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Big screen entertainment specialist Blink TV has kicked off a busy summer schedule by announcing agreements with the UK’s two biggest radio groups - Capital and GWR - to work with more than a dozen local radio stations nationwide at their outdoor ‘Party In The Park’ style events.

These shows have become a regular and important fixture on the summer circuit and regularly attract the UK’s hottest pop acts including Blue, Mis-teeq, The Sugarbabes, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Hear’Say, Liberty X, 3SL, H & Claire and the like - all packed into a programme that usually runs for about four hours throughout the afternoon.

According to David Llewellyn, Blink’s head of operations, who has been responsible for developing this particular business strand, the way it ten

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Wybron will be showing six products, including the award winning Eclipse II iris douser and Moiré gobo rotator.

Eclipse II is a DMX-controlled system that does mechanically what can’t be done electronically - it mechanically dims HMI and other ‘non-dimmable’ lights. The Eclipse II Iris douses the light while the power stays on using fins in an aperture-like configuration to provide dimming with no loss of light. The award-winning Moiré is Wybron’s first dual gobo rotator, enabling users to rotate and change two B-sized glass or metal gobos. Controlled by a simple toggle switch, the two gobos are operated independently and can be rotated together, in opposite directions or with one static and the other moving.

Wybron’s CXI colour changer uses two colour scrolls, made up of graduated frames of cyan, yellow and magenta, to create virtually every colour o

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The chameleon-like role which multi-pupose, public-funded theatres need to play in the community can provide a real conundrum for chief technicians when trying to stretch, and achieve maximum utilisation of National Lottery grants. With an 810-seat conference theatre, boardroom, restaurant, 76-capacity cinema and foyer to provide coverage for, Eden Court in Inverness is just such an establishment. A client of LMC Audio’s Birmingham branch, when the company was on a visit recently the issue of video was raised.

Previously, a videowall had been proposed as a solution to the diverse needs of the venue. However, chief technician Graeme Watt could see a more flexible alternative by offering LCD projection - which led directly to the purchase of the theatre’s first Christie Digital Vivid series projector. The Vivid Green had been strongly recommended by Jules Deakin, head of AV

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Strictly FX, Pushing Boundaries

Strictly FX was founded in 1996 by industry veterans Mark Grega and Ted Maccabee. Our expertise and knowledge of the world’s leading pyrotechnic, laser, and flame manufacturers allows us to curate astonishing live events. With over 500+ shows performed a year, there’s good chance you’ve seen some of our work!

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Belgian rental company DEE Sound & Light has increased its stock of Midas consoles with the addition of a 48-input Heritage 3000, supplied by Ampco Belgium. This latest purchase brings DEE's Midas inventory up to seven consoles, making it the company's principal console brand.

DEE's André Schneider explained that the reasons for investing in Midas were manifold, although one of the principal motivations was compatibility with other key suppliers. "We work very closely with Ampco Holland so it was important that we invest in the same equipment. We are both part of the Synco Network with Renkus Heinz, and it made sense to carry that through with the consoles as well. Plus of course Midas is a fantastic product. Our very first Midas console was a custom-built XL2, followed by a 24-channel XL200, both of which are still going strong. In fact, the XL2 is currently out on a world tour

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Ibex plan a busy PLASA show this year with the launch of three new products - two new motion control units and Ibex’s first ever audio product.

The two new hoist controllers build on the success of the Programmable Hoist Controller launched at PLASA two years ago. The Programmable Hoist Controller Plus adds even more features for the most demanding applications, including an Ethernet port allowing linking of controllers and remote PC control. The HC8 complements the range, providing control of eight Lodestar or Verlinde style hoists, together with the new safety features now required for hoist control systems in the entertainment industry.

Ibex’s new audio product - Sonix MP3 - is a professional audio sound store, with a versatile range of triggering options. Audio files, using the high quality MP3 format, are played from inexpensive, high capacity CompactFlash memory ca

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In the Pantheon of award shows, the Classical Brits is a relative newcomer. That said, it’s a worthy show, recognising as it does young talent, the new, the great, and the good in the firmament of Classical music. Like its popular music forebear the Brit Awards, Classical Brits is also a highly challenging environment for live sound, composed as it is of a multiplicity of musical style and dynamics, it’s a rare day when you¹ll hear the light froth of the Opera Babes juxtaposed with the heavy artillery of a Russell Watson vocal broadside.

Strange then that Richard Sharratt, the man charged with delivering this unlikely mix to the listeners should try out a new console on the very singular recommendation of a colleague. This is after all, a one-off live show, not a heavily rehearsed concert season, as Sharratt explained: "Yes, it was my first time using the PM1D but I&r

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The Many Looks of Zeo

Delivering ultimate brightness and unique looks, Zeo’s distinct face design is defined by a central LED monolith and four reflectors, backed by four RGBW engines. As a blinder or strobe, Zeo promises powerful impact with 30,000+ lumens. With its sheer brilliance and playful effects, Zeo is ready to amplify the energy on any stage.

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The Designer Outlet @ The Lowry is the new £90million waterside shopping and leisure ‘destination’ in Salford Quays. It’s the latest spur of a regeneration programme that has seen the former Docks - once Britain’s third busiest port - transform itself into a three-mile waterfront for leisure, business and residential use.

Note the word ‘destination’, because it’s entirely appropriate for the modern retail experience. And the Designer Outlet - a project undertaken by Orbit Developments (Manchester) Ltd - is as much a destination as it’s possible to be, as witness its recent opening marked by the imaginative use of exterior colour changers.

Both the exterior and interior lighting scheme for the project was devised by Into Lighting Design’s Northern Studio in Nottingham, and supplied and installed by A.C. Lighting.

The exterior

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Literally bringing light relief to PLASA visitors and exhibitors alike will be a massage area on the mezzanine level adjacent to the main escalator from the lobby where it is hoped both upper body and foot massages will be on offer. The space is being provided by PLASA itself, with the additional costs being taken on by sponsorship. All proceeds on the day will go directly to the Light Relief charity to help further its work in the industry, providing support to lighting designers when they have personal difficulties.

What's more, US glass-gobo manufacturer, Apollo, has offered to make any number and size of gobos featuring the Light Relief logo, the idea being that as many exhibitors as possible will use them in their on-stand demos.

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The Guardian Hay literature and arts festival was last year described by Bill Clinton as "the Woodstock of the mind". In early June, this year’s Hay Festival returned to Hay on Wye, a tiny market town in the Black Mountains of the Welsh Marches - a town with 1,300 people but no less than 39 bookshops. XTA Electronics’ digital processing was deep at the heart of a sound system that presented readings and lectures by day and live bands by night.

Leading figures from the worlds of literature, music and the arts attract 50,000 visitors from all over the UK, Europe and America for 10 days a year, to join in what festival director Peter Florence calls ‘a market of ideas’. The music programme included Macy Gray, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Afro Celt Sound System and Bob Geldof, while new ideas and writing were presented by Maya Angelou, Paolo Coelho, Ian McEwan,

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Color Kinetics has launched ColorPlay 1.8, the next generation of its ground-breaking lightshowauthoring software for use with its range of intelligent LED illumination fixtures. Since its original launch in 2000, ColorPlay has gained a loyal following and reputation as an intuitive, user-friendly method of creating dynamic light shows for Color Kinetics intelligent LED illumination products, say CKI. With menus written in plain English, ColorPlay uses a graphical timeline-based show management system and includes a wide array of lighting effects and functions. ColorPlay outputs DMX512 data, enabling the creation of smooth, fluid lighting effects.

New features on ColorPlay 1.8 include:
- Show Simulation feature incorporated on the Mapping screen so designers can get a feel for how the show will look in its intended layout, without having to physically be there;
- Seek Slider in

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Lars Brogaard and David Bryson, production manager and wireless guru respectively, have asked wireless specialists Hand Held Audio to organize the licensing of their extensive radio systems for the current Rod Stewart UK tour. The tour requires 27 clear frequencies for each show, split between 13 in-ear systems, six backline systems for guitars and eight radio mics for vocals and brass.

Fortunately, the AKG IVM in-ear systems and radio mics and the Samson guitar systems all have frequency agility. Without that capability it would be impossible to get the same equipment onto clear channels in venues as diverse as Hyde Park, The Manchester Evening News Arena, Glastonbury Festival and Stormont Castle in Belfast. In order to have the widest possible selection of frequencies the production also has a total of three sets of AKG antennaverters for the vocal and brass systems. This rare beast

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Tascam is exhibiting in force at the PLASA Show, demonstrating its rapidly expanding range of DJ products, including new ranges of high quality scratch and install mixers, alongside the company’s market leading X-9 digital performance DJ mixer.

Live and studio production products will include the SX-1 digital audio production environment, the full range of GigaStudio PC sample software, the DM-24 digital recording console and MX-2424 24-track HD recorder/ editor - featuring a new ‘Theatre Play’ mode. Also on the stand will be the new Tannoy Ellipse 8 monitoring system, as well as the full 5.1 surround sound configuration of the highly successful Reveal monitor. Guest appearances from top UK garage DJs DreemTeem among others are lined up.

PLASA sees the European trade launch of the Tascam DJ ‘Super Analog Series’ XS-3, XS-4, and XS-8 scratch mixers; progr

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Cadac is focusing on the importance of sound economics at this year's PLASA. On show will be the latest version of Cadac's advanced Sound Automation Manager (SAM) for Windows, and a brand new compact addition to Cadac's line-up - the S-Type Live Show Console, details of which won’t be revealed until 8 September.

Cadac is also celebrating the tenth anniversary of its successful J-Type Live Production Console - regarded as the industry benchmark for major musical productions and tours. On show will be the latest J-Type module developments, reflecting the console's continuing evolution over the past decade, keeping it at the forefront of sound reinforcement functionality.

During the show, the company will be running a series of high profile ‘teach-ins’ across a variety of live sound topics. These will include guest presentations from leading industry experts on audio t

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ETC will be featuring three of its latest products at PLASA - the new SmartPack; MultiPAR, making its first UK appearance and Emphasis, which was extremely well received at the recent ABTT show in June.

Bringing the Sensor-dimming level of technology to portable dimmer packs, SmartPack is a thyristor-based, professional-quality dimmer that can go anywhere. Very compact (19-inch 2U rack mount), SmartPack is available with either six 15A dimmers or 12 10A dimmers and is ideal for smaller studios and theatres, touring companies, small road shows and band gigs.

The Source Four MultiPAR combines the unsurpassed optics and energy-savings of the acclaimed Source Four PAR (EA) with the functionality and flexibility of the classic batten. It is available in 3-, 4- or 12-lamp strips, as well as a 3x3 version with in-line switches. For lighting venues with unique needs, ETC also offers the Sou

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Screen specialist GL UK has supplied top dance artists Basement Jaxx with 21 modules of 25mm pixel pitch Unitek LED screen for their summer tour and festival appearances. The screens are flown upstage in three columns, and used like a lighting effect to create an intense montage of colour and movement with a mix of images and visuals. The screens are full daylight panels, so look equally good if the band are playing in the afternoon, creating a unique visual identity for Jaxx’s lively set.

The screen footage - running for 90% of the show - was produced by video artist Richard Shipman. Shipman worked in close conjunction with the band and lighting designer Vince Foster, whose lightshow is directed and operated on the road by Leggy. Their collective ideas produced the highly imaginative and original stage look. The video content ranges from bold graphics and cartoon characters to s

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The latest innovative roof system designed by Tomcat USA was installed at Disney’s California Adventure park in early July for Disney’s Rockin’ the Bay summer music series. Tomcat and Kleege Industries worked together to engineer the custom 43ft x 46ft (13.1m x 14m) roof system with cantilevered PA wings in less than a month.

"What makes this system so unique is that it is surrounded by water on three sides and a portion of the towers are actually underwater," comments Tomcat design manager, Keith Bohn. The two upstage towers go through the stage and rest in 15ft (4.6m) of water. Custom bases were designed to accommodate the uneven floor at the bottom of the lagoon. The underwater towers consist of steel with multiple coats of two-part epoxy paint. All chords are capped and kept air-tight to help resist corrosion. All four towers interact with the stage for

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White Light lived up to its name - literally - recently, with White Light Sales and The Moving Light Company supplying white StudioSpot moving lights to the Royal Opera House.

The Moving Light Company have been closely involved with the Royal Opera House since its refurbishment, supplying automated lighting equipment ranging from the first City Theatrical Autoyokes in the UK to custom tungsten and HMI moving fresnels created from Light Technik yokes. The Moving Light Company also provide service and support for all of the House's automated lighting equipment.

With the Opera House now extending its use of automated lighting equipment beyond the theatre itself, the ROH's David Harvey turned to The Moving Light Company again. This time, the request was for moving lights to be used as part of the architectural lighting system for the Floral Hall, next door to the Opera House. The complic

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David Oberman has joined PRG as senior vice-president of business development and will be based out of the Fourth Phase office in Burbank, California. Oberman was formerly the COO and president of the Obie Company, an industry leader in concert lighting, for 28 years. He made his mark as a pioneer in the use of theatrical lighting and rigging techniques, which led the company to win the contracts for major events such as the Olympic Games, the Papal Visits and the Grand Prix.

In his new role, Oberman will join the senior management team, and will focus on developing strategic relationships and exploring new markets for all the companies within the PRG Group. "We're very excited about David coming on board," says Jere Harris, Chairman and CEO of Production Resource Group. "His experience and reputation in our industry is a complementary addition to PRG."

(Ruth Ross

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Wharfedale has launched three new product series to add to its comprehensive loudspeaker portfolio.

Wharfedale have launched a range of trapezoidal enclosures designed to meet the requirements of high output, near field reproduction. The two-way ported, compact Programme 50, 52 and 60 foreground/background systems provide a wide frequency range, coupled with high power handling in an attractive, acoustically-efficient enclosure. The series offers four different versions, with black or white paint finish options (and with 70V/100V line transformer versions depending on markets).

The Programme 50 features a 5.5" woofer and 3/4" titanium driver, the Programme 52 features a pair of woofers and 3/4" titanium driver while the Programme 60 features two 6.5" woofers and a 1" titanium compression driver/horn, with 60° x 60° coverage. The HF horn/driver combination g

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As part of a short two-date tour of the UK, SRD Group of Tonbridge supplied a GAE Director sound system to Randy Crawford for her performances at the 2000-seat Fairfield Halls in Croydon, London, produced by Backbeat Music Promotions.

When asked about the choice of system, Stuart Roberts of SRD commented that the GAE Director system was chosen for its exceptional clarity and tight dispersion. Eight stacks of Director, driven by QSC Powerlight amplifiers, were used to provide even coverage throughout the stalls area, the circle being in-filled by the venue’s existing Meyer system. Other equipment provided included five ways of Shure PSM-700 in-ear monitoring, two channels of Shure Premier Beta 87 radio mics, a Midas XL3 front of house desk and a Soundcraft SM-24 for the monitors. Wedge monitors were GAE 152M.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Aggressive lawyers and the increasing amalgamation of artist management companies were among the topics discussed at the Music Managers Forum (MMF) Open Day, held recently at the Landmark Hotel, London.

Over 90 delegates attended the event, including a number of record producers who were invited through the Music Producers Guild that, in recent months, has been developing closer links with the MMF. "We were delighted with the attendance and with the quality of debate from both panelists and members of the audience participating in question and answer sessions," said the MMF’s Executive director James Fisher. "It was particularly satisfying that, in our 10th anniversary year, we were able to provide such a highly professional list of panelists to discuss matters that are becoming increasingly important in this new and difficult age for managers and their artists.&qu

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