Technology Link for Bands to Make Money on the Road

ORLANDO, FL, OCTOBER 30, 2008 —As record sales and label support decline, performing artists must look to the road for revenue. LMG Touring, a new division of show-technology company LMG, Inc., provides solutions necessary for artists to maximize their touring income.

Long a leader in technical support for conventions, meetings, televised events, and Fortune 500 business presentations, the company provides state-of-the art systems that integrate sound, lighting, video, and satellite-based Internet connectivity. Recently, LMG provided support for Avril Lavigne's huge "The Best Damn Thing" world tour, which drove the creation of the new Touring division. The audio for this project was mixed by veteran touring engineer and LMG employee, Jim Yakabuski, who brings over 25 years of experience to the LMG team.

By capitalizing on LMG's vast experience in integrated solutions, artists can put on spectacular shows while producing lucrative high-definition live recordings, Webcasts, videos, artist chats, and more. "Moving into touring has been a natural transition for us," says LMG CEO Les Goldberg. "We see ourselves as an alternative solution, allowing artists to take advantage of new technology that is designed to fit their unique vision."

LMG Director of Touring Steve McCale is familiar with all aspects of the industry, thanks to his many years as a senior engineer with Clair Brothers Audio and subsequent work as an independent sound designer and mix Engineer for "A" list artists including U2, Shania Twain, the Steve Miller Band, the Eagles and the London Symphony Orchestra, and others. His recent position as Senior Product Specialist for Live Sound at Digidesign afforded him the opportunity to become intimately familiar with the latest generation of technology available for both audio and video productions and how it can be applied to the touring industry.

"Our strategy is to bring artists advanced, integrated systems that will not only save them money but help generate additional income while touring," explains McCale.

Most performing artists and crews deal with multiple tour-support companies and must coordinate sound, lighting, and video systems from different sources, for which they pay a premium. As a full service provider, LMG Touring is accountable for the technical aspects of the show and is able to pass along savings to the artist from vendor and gear consolidation. With nearly 25 years of experience serving high-end clients, LMG provides first-class treatment, including full-service technical support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

All LMG systems are designed to work together for consistent, hassle-free shows, allowing the artist to deliver great performances without worrying about technical limitations. Sound checks and in-show adjustments are better, faster, and easier on artist and crew, thanks to programmable Digidesign VENUE systems, complete with DSP plug ins. LMG's extensive d&b audiotechnik, L-Acoustic and Meyer systems ensure outstanding audio quality and coverage, even in the most difficult venues. Lighting is tightly integrated with music and effects for maximum impact.

Furthermore, LMG's systems enable artists to tap into multiple supplemental revenue streams that come from content development and distribution. To achieve this, every LMG system includes redundant, integrated Pro Tools HD systems and large-capacity, road-ready Glyph drives. This enables the engineer to be able to record every show with ease, including the monitor mix and front-of-house mix, with no need for a remote truck. LMG can provide full-featured Internet access via satellite from virtually anywhere, so artists can Webcast shows, communicate via IP phones and instant messaging, and much more.

LMG has road tested solutions to deliver both high definition and standard definition production packages which include Snell and Wilcox Kahuna switchers and Thomson Grass Valley HD camera systems. All of the remote video production systems are designed for fast set up and ease of shipment. In addition to seamless worldwide distribution of live content, LMG can provide tours with a complete solution for video projection or LED wall requirements.

"Only LMG can offer this level of integrated technology, revenue opportunities, experience, and first-class service," claims McCale. "We have a huge inventory of state-of-the-art gear and decades of systems-integration experience, so we can deliver better services for less. Our solutions are not simply an improvement over the way shows are done; they are a game changer for performing artists."