News

Panwagon on streets for 2001
by Wayne Bowman

The music of the pan may return to the streets and major fetes in a major way come Carnival 2001. CD producer Simeon Sandiford of Sanch Electronix has designed a Panwagon that features a high tech sound system capable of delivering digital quality, amplified prerecorded as well as live pan music in either enclosed or open-air settings. The Panwagon, which is a registered trademark itself is a two-tiered vehicle capable of accommodating a full Panorama orchestra and has been fashioned after that of the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Sandiford, however, believes that for the time being, one would not be seeing 100-player outfits performing on the roads of Trinidad and Tobago.

Sandiford envisions several applications for the Panwagon including the amplification of pan music during the Carnival season. The system can be used by arrangers to teach music to large ensembles more efficiently.

Pannists can also listen to music being played back at realistic levels so they can better understand the concept of soundstaging. The Panwagon can also be used as public address systems and be rented out for use outside of the Carnival season. Steel orchestras can invest in the Panwagon, which will eliminate the challenges of transporting instruments to performances.

The system employs the Natural Sound Reinforcement System (NSRS), which is capable of generating high sound pressure levels from daisy-chained active loudspeakers. The sound will be projected from a main array of four loudspeakers located at the back of the vehicle and a secondary array of two loudspeakers on either side. The system also consists of four omnidirectional powdered microphones, active mixing console, line-level preamplifier, sixteen active loudspeakers, AC generator, dual CD console and on board lighting. The system also caters for a DJ as well as live vocalists.

The prototype of the Panwagon including all sound and lighting equipment is costing about $750,000. Sandiford, in collaboration with the Steelpan Pan Development Centre of the University of the West Indies and the Pantrinbago Foundation Board, is raising the funds on his own to fund the Panwagon and other projects aimed at the continued development and technological advancement of the pan.

Revenue is being generated through the sale of the Pan Sweet Pan compilation CD, which features several orchestras including the Rising Stars. Also being sold are CD openers, designer T-shirts and limited edition prints of CD jackets featuring paintings done by Ken Holder. Each Panwagon will also have electronic signboards providing advertising opportunities for corporate citizens.

Trinidad Guardian, Page 2 24 August 2000