MMD VS Mobile Stage Module Preview

A long time ago, I developed a design for a client for a stage that could be hauled around from location to location on the back of a big rig truck. There is a demand for mobile performance stages especially for bands that are being promoted around the country. However, due to funding issues the design was never built, but I kept the idea at the back of my head all this time. Then recently I got talking with ~GM34 about project ideas and somehow this idea got revived so I decided to build one after all this time. This time, however, I didn't have to worry about funding ...

Well anyway the original concept was to convert a container to house the stage and it's components. That would have measured about 40'x 8' with another 8-9' available when the side was opened up, giving a total floor space area of about 40'x 16-17' less space occupied by stage equipment and the likes. Not huge but more than adequate for most purposes. The one built for MMD is 50'x 10'+ the fold down section.

Now, with MMD you can get away with murder. A real stage of this type would have needed additional structural supports plus the fold down area would be a lot thicker due to structural considerations. Also, basically a design like this is much like a big drum, so floor sound padding is almost mandatory. Not to mention the fact that the structure behaves much like a box girder bridge so some other things have to be done to mitigate downward forces in the center sections (such as when performers jump up and down), so the reality is that the fold down section would have to be folded down and anchored before a performance rather than as shown folding out as in the video below. You just got to love Vocaloid performers don't you? They make life so much easier ...

Other things that the MMD version doesn't have to be concerned about is the power unit - the real one needed a separate support vehicle for this. Also ventilation would have been a big issue as the lights and equipment would have generated a lot of heat. You don't want to end up cooking your performers. And the performers themselves need facilities so you're going to need caravans and another truck for the site office and control room. Actually the entire project would have needed an entire caravan of vehicles including a road roach (catering truck). Real concerts employ a lot of auxiliary staff which we don't have to worry about for MMD performances. So if a show moves, those people generally have to go along too.

Anyway, the MMD version of this design has a more futuristic container shape and also has the following features:

- 50' long x 10' wide plus additional floor space available when the side is opened.
- opening doors
- animated billboard
- neon lighting colors can be changed - 7 different colors
- 15 band VMD Spectrum support
- safety barriers - can be hidden if not wanted
- stage can be elevated up and down - safety barriers will automatically adjust to the stage's height

DEMO: youtu.be/SmSi1oJmFEU
Please see the video for a complete view of the stage and some of what it can do.

Release date still to be determined.
Credits on the video page.