South Beach´s newest premier nightspot and multi-purpose venue, Billboard Live, is more than just the brick and mortar vehicle of the weekly music trade publication. It is an exceptional 40,000 square foot, $20 million club that has few, if any, peers. Nestled in the heart of Miami’s South Beach, Billboard Live offers patrons an abundance of Martin lighting effects and an extraordinary experience in live entertainment.

The four-story art deco complex, which features a world-class Martin lighting system, is set up to provide many forms for entertainment. It includes a fully broadcast-capable live venue and a professional recording studio.

Flexible lighting system

The lighting system, designed by Production Manager Jed DePhilipis of Billboard Live, includes a combination of MAC moving heads for stage lighting for live acts which also have the ability to provide dancefloor lighting for late night party action.

The Bandit Lites supplied system consists of 4 MAC 2000s, 8 MAC 500s, 8 MAC 600s, 6 MAC 250+, 10 MiniMAC Profile, 8 Atomic 3000 strobes, 20 RoboColor Pro 400s, 20 CX-4 color changers, and 6 RoboScan Pro 918 scanners. Control is from 3 Martin 2510 DMX Playback units and a PC-based LightJockey controller. Two Jem StageHazers are also incorporated into the system.

Lighting used to highlight architectural elements

Much of the Martin equipment is used to feature architectural elements as well. An exotic rectangular indoor waterfall spanning the first and second levels is lit by Martin RoboColor Pro 400s for example, and a mezzanine level bar incorporates MiniMACs into its lighting design. MAC 250s have also been used in an upstairs bar and foyer area.

CX-4s give unique “cage of light” effect

The first thing visitors encounter as they set foot in Billboard Live is a rectangular mirror on the entrance floor facing Martin Pro CX-4 fixtures on the ceiling. The lights project into the mirror and back in an endless effect akin to a cage of light.

"We wanted to bring the consumer where he could experience the creative and technical inner workings of the industry and the performance,” says Billboard Live president/CEO Michael Chait, “to see the creation of entertainment concepts, the showcasing of new talent in a cutting-edge setting.  We are determined to represent Billboard magazine in a way that upholds its integrity, and at the same time deliver to the consumer an experience that is multidimensional."