A Conversation with FOH Mixer John Cooper and Solotech’s Mario Leccese
FOH Online Magazine - May 2012 Issue

A Bruce Springsteen tour isn’t just an event; it is a movement celebrated by fans in packed venues around the world. And in an era when groups are scaling down with smaller ensembles, acoustic shows and looking at “more intimate” venues, Springsteen brings his own version of intimacy to stadiums and arenas, staying just as much in touch with audience members in the front row as the people in row YY on the second deck.

Gear and Logistics

Working to bring the current Wrecking Ball tour to the masses is Solotech, just a year after acquiring Audio Analysts. Clearly, this is a huge undertaking, including a massive 210-box L-Acoustics system comprised of 60 K1s, 24 flown K1-SB subs, 24 KARAs, 48 KUDOs, 16 V-DOSCs, 14 dV-DOSCs, 16 V-DOSCs and eight stacked SB28 subwoofers. On the monitor end are 32 Audio Analysts 12/15/212 SLP (Super Low Profile) wedges and eight JBL VerTec VT4888 sidefills. But beyond providing tour support for this mega production, there are countless other details involved.

Speaking just before the second show at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, on Friday, April 27, was Solotech USA Director of Sound Operations Mario Leccese, who with David Brazeau are the two project managers for the tour. “For example, tonight everything but racks/stacks and lighting is getting air-freighted to New Orleans for the Jazz Festival on Sunday,” Leccese explains. “Then it’s trucked to New Jersey for Wednesday [May 2] and right after that, the universal stuff is palleted and sent for the European tour. We’ve already shipped a couple containers of gear to Europe and on Monday we’re taking delivery on a new K1 rig in France, teching it there and sending it for the first show in Spain on May 13. There are a lot of details, but fortunately, Solotech is a large organization with more than 300 people ranging from technical support and backup to specialists doing customs paperwork, shipping — everything. This lets us tackle large projects with a fair amount of ease, but still, it’s demanding. It’s a major league effort.”

STYX is continuing to criss-cross the U.S. in support of REGENERATION, VOLUME I & II, a double-disc collection of re-recorded classics that was released on October 4 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. In addition to thirteen STYX classics and a brand new song “Difference In The World REGENERATION, VOLUME I & II also includes interpretations of “High Enough,” and “Coming Of Age,” originally recorded by Damn Yankees, which featured Tommy Shaw, along with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone.

Solotech provides Yamaha PM5D-RH for FOH and Stage Monitoring, Shure UHF wireless microphones and Sennheiser EW 300 G2 wireless in-ear monitors system.

The FOH engineer is Gary Loizzo and the monitor engineer is Evan McElhinney.

“We're still doing it and still going strong,” Cronin says.

Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, guitar), Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) hit the road again in 2012!

Solotech provides pro sound equipments for the tour like the Digidesign console for the FOH and the Yamaha PM5D-RH for the stage monitoring.

The FOH engineer is Neil Schaefer and the monitor engineer is Pete Roberts.

Solotech was proud to support the "First Robotic" program in NEVADA.

We want to take this opportunity to congratulate the support organizations and all the competing teams.

FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.

Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand" hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

SOLOTECH is proud to announce that the company has earned the prestigious and coveted 2011 Parnelli Award in the category "Sound Company of the Year" for Michael Buble's Crazy Love Tour. The 11th Annual Parnelli Awards ceremony was held October 29, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

Receiving a Parnelli Award is the most prestigious honor in the Live Event Industry. The award recognizes pioneering, influential professionals and their contributions, honoring both individuals and companies. It is truly the "Oscar®" of the Live Event Industry.

A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael's creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson's artistry before the eyes of the audience. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael's creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations.

THE IMMORTAL World Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where we discover Michael's inspirational Giving Tree - the wellspring of his creativity. The secrets of Michael's inner world are unlocked - his love of music and dance, fairy tale and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature.

The underpinnings of THE IMMORTAL World Tour are Michael Jackson's powerful, inspirational music and lyrics - the driving force behind the show—brought to life with extraordinary power and breathless intensity. Through unforgettable performances Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour underscores Michael’s global messages of love, peace and unity.

Advanced technology

Cirque du Soleil asked SOLOTECH to provide world class system for sound, lighting, video and rigging. 24 of our best specialists technicians install, operate and maintain night after night this state-of-the art equipments.

Solotech is pleased to announce that it has acquired privately-held Specs Audio located in Gatineau, Québec. Specs Audio is an audiovisual systems integrator with both sales and rental departments.

The addition of Specs Audio to Solotech’s expanding number of regional offices adds significant logistical resources to Solotech's growing presence in the Ottawa / Gatineau and Eastern Ontario market. Specs Audio is very active in certain market segments and they will continue to develop these markets to compliment Solotech's sales and integration business.

"Specs Audio is a dynamic company and we are pleased to add their team of talented individuals to help contribute to Solotech’s growth in the Canadian market, especially in Western Quebec and other specialized markets where they show great strength" says Solotech President Denis Lefrançois. “Specs Audio will continue to operate as a distinct entity in order to continue to serve its loyal customers and to meet its contractual obligations.”

“We are very pleased to join Solotech in their continued development and to contribute to the incredible success story that Solotech has become. We will now have access to additional resources to allow us to improve our customer service and technological infrastructure” says Specs Audio president Claude Régimbald.

Solotech will now operate its Gatineau sales and integration office from the same location as Specs Audio. With sales offices now both in both Ottawa and Kingston this ensures the physical space and logistical infrastructure required by Solotech to support its growing presence in the Eastern Ontario market.

Las Vegas - François Ménard and Denis Lefrançois, Montreal-based Co-Presidents of Solotech, today announced the purchase of privately-held Audio Analysts of Colorado Springs for an undisclosed sum.

Solotech established a major facility in Las Vegas three years ago to reinforce their presence in the U.S. market. The company is one of the world’s largest providers of show and touring equipment, delivering a fully integrated experience to its entertainment clients. Said recently-named Executive Vice President of International Business Development, François Leroux, who heads up the Las Vegas operation of Solotech USA:“I realized as soon as I joined the company that although Solotech has an immense depth of experience and a high quality offering to the touring business, we needed to grow our international offering to gain market share.”

The Audio Analysts professionals and equipment will relocate to Las Vegas as part of the Solotech Group. “This move will bring together under one roof the very best in audio in addition to video and lighting technologies and expertise”, said Leroux.

Audio Analysts President Bert Paré said that clients have increasingly been asking for a more complete offering than his company has been able to supply. “Of course they demand state-of-the-art sound, but a top quality one-stop shop to meet all their needs holds a definite appeal,” he said. “With what Solotech has to offer, and the special relationship we have enjoyed with them for 35 years, it’s a perfect match.”

With this acquisition and consolidation in Las Vegas, Solotech is now ideally positioned to cater for touring clients throughout the United States, while continuing to serve the southwestern and Las Vegas entertainment and conventions markets.

Previously Vice President, Creative Entertainment at Disneyland Paris and Disney World in Florida, Leroux said his biggest challenge as a client was managing a variety of specialist suppliers for any given event. “What drew me to Solotech was their capacity for integrating all of the required technologies and support services,” he said. “They do this all over the world for top name entertainers, so being able to deliver this comprehensive offering to clients was a real appeal for me.”