Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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UK - Some years ago a major bank took over the former Billingsgate Fish market in the City of London with a view to making it a trading floor. Never used, part of the refurbishment included a mezzanine walkway that divided the inside of the building in two to make an interesting venue. This was recently put to good use when production company Outer Sanctum called in Stage One Creative Services to build the set for the launch of Siemen's new Xelibri range of fashion mobile phones.

Designer Bruce French used the central mezzanine walkway to advantage by designing identical stage sets on either side. Stage one's challenge was to turn the concept into reality. The back wall of each set comprised a three-level steel structure, each level having a series of cubicles. The bottom level wa

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UK - BPI and multi-platinum award winning producer, Martin Rushent, recently opened the new recording and production facilities at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College's Faculty of Leisure and Tourism in High Wycombe. The purpose-built facilities - which include a Digidesign Pro Tools HD system and Genelec 5. 1 monitoring in studio 1, along with a Mackie HDR24/96 in studio 2 (both linked to two live performance spaces) - have been designed and built to support the new BA (Hons) in Music Industry Management and Studio Production. Students will have the unique opportunity to develop their music recording and production skills at the same time as working towards a solid music management qualification at degree level. In opening the new facility, Rushent commented: "These are amongst the best facilities for music production in the country, and the students who complete th

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UK - Bradford-based Pro Audio Systems recently supplied HMS Ark Royal with an extensive package of PA equipment. The package included two HK Elias systems from John Hornby Skewes, a range of microphones from both beyerdynamic and Audio Technica, Samson Expedition EX20s and an American DJ DCD pro450 CD, sourced from Sound Technology, a pair of Smart Wireless Twin 15 systems, with handheld and bodypack transmitters, Tascam cassettes and minidisks and a Spirit FX8 mixer and E8 input channel. Also included in the package was a Yamaha MX20/6 mixer, a Fostex VF160 multitracker, six flight cases, three multicores and assorted stands, cables and accessories.

(Ruth Rossington)

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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UK - The controversial Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Bill suffered a number of setbacks in the House of Lords on Tuesday during a Report Stage debate. Among the amendments upheld by the combined ranks of Liberal Democrat and Conservative Lords are the exclusion of most forms of unamplified music, and music which is incidental to other activities. Despite this defeats, the government will still ask MPs to overturn the Lords' amendment when the Bill is returned to the House of Commons, and pro live music campaigners have highlighted the need to lobby MPs to support the Lords' amendments.

Another amendment was the exclusion of Educational Establishments from the terms of the Bill; it had been feared that schools would have to apply for licences in order to stage nativity plays. The Lords voted by 169 to 107 in favour of the amendment, despite warnings that this could leave Un

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UK - Creative Technology has again joined forces with the Walt Disney Company to develop the Playhouse Disney Live! Roadshow, which has been entertaining visitors to some of the UK's leading shopping malls. Designed to promote the Playhouse Disney Channel, the six-week tour was organized by director Kathleen Gearhart and production manager Jonathan Stott of Walt Disney Special Events.

The set was designed by Idea Design Europe and this year the live backdrop was constructed around the Barco 8mm iLite 8 indoor LED screen in a 6 x 2 configuration, provided by Creative Technology and set between the 'house' frontage and start of the roof. Displayed on the screen is a series of graphics and pictures of the puppets, which is designed to encourage the children's audience to interact with the live entertainment.

The audio playback was provided by CT's sister company, Dimension Audio,

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ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

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UK - Award-winning Saville Audio Visual has further strengthened its position as one of the UK's largest AV firms by acquiring Edinburgh-based conference specialists, The Media Facilities Company. The deal means that Saville will be the only professional AV company operating from all four UK capitals.

The Media Facilities Company was established by John Dick in 1990 and has its headquarters in Leith, Edinburgh, where the latest developments in digital projection, plasma screens, digital editing, lighting, sound and video-conferencing technologies are available. One of Scotland's fastest growing AV companies, it has seen its turnover soar by 42% in the last 12 months, despite widespread trading difficulties faced by the Scottish tourism industry in the same period.

In recent months, the company has worked on events and conferences with a number of Scotland's blue-chip companies

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UK - FX Technical Services, part of the FX Group, has recently completed an exclusive install of a Linn Knekt Multiroom system at Butlers Wharf - a private penthouse complex overlooking London's River Thames. One of its properties has recently undergone an extensive rebuild and FX Technical Services was called upon by the project's architect to install a sound system that would complement the flat's exclusivity.

The system comprises a Linn Kivor multi-output hard disc audio player, a Linn FM/AM tuner, a Sky plasma screen and Linn and BW speakers, both free-standing and ceiling-mounted. The system allows the hi-fi to be controlled from any room in the house with the minimum amount of equipment in each room. The team were also able to lay down the necessary cables before the flat was decorated and thus the install was completely unobtrusive to the overall design of the property.

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Create new traditions – Cameo P6 - High Output Full-Spectrum Ellipsoidal

Cameo's P6 is a future-proof LED profiler with a powerful 600 W RGBACL engine and 16,000 lumens. It’s an energy-efficient replacement for 2.5 kW halogen profile lights in theatres and venues. With excellent light quality and natural colour rendering, it fits perfectly in theatres, musicals, TV studios, congresses, and live events.

With an LED life of 50,000 hours and low power use, the P6 cuts energy costs and supports the EU’s ‘Green Deal’ goals for climate neutrality by 2050. It also meets updated eco-design rules for lighting.

www.cameolight.com/p6profile

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UK - Simon Brophy, the former head of lighting at the Millennium Dome, his wife Margaret Bragg, who worked as his assistant, and company director David Gordon appeared at Southwark Crown Court yesterday morning for an initial hearing regarding allegations of contractual fraud at the Millennium Dome. No trial date has been set as a result of yesterday's hearing, but a Directions Hearing has been scheduled for June 27 this year - at which point a decision will be taken about what needs to be done in order to prepare the case for a court hearing.

We have no further news on the woman in her 60s who was arrested at the same time, and a couple, both on their 30s, who were arrested in February 2001. These three remain on police bail pending further enquiries.

(Ruth Rossington)

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USA - Mackie Designs has announced the promotion of Frank Loyko to senior vice-president sales, worldwide. At the same time, Paul Rice has stepped down as Mackie's senior vice-president of international sales and business development. Loyko will assume global responsibility for sales initiative across all Mackie Designs Inc brands, while Mackie's marketing group takes over business development initiatives.

"This is the next step in the restructuring plans that Mackie put into motion last November," commented Rice. "We have set the stage for success and I'm confident in the new senior management team's ability to build upon the strong foundation that I have helped to establish over the last year."

Mackie CEO Jamie Engen said of Rice: "Paul has made considerable contributions to Mackie over the last year and we wish him well as he moves on to new challen

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Australia - MC2 Audio has announced the first major theatre installation via its Australian distributor, Funktion One Australia. Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, located very close to Melbourne, is a beautiful old theatre, built in the mid-1800s at the height of the gold rush. Today it's an historically important and heavily over-worked regional theatre. The auditorium is constructed in traditional style with stalls at ground level and the circle and dress circle above.

T Series amplifiers have been selected to drive the Funktion One speaker system, which is located throughout the auditorium. John O'Donnell of Funktion One Australia says: "MC2 amplifiers were chosen to drive the entire system based on their high quality, transparent sound, high reliability and their compatibility with the Funktion One range of products."

The system has been configured to use one chan

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Australia - Richie Mickan, well known Australian Lighting Control systems specialist, has joined LSC Lighting Systems to help bolster the Technical support for LSC's worldwide Distributor and customer network.

Richie's experience spans live events, theatre, television and architectural applications utilizing the latest DMX, WAN and ethernet technologies. He has designed and conducted intensive training courses on Compulite consoles and Coemar intelligent fixtures and project managed large-scale installations of lighting networks in casinos, television studios and nightclubs.

Alan Graham, LSC's marketing director told us: "As LSC expands its product base and global distribution network, the need for someone of Richie's calibre became crucial towards the end of 2002. The very successful launch of the maXim range of control desks with its extensive moving light capabilities,

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UK - Just as we were loading up the news, we got a call from Total Fabrications in Birmingham to advise us that the telephone number which appeared on their advert in the February issue of L&SI is incorrect. Unfortunately, the number TFL put on the ad actually belongs to some poor soul in Birmingham who is currently fielding calls on the range of TFL and Slick products. Total Fabs have asked that we do all we can to put them out of their misery, so if you want more information on TFL or Slick, the correct number is +44 (0)121 772 5234.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Singapore - Working with Trade Partners UK, PLASA has secured government funding for UK exhibitors who plan to participate in PALA.

The exhibition, which runs from 9 -11 July at Suntec, Singapore, is an essential event for companies looking to export to the Singaporean, Hong Kong, Malaysian and Indonesian markets. It’s a major showcase for technologies in the audio, lighting, broadcast, AV and effects sectors.

With the gradual recovery of the Asian economy, PALA’s organizers, IIR Exhibitions, expect to secure participation from 300 companies. Already committed to the event are Altair Audio; ETC Asia; Kling & Freitag; Klotz Digital; Martin Professional; MGC Lamps; Mipro; RVE Technologie; Sennheiser; Studio Due and TMB. 7,000 visitors from 45 countries are expected to attend.

Via PLASA, support is open to all UK companies exporting from the UK. Exhibitors can re

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UK - This year’s Association Day will return to the historic setting of Coombe Abbey Hotel, near Coventry.

The Association Day is a key event in the PLASA calendar, and, in addition to featuring the AGM, will also include business-related sessions, together with plenty of opportunity for networking with other members. Invitations will be going out to PLASA Members in the next few weeks, and further information will be posted on the PLASA website

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UK - For the past three years PLASA has been conducting a research exercise into the key trends within our industry.In order to continue building a picture of the dynamics that shape our industry, we need Members’ help. Not only will the results act as a significant tool in helping Members to structure their businesses, but they will also help PLASA to forge stronger links with official bodies such as the DTI and Trade Partners UK, thus creating a much greater appreciation of the role members play within UK industry.

Members’ input is essential, so please complete the Industry Survey when it lands on your desk. All members who participate are sent a copy of the key findings, with trends up to and including the calendar year 2002, clearly shown.

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UK - Bosch Security Systems has strengthened its position as one of the leading global and UK suppliers of security and communications systems with the recent acquisition of Philips CSI.

Bosch is integrating the former Philips CSI operation with the well-established Bosch Detection Systems business into a single new company called Bosch Security Systems, which now offers the complete product range covering fire and intrusion detection, CCTV, public address, paging and congress systems. The combined operation is being re-located to a new home in the existing Bosch facility in Denham. Bosch will continue to sell and support all the former Philips CSI products under the globally known Bosch brand name, alongside its well-known Detection Systems branded products.

The combined Bosch Security Systems business is headed up by UK MD Joe McCann, previously general manager of Bosch De

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UK - black light - the independent lighting, sound and staging company - has opened a new office in Glasgow. In a move designed to provide increased support for its customers in the West of Scotland, the new facility will initially carry stocks of gel and other consumables, but will build up to offer full rental stock within a matter of weeks. In the interim, hire products will be sourced from the company’s Edinburgh office. Colin Morrow, a familiar face to many from his association with Sound Acoustics, will run the Glasgow operation.

black light has seen steady growth in recent years, supplying lighting, staging, trussing and audio systems to theatres, exhibitions, conferences, trade shows, educational establishments and heritage centres. Its product range now includes fixtures from Italian manufacturer SGM, who has recently appointed the company to act as its distribut

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Finland - The Nexo GEO S compact tangent array system has been installed in three prestigious cultural venues across Finland, an impressive hat-trick for distribution and installation company Oy Hedcom Ab.

In Helsinki, the small arthouse Theatre Studio Pasila became the first GEO site in the country. In a relatively small auditorium, with capacity for approximately 350 people, two GEO S arrays have been installed left and right of the stage, each with four S-805s, one S-830 and a single CD12 sub. In addition, there is an S-830 cluster above the centre of the stage. In the theatre, six PS8s have been installed as surround speakers - these are powered by Camco Vortex.

At the House of Culture in Espoo, the Tapiola Hall has a capacity of 800. Every year, the House of Culture hosts a well-known festival called the April Jazz, which attracts names like Joe Zawinul, Chick Korea, Jan

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UK - Reading-based EMF Technology recently launched its new DMX-controlled Fire Storm range of flame effects. These special effects were developed to fill a demand for medium-scale controllable stage flames. EMF’s Stuart Roberts told us: "For many years we have supplied DMX effects that range from 2ft in height to 8m high kerosene Vulcan flame-throwers. Our clients asked for ‘something in between’ and we’ve responded to that request."

The Fire Storm system has been developed to produce a flame height of 3-5m and is typically designed for use for large indoor events. Systems can be placed at the front, rear and under stages. "As with all our real flame effects, these have been designed in accordance with the standards set by the London Fire Brigade and the City of Westminster events department," Roberts added.

Since its roll-out, the

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USA - Wybron has created a new CXI colour mixer designed to fit perfectly on the ETC MultiPAR lighting fixture. The CXI MultiPAR colour mixer is the newest member of the CXI family - the fourth generation of colour changing technology from Wybron. The new MultiPAR is constructed with an all-metal housing that has proven to hold up under the rigours of a rock tour, as well as in permanent installations and theatre applications. Just like the other members of the family, the larger CXI MultiPAR uses the same standard gelstrings of cyan, magenta and yellow to create a nearly endless palette of colour. The variable fan speed offers whisper quiet service and extends the gel life while the Time to Destination feature offers easy programming for variable length cross fades.

(Ruth Rossington)

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USA - Celebrating 11 years of in-depth industry training courses, another successful Hoist and Rigging Workshop was recently hosted by Tomcat USA in Midland, Texas. Expert instructors were joined by over 71 industry professional participants from over 15 states, including Hawaii.

Instructor Don Dimitroff, from Columbus McKinnon, as well as Tomcat’s own Dave Beard, worked participants through the Lodestar electric chain hoist. Rocky Paulson of Stage Rigging and Morgan Neff of Mine Safety Appliances stressed safety in rigging techniques and fall protection equipment while Keith Bohn, Tomcat design manager, wrapped up with truss theory and design.

Participants were not only treated to four days of power-packed informative classes, but also four nights of local entertainment, the traditional factory night at Tomcat USA with extensive tours, demonstrations, a graduation cerem

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Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
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