UK - The growing influence of musician, writer and producer Tony Moore in breaking new talent at The Bedford in Balham - where the Shakespearean Globe Theatre is now packed four nights a week - has led to a radical overhaul of the performance infrastructure, including the live sound mix. "We've always tried to work with the best gear that's available at the time," says Moore, "but the shows at The Globe can be quite complex in their line-ups." However, the new Soundcraft GB Series, he says, is sufficiently flexible to mix any line-up - from a solo acoustic singer-songwriter to a full band ensemble.

"We have 32 channels of line or mic input plus four stereo channels, so instead of using channel returns for FX we can dedicate four stereo channel returns for

USA - Considered to be the world's largest "reggaeton" event, the Megatón 2004 concert brought together some of the biggest names of this musical genre, which originated in Puerto Rico. The four-hour concert was held in October in New York's Madison Square Garden; D.A.S. Aero line array systems provided the sound reinforcement for reggaeton's leading artists such as Tego Calderon, Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, to name but a few.

The New York-based sound reinforcement specialist Abe, V Systems Inc headed by Abraham Viera, used 24 Aero 48 large format line arrays, flown 12 per side from a height of 65 ft. Flown beneath each of the main arrays by means of the AX-Combo rigging adapter, were four Aero CA-28A powered compact line array systems, used as down-fills to cover the rows closest to the stage.

Reggaeton's characteristic predominance of heavy bass, made the low fr

UK - The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a consultation document in order to elicit views about the fee levels to be established under the Licensing Act 2003. The consultation period ends this Thursday, 23 December. The fees relate in part to applications for authorisations to provide regulated entertainment, and also include fees for notices for temporary events. Before finalizing the fee levels, the DCMS aims to consult as widely as possible on the appropriate level for these fees. The consultation document can be viewed here.

Local Authorities are lobbying the secretary of state claiming that the proposed fees s

Sweden - Leading Swedish PA supplier Music & Lights A/B has added a new Nexo GEO T tangent array system to its inventory: the company now carries the entire range of Nexo sound reinforcement products. Music & Lights has invested in 24 T4805 full-range and four T2815 down-fill cabinets, with four CD18 subbass systems. This order can, if required, be mixed and matched with their existing GEO S array system, providing exceptional flexibility and versatility.

Peter Kallio of Music & Lights explains: "We wanted to wait until we had the right clients, even though we took the decision to buy GEO T in spring 2003, the day we attended the launch of the system in Frankfurt."

Based in Västeras, about 100km from Stockholm, Music & Lights has grown steadily since it invested in its first major league sound reinforcement system, buying Nexo Alpha in 2001. Most recently, it has

Finland - Robe ColorWash 1200 fixtures demonstrated their cool at a recent gig in Lapland which saw them exposed to temperatures as low as -31°C - excluding wind chill. The fixtures were run for three-and-a-half days, and worked continuously, say the company.

UK-based lighting rental company Siyan was asked to design a lighting scheme for Lynx Base 24-7, "the ultimate dating challenge", a surprise 24-hour party staged at Kiruna in the Arctic Circle, Northern Sweden for 300 lucky Lynx competition winners. Bryan Leitch devised the lighting scheme and Siyan supplied equipment and crew to production company Cake and also worked closely with TV Production Company Done & Dusted, who recorded it for a Channel 4 broadcast. Live performances included Faithless, The Thrills and Shaznay Lewis, plus an assortment of DJs, and Leitch was lighting it for the live event as well as f

featured content

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

Italy - The RCF ART 312-i, is an ideal speaker for any type of installation, offering the same careful acoustic design and innovative transducers used in the ART Active series. The new 12" woofer used in the 312-i is, say the company, the result of the latest refinement in years of RCF experience in manufacturing compact speaker systems. The RCF exclusive LICC (Low Impedance Compensated Crossover) assists in providing fast and accurate reproduction of the mid/bass frequency range and smooth high frequency definition.

According to RCF, the ART 312-i is an ideal solution for playback and installation situations where an external power amplifier is preferred. All components are housed in a strong lightweight, polypropylene composite enclosure. The woofer and compression driver are protected with a strong, powder-coated ergonomic metal grille assembly. The cabinet shape also ma

UK - The world-famous Sadlers Wells Theatre, London's premier ballet and dance venue, has installed a new 40-channel Midas Legend audio mixing console, supplied by Marquee Audio. The desk will not have a fixed location, being installed in the upper-level sound control room or at the back of the stalls, depending on the requirements of the production. Sound engineer Tom Hares is part of the technical services team that selected the Midas console. "We looked at three or four different makes of desk, either analogue or analogue with snapshot automation. It is important that the technology should be accessible: we have a lot of visiting engineers coming into Sadlers Wells, so they need to see an operating system that they can pick up in just a few minutes. Midas is a name we felt we could trust, and we had the budget to choose the Legend, which ensures that we'll have the operati
featured content

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

Liechtenstein - Neutrik AG, the leading manufacturer of connectors and instruments for the audio and music industries, in conjunction with its subsidiary Neutrik UK Ltd, have announced the appointment of Paxt Ltd as its main distributor for both Equatorial and North Africa. "Paxt are just the type of distributor and management partner we seek as a partner for this area of developing markets' said Heinrich Zant, director international sales. Jeff Fishel, sales and marketing at Neutrik UK, added: "Paxt have built a reputation over the past 15 years as a solid company who understand the many diverse markets in this geographic region. As our penetration of the global market continues, we at Neutrik look to companies such as Paxt to assist us in our marketing efforts. The fact that we already sell to companies known to both of us makes the relationship stronger and therefore

USA - Super Vision International recently announced that it has signed license agreements with Illumination Management Solutions (IMS) and LED Power, both of Irvine, California, for its Variable Colour Lighting System patent # 4,962,687 and its recently acquired Laidman Technology. Illumination Management Solutions is known for it advanced applications of LED technology for the production of LED light engines for industrial and commercial applications. LED Power produces LED lighting systems for commercial applications including aerospace, automotive, commercial signage, marine, traffic control and utility control systems.

Greg Rhoads, IMS's chief technology officer, said: "It is clear to us that the Super Vision "687" Patent provides the earliest and broadest coverage in the industry for networking multiple colour changing lighting fixtures using addressable and

UK - If Santa brings you a new mobile phone for Christmas, don't forget you can put your old one to good use - you can recycle it for charity.

Some of the UK's leading charities have teamed up with specialist recycling company The Recycling Appeal to run eco-friendly fundraising appeals, meaning every mobile you donate can generate vital funds for your chosen cause. The phones are refurbished and resold, with a substantial portion of the proceeds going to charitable organizations. All you have to do is choose which charity you want to donate to - Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the Royal National Institute of the Blind, the Children's Hospice Association Scotland or Northern Ireland Hospice Care.

Jamie Rae, chief executive of Eurosource, said: "When people receive fancy new mobiles for Christmas, their old phones are often forgotten about.

UK - AC Lighting recently supplied leading event lighting design company, DBN Lighitng, with a Jands Vista lighting console and 80 Chroma-Q Color Block LED fixtures for use on in-house production rentals. In addition to servicing conferences, exhibitions and corporate parties, DBN is also involved in live music events and large scale public arts projects, and in the last 12 months has undertaken projects on four continents.

AC says that DBN was not actively looking to purchase a new lighting desk, but upon reading about the Jands Vista thought it was the first really interesting desk in a long time and therefore warranted a demo to their team of lighting designers. According to DBN, the whole team was excited by the Vista, feeling that the ground breaking desk offered a new type of user interface which would allow them to either make significant savings in show programming time

USA - American Audio recently introduced two new power distribution panels, the PDP-850 and PDP-950. Designed for use with any rackmount setup, each panel offers seven three-prong power plugs, 20A breaker protection and pop-up lights - along with various new upgrades and features.

One of these upgrades is the use of LED Technology, rather than conventional lightbulbs, as the illumination source for the units' pop-up lights. In addition to being equipped with dual LED lights, both the PDP-850 and PDP-950 feature a handy dimming control knob that lets the user adjust the degree of brightness.

"LEDs are more efficient and reliable than ordinary bulbs, because they never burn out," said Tom Freret, national sales manager for American Audio. "You don't ever have to think about replacing them. This makes the PDP-850 and PDP-950 the ultimate worry-free solution for li

USA - Loud Technologies recently announced the appointment of Jim Shaw to the position of director of operations. Jim brings an extensive management background with a long work history from Alerton & Novar, PLC, Microsoft, Index Sensors and Controls, and Carver Corporation. His wide-ranging manufacturing and quality expertise will be beneficial for his new role at Loud Technologies. As director of operations, Jim is responsible for coordinating the entire phase of product development, from conception to launch. Working directly with the project managers, Jim will focus on creating solid teams and developing a strong product and supply chain. Jim holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington and ASQC certifications for Quality Engineering and Quality Auditing.

"I am confident that Jim will be successful in his new position as director of operations

USA - Color Kinetics Inc recently introduced its Video System Manager an integrated software and hardware solution designed to produce Video With Light in wide-ranging entertainment lighting applications.

Video System Manager addresses the increasingly broad intersection of lighting and video, where the disciplines of architectural and entertainment lighting converge to create dynamic visuals and backdrops for a diverse range of venues, including theatres, tradeshows, casinos, theme parks, concerts, corporate events and exterior facades.

Video System Manager allows video-based, Ethernet control of Color Kinetics' intelligent solid-state lighting systems, facilitating the reproduction of complex effects in a lighting installation. It converts standard live video signals from a variety of media sources, including media servers, DVD players, camcorders, and personal computers, a

UK - Bandit Lites UK is supplying lighting equipment to Production North for the current Busted arena tour. No rock 'n' roll testaments are left unturned in this show, which is big, bold and Loud in every visual and sonic parameter! The Busted contract is being handled by Lester Cobrin from the UK office. "It was fantastic to be awarded the contract for this tour especially amidst stiff competition" states Cobrin. Cobrin has previously serviced Busted and Production North on the band's 2003 theatre tour and their spring arena tour. Bandit also worked with the same team on the recent McFly theatre tour.

Busted's LD Graham Feast has been with the band since they started. The overall visual equation was a tripartite collaboration between Feast, Peter Barnes, who created the video playback visuals, and production manager Iain Whitehead, who developed the set concept.

The

UK - Quest - The Legend of the Green Knight is a totally new family spectacular performed in a fully heated Big Top on Clapham Common, running from 16 December 2004 to 3 January 2005. Sunbaba Screens has provided specialist printed backdrops for the festive theatre production.

A huge 135 sqm full colour backdrop being used for the event was digitally printed by Sunbaba Screens on the company's "Ultra-Mesh" fabric, while a number of smaller screens were designed and printed to hang over the doors of the temporary structure which houses the production.

Trevor Booth, technical director of Sunbaba Screens explained: "We worked closely with Quest to produce a backdrop which would suit their precise requirements and set the scene for the production. We have worked with David and his team before and it was great to be involved with a theatrical production of thi

USA - Moon Lighting & Sound of Reno, Nevada, has joined the L-Acoustics Network Owner roster with its purchase of new dV-Dosc and V-Dosc rigs complemented by SB218 sub enclosures. Company owner Ken Van Gelder, who has been providing production services to the Reno and Lake Tahoe communities for over 19 years, says: "Having the distinction of being a V-Dosc provider puts a regional company like ours in a different class. Excellent sound quality, accurate predictability, and ease of rigging make these systems some of the first choices on national tour riders, and the amazing hi-fi quality and huge stereo image of this product is simply unparalleled."

Since acquiring the new loudspeakers, Van Gelder has noticed a dramatic difference when advancing shows with production managers and engineers. "Rather than trying to talk them out of the first choices on their riders,

UK / Brazil - Audio design specialist Audient has appointed Libor Comercio & Importação Ltda as its exclusive distributor in Brazil. Libor owners Henry and Ivone Spong say they have long been fans of the products produced by David Dearden and Gareth Davies. "Many of the DDA consoles sold in the 15 years that Libor has been in business are still in active service, and are prized by their owners as great sounding, reliable consoles. It's an enormous pleasure, therefore, to sign on with Audient and be certain that we could sell their products, safe in the knowledge that we would be continuing a tradition of offering the best products on the market at an affordable price," says Henry Spong.

Ross McFarlane, product specialist for Audient has just returned from a trip to São Paulo, during which he presented Audient and LA Audio products to around 50 of Libor's key custom

UK - When rock and roll landed at London's Earls Court for sell out shows by Morrissey and Muse (two nights) this month, Star Events Group supplied its rolling riser stage system. The 60ft x 40ft system was built in a mere five hours, saving critical time on a tight time schedule.

Project manager, Phil Addyman said: "This used to be a quiet time of year for us, but we are amidst a very busy December season of outdoor shows, supplying Vertech ice-rink platforms and these rolling riser stage shows emphasize how the company has moved forward to be busy at all times of the year."

Star Events Group will finish the year with New Years shows as far a-field as Edinburgh Hogmanay and Milan (the latter managed by the new international arm of the company; Star Orbit Italia).

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - Polaron plc, (POL.L) ("Polaron", the "Company" or the "Group"), the AIM listed broad-based technology group, announced recently the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Rossula Ltd, the holding company for Lightfactor Sales Ltd and LightProcessor Ltd - two leading UK entertainment products companies. Lightfactor distributes a range of lighting and audio products and LightProcessor manufactures entertainment lighting control equipment. The total consideration of £350,000 is to be satisfied by £250,000 of cash and the balance by the issue of new Polaron shares.

Mick Hannaford, the majority owner of Rossula, will continue to operate as a managing director for entertainment lighting within Polaron's controls division. Revenues for the year ended March 2004 were approximately £2 million. Polaron also announced that trading continues in lin

UK - XL Video is supplying Blink TV with all video production, equipment and crew for the current Will Young arena tour. The tour features a combination of IMAG video from XL's 4 camera PPU and pre-recorded footage specially created for the tour by show producer Michael Gracey. The live images are mixed by video director Phil Woodhead, and the video production package is co-ordinated by XL Video's Des Fallon and Blink TV's Tom Llewellyn. XL's chief engineer Stuart Heaney looks after their crew of seven and the tour's production manager for 19 Management is Kenny Underwood.

Video plays a central role in Young's stage show, with visuals running for over half of the set. Sydney-based video artist Michael Gracey initially met Will Young when his company Babyfoot Productions shot the "Your Game" promo on location in Australia - and they immediately hit it off. Young has tak

Latest Issue. . .