From concert touring to corporate video, technical director George Robbins of the Atlanta-based mobile production company GR3 has built a diverse career spanning over 30 years. Find out why he’s made Roland’s V-160HD the heart of his modern workflow.

•  George Robbins runs the successful production company GR3 in Atlanta.
•  He’s made the Roland V-160HD the heart of his mobile production rig.
•  Reliability and routing flexibility make it ideal for fast-paced hybrid events.

---

The Atlanta-based technical director, George Robbins, has spent the past three decades working in corporate video, concert touring, and large-screen presentations. Rooted in a commitment to technical excellence, he currently leads GR3 Productions Inc., a mobile production company that provides multi-camera streaming, PTZ workflows, and full-service audiovisual support.

We asked Robbins about his start in the AV industry, the evolution of his company, and the tools that anchor his modern production workflow—including the Roland V-160HD Streaming Video Switcher.

Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Maroon 5—you’ve worked on some very successful productions over the years. What do you think sets your approach apart in such a competitive industry?

As a technical director for concert tour video, I worked with some of music’s biggest stars. They trusted me because I understood the whole production—not just one piece of gear. Years of touring gave me a real-world education that few technicians experience. It’s a reputation built on what I call “the on-the-road laboratory.”

Touring teaches you how to solve problems quickly and stay calm under pressure. Whether it’s building codes and safety procedures or managing large crews and using brand-new technology, touring gave me that full-picture understanding, and that’s what differentiates GR3 Productions today.

What inspired you to get into the industry?

My path into production began earlier than most. I actually started in AV back in 1986 while I was still in college. My first show ever was Gil Scott-Heron—and that was all it took. I was hooked.

That experience led me to the University of Massachusetts media school’s AV department, where I worked under a talented technician who taught me the basics. Then I got into broadcast news, which introduced me to the art of visual storytelling through another influential person.

Those early mentors taught me the fundamentals—discipline, troubleshooting, pacing, and composition. I still use those lessons every day.

Looking back on your career, are there any standout events or tours that stand out as defining moments?

It’s not a single tour or event—it’s the shared passion behind every production. This industry has taken me around the world. Sometimes it’s directing a concert, shaping a corporate stage environment, or executing multi-camera live streams, but I’ve always valued the people as much as the production. Technology changes, gear evolves, but the teamwork behind a great show never changes.

I launched my first company, Videtech Productions, back in 1990. That carried me through decades of corporate events and concert touring until evolving into GR3 in 2021—a transition driven by the expanded services we offer and a rapidly changing production landscape.

Can you walk us through your current setup and how you incorporate the V-160HD into your workflow?

Across hundreds of shows and venues, one thing remains consistent for me: having an integrated, network-driven workflow. At the center of it all is the Roland V-160HD, supported by Graphics Presenter, Bitfocus Companion, and Roland RCS software. All together they create a compact, flexible, broadcast-level ecosystem.

I use the V-160HD to manage multi-camera PTZ and robotic inputs, as well as presentation laptops and media playback, like program feeds to projectors and screens. Plus, you’ve got USB-C streaming output, a clean recording feed, and 3 Aux outputs for things like stage confidence monitors. It’s totally reliable and with that kind of routing flexibility, make it ideal for fast-paced hybrid events.

Graphics Presenter handles all visual assets from lower thirds to video playback and transitions. It has an HDMI output that feeds directly into the V-160HD scaler which keeps the entire graphics pipeline clean and consistent. The cue lists also align perfectly with macros programmed for the show.

Your work often involves fast-paced, high-pressure environments, such as tours and large-scale presentations. How does the V-160HD help you manage these demands?

Because the V-160HD supports network control, I use Bitfocus Companion as a unified command surface. With the push of a single button, I can trigger timed multi-step commands across multiple devices.

For example, a one-button show starter will start the external recorder, trigger Preset 1 on the V-160HD, recall a PTZ camera preset, play the open graphic through Graphics Presenter and fade the audio to the preset level. Everything happens instantly and in sync, which is a huge advantage during complex or fast-paced shows.

Have you discovered any unique techniques or tricks for maximizing the performance of the V-160HD?

I use a streamlined workflow built on experience, discipline, and real-world trial and error.

RCS (Remote Control Software) is my mission control which I use to preprogram shows, build macros, control routing, monitor audio and video, adjust PTZ presets, and even make real-time corrections—you name it. It’s got a clear, visual layout that lets you confidently run professional shows.

Once I’ve preprogrammed everything in RCS before load-in, I populate the V-160HD still store with all graphics, tie PTZ presets directly to macros, and build cue sequences for complex transitions. Just make sure you label everything clearly in RCS and always keep a backup laptop running RCS as well.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to build a career in video production or start their own production company?

Remember: There’s no second take in live production. Be sure to have a system that keeps things sharp, organized, and confident—no matter how fast the show moves.

---

Roland Products Used

V-160HD

Streaming Video Switcher

Learn More

Graphic Presenter

Titler and Motion Graphics Software for Live Production

Learn More