Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
City Theatrical - Banner - July 2025

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South Africa - ETC's sub Saharan distributor, T&A Lighting/Prosound hosted the region's first Ion control desk workshops in South Africa earlier this month. Held at the Market Theatre cultural complex in Johannesburg, the session was conducted by ETC product trainer Dave Whitehouse, with the heads of lighting for both the Market Theatre and the Civic Theatre in attendance with six other board operators. Market Theatre personnel were so impressed that they have specified the desk for a production in January.

Since its launch in South Africa, Ion systems have been installed at Durban City Hall, Port Elizabeth Opera House and TV station M-Net.

(Jim Evans)

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Korea - Audiences attending the production briefing and casting announcement for the Korean musical, Dreamgirls at the Seoul Plaza Hotel recently, were treated to transparent sonic clarity - due to the use of a premium sound reinforcement system from QSC Audio.

The company's Korean distributor, Sama ProSound, provided a matched, end-to-end solution, using advanced QSC line array technology, amplifier and network audio control.

The Korean version of the musical is co-production between OD Musical Company, headed by Shin Chun-soo, and American producer John F. Breglio.

To match the importance of the occasion, Sama ProSound supplied a WideLine-8 system comprising 12 x WideLine 3082 enclosures, four WL212-sw and two WL218-sw subs - powered by 12 of QSC's new PL380 and four PL340 PowerLight 3 amplifiers, with a DSP322ua digital network device. The rig was under the managem

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UK -Will Young recently completed a British tour reinforced by Butterfly Outline arrays, supplied by London rental company Britannia Row Productions.

Sound reinforcement on the tour featured an audio system comprising 32 Outline Butterfly CDH 483 Hi-Pack modules and eight Subtech 218s, powered by Outline T9 amplifiers.

The audio technicians on the tour were Davide Lombardi (System Engineer) and Gary Bradshaw.

(Jim Evans)

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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USA - Something to bear in mind before you make any last-minute arrangements to visit the NAMM show this month (and no, it's nothing to do with that ESTA!) . . .

Following amendments to the US's Visa Waiver program, all tourists or business visitors to the United States from Visa Waiver countries are now required to apply for approval from the Electronic System for Authorisation of Travel (ESTA) prior to travel. The new system came into effect yesterday, 12 January 2009. From now on, anyone without an ESTA approval will not be allowed to enter the US.

The application can be made from the website below; successful applicants should receive authorisation within 72 hours, and the approval will remain valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever is first . . .

(Lee Baldock)

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South Africa - Johannesburg-based Sound Stylists supplied Robe moving lights for LD Andre Rossouw from SABC's Air Time for his design at the Highway Africa Digital Journalism Awards. The 2008 event was staged at the Guy Butler Theatre on the campus of Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa, also broadcast live on SABC International.

The 36 Robes - a combination of ColorSpot and ColorWash 700 and 575E ATs - were at the core of the rig. They were all hung off the theatre's over-stage fly bars, with the 700s rigged on the downstage bars and used for stage washes. Eight of the ColorWash 575E ATs were positioned on the floor, with the rest in the overhead rig.

Sound Stylists also supplied AV, rigging and crew for the Awards, run in conjunction with a conference and hosted for the eleventh year by Rhodes University, sponsored by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC

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Argentina - Fixtures from PR Lighting dominated the stage when the Argentine Magazine Awards were held recently at the Salon de Convenciones Metropolitano, in the city of Rosario.

In fact Pablo and Néstor Deligio, who run Deligio Iluminaciòn - the company responsible for the production - used exclusively PR Lighting pieces, as the country's most important artists were honoured.

Altogether, 36 x PR XL 700 spots, 12 x PR Wash 1200, 12 x PR 575 spots, 8 x PR Design 250s - and an Orland Follow 1200 were woven into Néstor Deligio's lighting design. These were controlled from two Avolites Pearl 2008 consoles.

Pablo Deligio commented: "We are consistently impressed with the performance of the XL700 moving head in particular - it meets all our requirements in the professional sector. We have been very surprised and impressed by the quality of the XL range

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USA - Bandit Lites recently provided lighting for the Order of the Sword ceremony at the McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, TN. General Craig R. McKinley was honoured at the formal award ceremony, which recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the enlisted corps. The Order of the Sword is an honour awarded within the US Air Force.

To light the event, lighting designer Will Twork primarily chose to use Martin MAC 500s, MAC 2000 Washes, Performances and Profiles, Coemar iWash Halos, Chroma-Q Color Web Panels, and Color Kinetic I-Color Accents. Lighting was controlled by a Whole Hog II and wing.

The Color Kinetic I-Colors were used to rim the stage with colour. Twork used the MAC 2000 Performances to provide an American flag theme with American flag stars and stripes gobos. The MAC 2000 Washes lit the runway up to the stage while he used MA

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UK - When Prodigy headlined the second stage at last summer's V Festivals in Chelmsford and Stafford, they had a surprise for their fans. Thanks to a collaboration between the band's FOH engineer, Jon Burton, and Martin Audio's Research & Development director, Jason Baird, the band with arguably the most thunderous bass in the world were about to push the sub-frequencies even further.

Jon Burton explained the rationale behind his involvement in the development of Martin Audio's new passive 21" sub prototype. "We knew a year ahead of the event that Prodigy were likely to be headlining the second stage - but sound wise there is always an issue because of the strict noise levels at both the festival sites.

"We wanted to maximise the impact of the low end, but in a directional way to avoid noise propagation across the entire site. We always require more than the nor

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France - In November and December French singer Raphael played several gigs across France beneath an Andi Watson (Radiohead, Dido) designed MAC rig that included Martin Professional's new 1500 watt MAC III Profile.

Lighting supplier for the tour was Arpège Son Lumière who, together with Watson, is the first in the world to put MAC III Profile production fixtures on a tour. Arpège purchased 14 of the new generation MAC fixtures via Martin France just in time for the tour's start.

"Although load in started 1 November, we didn't receive the fixtures on site until 4 November 4th with a first show on 7 November at the Zénith in Nantes," stated Jan Lambrecht of Arpège. "We purchased the MAC III Profiles because Arpège plays a big role in the touring market in France and across Europe and the fixtures will be useful on tours in early spring 2009. They will

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Ireland - Out Board has announced that Mosco Sound Design is the latest addition to its expanding, global distribution network. Dublin-based Mosco will now provide the Republic of Ireland with all sales and support for a new range TiMax products.

The company, headed by directors Mick O'Gorman and Kevin McGing, provides a platform in Ireland for the brand's latest innovation, TiMax SoundHub, an scaleable multichannel audio mix engine and playback system for theatrical productions, live events and AV installations.

Mosco will also take on the TiMax Tracker system which makes perfomers' radio mic audio accurately follow their position onstage in 3D using precision radar-frequency UWB sensors, and which is also currently being tested for control of live cameras and video server content.

Mick O'Gorman comments, "After a long and positive relationship with Robin and Dave and

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UK - Free Registration is now open for PLASA Focus - Leeds 2009 which takes place at The Royal Armouries in Leeds on April 28th and 29th

Providing a dedicated business platform for the North of the UK, PLASA Focus is designed to reflect the world class creativity and innovation on display at the region's shows, venues, installations and events, say the organisers.

"Register now to take part in this two hall, two day event. This is an opportunity to meet the major stake holders in entertainment technology, from some of the most exciting and innovative small companies to international market leaders.

"Be you a buyer, installer, integrator or a student - if you have a need for entertainment technology then you can register now, completely free of charge".

Register at the address below and your ticket will give you access to The Saviles Hall and The Royal Armour

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UK - NSR Communications has announced that it has been awarded a three-year contract for the Driffield Show, in North Yorkshire. NSR will be responsible for supplying a complete PA system for the entire Show site, which attracts over 25,000 visitors making it Yorkshire's, and possibly the UK's, biggest one day show.

This year, the Show is planned for Wednesday 22 July. As well as live competition and displays in the main ring visitors can look forward to a wide range of exciting areas for all the family including the Enterprise Village that showcases what local rural enterprises can offer in terms of products and services.

NSR Communications has been supplying the event industry with audio and visual equipment for purchase or hire for over 50 years.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - Synthe FX has announced the immediate availability of Luminair 1.1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch. This new version brings performance enhancements and other bug fixes, and is a free update for current users.

Luminair allows users to wirelessly control, view and manage intelligent DMX lighting fixtures and consoles, straight from iPhone or iPod touch using Art-Net over a Wi-Fi connection; control intelligent lighting equipment through touch-sensitive fader and innovative channel-layout controls, or analyse incoming data packets in realtime.

"Luminair has been extremely successful in its first six months on the iTunes App Store," says company founder Ryan Hisey. "Customers worldwide are using Luminair in a wide variety of markets, from theatre and stage, to architectural and studio. We are extremely happy to be able to offer our users a significant discount of

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UK - Stage One has helped to usher in a new era of the cult show Countdown, by providing a fresh modern set to accompany the new series, which launched on 12 January hosted by two new presenters.

Working with the producers of the show, Channel 4, and production designer, Nick King, Stage One was responsible for providing Countdown with its most expansive and stylish set to date, demonstrating Channel 4's commitment to the continuing success of the show, which has been running since 1982.

Stage One provided new presenter and contestant desks and built the large set backing panels. These panels were mounted on to trucks in order to enable a smooth transition between shows as they are moved in and out of the studio.

The company also provided a central floor motif for the set that consisted of a backlit polycarbonate graphic, along with incorporating further backli

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USA - Auralex Acoustics is now offering its Room Analysis service in a retail package. The in-store kit is a complete, user-friendly programme providing all the tools necessary to acoustically analyse any room, says the company. Auralex Acoustics' lead acoustical engineer Gavin Haverstick is hosting several Room Analysis Plus overview demonstrations at the company's booth at this week's Winter NAMM in Anaheim.

Auralex's In-Store Room Analysis Kit includes a Behringer ECM8000 omni-directional measurement microphone, a USB drive featuring swept sine signals, as well as a complete instructional guide.

Room Analysis Plus is an off-site analysis service where consumers download an audio file featuring a swept sine signal from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Users can then record the sweep with an omni-directional measurement microphone in the location of the room in question. All files can be se

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UK - Allen & Heath has launched a new compact digital mixing system. Evolved from the flagship iLive digital range, the iLive-T Series has all the performance and power of the original iLive in a new lightweight, affordable package, says the company.

The T Series comprises the fixed I/O iDR-32 and iDR-48 MixRacks and iLive-T80 and iLive-T112 Surface options with remote CAT5 connection. Each rack can be used with either control surface, and all models will be compatible with the existing iLive units.

"The T Series has been developed using proven digital technology from our flagship iLive professional range. It has flexible audio architecture, with configurable buses, patching, control and FX, and offers the same processing power, DSP algorithms and functionality. We are thrilled to be able to deliver the same stunning audio performance in a smaller footprint at a fraction

Details
USA - Dirty Dancing- The Classic Story On Stage is now playing at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre. Sound designer Bobby Aitken has brought a stellar crew to design and run the elaborate Meyer Sound M'elodie line array loudspeaker system, including associate sound designer Garth Helm, UK associate sound designer and programmer Simon King, FOH engineer Bill Ruger and monitor engineer Allen Sanders.

"We have such a large dynamic range in this show, from whisper dialog and underscoring to full-on concert levels," says Garth Helm. "The M'elodies have met all our demands and SPL requirements of a box twice its size."

The main system, provided by New York-based Sound Associates, was designed by Helm with assistance from Meyer Sound's Design Services using the MAPP Online Pro acoustical prediction program. The system comprises left and right hangs of 16 M'

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UK - Flightcase manufacturer 5 Star kicks off 2009 with the launch of its new Arena range of general purpose road trunks.

Simon Edwards, 5 Star's head of technical design says: "The current economic climate means we have to be as flexible as possible, offering a good range of options that won't break the bank whilst also not compromising on basic fundamental principals like quality."

Featuring a durable ply carcass with smart High Pressure Laminate (HPL) finishing, the Arena range is constructed using 5 Star's regular glue-and-pin method and finished with the usual Penn-Elcom hardware.

Arena is available from stock in black, or to order in any of 5 Star's standard range of colours. Three standard sizes are available, the Arena 600, 900 and 1200. Each size coming complete with divider rails and partitions.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - On 5 January 2009, Bandit Lites moved its European operations into a new, larger facility. The building is located on Ampthill Road, very close to the Bedford bypass allowing access to the A1 and M1 motorway.

The 50,000sq.ft facility includes 6,500sq.ft of office space. The remaining space is divided between the Technical Services Department, LED & Special Effects Department and the Generic & Rigging Departments, as well as a virtual programming suite, storage space and a substantial amount of system prep areas, allowing Bandit to prep multiple lighting systems simultaneously.

Parking for numerous trucks is available in the rear of the estate with acreage for future construction when it is needed. There are offices and a full kitchen available for visiting lighting designers as they work in the virtual programming suite within Bandit to programme their creations before th

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UK - Eton College has installed Vieta's So Cubes in its 15th century College Hall. Specified by Scanaudio for use at the school's dinner functions, a fully portable six-unit system takes less than five minutes to set up.

With extensive oak wall-panelling reaching up the walls of this medieval banqueting hall, "attaching loudspeakers or cables to the fabric of the building was an absolute no-no," explains Scanaudio's William Couchman. "The beauty of the Vieta So Cube solution is that we didn't have to make any physical changes to the Hall's historic interior.

"All the control and processing equipment is built into a 8U mixer rack which is wheeled out for the functions. And it takes minutes for a member of staff to put the wireless So Cubes onto the dining tables. "That's a PA system for up to 130 people set up and ready to go in under 5 minutes."

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USA - At San Francisco's Fort Mason, YouTube staged its first live event, using Meyer Sound systems supplied by Pro Media/UltraSound of Hercules, Calif. Billed as a "part concert, part variety show, and part party", YouTube Live included presentations ranging from the music of will.i.am and Joe Satriani and turntable mixes by Bay Area DJ Mike Relm to the showmanship of Mythbusters and Will It Blend host Tom Dickson.

With stages at either end of the 400ft long Herbst Pavilion, and a third in the middle, Pro Media/UltraSound sound designer Mike Brady outfitted both end stages with left and right hangs of six M'elodie line array loudspeakers and two 700-HP subwoofers. Three staggered stereo pairs of legacy MSL-2A loudspeakers in either direction provided distributed delay for each stage. A Galileo loudspeaker management system using two Galileo 616 processor

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