Patrick Sollitt first got his hands on a ChamSys console in 2007. It’s been a lovefest ever since, especially when, a decade later, he began using the MagicQ MQ500 Stadium. “It’s everything you could ever want in terms of power, show control, flexibility and user-friendliness,” he said of the console. “If I could, I would take it everywhere.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, especially when a designer/programmer is committed to a busy schedule of flyout shows, as Sollitt is this summer for the legendary Chris Norman’s Forever Tour. The lead singer for the ’80s band Smokie, before launching a successful solo career, Norman has enjoyed his greatest popularity in northern Europe, particularly Germany. As a result, most stops on his current tour are in German arenas and stadhalles, meaning that Sollitt is spending much of his time flying in and out of the country from his UK home for each show.
To make his life easier, Sollitt is traveling with a MagicQ MQ70 Compact Console plus an Extra Wing Compact, which is used primarily for video triggers and blinders . “This is my ultimate flyout package,” he said. “The whole thing weights under 20 kg. and fits in a case, so, I can land in a new city the morning of the show with my 48 universes right there with me, no local equipment required!” (The console comes standard with a 24-universe capacity, but an option allows that number to be doubled.)
Sollitt adds that “the short turn around on cloning and morphing with the MQ 70 is a life saver on this tour.” Also, since his MQ70 runs on the same MagicQ software as his MQ500, he is able to load looks programmed from his home studio on the compact console. Another convenience is that the console’s inputs and outputs allow easy integration into the show control systems he encounters on the 15-venue tour.
Although smaller than his MQ500, the carry-on size consoles is intuitive and easy to run, according to Sollitt, pointing out that its 10.1” multi touch display with its illuminated encoder and fader tracks is “very readable.”
Sollitt’s MQ70 is providing him with more than practical benefits on the tour. He is using the compact console and the extra wing to create a variety of engaging looks for his client’s two-hour shows, each of which incorporates the extensive catalog from the 23 albums the star has recorded in his career.
“We cover everything from Chris’ days with Smokie through today,” said Sollitt. “I take a very active role in understanding how my show reflects this music down to the subtle and quiet bits. Then I’ll go ahead and wow the crowd with bits that make hairs stand up on your arms. Since Chris has a very active following on social media, I can get a good sense of fans reaction to the looks we’re creating,” continued Sollitt. “For example, in the song ‘Low Life’ from his album, Just A Man, I create some deep looks that are my favorite visuals in the show. From the feedback I’ve gotten, a lot of fans say it’s their favorite, too.”
