Carnival Cruise Lines recently upgraded its fleet with a series of three state-of-the-art Electro-Voice and Dynacord audio installations. Each installation was performed by SES Live Professional, a burgeoning sound production company based in Senoia, Ga. Since its foundation in Jan. 2008, SES has quickly earned a reputation across the Southeastern United States for quality sound, performance, and consulting.

SES was first commissioned to refit the main theaters of Carnival’s four Spirit Class liners – the Pride, Legend, Spirit, and Miracle – with EV NetMax N8000 System Controllers to control all matrix routing, equalizing, and time alignment of each multi-speaker cluster throughout the ceilings of the main theaters. Steve “Dublin” Stapleton, Owner of SES LivePro, recalls the installation:

 “To ensure a smooth and seamless installation, we walked Carnival through every step of the process. They needed a partner with the proper professional experience to supervise and tune their sound as precisely as possible, and we were pleased to do just that.” Stapleton, a long-time champion of Electro-Voice products, looked to EV’s NetMax N8000 to provide consistently excellent performance on a nightly basis. He and SES Technician Sean Henry performed the installation personally.

 “The NetMax N8000 is the perfect machine,” says Stapleton. “It’s very easy to set-up and navigate, and its macro set-up configurations are very intuitive. But best of all, for a complete digital processing system, it’s built like a tank!”

 The installation was so successful that James Keaton, Director of Audio Entertainment for Carnival Cruise Lines, approached SES LivePro to do a second group of installations. This time, Stapleton secured a contract to refit the back lounges aboard the Carnival Destiny Triumph with NetMax N8000s. SES also installed a Dynacord Cobra-2 portable line array system for the main PA in the Destiny’s back lounge.

 Most recently, Carnival commissioned SES to refit the Lido Deck Line Array system onboard the Carnival Liberty using XLCi line array loudspeakers from Electro-Voice. The arrays aboard the Liberty consist of two hangs of two XLCi 215 and six XLCi 127DVX cabinets per side (finished in white) and were installed while the ship was in service. Stapleton comments:

 “Doing an installation at sea was quite a feat for two technicians and three riggers (from SRS Rigging)! If I didn’t have the help of a great crew, coupled with the speed with which the EV arrays went up, this job would have been far more challenging. The project was well-received by everyone onboard and shoreside, impressing anyone who had their doubts whether a project this large could be done without disturbing the guests. I couldn’t have asked for better results, and the system sounds fantastic!”

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Knight Theatre

Stage Rigging Services can provide you with a complete line of theatrical draperies, associated hardware, and systems to meet any specifications.

Our complete services include design, installation, and maintenance for all of your soft goods and their specific hardware. We offer everything from simple hand operated tracks to our PC controlled “CueTrak” software. This software package is designed for the operation of motorized Contour Curtains. Individual pick up lines in this system can be programmed for height, speed, and timing, giving you creative control surpassing the limits of basic, motorized curtains. Our software lets you program multiple looks and moves to make your curtain a part of the performance or to allow consistency and professional results for any type of presentation.

Stage draperies for any size venue can be manufactured to your specifications. We offer all types of curtain configurations for your proscenium as well as complete cyclorama sets including borders (teasers), legs (tormentors), travelers, cycs, and scrims. All are flameproof material and come complete with bottom pockets and chain weights (except borders), and appropriate tie lines or fasteners. Travelers may be motorized or hand operated.

Stage and studio curtain tracks are available in different sizes and types and may be installed throughout your venue. Curtain machines offer automated traveler operation with floor, track, or overhead machine installation.

Stage Rigging Services offers complete theatrical draperies solutions and expert installation services.

“Flying technology” was once Peter Pan; now it’s Miss Saigon!

Modern technology has brought the theater from ropes and sandbags to cables and computers. Wireless communications, intelligent lighting, and complex audio systems combine to provide your audiences with performances that weren’t possible only a few, short years ago. The popularity of motorized rigging systems has increased in direct proportion to the larger and more complex theatrical elements used in today’s productions. Performances require demanding sequences of moves, split second timing, and consistency. Today’s performance spaces present a different challenge to designers and installers. Keeping up with the newest innovations can be a daunting task, even for the most seasoned professionals.

We’ll show you how to integrate motorized components with traditional counterweight hardware to create a hybrid system of maximum flexibility and quality to support all of your theatrical applications. Our 21st century stage house features a variety of electronic winches doing the work of counterweight bricks and flymen. Flexible assemblies of motorized trusses and spot hoists are deployed to accommodate any rigging scenario. And our “CueTrak” software control ties it all together for seamless operation of complex cues.

Stage Rigging Services: providing intelligent rigging solutions combining modern technology with the arts When it’s show time, give your production staff an edge - the cutting edge.

The counterweight rigging system, used in thousands of theaters throughout the world, is based on a simple principal. The complexity of this system is in the details of the installation and the integration of the equipment into the performance space.

Apply a load on one side of the system; add weight to the other side when the mass on both sides is equal, the system is balanced. For hundreds of years this simple concept has allowed the operator of a counterweight system to fly thousands of pounds in or out with ease. A conglomeration of moving parts arbors, hand lines, lift lines, head blocks, floor blocks, loft blocks, battens, rope locks, weights, trim chains… the hardware has been continuously developed and improved to make these rigs better and safer. Installation practices have evolved to a science. End result? A talented flyman turns the laws of physics into art.

That’s where we come in: providing the expertise that transforms a simple concept into a finely-tuned counterweight rigging package that will perform day in and day out, show after show

Does that sound coming from the grid remind you of the first time you drove a car with a clutch? Has “raising the main” begun to feel as though you’re “raising the mainsail” — while rounding Cape Horn — on The HMS Bounty?

If you have equipment that no longer functions properly or seems to have a kink in its operation… we understand. If you need to renovate an older facility, or update your current rigging hardware. . . we can help. Make Stage Rigging Services a part of your renovation or repair project. Stage Rigging Services specializes in all types of rigging renovations and repairs. We have the specialized knowledge and experience required to restore and update your rigging to today’s standards, with tomorrow’s productions in mind!

When was the last time a professional inspected your rigging and suspension hardware?

Rigging equipment that has been neglected for any period of time poses a potential danger to your employees, patrons, and performers. Moving Coliseum scoreboards fly many times during a season. Theaters with hand operated or motorized rigging have thousands of moving pieces, all susceptible to wear and tear. Speaker clusters vibrate with audio waves. Combine any of these with the dynamics of cruise ship installation and you have a major accident waiting to happen. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that because your equipment has been “there” for years that it will remain “there”. Even if you have a new facility, don’t assume everything was installed properly and can now be ignored for a few years. Hanging equipment must be maintained and inspected on a regular basis to insure a safe environment.

SRS has the expertise to handle all types of facilities, including coliseums, theaters, convention centers, schools, television studios, amphitheaters, and cruise ships.

Let the pros at Stage Rigging Services perform a thorough Safety Inspection at your facility. Here’s how it works: A purchase order or letter of intent is received from your organization, and an inspection date is scheduled. An inspection will normally take from 1 to 4 days depending on the size of the facility and type of inspection you have requested. In addition to all rigging elements, SRS can inspect all areas of the facility for compliance with OSHA Fall Protection regulations and other building and fire codes. All emergency equipment, including fire curtains and fire extinguishers may be inspected. Any urgent safety issues identified during the inspection are reported immediately, with recommendations for permanent correction. A full written report will be issued within 3 weeks of the inspection. This report will identify all problems found in your facility and outline recommendations for changes, repairs or replacement as required. Photos documenting the inspection will also be included.

The SRS Safety Inspection Program is designed with one goal in mind: to enable you to have the safest performance space possible!

SRS technicians’ are factory certified to inspect and repair the full line of Coffing and Columbus McKinnon entertainment chain hoists. SRS is also a full line dealer for Coffing Hoists. You can count on SRS for all of your portable hoisting needs.