Associa Studio Turns To Brightline AV/720 And Flex‑T

Associa has upgraded its new Richardson, Texas headquarters podcast studio with Brightline's AV/720 low‑voltage lighting control and Flex‑T LED fixtures, aiming for broadcast‑standard results while keeping installation time and cost down as video podcasting accelerates.

The community management giant is expanding production capacity beyond its existing show, allocating extra studio space at the new site. Dallas‑based Taurus Technologies was brought in to design the audio‑visual set‑up with an emphasis on simplicity, scalability and image quality.

"With plans to produce more podcasts in the future, Associa was focused on an A/V system that was easy to use for non-technical personnel, cost-efficient, and upgradeable with the highest production quality possible," said Tyler Cutrer, Account Manager, Taurus Technologies. "We always pay close attention to lighting because it sets the tone right off the bat. And it's something we can build the system around. Poor lighting prevents even the best cameras from creating beautiful images. We have a long relationship with Brightline Lighting. The combination of their stellar video lighting with the new AV/720 low voltage control system sounded ideal for Associa."

Brightline's AV/720 is an all‑in‑one controller for variable‑white fixtures over a single low‑voltage cable, engineered to drop into professional AV environments. Its lighting‑by‑numbers approach and accurate colour reproduction are intended to streamline commissioning.

At Associa's studio, the AV/720 drives 17 Flex‑T in‑ceiling LEDs mounted in an acoustic drop ceiling: ten units with drop arms for extra aiming flexibility and a more overt studio aesthetic, and seven flush fixtures without arms. Each luminaire is individually home‑run to the AV/720, which links to the lighting console via a 5‑pin DMX connection, allowing per‑fixture control over a single DMX line.

For Lighting Designer Chris Boyd, the project was his first using Flex‑T and AV/720. "I was impressed by the ease of installation of the fixtures and the rack mounted AV/720," he said. "Hannah Jackson, the technician from Taurus, did an incredible job managing the cabling for the fixtures inside the rack. Running each fixture individually to the AV/720 allowed us to have each light on low voltage power, which prevented additional general contracting installation costs and enabled our crew of three to complete the install very quickly."

Cutrer reported similarly swift progress from start to finish. "They were able to get everything up and running in two and a half days, with zero issues. The installation was smooth and quick. Though our experience with AV/720 is limited, its ease of use is a huge benefit to any customer with limited experience and technical resources. Our goal was to provide Associa with a very simple to use system that had the highest production quality possible,” said Cutrer. “Our client was very happy with the end result."

To reduce on‑site complexity, AV/720 systems arrive pre‑programmed with pre‑labelled fixtures and cabling so installers can follow the numbering scheme. If capacity needs to grow, the system can be expanded or a second AV/720 added; Brightline will run a new programme at the factory and send a software update to accommodate the changes.

"The Flex-T/AV/720 combination is ideal for small studios or conference rooms with standard drop ceilings like Associa's new headquarters," said Tim Godby, Product Ambassador, Brightline Lighting. "We are thrilled that a company as well regarded as Associa will be producing all its future podcasts with our LED fixtures and low-voltage lighting control. They can be assured each podcast will look as professional as a nightly newscast."

brightlines.com