The Azure 2000 console was chosen when the club opened by house lighting designer and technician Brian Kell. He chose it because it's "absolutely my favourite lighting console. It's perfect for club work, giving extremely quick access to lots of playbacks. It's also great for improvising and working 'live' - which is essential for any club environment." Kell knew at the time of the initial installation that the club would upgrade the lighting at some point in the near future. The Azure 2000 offers 50 instant access playbacks, right at the LD's fingertips.
Kell does all his prime-time Friday and Saturday night operating at the club on-the-fly. With six-to eight-hour board sessions not uncommon, it's essential to do it like this to keep the show flowing and looking interesting and stimulating. "I go with the DJ, the music and the mood of the moment" says Kell of his operating style, "the Azure is just ideal for this modus operandi."
The original lighting rig in Pacha was 12 Martin MAC 250s and four Martin Roboscan 918s, one Atomic strobe and 6 High End Trackspots. This has now been upgraded to include 16 Martin MAC 250 Kryptons, four Clay Paky Golden Scan Fours - for those classic Old Skool rave moments - and three Martin Atomic strobes. The RoboColors and Trackspots remain on the rig.
The Azure is small and built specifically for being squeezed into DJ booths and club control booths which are always tight for space. However, it handles four DMX universes and is a force to be reckoned with in terms of power, which is why it's one of the most popular London club consoles. Others Avolites Azure 2000 club installations include The Cross, La Scala, Fabric and Mass and The Fridge in Brixton.
(Lee Baldock)
