Each week we aim to demystify the world of audio visual equipment and event services lingo and reveal exactly what those techs are talking about. In this week’s Techie Tuesday we take a look at the event lighting effect the ‘gobo’ and the many different shapes, patterns and logo’s they can replicate. The possibilities are endless but first we look at the history of the gobo and what you need to know before creating a customised gobo. Audio Visual Discipline: Lighting for events Audio Visual Event Category: AV Effect AV Jargon: Gobo, Batman Signal What is a Gobo?
A “Gobo” is a small stencilled circular disc, and used in lighting fixtures to create a projected image or pattern.
The term Gobo is short for “Go Between Optics”, describing the location where it needs to be positioned in the light path of a lighting fixture. Whilst Gobo’s are not a new technology they are still being used on events the world over. In today’s event market they have taken on a more creative role as technology advances allow for more detailed and impressive shapes to be created.
Gobo’s come in two main types; steel and glass. Steel gobos are very basic, generally have a short life span and are typically described as “black and white”. Glass gobo’s are more detailed, generally have a long life span and are typically described as “coloured”. There is an emerging third type of Gobo, which is designed specifically for LED fixtures, and is made from plastic.
Gobo’s come in many different diameters, ranging from approx 20mm through to approx 150mm. The diameter of a gobo is dictated by the fixture, so it is very important to ensure you know what fixture the gobo needs to be used in prior to manufacture. If used in a static fixture, the projected image will be stationary, however if installed in an intelligent fixture the image can be moved anywhere around the event space. Source: Encore Event Technologies | Learning and Development
What events are Gobo’s used on?
Events such as gala dinners, product launches, award ceremonies use gobo’s to support the event branding and to provide visual interest. A growing trend in weddings is to to use ornate glass Gobo’s featuring the bride and grooms name or initials which is presented as a keep sake from the event.
What is needed for a customised Gobo?
A few specific items are required for an effective gobo display: Profile Fixture: a profile light which is designed to take a gobo in its light path is required to focus and zoom the gobo. Gobo Holder: a specific accessory that holds the gobo in place is required for insertion into the profile light. Projection Surface: a dedicated surface such as a wall or drape upon which the gobo is projected upon is required. Why use a gobo?
A gobo is an effective alternative to banners and signage on corporate events, providing something visually different for the audience to absorb. They can also be used to create patterns, imagery and shapes to support the event theme. Check out some images below of gobo’s of all shapes and sizes. Partner with the Event Lighting Experts
Encore Event Technologies (formerly known as Staging Connections) has been designing unforgettable events for over 30 years. As the leading event technology and services company, we are the trusted name for designing and installing stunning lighting for corporate and specials events. Whether you’re planning a conference, product launch, gala dinner or incentive event, when you partner with Encore you know you’re getting the right ideas for your event from the best in the business. Encore proudly offers the largest range of event lighting and technology solutions for corporate events across the Asia Pacific – so get in touch with our team today to make your event the best it can be. Send an online enquiry or Call 1800 099 209
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How To Get The Best Sound At Your Event
Mar 18 2018
The primacy and importance of sound in everyday life is obvious to everyone, yet the process of creating an aural presence at an event with excellent results is not widely understood outside of technical circles. Sound, both ephemeral and invisible, does not emit from as ethereal sources. The equipment is often ungainly and the event industry goes to great lengths to make its provisions as visibly unobtrusive as possible, leading to the common misconception that sound equipment is not a major component of an event. It may not have the visual spectacular presence of a huge projection screen or complicated lighting show but there is a lot going on that cannot be seen – but is definitely heard. Getting Your Message Heard The Ins
For the voice of your speaker to be relayed clearly a number of things have to fall in place: You must use the correct microphone in the right position The presenter must use the microphone appropriately Adjustments need to be made to the signal to compensate for issues inherent in the speakers voice You must adjust to any complications in the room’s acoustics And Outs
The signal from the speaker then needs to push out of the loudspeakers at the right volume past your audiences ears. This involves amplification, sending the signal to the right number, size and type of loudspeaker. Obtrusive Visually The balance between acoustic performance, intelligibility and a visually acceptable solution is a delicate compromise. Loudspeaker design and development over many decades has improved their power and aesthetics, but they are still considered an eyesore. Unfortunately the ears are positioned very close to the eyes. Negotiating the ideal blend of practicality and performance takes a skilled and experienced designer. Choosing the Right Music For Your Event Almost everyone has a soundtrack to their lives; the love song that represents a relationship, the album that captured a summer or the music that helps you through a hard time. The correct music choice at an event sets a mood, creates excitement and can be used to create associations between your product or service and a cultural value. Different styles of music can require different types of loudspeakers and amplification. For example, a high-energy sales conference will mostly use up-tempo inspirational music and use volume as a means to animate the crowd. This will require more power and more coverage, quite simply because you need to move more air at a higher energy level. Equipment You will Need
No matter how expensive they are all, all loudspeakers and microphones are imperfect replicators of the original sounds they are trying to distribute or convert. You will need to supplement these with extra equipment. Subwoofers One of the biggest physical limitations in any loudspeaker is its ability to reproduce the entirety of the frequency range audible to humans at the same time. When the frequencies get down to the ‘extended low end frequencies’ created by bass instruments and most synthesizer music (‘doof doof’ techno) they’re physically impossible for a normal low-end driver in a loudspeaker to recreate. Specialised loudspeakers, ‘subwoofers’ or sub-speakers, are dedicated to reproducing frequencies from around 120Hz to 20Hz, which is the bottom of the human hearing range.
These extended low-end frequencies are very important to human understanding of music. We have a very visceral reaction to low end audio, because we feel it more than hear it. Think about adventure films and dance music – the bass delivers the adrenaline. At your next event ask the sound technician to turn off the subwoofers during a rehearsal of your musical cue. You will most certainty hear and feel the difference. Microphones Microphones perform the opposite function to loudspeakers – they take movements in the air and convert them into electrical signals. There are dozens of designs and types that each perform a specific function and most will do a poor job when used on a source they are not designed for. You will probably be surprised by how many microphones are dedicated to just the drum kit in a jazz ensemble. As each individual drum or cymbal has different frequency, volume and tonal characteristics, each needs its own microphone. Eight to twelve yields the best results. Getting the Best Sound from Your Performers Choosing the right equipment, setting it up and operating it correctly are the benchmarks of performance for any sound operator, but it does not guarantee you will have perfect sound. The best sound operator in the world cannot make a bad band sound good! Luckily individual speakers are easier to converse with and adjust. Scared Speakers Some speakers are afraid of the microphone and will stand too far away from it. Even a great sound technician will not be able to generate enough volume for them to be heard. A quick conversation between presenter and sound technician should remedy this. Active Speakers Similarly some presenters are very energetic and are constantly moving around a static microphone. You just need to keep up communication with the presenter about the specifics of the microphone they are using. The best way to ensure a quality performance from your speakers is to have a speakers prep.
Making Sure Your Performers Can Hear Themselves Not just your audience needs to hear your performers but your performers need to hear themselves and each other. The sound mix created for the perfomers is called foldback and can be as simple as a single speaker on the floor of the stage to a complicated map of dozens of separate mixes sent to individual pairs of wireless ear buds.
Usually foldback can be handled by the same mixing desk working with the audience sound, but for large musical and vocal ensembles and events with multiple acts, the best option is to have a separate mixing desk and operator just for the stage sound. Listen Up
Everyone has a story about bad sound; too loud, plagued by feedback, patchy speakers, too hard to understand what was being said… but how many people talk about an excellent sound experience? Sound technicians often speak of the perfect job as being one where they were not noticed at all. At Encore Event Technologies we pride ourselves on our ability to stand out and be invisible at the same time. Want to stay up to date with industry trends? Browse our range of downloadable Event Insights papers ... Read More