China - Color Kinetics Inc has announced a series of newly completed marquee installations in mainland China, reflecting its growing momentum in the region. Most recently, installation of Color Kinetics systems was completed at LG Tower, a multi-million dollar construction by LG Building Development Co Ltd, whose 460ft towers will be lit by more than 7,600ft of Color Kinetics' iColor Accent system.

Additionally, Color Kinetics' systems illuminate Sands Macao and Grandview Hotel in Macau, Garden Hotel in Guangzhou, the China Resource Centre building in Shenzhen, Tianjin (Yi Do Cam) Business Centre in Tianjin, Lilly's Restaurants and Nightclubs in Shanghai, and Chongqing Times Square in Chongqing, among others.

"Color Kinetics' success in mainland China reflects the strength

Europe - Lighting designer Craig Allnutt is using an Avolites Diamond 4 console on the current Bloc Party UK and European tour. Allnutt joined the Bloc Party team in February 2005 following the NME tour and had previously worked with Keane.

"I particularly like the way the Diamond 4 is set up and the fact that you can patch anything to anywhere," says Allnutt. "It's very simple to pick up, particularly if you have an Avolites background."

The rig on Bloc Party is slightly asymmetric to match the non-conventional nature of the band and their music. The rig consists of two 40ft trusses - front and rear - the upstage of which has four truss drop-beams off the bottom rail. There are five truss towers onstage all at different heights, to 'break up' the overall appearance of the space.

Moving lights are 11 SGM Giotto 400 Washes and 13 CMY Spots, which ar

UK - Kelsey Acoustics' boat took overall first place at this year's Audio Industry Regatta (AIR), fending off stiff competition from a fleet of thirteen others representing all branches of the industry. The winner's trophy is competed for over five races, which this year took place in The Solent.

The Audio Industry Regatta (AIR) is run annually to raise money for the Portsmouth-based Elizabeth Foundation, a voluntary organization for deaf babies, deaf pre-school children aged up to five years, and their parents. The Foundation provides parent-centred services on a nationwide basis and often without charge.

Following a disastrous last place in the opening race, the Kelsey Acoustics crew fought back to achieve first place in each of the remaining four races to cement their overall winning position for the weekend.

This year the regatta attracted nearly 100 crew members, while

Sweden - RCF S4012 subs have recently been installed in the Friskis & Svettis fitness centre in Stockholm. The S4012 is an extremely compact, high output bandpass subwoofer system delivering a tight and fast bass response using a new RCF high-powered 12" woofer, say RCF.

The subs, wall-mounted in this case, are part of a complete system for the centre. Erik Tapper of Luthman, RCF's distributor in Sweden, said: "It is not often that we see subs wall-mounted like this, but I have to admit that they sound great when working with the rest of the system."

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Sky News is now broadcasting from its new, state-of-the-art Sky News Centre studio complex in West London. Central to the operation is the main combined studio-newsroom, complete with the first LED backdrop solution in a 24/7 UK broadcast facility. Barco supplied all of the LED backdrop walls equipped with unique diffusers especially developed for the broadcast market, and projectors used in news studios and monitoring rooms in the purpose built facility.

Paul Vickerage, head of studio production for Sky News states, "One reason for the purchase from Barco was that Barco is a total solution provider and could provide us with all the LED and projectors needed for this new and technologically advanced studio."

At 7,500sq.ft Sky News' new newsroom is over twice the size of its previous facility, which was around 3,000 square foot. Measuring 14m x 3m, and 34 tiles l

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ETC Halcyon Silent

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Northern Ireland - ACK Productions of Belfast has become the first company in Northern Ireland to purchase HK Audio's COHEDRA Compact Coherent Dynamic Response Array system.

"We are trying to expand the market to which our sound systems are pitched," says ACK owner Alastair Kerr. "We do a lot of theatre and corporate events that our existing HK Audio systems are great for but we want to start looking at systems for bands and small outdoor festivals for which the COHEDRA Compact is ideal."

ACK has purchased 16 CDR 108 mid/high units, eight CDR 210 C subwoofers and two PR8 amp racks with additional controllers to enable two smaller systems to go out on hire at the same time. The company already has a substantial inventory of HK Audio systems. ACK's introduction to COHEDRA Compact came about when UK distributor John Hornby Skewes brought over a demo system for

USA - Compulite's Vector lighting console was chosen by LD Jeff Lava for Audio Adrenaline's fall tour. Established for ten years, Audio Adrenaline is a leading Christian music group, with sales of over 3 million album sales and 18 number one radio hits.

The AudioA tour ran 26 shows in six weeks, and was Lava's first experience with Vector. "After having seen a demo of the desk at Bandit, I was very impressed and decided to try it out on my next tour," he commented.

"The learning curve was immediate. Within a few days I was running the console as if I had been doing it for years. I was specifically impressed with Compulite's support. Whenever I had a question, I called their product specialist and got an answer within minutes. When I ran across things I didn't like, I had Compulite's engineers call me for details, and on several occasions I received a software up

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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.

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USA - Sound, light, and stage production services specialists Big Mo Pro Inc has taken delivery of 12 Lake Contour digital loudspeaker processors and intend to invest in 12 more over the coming year. Big Mo Pro, based in northern New Jersey and founded by entertainment production industry veteran partners Glenn Radler, Greg Rosenkrans, and Jesse Hoefflinger, selected Lake Contour for its best-in-class equalization capabilities, tight integration with the L-Acoustics KUDO line array, and wireless control functionality.

"The control that Lake Contour gives you is unparalleled," said Greg Rosenkrans, president of Big Mo Pro. "The Mesa EQ filter is the big thing. The ability to split each side of a parametric filter and control the cut and boost of the slopes separately is huge. Loudspeaker response is asymmetrical, and Lake's Mesa filter gives you complete control ov

UK - Slingco has installed two CABLEnet tensioned wire grids into the new 1200 seater Perth Concert Hall in Scotland - the first new build full scale concert hall to be constructed in Scotland since 1990. The £17 million project is the result of an international architectural competition chaired by Eva Jiricna and won by BDP's Glasgow office in 1998.

The main Gannochy Auditorium is a completely flexible concert Hall space, and it's here that the two tensioned wire grids are installed. The grids were, originally specified by theatre consultants Carr & Angier as the safest way for technicians and maintenance staff to work flexibly at height in the roof space above the stage and auditorium. Slingco's Nick Dykins was contacted by BDP two years ago as the build entered its final phases, and asked to submit a tender for the grid installation.

The installation was project manag

UK - The South Bank Centre's head of production, Andy Scorgie contracted Richard Nowell Sound Services to install a new paging system in the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

"We badly needed to move with the times by finding a system sympathetic to the different requirements of the various art forms hosted at the Hall. Each event needs to have specific information relayed," explains Scorgie.

Needing to route messages over an increasing number of zones (which also incorporates the neighbouring Purcell Room), Scorgie wanted the new paging front end to be able to plug into the venue's existing infrastructure. He was also aware that the system needed to comply with Health & Safety audits, Lambeth Council inspections and LFB licensing requirements.

RNSS' operations manager, Andrew Cotton recommended the Australian Monitor DigiPage system (distributed in the UK by Fuzion plc), the

UK - Shepherds Bush Empire recently hosted singer James Blunt on the first leg of his UK tour. Lite Alternative provided the lighting, with MAC 2000 Profiles and MAC 250 Washes. The MAC 2000s were chosen for their reliability, brightness and colours, say Lite Alternative - and as far as the lighting team were concerned, the fixtures lived up to their workhorse reputation: ". . . just worked and worked on a demanding tour where we played a huge variety of venue sizes . . ." says lighting operator Glen Johnson.

Paul Normandale, lighting designer at Lite Alternative, noted: "The MAC 250 Washes are small and punchy. We found them reliable and surprisingly bright, which was everyone's reaction that evening."

Johnson talked animatedly about the lights: "They are great units, which we are keeping on the design even for the Arena leg early next year. Nice beam

UK - Pioneer Corporation has introduced the S-FL1 NXT-based portable loudspeaker. Utilizing NXT's highly dispersive SurfaceSound technology, the S-FL1 is aimed at mobile DJs, small music venues and open-air events, providing a rich, immersive audio performance from compact, lightweight units, according to Pioneer.

NXT SurfaceSound is especially suited to public address applications because of the wide directivity characteristic of the technology. The S-FL1 is open-backed, allowing high quality audio from both sides of the loudspeaker. Easy to set up and operate, the die-cast aluminium construction of the S-FL1's enclosure is extremely durable and able to withstand the rigours of constant transfers between venues, and set-up and break downs for events, say the company.

Weighing less than 10kg and just 5.5cm in depth, the S-FL1 is easily portable, enabling the budding musician o

USA - Martin Professional will be showing a prototype version of a new tungsten MAC luminaire, the MAC TW1, at the upcoming ETS-LDI show in Orlando. The MAC TW1 is a 1200W tungsten wash fixture that promises "an array of avant-garde features to equip the lighting designer with the broadest possibility of effects, colours and design".

Martin says: "Innovation runs through the product with newly patent pending technology removing any obstacle to creativity. The lower colour temperature of the MAC TW1 brings the warmth of traditional theatre and TV looks up to date. An innovative twin lens zoom system allows for greater flexibility in fixture placement without the need to change the front lens, and a full and comprehensive CMY colour mixing system provides a full range of colours, from delicate pastels to deep saturation."

The MAC TW1 features a choice of inte

UK - black light has played a pivotal role in bringing over 10,500 visitors into the Perthshire Big Tree Country, by designing and building a spectacular lighting and video installation for the annual Enchanted Forest project.

For seventeen consecutive nights in late October and early November, visitors enjoyed the spectacle, with black light's work recognised by an interview on prime time BBC news programme Reporting Scotland.

Several different areas of woodland were looked at as potential venues by landowner the Forestry Commission. Faskally Wood, near Pitlochry, was chosen after consultation with black light project manager Paul McGreal about the creative possibilities it offered. "The site surrounds a small loch, so there was a lot of potential for using the water as a canvas," says McGreal. "It meant visitors would see the various installation

Australia - ARX Systems has announced the addition of the DI Pre microphone pre-amplifier to its AudiBox range of precision tools, designed "to perform essential professional audio functions in an ultra-compact, flexible package".

The DI Pre features balanced XLR mic input, balanced jack output, user-variable+10 to +60dB Gain control, 20 dB Pad with status LED, Clip LED and Phantom Power switch with status LED. Typical applications include interfacing microphone and line level signal sources to professional audio systems for studio, performance, broadcast and Installation.

The DI Pre is powered by an external 12 VDC supply and is housed in a heavy duty all-steel chassis finished in matt textured powdercoat, with epoxy screen printing and slip resistant rubber pads. Security features include Kensington-type computer lock slot and optional bracket kit for under-table m

USA - FocusTrack, the new database system for tracking and documenting the use of moving lights for theatrical productions, recently made its Broadway debut with the New York production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White. The show is previewing at the Marquis Theatre; its opening night is scheduled for 17 November.

FocusTrack was specified for the production by the show's lighting programmer, Vic Smerdon, who had successfully used FocusTrack to document the intricate moving light focuses on the show's London production. For New York, lighting designer Paul Pyant and his associate, David Howe, had adapted and expanded the rig, substituting new types of lights for some of the units used in London; the London FocusTrack allowed the team to match the focuses of the new units as well as providing all of the information needed to refocus the rig in New York.

FocusTra

Ireland - SLS Ribbon Speakers (PRO8CON) were recently installed as part of the audio system in a new restaurant/club in Ireland. Bru Venue situated in the historic town of Drogheda on the east coast was installed by Grandstand Audio and supplied through SLS Irish distributor Aquarius Sound and Lighting.

Barry O'Loughlin, MD of Grandstand, commented, "As a longtime advocate of Ribbon, I was delighted to bring the technology to the appreciative ears of the owners of Bru."

Jim Donohue, who was consultant on the project, said SLS ribbon provided the clarity, coverage and sonic quality required in Bru. Making the install a truly international effort, Aquarius Sound and Lighting supplied processing by XTA (England) with sub-reinforcement by Musicson (Spain) and amplification by RAM Audio (Spain).

(Jim Evans)

Afterdark is the first CD compilation album in a new series presented by Stealth, the label of US house music maestro Roger Sanchez. Compiled and mixed by Sanchez and the electro-tribal-phile Tom Stephan aka Superchumbo - Afterdark Volume 1 "exposes some exclusive cutting edge frequencies".

In producing the set, the DJs used two new digital DJ devices from Pioneer - the award-winning DJM-1000 mixer and EFX-1000 effects unit.

Pioneer's '1000 series' (the DJM-1000 mixer and the EFX-1000 effects unit) is reportedly a sought after digital set-up for DJs performing in studios as well as in clubs, with a wide range of artists creatively exploiting this combination on CD mix compilations this year. Included among these are two albums presented by Renaissance: James Zabiela's Utilities and Yousef's Frontiers mix. While Wally Lopez, resident DJ at Pacha,

Italy - During SIB 2006, which takes place March 11-14 2006 in Rimini, leading entertainment venue designers will take part in a round-table debate with trade suppliers and manufacturers. The aim is to "analyse the transformation under way in entertainment and the evolution of the sector according to the experience of professionals who have designed Italy's leisure venues over the last 20 years". The gathering is running under the banner Where Will We Go Tomorrow Evening?.

Those expected to take part include owners and managers of Italy's major clubs, art directors, DJs, light jockeys, entertainers, PR staff and the key players in venues created by the designers, who "will participate actively in the discussion, asking questions and explaining their respective points of view".

A spokesman for SIB 2006 says, "An extremely interesting debate is pr

UK - Bristol nightspot Panache boasts a Harman Pro integrated audio system, that provides discrete dance floor, live performance, and ambient sound reinforcement. The 850 capacity night club comprises a restaurant, three bar areas, dance floor and live stage area, effectively in one open plan space.

Panache is locally-based installer CMP's largest audio project to date. CMP's Trevor Brooks collaborated with Harman Pro UK in designing a system that achieved its objectives through a process of zoning control, and careful placement and focusing of speaker coverage.

Separate speaker systems were configured for stage and dance floor, but with a control and amplification system common to both, while varying levels of background music were provided for distinct bar and seating areas.

For the dance floor there are four JBL AM4215/95 enclosures, plus two ASB6128 subs built into the b

UK - Clockaudio's newly-announced RF product series has been developed in direct response to interference (noise) issues which have recently been introduced into microphones, IP Phones, hearing aids etc, by popular GSM-based devices such as PDAs, mobile cell phones, and mobile cell phones with two-way walkie talkie capability.

Clockaudio managing director Jim Hallington comments: "We have developed our RF Series technology through what is best described as popular demand. The ever-increasing ownership of handheld and pocket-sized portable technology - most notably Blackberries - particularly amongst the banking and business communities - has been causing major unwanted interference problems during important conferences and business meetings. Our new technology eliminates these problems."

The noise emitted from GSM based devices can wreak havoc on everything from a si

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