UK - Amber Lites of Scotland were the first rental company in the UK to invest in the Martin MAC III Profile and promptly supplied the fixture as part of a Martin Professional lighting package for Elaine Paige's recent anniversary tour.

Celebrating 40 years since her professional stage debut, Paige played a string of shows across the UK in February and March beneath dynamic light from six Martin MAC III Profiles, eight MAC 700 Washes and 10 MAC 700 Profiles.

"We aim to maintain a modern and comprehensive stock of lights, and as one of the most prominent and technologically advanced lights presently on the market, the MAC III Profile fits into that nicely," stated Bill Adie of Amber Lites. "It has all the attributes of an innovative moving head - brightness, easy e

Belgium/USA - Barco has announced that new software is now available for the High End Systems Digital Lighting family, including the DL.3 Digital Light and the Axon media server.

The v1.5 software release expands feature functionality and provides a host of improvements and updates. Major features include frame blending for smooth, slow motion playback, and the expansion of Collage Generator capability, which allows users to create a setup that is 16 fixtures wide by eight fixtures high. A new Segmented Collage feature enables advanced users to pre-slice their content in order to create large collages with very high overall resolutions.

Another new feature is automatic content encoding validation. This process scans content as it is being loaded into the system, in order to ensure correct encoding, trouble-free playback, and the elimination of performance issues that might res

UK - Lighting designer Steven Douglas is using 265sq.m of Chroma-Q Color Web 125 LED panels to provide a curved video effect backdrop for the stage design The Killers' current Day & Age World Tour 2009.

The tour sees them perform 55 dates in 14 countries to almost half a million people. Following a series of North American dates, the tour is currently on its European leg and will then return for more dates in the US and Canada.

Tour LD Steven Douglas was looking for a semi-transparent video surface that would enhance the band's performance rather than detract from it. In addition, he needed something that would take up very little truck space and could be curved into different shapes, due to the design of the stage truss configuration. Douglas considered several popular LED video surface solutions before selecting the Color Web system, which he had used to great effect

Croatia - Robe's new Robin products - hot from the factory following their official launch at the Prolight + Sound show in Frankfurt - were the main attraction at Croatian distributors' Sali Trade's third annual open day last week.

The event was staged at the Dom Hrvatskih Branitelju (House of the Croatian Army) venue in Pula, Croatia.

It was jointly organized with guest partner Perini? Sistemi and attracted over 70 lighting specialists from TV (including HRT national TV), theatres (including the HNK Zagreb Croatian National Theatre, HNK Split, the Centre of Culture in ?akovec, INK Pula and Teatr Požega) plus several rental companies (GIS, DD Elektroakustika, ARA Electronic, Produkcija Zvuka).

Robe was represented by international sales manager Harry von Den Stemmen."This was the third Sali Trade open day " he comments. "Each time the events grow and improve

Egypt - The Cairo Opera House houses seven different stages and forms an umbrella organisation beneath which the city's music and dance companies, art galleries, museums, and training programmes can flourish. In addition to the high-calibre indoor events that have helped make the venue internationally famous, the organisers are now set to offer a programme of outdoor events, for which purpose they have invested heavily in systems from Electro-Voice from Egyptian partner Alpha Audio.

The core of the new system comprises an Electro-Voice XLC rig, which includes eighteen XLC127DVX loudspeakers and eight XLC215 subwoofers. These are complemented by eight PX1122M, four QRx153/75 enclosures, and two QRx218S subwoofers. The system, which is equally suitable for the reproduction of music and the spoken word, is driven by nineteen TG5 amplifiers. The order placed with Alpha Audio include

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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

UK - Audica Professional MICROline loudspeakers have made their theatre sound debut on Never Forget, the hit musical with the songs of Take That.

This musical has already enjoyed a highly successful West End run, drawing audiences totalling over a quarter of a million. On 3 April it started a full UK tour. Opening at The Manchester Opera House the show will take in 21 venues nationwide and close at The Liverpool Empire Theatre in December 2009.

The tour is being engineered by Marcus Wadham (Lazy Town, Dancing in the Streets), who will be working with the system designed by independent sound designer Richard Brooker and supplied by theatre hire company, Blitz Communications.

Along with a DiGiCo SD8 console and Sennheiser radio mics, Brooker specified Opus Audio for the main FOH system, having previously used the company's products on Daddy Cool at

UK - Two grandMA full size consoles and four MA NSPs were specified by lighting designer Steve Nolan for the BBC's Let's Dance For Comic Relief live TV shows - the first time grandMA has been used on a fully live BBC entertainment show. The four shows were all shot in Studio 2 at Ealing Studios, West London, UK, and were an integral part of the high profile 2009 Comic Relief campaign.

Nolan states, "It's a fantastic console - and ideal for all the crossover work I do like this which involves the combination of a TV production with live entertainment onstage."

The grandMAs (the second one running in full tracking backup mode for the show) were programmed by Tim Routledge. He comments, "For a show like this when things are constantly changing and evolving right up till the time we go live on air, it's been essential to have the two consoles. This has allowe

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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

Brazil - Nearly 300 audio professionals from the world of broadcasting, live audio, and audio rental came together on 25 March for the long-anticipated Brazilian launch of the Midas PRO6.

Organised by Bosch's Communications Systems Division, its Brazilian distributor TelePonto, and regional dealer Vitoria-Som, the launch was held at Vila Country, a 12,000sq.m, western-themed complex with dance floors, saloons, shops, and space for livestock auctions. Vila Country is also outfitted head-to-toe with audio equipment from Electro-Voice, effectively making it Brazil's largest EV showroom.

"Having raised the bar with the flagship XL8 system, the introduction of the PRO6 brings Midas digital technology to a more compact size and accessible price point," says Robert Klesser, sales manager, Brazil, Bosch Security Systems communications systems division: "There has been a

Italy - At the end of 2008, a large format Lighthouse P10 10mm LED screen was installed at Cinecity Arts & Cinemas in the northern Italian city of Parma to show film previews, trailers and advertisements in the main foyer and circulation area of the complex.

Audiovisual specialists Mediacom Digital Evolution Srl (MDE) specified a total of 63 panels of Lighthouse P10 LED screen for the project.

"We want to demonstrate high technology and innovation, so we chose to have an LED screen in the foyer, which was also visible from outside," says Gianantonio Furlan, CEO of Cinecity Art & Cinemas. "The choice of LED panels was completely quality-oriented, with Lighthouse providing the expected high quality of product."

(Jim Evans)

UK - National Geographic's flagship store in London's Regents Street is more than just a traditional retail experience. Interactive zones across the store's three floors represent each continent of the world - and Ecler amplification, distributed in the UK by MilTec, was central to the realisation of the final soundscape.

The world zones are themed retail areas that work separately from each other at certain times, hosting continent-specific events.

A total of 17 Ecler MPA6-150R multi-channel amplifiers, specified and installed by Peter Knowles, are zoned to enable each retail area to emanate its signature sounds. For special events, or to create extra interest in an area, a sales assistant has the ability to alter the levels of the amplifiers in their zone, from either a cash desk area or point-of-sale.

Knowles explains, "There were several reasons for using the Ecler

UK - The London stage production of Mamma Mia! has just entered its eleventh year. And to celebrate, Sennheiser has added some extra sparkle to the proceedings.

The production has used Sennheiser G2 SKM5000 wireless microphones for the 'three Dynamos' closing performances since the outset of the production, but to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary, Sennheiser created a set of specially made 'blinged' microphones.

Using the same Swarovski crystals used in the production's lycra stage outfits, Autograph Sound helped swap the microphone's bodies and cages allowing Sennheiser to create the special sparkling look.

"We're delighted with the new look microphones. We use the SKM5000 (with Neumann KMS105 heads) for eight shows a week. They sound fantastic, are very reliable and really fit in with the spirit of the show." says Mamma Mia!, head of sound, Fab

USA - Radian Audio Engineering has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Keith Klawitter. He will assume responsibilities for Western Regional Sales working out of the company headquarters in Orange, California beginning 1 May.

Klawitter has a long career in the audio industry stretching back over more than 20 years. He is best known as the founder and president of high-end speaker design and manufacturing company KRK Systems, which he established in Huntington Beach, California in 1986. He remained with the company as chief consultant for five years after Stanton Magnetics acquired the name and assets in 2000.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Classic Technical Services has secured an exclusive three-year contract with the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour hotel as in-house AV and sound supplier.

The contract involves supplying equipment including large screen projections, video wall, plasma screens and sound systems which will be used for a variety of events staged at the hotel.

Paul Seeney, account director for Classic Technical Services, said: "We are thrilled to be working with one of the most exclusive hotels in London and we look forward to continuing our association. Our vast amount of stock, our expertise and our innovative solutions to specific requirements has given us the right platform to be the best in the business."

Classic Technical Services provides a broad range of services and equipment including lighting, sound systems, power distribution, plasma screens and audio-visual.

(Ji

Canada - Celebrating its 21st year, the 2009 East Coast Music Awards, Festival and Conference saw many leading artists and industry figures come together in Corner Brook, Newfoundland & Labrador, for a four day conference and celebration of Canada's East Coast music scene.

Taking place on the evening of 1 March, the highlight of the event was the annual East Coast Music Awards ceremony, which saw live performances and video clips interspersing the presentation of awards in 31 categories - ranging from DVD of the Year through to Aboriginal Recording Of The Year.

With a complex, two stage production to mix the sound for, DiGiCo consoles were chosen to ensure that everything ran seamlessly on the night. Supplied by Nova Scotia-based Tour Tech East, a D1 was used at monitors, while front of house engineer David W. Hillier manned an SD7 console.

The event comprised 17 live perfor

UK - Orbital Sound will be showcasing its broad range of products and services at the ABTT Theatre Show 2009 (10-11 June, Royal Horticultural Halls, London), and will be highlighting the latest version of the CSC Show Control Software from CTR Electronics.

Orbital will also be showing digital wireless microphone systems from Zaxcom, including the TRX900 stereo-capable transmitter and the new QRX100 4-channel receiver, plus HME's recently-launched DX121 one-to-one digital wireless intercom. This can be plugged into a standard intercom station or belt-pack headset jack, or connected to a matrix intercom system, to enable wireless intercom links of up to 300 metres to be established quickly and easily.

Completing Orbital's product line-up will be loudspeakers systems from d&b audiotechnik, including the new T-Series.

Chris Headlam, managing director of Orbital Sound, comments,

Belgium - UK-based Stage One were recently approached by Vlaamse Opera Company to provide an integral part of the set for a brand new production of Samson and Delilah, opening at the beautiful Antwerp Opera House, one of Vlaamse Opera's two theatres. Stage One were brought in by Vlaamse Opera's project manager, Kjell Peersman, to provide a steel platform positioned 2 metres above the house stage and containing an in-built hydraulic ramp.

Roy Webber, project manager for Stage One, said: "Requiring input from the metalwork, woodwork, automation and interpretation departments, this project proved to be a perfect vehicle to demonstrate how we are ideally placed to provide a full range of services from under one roof."

The 8m by 8m platform is hinged at the rear, allowing it to be raised and lowered, as the performance requires, to one of two height settings. Set w

Argentina - More than 35.000 people enjoyed Peter Gabriel's concert at Velez Sarsfield Club Stadium in Buenos Aires on 22 March where Buenos Aires Live Show provided the sound system, stage sets, lights and video facilities.

Powersoft amplifiers K10, K8 and K6 powered the entire sound system with a main L/R of 14 JBL Vertec VT 4889-1, the out-fill with 12 JBL Vertec VT4889-1 per side plus several VCA Sub Low 2x21 subwoofers.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Northside Christian Church of Spring, Texas, recently installed a new sound system featuring loudspeakers and subwoofers from EAW. The installation was completed in March 2009, with final system commissioning on 28 March as part of the development of the church's new worship facility.

Vance Breshears and Kelly Dunlop of El Cajon, California-based Sound Technology Consultants were the A/V and lighting design consultants for the project, and the A/V installation contractor was David Hairel and a team from Hairel Enterprises of Conroe, Texas. The church's team included music director Jeremi Carnes and mix engineer Jose Barni. Other key individuals included Bruce Green from Irvine, California-based Visioneering Studios who served as design architect for the new facility, and Kirk Guillory from Columbia, Maryland-based Waldon Studio who was the project architect.

EAW products

Live & Free - Coldplay are to give away a free CD at every remaining live show in 2009, the band have announced. Starting with the group's first North American tour date in Florida on 15 May, fans will be given a copy of nine-track album LeftRightLeftRightLeft. The band said the giveaway was meant as a "recession-busting mark of gratitude" to their fans for supporting them. LeftRightLeftRightLeft will also be made available as a free download on Coldplay's website from 15 May. "Playing live is what we love. This album is a thank you to our fans - the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen," the band said on its website.

In The Sale Room - A rare Motown seven inch single has fetched a world record price of £25,742 after its seller Kenny Burrell, from Fife, put it up for auction. The copy of unreleased 1965 single

USA - For nearly six decades, Drexelbrook, PA, has been a first-call gathering spot for events large and small in the tri-state area. Its historic Georgian style mansion and Grand Ballroom have been the backdrop for countless weddings, proms, trade shows and corporate retreats and The iconic TV series American Bandstand filmed some of its earliest episodes there.

Drexelbrook's 15000sq.ft Corporate Events Centre, opened in 2000, is the largest facility of its kind in the region, and offers state-of-the-art audio and video systems including an elaborate distributed sound system using Community CLOUD6 ceiling speakers.

Brian Latocha of Aston, PA-based Toner Sound reports: "The old system was underpowered to begin with, and with the room's 25ft ceilings, it had been pushed to its limits for years, and was showing signs of age. We installed a distributed system of 60 CL

UK - New lighting consultancy Flare Lighting opened its doors for business on 1 May 2009. Launched by business partners David Amos and Ben Cash, the West London-based company provides lighting design and system delivery for the event and entertainment industry, and builds on the pair's many years of experience in the field.

Flare offers a range of services, from lighting for corporate events to theatre to architectural installations. As part of the business launch the company has commissioned a website, live now at www.flarelighting.co.uk.

Amos and Cash have joined forces following successful individual freelance careers. Previous clients have included Brandwidth, Blonstein and Ultimate Experience . Their years in the industry mean they have a large team of experienced and professional freelance crew and technical staff to draw upon.

David Amos is a graduate of the RSAMD in

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