The system consists of two MaxModule Cerebrums, two MaxModule Playbacks, two MaxModule Buttons, one MaxModule Programmer, and five MaxModule Submasters, all mounted in a completely customised frame.
The man responsible for integration of the extensive setup is Matthew Paupst, system design engineer at FBP Systems of Las Vegas. Paupst brought in Hilton lighting director Mark Broedling to programme the system.
"The showroom underwent a facelift and needed a new lighting control solution," Paupst stated. "I've used the Maxxyz system for a long time and am familiar with its many benefits, but the modular concept of the MaxModules allowed us to design a console to fit the needs of the venue."
The Las Vegas Hilton Showroom once served as Elvis Presley's favourite performance venue (he once lived in the penthouse suite), and more recently hosted Barry Manilow's show. Today it is a complete touring house with events and acts coming through nearly daily.
"When you get load in at 9am and the show is at 8pm you want as much flexibility as possible in that short time period," says Paupst. "MaxModules is easy to programme and is ideal for a quick turnaround.
"With the Hilton in particular we have a lot of conventionals in the rig, so putting in MaxModule Submaster wings helps with live control as most of the time they are running it live. The MaxModules are extremely flexible and the system is fully customizable to whatever we want it to be. Theoretically with the MaxModules, the sky's the limit. You can expand in different directions rather than just one direction. Word has gotten around and operators and programmers want to come and use this system."
The entire MaxModule system at the Hilton Las Vegas operates via Ethernet, running 22 universes of DMX through a full pathway connectivity system. Thirteen Martin MAC 2000 Profile fixtures were also part of the Hilton Showroom lighting upgrade, along with other lighting gear.
(Jim Evans)
