New Zealand - The owners of the luxury yacht Genevieve approached Entertainment Lighting Solutions of Auckland to inspect and provide solutions on how to "warm up" their interior lighting and re-programme the current control system on the yacht as they were unhappy with the button choices.

Initially, 90 Halogen MR16 fittings had been installed throughout the yacht and these had been replaced a couple of years ago by a Spanish boat refurbishment company. They installed a specialist marine lighting control system designed around low voltage lamps and load circuits (12-24V). Unfortunately the system did not have the capacity to carry the load of all the installed fittings so they bodged the dimmers and installed some rather unsavoury 1w 3200k LED fittings that were cold and

Sweden - DM Audio's Lars Wern has the distinction of having mixed sound for the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra's (RSPO's) legendary summer outdoor concerts for the past 25-plus years.

He therefore has intimate knowledge of the field outside the Maritime Museum in Gärdet, where the concert takes place, and has provided a constant evolutionary stream of PA systems over the decades to try and tame reflections off the large monument that overlooks the performance area, and attempt to eliminate slapback and sound bleeding back into the orchestra.

Last year, for the first time he turned to Martin Audio's Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array technology in the form of his newly purchased MLA Compact. This year - in front of an audience of 37,000 - he experienced results even superior to 2012. "It was just fantastic," he enthused.

Part of the reason was because he was

New Zealand - The Hawke's Bay Opera House situated in Hastings, New Zealand is one of the Southern Hemisphere's most impressive examples of Spanish Mission architecture. The Theatre, with its extravagant Art Nouveau interior decorations, is the keystone of the complex. Originally known as The Hastings Municipal Theatre, Hawke's Bay Opera House was built in 1915 for £12,000 - a considerable sum for the day, reflecting the community's support for performing arts.

Under recent new management, the theatre has been undertaking a refurbishment plan that included the replacement of their lighting console with a new LX600. With the main stage and house lighting dimming, wall plates and DMX distribution already LSC products, LSC reliability and ease of use was already well known to the venue and operators alike.

Henry Norton, technical operations manager at the theatre commented:

Europe - Twenty-five years after he started running a mobile disco with his brother, Theo van Workum now owns Rent-All, one of Europe's major technical production companies. Committed to investing in the most modern equipment, the company recently purchased six Yamaha CL series digital consoles.

With four offices across the Netherlands and Germany, Rent-All is an integral part of many theatrical productions and live production tours for Dutch artists, including Sensation, Frans Bauer, Toppers, Andre Rieu and Waylon.

"We always want to have the most modern technology available in stock and, because we work on many different types and sizes of production, when the CL series was launched we took the decision to invest in all three sizes of console," says Theo.

Rent-All purchased three CL3s, two CL1s and a CL5, along with three Rio3224-D and six Rio1608-D i/o units. Wi

UK - In 2009, with its lighting rigs growing increasingly complex and more diverse, London's National Theatre decided to use several just-launched ETC Eos desks for its three stages. The staff quickly became dedicated to the Eos family of controls, adding Gio and Ion over the years. So when ETC debuted the Eos Titanium (Ti) desk - with even more powerful hardware and software than its predecessor - there was no question that the National would upgrade.

Eos Ti provides the bold features and increased control capacity that the iconic venue requires. "The demands of the National Theatre's large rigs and the scale of our productions mean that we are always pushing the boundaries of what a lighting desk can do, both in terms of processing power and usability. The Eos Ti provides us with a much-needed boost in processing power," explains National Theatre lighting control sup

South Africa - Lighting designer Declan Randall wove Robe moving lights into his intricate lighting design for the epic roller-skating Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Starlight Express staged in The Mandela venue at the Joburg Theatre complex in downtown Johannesburg.

Randall was part of a Johannesburg Theatre production team including director Janice Honeyman, producer Bernard Jay, designer James MacNamara, choreographer Karen Bruce and musical director Clinton Zerf, who were given creative licence to produce a new and exhilarating version of this classic hi-energy piece.

It was the first ever non-replica interpretation of Starlight Express ever licensed by Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company since the show's inception in 1984, which brought an additional edge and frission of excitement to the production.

In the overhead lighting rig were 18 x Robe Robin

UK - PLASA London 2013, which takes place at ExCeL London from 6-9 October 2013, is proud to reveal the first audio sessions in its hotly anticipated Professional Development Programme. The packed programme offers four days of free sessions that give visitors a glimpse of the technology behind the world's most spectacular live shows and most talked about events and venues.

All sessions in the audio streams are presented by leading experts in audio technology, with separate programmes on Live Sound and Installed Sound in the new AudioLab Theatre, and a pro audio laboratory - AudioLab Interactive - that will push audio technology to its limits - and beyond. Visitors can register their interest in their preferred sessions at www.plasashow.com/education

The AudioLab Theatre features programmes on Live Sound, Installed Sound and The Sound Business. Highlights in this theatre includ

South Africa - PR Lighting has changed its South African distribution arrangements, appointing Prosound, with immediate effect as sole reseller for its extensive range of LED and automated discharge solutions.

With price sensitivity an ever increasing issue in today's market, Prosound were seeking a quality product range that could also meet the demands of the House of Worship market.

Commenting on the decision, Prosound's GM, Ian Blair, said: "The PR brand has proven itself as one of the most respected Chinese manufacturers - the company has developed and maintained its reputation for quality over the years."

PR Lighting's SA sales manager, Lawrence Mao, replied, "The South African market is very competitive and we believe that Prosound has the experience and contacts to promote PR Lighting in this market extremely well."

The Johannesburg based lightin

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Belgium - Lighting and Visuals Designer Peter Vervloesem has just joined Bass Events, one of the most proactive organisers of EDM events in Belgium, as their 'house' production designer. Peter has previously worked in the same capacity on several Bass Events' projects as a freelancer.

Bass Events believes in offering their audiences the very highest production values, hence their desire to have a production designer on-board to oversee continuity and focus just on this element of their live events. Peter is also a keen Robe advocate. In June, he specified a selection of Robe moving lights for the massive Bass Events Outdoor Stage at Sunrise Festival, staged at the fabulous recreation area De Lilse Bergen, which kicked off their 2013 summer season.

With 3 days, 11 stages, more than 300 international artists and 24 different hosting partners, the Sunrise Festival experienced gre

UK - Vaughan Sound has completed the installation of AV systems at Gocompare.com's new head offices in Newport.

The British financial services comparison specialists, founded in 2006 and based in the south east Wales city, required a number of new audio-visual products as well as the decommissioning of existing TVs and their relocation to their new premises within the adjacent Imperial House.

Vaughan Sound was invited by Paramount Interiors to specify, supply, install and commission audio-visual systems to 13 key areas at Gocompare.com's new location; including several offices, meeting rooms, the Boardroom and Reception.

Three 46" Smart LED TVs were specified and mounted to walls within the Reception area and two other spaces.

Various floor box connection plates with VGA, HDMI, USB and PC Audio capabilities were fitted throughout a number of the meeting rooms, whilst

UK - More industry experts have been confirmed to speak at the 4th annual PLASA Rigging Conference which takes place on 7-8 October 2013 at its new home, ExCeL London. Topics include control system design, truss design criteria and discussing structural collapse. In addition, the popular Riggers' Forum held on 6 October is now open for registration, the annual opportunity promising to provide informal and lively debate.

Scott Nachemann of Thornton Tomasetti managed the investigations into the failures of the supporting structures at the Indiana State Fair in 2011 and in Toronto in 2012. In this session Scott leads a panel of engineers, users and manufacturers in an account of the examination of the Indiana State Fair incident and a discussion of the lessons learned from the tragedy. The session will also look at initiatives involving the development of standards, regulations and

South Africa - About 18 months ago Gearhouse South Africa's Ofer Lapid and Tim Dunn accompanied Bruce Schwartz (Entertainment Lighting Manager, Electrosonic SA) on a trip to Aarhus, Denmark, home of Martin Professional. Their mission was to check out Martin's new range of automated fixtures: after eight years of faithful service, Gearhouse SA's Martin MAC 2000s were starting to take strain.

Peter Skytte and Peter Dahlin from Martin Professional treated Ofer, Tim and Bruce to a sneak preview of the Viper series. Back then there were only two early prototypes - and these units were still some way from completion; the two Peters had to be careful not to damage the fragile mock-up on the bench. The preview was a success, and Ofer and Tim were delighted that they'd found a worthy replacement for their treasured '2ks'.

The only problem for Ofer and Tim was that they would have to wa

UK - Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. will be showcasing RedNet, their latest range of Dante powered audio networking interfaces, at PLASA London 2013 on stand C55.

RedNet is Focusrite's high quality range of break-in / break-out boxes for any Dante digital audio networking system. Designed with multiple audio applications in mind - from live sound rigs to theatre, education and commercial installations, RedNet brings studio-grade Focusrite analogue and digital I/O, as well as next-generation Focusrite remote controlled preamps to the Dante audio network.

On show at stand C55 will be RedNet 1 and RedNet 2, which offer eight or 16 channels of line-level analogue in and out, with Focusrite's precision 24-bit A-D and D-A conversion; RedNet 3, which interfaces your digital audio systems and components to the Dante network via AES/EBU, S/PDIF and ADAT connections; RedNet 4 which ad

UK - LMC Audio is staging the Inspired Audio Listening Event, taking place at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Tuesday 24 September 2013. Attendees will be able to meet Chris Scott, design director at Inspired Audio, and the team from LMC Audio at the state-of-the-art Aylesbury Waterside facility, where you will be guided around the multi-purpose space and invited to listen to the Inspired Audio range in an assortment of must-hear configurations.

LMC says: "An interactive delivery will explain the design approach adopted by Inspired Audio and the value to the end user of this integrated package of system amplifier, enclosure and networked system control, that is central to the Inspired philosophy. We will aim to not only deliver clarity of sound, but also clarity of control options that enable connection via, USB, Ethernet, WIFI or via a Dante enabled network."

The eve

USA - Elation Professional has introduced the Protron LED Strobe, an ultra-powerful LED strobe that comes housed in a conventional par-style case. Utilising 576 pieces of white 6,500K LED diodes, this fixture produces an impressive 28,000 lumens of output - for unmatched punch and brightness in a strobing effect, says the company.

Adding to its powerful strobe light effect, the Protron LED Strobe's LEDs are also split into four 'pies' which can chase to create 'eye candy' effects. A rugged die-cast aluminium case allows the LEDs to run at full output as well as to be a floodlight/blinder, and it is rated at IP65, so it can withstand wind, rain and other inclement conditions, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Whether illuminating stages, concerts or nightclubs, buildings or landscapes - or any type of entertainment or architectural element - the versatile unit wi

UK - The 10th series of the X Factor has some noticeable changes. The biggest production surprise was that early auditions have moved away from theatre venues filled with thousands of fans and returned back to a hotel room setting - just how the early shows were originally set. Spectacular arena venues are still on the agenda this year, but further down the audition line and almost certainly at the 'boot camp' stage.

The return of Sharon Osbourne to the judging panel has been the big news in front of camera, but there have been some significant changes behind the scenes too, with a new lighting director (Tom Sutherland) and a new crew chief (Craig Broughton). "It's been fantastic to be asked by the producers to step up to the role of LD," admits Tom Sutherland. "I've been board operating on the X Factor auditions over the last four years and I progra

Switzerland - An Allen & Heath iLive system with 18 ME-1 personal mixers were employed for a special 21st anniversary show of UK band, Tindersticks. Part of a European summer tour, the band performed a special set at the Blue Balls Festival in Lucern, Switzerland, where a 17-piece string section played alongside the regular six-piece band.

For the tour, monitor engineer and long term iLive user, Jamie Hickey, specified and hired in a compact iLive system from APR Audio, comprising an iLive-R72 Control Surface and iDR-64 MixRack with remote control via a PL-6 fader panel and iPad.

The anniversary show was held in the KKL Centre concert hall, where Hickey was tasked with meeting the audio needs of 23 musicians, supplementing the iLive system with 18 ME-1 mixers to provide in-ear monitoring for each of the players in the string section.

"The biggest problem string players

UK - West London-based rental and technical solutions provider Entec is supplying the current Skunk Anansie festival tour with a control and monitor system, working with the band's long term engineers Paul Ramsay (FOH) and Simon Higgs on monitors.

The highly critically acclaimed Skunk Anansie has also been one of Entec Sound's most regular clients since 1998. Once again they came to Entec for the great service, excellent equipment and team of people, including Entec's head of sound Dick Hayes, who is also the account handler, and James Kerridge, who is out on the tour as systems tech.

Entec is supplying a Midas PRO9 console for FOH and some of Ramsay's selection of extra effects, which include a TC M6000 multi-FX unit as one of his regular toys, together with a classic Yamaha SPX990, a TC2290 delay, a pair of Avalon VT737SP pre-amps and a Tube-Tech LCA2B valve compressor - all

UK - Audiences were wowed at The Transmissions Live From Jodrell Bank this weekend as the iconic Lovell Telescope was transformed into a spectacular backdrop in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Sir Bernard Lovell, founder and first director of the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Managed by production company Ear To The Ground, the event was the final weekend of The Transmissions series, taking place on the 30-31 August.

The 2013 Live From Jodrell Bank series featured a spectacular finale with performances from Sigur Ros on Friday and Manchester's internationally renowned symphony orchestra Hallé on Saturday. Conducted by Stephen Bell, Hallé's performance was inspired by the stars playing a selection of intergalactic film music including Star Wars, E.T and Doctor Who.

Bluman Associates managed the video content production and in

South Africa - Forming part of the Samsung Galaxy S4 World Tour, the Galaxy S4 was launched to the South African market at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently and attended by some 2,000 guests.

The elaborate event, which Clay Paky Alpha Spots and Sharpys have helped to illuminate, consisted of two parts: a formal conference followed by a spectacular surprise party where the entertainment included everything from aerial acts to ballerinas in LED tutus and popular DJs. Lighting was breath-taking.

This was the largest event Victor Vermaak from AV Unlimited (AVU) had worked on as production manager. AVU were commissioned to supply the full technical.

The greatest challenge for Vermaak and Garrith Castelyn (AVU's in house creative and designer) was designing a concept that would fit into the budget without losing the essence of the concept pitched. Top prize wo

UK - Bruno Mars' Moonshine Jungle tour required an adaptable performance environment that could convey a variety of visual undertones. Working under the direction of designers, Leroy Bennett and Corey Fitzgerald, and alongside production manager, Joel Forman, Tait was able to create just that.

The complete staging solution features an array of custom elements, including a flying video wall, scenic chevron wall, geometric ceiling panels and a one-of-a-kind mirror ball. Tait project manager, Brian Levine, said: "We were able to offer a fully-customized solution with optimized stock components; maximizing value for the client."

Tait's MagDeck mainstage was treated with a high-gloss finish and features band risers with gold-trim fascia and custom bumpers that house the Chromlech Elidy LED tiles.

A flying video wall, powered by Tait's Navigator Control System and

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