04 l June 2013
www.psneurope.com news EUROPE
European Lennon AV bus hits the road
It’s (audio) power to the people as the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus – equipped with two surround-capable studios – launches in Liverpool. David Davies was ‘watching the wheels’
AVID, GENELEC, Sony and Solid State Logic are among the manufacturers to have donated equipment to the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus – a new not-for-profit facility developed to provide young people across Europe with free opportunities to create artistic projects using the latest AV gear. A European counterpart to the US-based Lennon Bus that was introduced 16 years ago, the new vehicle includes two fully equipped recording studios, an acoustic isolation room and HD video recording facilities. Constructed on a Mercedes-Benz chassis, the bus includes a roof-top terrace (dubbed the ‘Peace Deck’) and ‘pop outs’ for performances and interviews. Staffed by three permanent producer/engineers, the bus was developed with the support of Yoko Ono Lennon, who attended the 8 May launch event in her late husband’s hometown of Liverpool. “It is very important that we open this European tour in Liverpool,” she told the sizeable audience gathered at the city’s
museum. “I don’t know if John is making me come back here, but I do feel that when I am here I am with John. I feel very close to him, and of course through him I feel very close to you guys too.” Following Ono Lennon’s own personal tour of the bus, the media was treated to a preview of its generously stocked audiovisual facilities. Avid’s presence was
linear video editing systems and Artist Series control surfaces. “We are thrilled to be a sponsor
of the new European John Lennon Educational Tour Bus,” said W Sean Ford, vice president of worldwide marketing for Avid. “Our continued partnership with this educational outreach project lets us nurture the next generation of creative professionals and
“I’ve seen first-hand the joy, satisfaction and sense of achievement that students experience when they use the fantastic Lennon Bus kit” Lars-Olof Janflod, Genelec
immediately apparent; a sponsor of the US bus for the past nine years, the company has donated a panoply of equipment, including Pro Tools HD Native and Pro Tools HDX DAWs, Sibelius music composition and notation software, Media Composer non-
inspire kids to become our future storytellers and musicians.” Genelec is equally prominent, with both recording studios on the bus sporting a complete 5.1 surround system comprising five 8240A biamplified DSP two-way loudspeaker monitoring
Yoko Ono Lennon was on hand to open the bus in Liverpool
monitors and two 7260A active DSP subs, used in conjunction with two AD9200A analogue to digital converters. In addition, students have access to two larger 8050A wideband biamplified monitoring systems for outdoor monitoring and performance. Like Avid, Genelec was
involved with the previous Lennon Bus project. “I’m a passionate believer in musical education, but not everyone has access to good equipment,” Lars-Olof Janflod, PR and marketing director at Genelec, tells PSNEurope. “I’ve seen first-hand the joy, satisfaction and sense of achievement that students experience when they use the fantastic Lennon Bus kit. I’m sure the new European bus will be as successful as its North American predecessor.” From SSL comes the 16- channel SuperAnalogue X-Desk and XLogic Alpha VHD Pre mic pres. Audio-Technica mics and Clear-Com comms are among the other core elements of the audio spec; the bus also features MI gear from Gibson and Roland. The video spec is equally
rigorous and includes equipment from NewTek (a TriCaster 855 system), a CameraCorps Q-Ball robotic camera head and Sony camera kits. Sony was also on hand to
provide studio integration via its Professional Solutions Europe operation. Developed with the close input of Lennon Bus chief engineer Jeff Sobel, the vehicle incorporates stylish interiors designed by Tom Junglas. All projects created onboard will be available to view on
lennonbus.org, where it is also possible to request bus visits to schools, colleges and trade shows. The next confirmed stop-off will be later this month on London’s South Bank during the Meltdown Festival, which this year has an uncompromising line-up curated by Ono Lennon herself. “I’m so thrilled that the bus will
be situated at Meltdown,” the artist said. “All kids who are interested in making music and learning how to use instruments in the recording studio should come and make use of this freebie!”n
www.lennonbus.org
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