13 April 2012
Lochnville, Zip Zap Circus
SMD Technical, established in 1995, are a lovely group of individuals based in Cape Town who pride themselves in providing clients with technical panache when carrying out all work no matter how big or small, corporate or private. They purchased Robin 300s at the end of last year, which have gone out on almost every job since, including Johnny Clegg, Locnville a nd Radio Kalahari Orkes.
“I think that the regular lighting, staging and sound aspects of the Cape Town market is saturated with highly competitive businesses, and tend to operate with a more rock ‘n roll approach, whilst the specially engineered/ bespoke side is unsaturated and far more complex in its requirements,” said David Harris from SMD. “We find that our clients are leaning towards more design-orientated technical equipment, i.e. smaller, less visual, more powerful speakers, and more creative, intelligent and decadent decor lighting.”
Sol Kerzner, NYE party With this in mind, SMD purchased 6 Robin 300s at the end of last year. “We felt that the Robin 300s were better suited for our events due their size, weight and their zoom range. They were nicely priced, packaged in quality flightcases, and included mounting brackets, safety cables, power cables, and DWR Distribution’s legendary after-sales service,” he said. “We have also purchased Longman LED parcans and Longman LED Stage Bars, which provide superb colour intensity, ease of use, and are great for architectural and decor applications.”
SMD tend to use both Robins and Longman on most events, including weddings, bat/ bar-mitzvahs, product launches and awards ceremonies. “They are so discreet, and can be used quite creatively,” said David.
A Winter Wonderland Wedding He adds, “There have been times where we have had to find less ‘rock ‘n roll’ ways to utilise all our lighting products. We have worked hard in creating new visual styles, and new ways in which to present the fixtures. The Robin 300’s beam is too powerful to position too closely to stages, performers or speakers, and often have to be mounted a fair distance away. This is where it’s ability to focus comes in beautifully, giving more of a beam wash than a wide wash that drowns out other lighting or décor effects in the venue.” 
Apparently the SMD crew love these little guys too! “They’re light enough to carry two at a time, they’re small enough to rig alone, they provide a quality beam that can be focused, they are simple to control, and 6 of them, in a flightcase, can be easily transported in a bakkie for those smaller events,” said David.
