For those who missed the hype in the national press, a group of international street artists, led by the UK's Banksy, transformed a dank, disused rail tunnel at Waterloo station into a vibrant and exciting art gallery for the three day weekend. While the installation pieces have probably already been dismantled, it is hoped that the wall art may be there for a while yet.
(Jim Evans)
The Meyer Sound system at the Beverly Hilton is in a left-centre-right configuration; with five Meyer Sound MICA line array loudspeakers flown left and right, and four M'elodie line array loudspeakers in th
FGS is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, with branches throughout the world. Founded in 1967 by the Ven. Master Hsing Yun, it set the bar high when specifying its requirement for both speech and musical applications. The sound needed to be pure and transparent - without colouration.
To achieve this objective, the project's main contractor, Session Audio Research, had favoured a complete one stop solution - with processor, amplifiers and loudspeakers all coming from the same manufacturer; they reached the conclusion that QSC provided the best option in terms of both performance and reliability, and specified an Installation Line Array (ILA) as the main soun
Asked about producing audio at the elegantly proportioned stadium with its own state of the art system, owner Mike Scarfe explains: "We couldn't use the existing audio system because, as with all stadiums, the sound comes from above and behind the audience; and since the stage for the Papal Mass was at one end and it would have been impossible to time-align it to the stage. We provided sound for the entire stadium and 47,000 people from 60ft towers on either side of the stage. Basically, we had a 550ft throw from the speaker tower to the farthest seat."
Working with Jim Cousins at Martin Audio in the UK and
This year's event saw a new arena added to the event in Dortmund's Westfalenhallen, equipped with a large Turbosound audio rig.
Effectively divided into four separate areas for the event - Arena, Casino, Empire and Factory - it was the latter in which regular Turbosound users BLL and CE-Veranstaltungstechnik combined to provide a huge Aspect rig to ensure the pounding beats of 12 Techno and Hardcore acts -including Vince, Korsakoff, Sven Wittekind and Angerfist - were experienced to the maximum by several thousand clubbers.
"The Aspect rig has received only praise for its power and clarity, it is the perfect system for electronic music," s
HD Pro Audio is exhibiting for the first time: the company is the UK distributor for Optocore's fibre optic audio and data networking system, is also a main dealer for the Digidesign Venue Console and Yamaha' s Commercial Audio range. Sound Associates will launch two new additions in line with DDA requirements. Their new 3-channel tourguide system is ideal for theatres offering audio description or simultaneous translation. Its licence-free operation makes it cost-effective and it is offered with a range of microphones and headsets. Also on display is a 2-channel infra-red system that offers an enhan
Recently cited in the Guinness Book of Records as having the tallest proscenium arch at 11.95m, the venue was in need of some lighting fixtures with a reputation of similar stature. Project lighting designer Poon Limpapun turned to French lantern manufacturers, Robert Juliat.
"The Robert Juliat 700SX range really fits our criteria," explains Limpapun. "With throwing distances from our front electrics bars of over 30m, the 2000W Profiles do their job very well. Overall, I can say that they exceeded our expectations."
Watson, is also using 48 of i-Pix new production model BB4s on his front truss. This is a four cell high power homogenized 20 degree RGB lightsource. Additionally, there are14 i-Pix Satellites with holographic film mounted on the floor in and around the backline to light the band at close quarters.
This project started when i-Pix' Chris Ewington visited the US last October to see a new prototype narrow optic. He then showed Watson the BB 4 which was already in production in January this year, along with a t
"After the last tour I had been looking for a console that was quicker to use," states the sound engineer. "When you are talking about a live mix you have to consider a lot of paging, which is very queue intensive. Although digital consoles can make things much better, and you can recall most of your settings, there is often a 'slow down' trying to get to where you want to go. The Vistonics platform solves all these problems."
Bill Fertig's introduction to Vistonics had come via the Soundcraft Vi6 - on a show in Mexico City where he was mixing Colombian artist, Juanes. He found the desk both quick and intuitive.
"A week or so l
ARX Managing Director Colin Park said: "The Greek market has always been an important one for ARX, especially for our Signal Distribution and Interface products, which have been very popular amongst Greek audio professionals.
"We're looking forward to working with Ioannis Oikonomopopoulos and his energetic team at Mega Sound to develop the market for ARX products further. ARX has a number of innovative new products slated for release in the second half of 2008 which we feel should be well received by Greek live sound and installation audio professionals."
(Jim Evans)
Martin lifted revenue slightly to $55.7 million in Q1 2008 from $54.9 million in Q1 2007. Underlying the slight improvement is organic growth partly offset by the weaker DKK/USD exchange rate.
Consistent with expectations, profit before tax was $4.6 million in Q1 2008 compared with $1.8 million in Q1 2007.
The Q1 numbers come on the heels of excellent 2007 numbers for the company. Revenue in 2007 improved by 14.1% to a record level of $234.5 million from $205.5 million in 2006. Profit before tax increased to $16.2 million in 2007 from $3.8 million in 2006.
A company statement states: "Martin continues to reap the benefits of quality and product development improvements that have resulted from a completed business transformation process."
While rehearsing, Kylie's creative crew made various set changes and Litestructures were able to support these. Working in conjunction with Creative director William Becker, Litestructures facilitated many new elements, including an 8'x 8' cube frame feature, powder coated in black which would be used by the acrobatic dancers on stage.
Having manufacturing facilities onsite was again an invaluable resource, both for new ideas and for improvement of existing touring equipment, says the company.
(Jim Evans)
The Virgin Media event, organised for Virgin Radio competition winners, was recorded for playback at a later date on the radio station as well as a Virgin Radio web download feature, so the sound at the event was high priority.
As an underground city club, SEOne Club's house system is set up for its market with a DJ-ready sound system, and so a full live-capable system was supplied for the event. Hard-Fi's sound engineer, Sam Parker - also known for his continuing work with Groove Armada - called upon East London-based Headtec to ensure high quality sound for the event as well as a speedy and professional set up.
Headtec's Mark Hornsby - who has a long association with Parker - tri
With headquarters on the Chinese mainland in Guangzhou as well as branches in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, Rightway has represented Klark Teknik's Square ONE range since its launch in 1996, selling more units into China than any other territory. The company also has the distinction of selling four XL8s into the Chinese market, as well as having purchased a demonstration model.
"This is wonderful for us," says Rightway sales manager Alan Wong. "The Chinese market is well aware that Midas and KT are big names, and as the new sole distributor we are very proud to represent these brands in China. We are looking to expand Midas and Klark Teknik right across the board, through live sound, theatre and broadcast."
Adds Midas and Klark Teknik sales and marketing
Sheffield is one of those British cities that boasts a vibrant local music scene, and has produced some of the finest bands in the country, including Def Leppard, Joe Cocker, The Human League, Pulp and lately The Arctic Monkeys. Building on that tradition, AMG has created its new Carling Academy venue out of an old purpose-built ballroom which had been used as a discotheque before falling into disrepair for several years.
In fact, there are two venues here; the main stage has a capacity for 1800, while Academy 2 is another production-complete space for arou
The theatre was designed by the French architect Paul Andreu and was officially inaugurated in December 2007; it cost a remarkable $357,000,000, it covers an area of 200,000sq.m and can seat up to 6,500 spectators. Its most distinctive feature is the imposing titanium and glass structure, shaped like an egg, which is entirely surrounded by an artificial lake that reflects the whole facility.
The only entrance to the structure is through a tunnel that runs below water level. The interior has been divided into three main sectors: the Opera Hall, the Music Hall and the Theatre Hall.
The lighting system is Clay Paky-based, including 98 Alpha Profile 1200, 90 Alpha Wash 1200 and
"TMB has built a strong presence in Asia and the Pacific Rim. I'm thrilled that we can work with them to expand both our businesses there," says Dusty D. Hudgins, sales manager for Wybron. "We've worked with TMB for a long time, I'm confident they will help our customers, and provide that unique TMB service."
TMB sales manager, Lisa Curran adds: "Dealers will benefit from the innovation and quality of Wybron products, combined with our commitment to fast and friendly service. Together we will accomplish great things in these rapidly growing markets."
Wybron has had
Last year Christie provided XDC, the festival's official D-Cinema partner and CST, the representative organisation of cinema professionals in France responsible for the technical operation of Cannes, with 2K DLP Cinema digital cinema projectors. Helping the festival to screen a wide variety of digital titles and, supplying digital screening solutions to over 16 auditoriums at the festival.
This year that support extends to 18 auditoria and the review of digital material prior to screening, with more than half of the auditoria fitted with Christie 2K DLP Cinema projection. While XDC will implement it's new Cinestore Solo G3 server in the auditoria and a number of Doremi DCP-2000 servers.
"Cannes is probably the most recogni
The historic Kursaal, which is the event area in the hotel complex, has been modified under the imposed conditions of a historically listed building. A Varizone system was chosen, as it meets the challenges of audio in a facility with scalable rooms whereby the rooms can be scaled down as conference and meeting rooms or alternatively as a large event area for lectures and concerts.
The network - including the Varizone system - is controlled via a Crestron Control Panel. Additionally a Klotz Digital Decennium mixing console is bound into the system as soundboard to be used during live events. AV Ganz AG was responsible for project management, planning and installation. Product supply was by FG-Elektronik.
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Hawthorns has invested over £300,000 in HD DLP projectors and HD signal processing to allow them to cope with the ever increasing demands of their corporate clients who require increasingly high specifications and levels of high definition.
The projectors were given their inaugural run on Hawthorn's G4S event working for the Concerto Group, where Hawthorn's project manager, Oliver Moores, commented: "Using the projectors with the processor makes life so much easier out on site. The set up was a dream and being able to blend two screens that quickly meant we had more time for rehearsal and the event ran seamlessly."
(Jim Evans)
Commercial Lighting revenue increased 60% over first quarter 2007. Total revenues for the three months ended 31 March 2008 were approximately $3,019,000 as compared to approximately $2,407,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of approximately $612,000 or 25%. This increase was driven by the September 2007 acquisition of Advanced Lighting Systems ((ALS), which serves the commercial and entertainment lighting market, and by a 31% increase in revenue from Pool and Spa sales, offset by lower International sales compared to the same period in 2007. This is a 14% increase in revenue over the fourth quarter of 2007, and the fifth consecutive quarter of increased quarter over quarter revenue as the company begins to see the benefits of its acquisition and product developmen
"I have been using other consoles for quite a while and I was looking for a new challenge," explained Tan, "I am very pleased with the grandMA. Despite being relatively new to the board it is already obvious to me that the grandMA is very powerful and gives plenty of options unheard of in other consoles. It's also very user-friendly."
Having designed the show
The bases each carry 5m tall signboards. The centrepiece, set in a plywood frame on an aluminium pylon carried the letters 'USHER', lit by LED's and fronted in perspex. The flanking arrow signboards were made in folding aluminium plate, fringed with casino-style lightbulbs. These arrows were also underlit from a perspex lightbox housing high-power strip lights. One of the arrows also carried an apex feature in the form of a laser-cut plate with surrounding neon flex.
In other news: 2006 X-Factor winner Shayne Ward, is not the first of impresario Louis Walsh's protégés to rig out and rehearse at Litestructures. Regular cl
"ChamSys is the perfect partner to begin our journey down the distribution path," said Tim Brennan, VP of PRG. "Control is an area of the North American market that is demanding a product of the quality of the MagicQ Pro. It is truly cutting-edge in its fixture morphing/cloning and in its media features like the media wing and pixel-mapping. And, above all, it is familiar to the programmers and cost effective."
Building on the success of the highly regarded MagicQ consoles, ChamSys has launched its second generation of consoles, the MagicQ Pro series. The Pro series is designed to appeal to the professional power programmer and operator, with added connectivity, flexibility and durability. The MagicQ Pro was launched at PL
