The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a nonprofit mobile audio and
HD video recording and production facility, has been upgraded with new
HD cameras from Sony. The state-of-the-art, A/V studio-on-wheels has
provided free hands-on programs to hundreds of high schools, colleges,
music festivals, concerts, conventions and community organizations
since 1998.
Funded by Yoko Ono (the ex-Beatle’s wife) and sponsorships like those from
Apple, Maxell and NAMM, the bus features donated equipment from Apple,
Digidesign, Mackie, Roland and Sony. It encourages students to play
music, write songs, engineer recording sessions and produce video
projects using the latest audio, video and live sound equipment. As
part of its 10-month tour across the country, the bus was recently
parked outside Sony’s Park Ridge, N.J. headquarters, where Sony
executives got to live their dream of recording rock-and-roll for a day.
interior is divided into three separate studio environments that can be
opened to create one large studio. The front studio is an audio and
video production area. The rear studio offers pro-level recording and
mixing, as well as an isolation booth for acoustic recordings, and a
chromate (green screen) booth. Using Apple iMac computers with Protools
for recording, the studios can feature all types of musical
instruments. Also onboard is a Mackie P.A. system for live performances
outside the bus.
The
new Sony gear includes several PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX (solid-state) and
HVR-V1U and HVR-Z1U HDV (tape-based) camcorders; LUMA LCD displays and
LCD projectors; an Anycast Station for switching live productions; two
BRC-H700 pan-tilt-zoom cameras (which can be positioned on top of the
bus); and a full complement of wireless microphones and portable field
recorders. The equipment is being used by students to produce music
videos and other types of live music recordings (such as a recent
middle school’s chorus concert).
The Lennon Bus will be at the 2008 Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI,
June 26 to July 6, giving visitors the chance to try out new gear from
sponsors Godin Guitars, Roland, Crate, Ampeg, Boss, Abelton, Sibelius,
Propellerhead, Mackie and Audio Technica.
