The company has chosen to invest in a number of Robert Juliat Merlin 2.5K HMI Followspots. Project Coordinator, Alex Ryan explains, "Much of Colour Sound's market now is servicing the larger concerts and touring bands, so it is great to have a properly designed followspot that caters specifically for the rock'n'roll market.
"One of the key features that attracted us to the Merlin when we initially discussed this purchase with Lee House from Robert Juliat's exclusive UK distributors, Ambersphere Solutions, was the amount of 'tour-ability' that has been designed into it. Robert Juliat quality is always a given but the Merlin goes a step or two further. Performance-wise it has a brilliantly even, bright throw; it more than holds its own against videowall and LED technology.
"But from the integral ballast to the smooth design without any external catches, and the rapid post-show cool-down system, it is clearly a spot that has been designed with the touring sector as its primary market."
Colour Sound sent the Merlin spots straight out to work on the recent WWE Wrestlemania Revenge Tour where the arena sized venues demanded the very best in followspot performance. Crew Chief, Sam Campbell was impressed, "In every aspect of touring, rigging and setting up the Merlins, we were very happy with them. They are easy to set up and use; lightweight and with an integral ballast that makes handling so much easier as there is one less thing to remember and transport to the distant, tricky rigging positions that followspots often occupy. In arenas that can be a long and awkward journey.
"The Merlins are reliable, and have a beautiful light with an extremely flat beam. On this tour they are being used as the sole keylights for entrances, exits and presentations which is pretty impressive."
(Jim Evans)
