— As an authorized dealer for Panasonic Professional Products, GC Pro chooses PT-DX800ULS 8000-lumen XGA projector with ET-DLE150 lens for comprehensive projection system —
— All equipment was installed by GC Pro Affiliate Program member Koko Brothers Entertainment —
Converse, Inc.’s innovative Brooklyn-based recording studio and live performance venue facility, Converse Rubber Tracks, is a community-based studio designed to generate interest in music recording and live music performance among young and aspiring artists. The facility was fully outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and instruments sourced by Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro), the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional users, for its opening two years ago. Now, GC Pro is back, supplying Rubber Tracks with a new round of technology that adds an entirely new video element to the facility.
Key items installed at Rubber Tracks late last year, in a large open multi-use and performance space between the facility’s two recording studios, include a Panasonic PT-DX800ULS 8000-lumen XGA projector with a Panasonic ET-DLE150 lens, a Da-Lite Cosmopolitan® Electrol® 106×188 projection screen, and a Gefen GTV-AUDDEc-N 4X1 HD switcher with integrated audio decoding. The installation was done by Baltimore area-based Koko Brothers Entertainment, a member of GC Pro’s innovative Affiliate Program.
What GC Pro was able to do was supply and coordinate a completely turnkey solution for Rubber Tracks. “All it took on the part of the client was a single phone call to set the entire process in motion,” says Billy Walker, Senior Account Manager, GC Pro Northeast / Mid-Atlantic, who had previously also matched Rubber Tracks up with GC Pro Affiliate program member Malvicino Design Group of Forest Hills, New York, which provided acoustical design and treatment for the facility. “We offered the customer several options in terms of equipment and helped them make decisions as to which ones were best suited for their needs. Then we connected them with our Affiliate Partner Koko Brothers Entertainment, who has done numerous projects for GC Pro customers. Basically, GC Pro made all the arrangements to assure that all of the equipment was there in time for the installer to work with it, and we’re here 24/7 if any issues arise after installation is complete. We take care of everything.”
Angelo Kokkinakos, Vice President of Koko Brothers Entertainment, adds that the synergy between their company and GC Pro was evident on this project. “Often, integrators find it challenging to work directly from a spec sheet that someone else created; with GC Pro, our understanding of each other’s strengths really plays to the customer’s advantage, since GC Pro lets us look at the project ourselves and make recommendations as to what products will work best,” he explains, noting that being able to see the Rubber Tracks performance space ahead of time led to his recommendation of a high-lumens projector to assure a high-definition result.
Says Walker in conclusion, “We find that our clients like this kind of comprehensive project management. It’s less for them to think about. One phone call, one payment, one vendor.”
For more information, please visit www.gcpro.com.
