ORLANDO – The new Robe Robin Cyclone product was inspired by Pittsburgh, PA-based LD Scott Warner, who had an idea and took it to Robe. It features an integrated fan in the center of a moving head, surrounded by a ring of 24 individually controllable RGBW multichip LEDs. Cyclones are designed for wafting drapes and softgoods around the stage and set to produce subtle effects, as well as for cooling artists while performing in any hot environment complete with ‘hair-blowing’ and ‘smoke through the fan’ looks.
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ORLANDO – The new Robe Robin Cyclone product made its US debut recently. Robe collaborated with Pittsburgh, PA- based LD Scott Warner on the product. It features an integrated fan in the center of a moving head, surrounded by a ring of 24 high powered individually controllable RGBW multichip LEDs.
Warner originally hit on the idea when touring with a client in the UK. He had to move his lights on a daily basis to accommodate the wind machines onstage that were used to cool the artist. Instead of getting grumpy, he had a Eureka moment: “Why doesn’t someone make a fan with a light in it!”
A short while later, he met with Robe’s Sales Director Harry von den Stemmen – who was impressed – and then discussed it with Robe’s CEO Josef Valchar, who is involved in all Robe’s product development.
Robe decided to run with the idea and less than nine months later, Warner was looking at the fixture.
Cyclones are designed for wafting drapes and softgoods around the stage and set to produce subtle effects, as well as for cooling artists while performing in any hot environment complete with ‘hair-blowing’ and ‘smoke through the fan’ looks.
The Cyclone’s LEDs have a zoom of 8 to 63 degrees. Its central airflow can be combined with fog and haze for some atmospheric effects.
Warner is delighted with Robe’s response. “I don’t think any other company would have taken a chance in investing in this product,” he says.
The LD will soon take delivery of several Cyclones to use on the Smokey Robinson tour, among others.
The Cyclone’s vari-speed fan can be independently DMX controlled, starting from a low RPM. The unit also benefits from all the features from Robe’s LEDWash series.
Says von den Stemmen, “As often happens with great innovations, Scott just had a rough idea when we visited him in his office in Pittsburgh a few months ago. He said, ‘Wouldn’t this be a cool idea – can Robe make something like this?’ And we said, ‘Yes we can!’”
