed to run them at full power,” he remarked. “They were also completely quiet. The Mini-B spots were excellent too; I used them to add texture across the stage, which gave the space another dimension. They’re incredibly bright for their size, and the effects are fantastic, especially the animation effect and the classic Claypaky gobo set that everyone loves.”

The fixtures are also finding a place in Master Sound’s stage-truck work, where compact equipment can make a significant difference to deployment. Stephens says the new Claypaky additions allow him to handle these productions efficiently as a solo operator, setting up in around an hour and a half before raising the roof and getting to work on the lighting.