Elite Multimedia Begins New Partnership with Nick Jonas and Cour Design through Midi-Controlled Lighting Rig

	Nick Jonas. Photo: Peter Streiff

Nashville-based companies Cour Design and Elite Multimedia Productions are continuing their partnership with the designer's unique midi-controlled lighting and video system on pop artist Nick Jonas shows in 2015.

Cour Design co-founders Gordon Droitcour and Erik Anderson focus on efficient tour design based on midi triggering of lighting and video cues from the band's existing backing tracks. Using Jands Vista Byron's lighting software, ArKaos MediaMaster Pro, Capture, and Ableton Live as the master program, Cour Design builds a whole show for video and lighting.

Having a self-contained, auto-triggering, midi-controlled system using notes, bars, and measures from Ableton allows the visual performance to be based in a more musical way with notes, bars, and measures as opposed to SMPTE and time-code triggers.

"The idea is we create a design and we program the whole show for video and lighting that they can keep for as long as they tour that design," Droitcour said.

The lighting and video rig for Jonas' 2015 shows include Clay Paky A.Leda Wash K5's, Chauvet Professional Epix Strips and Bars, Martin Professional Atomic 3000 Strobes, and a High End Systems HedgeHog 4 console provided by Elite Multimedia.

"We wanted to have something that is sharp, sleek, and modern. The idea was inspired from a piece of architecture that had those attributes," Droitcour said. "It's not just lights in a geometric formation; it's more of like a set piece with the apex of truss. We wanted to go with something that was sexy and effective with high impact. Using Epix Strips and the K5's are a great way to pull that off."

The company says Cour Design is proud of their work with Nick Jonas and Elite.

"It's so big," Droitcour said. "Elite has always helped us out with some really great gear and really innovative products, so going forward I really see this relationship growing."

For more information on Cour Design and how midi-controlled programming works, visit courdesign.com.