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Canto USA’s RETRO Series Goes International With Its First Project In Australia

The RETRO series has had a lot of success here in the US. It’s been used to upgrade house lights in churches, schools, universities, and museums to reliable and energy-efficient LED lighting. The simplicity, versatility, and customization of the RETRO make it an economical solution when replacing the entire lighting system is out of scope. The smooth and flicker-free dimming it provides has also made it perfect for performance halls that also record and broadcast video. With all of this going for the product line, it’s only natural that it starts to gather some attention from other parts of the globe.

Methodist Ladies College located in Claremont Western Australia has had a long rich history dating back to 1907. A vibrant all-girls boarding and day school that has grown over the past 115 years to include a world-class geothermally heated pool facility and new drama and music facilities. Expansion and redevelopment over the years had led Doug Hounslow, Theatre and Venues Manager, to search for an LED solution for MLC’s primary venue, Hadley Hall. It had an interesting lighting system comprised of 10 E27 LED lamps, 10 125 watt discharge lamps, and 20 250 watt discharge lamps all of which were switched from different places. To say the setup was difficult to use was an understatement – let alone suitable for performances.

Methodist Ladies College before Canto USA RETRO installation photo 1
Methodist Ladies College before Canto USA RETRO installation
Methodist Ladies College before Canto USA RETRO installation photo 1
Methodist Ladies College before Canto USA RETRO installation

Doug reached out to Darren Irving from LIDA Industries, our new rep based in Burleigh, Australia. “Darren has been such a big help throughout this process. From my initial query 12 months ago through to helping with issues.” Doug said, “His support has been exemplary.”

“The key advantage of the Canto USA RETRO series line is the ROI (Return On Investment),” said Darren, “A client can quickly ‘retrofit’ their venue lighting without the expense of re-cabling, adding additional drivers and reprogramming, all of which add substantial cost to a project.”

The RETRO series was chosen to replace the 20 x 250 Watt discharge fixtures. It was the most compelling solution due to the full smooth 0-100% dimming, no additional DMX/Dali control cabling was required, and the ability to be fitted into the existing infrastructure with minor changes. Removal of the ballast from the fixture and replacement of E40 base to E27 to eliminate any potential arcing were the only customizations required.

Once the shipment of RETRO’s arrived they began building scaffolding as it was the only way to reach the fixtures to do the replacement. Primarily they had 6 of the units fail based on what was believed to be power anomalies due to the fixture’s older lamp bases. They replaced the bases and the issues resolved themselves. Altogether the upgrade and lamp base changes took 15 days.

Staff appreciated better even coverage, the easy dimming control, the consistent color temperature throughout, and the venue looking more inviting as well. “I LOVE the dimming curve,” said Doug.

Methodist Ladies College after Canto USA RETRO Series installation photo 2
Methodist Ladies College after Canto USA RETRO Series installation
Methodist Ladies College after Canto USA RETRO Series installation photo 1
Methodist Ladies College after Canto USA RETRO Series installation

“The RETRO always makes a significant difference to the lighting in every install,” said Canto USA General Manager, John Luhrs, “You really have to appreciate the fantastic dimming curve and the uniform color temperature they provide.”

The RETRO Series Line of Products

RETRO-Classic™ – Flexibility & Customization

CantoUSA RETRO-Classic Series Product Photo

The RETRO-Classic our original 0-100% phase dimmable (forward and reverse) variable wattage LED 2700K-6500K 80-97 CRI engine retrofit house light and most customizable RETRO in the entire RETRO family. They are heavier than the Fusion, yet lighter than Passive.

RETRO-Fusion™ – Lighter & Smaller

CantoUSA RETRO-Fusion Series Product Photo

With the RETRO-Fusion being lighter and lower profile, along with a beveled top edge, it is able to squeeze into more shallow fixtures without having the lens protrude from the front of the trim ring. That reduces any type of glare. This new design opens up more opportunities and applications.

RETRO-Passive® – Absolute Silence

CantoUSA RETRO-Passive Series Product Photo

Being fanless, the RETRO-Passive is perfect for sound-sensitive spaces like museums and concert halls. They also have heavier heat sinks to compensate for not having active cooling.

RETRO-PAR – PAR Lamp Replacement

CantoUSA RETRO-Par Series Product Photo

The RETRO-PAR is easy to replace/install, modular, and customizable. Customizable features include active or passive cooling, different wattage outputs, and different optical beam spreads. It comes in PAR 38, 46, 56, and 64 styles, as well as custom.

RETRO-HPL

CantoUSA RETRO-HPL Product Photo

The RETRO-HPL is a direct replacement for existing Source 4 PARs in the marketplace, especially those used for house lights.

About CantoUSA

Founded in 2013, Canto USA is a manufacturer of houselight retrofits and followspots. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to our mission: “Our customers come first. In order to do this, we continuously train our team on the latest trends and needs of the industry, while at the same time becoming a trendsetter in the development of new products and technology that no other company has available.” 

Have a custom job we did for you and want to be featured in one of our blogs articles?

Canto USA’s RETRO Series is Something New at The Old Globe Theatre

The Old Globe Theatre is one of the most renowned professional regional theatres in the United States and one of San Diego’s finest arts institutions. Originally built in 1935 it was modeled after Shakespeare’s Old Globe in London. The Old Globe has gone through several remodels and expansions over the years. In that time it has been home to nationally acclaimed artists, designers, directors, and playwrights. It was the recipient of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1984.

The Old Globe, along with most theatres, closed its doors temporarily early in the pandemic. This closure allowed them the opportunity to make needed upgrades to their mainstage venue halogen-based houselights and houselight control system. That hardware hadn’t been updated since a 1984 remodel, so they were long overdue for some much-needed attention. Considering the advances in LED the theatre thought it would be best to take advantage of the reliability and energy savings.

The Old Globe Theatre Canto USA RETRO-Passive Install Photo

The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA – Photo credit, Ryan Osborn. Trouble In Mind, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg – director, Lawrence E Moten III – scenic design, Nicole Jescinth Smith – costume design, Sherrice Mojgani – lighting design, Luqman Brown – sound design, Chandra R.M. Anthenill – production stage manager.

Chris Rynne, Director of Theatrical Applications at OCS Lighting + Control, had previously worked at The Old Globe as lighting director so he was familiar with the layout and needs of the theatre. After presenting and testing out several houselight LED upgrade options, the Canto USA’s RETRO series was concluded to be the best fit. “Cost and function were the deciding factors. We loved the dimming, ease of installation, color quality, and even distribution,” said Chris.

Older fixture cans and wiring needed to be updated and adapted before the RETRO installation. Coinciding with several other upgrades the theatre was making, the installation of the 27 RETRO-Passive 300’s was finished up in about a week. Some of the older fixture cans and wiring had to be repaired, updated, and adapted before the RETRO installation.

The Old Globe Theatre Canto USA RETRO-Passive Install Photo

The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA – Photo credit, Ryan Osborn.

Once completed both the production staff and audience were happy with the result. Everyone loved the color quality and dimming of the lighting. The retrofit to LED not only greatly reduced the houselight power consumption but the decreased heat output from the houselights reduced the work of the HVAC system. This translates to the Globe benefitting from substantial energy savings.  All of their houselight problems were solved.

“We were really happy with how the RETRO series performed.” Said Chris, “We hope to use it on the next project we’re working on.”

The Old Globe Theatre Canto USA RETRO-Passive Install Photo

The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA – Photo credit, Ryan Osborn. Trouble In Mind, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg – director, Lawrence E Moten III – scenic design, Nicole Jescinth Smith – costume design, Sherrice Mojgani – lighting design, Luqman Brown – sound design, Chandra R.M. Anthenill – production stage manager.

The RETRO Series Line of Products

RETRO-Passive® – Absolute Silence

CantoUSA RETRO-Passive Series Product Photo

Being fanless, the RETRO-Passive is perfect for sound-sensitive spaces like museums and concert halls. They also have heavier heat sinks to compensate for not having active cooling.

RETRO-Fusion™ – Lighter & Smaller

CantoUSA RETRO-Fusion Series Product Photo

With the RETRO-Fusion being lighter and lower profile, along with a beveled top edge, it is able to squeeze into more shallow fixtures without having the lens protrude from the front of the trim ring. That reduces any type of glare. This new design opens up more opportunities and applications.

RETRO-Classic™ – Flexibility & Customization

CantoUSA RETRO-Classic Series Product Photo

The RETRO-Classic our original 0-100% phase dimmable (forward and reverse) variable wattage LED 2700K-6500K 80-97 CRI engine retrofit house light and most customizable RETRO in the entire RETRO family. They are heavier than the Fusion, yet lighter than Passive.

RETRO-PAR – PAR Lamp Replacement

CantoUSA RETRO-Par Series Product Photo

The RETRO-PAR is easy to replace/install, modular, and customizable. Customizable features include active or passive cooling, different wattage outputs, and different optical beam spreads. It comes in PAR 38, 46, 56, and 64 styles, as well as custom.

RETRO-HPL

CantoUSA RETRO-HPL Product Photo

The RETRO-HPL is a direct replacement for existing Source 4 PARs in the marketplace, especially those used for house lights.

About CantoUSA

Founded in 2013, Canto USA is a manufacturer of houselight retrofits and followspots. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to our mission: “Our customers come first. In order to do this, we continuously train our team on the latest trends and needs of the industry, while at the same time becoming a trendsetter in the development of new products and technology that no other company has available.” 

Have a custom job we did for you and want to be featured in one of our blogs articles?

Canto USA Launches NEW Aurora X1- Game Changer for the Live Event Industry

Canto USA announces the arrival of Aurora X1. A revolutionary LED followspot designed specifically for large venues and arenas. The Aurora X1 is Canto USA’s first LED arena followspot and it packs quite the punch. This X1 is equivalent to a 3,000 watt Xenon followspot and is the brightest LED followspot in its class.

It comes equipped with 6 +1 color changer that incorporates an integrated independent single frame gel holder that can be used for specialty effects such as CTO or frost. Also included are built in rigging points, a heavy duty stand with fine adjustable pan knob handles on both sides for ease of use and carrying. The X1 is also modular and upgradeable, allowing for the LED module and lens tubes to be swapped out quickly and easily. It is available in short, medium, or long throw options.

“Weighing less than 160 pounds, the X1 is the lightest and brightest LED followspot on the market that is manufactured in the USA. It’s so bright, seeing is believing.” -John Luhrs

Here at Canto USA, we strive to provide you with the most revolutionary lighting products that will bring your venue to life, and we have done just that with our new Aurora X1.

The Aurora X1 is now available for purchase.

Contact your local rep or dealer for additional information.

The Aurora X1 Line of Followspots

Canto USA Aurora Followspot X1 Product Photo

About CantoUSA

Founded in 2013, Canto USA is a manufacturer of houselight retrofits and followspots. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to our mission: “Our customers come first. In order to do this, we continuously train our team on the latest trends and needs of the industry, while at the same time becoming a trendsetter in the development of new products and technology that no other company has available.” 

Have a custom job we did for you and want to be featured in one of our blogs articles?