Enhancing Venue Lighting: Helsinki Music Centre's Collaboration with ETC

Hello! I’m Valo Virtanen, Head of Lighting at the Helsinki Music Centre (HMC), and I’m excited to share how our partnership with ETC has completely transformed our lighting systems. At HMC, we’re home to a wide variety of performances, from intimate recitals to grand events, and we always strive to provide the best experience for our artists and audiences. Working with ETC has allowed us to upgrade our lighting in ways that make everything smoother, more reliable, and more flexible, helping us meet the high expectations of everyone who comes through our doors. I can’t wait to tell you more!

A Hub of Music, Technology, and Design

The Helsinki Music Centre (HMC), also known as Musiikkitalo, is a cornerstone of Finland's cultural scene, having opened its doors in 2011. Designed by LPR Architects, the building's structure, named "A Mezza Voce" (meaning “softly”), perfectly balances aesthetics and functionality. The architectural design incorporates natural materials and an innovative acoustic layout, ensuring that every performance resonates beautifully. Acoustically tuned spaces and cutting-edge technology make HMC a versatile venue, accommodating everything from classical concerts to large-scale events.

Our seven halls, including the 1,700-seat main concert hall, host the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Sibelius Academy. Beyond being a concert venue, HMC serves as a seminar center and a hub for technological innovation, boasting the largest videowall in Helsinki. The building's unique design allows for exceptional sightlines and optimal acoustics, enhancing the overall experience for both performers and audiences.

HMC's state-of-the-art infrastructure supports seamless connections between lighting controls and sound across the venue. Thanks to this setup, we can produce even the most complex events with ease, opening limitless possibilities for our programming, whether it’s intimate recitals or grand operas.

Why ETC?

Our journey with ETC began out of necessity. Facing technical challenges that required urgent solutions, we turned to ETC based on strong industry recommendations. The decision to switch for our main concert hall was driven by the brand's reliability and our pressing need for sophisticated lighting systems. Since then, ETC has become integral to our daily operations.

One of our first upgrades was the installation of the ETC Sensor3 power control system, a game-changer for our venue. With two separate power control rooms – one in the basement and another above the ceiling – we needed a system that could provide real-time feedback and remote control. Sensor3 enabled us to monitor issues without the need for physical checks on fuses. Its flexibility has been invaluable as we transition from traditional tungsten lighting to LED solutions, allowing us to easily adapt to changing technology without costly rewiring.

With the Sensor3 TPSR app, instead of trudging back and forth all we have to do is point our mobile phone's camera at the printed QR code next to the outlet, and we can choose whether the channel is a relay or a dimmer and toggle it on and off. It’s so easy and time-saving! The only downside is that we don’t have to walk as much anymore, which might make us a bit lazy and out of shape. But that’s a risk we’re willing to take!

ETC Paradigm: Control at Your Fingertips

Another key component of our lighting setup is the ETC Paradigm system. Operating 24/7, Paradigm controls everything from work lights to show lights across all halls and lobbies. Its flexibility caters to both professional technicians and non-experts.

Our second Head of Lighting, Tuukka Aimasmäki, has conducted extensive research and, together with ETC specialist Oskar Krogell, developed sophisticated yet user-friendly solutions. One of the standout features of Paradigm is its intuitive interface. For non-technical staff, we’ve created simplified profiles that make it easy to manage lighting without risking disruptions. For our technicians, the more advanced controls allow us to handle complex setups efficiently. The ability to log into the system wirelessly allows us to make adjustments on the fly during events, enhancing our adaptability and ensuring that every performance is perfectly lit. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and with Oskar's expertise, we've been able to make magic happen.

Paradigm’s capability to control even some quite complex lighting scenarios without the need for a separate control board is invaluable. It serves as a reliable backup system, ensuring that if anything goes wrong (which, fortunately, hasn’t happened yet), we can still manage lighting across the entire venue.

While we can’t call it a lifesaver – after all, nobody will die without Paradigm – it is an indispensable tool for us on a daily basis.

Lighting Up Every Corner

ETC’s reputation extends beyond its control systems; their fixtures light our lives – and the lives of our artists. Every lighting professional knows and trusts ETC, especially the Source Four profiles. At HMC, we have a substantial number of these fixtures spread throughout our halls and lobbies, equipped with both fixed opening angles and zoom lenses ranging from 5 degrees to 50 degrees. Currently, most of our Source Four fixtures are tungsten, but we are in the process of transitioning to LED light sources, including both tunable white and multi-color options. We’re excited to incorporate the Source Four LED Series 3 Lustr X8 fixtures, which enhance our flexibility in lighting design. Additionally, we have some special fixtures: Lighting Innovation’s Inno Four 575W HMI spots, which are modified arc versions of Source Four fixtures with external DMX-controlled ballasts.

One striking example of our lighting needs is the massive (8m x 6m x 14m, 2200 kg) metal sculpture “Gaia” by Kirsi Kaulanen, which requires exceptionally bright lighting to highlight its intricate details.

The Fanless Revolution: SolaFrame Fixtures

Among the standout products in our lighting arsenal are the ETC SolaFrame automated fixtures. These fixtures have become essential due to their fanless design, which is particularly advantageous for our main concert hall.

The SolaFrame fixtures, including the SolaFrame Theatre and SolaFrame Studio, are renowned for their high-quality LED light sources and exceptional performance. Their fanless design eliminates the noise that traditional cooling fans generate, a crucial factor in a venue like ours where even the slightest noise can disrupt performances and recordings. The quiet operation of these fixtures ensures that the audience and performers are not disturbed by unwanted sounds.

The SolaFrame Theatre, affectionately nicknamed 'Elephant' by us, is our powerhouse for the main concert hall. Robust and capable of handling the demanding environment of a large venue, it consistently delivers top-notch lighting for everything from orchestral concerts to contemporary performances. Conversely, the SolaFrame Studio, or 'Dumbo' as we call it, is perfect for our smaller halls, offering a compact yet equally impressive performance that fits well into more intimate settings.

This fanless design not only contributes to a quieter environment but also enhances reliability and ease of maintenance. With no moving parts needed to cool the light source, we reduce the risk of mechanical failure and extend the lifespan of the fixtures. This has proven to be a wise investment for us, as it aligns with our goal of maintaining high-quality, reliable lighting with minimal operational noise.

Our SolaFrame units have become the workhorses of our lighting setup. We’ve customized them to fit our specific needs, such as replacing factory gobos with custom designs and using heavier frosts to achieve the desired light quality. This level of customization ensures that we get the most out of these fixtures, whether for classical performances, rock concerts, or other events.

The Road Ahead with ETC

At HMC, we constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible in live performance and events. ETC’s products have enabled us to do that by providing the flexibility, reliability, and innovation necessary for our demanding schedule. Whether it’s a last-minute request from an artist or the need for flawless lighting during an event, ETC ensures we’re always ready.

Our collaboration with ETC has not only enhanced the lighting experience but has also made it more sustainable. Features like Paradigm’s automatic timers save energy by dimming lights when not in use, aligning with our goal of operating an environmentally responsible venue. Additionally, the transition to LED lighting across our facilities has reduced our carbon footprint, reflecting our commitment to sustainability in the arts.

In a venue where every detail matters – from the soft lighting of a piano recital to the dynamic visuals of a rock concert – ETC lights up our world, literally and figuratively. As we continue to grow and evolve, we look forward to many more years of innovation and partnership with ETC.

Acknowledgments

I’d also like to acknowledge my colleague, Tuukka Aimasmäki, the other Head of Lighting at HMC. His expertise and vision have been instrumental in our lighting initiatives, and together, we are committed to ensuring that our lighting technology meets the highest standards for our performances.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through HMC’s lighting transformation. Here’s to lighting the way forward!