Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Business

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UK - For Velvet Revolver's Belfast Odyssey Arena concert, Concert Sound supplied a system built around MILO high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers.

The main system utilised left and right arrays, each consisting of 13 MILO cabinets and one MILO 120 high-power expanded coverage loudspeaker underhung for downfill. Eight 700-HP ultrahigh-power subwoofers were groundstacked on each side to provide added firepower.

A centre array of MSL-4 horn-loaded long-throw loudspeakers completed the set-up. "The MSL-4s on the ground were for extra side coverage and a little bit of front fill," comments system technician Tony Szabo. "We used eleven MSL-4s in total, just to fill the spaces. Instead of putting a side hang up in the air, we threw a few more fills in there at ground level. Two LD-3s (compensating line drivers) are used to drive the MILOs."

"The Meyer S

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UK - Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was recently appointed by London-based events and communications agency Sixth Sense UK to design and supply the production rigging for a multi-media presentation for Unilever UK Foods. Sixth Sense's producer, Sarah Donegan and production manager, Cliff Zenker, along with their appointed set designer, Steve Hicks of Parallel Notion, interpreted Unilever's brief to design a one-day event that would reiterate the vision for the business and generate a feeling of passion and inspiration.

Staged in The Brighton Centre, the Sixth Sense team adhered to Unilever UK Foods corporate guidelines and conveyed Unilever's messages in a celebratory, informative and entertaining way to 650 members of staff from Crawley and factory sites across the UK. The presentation environment was set in the round, which promoted audience interaction and afforded cl

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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USA - Two draft standards are available for public review on the ESTA website at the address provided below. BSR E1.20, Entertainment Technology - Remote Device Management over USITT DMX512, is available for public review until 11 October 2005, while BSR E1.24, Entertainment Technology - Dimensional Requirements for Stage Pin Connectors, is available for review until 18 October 2005.

The ending dates noted on the website are when the reviews end; on those dates the links to the review documents will disappear. BSR E1.20 describes a method of bi-directional communications over a USITT DMX512/1990 data link between an entertainment lighting controller and one or more remotely controlled lighting devices. The protocol also is intended to work with the ANSI E1.11-2004 control protocol. It allows discovery of devices on a DMX512/E1.11 network and the remote setting of D

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UK - Blitz Communications, part of the Blitz Charter Group, has been appointed as a preferred AV equipment and services supplier for corporate and private events at the Science Museum in London. The selection was made following a competitive tender, based on Blitz's flexibility, industry knowledge and range of equipment, say the company.

As a listed building with strict health and safety regulations, the Science Museum has rigorous controls regarding the use of external suppliers. Only companies on the preferred suppliers list can work in the building. Paul Hutton, managing director of Blitz, explains: "Achieving 'preferred supplier' status at venues as prestigious and popular as the Science Museum should be a business objective for any AV rental and staging company. It speaks volumes about the reputation and capability of Blitz that we have won this tender. It opens up a n

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UK - World famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie OBE will highlight the dangers of workplace noise to human health during a keynote speech at the 'Sound Off' conference at Earls Court on 12 October. Organized as part of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, Sound Off will see speakers from sectors including entertainment, local government, construction, manufacturing and food and drink explain what they are doing to control noise in their workplaces, and the business benefits of doing so.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, the minister responsible for health and safety at the Department for Work and Pensions will be on hand to open Sound Off, while the Health and Safety Executive will be launching their guidance on the new Noise Regulations, due to come into effect in February 2006.

Other speakers include senior audiology specialist at RNID, Angela King, chair of the safety co

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UK - LA Audio will give the UK launch of two diverse new products at the PLASA Show, to add to its broad range of pro audio equipment - Can-D and the PC90. Can-D is a headphone delay unit and amplifier for any live application. With delay times of up to 678ms, users can be 226m from the stage and still enjoy the sound of 'time-coherent cans', say the company, who add that a substantial headphone amplifier provides levels up to and including 'painfully loud' - "for all your listening needs".

The PC90 absolute phase checking system incorporates a separate emitter and receiver module, which can be used with its internal speaker and microphone or can connect via XLR to test phase accuracy throughout any audio system. The PC90's unique broadband pulse can detect polarity inversion regardless of time delay or distance. Seconds later, when the job's done, the two modules coup

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UK - Allen & Heath's range of industry-standard Xone mixers were installed on all of the main stages at the recent Glade festival, which took place near Newbury in July, hosting performances from dance music's leading artists across nine arenas.

A spin-off of the popular Glastonbury Glade Stage, this second Glade Festival attracted 10,000 visitors over the three days, covering all genres from techno, house, breaks, psy trance, dub, to ambient. Allen & Heath's MIDI-enabled Xone:92 was installed as standard on all the main stages,including the Main Dance Tent, Breaksday Tent, Origin Stage, and the Liquid Stage.

The Main Dance Tent boasted a line-up of the biggest names in the industry, including Sasha, AFX (aka Aphex Twin), Squarepusher, Speedy J, Carl Craig and Richie Hawtin. Allen & Heath's audiophile valve Xone:V6 mixer was also available on the Arena as a rotary option, and

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New Zealand - In an effort to help students and teachers get the most out of their theatrical endeavours and assist in the development of their abilities to understand and produce great stage lighting, Selecon is producing a series of six wall posters on Lighting the Stage under the project name Switched On.

The first two posters - The Light Fantastic and Getting an Angle on Lighting - have been distributed throughout the UK, New Zealand and Australia this year by participating Selecon dealers. The theme of each Switched On poster is fully supported with an on-line resource containing in-depth explanations and a series of exercises designed to help understand exactly what theatre lighting is, what it does and how you can achieve different looks and moods.

With an emphasis on approach and technique rather than product, the posters and web support con

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USA - XL Touring Video was fortunate enough to be a part of this project from the very early stages. Vince, Nikki, Mick and Tommy went through numerous incarnations of what they wanted on stage with production designer, Justin of Art Fag LLC. The resulting Carnival of Sins Tour was a great representation of the band and the fact that is one of the top five grossing tours speaks for itself. The collaboration of Motley Crue and Justin delivered the goods as evidence by fan reaction, say XL.

The tour consists of custom content by Brian Dressel of OVT, two Barco R18 Projectors and two Barco R5s provided by XL Touring Video. Band management is Alan Zulo, Chris Kasey and Jack Carson and touring on behalf of XL is Rob McShane as video director and Mike Casillas as projectionist.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - An Avolites Diamond 4 console was the control hub for a lighting and visual extravaganza in the Godskitchen Arena at Global Gathering 2005. Avolites consoles - mainly Pearl 2004s - were also in action on the other five arenas and in the Comedy Tent, all lit by Leeds-based Zig Zag Lighting.

This was the first time Zig Zag boss Neil Hunt has used a Diamond 4. "It was an ideal opportunity to put it properly though its paces and to get first hand feedback from my top programmers and operators," he comments. "We needed a desk with large capacity that was reliable, versatile and had Ethernet capability for the PixelDrive. The D4 was the solution - it has all the power and precision to do exactly what we needed."

The Godskitchen Arena rig was designed by Hunt and the D4 Vision was programmed and operated by Matt Holden-Jones, who ran lighting for most of the

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UK - Leading cellist Julian Lloyd Webber is using a variety of AKG microphones for his new Bossa Nova band, an invigorating project that's breathing new life and energies into classic Latin Melodies and sultry sambas.

Lloyd Webber has long been an AKG advocate, which has been his microphone of choice for his cello both live and in the studio for some years. Currently, Bossa Nova's gigs utilize an all-AKG mic set-up, explains Lloyd Webber's long-term sound engineer, Ben Fitzgerald. These are all supplied via AKG's UK distributor, Harman Pro UK. His favourite for the cello is the classic AKG C414, a superlative quality microphone specially designed for accurate and finely detailed pickup of acoustic instruments.

The band tours their own mics everywhere, so they're a vital element of the show, and then utilise the venue's sound system. "One of the many beauties of using AKG,

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Italy - Global Display Solutions (GDS), the leading designer and manufacturer of industrial displays, has opened an outdoor test facility in Cornedo, Italy, to provide the capacity to rigorously test its outdoor displays in real environmental conditions, offering its customers total quality assurance that its displays can endure all weather conditions.

This new facility allows GDS to track the actual behaviour of the monitor once it has been installed in the field. The displays tested in the new facility are all connected through an intranet system, which allows GDS to collect and compare their data: all temperature, humidity and sun power radiation values are recorded into a server computer. A complicated evaluation of this data allows GDS to map the most reliable thermal cooling system for each display and application. This test also enables GDS to verify the laboratory simula

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USA - For the sixth consecutive year, ETC has selected a group of high-achieving students which the company will sponsor to attend the LDI tradeshow in Orlando, Florida. This year, for the first time, the group includes a student from the UK.

The students, all enrolled in college study for 2005 in specialities related to lighting design, theatre or entertainment technology, applied for the sponsorship awards earlier this year. Tae-Hyun Kim, a student at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, was researching information on the Source Four Revolution when he saw ETC's call for applications. With an attitude of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained,' he seized the opportunity and proved he had the background to be a great ETC sponsorship choice. Working towards a 2006 MFA in advanced stage and screen practice (lighting design), Tae-Hyun will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to LDI, w

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UK - Lighting Partners Ltd - owners of the usedlighting.co.uk website - report an exponential growth in used equipment sales.

From humble beginnings running out of a garage in South London, company owners Iain Dennis and David Morgan turned a hobby selling bits and bobs on ebay into one of the fastest growing lighting sales companies in the industry. The partners say that they frequently ship used equipment to clients across the world, including sales to Norway, the UAE, the Czech Republic and Australia.

Earlier this year, they took on a 1,500sq.ft warehouse which they have already outgrown - a further 1000sq.ft will be taken on in September. Two new members of staff have been appointed in the last three months and a further is currently being recruited. Additionally, Lighting Partners has launched a sister website, stagelighting.co.uk specializing in "keenly priced new e

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UAE - The Middle East is now one of the world's most active markets in the development of technology in the installation and integration sector - a market hungry for the very latest, state-of-the-art products and services, developers, architects and specifiers are constantly searching for more sophisticated, advanced systems. Clearly, the business potential for both regional and international companies operating in the installation and integration sector is substantial, as the Middle East's real estate sector expands at a pace that far outstrips the rest of the world.

Dubai's residential and commercial property boom continues unabated - the total UAE real estate sector alone is set to grow to $50 billion by 2010. Timeshare property is the latest area to be announced, with ambitious plans ready to be implemented. Other Emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwa

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UK - PSL Exhibitions has been confirmed as the official Audio-Visual/IT contractor for a number of high-profile UK exhibitions, including the prestigious Toy Fair at the start of 2006 and three shows for organizers IIR. Two brand-new events have appointed PSL as exclusive supplier of all AV and IT services. Games Market Europe, staged by Tandem Events at the BDC, is aimed at the video and computer games industry: Careers in Retail is a new EMAP careers showcase, which will be held at Olympia.

PSL also renews its contracts to supply services to A Place in the Sun, the UK's largest overseas property and travel exhibition, and Reed Exhibitions' World Travel Market event. PSL has also secured contracts with high-technology showcases which depend heavily on AV presentation; these include the Smartphone Show, organized by Symbian; IPEX, the world's largest expo for the print industry

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UK - The National Theatre's Avolites Diamond 4 Elite console has been in action on the company's 11 week summer outdoor season, featuring over 150 free riverside events, 6 days a week, presented in and around Theatre Square, an outdoor piazza and performance space on London's South Bank, just outside the NT entrance.

The console was purchased by the National Theatre's LX department, headed by Huw Llewellyn who also invested in a second Avolites eDMX wireless DMX system. The Summer Season performance spectacles are diverse. ranging from surreal Barcelonan hairdressing duo, Sienta la Cabeza to performance, drama, music and dancing from all eras and corners of the world.

When it comes to lighting these events, explains Llewellyn, flexibility is paramount. There ís a standard stage position, but performers can change this if they wish and play at either or both ends of the space

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UK - Establishing a successful themed-brand, ripe for roll-out, is no easy task. But Après Bars' chairman Keith Williams - who originally set up Birmingham's Stoodi Bakers in Broad Street with Mark Jones - then managed to do just that with the pilot Mechu/Après Bar hybrid operation in the city's Summer Row.

This gave him the confidence to move forward with the latest Après Scandinavian-style ski-lodge development in Stafford earlier this summer. What the experience of the Summer Row operation provided for the company's preferred sound system integrators, TASC, was the opportunity to undertake an A/B comparison of sound systems.

"Since you can walk in one door and through to the other venue, you are able to make a direct comparison," said TASC project manager Brett Kyte: "The Nexo PS8/PS10/LS500 combination in Mechu completely blew away the other system and th

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UK - ExCeL London has strengthened its service by partnering with UK provider of audio-visual equipment and services, Blitz.

The agreement will see Blitz supplying ExCeL London with the latest in technology, sound, lighting, video plus sets and staging. An on-site technical team will be on hand to ensure clients are offered a total AV solution to meet their exact needs; whether they are staging a seminar, conference, product launch, gala dinner, party or exhibition.

The service will be available to organisers using any of the venue's multipurpose event spaces. Paul Hutton, managing director of Blitz comments: "We are very pleased to be able to work with ExCeL London. The venue is an important site for events in London and we look forward to delivering our services and solutions to the many blue-chip corporate, public sector and association clients that ExCeL London now at

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USA - Miami International Airport has been subject to a major refurbishment programme over the past eighteen months. After extensive testing of several LCD panels, Toshiba was selected by the airport administration to supply the airport with its state-of-the-art LCD displays.

To date, Toshiba has delivered over 120 of its P32LSA 32" LCD panel, and the airport expects to order more than 1,500, including the new P42LSA 42" pane, says Toshiba. The large-screen displays will provide critical flight, gate and baggage information, all integrated into the renovated and new terminals.

Betros Wakim, president and CEO of AirIT states, "We evaluated many LCD options and after extensive and rigourous testing, the airport chose Toshiba. And while it was important that Toshiba meet the airport's specifications, they also needed to meet AirIT's expectations as a partner in ord

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Germany - Hassfurt-based PA company Soundhouse Veranstaltungstechnik has provided sound services for an extended tour of Musikantenstadl, a show featuring the popular music of middle Europe. The equipment list included Soundhouse's new Soundcraft MH3 console, linked to a 32-channel K3, to provide 80 inputs for the production audio.

Soundhouse purchased the MH3 primarily for use in local festivals and for small live music acts performing in clubs. Joachim Birner, the technical manager of Soundhouse, says, "We are currently using other Soundcraft K3 and SM20 consoles, but the MH3 offers everything we need for the medium-size applications which are not restricted by technical riders, and also, it sounds great. It is a strong package for an affordable price."

The MH3 is designed for both front-of-house and monitor use and offers one-touch operation to place either Groups

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UK - Marios George contracted David Graham's The Sound Division Group to supply audio systems for his Nozomi Japanese restaurant in London's Beauchamp Place. George wanted a system that would work at low level during the days - delivering an eclectic ambience - but which could be notched up after hours for the increasing number of corporate and celebrity parties that the venue will host.

"We needed a properly-equipped DJ booth and a system that would accommodate all requirements," said George. "David understood the brief perfectly. His company did a very good job fitting this out."

The sound has to be distributed evenly - from the ground floor, up through the mezzanine to the top sushi bar and private banqueting areas. For this, Sound Division has used Bose Freespace 3 recessed ceiling speakers in the front lounge and a JBL S210 sub built into the DJ booth,

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Poland - The Polish premiere of the X-Line Very Compact line-array system from Electro-Voice took place in the Stodola - one of the most historic, and still among the most popular, clubs in Warsaw. In this relatively small venue, much loved by the large student population of the Polish capital, the X-Line Very Compact was able to demonstrate its adaptability, its outstanding sound quality and its modest requirements in terms of space.

In mid-May, the Audio Plus team, EVI Audio's Polish partner, demonstrated the system at an open-air cinema in the historic centre of Warsaw (the square dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising). This time, the system was flown, and the results were just as convincing. "The X-Line Very Compact filled the representatives of the rental companies with enthusiasm," Sebastian Pawlak, Audio Plus's MD, told us. "The sound was tremendous with no loss

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UK - DJs will be able to purchase the Digital DJ Licence from PPL, legally permitting the transfer of music onto a laptop or other hard disc based computers and proprietary DJ MP3 players. The PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) Digital DJ Licence will allow DJs to transfer up to 20,000 tracks onto a computer or MP3 device to play out in clubs, pubs and other venues. In addition, the Licence entitles DJs to keep a back-up of all digital copies on a separate database or hard drive.

Mastermix, a company which has sold music to DJs for over 15 years, will provide the 12-month licence acting as an agent to PPL. DJs will be able to purchase the Mastermix Digital DJ Membership for £250 plus VAT which in addition to the PPL Digital DJ Licence will include a 12 month access to the first community based website solely dedicated to Digital DJs.

Digitaldj.co.uk members will benefit

  1. Hungary tunes in to M1D
  2. Millennium Stadium gets Blackout treatment
  3. CGA upgrades audio at All Saints, Ascot
  4. Artistic touch for Criagieburn bypass
  5. Global Infusion's Summer Cocktail
  6. Elmhurst chooses Harlequin for new school
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Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
Sennheiser - MPU - June 2025

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