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Jim Yakabuski Discusses His 43-Year Audio Engineering Journey on the GIGGS Podcast 

In this article

Jim Yakabuski, Director of Audio Projects, Live Production at Solotech, recently featured on the GIGGS podcast, where he shared an in-depth look at his 43-year journey in live audio engineering. With decades of experience working with iconic artists, Yakabuski is celebrated for his exceptional skills and pioneering contributions to the industry.  

In his conversation with host Nikki Sanz, Yakabuski reflected on the evolution of live audio production, offering listeners a wealth of insights from his work on some of the most prestigious events worldwide. He detailed the intricacies of mixing front-of-house sound for large-scale productions and discussed the challenges of adapting to ever-changing technologies while maintaining the highest standards of audio quality.  

Yakabuski also provided a closer look at his current role as Director of Audio Projects for US Live Productions at Solotech, where he oversees complex projects and ensures that every live event meets the company’s rigorous standards. His leadership at Solotech has been instrumental in advancing the company’s reputation for delivering unparalleled audio experiences, both in the United States and globally.  

“I was in Planet Hollywood Zappos Theater with Gwen Stefani doing residency and I get the phone call, ‘We want you to join the team.’ And I’m like great this is awesome,” explained Yakabuski. “It was a huge blessing to have a job with such a great company, and it really is an amazing company.”

Hear more about Yakabuski’s experiences and insights by listening to the full podcast on YouTube. 

News Solotech

Solotech’s Role in Adele’s Record-Breaking Munich Residency

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In a recent feature by Total Production International (TPi), Solotech’s role as official video supplier for Adele’s unprecedented residency in Munich, which was awarded a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® achievement for the Largest Continuous Outdoor LED Screen (temporary), was highlighted.

“When Solotech was enlisted for this project, it had a pre-existing goal to invest in a significant amount of single batch LED over a multi-year period. That was soon accelerated to three months to meet the demands of Adele in Munich. Despite global shipping challenges, Solotech managed to procure over 5,000 square meters of newly purchased ROE Visual LED screens to Solotech’s European facility to be ‘framed up’ before arriving in Munich.”

The full article provides an in-depth look at Solotech’s innovative contributions to this groundbreaking project. Read more here.

TPi: Meet the Team Behind Adele in Munich

Photo: Mark Cameron

Contact: media@solotech.com

Solotech, Proud Audiovisual Provider of the 2024 Festival d’été de Québec

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The company provides 360-degree AV and a team of experts, including the largest panoramic LED screen in the festival’s history

Solotech, a global leader in audiovisual and entertainment technology, is proud to have contributed to the 2024 edition of FEQ, a well-known festival showcasing musical excellence and live production innovation. 

For this edition, Solotech provided multiple audio, lighting, video, staging, and rigging solutions that delivered a memorable FEQ audience experience. As the festival recently unveiled its new panoramic LED screens at the main Bell Stage at the Plains of Abraham, Solotech is proud to highlight its role as the 360-audiovisual provider for multiple FEQ stages.

Elevating the Festival Experience

At the core of the festival’s visual presentation are the new main stage curved panoramic LED screens at main Bell Stage. These screens, over double the size of the previous ones, offer an enhanced visual experience with a total of over 41 million pixels surrounding the stage. Featuring a 4K screen behind the stage and two 6K screens on either side, they provide stunning clarity and detail for the performing artists. Covering a surface of 881 square meters, compared to last year’s 352 square meters, these screens were designed, prepared, and installed by Solotech in collaboration with Stageline’s screen support system.

Martin Carrier, President, Live Productions Division, Canada | Global Media and Entertainment Technologies at Solotech, mentions: ” We are excited to be a provider with FEQ again this year and to provide technologies and teams that are meeting their aspirations. Our team worked diligently to integrate these state-of-the-art screens, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and excellence in event production.”

Nicolas Racine, CEO of BLEUFEU, a partner of FEQ, also shared his thoughts: “For a long time, FEQ has been a pioneer festival. For the 2024 edition, we are pulling out all the stops to offer something unique in North America. This long-term project – the result of collaboration with several Quebec companies – illustrates our ability to push the limits of what is possible in the entertainment industry and once again strengthens our status as a major international festival.”

Technical Solutions

As a 360-provider, Solotech’s contributions extend beyond the new screens. The company’s involvement includes advanced audio systems, lighting setups, rigging solutions, and staging solutions across several of the festival’s stages. This year, Solotech deployed a daily video team of 35 employees for the installation of all Solotech video equipment for the festival. During the event, a team of nearly 30 Solotech employees per day will be on-site, ensuring seamless operation and management of all AV equipment.

Enhancing Artist Performances at Bell Stage

The new Bell Stage screens were designed to provide memorable visual experiences for audiences, enhancing the artists’ performances. With two major screens flanking the main stage and a third behind the artists, the setup ensures that every audience member has a great view, no matter where they are standing. Solotech’s audio, lighting, and staging solutions further elevate the quality of these performances.

Denys Deslauriers, Account Manager, Live Production, Solotech, emphasizes the impact that Solotech’s AV solutions provide: “Our goal was to deliver a seamless integration of video, audio, lighting, and more that enhances every performance. We’re proud to have played a role in making this year’s FEQ a success.” Artists benefit greatly from top-notch stage setups, and these screens enhance their performances beautifully,” Deslauriers explains. “We look forward to seeing how these innovations, along with our full production solutions, will enhance the festival experience for both performers and audiences.”

Looking Ahead

Solotech’s contributions to the 2024 FEQ highlight the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of live event production.

The successful integration of these advanced screens and other technical solutions is an example of how Solotech continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions and expertise.

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance our offerings and support our clients with the latest technology,” Carrier concludes. “This year’s FEQ is a significant milestone, and we look forward to many more years of groundbreaking collaborations.”

Solotech, Proud Audiovisual Provider of the 2024 Festival d’été de Québec

In this article

The company provides 360-degree AV and a team of experts, including the largest panoramic LED screen in the festival’s history

 

Solotech, a global leader in audiovisual and entertainment technology, is proud to have contributed to the 2024 edition of FEQ, a well-known festival showcasing musical excellence and live production innovation.

For this edition, Solotech provided multiple audio, lighting, video, staging, and rigging solutions that delivered a memorable FEQ audience experience. As the festival recently unveiled its new panoramic LED screens at the main Bell Stage at the Plains of Abraham, Solotech is proud to highlight its role as the 360-audiovisual provider for multiple FEQ stages.

Elevating the Festival Experience

At the core of the festival’s visual presentation are the new main stage curved panoramic LED screens at main Bell Stage. These screens, over double the size of the previous ones, offer an enhanced visual experience with a total of over 41 million pixels surrounding the stage. Featuring a 4K screen behind the stage and two 6K screens on either side, they provide stunning clarity and detail for the performing artists. Covering a surface of 881 square meters, compared to last year’s 352 square meters, these screens were designed, prepared, and installed by Solotech in collaboration with Stageline’s screen support system.

Martin Carrier, President, Live Productions Division, Canada | Global Media and Entertainment Technologies at Solotech, mentions: ” We are excited to be a provider with FEQ again this year and to provide technologies and teams that are meeting their aspirations. Our team worked diligently to integrate these state-of-the-art screens, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and excellence in event production.”

Nicolas Racine, CEO of BLEUFEU, a partner of FEQ, also shared his thoughts: “For a long time, FEQ has been a pioneer festival. For the 2024 edition, we are pulling out all the stops to offer something unique in North America. This long-term project – the result of collaboration with several Quebec companies – illustrates our ability to push the limits of what is possible in the entertainment industry and once again strengthens our status as a major international festival.”

Technical Solutions

As a 360-provider, Solotech’s contributions extend beyond the new screens. The company’s involvement includes advanced audio systems, lighting setups, rigging solutions, and staging solutions across several of the festival’s stages. This year, Solotech deployed a daily video team of 35 employees for the installation of all Solotech video equipment for the festival. During the event, a team of nearly 30 Solotech employees per day will be on-site, ensuring seamless operation and management of all AV equipment.

Enhancing Artist Performances at Bell Stage

The new Bell Stage screens were designed to provide memorable visual experiences for audiences, enhancing the artists’ performances. With two major screens flanking the main stage and a third behind the artists, the setup ensures that every audience member has a great view, no matter where they are standing. Solotech’s audio, lighting, and staging solutions further elevate the quality of these performances.

Denys Deslauriers, Account Manager, Live Production, Solotech, emphasizes the impact that Solotech’s AV solutions provide: “Our goal was to deliver a seamless integration of video, audio, lighting, and more that enhances every performance. We’re proud to have played a role in making this year’s FEQ a success.” Artists benefit greatly from top-notch stage setups, and these screens enhance their performances beautifully,” Deslauriers explains. “We look forward to seeing how these innovations, along with our full production solutions, will enhance the festival experience for both performers and audiences.”

Looking Ahead

Solotech’s contributions to the 2024 FEQ highlight the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of live event production.

The successful integration of these advanced screens and other technical solutions is an example of how Solotech continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions and expertise.

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance our offerings and support our clients with the latest technology,” Carrier concludes. “This year’s FEQ is a significant milestone, and we look forward to many more years of groundbreaking collaborations.”

Solotech Powers the Sound Revolution at Festivals

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The festival industry has made a remarkable comeback post-pandemic, with a record number of events being produced in 2023 and even more booked for 2024, according to Robert Kennedy, Director of Business Development at Solotech. This resurgence has led to a surge in demand for high-quality audio experiences, as festival-goers seek to make up for lost time and indulge in immersive experiences. 

As festivals cater to diverse demographics and genres, the need for versatile and innovative audio solutions has become increasingly important. “The audio experience needs to be at the highest level,” says Dennis Stegemerten, Manager, Solution Development at Sennheiser.  

Solotech is meeting this challenge head-on, leveraging cutting-edge pro audio technologies like immersive audio, wireless microphones, and in-ear monitoring systems to transport festival-goers into an auditory wonderland. 

Immersive audio technologies, in particular, are revolutionizing the festival landscape. Meyer Sound’s Spacemap Go and L-Acoustics’ L-ISA are enabling artists to create spatial sound designs and mixes that envelop the audience, creating a truly immersive experience. Solotech is at the forefront of this sound revolution, working closely with festival organizers and artists to design and deliver bespoke audio solutions that exceed expectations. 

Read the full story to learn more about how Solotech and other industry leaders are shaping the future of festival audio. 

Source: rAVe [PUBS], The Sound Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Audio Tech at Festivals 

News Solotech

Marina Di Pancrazio joins Solotech as Vice President, Business Development and Global Media and Entertainment Technologies

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Solotech, a world leader in audiovisual entertainment and technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marina Di Pancrazio as Vice President, Business Development and Global Media and Entertainment Technologies, starting May 21, 2024.

Marina Di Pancrazio is a Toronto-based media and entertainment leader with over 25 years of experience. She is an expert at developing successful business and sales strategies and has led several high-performance teams in sales partnerships and production. She has extensive experience working on both the creative and business side of the industry and is known for building new, profitable lines of businesses and optimizing existing ones.

“I have long admired Solotech and I’m excited to be joining this innovative world-class powerhouse,” says Marina. “Their commitment to excellence, quality, and service align brilliantly with my values, and I am honored to be a part of such a dynamic organization.”

Reporting to Martin Carrier, President, Live Productions Division, Canada, and Global Media and Entertainment Technologies, Marina will be leading the Greater Toronto Area’s business development operations and strategies across the division for relevant segments. Her goal is to leverage new opportunities to drive profitable growth with an important focus on establishing Solotech’s presence as a key player in the region.

“Marina is a strong addition to Solotech. I’m looking forward to working with her to continue driving growth in our division and to develop other sectors of activity,” says Martin Carrier. “Her solid experience and professionalism are tremendous assets that will greatly benefit our team.”

The entire Solotech team wishes her great success in her new role.

Contact: media@solotech.com

News Solotech

Record-Breaking LED Display Purchase

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Largest Single Batch LED Tile Acquisition Made as Part of Spectacular 2024 Schedule

Montreal, Canada, May 2, 2024 — Solotech, a global leader in audiovisual and entertainment technology, is thrilled to announce a strategic collaboration with ROE Visual, with the purchase of over 5000 sq. meters of LED tiles, including 4,500 sq. meters of identical Carbon LED tiles, which is the largest single-batch of LED tiles ever recorded. This marks a monumental milestone for both companies: LED manufacturer, ROE Visual secures its most extensive ROE CB5 Mark II order to date, while Solotech becomes the industry’s leading LED video rental provider.  

“CB5 has become the industry standard for global touring over the last 5 years or so. With the addition of such a large quantity of ROE CB5 Mark II LED display to our already substantial offering, the team at Solotech will continue to deliver the most spectacular projects on the global stage”, stated Mickey Curbishley, Solotech President, Live Productions Division, USA, UK.  

With 4,500 sq. meters of identical Carbon LED tiles, a unique offering due to the quantity as well as the ability to offer true color consistency, Solotech not only significantly enlarges its equipment inventory for client touring needs, it secures a premium position in the market and can deliver greater visual entertainment services for global artists and indoor or outdoor events in stadiums, festivals, or other venues; including for the music industry, sports, corporate, and culture.    

Grace Kuo, Global Sales Director at ROE Visual, expressed excitement about the partnership, “We’ve enjoyed working closely together with Solotech, a company that shares our passion for innovation and commitment to client satisfaction. This is a testament to our mission of providing the best technology and service to customers.” 

Solotech is renowned for its 47-year expertise in AV and provides solutions for over 12,000 projects per year, including festivals and 40% of top worldwide music tours according to Pollstar. In addition to being ranked as one of the world’s top systems integrators, the company has expanded its new and used audiovisual equipment offerings in the ecommerce space. In live productions, among numerous awards and accolades, Solotech recently won Lighting Company of the Year for its work on Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour in 2024, having also received the award for Video Production Company of the Year for its work with The Weeknd in 2023 at the Parnelli Awards.  

Solotech is not slowing down after writing its name in history, focusing on growth and global expansion. It continues to push the boundaries of visual entertainment technology, delivering awe-inspiring experiences for audiences worldwide.  

News Solotech

Mickey Curbishley on the Geezers of Gear Podcast

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Mickey Curbishley, Solotech President, Live Productions Division, USA, UK, was a Guest on the Geezers of Gear Podcast.

He shared stories from the road, spoke about the spectacle of current global touring, and about a topic he is incredibly passionate about: sustainability in the live productions industry.

Mickey shared, “I think that we have a duty – there’s so much we are doing. I think one of the big points is that we’ve come so far, but we’ve got to keep going – we’ve got to keep working – we’ve got to work together.”

To listen click here: Podcast | Geezers Of Gear

Contact: media@solotech.com

VAI Resort announces partnership with C3 Presents & Live Nation

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VAI Resort, the new $1B hotel, resort and live entertainment destination in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, has announced a new partnership with C3 Presents and Live Nation to book and promote major music and comedy shows to the $50 million VAI Amphitheater. 

Solotech has been working with VAI Resort’s team for over a year now. As designer and equipment provider for the performance audio and lighting systems of the VAI Amphitheater, we are proud and excited to be a part of this highly anticipated project that will redefine Arizona’s hotel, entertainment and culinary landscapes.  

The $1B VAI Resort is set to open in Glendale in late 2024.  

Learn more about VAI Resort’s association with C3 Presents and Live Nation here. 

Source: VAI Resort, February 1st, 2024, C3 Presents and Live Nation join forces with VAI Amphitheater at VAI Resort, setting the stage for Arizona’s premier entertainment experience. 

Contact: media@old.solotech.com 

Desjardins transforms its videoconferencing experience with Solotech and Crestron

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Solotech partnered with Crestron to transform Desjardins’ videoconferencing experience and strengthen client relationships. 

In the spring edition of Crestron’s Smarter Spaces magazine, Desjardins, a leading Canadian banking, investment, and insurance group, shares its transformative journey toward enhancing employee collaboration and client relationships through standardized video conferencing solutions. 

Partnering with Solotech and its trusted systems integration expertise, Desjardins took the decision to standardize on Crestron Flex for Microsoft Teams Rooms. There are now 2,000 rooms either completed or in progress for Desjardins across Canada.  

“We were already using Crestron as a control system, but when we saw Crestron Flex for Microsoft Teams Rooms, we really liked it for a number of reasons. It was scalable, versatile, easy to use, and worked perfectly with Desjardins’ security network, ensuring all meetings are completely confidential — a critical consideration for any financial institution,” commented Solotech’s Jean-François Huot, Sales Director, Systems Integration.

The intuitive nature of the Crestron system generated widespread employee acceptance, with a clear shift in mindset towards embracing video conferencing as a preferred mode of communication. Desjardins has also leveraged the enhanced capabilities of this new meeting room technology to strengthen connections with external clients.  

To learn more about Solotech’s solutions for Desjardins utilizing Crestron’s equipment, read the full article on Crestron’s Smarter Spaces Magazine here (p.36-39).  

 Source: CRESTRON’s Smarter Spaces magazine | Spring 2024 (March) 

  Contact: media@old.solotech.com