UAE - Qatar's Al-Khor and Al-Wakrah football stadiums have recently installed Meyer Sound Milo line array loudspeakers and the SB-2 parabolic wide-range sound beams, with the entire project handled by AV-Tech of Doha.

The two stadiums are located about 55km apart on opposite sides of Doha, the capital of Qatar. When AV-Tech was contracted to install jumbo video screens and accompanying sound systems at both venues, the goal was to deliver highly intelligible speech and wide-bandwidth music to all 20,000 seats from one screen-side tower. It was an ambitious goal, as each point-source system would have to cover all of the seats at the stadium.

"Our design specification called for 105 dB SPL throughout, the same as for similar stadium systems we had done previously," says

Croatia - The new Spaladium Arena in Split opened on 27 December 2008. It is the first newly built arena in Croatia since the state was founded in 1991. The Spaladium Arena is one of the designated venues for the World Handball Championship 2009, which will be taking place in Croatia next month.

The 28,500sq.m multifunction hall, which has a seating capacity of 12,000, has been equipped with chain hoists and a chain-hoist controller from ChainMaster.

For the Spaladium Arena, ChainMaster delivered four 6,000 kg BGV-C1 JumboLifts with absolute value encoders and load cells in VarioLift versions, along with a computerized controller and a switching cabinet for the positioning of the central video cube.

The ChainMaster computerised controller for the arena in Split boasts a number of additional features. Among them is an emergency lowering system operated by a key switch that ca

UK - Developed to fulfil the requirement for a compact, industrial-strength, universal DVD/CD player, HHB¹s UDP-89 is now shipping.

Housed in a compact 1U rack-mounting chassis and engineered for dependable, long-term use, the UDP-89 plays CD, Video-CD, SACD, DVD-Video, and DVD-Audio discs, and features a built-in preamp with volume control for direct connection to active 5.1 speaker systems, Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, MPEG audio decoding, professional cueing, A-B repeat function and RS232 and parallel control interfaces.

Commenting on the announcement at NAMM, HHB managing director Ian Jones says: "We¹re delighted that the UDP-89 has now come to market, and confident that we have spent our time well in creating a universal DVD/CD player that A/V professionals can depend upon."

(Jim Evans)

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LD Systems ICOA PRO series – high-performance coaxial PA speakers for professional demands

The popular ICOA PA systems have been further developed to include two active full-range coaxial speakers – ICOA PRO 12 A and ICOA PRO 15 A – as well as the active 21″ bass-reflex PA subwoofer ICOA PRO SUB 21 A. With its professional features and high output power, the ICOA PRO series is aimed at ambitious bands, musicians and DJs as well as hire companies and commercial customers looking for a compact, robust and powerful PA sound system. The ICOA PRO series is rounded off with modern connection and control options via Bluetooth 5.1 and the specially developed ICOA PRO app, for use on smartphones and tablets.

ld-systems.com/icoapro

UK - TOA's SX-2000 Audio Management System , is a fully scalable, network-enabled product line that is designed for the distribution of BGM, paging, and emergency messaging across large buildings and multiple-site facilities.

With the SX-2000SM System Manager as its 'hub', the range offers a variety of options designed to offer maximum flexibility in system design and installation, including multiple audio input and output units, fireman's microphone stations, and remote mic extensions. Minimum system configuration is eight inputs by eight outputs, and this is expandable to a maximum of 64 inputs and 128 outputs, with as many as 776 control ins and outs and with 16 audio buses plus 2 emergency buses.

To provide absolutely failsafe operation, the SX-2000 can remain fully functional on DC power and offers both network and power-supply redundancy. It also offers an additional ana

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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

USA - Peavey has added the PV 115PM powered stage monitor and the PV 118D powered subwoofer to its enduring PV Series of sound reinforcement products.

The Peavey PV 115PM is a two-way powered monitor system engineered with a bi-amplified class D power section that drives a 15" woofer with a 2 3/8" voice coil and a 1.4" titanium-diaphragm 14T compression driver with 200W total power.

The PV 118D is a powered subwoofer engineered with a class D power section that drives an 18" woofer with 300W total power. The sub also includes a built-in fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley crossover (120Hz), exclusive bass contour circuitry and Peavey's proprietary DDT loudspeaker protection technology.

(Jim Evans)

UK - The Production, Operations and Artistic teams of Cirque du Soleil are currently looking for passionate individuals of all levels of experience to fill upcoming positions in a wide range of theatre-related technical fields, including automation, rigging, sound, lighting, carpentry, props, wardrobe, video/projection, stage management, artistic direction, technical direction and project/production management.

In an effort to attract the right people to fill these many roles, the company is hosting a recruitment event in London on Tuesday, 3 February 2009. This 'Red Curtain Recruitment Event' will provide an opportunity for those interested in working with Cirque du Soleil to meet its recruiters and managers, have a drink and a quick bite to eat with current employees, and generally learn more about the company and its many career opportunities.

Anyone wishing to attend can r

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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

UK - Artistic Licence has launched a redeveloped version of its Cata-Lynx DMX512 to Art-Net converter.

"The original Artistic Licence Cata-Lynx converter was initially designed just as a handy widget," says Artistic Licence technical director, Simon Hobday, "but since its release it has proved very popular, especially amongst those needing to bridge the gap between lighting and video control technology."However, with the new Art-Net technology Artistic Licence has been developing, re-designing the Cata-Lynx range means that the product will benefit from many of the new features seen in Data-Lynx, while retaining the high specification and functionality of the original Cata-Lynx."

The result is a choice of two products in a standard 1U Rack Unit: the Cata-Lynx I/P and the Cata-Lynx O/P.

Cata-Lynx I/P is a rack mounted DMX512 to Art-Net Ethernet conver

UK - Delta Sound's remit for the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve celebration, held in its traditional location on the banks of the River Thames has expanded significantly and now includes audio coverage for a 2km stretch of the north bank of the river from Westminster Bridge to Temple.

Produced marketing agency Jack Morton Worldwide and sponsored by LG, the event attracted around 250,000 people who braved the freezing conditions. They were rewarded with moving video projected onto the 108m high Shell Building, supplied for the first time by ETC, a spectacular fireworks display launched from the London Eye and a series of barges on the river, once again produced by French pyrotechnics company Group F, as well as a Radio One hosted show by Nihal which provided entertainment throughout the evening, plus the musical countdown sequence to midnight.

"With the general ambient l

Australia - ARX Systems has announced the appointment of Scottsdale Arizona based Olsen Audio Group as its distributor for the USA, Canada and Mexico.

ARX managing director Colin Park commented: "Olsen Audio Group CEO Craig Olsen and I have been discussing the prospects of working together in the North American markets now for a while. "ARX and Olsen's product philosophy is very similar, quality products, aimed into market niches, to make the audio professional's life easier.

"Olsen Audio has a large existing dealer network in the US and Canada and Craig feels that ARX products will be well received by dealers and end users alike."

Craig Olsen is an industry veteran of over 40 years in the US and Japanese pro audio industries. Olsen was involved in the touring sound industry from the late 1960's to 1982. In 1982 he was employed by the Yamaha Corporation w

USA Music software specialist Waves announced at Winter NAMM its commitment to the live sound market with a new dedicated division whose mission is "to focus on the needs of FOH, Monitor and Live Sound/Recording Engineers".

Waves will unveil a new live division website (www.waveslive.com), as well as release the D-Show Enabler, making over 50 Waves TDM plug-ins compatible for the live environment.

Waves' history in the live sound market is varied. MaxxBCL was the first Waves product to successfully help deliver the most bass out of PA systems including line arrays, and since its introduction over three years ago, it has been used by sound companies, improving sound in prominent tours, top live venues, and places of worship around the world. Also, since its release in November 2006, Waves Live Bundle has become widely used with Digidesign's Venue consoles.

Asher Bit

UK - Void Acoustics has announced the appointment of audio designer Andy Hunt to the company's design team.

Alex Skan, director of Void Acoustics Ltd, commented: "Andy is without doubt a powerful addition to our design team, led by Rog Mogale. A perfect complement to Rog's team, Andy's special set of skills and immense experience are helping to put Void in a very strong market position, emphasising our standing as a systems company with the scope for ground-breaking electronics as well as loudspeakers."

With his audio career spanning more than 20 years, Hunt began as a production manager, progressing to the design and manufacture of affordable high-end Hi-Fi amplifiers in the mid 1980s, developing innovative products that evolved into the Aura brand from B&W. He went on to found Matrix Amplifiers, which he ran successfully for many years.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Audio consultancy and equipment supplier KMR Audio has appointed a dedicated sales manager, Stefan Pope, to handle the increased business that the company is enjoying. Pope was previously manager of the Barnet branch of Digital Village.

Pope says: "It's an opportunity I've been waiting for. KMR is probably the epitome of a young, dynamic, pro-active sales company, with an excellent reputation. There are no corporate issues with central purchasing or multi-branch complications; we're a small and focused sales team. "

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - DiGiCo's latest console - the SD8 - has already been used on a range of tours with one of the more unusual productions being a version of The Who's rock opera, Tommy, being performed in the Netherlands.

Although combining popular music with theatre is currently a popular genre of entertainment, combining that idea with genuine live rock'n'roll is quite a tough challenge. But, it's one that popular Dutch four piece band Di-rect has risen to and ticket demand for the 90-date theatre tour of their homeland has been exceptional.

Sound contractor for the Di-rect Does Tommy tour is The Purple Group, part of the Synco Network, with the company's recently purchased DiGiCo SD8 in place at the front of house position.

Using DiGiCo's standard stage rack, the console is using 48 inputs and 16 outputs. With the addition of an RME MADI interface, the show i

UK - Impact Products (Europe) is stocking the updated version of the Par38 lighting system from Chauvet, now fitted with LEDs. Suited to mobile and touring installations, the pack comprises four Par cans with adjustable mounting brackets, and comes complete with lighting stand, footswitch and chaser.

With robust black metal casings, the single colour red, green, blue and yellow pars are each fitted with 96 LEDs and are sound controlled with simple connection to the four-channel, fully automated chaser. The fixtures can also be controlled using the included footswitch.

The lightweight tripod stand has a more than generous 20kg load capacity and is height adjustable to over 2.1m, with the mounting bar providing a width of 1m. All mounting screws are, of course, supplied.

With a total pack weight of less than 8kg, the one-box LED Par38 System is portable and is quickly assemble

USA - Peavey has updated the PR Series powered loudspeakers with its new class D amplifier topology for lighter weight on the new PR 15D and PR 12D models.

The Peavey PR 15D and PR 12D are two-way powered loudspeaker systems engineered with a bi-amplified class D power section that drives a 12" woofer with a 150 watts continuous and a 1.4" titanium-diaphragm RX14 compression driver with another 50 watts continuous. This high-speed amp topology has helped the PR Series shed 20% more weight than previous models, down to 37 lbs. for the PR 15P and 28 lbs. for the PR 12P.

The PR 15D and PR 12D are capable of up to 120 dB peak SPL and feature Peavey's DDT speaker protection, which virtually eliminates audible power amplifier clipping. A built-in, heavy-duty crossover increases reliability at high power levels.

A Woofer Servo monitors the woofer for back-EMF that is not

The Netherlands - Midas Consoles Benelux has sold a further four Midas PRO6 Live Audio Systems in Holland, bringing their total PRO6 sales to five within the last month. Two of the new Midas PRO6 owners are Dutch rental companies Sound & Light Support based in Hilversum and Stagepoint in Tiel.

Sound & Light Support owners Jeroen and Veronica Brandon decided to expand their console inventory into digital with Midas. "Initially we were looking to buy a Midas Heritage, but when we visited Midas Consoles Benelux for a demo, we were also introduced to the PRO6," says Jeroen. "Following this demo it became clear to us that PRO6 is the new leading digital console."

Stagepoint, whose clients include major Dutch artists such as Frans Bauer, had already built up considerable experience of both analogue and digital large format consoles, and head of Benelux sales Sand

UK - A.C. Special Projects has designed, supplied and installed full technical facilities for the Sidney Stringer School's multi-purpose theatre and drama studio. The School has built a reputation as an innovator that encourages experimental teaching practices, and offers a range of BTEC vocational courses including drama & theatre arts, and music, for students aged 11-18.

After losing its original theatre in a fire, the School's head of drama, Michael Collins, approached A.C. Special Projects to provide complete technical facilities for the new installation. Starting with an empty shell and power feed, the company specified the entire lighting, rigging, audio and AV products inventory for the theatre. Also, various equipment was supplied for a separate drama rehearsal space.

The lighting equipment includes an extensive list of ETC, Robe & Chroma-Q conventional, moving light &

France - Digigram has announced the appointment of Hervé Odini to the role of international sales director. Odini will be responsible for all three of Digigram's international sales offices: Grenoble which handles the EMEA region; Singapore for Asia and the Pacific; and Arlington, VA for the Americas. He will also head up the Field Marketing department based at company HQ in Montbonnot, France.

Odini's principal mission will be to define and implement sales strategies across the three territories. In addition to the existing sales partners, a new distribution network is being put in place to handle the new range of Audio over IP products which start shipping in early 2009.

Formally responsible for EMEA OEM sales for Sun Microsystems, Odini comes to his new position with over 20 years experience in the IT and telecommunications industries, notably with HP, IBM, Ericsson

Australia - For 50 years the Great Moscow Circus has been entertaining audiences with acts of skill and agility. Featuring over 50 International performers, from Russia, Brazil, Mongolia, and Australasia, the Circus is again touring the country with a new production.

Brian Anslow, a lecturer in technical production at WAAPA, designed and programmed the lighting for this latest show trusting in a Jands Vista I3 for control. "I recommended that the Circus buys a Jands Vista I3 as I think it is fantastic," said Anslow. "I really think it's the next step forward in technology. We've had one at WAAPA for the past two years and I think the whole control system is very innovative; the whole idea of it, the visual reference - everything."

Anslow pre-programmed the opening of the Great Moscow Circus on his laptop with another screen connected to it so he could run b

Belgium - Barco has announced its preliminary 2008 trading update, which reveals that while it was affected by the economic downturn, improvements in working capital have led to a better cash position.

Barco says that sales for 4Q 2008 were €208m, while total sales for 2008 were €725m - down 1.5% compared to 2007. Order intake for 4Q 2008 was € 204 m. For FY08 the reduction in order intake was 2.7%.

2008 EBIT was severely hit by the worldwide economic crisis, and will be below €10m, compared with €58.7m in 2007. "Underlying the low profitability for 2008 are the very weak performance of the corporate events business as part of the Media & Entertainment division, the decrease in gross margin, the higher provisions taken for bad debt, foreign exchange and higher cost," the statement said.

Management had originally set out to reduce cost by €30m, but following f

UK - Production Services Ireland (PSI) has added in an ETC Ion console to its rental stock. Owner Brian Reilly says, "We are frequently asked to supply theatre-style lighting desks to control generic lighting rigs for theatre companies and television and film shoots and although we already have several lighting control desks that could do the job, customers were asking for one with a familiar programming style."

PSI's Ion has already been used as a house desk at Stranmillis University College in Belfast and during this year's Belfast Festival at Queen's University. It was also hired out for the Irish reality TV show Class Acts.

It has been a busy couple of years for ETC and PSI in Northern Ireland, with Sensor dimming being installed at the Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen, the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn and Belfast's Grand Opera House. PSI is also set to su

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