Pickathon Music Festival

With 50+ acts to capture, the six stages run musical acts from the start of the day until well past midnight. The main Mt. View stage is used for the festival’s top acts and includes more than five football fields of fabric to make up the structure; the Galaxy Barn is dedicated to rock music; the Workshop Barn for acoustic acts; the Starlight stage for after hour performances in the open air; the Fir Meadows stage for alternative acts; and the Woods stage is a unique stage made entirely out of branches and tree limbs nestled right in the middle of the forest.

Each minute of Pickathon is recorded, shown on festival monitors and live streamed. Live footage is constantly sent to various projectors, b-roll is shot and artist and festival attendee interviews are shot and edited. The streaming sites (KEXP.com and Pickathon.com) have to be maintained, which also includes dedicating crew to building an interactive online community and maintaining it before, during and after the show. And finally, DVDs have to be created after the last act is finished.

To handle this, Producer Ryan Stiles relies on his crew, 60 cameras, miles of optical fiber cable connecting every stage with a 57 foot master control truck located at the main stage, numerous monitors on every stage, meeting area and musician area, and in the middle of it all, a Blackmagic Design ATEM Production Studio 4K, an ATEM 1M/E, four ATEM Television Studios and a number of ATEM Camera and Studio Converters.

Simultaneous feeds come into the master control truck over an optical fiber network from each of the stages, with one ATEM Television Studio networking those feeds. Feeds are then sent from the trucks to the various stage projectors and monitors, a 60 inch screen in the musicians’ trailer area and encoded using ATEM Television Studios.

Switching for the main stage is done by ATEM Production Studio 4K, which switches streams from eight different cameras, including four roving SDI cameras and four robotic cameras. Feeds from the main stage are controlled with a laptop using the ATEM’s Software Control Panel, with a switched master feed of the main stage streaming using ATEM Production Studio 4K in conjunction with Livestream.

By the end of the weekend, tens of thousands of people take part live, whether at the event itself or watching the live streams on the festival’s website and YouTube channel. Hundreds of hours of performances, interviews and crowd interaction are captured.

Design Team

Executive Producer: Zale Schoenborn, Eric Schoenborn, Terry Groves, Ned Failing, Michael Dorr
Festival Production Manager: Will Savery
Producer: Ryan Stiles
Lighting Designer: Daniel Meeker
Audio Designer: Joe Zavaglia
Operation site Manager: Ronnie Boicourt
Architects of the Air / lead designers: Mar Ricketts and Sebastian Collet
Video Production Manager: Seth Chandler
Video Production Coordinator: Alisha Flaumenbaum

Key Equipment Used

Mt. View, Fir Meadows and Starlight Stage Configuration:
(2) Canon XF305 Cameras on sticks
(2) Canon XF105 Cameras Hand-held
(4) Canon XA 20 on Robotic’s
(4) Blackmagic Design ATEM Camera Converters
(2) Blackmagic Design ATEM Studio Converters
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM Production Studio 4K
(1) Blackmagic Design H.264 Pro Recorder
(1) 32 inch HD Multi-Cam Monitor
(2) Asus UX51 VZ Laptops (1- ATEM Switching Software, 1- Media capture)
(1) Keypad Controller for Switching
(1) 60 inch Sony LED monitor for Backstage
(1) USB3 Hard Drive Dock for mp4 Recordings
(1) 19’ Monitor for Lighting

Mt. View, Fir Meadows Lighting:
Luminaires:
(6) Vari*Lite VL 3000 Spot fixtures
(8) Martin MAC 2K Profile fixtures
(14) Martin MAC 2K Wash fixtures
(5) Martin MAC 700 Wash fixtures
(4) Martin MAC 401 LED Wash
(7) 6' Color Kinetics Color Blaze fixtures
(26) Coemar Pixel Pars (truss toners)
(8) ETC Source 4 PAR WFL, 575w
(8) ETC Source 4 26° - 575w fixtures
Backstage:
(4) Martin MAC 401 LED Wash
Atmospheric:
(2) Base Hazer Pro Haze machines

Mt. View Stage Sound:
Mains:
(12) EV XLD Line Array – 6 per side
(8) EV XLC 215 subs – 6 per side
(3) EAW SB-1000 subs – 3 per side
(6) L’acoustics XT115 – Frontfills
all Lab Gruppen PLM powered and Lake processing.
Consoles:
FOH: Digidesign Profile
Monitors: Digidesign Profile
Monitors:
(10) L’acoustics XT115
(1) EV XLC215 Sub
Microphones:
A large selection of mics provided by Audix including:
 OM6, D6, D4, i5, SCX-1HC, SCX25
Radial J48 & JDI DI boxes
Splitter:
Ramtech STGBX-54-XP – 3 way iso splitter
Broadcast/ Recording:
Multitrack: Alesis HD-24

Fir Meadows Stage Sound:
Mains:
(12) EV XLD Line Array – 6 per side
(8) EV XLC 215 subs – 6 per side
(3) EAW SB-1000 subs – 3 per side
(2) L’acoustics XT115 – Frontfills
all Lab Gruppen PLM powered and Lake processing.
Consoles:
FOH: Digidesign SC-48
Monitors: Midas Sienna 48ch
Monitors:
(8) L’acoustics XT115
(1) EV XLC215 Sub
Microphones:
A large selection of mics provided by Audix including:
 OM6, D6, D4, i5, SCX-1HC, SCX25
Radial J48 & JDI DI boxes
Splitter:
Ramtech STGBX-54-XP – 3 way iso splitter
Broadcast/ Recording:
Multitrack: (2) Alesis HD-24

Starlight Stage Lighting:
Luminaires:
(6) Martin MAC 700 Spot
(2) Martin MAC 700 WASH
(10) Coemar Pixel Pars (truss toners)
(6) ETC Source 4 750w fixtures for Front & side lighting
(2) ETC Source 4 PAR XWFL 575w
Control:
(1) Whole Hog 3 Full Boar console w/network interface to connect with Fir Meadow/Mountain View stage desk
(2) Truss mount portable dimmer packs min (4) channels @ 750w each
(1) 5 port opto splitter

Starlight Stage Sound:
Mains:
(4) Stage Accompany P-26 (Ribbon Driver w/ 2x12")
(4) Stage Accompany P-16 sub (2x15")
SA amplification
Consoles:
FOH/ Monitors – Midas Venice 320
Outboard:
TC EQ Station
(3) BSS 366
(6) DBX 160A
Eventide H3000
Lexicon PCM 91
TC M one
TC D2
Monitors:
(6) EAW MW12
All Crown MA power
Microphones:
A large selection of mics provided by Audix including: OM6, D6, D4, i5, SCX-1HC, SCX25
Radial J48 & JDI DI boxes
Broadcast/ Recording:
Multitrack: (2) Alesis HD-24

Galaxy Barn Video:
(1) Canon XF305 Cameras on sticks
(3) Canon XF105 Cameras Hand-held
(4) Canon XA 20 on Robotic’s
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM Camera Converters
(1) Blackmagic Design Analog to Digital Converter Box
(2) Blackmagic Design HDMI to SDI Converter Boxes
(2) Blackmagic Design SDI to HDMI Converter Boxes
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM 1ME Switcher
(1) Blackmagic Design H.264 Pro Recorder
(1) 32 inch HD Multi-Cam Monitor
(2) Asus UX51 VZ Laptops (1- ATEM Switching Software, 1- Media capture)
(1) Keypad Controller for Switching
(1) 60 inch Sony LED monitor for Backstage
(2) Christie DHD800 HD DLP projectors
(1) USB3 Hard Drive Dock for mp4 Recordings
(1) 19’ Monitor for Lighting

Galaxy Barn Lighting:
Luminaires:
(2) Mac Auras
(2) Martin Mac250 Entour Spot fixtures
(6) Martin MAC 401 LED Wash Fixtures
(4) 4' Piexelline 1044 fixtures
(12) Color Kinetics Color Blast 12
(2) ETC Source 4 50° - 575w fixtures
(6) PAR38 cans 120w FLD
(1) XWFL Source 4 Par 575w
Atmospheric
(1) Look Solutions Unique 2 Haze machine
Control:
(1) Whole Hog 3 PC with programming + playback wings + 17” touch screen display
(2) Truss mount portable dimmer packs min (4) channels @ 600w each
(2) Doug Fleenor DF 6 power supplies

Galaxy Barn Sound:
Mains:
Vintage Showco 3-way system with all JBL components
Crest, QSC, & JBL/Ueri  power
DBX 260 processing
Consoles:
FOH/Monitors: Vintage Sunn 24 ch
Outboard:
TDM graphic EQ’s
Lexicon 24 bit FX unit
Monitors:
(6) Vintage Showco models with JBL/ Altec components
Crown power
Microphones:
RE 27, RE20, 421’s, D12, 451, Rode NTK
Broadcast/ Recording:
Multitrack: (2) Alesis HD-24

Workshop Barn Video:
(2) Canon XF105 Cameras Hand-held
(3) Canon XA 20 on Robotic’s
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM Camera Converter - Running Back to Production Trailer
(1) Blackmagic Design Analog to Digital Converter Box
(1) Blackmagic Design HDMI to SDI Converter Boxes
(1) Blackmagic Design SDI to HDMI Converter Boxes
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM TV Studio Switcher
(1) Behringer SRC2496 24-Bit/96 kHz A/D-D/A & Sample Rate Converter
(1) Sescom SES-AES XLR to BNC Connector
(1) 32 inch HD Multi-Cam Monitor
(2) Asus UX51 VZ Laptops (1- ATEM Switching Software, 1- Media capture)
(1) Keypad Controller for Switching
(1) 60 inch Sony LED monitor for outside the Barn in the horse paddock
(1) USB3 Hard Drive Dock for mp4 Recordings

Workshop Barn Lighting:
Luminaires:
(2) Source 4 PAR XWLF
(3) 21' Carnival light strings - medium screw base w/40w Edison style bulbs
(1) Custom built foot light board w/40w Edison style bulbs and cages
Control:
(1) 6 channel DMX controller
(1) Truss mount portable dimmer pack min (4) channels @ 600w each

Workshop Barn Sound:
Mains:
K-array KR 202 System
(2) EAW JF8  - Outdoor fills
Crown XTI 6002
Consoles:
FOH/ Monitors – Midas VeniceF 32
Outboard:
(2) Ashly Protea 4.24g
Drawmer DL 241
(3) DBX 166 XL
(2) DBX 160 XT
TC M one
TC M 300
Monitors:
(4) EAW JFX 88
Crown XTI 6002
Microphones:
A large selection of Busman Audio microphones including: BA-L2, BSC1, BST54, & Little B
A large selection of mics provided by Audix including:< OM6, D6, D4, i5, SCX-1HC, SCX25
EWI LDB-202 DI boxes
Broadcast/ Recording:
Console: Midas Venice 320
Multitrack: Protools 11

Woods Stage Video:
(4) Canon XF105 Cameras Hand-held
(1) Canon XF 305 Camera On Sticks
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM Camera Converter - Running Back to Production Trailer
(1) Blackmagic Design HDMI to SDI Converter Boxes
(1) Blackmagic Design SDI to HDMI Converter Boxes
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM TV Studio Switcher
(1) Behringer SRC2496 24-Bit/96 kHz A/D-D/A & Sample Rate Converter
(1) Sescom SES-AES XLR to BNC Connector
(1) 32 inch HD Multi-Cam Monitor
(2) Asus UX51 VZ Laptops (1- ATEM Switching Software, 1- Media capture)
(1) Keypad Controller for Switching
(1) 60 inch Sony LED monitor for outside the Barn in the horse paddock
(1) USB3 Hard Drive Dock for mp4 Recordings

Woods Stage Lighting:
Luminaires:
(2) Martin Mac700 Spot fixtures
(2) Martin Mac401 LED wash fixtures
(24) Colorblast 12
(1) ETC Source 4 750w fixtures for front light
(2) PAR 16 Birdies 75w
(6) PAR38 cans 120w FLD !
Control:
(1) Whole Hog 3 PC with Playback wing + 17” Touch screen display
(1) Truss mount portable dimmer packs min (4) channels @ 750w each
(1) 5 Port Opto Splitter
(4) Doug Fleenor DF 6 power supplies

Woods Stage Sound:
Mains:
(4) JBL VRX 932p
(4) JBL VRX 918p subs
Consoles:
FOH: Yamaha PM-3500
Monitors: Yamaha M7 CL 40ch
Monitors:
(6) EV QRX112
(3) Crown XTI 4002
Broadcast/ Recording:
Console: Behringer X32
Multitrack: Sonic

::Off Stage Production::
Interviews, B-Roll and Streaming Pieces Video:
(7) Canon 5D Mark III Cameras
(3) Canon 7D Cameras
(1) Canon 5D Camera
(1) Canon 60D Camera
(1) Canon C-300 Camera
(1) Canon C-500 Camera
(5) Canon XF-300 Cameras
(6) GoPro Hero 3 Cameras
(2) GoPro 2 Cameras
(1) Sony NEX FS500 Camera
(2) Panasonic AG-HVX200 Cameras
(4) Zoom H4n Recorders
(4) Sure Wireless Microphones
(1) 32 inch Backstage Interview Monitor
(2) Azden 330ULT wireless microphones
(2) Birdseye time-lapse cameras

Private Band Sessions:
(8) Canon 5D Cameras
(2) Canon Mark III Cameras
(1) Canon 7D Camera
(1) Zoom H4n Recorders
(1) Mackie ProFX12 12-Channel mixer
(1) Midas Venice 32 Channel Console

Post Production:
(2) 3.2 Ghz Intel core i5 IMAC editing Stations running FCPX
(2) 2.6 GHz Intel Core Duo Mac Laptops
(1) Drobo 5D Thunderbolt Raid system
(1) Rosewill Raid system
(4) 3.5 USB3 Docking Hard Drive systems
(6) CF/SD Card Readers
(1) 4TB Thunderbolt OWC Hard Drives
(26) 3.5 2TB Hard Drives
(32) 2.5 500GB Hard Drives

Master Control/Streaming:
(1) i7 Streaming Computer with Blackmagic Design DeckLink SDI and running Wirecast
(1) i3 Workstation Media Player with Intensity Pro
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio
(1) 32 inch HD Multi-Cam Monitor
(2) Asus UX51 VZ Laptops (1- ATEM Switching Software, 1- Media Express capture)
(1) Keypad Controller for Switching
(1) Blackmagic Design ATEM Studio Converter
(1) Master Control computer linked by network to all stages ATEM switching software for backup control.
(1) Laptop with hi-res monitor for streaming QC
(1) Tablet for streaming QC
(1) Linex server station for shared network drives.
(4) 20-inch monitors displaying all active stages
(3) High-speed modems
(6) 4 port gigabit switches